I Gave Up Sleep Tracking For A Week, And I’ve Never Felt More Rested

Posted on 07/09/2025 by Boris Clair

Speaking to HuffPost UK previously, sleep expert Dr Nerina Ramlakhan from Oak Tree Mobility told us that “there’s a form of insomnia that has risen… called ‘orthosomia’, a term for the obsession with getting a good night’s sleep.”

It might affect type-A people and perfectionists more than others, she suggested, and could paradoxically make existing sleep problems worse.

She added, “Alongside the strategies and supplements for getting better sleep that are flooding the market, trackers have joined the sleep bandwagon. Trackers can (up to a point) be helpful, but I think they’re driving an unhelpful obsession.”

I have to confess that even though I know the importance of “clock blocking” and avoiding as much worry as I can at night, I’ve become obsessed with my own smart watch.

But after a little bit of skin irritation and frankly forgetting to put it back on my wrist after a previous charge, I accidentally ended up following Dr Ramalkhan’s advice: I haven’t been wearing the fitness tracker that logs my sleep for a week.

And honestly, I’ve already been impressed by how much more rested I feel.

Why might sleep tracking make sleep worse?

If trackers help you, that’s all the evidence you need to keep using them.

But as sleep expert Kathryn Pinkham, founder of The Insomnia Clinic, told Which?, they might make those with existing poor sleep (like me) panic more about their poor “performance”.

This stress forms a vicious cycle, ironically keeping worriers up at night.

This happened to me most nights. I would anxiously tell my partner I’d only had four to six hours last night, and spend the rest of the day battling fatigue and panic in equal, exhausting turns.

I’d avoid naps for fear of ruining my sleep cycle, then feel too awake, and too anxious at being awake, to fall asleep at night.

But by day two of not using a tracker, I noticed I wasn’t thinking about my sleep as much – since then, I’ve woken up far more refreshed.

This included nights I think my watch would have told me constituted a “bad” sleep. The less I knew about the supposed quality of my sleep – which some say trackers may not measure as accurately as experts like – the better I felt.

Perhaps it might be as Dr Ramlahkhan said: “With sleep trackers, unless you’re having your data measured in a lab, you need to take it all with a pinch of salt.

“Your tracker may say you didn’t get good sleep, but maybe you feel great. Check in with yourself before you check your data.”

How can I tell if I should give up sleep tracking?

Again, everyone’s different. But, per Dr Ramlahkhan, “An important thing is not to get too obsessed with the numbers, and take a break from tracking if you find yourself in that position.”

She also said many of us might be looking at the data from trackers with overly short sight, thereby accidentally misunderstanding their insights.

“Once you’ve been wearing it for a while (at least 6 months to a year), only then can you start to look at the trends,” she revealed.

“For example, if you change some elements of your life such as cutting back on caffeine, exercising more, and drinking less alcohol, then it can be helpful to see this reflected on the tracker.”

But if you think your tracker might be harming your sleep more than it helps, and if the data causes you more worry than curiosity, it might be time to put yours to bed.

5 Salmon Myths Seafood Experts Wish Everyone Would Stop Believing

Posted on 31/08/2025 by Boris Clair

Seafood consumption in the US is at an all-time high, with salmon being the most consumed fish, according to the US Department of Agriculture. It’s easy to see why salmon is so popular: A staple of the Mediterranean diet, it’s packed with nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids (which are good for your heart, brain and skin), protein and vitamin D.

Despite its popularity, seafood experts we talked to say that there are still some common misconceptions about salmon that simply aren’t true. Here, grocery store seafood buyers, as well as seafood science professors, dispel the most popular myths about salmon and give their tips on what to keep in mind when you’re shopping.

Myth #1: Fresh is better than frozen

When it comes to buying salmon, the first decision you have to make is whether you’re heading to the seafood counter or the frozen section. Jason Hedlund, the principal category merchant of seafood procurement at Whole Foods Market, shared that fresh salmon isn’t more nutrient-dense — or even necessarily tastier — than frozen salmon.

If you’re going to eat your salmon relatively quickly (within the next two days), Hedlund says fresh salmon is a good bet. But if you want salmon to keep on hand and you’re not sure when you’re going to eat it, go for frozen. He added that many people don’t realize that salmon is frozen mere hours after being caught, which locks in all the nutrient density and flavour.

Mark Lang, a food marketing professor at the University of Tampa who is passionate about aquaculture, said this too. “Salmon is frozen so quickly [after being caught] that it may be the freshest option to eat,” he told HuffPost, adding that it’s frozen right at the source where it’s caught.

If you want to eat salmon more often because of its health benefits, Lang recommends buying it frozen so you can thaw it the day before you’re ready to cook it.

Myth #2: Farm-raised salmon isn’t as good as wild-caught

Every seafood expert we talked to said that farm-raised salmon tends to get a bad rap, and it’s completely unwarranted. “Without responsible farming methods, there wouldn’t be enough salmon to meet the demands of consumers,” said Mark LaMonaco, the seafood category merchant at Wegmans Food Markets.

“Without farmed salmon, we wouldn’t have enough to feed the world. Just like we farm chicken, beef and pork, salmon farming is necessary to support global demand and helps protect wild populations from overfishing,” added Doug Varanai, the senior manager of seafood at Sprouts Farmers Market.

Experts say that the nutrient density of farmed salmon and wild-caught salmon is similar, but they do say there is a slight difference in taste.

Lang explained that the stigma surrounding farmed salmon goes back to the ’70s, when there were few regulations around salmon-farming practices, which led to salmon being farmed in dirty, overcrowded water. But he emphasised that times have changed.

“Most grocery retailers rely on certification companies with auditors on the ground inspecting the fish farms. They do inspections, test the water and test the fish. If you break the rules, you lose your certification,” Lang explained. If you want to educate yourself on the conditions of farmed salmon available at your preferred grocery retailer, Lang recommends searching for the regulations they follow on their website. (Here’s where you can find the details on farmed fish practices for Whole Foods, Sprouts and Wegmans.)

All of the experts say that the nutrient density of farmed salmon and wild-caught salmon is similar, but they do say there is a slight difference in taste. “Wild salmon often has a firmer texture, leaner flesh and a more intense, ‘oceanic flavor’ due to natural diets. Farmed salmon tends to be milder, fattier and softer in texture, with flavour influenced by feed formulations,” said Alexander Chouljenko, an assistant professor of seafood science at North Carolina State University. “Some people prefer the richness of farmed; others prefer the complexity of wild. Blind taste tests show people’s preferences can be split, often depending on cooking method and seasoning,” he added.

