#Emotionalhealth

The notion of being “just friends” — with occasional intimacy on the side — often carries the promise of romantic freedom, pleasurable companionship, and zero-commitment fun. However, the latest research and expert commentary suggest that these so-called “friends with benefits” (FWB) arrangements rarely remain consequence-free. While such relationships are increasingly commonplace among young adults worldwide, and even perceived as safer or more convenient than casual hook-ups with strangers, scientists and therapists warn that they are emotionally fraught and can leave a lasting mark on the people involved.

Casual dating is on the rise among young adults worldwide, including in Thailand. Friends with benefits, or FWB, promises companionship with occasional intimacy. But experts warn these arrangements are rarely risk-free, emotionally complex, and unpredictable even with trust and clear plans at the start.

FWB has become a social phenomenon echoed in Western discourse and increasingly among urban Thai youth. In Bangkok and major cities, dating apps, media narratives, and shifting attitudes toward intimacy shape how young people view casual connections. For parents, teachers, and health professionals, understanding both the appeal and potential pitfalls is essential to support youths navigating today’s dating landscape.

A new dating trend dubbed “cookie jarring” is drawing strong reactions from both relationship experts and young people experiencing the practice firsthand, with many labeling it “disgusting” and “gross.” This phenomenon, which involves dating multiple people at once while keeping some as backup options, is reportedly on the rise among younger generations navigating the complexities of modern romance.

In recent years, the dynamics of dating have shifted as digital technology and social media make it easier than ever to connect with potential partners. “Cookie jarring” describes a scenario where an individual, uncertain about their primary relationship, keeps a secondary person metaphorically “in the cookie jar”—available as an emotional or romantic backup should their main interest fail to pan out. According to leading relationship experts cited in a New York Post report, this trend is creating emotional turmoil and confusion for those left in the backup role, eroding trust and self-esteem for those caught in its snare.

In a recent analysis published by Forbes, a psychologist has shed new light on the two dramatic extremes in the spectrum of romantic relationships—intensely obsessive love, known as love mania, and a debilitating fear of love itself, described as philophobia. These findings are shaping contemporary understanding of how individuals relate to intimacy, with wide-ranging implications for mental health professionals and everyday people alike (Forbes.com).

For Thai readers, where cultural ideals often emphasise harmonious relationships and filial piety, this research is a timely reminder that the psychological underpinnings of love can be as complex as they are universal. In a society that values family cohesion and long-term commitment, understanding the extremes of emotional attachment—and detachment—may offer important insights for navigating everything from romantic partnerships to friendship and kinship.

A new analysis examines two dramatic ends of romantic attachment: obsessive love, or mania, and philophobia, a deep fear of intimacy. The discussion, highlighted in Forbes, suggests these extremes shape how people experience closeness and how professionals support healthier connections.

For Thai readers, where family cohesion and filial duties are highly valued, the study offers timely insight into how universal the psychology of love can be. In a culture that prizes long-term commitments and respectful partnerships, understanding both intense attachment and avoidance helps navigate romance, friendships, and family ties with greater empathy and balance.

Dating culture is evolving quickly, and a troubling trend called cookie jarring has sparked strong reactions among experts and young people. Many describe the behavior as distasteful and harmful to emotional well-being. Cookie jarring involves dating multiple people at once while keeping others as backups, undermining trust and self-esteem.

Digital dating makes connection easier, but cookie jarring uses a secondary option while a primary relationship might falter. Research and commentary note that this can create confusion and emotional turmoil for those kept in reserve. The practice contributes to a sense of instability in contemporary romance, especially among younger dating-app users.

A mere three minutes of slow, controlled breathing can significantly enhance a person’s ability to manage their emotional reactions, according to groundbreaking research published in Psychological Reports. The study, detailed in a recent report by PsyPost, demonstrates that this brief breathing exercise not only soothes negative feelings in the moment but also makes it easier for individuals to consciously regulate their emotional responses—offering potential benefits for mental health and daily stress management PsyPost.

A brief, three-minute session of slow, guided breathing can significantly enhance emotional regulation, new research shows. The study in Psychological Reports demonstrates that box breathing not only tempers negative feelings in the moment but also helps individuals apply cognitive strategies to manage emotions. The finding points to a practical, scalable tool for mental health and daily stress management in Thailand’s fast-paced environment.

