#EmotionalWellness

A fresh relationship concept resonates with Thai readers: dry begging. Highlighted in a recent HuffPost feature, it describes hinting at needs rather than asking directly. Therapists say this subtle form of emotional signaling can shape personal and family dynamics in Thailand as well.

Thai culture prizes politeness, indirect speech, and kreng jai—the reluctance to impose or press for needs. While these traits foster harmony, they can also lead to indirect requests that complicate clear communication in love, families, and the workplace.

A new wave of relationship discourse has emerged from the United States, highlighting a term that may feel strikingly familiar to many Thais: “dry begging.” As recently spotlighted in a HuffPost feature, this behavior involves indirectly hinting or passively stating needs—instead of asking directly—and is now being recognized by therapists as a subtle but potent form of emotional manipulation (HuffPost). While “dry begging” is not an official psychiatric diagnosis, experts say it is a widespread pattern that can shape personal and family dynamics, including here in Thailand.

Even long after the final goodbye, memories of past relationships have a way of resurfacing—sometimes in sudden flashes, dreams, or everyday routines. According to a newly published feature by the TOI Lifestyle Desk, recent psychological research reveals seven interconnected reasons why ex-partners continue to occupy mental space, often against our conscious will. This report explores these findings, delves into their cultural implications for Thailand, and provides practical advice for navigating post-breakup emotions in a society where relationships and personal identity are deeply intertwined.

Thoughts of an ex can linger long after a breakup, surfacing in flashes, dreams, or familiar routines. A recent feature from a well-known lifestyle desk outlines seven interconnected reasons for persistent post-breakup thoughts. This revision adapts those findings for Thai readers, weaving in cultural context and practical guidance for navigating heartbreak in a society where relationships and identity are closely linked.

In Thailand, family, community harmony, and social expectations intensify emotional attachments. Research suggests our brains seek familiar social bonds even after they no longer serve us. The emphasis on long-term relationships and saving face adds layers of complexity to letting go. Neurochemical processes also play a role: during a relationship, the brain releases serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin, creating happiness, trust, and excitement. When those experiences fade, memories can surface as a kind of chemical withdrawal. For many Thais, whose social networks intertwine with family and shared traditions, these memories can be especially persistent. A senior psychologist notes that breakup dynamics in Thai culture often involve a wider circle of friends and relatives, making emotional separation more challenging.

A growing body of research and media coverage is challenging the long-held silence around men’s emotional struggles in romantic relationships, revealing that the pain of heartbreak, ghosting, and emotional strain has a far deeper impact on men’s mental health than previously acknowledged. This timely conversation, highlighted in a recent feature from KHOU 11+ (“I’m not OK: Why love hurts more than we admit” KHOU), offers Thai readers urgent insights into the hidden battles men face in love—and why understanding these challenges is crucial to advancing mental wellness for everyone.

A wave of research and thoughtful coverage is lifting the veil on men’s emotional struggles in love. The pain of heartbreak, ghosting, and relationship stress can affect men’s mental health far more than many realize. This conversation is timely for Thai readers as well, highlighting why supporting men’s emotional well-being matters for families, workplaces, and communities.

In many cultures, including Thailand, men are often expected to stay stoic and self-reliant. Such “toughness” ideas can make heartbreak feel taboo. When men suppress sadness or anxiety, the consequences may surface as physical symptoms, risky behaviors, or strained relationships. Experts say openness about emotions is essential to preventing longer-term harm.

A new study reveals that the emotional climate at home plays a key role in how young Thai adults judge their life satisfaction, with anxiety and anger acting as important bridges between childhood parenting and adulthood well-being. The research, summarized for a global audience by PsyPost, highlights the nuanced link between how parents care for their children, how they regulate emotions, and the happiness of individuals well into early adulthood.

A recent psychological study has unveiled new insights into how the emotional environment created by parents plays a pivotal role in shaping the overall life satisfaction of young adults, with anxiety and anger emerging as crucial mediators in this relationship. The findings—published in the respected Journal of Psychology and summarized by PsyPost—underscore the complex interplay between parenting approaches, children’s emotional regulation, and their subsequent well-being well into adulthood.

For Thai readers, who often place significant cultural emphasis on family harmony, respect, and parental involvement, this research offers a valuable perspective on how the varying degrees of care—or overprotection—during childhood can have long-lasting psychological consequences. The study echoes long-standing Buddhist principles about emotional balance while highlighting the importance of practical parenting choices that foster independent emotional regulation.