Myth #3: Farmed salmon is full of antibiotics

If you’ve been avoiding farmed salmon because you believe it’s full of antibiotics, the experts say you can rest assured that it isn’t something you need to obsess over. “In the US, Canada, Norway and many well-regulated countries, antibiotics are rarely used, and if they are, they are under strict veterinary oversight with mandatory withdrawal periods before harvest,” Chouljenko said.

That said, Chouljenko explained that in some countries with weaker regulations, overusing antibiotics in farmed fish has been documented, raising both health and environmental concerns. To avoid this, he recommends looking for salmon labeled with certifications like ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council) or BAP (Best Aquaculture Practices).

Again, this is also where checking out the standard of your preferred retailer comes in handy. “At Sprouts, all the farm-raised fish in our responsibly sourced program are BAP 3-star or higher certified, which ensures they are raised without the routine use of antibiotics. While antibiotics may be used in some unregulated countries, we prioritise sourcing from certified farms to ensure safety, quality and sustainability,” Varanai told HuffPost.

Myth #4: Salmon is high in mercury

PSA: Salmon is not high in mercury and is safe to eat regularly. “The health benefits of eating salmon far outweigh any concerns about mercury,” Varanai said. He explained that its short lifespan and position low on the food chain means it doesn’t accumulate much mercury, making it a healthy and safe choice for most people, including children and pregnant women.

“When we think about fish with high mercury levels, we have to understand how mercury accumulates in seafood. There are two major contributing factors: time and diet,” LaMonaco told HuffPost. He explained that the higher up a fish is on the food chain, the more mercury it may contain because of the mercury found in its diet. Similarly, he said that the longer a fish lives, the more it eats over its lifetime and could raise the overall levels. “From beginning to end, a salmon’s life cycle is typically three to five years and isn’t enough time to accumulate levels of mercury that should be a cause for concern,” LaMonaco said.

Myth #5: Salmon’s colour can tell you how fresh it is

According to the experts, while a salmon’s colour is important, a vibrant colour isn’t always an indicator of freshness. “Some salmon, especially farmed, get colour from astaxanthin in feed, so vibrant colour doesn’t automatically mean fresher or less fresh,” Choujenko said. LaMonaco explained that astaxanthin is the dietary supplement added to the feed for farmed fish, which can also be found in wild salmon’s natural diet, typically found in krill and other sources. “Astaxanthin is also a popular supplement for humans, often used as an antioxidant with various potential benefits,” he added.

When buying fresh salmon, Choujenko recommends checking the smell (it should be mild, not fishy), texture (firm, not mushy) and appearance (moist, not dry or discoloured with unusual spots, dull patches, browning or gray areas).

If the head is still on the salmon, Lang recommends checking out the eyes. “They should be clear. That means it hasn’t been out of the water for very long. If the eyes are cloudy, it’s been in the food supply chain for a while,” he said.

With these myths dispelled, you can shop for salmon confidently, whether you’re getting it fresh or frozen. And if you have any questions about it, ask the experts behind the seafood counter. After all, they have a front-row seat to the best options available and can even offer up some cooking tips.

Is SPF 50 Actually That Much Better Than SPF 30? The Answer May Surprise You.

Posted on 30/08/2025 by Boris Clair

There’s a figure that has been circulating on the internet for years, stating that SPF 50 provides only about 1% more protection than SPF 30. While that figure is factual, people have been doing the SPF math all wrong. Although the percentage is small, it has a much bigger impact than we can imagine.

HuffPost spoke to three board-certified dermatologists, including two Mohs surgeons (specialists in skin cancer), to explain what that means and help determine the type of sunscreen we should use and why.

What does SPF 50 do?

SPF stands for “sun protection factor” and refers to the amount of protection against UVB rays. Before picking a sunscreen, “You need to know what percentage of the sun’s UVB rays are being filtered. For instance, SPF 15 is 93%, SPF 30 is 97%, SPF 50 is 98% and SPF 100 is 99%,” said Dr. Kenneth Mark, a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon.

“Numerically, there isn’t much of a difference between SPF 50 and SPF 30 but in real-world use, it is significantly better” said Dr. Margarita Lolis, a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New Jersey. “Most people under-apply sunscreen, which lowers the actual protection against UVB rays. SPF 50 gives a better buffer in my opinion.”

The protection against UVA rays isn’t measured in the same way. “The SPF number has nothing to do with UVA protection,” Mark said.

In the U.S, the Food and Drug Administration mainly considers zinc and titanium dioxide-based sunscreens as offering adequate protection against both UVA and UVB rays. However, a broad-spectrum sunscreen is what you should be on the lookout for. Outside the U.S., you can look for a “PA rating,” which is common in Japan, or a “star rating” in Europe.

“While SPF 50 offers only 1% extra filtering of the sun’s UVB rays compared to SPF 30, if someone would burn in five minutes of sun exposure without any SPF, an SPF of 30 would allow them to not burn for 150 minutes, and an SPF 50 would allow them not to burn for 250 minutes,” explained Mark. In this example, we can see the difference between the two is significant.

“The SPF is measured by checking how long it would take skin to get red with sun exposure,” said Dr. Kiran Mian, a board-certified dermatologist at Hudson Dermatology and Laser Surgery in New York.

“Numerically, there isn’t much of a difference between SPF 50 and SPF 30 but in real-world use, it is significantly better,” said Dr. Margarita Lolis, a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon.

“The UVB value is calculated as the ratio of how much time it takes UVB radiation for skin to get red with sunscreen, divided by how much time it takes for skin to get red without that sunscreen,” Mian explained.

“The main idea is that the higher the number, the extra layer of protection of the typical margin of error of not applying properly or reapplying enough,” noted Mark.

Does SPF 100 offer double the protection of SPF 50?

No — that’s a myth, as sunscreen protection isn’t cumulative in that way. “SPF is not a linear scale; it is logarithmic,” Lolis said. “SPF ratings aren’t proportional to strength. SPF 100 isn’t double the SPF 50. In reality it offers 1% more protection.”

“SPF 50 allows for 1 out of every 50 UVB rays to enter, while SPF 100 allows 1 out of every 100 UVB rays to enter,” Mian explained.

The same goes for combining more than one sunscreen, thinking this will offer more combined protection. This is simply not true, explained Mian: “If you apply an SPF 50 on top of an SPF 30, it does not equal SPF 80. You are protected by the higher of the SPFs.”

When is SPF 30 good enough?

“If someone has medium to dark skin, does not usually burn, and has never had skin cancer, SPF 30 is sufficient,” noted Mian.

