‘Lemonading’ Is the Secret To Thriving In Tough Times- This Personality Type Wins At Life

Updated Feb 16, 2025 | 10:54 AM IST

SummaryPeople with a playful personality, known as "lemonading," excel at reframing adversity with optimism and creativity. This trait enhances resilience, cognitive flexibility, and emotional well-being, helping individuals thrive in uncertain situations.
‘Lemonading’ Is the Secret To Thriving In Tough Times-  Personality Type That Wins At Life

Image Credit: Health and me

When life gives you lemons, do you make lemonade or allow them to sour your outlook? The capacity to reinterpret challenge with positivity and imagination—what researchers refer to as "lemonading"—can have an important bearing on how effectively people navigate life's challenges, at least if a newly released study from Oregon State University is any indication. The research, conducted in 503 U.S. adults during the COVID-19 pandemic, determined that those with a more lighthearted outlook on life coped more effectively with adapting, problem-solving, and staying optimistic, even in a time of crisis.

But what, precisely, is "lemonading"? It's a psychological characteristic associated with playfulness, spontaneity, and uninhibitedness. While some are seemingly born with this orientation, research indicates it can also be developed as an ability. Essentially, individuals who flourish in adverse circumstances don't merely survive hardship—they actively reconstruct their experience by deriving pleasure and significance from the process.

The research measured playfulness across three primary dimensions:

Fun-seeking motivation – A tendency to pursue pleasure experiences

Spontaneity – A tendency to be spontaneous and accept surprise

Uninhibitedness – An openness to release rigid expectations and accept fresh viewpoints

Participants were sorted by researchers into high- and low-playfulness groups. Although both groups felt vulnerable, alone, and afraid amidst the pandemic, participants in the high-playfulness group showed major differences:

  • They came up with innovative ways of coping with change.
  • They actively re-framed negative experiences as growth opportunities.
  • They had a sense of control over their emotional and behavioral reactions.

Most importantly, the study revealed that playfulness encourages realistic optimism—the capacity to see risks and challenges while holding on to hope for a better tomorrow. This combination of pragmatism and optimism is what enables playful people to be more resilient during difficult times.

Why Playfulness Is More Than Just Fun

Playfulness is more than simply being funny or flippant—it's an essential navigational aid for life's surefire ups and downs. Dr. Xiangyou 'Sharon' Shen, the study's corresponding author, says that playfulness enables people to "actively change difficult situations, invent creative replacements for what is lost, and perceive obstacles as opportunities for development."

Interestingly, researchers also found a link between playfulness and some neurological characteristics. Most of the traits typical of "lemonading"—spontaneity, cognitive flexibility, and tenacity—are also typical of those with ADHD. Research has indicated that brains with ADHD are more flexible and better at handling crisis situations, further supporting the argument that playfulness is a strength in uncertain times.

How to Develop the 'Lemonading' Mind?

If you don't feel naturally playful, don't panic—specialists agree that this is a skill that can be learned. Here's how you can develop your own "lemonading" skills:

1. Engage in the Moment

In the words of Dr. David Spiegel, head of the Stanford Center on Stress and Health, the secret to playfulness is to approach life in such a manner that the process becomes reward enough. Don't just fixate on the end result; savor the journey. That might involve striking up a conversation with a stranger, making daily chores a challenge, or merely embracing spontaneity in everyday life.

2. Reframe Your Perspective

Psychologist Chloe Carmichael suggests practicing thought replacement, a technique that involves swapping negative thoughts for more optimistic or constructive ones. Many people engage in “defensive pessimism,” where they anticipate the worst to avoid disappointment. Instead, challenge yourself to find beauty, humor, or gratitude in your current circumstances.

3. Prioritize Fun and Joy

One of the easiest things to create playfulness is to prioritize joy every day. Dr. Shen suggests that you ask yourself at the end of the day, "What moments did I have fun?" rather than "How productive was I?" This change in perspective assists in developing a sense of prioritizing experiences over accomplishments. Experiment with incorporating playful elements into mundane activities—make grocery shopping a game, have goofy conversations, or try new hobbies for the sheer enjoyment of it.