New research summarized for 2025 suggests that marital happiness isn’t about grand gestures but daily, intentional care. For Thai readers, this echoes long-held values of family harmony and steady partnership, while offering practical steps for navigating modern life.

A large-scale survey and recent psychology studies point to four core ingredients of satisfying marriages. First, a deep sense of being loved. Beyond romance, it’s about emotional accessibility and responsiveness. Simple daily acts—warm messages, thoughtful gestures, and attentive listening—convey care. Data from recent psychology research indicates that understanding each partner’s preferred ways of giving and receiving affection can strengthen this bond.

A recent study has turned prevailing assumptions about parenting on their head, revealing that fathers are experiencing higher levels of loneliness, overwhelming pressures, and emotional stress compared to mothers—a trend that challenges longstanding social narratives and has critical implications for families in Thailand and globally. According to new research summarised in El Adelantado de Segovia, comprehensive nationwide surveys conducted in the United States highlight that American fathers are struggling with deeper feelings of isolation and heavier emotional strain than their female counterparts, shining a light on a frequently overlooked aspect of the modern parenting experience.

The pursuit of marital happiness, often depicted as an elusive ideal, may be more attainable than many believe, according to new research summarised in a 2025 Psychology Today article by Dr. Mark Travers. Drawing on a recent large-scale survey as well as key psychological studies, the report reveals that the happiest married couples are not necessarily those leading extravagant lives, but those who are intentional in how they nurture their relationships every day. This discovery holds valuable implications for Thai couples—where strong familial bonds and long-term partnership remain fundamental pillars of society.

A landmark study challenges long-held beliefs about parenting by showing that fathers report higher levels of loneliness, pressure, and emotional strain than mothers. The findings have important implications for families in Thailand and around the world, highlighting a need to support all parents in today’s evolving family dynamics.

Data from recent US surveys, summarized by El Adelantado de Segovia, reveal that American fathers are often more isolated and emotionally taxed than their partners. These insights bring attention to an aspect of parenting that has been overlooked and underaddressed in both policy and community life.

Depression isn’t only about visible tears or withdrawal. Increasing research and expert voices show many suffer quietly while appearing energetic, high-achieving, and outwardly successful. This phenomenon, often called high-functioning depression, is gaining attention worldwide, including in Thailand where resilience and productivity are deeply valued.

In Thai culture, mental health conversations unfold through idioms like kreng jai—the reluctance to burden others—and a strong emphasis on maintaining harmony at home and work. As a result, many individuals mask distress by excelling in daily roles while privately struggling. Clinically, high-functioning depression involves classic symptoms such as low mood, disrupted sleep, changes in appetite, anhedonia (loss of pleasure), guilt, and restlessness, but without obvious dysfunction that triggers immediate treatment. Instead of disengaging, many keep over-performing, layering fatigue and stress atop constant busyness.

Depression isn’t always cloaked in tears, lethargy, and withdrawal. Increasing research and expert voices reveal that many silently suffer while appearing energetic, high-achieving, and outwardly successful—a phenomenon now widely called “high-functioning depression”. Recent insights from psychiatrist Dr. Judith Joseph, as highlighted in a widely-shared Mindbodygreen article, have sparked new conversations about how this overlooked mental health challenge is affecting high-achievers globally, including in Thailand, where stoicism and productivity are highly valued traits.

New research suggests that probiotics may help reduce negative moods, offering potential mental health benefits beyond gut health. The study, led by researchers including Katerina Johnson and Laura Steenbergen and published in npj Mental Health Research, tracked daily mood reports to assess how probiotics affect emotions. This approach provides a clearer picture than past studies that relied mostly on traditional questionnaires.

In a notable finding, probiotic use appeared to selectively lessen negative mood without dampening positive feelings. This contrasts with some antidepressants, which can blunt both positive and negative emotions. While intriguing, researchers emphasize that probiotics are not a replacement for prescribed medications or professional care.

Recent research conducted by Katerina Johnson and Laura Steenbergen, published in the journal npj Mental Health Research, indicates that probiotics may reduce negative feelings, offering potential mental health benefits. This study adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that the benefits of probiotics go beyond gut health and extend into mental well-being. Probiotics, commonly consumed through yogurts, fermented cheeses, and supplements, harbor beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, which can influence not just physical health but how we feel, potentially impacting mood regulation.