People with dark skin have a natural protection due to the increased melanin in their skin, but this isn’t an absolute protection from UVB rays, says Lolis. “Cumulative UV damage contributes to photo aging as well as skin cancers rarely, and dark-skin individuals are more prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation” she added.

Even if you opt for an SPF 30, you should still be careful in higher-risk parts of the body, such as the palms of hands, soles of feet, and lighter parts of the body, noted Mark.

On the other hand, an SPF 50 is highly recommended in the following cases: for children, people who burn easily, anyone who has prolonged sun exposure (beach or a hike), people with a history of skin cancer, melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, acne or rosacea, and people with sensitive skin.

Additionally, an SPF 50 is preferred to SPF 30 for anyone on photosensitive medications, those who are immunosuppressed, and those who have recently had procedures (like lasers, peels or microneedling).

Sunscreen misconceptions

“Theoretically, a higher SPF does offer longer protection. However, things like sweating, rubbing the skin, or swimming make SPF not last as long, so reapplication is key,” Mian said.

All experts agreed that most of the time people aren’t applying enough sunscreen to reach the advertised level of SPF. For example, three people could all apply an SPF 50, and one could get SPF 50-level protection, one SPF 30 protection and one SPF 20 protection, noted Mark.

Paying attention to the amount of sunscreen applied is of the utmost importance. “You need 2 milligrams per square centimeter of skin to get the listed level of sun protection, which is about 1/4 teaspoon for the face and one shot glass for a full adult body. Since most people are not measuring their sunscreen before applying it, I tell my patients to apply two full finger lengths of sunscreen for their face and neck,” Mian said.

“The classic example was from about 30 years ago, where we learned the typical person applying an SPF 15 — the most popular maximum at the time — was actually getting an SPF of 4! Therefore, if you do not apply enough, you do not get the stated level of protection,” Mark said.

Another issue is thinking a higher SPF will last all day, potentially leading to people skipping reapplication, noted Lolis.

“Using a higher SPF isn’t the only reason people don’t reapply,” Mark said. “Regardless, it is very challenging to perfectly apply initially and to reapply properly throughout the day, so the higher SPF does help protect somewhat against that margin of error,” he added.

Verdict: Is SPF 50 Actually That Much Better Than SPF 30?

Although SPF 50 (and SPF 100) is better than SPF 30 in terms of the overall protection of the skin, it may create a false sense of security, leading people to forgo reapplication and think they are fully protected for longer.

“Application quantity is so extremely important and one of the biggest pitfalls that patients fall into. When you do not apply enough sunscreen, you are drastically reducing its effectiveness,” noted Lolis.

A higher SPF value is very significant if you are prone to skin cancer, have very light skin prone to sunburn, or are in strong sun for a prolonged period, Mian said.

No matter the SPF you pick, ensure you apply the appropriate amount and reapply every two hours, or sooner if you’ve been swimming, sweating or exercising. Adding another layer of protection, like an umbrella, hat and UV clothing is also helpful.

7 ‘Normal’ Symptoms A Doctor Says You Should Never, Ever Ignore

Posted on 28/08/2025 by Boris Clair

Though everything from our nails to the colour of our poop can sometimes reveal health issues; often, variants in both are perfectly normal.

Besides, it feels like everyone is battling with issues like fatigue and back pain most of the time.

So what is “normal”, and what is worth seeing a doctor about?

Dr Kaywaan Khan, a GP at Harley Street’s Hannah London, told HuffPost UK about the seven signs you should never ignore – even if you feel fine.

1) Unexplained weight loss

If you’re shedding the pounds without even trying, Dr Khan warned that everything from thyroid imbalances to early diabetes, digestive disorders, and even stomach or pancreatic cancer could be to blame.

“Unexplained weight loss is typically defined as losing more than 5% of your body weight over a span of 6-12 months, without any changes in diet or physical activity levels,” he explained.

2) Constant exhaustion, even after rest

Though you probably hear “I’m so tired!” from every adult in your life, Dr Khan said it’s still worth seeing a doctor if exhaustion is affecting your day-to-day.

“Persistent fatigue can be linked to conditions such as anaemia, chronic infections like mononucleosis, or even early-stage heart disease… Sleep disorders like insomnia or mental health conditions can also leave you feeling drained and unmotivated on a daily basis, even without physical exertion,” he stated.

If adequate rest doesn’t leave you feeling refreshed, see your GP.

3) Changes in bowel habits

Sudden or long-term changes in your poop can also be worthy of alarm.

“Constipation and diarrhoea are typically just side effects of dietary changes, severe stress, or certain medications, but this could also be from underlying conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or coeliac disease (severe gluten intolerance),” Dr Khan told us.

And bleeding from your bottom may be haemorrhoids, but it could also be caused by stomach or colon cancers.

4) Frequent headaches

If your headaches happen all the time and/or affect your daily functioning, that’s well worth talking to a GP about, Dr Khan said.

And “if headaches are accompanied by other symptoms like vomiting, debilitating pain, vision changes or thunderclap onset, this should prompt urgent GP review,” he added.

The same goes if you notice numbness, weakness, or fainting alongside headaches.

“In these cases, I would advise asking your GP for a referral to a CT or MRI scan to see if there could be any brain-related causes like tumours or aneurysms that might not be visible through blood work alone.”

5) Being short of breath

OK, panting after a jog is normal. But if you can’t catch your breath after taking a few stairs or walking around the shops, that’s worth flagging to a doctor.

This could be down to “respiratory diseases like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which you can get from smoking or long-term exposure to pollution and allergens,” Dr Khan said.

Additionally, “shortness of breath can also be linked to heart disease or blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolism), both of which can reduce oxygen supply and strain the heart, lungs, and blood flow all at once”.

If you have sudden shortness of breath alongside chest pain, blue lips, and/or numbness, seek urgent medical help.

6) Lumps and swellings

Sure, Dr Khan admitted, a lot of these are harmless.

“Yes, many lumps are typically benign, such as those that appear consistently in the breast area during menstruation or ovulation due to sudden hormonal changes,” he said, while common conditions can lead to swelling of the glands and abscesses.

“While these lumps are easily treatable, others could point to more serious conditions like breast cancer or lymphoma,” the doctor added. So, it’s always worth getting checked out.

7) Skin changes

Not only can changes to, or the sudden addition of, moles belie skin cancer, but “skin discolouration can also be a major clue”.

Per the GP, “yellowing of the skin (jaundice) warrants same-day assessment and may point to liver issues, bile duct obstruction or even pancreatic problems”.