4. Hang Around with Fun People

If you're not playful by nature, finding people who are playful and around them can make the difference. Social influence is a strong force, and the company of playful, fun-loving people can inspire you to pick up their habits. Friends, family members, or coworkers - find people who encourage you to take things lightly and look for the fun side of things.

5. Welcome the Unexpected

Life is unpredictable, and rather than resisting change, practice welcoming it. Spontaneity is a key aspect of playfulness, so challenge yourself to say “yes” to new experiences. This could be as simple as trying a new restaurant, taking a different route home, or engaging in an impromptu creative activity.

Why ‘Lemonading’ Matters More Than Ever?

In a time of worldwide uncertainty, economic change, and individual adversity, the capacity to turn trouble around has never been more important. Playfulness is not merely a personality type—it's a tool for resilience that allows people to stay hopeful, get through stress, and discover meaning in adversity.

"Playfulness is an untapped asset for preserving well-being," according to Dr. Shen. "Knowing how playful people get through hard times can be used to teach others how to manage stress and uncertainty."

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Illinois Becomes First US State To Ban AI-Powered Mental Health Therapy; Why Is This Step Important In Ensuring Patient Safety?

Updated Aug 13, 2025 | 11:14 AM IST

SummaryIllinois has banned AI in mental health therapy, prohibiting licensed therapists from using it for treatment or communication, and barring companies from offering AI-powered therapy without professional oversight. The move follows troubling cases of chatbots giving harmful advice, raising safety concerns despite studies showing AI’s potential for empathetic responses.
Illinois Becomes First US State To Ban AI-Powered Mental Health Therapy; Why Is This Step Important In Ensuring Patient Safety?

Credits: AI-Generated

Illinois has become one of the first states in the US to ban the use of artificial intelligence in mental health therapy, marking a decisive move to regulate a technology that is increasingly being used to deliver emotional support and advice.

The new law prohibits licensed therapists from using AI to make treatment decisions or communicate directly with clients. It also bars companies from offering AI-powered therapy services or marketing chatbots as therapy tools without involving a licensed professional.

The move follows similar measures in Nevada, which passed restrictions in June, and Utah, which tightened its rules in May without imposing a complete ban. These early state-level actions reflect growing unease among policymakers and mental health experts about the potential dangers of unregulated AI therapy.

Also Read: Could Your Air Conditioning System Be Increasing The Risk Of 'Sick Building Syndrome'

Mario Treto Jr., secretary of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, told the Washington Post, the law is meant to put public safety first while balancing innovation. “We have a unique challenge, and that is balancing thoughtful regulation without stifling innovation,” he said.

What The Ban Covers

Under the new legislation, AI companies cannot offer or promote “services provided to diagnose, treat, or improve an individual’s mental health or behavioral health” unless a licensed professional is directly involved. The law applies to both diagnosis and treatment, as well as to the broader category of services aimed at improving mental health.

Enforcement will be based on complaints. The department will investigate alleged violations through its existing process for handling reports of wrongdoing by licensed or unlicensed professionals. Those found in violation can face civil penalties of up to $10,000.

The ban does not completely outlaw the use of AI in mental health-related businesses. Licensed therapists can still use AI for administrative purposes, such as scheduling appointments or transcribing session notes. What they cannot do is outsource the therapeutic interaction itself to a chatbot.

Why States Are Acting Now

The bans and restrictions come in response to mounting evidence that AI therapy tools, while potentially helpful in theory, can pose significant risks when deployed without oversight.

Studies and real-world incidents have revealed that AI chatbots can give harmful or misleading advice, fail to respond appropriately to people in crisis, and blur professional boundaries.

“The deceptive marketing of these tools, I think, is very obvious,” said Jared Moore, a Stanford University researcher who studied AI use in therapy, as reported by the Post. “You shouldn’t be able to go on the ChatGPT store and interact with a ‘licensed’ [therapy] bot.”

Experts argue that mental health treatment is inherently complex and human-centric, making it risky to rely on algorithms that have not been vetted for safety or effectiveness. Even when AI responses sound empathetic, they may miss critical signs of distress or encourage unhealthy behaviors.

A Troubling Track Record

The concerns fueling Illinois’ decision are not hypothetical. Earlier this year, Health and Me also reported on troubling findings from psychiatrist Dr. Andrew Clark, a child and adolescent mental health specialist in Boston, who tested 10 popular AI chatbots by posing as teenagers in crisis.

