Debunking Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: A Mostly Misunderstood Psychological Disorder
No, OCD is not an obsession with the “order of things,” and it’s definitely different from germophobia.
Intergenerational Mental Health: Breaking the Cycle for Future Generations
World Mental Health Day is over and the hashtags have faded, but mental health is not a trend — it’s a lifetime commitment.
WHO Warns Over 1 Billion People Suffer from Mental Health Disorders
The UN calls for urgent scale-up of services and investment.
The Profitable Isolation: How Companies Capitalize on Growing Antisocial Behaviors
Loneliness is more than a feeling; it’s a fast-growing market, and businesses are cashing in.
Travel: The Ultimate Journey of Self-Discovery and Growth
This experience challenges you to grow, step outside your comfort zone, and see the world and yourself in a new light.
How Do You Heal a Heart (and Brain) That Hurts?
I couldn’t help but wonder… when the world feels dim, when your brain feels like it’s buffering, and even brushing your teeth feels like climbing Everest, how do you heal?
I couldn’t help but wonder… when the world feels dim, when your brain feels like it’s buffering, and even brushing your teeth feels like climbing Everest, how do you heal?
How to Be Happy Without Needing Anything (Yes, Even That Matcha Latte)
What if happiness wasn’t about adding things to our lives but subtracting the need for them?
The Art of Slowing Down in Ramadan
When was the last time you truly felt the weight of time in your hands? Fez – The world moves fast. Alarms scream, deadlines chase, and screens glow deep into the night. We eat quickly, speak quickly, and think quickly, but then Ramadan arrives. And suddenly, everything shifts. Fasting isn’t just about hunger or thirst. It’s about stillness. About feeling the weight of time in a way we forget the rest of the year. The morning meal, suhoor, becomes a moment of intention. Each sip of water, each bite of food, is appreciated, not rushed. The day stretches ahead, slower than usual. There is no coffee break, no midday snack, no mindless eating to fill the silence. Just presence. Ramadan teaches patience. The kind that isn’t just about waiting for Maghrib (the sunset prayer time to break the fast) but about embracing the wait itself. The mind learns to sit with discomfort without running from it. The body slows, conserving energy, forcing awareness of every movement. Even conversations change. Words are chosen carefully, tempers controlled, thoughts filtered. And then, the call to prayer. The moment of ftour. One date, a sip of milk, it never tasted sweeter. That first bite isn’t just food; it’s gratitude. The rush to eat fades. There is no need to overfill the plate because the stomach, like the heart, has learned that less is enough. At night, the streets come alive, but even that energy feels different. The laughter of children, the shuffle of slippers toward Taraweeh, the quiet murmur of Quran recitations, everything carries a sense of peace. The night is long, but it is not wasted. There is time. Time to reflect, time to pray, time to truly be with oneself. Ramadan teaches detachment. Not just from food, but from excess. From distractions. From the idea that more is always better. It whispers a truth the world tries to silence: that slowing down isn’t losing time, it’s reclaiming it. And when the month ends, the challenge begins. Can we hold onto the stillness? Can we resist the pull of speed, of urgency, of mindless consumption? Ramadan doesn’t just come to test us, it comes to remind us. That life, when lived with intention, when savored like that first sip of water a ftour, becomes something deeper. Something real. Because the art of slowing down isn’t just for Ramadan, it’s for life. And maybe, just maybe, it’s the secret to truly living. Read also: How Moroccan Expats Recreate the Ramadan Atmosphere Far from Home
Do Silent Wellness Retreats Really Work?