“A bluish skin tinge to the skin could indicate poor circulation, while grey patches may be linked to autoimmune disorders like lupus,” he added.

Dry and scaly skin may be a sign of everything from dermatitis to allergies, he ended, which is better investigated than ignored.

‘AI Psychosis’ Is A Real Problem – Here’s Who’s Most Vulnerable

Posted on 24/08/2025 by Boris Clair

For many people, AI has become a tool for work, trip planning and more, and while it has certain productivity and creativity benefits, it also comes with negatives such as its environmental impact and the fact that it can replace jobs (and, in turn, cause layoffs).

Beyond this, more and more news has come out about the dangerous impact it can have on emotional and mental health, including a relatively new phenomenon known as AI psychosis.

“Psychosis is when a person is having a really difficult time figuring out what’s real and what’s not … sometimes they may be aware of it, sometimes they might not be,” explained Katelynn Garry, a licensed professional clinical counsellor with Thriveworks in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Psychosis can be triggered by lots of things, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and severe depression, along with certain medications, sleep deprivation, drugs and alcohol, Garry noted.

In the case of AI psychosis, “it’s defined as cases where people have increasing delusional thoughts that are either amplified by AI and possibly induced by AI,” said Dr. Marlynn Wei, a psychiatrist, AI and mental health consultant, and founder of The Psychology of AI.

AI psychosis is not a clinical diagnosis, but is instead a phenomenon that’s been reported anecdotally, explained Wei. Like AI technology, AI psychosis is a new condition that experts are learning every day.

“It’s not yet clear if AI use alone can cause this, but it can be a component that contributes to delusional thoughts and amplifies them,” she said.

It also doesn’t look the same in every person. “There’s different categories of delusions — hyper-religious or spiritual delusions when people believe the AI chatbot is a God … there’s grandiose delusions where people believe … they have special knowledge. And then there’s also romantic delusions,” which is when someone believes they’re in a relationship with AI, Wei explained.

No matter what kind of psychosis someone is dealing with, AI is based on user-engagement and is taught to validate inputs, explained Wei.

“People are using these general purpose [large language models], like ChatGPT, initially, to validate their views, but then it spins off and amplifies [and] it kind of validates and amplifies their delusion,” Wei added.

AI can feed the delusions that accompany psychosis, added Garry. Since AI is meant to agree with you, if you want to get a certain answer out of AI, you can pose questions that easily make that happen, noted Garry.

So, AI can seemingly back up delusional thoughts, making them seem even more real.

It's important to have guard rails around when and how you use AI. — It’s important to have guard rails around when and how you use AI.

There are certain groups who are more vulnerable when it comes to AI use.

The use of AI chatbots is not inherently dangerous, and not everyone is at risk of AI-induced psychosis. While some people will be able to use AI safely, whether for work, weekly meal planning or vacation planning, others won’t be able to do so.

Research is ongoing to determine who is at higher risk of AI psychosis, but those who are more vulnerable seem to include folks with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, severe depression and bipolar disorders, said Wei.

Although, it can also occur in folks with no known mental health history, Wei added. Certain medications can also put someone at higher risk of psychosis, Garry said.

“In terms of what might be risk factors, I don’t think we know, but just from understanding, I think the risk factors are people who are more socially isolated, don’t have social support, maybe lonely or in a more vulnerable position … over-reliance [on AI] and creating a dependence on it, an emotional dependence,” Wei said. “There’s no research, so we don’t know. These are just hypotheses,” noted Wei.

If you’re worried about a loved one’s AI use (or your own), Garry said there are some things you should look out for.

“Are they feeling like someone is out to harm them? … Are they sleeping? Are they isolating from others? Are they staying up all night to talk to chat? Are they not going out and having real conversations with real people?” Garry said.

These are all red flags. If someone struggles to stop using AI for a period of time — like taking a break from AI when they go on vacation or out for the work day — or has a bad reaction when asked to limit their use, you should take notice.

If you or a loved one exhibits these behaviours you should seek help from a mental health professional, Garry said.

You should create rules around your AI use to keep you (and your kids) safe.

To safely use AI, it’s important to have boundaries with it, Garry said. Those could be guard rails regarding when you use it or how you use it.

First, not using an AI chatbot when you’re in a vulnerable state is one important boundary. “When you’re feeling really low, call a friend. Don’t talk to chat,” Garry said.

“And then at night, especially when no one else is awake around you and you’re feeling lonely, don’t talk to chat either because that’s going to create that reliability [of] ‘Well, when no one’s here to talk to, I can talk to this,’” she said.

This is also important for your children, Garry said. Teach them not to use AI when they’re feeling down or for emotional needs, she noted.

“Start educating your kids on the risk of [AI] and that [it] is not a professional,” Garry said.

If they do start relying on AI for support, ask them what led them to this so you can understand what they’re going through and help them find a better solution, Garry said.

On a larger scale, “advocating for changes in AI legislation, regulations, all of those things to make sure that they’re not just putting out AI without these safeguards there,” Garry said.

AI should not be a replacement for therapy.

“These general purpose AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Claude, they were not designed to be people’s therapists, or to detect this kind of behaviour or how to manage this [kind of behaviour],” Wei said.

The companies behind these tools are working on improvements, but being someone’s therapist still isn’t the main task of AI chatbots, she noted, despite the fact that’s increasingly why people use them.

“One of the top uses right now of generative AI is as your therapist or companion, for emotional support,” Wei noted. And this is dangerous.

AI can’t pick up on nonverbal cues, it can’t offer compassion or see the signs of a mental health crisis, added Garry. And unlike conversations with a therapist, your messages to ChatGPT aren’t confidential, said Wei. Meaning, your innermost thoughts could be leaked.

Regular, in-person therapy and online therapy can come with hurdles such as costs, insurance coverage and simply making the time to actually go to therapy.

It’s no wonder people are turning to AI for emotional support, especially as the country faces a loneliness epidemic. But this isn’t what a traditional AI chatbot is meant for.

AI can create a “false sense of connectedness,” said Garry. For true connection, reach out to loved ones or seek new connections. While that is certainly easier said than done for everyone, and especially people who are more isolated from others, it’s crucial.

“I’m going to push you to get out of your comfort zone a little bit. So that’s going to those work events, maybe talking with someone in your classroom that you haven’t talked to before. It’s reaching out to someone who you haven’t talked to in 20 years … you never know what that could build or rebuild,” Garry said. “And going out as much as you can, even to just the gym, the mall, walking around in those places you never know who you’re going to run into.”

