Articles written by Ophelia

What is Helium

About me - Ophelia

Ophelia is an author, a health educator, and mother. She currently holds a MA in Psychology, and has worked in the social service field for over 11 years as a therapist, manager, and career coach. Ophelia's first book, Surprise Motherhood: A Guide to Unexpected

+ more bio information

RSS Feed

Relationships & Family > Dating Commentary Dating horror stories: 2 of 86
A very long year after separating from my husband, I decided to cautiously dip my toe back into the dating pool. It had been a very long time since I'd been dating, and I wasn't quite sure how to get started. I felt a bit too old for bars, and with two small kids, late nights on the party circuit just weren't going to work. I... More..
Hobbies & Games > Kids Crafts Fun winter crafts for kids: 1 of 19
Winter crafts need not be solely indoors. Here are some ideas for winter fun, adaptable to all age groups, which combine the excitement of the season with learning opportunities.*Pinecone Bird Treats*Why not give our feathered friends a treat? This craft in universally popular with preschoolers to adults. It's simple, environ... More..
Pets & Animals > Rodents Choosing a hamster cage: 1 of 14
You have found your perfect pet, and now it's time to give it the perfect home. Providing your hamster with an appropriate living space can prevent illness and injury, extend its lifespan, and even improve your pet's temperament. The "Triple S" method will help you find and set up the best hamster habitat. Here's how to choos... More..
Health & Fitness > Anxiety & Panic Disorders How to tell if you have any phobia: 2 of 22
A phobia is an *unreasonable* fear of an object or situation. The key here is *unreasonable*. Everyone would feel fear in a cage with a hungry tiger. Fear, in and of itself, is a healthy emotion. It allows you to recognize and respond to danger. The problem comes in when the fear is far greater than the threat. Let's look at ... More..
Relationships & Family > Dating (Other) How to gracefully end a bad blind date: 7 of 51
Sooner or later, it happens. A well-meaning friend sets you up on a date. You are nervous, but your friend sings their praises. Your mystery date has the face of Brad Pitt, the soul of Gandhi, and a sense of humor that belongs on stage. Then you open the door, only to find a sweaty guy, bits of crust in his scraggly beard, hi... More..
Health & Fitness > Exercise Tips Easy ways to add exercise to your day: 2 of 11
Between work, family responsibilities, errands, and commuting, it's hard to find enough time to sleep, let alone exercise. We start every New Year's Day with a determined vow that this will be the year we hit the gym and get in shape, only to lose momentum by February and cancel the membership by April. Despite the best of in... More..
Food & Drink > Coffee How to make great coffee in a drip coffee maker: 8 of 39
There's nothing better than a perfect cup of coffee, and nothing worse than facing a long day on a cup of bitter muddy swill. Making coffee at home with your standard drip coffee maker is an art, but it's an art you can master quickly, with the right information. Here's how to brew the perfect cup at home.STEP ONE: Prepare Yo... More..
Sciences > Psychology Introduction to Gestalt psychology: 4 of 16
The term "Gestalt" is the German word for "whole." Gestalt therapy aims to bring a person's whole existence, mental, emotional, and physical, into therapy, and promote unity of the self in the world. This is achieved through a focus on the present moment and awareness of current physical and emotional states. Gestalt therapy ... More..
Education > Early Childhood Ed Will "universal preschool" for 3- and 4-year-olds improve academic achievement over the long term?: 5 of 16
The benefits of education go far beyond academic knowledge. True education provides socialization, promotes community values and community involvement, and also enhances social responsibility. Education creates and fosters the development of children into thoughtful and responsible citizens. Preschool is an important foundati... More..
Health & Fitness > Contraception How the birth control pill works: 1 of 3
If you are considering taking birth control pills, or hormonal contraception in general, it's important that you understand how these forms of contraception work to prevent pregnancy.In a genuine normal menstrual cycle, several hormones, FSH & LH, cause an egg to ripen and be released. If it's fertilized, you have a baby. If ... More..