They call it a retreat, but sometimes it feels more like a conversation no one else can hear. Fez – In a world that never shuts up, silence feels strange. It feels heavy, awkward, and almost unnatural. But for thousands of people, silence is no longer something to avoid. It’s something they pay for. Silent wellness retreats are spreading everywhere, promising peace, healing, and a deep connection with yourself. But do they actually work? Or are they just another fancy trend sold to tired souls? The rules are simple, no talking, no phones, no writing, no eye contact. You spend days, sometimes a full week, surrounded by strangers, but completely alone in your thoughts. The goal is clear: silence strips away all the noise, leaving you face to face with yourself. For many, that’s exactly why they go. They don’t want massages, fancy food, or yoga classes. They want something harder. They want to sit with who they really are. Some people leave these retreats glowing. They say silence gave them answers they didn’t even know they were searching for. Without the constant distraction of conversations and screens, their mind finally slowed down. Problems they ignored for years floated to the surface, and for once, they had no choice but to face them. It’s not always peaceful. Some cry for hours. Others feel angry, bored, or restless. But in that silence, they say they find clarity about their relationships, their fears, their purpose. Read also: The Dark Side of Wellness Culture: When ‘Healthy’ Becomes Harmful But silence isn’t magic for everyone. Some people leave feeling frustrated. They expect enlightenment, but all they get is boredom and back pain from too much sitting. They say silence felt empty, not healing. They missed the warmth of conversations, the comfort of being seen. For them, silence didn’t feel like a journey. It felt like being locked in a room with their own overthinking brain. So, do silent retreats really work? The truth is, it depends. They work for people ready to sit with their pain, their confusion, their messy inner world. They work for people willing to dig deep, not just escape. But they don’t work like a quick fix. They don’t give you instant peace or erase all your problems. They just give you the space to finally hear yourself, without the world interrupting. In a culture addicted to noise, silence feels radical. It feels uncomfortable. But maybe that’s the point. Healing isn’t always soft. Sometimes, it’s just you, sitting alone, with every truth you’ve been running from. And in that silence, you find out if you’re really ready to listen.
Is Social Media Making Us Insecure or Just More Aware?
Lately, we tend to blame social media for all of our psychological problems and insecurities but is social media really that bad? Fez – Social media has become a big part of our lives. We wake up and check our phones. We scroll through pictures, videos, and posts for hours. But as we do this, we start comparing ourselves to what we see. We wonder if our lives are good enough, if we look good enough, or if we are successful enough. Is social media making us insecure, or is it just showing us things we never noticed before? The pressure to be perfect Everywhere on social media, people post perfect pictures. They share their best moments; vacations, outfits, expensive dinners, and happy relationships. But real life is not like that. No one posts their failures, bad days, or struggles. This makes us feel like we are behind like we need to do more to be happy. For example, a young girl might see influencers with flawless skin and feel bad about her own face. A man might see someone driving a luxury car and feel unsuccessful. These feelings of self-doubt come from constant comparison. Social media makes us think we need to be perfect all the time. But social media is not all bad. It has also helped people learn more about real issues. Before, we only saw what was around us. Now, we can see people from different backgrounds, cultures, and lifestyles. We learn about mental health, body positivity, and self-care. Many people use social media to speak about their struggles. They talk about anxiety, depression, and personal challenges. This helps others feel less alone. It shows that no one’s life is perfect, even if it looks that way online. How to use social media in a healthy way The problem is not social media itself. The problem is how we use it. It’s important to be mindful of who we follow and what content we consume. Seeing unrealistic beauty standards or luxury lifestyles every day can be harmful, so surrounding ourselves with positive and inspiring content makes a difference. Taking breaks from scrolling and focusing on real-life experiences helps us stay grounded. It’s also necessary to remind ourselves that social media is not real life. People only share what they want others to see, so comparing our lives to their highlights is unfair. Instead of using social media to compare, we can use it to learn, connect, and grow in a way that benefits us. We can make small changes that help us stay in control. Muting or unfollowing accounts that make us feel bad is a good start. Spending less time online and focusing on real-life experiences can also make a big difference. Social media can make us insecure, but it can also make us more aware. It depends on how we use it. If we let it control us, it will harm our self-esteem. But if we use it wisely, it can open our minds, help us learn, and even make us feel better about ourselves. The choice is ours. Read also: Should Children Have a Say in Family Decisions?