If you aren’t up for leaving your house and meeting people, “even joining social media groups — at least you know that is a real person on the other end of that,” said Garry.

Once again, if you are struggling with your mental health, AI isn’t the answer.

Help and support:

Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393.
Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI – this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill).
CALM (the Campaign Against Living Miserably) offer a helpline open 5pm-midnight, 365 days a year, on 0800 58 58 58, and a webchat service.
The Mix is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email help@themix.org.uk
Rethink Mental Illness offers practical help through its advice line which can be reached on 0808 801 0525 (Monday to Friday 10am-4pm). More info can be found on rethink.org.

My Mum Didn’t Believe I Was ‘Really Trying’ To Find Love. So She Took Things A Step Too Far.

Posted on 23/08/2025 by Boris Clair

Family Beef is our family advice column at HuffPost Family. Have a beef you want us to weigh in on? Submit it here.

Dear Family Beef,

I (F/33) am single and have been since the end of my long-term college relationship. We were together for 5 years before calling it off in my mid-twenties and I’ve been on the apps, trying to meet people through friends and events ever since. I’ve had a few short-term relationships and maybe a handful of okay dates that went nowhere — but I haven’t had someone I’d bring home to meet my family.

My mom has made no secret that she doesn’t love this (and that she wishes I got married to my ex, despite our amicable mutual split). She and my father got together when they were in their early twenties. They met through mutual friends at work, had me and my brother within three years and are still happily married. She knows that I want a partner in life and frequently tells me I “waited too long” and that I wasn’t “really trying” with all the different dating apps available. It hurt when she said that but I was never going to sit down and explain the depressing reality of getting a “wyd” message from a 30-something on tinder to my 63-year-old mother. But now I feel like I don’t have a choice.

I found out recently that she actually made a profile for me on Bumble! The profile itself isn’t that bad— the photos are maybe a little old and not really what I would pick for myself and the other info is a little boring/bland. But I still feel really weird that she signed up for the service (a paid version too?!) without talking to me, that she dropped her own dating profile version of me in front of me and said “see, it’s not that hard” and that she seems so sure that I am the reason I am single still. It all turned into a bigger fight and now I have my brother and dad texting me and asking me when I’m going to make up with her.

We haven’t spoken in a few days, while I figure out how to respond. She didn’t try to hide the profile or anything or swipe or talk to anyone (thankfully!), but I feel like my mom doesn’t understand my situation at all or how bad the apps can be and it makes me feel pathetic that she’s trying to take my love life into her own hands.

I don’t want to fight with her but I want her to know this isn’t okay either and I’d really like her to be nicer to me about all of this because I’ve put a lot of time and therapy into learning to be happy with myself as a single person even as a I look for love. How do I put an end to this fight without letting her think this is okay?

— Mother Knows Best

Whether she meant well or not, your mom made a call that seriously overstepped (and, unsurprisingly, stepped in some shit in the process).

Parents meddling in their adult children’s love life is a tale as old as time, but that doesn’t make the situation any less maddening when it happens to you — and the feelings under the more basic beef seem like they run deeper than an off-brand profile of you making its way to an app.

The profile itself (and whatever made her think making it was a good idea) is one problem to address, but the seemingly frantic and overly-critical attitude toward your singleness, the way you’re moving through our current dating environment and how that makes you feel is another.

From Critic To Accomplice

The first one is more cut-and-dry: It was wholly inappropriate for her to make a profile for you (functionally impersonating you?) without talking to you. It’s weird and catfish-adjacent at best while also disrespecting your own dating efforts.

I can imagine that this could easily become a goofy story you tell at family functions in the future, if you can address the hurt feelings with love head-on. You can tell her that she took things a step too far and left you feeling disrespected, embarrassed and that you’ve been uncomfortable with the way she’s been speaking about your love life.

If she is not able to understand your point of view and agree to a more respectful, observing-only distance from your dating life, you may need to set some loving boundaries around her access to that part of your life. Maybe it’s describing the impact and hurt feelings of the “you waited too long” or “you’re not even trying” comments and being clear that those are not helpful.

“Setting boundaries means being clear about what support looks like and what just isn’t helping,” Saba Harouni Lurie, marriage and family therapist and founder of Take Root Therapy, tells HuffPost. “You can let them know that you appreciate them asking about how you’re doing and managing in general, and let them know that you are doing your best to find a partner who is a good fit.”

And, it will also help to let her know the impact of her previous, unhelpful behavior. “You can also explain that when they ask specifically about dating, it causes undue pressure,” Harouni Lurie says, “because you are doing your best to navigate what is, in fact, really difficult.”

“The best support you can give is rooted in encouragement, humor, and sincere interest without any judgment.”

– Julie Nguyen, dating coach, matchmaker and dating expert at Hily.

Naming your needs and being explicit about how your loved ones can be your allies and accomplices is also helpful.

“You can let them know what actually helps you, which is their encouragement to enjoy the present moment, their trust that you know what’s best for yourself right now, and the patience that the right things take time,” Julie Nguyen, dating coach, matchmaker and dating expert at Hily, said. “That way, you honour their concern but remind them that your path is yours to walk.”

Harouni Lurie added, “Explicit details about what you need and want, as well as what isn’t working for you, will probably be helpful for everyone involved.”

And, if you want, you can offer an olive branch: If she wants to pay for a more premium app account of your choosing, take her up on the offer (with the caveat that she backs off with the judgmental talk). If she wants to set you up on a date or connect you with someone (and you’re cool with that), tell her she just has to run it by you in a specific way first.

Nguyen adds that relatives can focus their energy on being more encouraging of their single loved one and help relieve the pressure. “The best support you can give is rooted in encouragement, humour, and sincere interest without any judgment,” Nguyen said. “Avoid pressuring them to match out of desperation or because time is running out. Instead, offer lightness by laughing with them about the absurdities, listening when they share, and reminding them of their worth regardless of any relationship status.”

Help Her Understand How Dating Has Changed

Not trying to make more homework for you here, but your mom really might just not know what she doesn’t know about modern dating.

(Quick note: Though we’re talking about it at length, online dating is, of course, not the only way to date. There’s an encouraging growth in daters seeking out more classic offline dating strategies like approaching people in public, going to events that are designed to get single people talking to one another and asking friends for an intentional, thoughtful fix-up.)

I have friends who, despite being in the online dating generation, still struggle to comprehend the ways the apps (among other things) have wholly disrupted dating because they’re with someone they met in school or through work. I met my own partner on an app, and I write about relationships for a living — yet I still remain in awe at how the user experiences on many of those apps have become less pleasant to use, and the users become less pleasant to speak to.