Emotional regulation is key to well-being. Difficulties in managing feelings are linked to depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. In Thailand, academic pressure, rapid urban growth, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 era have heightened stress. Accessible self-regulation techniques are especially valuable. National surveys indicate rising anxiety and depression among Thai youth and working adults, underscoring the relevance of simple coping tools.

New research published in eNeuro reveals how the human brain tracks and navigates rapid emotional transitions, using music to illuminate the shifting neural landscapes behind our changing moods. This discovery, which highlights the powerful influence of previous emotional states on subsequent emotional experiences, holds promise for informing future therapies for mood disorders such as depression—conditions characterized by difficulty in shifting out of negative emotional states.

In a world where music soundtracks everything from daily commutes to spiritual rituals, the news that our brains process emotional music based on recent experiences is both intuitively familiar and scientifically groundbreaking. Thai readers, whose relationship with music spans mor lam and luk thung to Western pop, may find these findings particularly resonant, linking the local appreciation of musical storytelling with new understandings of mental health.

A new study reveals how the brain tracks emotional shifts through music, offering insights into mood regulation and potential therapies for mood disorders such as depression. The research shows that prior emotions influence how we experience upcoming feelings, highlighting opportunities to tailor interventions that ease negative states.

For Thai readers, music connects tradition with contemporary well-being. From mor lam and luk thung to international pop, music’s storytelling power mirrors everyday life and community healing, now supported by neuroscience.

A strong family bond remains central for many Thai households as children grow into adults. Parents seek visits that feel genuine and warm, not merely a reminder of duty. By blending international research with Thai values, families can foster visits grounded in love, respect, and shared joy.

Thai culture values closeness, reflected in rituals like Songkran’s Rod Nam Dam Hua, which symbolize respect and affection. Yet modern life often keeps adult children away. Strengthening ties requires deliberate effort, open communication, and adaptability to changing circumstances.

For many Thai parents, the hope for a close-knit family does not end when children become adults and move out. The desire to be visited—not just remembered or dutifully acknowledged—remains strong, especially as the years pass. A recent article published by VegOut Magazine unpacks eight key habits that parents should rethink if they want to foster visits driven by love rather than obligation as they age (VegOut Magazine, 2025). These insights offer a timely reminder as Thailand faces shifting familial dynamics under urbanisation and generational change.

Many Thais worry about spending too much time glued to their smartphones, but a new perspective is gaining ground: perhaps constant phone use isn’t really about addiction, but a signal of deeper unmet emotional needs. Recent analysis and expert commentary, featured in VegOut Magazine on June 20, 2025, argue that it’s time to reframe our view of digital compulsion—not as a moral failing or clinical addiction, but as a reflection of seven core human needs going unfulfilled in daily life (VegOutMag.com).

A new perspective on phone use suggests it may reflect unmet emotional needs rather than simple addiction. Recent analysis highlighted by VegOut Magazine on June 20, 2025 argues that heavy screen time can be a signal of seven core needs going unfulfilled in daily life, reframed as an opportunity for healthier living rather than a moral failing.

In Thailand’s rapidly digitizing society, the topic resonates deeply. Data from the National Statistical Office in 2024 shows that over 90% of adults aged 18–35 consider their mobile phone essential, yet more than half wish they could spend significantly less time staring at screens. This paradox fuels concerns among parents, teachers, and health professionals about technology’s role in daily life and education.

A growing concern among child development experts highlights a syndrome many overlook: touch starvation. While the term sounds recent, its consequences for emotional and social development can be lasting, especially for young boys who may receive less physical affection from caregivers as they age. Experts urge a shift in parenting culture to ensure boys receive healthy, age-appropriate touch, an issue increasingly relevant in Thailand as families navigate modern life while preserving cultural values.

A new wave of psychological research is challenging stigmas surrounding borderline personality disorder (BPD), painting a far more nuanced portrait of this often-misunderstood condition. Recent work—summarized in a compelling piece by Psychology Today—suggests that the core traits of BPD, such as emotional volatility and intense interpersonal sensitivity, may have once offered real evolutionary advantages, helping our ancestors survive and thrive in unpredictable environments. While these same tendencies now bring suffering to those with BPD and their families, experts say that understanding their ancient roots could foster greater compassion, improve therapeutic outcomes, and reshape public perceptions in Thailand and beyond (Psychology Today).

