Can communication skills be learned? Starting the Year by Improving Communication

Many people begin the year wanting to “feel better,”
but without examining how they communicate in their relationships.

Communication is a central pillar of mental health.
Unresolved tension, misunderstandings, and emotional defensiveness create chronic stress.

Does emotional validation spoil children?
No. Research shows it supports emotional development.The start of the year can also be emotionally demanding for children and adolescents.
Changes in routine, academic expectations, and emotional carryover from the previous year can affect their regulation.

Real Personal Growth: Three Mental Health Questions to Start the Year

Personal growth is often confused with self-demand.
But real growth starts with self-awareness, not self-criticism.

Why January Needs Regulation, Not Pressure

January is often framed as a fresh start: new goals, new habits, new versions of ourselves.
But from a mental health perspective, this pressure can be counterproductive.

We all experience sleepless nights once in a while—before an important event, during stressful weeks, or when we change routines. But how do we know if these occasional episodes of insomnia are normal or if they point to a chronic sleep disorder that requires professional evaluation?