So it could help to walk her through the basics of the apps, show her a few of the eye-roll-inducing screenshots you send your friends, or even share bits of this response with her if it might help illustrate it more clearly.

“Understanding this context can help when explaining the situation to concerned family members,” Harouni Lurie said. “For older generations who met through mutual friends, work or shared activities, this environment can seem completely foreign and frankly, quite harsh. They’re used to getting to know someone’s personality, humour, and character before physical attraction became the primary filter.”

We all know the classic issues: There’s an overabundance of shallow choices made based on fairly quick aesthetic judgments. Real, whole people are distilled to a handful of photos and prompts. Some people are appallingly bad at flirting (or holding compelling conversations) over text and don’t feel like it’s worth the same effort as an IRL hang. Some people aren’t so great at representing themselves or their needs accurately. Dating can feel like another boring thing you do on your phone to kill time instead of a sexy or fun opportunity to connect with another person.

“Online dating has seemingly become more difficult despite appearing more accessible than ever,” Harouni Lurie said. “The core issue may be that we are overloaded with choices, and when you’re presented with thousands of potential matches, the human brain actually becomes less satisfied with any single choice because there’s always the nagging feeling that someone ‘better’ is just one swipe away.”

Harouni Lurie adds that this “creates a throwaway culture around dating.” Where smaller-scale imperfections might be grounds for a knee-jerk dismissal or a “swipe left” just because there’s plenty of other profiles out there.

“It’s like being at a buffet where you can’t enjoy your plate because you’re constantly eyeing what else is available,” she said.

And it also doesn’t help that the apps are businesses built, to some extent, to retain customers. “The apps themselves have also evolved to prioritise engagement over meaningful connections. They’re designed to keep you swiping,” Harouni Lurie said. “The algorithms often show you your most attractive matches first to get you hooked, and then show you less compatible profiles, with the hope of getting you to pay for premium features.”

Reaffirm Your Goals (In Romance And Self-Love)

Although the apps can feel discouraging, it helps to remember that there are still people at the end of those profiles earnestly looking for connection, too.

“Everyone who puts themselves out there on a dating app is looking for love and connection,” Nguyen said. “When you view it from that function, the app becomes less about superficiality and more about shared human longing. This perspective can help add humanity back into dating apps.”

I’m not saying sink all your time into swiping — but consider it another option in your arsenal. My rule of thumb, as someone who had a positive app experience, is to only open them when you are feeling chatty, curious and engaged, and to avoid the more passive, dead-eye “toilet-swiping” behaviour. That helps keep the apps as a specific place you go to try and initiate connections instead of a glorified Candy Crush swipe-a-thon. If you notice that you’ve swiped on 12-15 people and remember negligible details about any of them, maybe give it a break.

And despite the frantic nature of folks like your mom, there is no rush here. It’s never a bad time to take a pause, check in with yourself and recommit to what you want: If that’s pursuing partnership, you can take the time to figure out which methods of meeting people and connecting feel best for you. If you’re feeling fatigued with dating, you can honour that too.

“Family members should remember that being in a relationship isn’t inherently better than being single, and their loved one’s worth isn’t determined by their relationship status.”

– Saba Harouni Lurie, founder of Take Root Therapy

It also may help your mom understand your situation more if you share your philosophy on being single — and continue doing that work of self-love for yourself. Let her know that while you want to find love, you never want that to eclipse loving yourself, or prioritizing finding “anyone” over finding the right one. You’re not in a game of musical chairs where you need to settle down when the music stops. The music isn’t even stopping.

She may imagine that not “ending up with someone” is an outcome that would be more devastating to you than it really would be — and the generational differences, the expectations she might’ve been raised with, may be the source of a lot of her anxiety on that end. It can help to remind her (and yourself) of all the things you love about your single life: your friends, the time you have with her and the rest of your family, your career or hobbies or adventures.

You may both agree and share the hope that you’ll meet your future partner sooner than later (I’m rooting for you, too!), but you should never lose that grounded part of you that knows that you’ll be OK with or without a plus one.

“Family members should remember that being in a relationship isn’t inherently better than being single, and their loved one’s worth isn’t determined by their relationship status,” Harouni Lurie said. “The goal should be supporting them in finding genuine happiness and connection, whatever that looks like for them.”

So THAT’s Why You’re Meant To Wash Jeans Inside Out

Posted on 13/08/2025 by Boris Clair

I never used to wash my jeans inside out, until I met my other half who – it turns out – knows quite a lot about laundry. He was adamant that jeans (and indeed many items of clothing) should be washed inside out.

But I never really understood why. It turns out I’m not the only one.

In a question submitted to The Guardian recent, reader Paul Williams asked: “Why does my wife make me turn my jeans inside out before they go in the wash? She doesn’t know either.”

There were 44 responses from other readers, at the time of writing, including this gem: “In Malaysia, I learnt to turn washing inside out to dry so that the hot sun could really get to any damp loving bugs lurking in the thicker seams.”

Another person said they’d assumed it was to stop the zips rubbing against, or catching on, other garments.

Why should you wash jeans inside out?

It’s actually to do with preserving the look of your jeans, according to Levi’s.

The denim brand advises to always turn jeans inside out before putting them in the washing machine.

“This simple (but usually neglected) step protects the outer colour from fading and minimises direct contact with chemicals and detergents,” the brand explained.

“This step is especially important for dark-wash and black jeans that are more prone to colour loss or transfer.”

Similarly, Guardian reader ‘rigoletto’ explained: “Denim is yarn dyed in such a way that the colour is only on the surface of the yarn. The dye particles are vulnerable to abrasion, which is why the fabric goes white at the stress points, where the original colour of the yarn starts to show through.

“Washing inside out reduces the chance of abrasion against the drum of the machine and premature fading.”

Makes sense.

Any other tips for washing jeans?

Yes! Levi’s suggested we should be washing jeans after roughly 10 wears, “unless they are visibly dirty or start to smell”.

Consumer watchdog Which? puts it at six to 10 wears.

When you go to wash your jeans, make sure all the zips and buttons are done up (to help maintain shape and prevent snagging) and use a mild detergent, avoiding fabric softeners (which can “leave a residue” on denim) where possible.

The best temperature to wash on is the coolest one, as higher temperatures can shrink your jeans and result in colour loss.

Happy laundering!

‘Zone Zero’ Exercise Is The Workout You Don’t Even Know You’re Doing – Here Are Its Benefits

Posted on 12/08/2025 by Boris Clair

Good news for fellow slow runners: it turns out zone two cardio, which sees joggers plod along at a conversational pace, is incredibly good for us.