A wave of psychological research is reframing borderline personality disorder (BPD) as a condition with deep evolutionary roots rather than a simple personal failing. A comprehensive piece in Psychology Today highlights how core BPD traits—emotional volatility and keen sensitivity to others—may have once offered survival advantages in unstable environments. While these traits can cause distress now, understanding their origins could foster greater compassion, improve therapy, and reshape public perception in Thailand and beyond.

An emerging “touch starvation” epidemic is drawing alarm among child development experts, warning that young boys in particular are suffering emotional and social consequences due to a lack of physical affection from parents and caregivers. Research and psychological insights now highlight how this deprivation isn’t just a fleeting discomfort—it can leave a lifelong mark on mental health, suggesting urgent shifts in parenting culture, especially as traditional norms face rapid change in Thailand and worldwide (New York Post).

A recent study has turned conventional wisdom on its head by revealing that conflict-driven behaviors—not simply a lack of positive gestures—are the main link between the personality trait of neuroticism and diminished relationship satisfaction. The findings shed critical light on how personality shapes emotional intimacy, and suggest new, targeted ways for couples in Thailand and beyond to build healthier, happier relationships.

Neuroticism, characterized by emotional instability, persistent worry, and mood swings, is common among the Thai population, just as it is globally. Traditionally, experts have advised couples to focus on increasing positive behaviors—small acts of kindness, frequent expressions of affection, and supportive communication. However, this week-long study, which tracked the daily behaviors of 246 participants, found that it is the prevalence of specific negative, conflict-driven acts, such as criticism or making a partner cry, that most strongly erodes satisfaction between romantic partners. Positive acts such as giving compliments were found to be beneficial but were not substantial enough to explain or offset the connection between neuroticism and dissatisfaction (Neuroscience News).

A new study challenges the idea that a lack of positive gestures alone fuels relationship dissatisfaction among people high in neuroticism. The research indicates that conflict-driven behaviors are the primary link between neurotic traits and lower relationship satisfaction. For couples in Thailand and beyond, these findings offer fresh avenues to build healthier, more resilient partnerships.

Neuroticism involves emotional instability, persistent worry, and mood swings. While Thai society values family harmony and self-control, researchers tracked daily behaviors of 246 participants and found that negative, conflict-related acts—such as criticism or emotional hurt—most strongly erode relationship satisfaction. Positive actions like compliments help, but they do not fully counteract the impact of neuroticism on satisfaction.

A growing body of research is shining a spotlight on an often overlooked crisis in marriage: emotional disengagement by wives, in a phenomenon some psychologists and therapists label as “Walkaway Wife Syndrome”—a term that has gained traction in the global discourse, including among Thai mental health professionals. The concept, detailed in a recent YourTango article and supported by psychological literature, emphasises the subtle—and often invisible—signs that a wife may have emotionally exited the relationship long before any physical separation occurs. This development is of profound importance in Thailand, where cultural expectations of marital harmony sometimes obscure underlying issues, leaving families and communities unprepared for abrupt dissolutions.

A growing body of research illuminates a quiet crisis in marriage: emotional disengagement by wives, a phenomenon some professionals call “Walkaway Wife Syndrome.” This concept has gained traction in global discussions and resonates with Thai mental health practitioners. It describes subtle, invisible signs that a wife may emotionally exit the relationship long before any physical separation occurs. In Thailand, where cultural expectations of marital harmony run deep, this insight helps families and communities address issues before they escalate.

In an era where relationship advice travels fast and trends change quickly, one traditional piece of wisdom—“Don’t go to bed angry”—continues to spark debate among couples of all ages. While some dismiss it as outdated or unrealistic, new research from Oregon State University firmly suggests the advice still carries legitimate benefit. For Thai readers navigating the complexities of modern partnerships, understanding why this simple principle resonates—backed by robust science—can have profound implications for health and happiness.

A simple rule—don’t go to bed angry—continues to spark debate. Yet recent research from Oregon State University supports its value for relationships and overall well-being. For Thai readers navigating contemporary partnerships, this insight blends tradition with science, offering practical guidance for health and happiness.

Researchers from the College of Public Health and Human Sciences at Oregon State University followed more than 2,000 participants, tracking daily emotions and how ending disputes before sleep affected well-being. Using a brief eight-day diary, scientists measured immediate emotional spikes, or reactivity, and lingering effects, or residue, of everyday disagreements. Data from trusted institutions shows that resolving issues before bedtime significantly lowers negative emotions the next day and reduces long-term emotional strain.