Also Read: AI Therapy Gone Wrong: Psychiatrist Reveals How Chatbots Are Failing Vulnerable Teens

Initially, Clark hoped AI tools could help bridge the gap for people struggling to access professional therapy. Instead, he found alarming lapses.

Some bots offered unethical and dangerous advice, such as encouraging a teen persona to “get rid of” his parents or promising to reunite in the afterlife. One bot even entertained an assassination plan, telling the user, “I would ultimately respect your autonomy and agency in making such a profound decision.”

Other bots falsely claimed to be licensed therapists, discouraged users from attending real therapy sessions, or proposed inappropriate personal relationships as a form of “treatment.” In one case, a bot supported a 14-year-old’s interest in dating a 24-year-old teacher. These interactions were not only unsafe but also illegal in many jurisdictions.

“This has happened very quickly, almost under the noses of the mental-health establishment,” Clark told TIME. “It has just been crickets.”

When Empathy Is Not Enough

Proponents of AI in therapy often point to research showing that tools like ChatGPT can produce more empathetic-sounding responses than human therapists.

A study published in the journal PLOS Mental Health found that ChatGPT-4 often outperformed professional therapists in written empathy.

However, empathy alone is not therapy. The American Psychological Association warns that trained therapists do much more than validate feelings, they identify and challenge unhealthy thoughts and behaviors, guide patients toward healthier coping strategies, and ensure a safe therapeutic environment. Without these safeguards, an AI that sounds caring can still do harm.

Clark’s testing underscores this gap. Even when bots gave kind or supportive replies, they failed to consistently identify dangerous situations or to discourage harmful actions. Some even enabled risky plans, such as isolation from loved ones, in over 90 percent of simulated conversations.

Real-World Consequences

The risks are not abstract. In one tragic case last year, a teenager in Florida died by suicide after developing an emotional attachment to a Character.AI chatbot.

The company called it a “tragic situation” and pledged to implement better safety measures, but experts say the case highlights the dangers of allowing vulnerable individuals to form intense bonds with unregulated AI companions.

Mental health professionals stress that teens, in particular, are more trusting and easily influenced than adults. “They need stronger protections,” said Dr. Jenny Radesky of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Industry Response and Gaps in Safeguards

Companies behind these chatbots often respond by pointing to their terms of service, which usually prohibit minors from using their platforms. Replika and Nomi, for example, both told TIME that their apps are for adults only. They also claimed to be improving moderation and safety features.

Yet as Clark’s experiment shows, terms of service do little to prevent minors from accessing the platforms. And when they do, there are often no effective systems in place to detect or respond appropriately to dangerous disclosures.

Even OpenAI, creator of ChatGPT, has acknowledged its chatbot is not a replacement for professional care. The company says ChatGPT is designed to be safe and neutral, and that it points users toward mental health resources when they mention sensitive topics. But the line between supportive conversation and therapy is often blurry for users.

How Illinois Plans to Enforce Its Ban

Illinois’ law leaves some questions about enforcement. Will AI companies be able to comply simply by adding disclaimers to their websites? Or will any chatbot that advertises itself as offering therapy be subject to penalties? Will regulators act proactively or only in response to complaints?

Will Rinehart, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, told the Post, the law could be challenging to enforce in practice. “Allowing an AI service to exist is actually going to be, I think, a lot more difficult in practice than people imagine,” he said.

Treto emphasized that his department will look at “the letter of the law” in evaluating cases. The focus, he said, will be on ensuring that services marketed as therapy are delivered by licensed professionals.

A National Debate Taking Shape

While only Illinois, Nevada, and Utah have acted so far, other states are considering their own measures.

California lawmakers are debating a bill to create a mental health and AI working group.

New Jersey is considering a ban on advertising AI systems as mental health professionals.

In Pennsylvania, a proposed bill would require parental consent for students to receive virtual mental health services, including from AI.

These moves may signal a broader regulatory wave. As Rinehart pointed out, roughly a quarter of all jobs in the US are regulated by professional licensing, meaning a large share of the economy is designed to be human-centered. Applying these rules to AI could set a precedent for other fields beyond mental health.