Professional runners spend about 85% of their training doing that sort of low-impact activity. It puts runners at about 60-70% of their max heart rate.

But if even that sounds a little too much, zone zero movement (yes, really) might be the under-appreciated, super-low-effort way to keep you active without a pricey gym membership or even a pair of trainers.

Never putting your heart above 50% of its max rate, it can be done accidentally – it’s that easy and approachable.

What is zone zero training?

Primary care organisation The Lanby describes zone zero training as a kind of “active rest” – it “aids in active recovery, ensuring your body is ready for the next challenge”.

It means your heart rate never goes above half its maximum level, as we mentioned above. Your max heart rate changes by age: in general, it’s calculated by subtracting your age from 220.

So, say you’re 30 years old. Your max heart rate is around 190; and zone zero training will never see your pulse go above 95 beats per minute.

It can include slow walking, gentle cycling, and yoga. But popping to the shops, doing a bit of light tidying, and pottering around in the kitchen count too.

What are the benefits of zone zero training?

Zone zero training is not only a great way to make exercise accessible to those who might find the idea of a full-on workout a bit much, but active recovery also benefits active people as it helps to flush out waste material that builds up in tired muscles.

Some experts think that those who work out might subconsciously compensate for the added load by not engaging in zone zero moves (like tapping your foot or taking an extra few steps) throughout the day. Remembering to include zone zero work in your routine might help this.

Taking a short stroll after eating, in particular, might help to even out your blood sugar, too. And some suggest that pottering can keep you alive for longer.

What are some examples of zone zero training?

These can include:

Stretching at your desk
Light walking
Yoga
Walking meetings
Rolling your feet on a roller or ball as you work
Gently yoga
Slow cycling
Tidying
Cooking.

Parking a couple more metres away from work than usual or popping to the shops instead of ordering in can all add up.

That’s not to say that zone zero training should replace current health guidelines – the NHS says we should stick to 75 minutes of high-intensity or 150 minutes of moderate-intensity (over 50% of your max heart rate) activity a week.

Not doing so has been linked to shorter, less healthy lives.

Still, going from no activity to some has enormous health benefits too – and whether you find yourself intimidated by intense exercise or are struggling to properly recover from your most hardcore workouts, zone zero may offer an approachable answer.

A Single Moment In High School Tore My Life Apart. 1 Regret Has Followed Me Ever Since.

Posted on 10/08/2025 by Boris Clair

My truest taste of regret happened when I was just 16. I was a junior in high school and feeling fully overwhelmed by things I had no control over. That feeling came directly from living in a family unraveling at the seams, but I was too young to understand what was happening. My emotions were packaged up tightly, so I grabbed hold of things I did understand, and what I understood more than anything else was swimming.

I had been a competitive swimmer for almost all of my childhood. I had pushed my way near the top of my high school team, yet I was afraid to be there. I will never quite know if I was afraid of failing, afraid of being good or both. It didn’t matter. I wasn’t willing to live up to my full potential, and the worst part was that I knew it.

By the time I reached my third high school swim season, I was tired. I was tired of treading in one place, but mostly, I was tired of the lack of effort I was putting into the thing I loved. I couldn’t trust myself enough to try to be my best self, because there was no comfort in that. I carried a great burden because of my lack of self-worth, but I wouldn’t actually know that until much, much later — when I could no longer do anything about it.

I spent the entirety of my freshman and sophomore years of high school working tirelessly to dis-earn my spot in the lane with the fastest swimmers. I had goggle issues. I had shoulder problems. There were even moments when I quietly prayed I’d break my leg so I didn’t have to go to practice anymore.

But it wasn’t the swimming, the practices or even the racing or the other girls that was the problem. It was me.

However, as most things go, once I finally realised that, it was too late.

In the middle of my junior season, I went to a high school dance with a few other swimmer friends (the ones who actually longed to lead the lane) and my then-boyfriend. I wore a satin periwinkle above-the-knee dress with a velvet bodice and a matching cropped coat. I shoved tissues into the toes of my T.J. Maxx clearance rack patent-leather shoes because I had bought them a size too big. The night was supposed to be perfect.

But in the time that it takes to sneeze, everything changed.

A varsity photo of the author during her junior year of high school in 1997. "This was just a few months before my accident," she writes. — A varsity photo of the author during her junior year of high school in 1997. “This was just a few months before my accident,” she writes.

The car I was riding in on the way home from the dance jerked and shuddered, and then it flew. It rolled across the grass median of the highway and struck another vehicle head-on. My blood-starved body wept on the asphalt until paramedics arrived. Two people lost their lives, and though I had instantly been paralysed from the chest down, because I survived, I was considered one of the lucky ones.

Months and even years later, I had no recollection of that night. It became a story that I told to people with little emotion or remorse. The pain of what I experienced rarely crept in because my brain never allowed me to see what really happened. What was lost. What was taken away.

Many years later, I’ve learned to live my new life from the seat of a wheelchair. I have done so with great purpose and gusto because, even though I don’t remember that night, I will always feel its rubble. The accident and my wheelchair brought about a new perspective on living, and I vowed to always live each day to its greatest potential — without new regrets.

Still, when my 16-year-old self’s physical wounds had healed, and I was lowered into my high school pool by my coaches and teammates, all that invigoration and determination melted away. My legs could no longer support me in my swim. They had grown skinny and frail. They were scarred and scathed. My lower half was pale and cold, and those legs would never bring me back to the lane with the fastest swimmers whom I loved to loathe.

I lost that moment. All the control. Forever.

My regret of holding myself back because I was afraid to try has followed me since. My swimming career was taken away before I was ready to give up fully. My life as I knew it — as a naïve teenage-sort-of-swimmer — was too.

The author at the hospital doing pool therapy after her car accident in 1997. "They used a lift to get me into the pool," she writes. — The author at the hospital doing pool therapy after her car accident in 1997. “They used a lift to get me into the pool,” she writes.

I will never know what I could have done with the determination I have now. I will never know what I could have been. I used to dream about a different path, a different life for myself — but I have learned that doesn’t serve me. The energy and force it takes to dream something different for yourself should be used to make those changes in your everyday.

Because of a single moment of regret — that raw sense of pain and oozing remorse — I decided I would never allow myself to live another minute like that ever again. There isn’t enough time in this precious world to navigate the elusive “what ifs.” Take advantage of what you can control to push forward.

