love Archives - The Viva Center

August 5, 2019

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and Unhealthy Relationship Patterns

As infants, we are completely dependent on the responses of those around us. Our attachment to caregivers begins during the first 18 months of our lives, with instinctual behaviors like crying or clinging when we need help or attention. As stated by Positive Psychology, these behaviors are thought to be evolutionary mechanisms that help infants increase their chances of survival.

Unlike the relatively similar behaviors of infants, caregivers may respond with a whole range of reactions. Their responses to our behavior teach us what is “acceptable” and what isn’t. This has a huge impact on how we interact with people going forward.

February 19, 2019

How To Get a Stronger Relationship? Gratitude

Over the past decade, studies have honed in on a particularly potent relationship booster: gratitude. More specifically, scientists have found that gratitude is an essential component in maintaining and promoting healthy romantic relationships. We’ll take a deeper dive into how you can use that knowledge to benefit your friendships, partnerships and other loved ones.

June 25, 2018

Could I Benefit From Sex Therapy?

Sex is a natural part of life—as are the occasional sexual health concerns. According to Dr. Derek Polonsky of Harvard Medical School, between 35 and 50 percent of all people will experience a long-term sexual issue (anything from difficulty reaching orgasm to mismatched sex drives between partners) at some point in their lives. With rates that… read more

March 28, 2018

How You Can Support Your Partners’s Mental Health

For many people, difficult times arise when one or more partners in a relationship are coping with a mental health concern. For example, the person suffering might feel embarrassed about their concerns, or find it difficult to convey their symptoms. Their partner might feel helpless or confused, and worry about making matters “worse.” To support… read more

March 7, 2018

Why We Need Unconditional Love and Acceptance from Caregivers

We’ve all heard that the best type of love comes with no strings attached. The idea that we might come to love someone so intensely that we can forgive them all of their faults is a popular one That being said, few people would encourage you to overlook any and every wrong a loved one… read more

December 13, 2017

Mastering the Art of the Difficult Conversation

We’ve all been there. Whether it’s with a roommate who keeps leaving out dirty dishes, a friend who borrows money without paying us back, or a significant other who isn’t pulling their domestic weight, at some point, we’ve all had to start an uncomfortable conversation. These topics can be difficult to navigate, but it’s essential… read more

June 13, 2017

Keeping Intimacy Alive in Long-Term Relationships

According to a recent study, “Healthy sexual function is a…life quality factor that creates a sense of shared pleasure in couples and increases their capability” to cope with stress and life problems. “Sexual interactions are indeed the prerequisite for strengthening mental and emotional dependence in couples, and are under the influence of many factors.”

So how can couples keep their sex life functioning healthily through long periods of time and major life changes?

February 14, 2017

3 Simple Reminders That Being Single is More Than Okay

The whirlwind of boxed chocolate, candy hearts and blooming bouquets is looming near. Pretty soon everyone around you will be dedicated to either confessions of love or thinly veiled contempt for PDA of any kind. But do you have to be either madly in love or lonely and bitter? The short answer: NO! This Valentine’s… read more

February 10, 2017

Valentine’s Day Gifts They Will Actually Love: 8 Mindful Gift Ideas

Many a times, we find ourselves stuck in the Valentine’s Day gift dilemma. The little voice in our head says, “Valentine’s Day is so commercial” and “Cheesy cards and candy is so played out, what could they want?” Ignore that voice! Gift giving is described as a means through which individuals communicate values and they assign… read more