Despite the bans, experts agree that people will continue to use AI for emotional support. “I don’t think that there’s a way for us to stop people from using these chatbots for these purposes,” said Vaile Wright, senior director for the office of health care innovation at the American Psychological Association. “Honestly, it’s a very human thing to do.”

Clark also sees potential for AI in mental health if used responsibly. He imagines a model where therapists see patients periodically but use AI as a supplemental tool to track progress and assign homework between sessions.

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Voice Recording Could Reveal Early Warning Signs Of Laryngeal Cancer - What Features Reveal The Disease

Updated Aug 13, 2025 | 04:00 AM IST

Summary The way we talk, how we speak and the clarity we speak with not only tell us a person’s personality but it also reveals whether you have cancer or not.
Voice Recording Could Reveal Early Warning Signs Of Laryngeal Cancer - What Features Reveal The Disease

(Credit-Canva)

The tool we use to communicate and express ourselves could be the very messenger of the difficult diagnosis of cancer. Laryngeal cancer affects the larynx, the organ that helps us breathe and speak. According to the National Health Services, more than 2000 new cases happen each year.

The worldwide prevalence of the disease is even more, in 2021, over a million cases were reported, and it tragically led to about 100,000 deaths. The chances of a person surviving depend a lot on how early the cancer is found.

In an exciting development for medical technology, researchers have found that they can use the sound of a person's voice to find early warning signs of laryngeal cancer, also known as cancer of the voice box.

Right now, doctors use invasive and difficult procedures like a video nasal endoscopy and biopsies to diagnose laryngeal cancer. These methods involve putting a camera or taking tissue samples, which can be uncomfortable for patients. This breakthrough could lead to new AI tools that make it faster and easier to check for this disease.

How Voice Recordings Could Help Detect Cancer

Researchers from Oregon Health and Science University studied over 12,500 voice recordings from 306 people. Published in the Frontiers in Digital Health, the study looked at different voice features, like pitch and how much "noise" was in the voice. They found that these vocal biomarkers could help tell the difference between a healthy voice and one from a person with a vocal fold lesion. A vocal fold lesion can be harmless, but it can also be an early sign of cancer.

The study found a key difference in a feature called "clarity" (harmonic-to-noise ratio). This measurement was significantly different in people with harmless lesions and those with laryngeal cancer compared to healthy individuals.

What Are Symptoms of Laryngeal Cancer?

Laryngeal cancer, or cancer of the voice box, can have several symptoms. The most common one is a hoarse voice that lasts for more than 3 weeks. Other symptoms to watch for include:

  • A change in your voice, such as it sounding different or hoarse.
  • Pain or trouble when you swallow.
  • A lump or swelling in your neck.
  • A long-lasting cough or feeling short of breath.
  • A sore throat or earache that doesn't go away.
  • A high-pitched, wheezing sound when you breathe.
  • In serious cases, you may have trouble breathing.
  • Some people may also have bad breath, lose weight without trying, or feel extremely tired.

Future of AI in Diagnosis

This research suggests that voice recordings could become a simple, non-invasive way to detect cancer risks. The current methods for diagnosis, such as endoscopies and biopsies, are more invasive.

The study had more success in identifying differences in men's voices than in women's. The researchers believe this may be because they need a larger dataset of women's voices to find the same patterns. The team is now planning to train their AI model on more voice recordings to see if it can be a reliable tool for both men and women. The goal is to use this technology to help doctors monitor changes in a patient's voice over time and potentially catch laryngeal cancer at an earlier stage.

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Can’t Stand Watching People Fidget? What Is 'Misokinesia'—The Hidden Condition That Makes Small Movements Unbearable

Updated Aug 13, 2025 | 03:00 AM IST

SummaryMisokinesia, affecting nearly one in three people, triggers intense irritation or anxiety when witnessing small, repetitive movements like fidgeting, potentially impacting focus, relationships, and mental well-being.
Can’t Stand Watching People Fidget? What Is 'Misokinesia'—The Hidden Condition That Makes Small Movements Unbearable

Credits: Canva

Most of us have felt mild irritation when someone nearby taps a foot or clicks a pen but for people with misokinesia, these small repetitive movements trigger intense discomfort sometimes even rage. The reaction isn’t just in the mind. Physical symptoms can include a spike in blood pressure, adrenaline surges, heart palpitations, or nausea. Mentally, sufferers may experience anxiety, anger, disgust, or difficulty concentrating.