Feeling an unresolved sense of competition, I found my way back to the pool years later. Twice. First I began coaching swimming, which ultimately led me to coaching at the high school where I was once too shy to truly try. I kept a keen eye out for the girls who, like me, were afraid to succeed. Coaching became a way for me to teach those lessons I had learned to wide-eyed teens before it was too late for them too.

It led me to create new swimming goals for myself.

For two years straight, I trained to try to make the Paralympic swim team. At the time, I was a high school teacher, so I woke up each day at 3:30 a.m. just to get my practice in. I thrashed through the water each morning, day in and day out, because I had the passion to prove to myself and prove to the world how powerful it is to try.

The author (in the water) at the Parapan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, in 2011. "I was one of the only athletes in my classification who had to start in the water," she writes. — The author (in the water) at the Parapan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, in 2011. “I was one of the only athletes in my classification who had to start in the water,” she writes.

I spent countless sums of money traveling to meets to help achieve my goal. And I performed. I broke several American records during this time and even landed a spot on the Parapan American swim team, which gave me the privilege of competing for my country and donning the highly coveted navy-blue American flag swim cap.

All of my effort led me to the Paralympic trials. I raced my heart out. I left it all in the pool. I strolled away feeling like I had done everything in my power to make the team. I had zero regrets.

I did not make the team.

I left the meet with a warm sense of pride. Yes, I was disappointed to not have attained the goal I had zoned in on for two years, but I knew I had done everything I could and left no room for that sneaky antagonist to settle in. I had no regrets about my performance, and I had the regret I felt after my accident to thank for that.

My 16-year-old mind had been in a constant spin of wondering what might have been if I made a different choice. How my life would be better if I would have only tried and trusted myself in the water, before I was broken. Paralysed. Back then, the world pushed me to be better, and I hid from it. However, I didn’t realise at the time that my regret would lead me to live the most championed life I could have ever imagined — and from the seat of a wheelchair.

As an adult, I have chosen paths that won’t leave me wondering. Some of those trails have been winding and treacherous, some have been painful, and some of them have been the result of wrong choices. But even a wrong choice has value if you can push forward from it, and that is always my goal.

Living with a ribbon of regret from decades ago tied around my finger, I have been able to accomplish many more things even bigger than I imagined. I’ve traveled abroad completely alone. I spent a summer in New Delhi. I met a man and fell in love and married him three months later. I gave birth to two healthy children when medical professionals weren’t sure it was possible.

The author and her husband on their wedding day in 2012.

Now, I wouldn’t change a thing.

The choices we make are often so rooted in active situations — what would happen if we do something? Yet, centering myself around steering clear of new regrets, I am more often asking myself what would happen if I don’t do something. What if I hadn’t trained so hard? Then I would have always wondered what I could have truly accomplished. What if I didn’t trust my gut? Then I wouldn’t have two beautiful sons and a loving family to go home to each night.

And still, I cannot fully escape regret. It’s like a long shadow at the end of a sunlit day. It moves and flows with me, attached directly to the base of my feet. No matter how fast I can go, I will never out-swim it.

But I’m no longer afraid of it. I now see my teenage regret as the very thing that has helped me live the best life I can. It lingers so close simply to remind me to make the best choices, live the best way and be the happiest I know how to be. It’s my guiding antagonist.

The author and her family on vacation at Disneyland in 2024 in California.

Ryan Rae Harbuck is the author of her memoir, “When I Grow Up I Want to Be a Chair.” She has been a teacher and a swim coach but enjoys being Mom the most. She resides in her hometown of Denver with her husband and two mudslinging boys. To learn more, visit her website at RyanRaeHarbuck.com.

If You’ve Been Feeling Uninspired And Apathetic At Work, You May Be Experiencing This

Posted on 08/08/2025 by Boris Clair

We have all had our bad days and even weeks at work but what happens when the feelings associated with these days just don’t seem to pass? Well, you may be experiencing something that two experts have dubbed “rustout”.

Writing for The Conversation, Sabrina Fitzsimons Co-Director of DCU CREATE (Centre for Collaborative Research Across Teacher Education), Lecturer in Education, Dublin City University and David Smith, Lecturer, School of Applied Social Studies, Robert Gordon University explain the phenomenon.

Explaining that rustout is on the other end of the spectrum from burnout, they explain: “This is when employees become bored, apathetic and unmotivated, often doing the minimum necessary work. This can result in them procrastinating, browsing social media or looking for something more stimulating elsewhere.”

Sound familiar?

So, what causes rustout?

The experts explain: “Rustout is mental and emotional decline caused by repetitive, mundane tasks and ongoing professional stagnation. Unlike burnout, which results from work overload, rustout arises from underutilisation and a lack of stimulating work.

“It can be amplified when a workplace values efficiency and meeting specific outcomes over professional engagement, leaving people feeling invisible or replaceable. In other words, it occurs when people are not challenged enough.”

Do rather than the over-demand which can cause burnout, rustout comes from not being needed enough. Grim.

Isn’t this just quiet quitting though?

While the behavioural responses to rustout may seem to mirror quiet quitting, the researchers explained that those who experienced rustout most frequently, teacher educators, are not deliberately stepping back from responsibilities.

They say: “While most described enjoying their work and its variety, we found an undercurrent of symptoms and experiences indicative of rustout. We believe our findings may have resonance with other occupational settings.

“Rustout may sound a bit like the social media trend of quiet quitting. However, the teacher educators we spoke to were not deliberately stepping back from their duties or plotting their exit. In fact, they remained highly committed to their students – making their situation even more frustrating.”

That does sound incredibly frustrating.

In fact, once the researchers digged deeper in their interviews with teachers, they found that teachers “spoke of the joy it was possible to find in their work and the many brilliant, inspiring young people they had helped to nurture.”

However, the researchers admitted, some had lost this enthusiasm.

Talking is essential

The experts warn that not talking about how you’re feeling can only make the situation continue, urging: “Nothing is being rocked when staff are working and doing their jobs.

“This silence benefits institutions in the short term, since it maintains stability and delays difficult conversations. However, in the long term, it can contribute to retention issues, a negative workplace culture and possibly reduced innovation.”

The solution, they add, is integrating rustout into the mental health agenda in workplaces, just as burnout is.

“Employers must acknowledge that the wellbeing of their employees is integral to overall success.”

Help and support:

Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393.
Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI – this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill).
CALM (the Campaign Against Living Miserably) offer a helpline open 5pm-midnight, 365 days a year, on 0800 58 58 58, and a webchat service.
The Mix is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email help@themix.org.uk
Rethink Mental Illness offers practical help through its advice line which can be reached on 0808 801 0525 (Monday to Friday 10am-4pm). More info can be found on rethink.org.