Peggy Rios, PhD
Counseling Psychologist
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Co-authored Articles (31)
How to
Die Peacefully
Knowing that you’re dying can feel really scary, but you aren’t alone. You likely want your experience to be as easy and painless as possible. Fortunately, you can manage your pain and discomfort to make it easier on...
15+ Things to Say to Someone Before Surgery
You want to reach out to someone before their surgery, but finding the right words can be difficult. Whether you're calling, texting, or sending a card, a little positive encouragement can really make the person feel sup...
Happy 18th Birthday! 47 Things You Can Legally Do Once You Become an Adult
Bring out the streamers, the balloons, the cake—you’re an adult now, baby! You’ve been on the planet for just shy of 2 decades and there’s so much to celebrate. In most states, turning 18 comes with a lot of perk...
Can You Move Out at 16? Here's What You Need to Know
Find out how to get emancipated and live independently Moving out of your family’s house before you turn 18 is a big decision. It may feel overwhelming, but there are several ways to move out at 16, if that’s the bes...
How to
Have an Attitude
If you're tired of feeling unheard or taken advantage of, the idea of developing a tough, sassy attitude may appeal to you. All you have to do to have an attitude is make slight adjustments to your behavior and demeanor:...
How to
Stay a Virgin
Staying a virgin in a sex-obsessed society can be a challenging task. You'll find that setting strong and healthy personal boundaries is key to maintaining autonomy over your own body, and, further, to setting the terms ...
How to
Avoid Being Socially Awkward
Social awkwardness comes from a sense of not appearing "normal" or "socially clued in" under the gaze of others. Generated by our own fears and worries of what others think of us and by social expectations, social awkwa...
How to
Gently Dump a Clingy "Friend"
Spending time with your friends can be fun, but everyone has their own limits on the amount of time that they can spend with a person. Sometimes a friend might be a bit too demanding of your time and attention, which can...
How to
Deal With Peer Pressure
If you feel pressured by people to do things you're uncomfortable doing, there are lots of ways to respond. Be prepared to deal with peer pressure by having a response ready. Avoid places where people do illegal activiti...
How to
Attain Nirvana
The Four Noble Truths are the essence of Buddhism and provide a plan to deal with all of the suffering that humans face. These truths state that life is filled with different types of suffering; suffering has a cause and...
How to
Avoid Being Clingy With Friends
Nobody wants to be the friend who is being clingy. However, at some point or another, most all of us have been there. When we are feeling like we might be losing a relationship or if we are not sure that the other person...
How to
Be Less Clingy
Knowing that you're clingy is the first step to improving your behavior. If you're clingy, then you're the kind of person who gets obsessed with a new person the moment you meet, whether you're making friends or dating....
How to
Deal With Anxiety
Anxiety can be experienced occasionally or as a persistent condition that can interfere with your life. It’s natural to feel stressed before a big event or during a busy period. If you notice yourself experiencing anxi...
How to
Find out if You Are Too Clingy
Building healthy relationships can be hard. It takes time, commitment, and dedication. If we don’t have positive models in our lives to show us what an acceptable level of attention and affection is, we might misunde...
How to Become a Death Doula
As many developed nations come to terms with an aging population, the work of a death doula will be more important than ever. Death is a deeply meaningful and sacred process for everyone involved, and as a doula, your j...
How to
Deal With People Who Treat You Like a Child
Learn to stand up for yourself with this simple guideIf you feel like you're being treated like a child by your family, you're not alone, whether you're an adult or a teenager. You may also experience your boss, co-worke...
14 Ways to Protect Your Energy & Minimize Negativity
Safeguard your energy and avoid burnout with our helpful tips Protecting your energy is crucial so you can accomplish your goals and stay healthy, but where do you start? If you're looking for simple and effective strate...
How to
Overcome Fear of Abandonment
The fear of abandonment is common for those who have typically experienced the loss of a parent, caregiver, or loved one through death, divorce, or other traumatizing circumstances. Abandonment fears may also stem from n...
13 Ways to Resist & Handle Peer Pressure
Peer pressure is a big deal for adolescents and young adults. Even if you work hard to fight it, you may find yourself giving in to pressure from friends or classmates. You might go along with just about anything to avoi...
How to
Deal With an Annoying Boy
Is a boy annoying you? Thankfully, there are ways to stop his behavior. You could ignore him or ask him why he is bothering you. He might not realize you are annoyed. On the other hand, if he is harassing you or causing ...