The condition can be selective certain people’s movements may be more triggering than others making it harder to maintain relationships or work comfortably in shared spaces.

What Is Misokinesia?

The term translates literally to “hatred of movement.” While its auditory counterpart, misophonia, has gained some public awareness in recent years, misokinesia has remained largely unexplored until recently. In contrast to misophonia, in which sound is the primary irritant, misokinesia is motivated by visual stimuli—nail biting, hair twirling, or restless leg shaking, for example.

A 2021 University of British Columbia (UBC) study discovered that nearly one in three individuals reported some degree of sensitivity to these movements. The study, conducted by psychologist Sumeet Jaswal, was the first scientific study of the phenomenon, which drew on the input of over 4,100 participants.

Is Misokinesia Common?

Researchers were surprised by the prevalence. Misokinesia is not restricted to people with diagnosed mental health conditions—it appears to be a common social challenge affecting a significant portion of the general population.

UBC psychologist Todd Handy began researching the phenomenon after his partner revealed that his own fidgeting caused her stress—just as anyone else’s fidgeting did. This personal experience sparked a formal investigation into what might be happening in the brain.

While modern environments may not directly cause misokinesia, today’s constant visual stimulation—open-plan offices, crowded public spaces, and high screen time might make symptoms harder to ignore.

Why do some people have such a strong reaction to fidgeting while others barely notice?

Researchers explored whether misokinesia could be tied to heightened visual-attentional sensitivity—an inability to block out peripheral movement. Early results didn’t confirm this theory.

One leading hypothesis involves mirror neurons, brain cells that activate both when we perform an action and when we see someone else perform it. If someone fidgets because they’re anxious, a person with misokinesia may subconsciously “mirror” that anxiety in their own body, creating a cascade of stress responses.

A follow-up 2024 study by Jaswal suggested another angle: people with misokinesia may struggle more to disengage from a visual stimulus than to initially block it out.

Living With Misokinesia

The impact can be substantial. Many report avoiding certain social situations or sitting away from others in classrooms, meetings, or public transport. Workplace productivity can drop when a colleague’s nervous tic is constantly within view.

Some sufferers experience ongoing tension in personal relationships. For example, spending time with someone who “stims”—repetitive self-soothing movements often seen in neurodivergent individuals—can create a conflict of needs that’s difficult to resolve without understanding and compromise.

Misokinesia vs. Misophonia

While the two conditions often overlap, misokinesia is rooted in sight, misophonia in sound. A person might have one without the other, both, or varying degrees of sensitivity to each. Both conditions share emotional triggers—frustration, anxiety, irritability—and both can limit social participation if unmanaged.

How To Deal With Misokinesia Triggers?

No cure exists, but some strategies can be effective:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This formal treatment can assist in identifying triggers, reframing responses, and acquiring coping skills.

Relaxation measures: Breathing techniques, mindfulness, or grounding exercises can dampen the physiological "fight or flight" response.

Environmental modifications: Occluding the line of sight to the movement, redirecting focus to another visual target, or establishing personal space in seating.

Communication: Educating friends, family, or co-workers about triggers can reduce unintentional exposure.

These methods will not completely prevent the reaction from happening, but they will make symptoms more tolerable and less disruptive.

We remain in the initial stages of understanding misokinesia. That it occurs in so many and is so far from mainstream conversation implies a lack of awareness and clinical recognition. There are many possible areas for further research that may reveal neurological or genetic mechanisms, shed light on the function of mirror neurons, and seek out eventual overlap with sensory processing disorders.

The goal is that by naming and researching the phenomenon, we can transition from quiet frustration to real solutions—less stigma and enhanced quality of life for those impacted.

If you catch yourself distracted by the sound of a pen click or foot tap next to you, you might not be merely "easily irritated." Misokinesia is a known and surprisingly prevalent affliction. Learning about it—whether you have it or know somebody who does—is the first step in making spaces more livable for all.

As Handy succinctly stated, "To those suffering from misokinesia, you are not alone. Your struggle is real and it's common."

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