Does Laughter Have a Place in Medicine?

That’s why Roddy Lindsay founded Zabit, a new habit coaching service that relies on pairing clients with personal coaches – AKA the ultimate accountability buddies!

Whether you want to improve your workout plan, decrease your use of social media, limit your alcohol consumption, or get better sleep, Zabit coaches are there to motivate you toward your goals with one-on-one personalized messages, just like you're texting your best friend.

“Zabit’s mission is to make accountability universal and affordable. Adding accountability to everyday habits to make them long-lasting should be as easy as ordering an Uber,” said Lindsay, founder and CEO of Zabit. “By combining the empathy of human coaches with the ubiquity of mobile technology, Zabit is forging a new paradigm for behavior change.”

Zabit’s personal coaches are psychologists, wellness professionals, and advanced clinical psychology students with at least three years of training, so they’re equipped with all the right knowledge to help you stay on track with your goals, no matter what they are.

When it comes to your personal goals, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. Pair with a Zabit coach today – you can get started now with a free 2-week trial. From there, plans start at just $8.99 per week.

1. You're never sure what kind of mood your parents will be in before you walk in the living room or kitchen.

Let's put this on record: parenting is tough — especially on top of trying to maintain a work-life balance. But, this doesn't mean you're meant to be unsure of what to expect every time you come around your parents. If you have to "'read the room'" a lot "before speaking," Slavens indicates this is one of the more subtle signs of dysfunction.

This is where you may have learned how to become passive-aggressive if that's something you struggle with. The reason for this is because "clear and direct communication is avoided and/or seen as bad or aggressive," according to Dr. Miller.

2. You tend to feel like you're constantly compared to and in competition with your siblings.

My heart truly wants to believe this isn't intentional behavior from parents, but I can't say I haven't heard people talk about feeling like they'd never measure up to the 'golden child' of their family. You may have felt insecure about your grades, the college you chose to go to, your career goals, or even your physical appearance. Slavens says this "struggle with self-worth or second-guessing yourself constantly" is yet another sign that your family's dynamic wasn't the healthiest.

Also, Dr. Miller says this could've caused you to learn to "shrink yourself in the presence of loved ones." Even worse, you may "feel the need to hide pieces of yourself in order to be loved and accepted."

3. There was constant yelling and screaming during arguments, making you fearful of disagreements or hardships.

If you grew up in a home where arguments always led to screaming and yelling, chances are you're not a fan of loud voices or hard moments. Honestly, Slavens says it's not hard to believe that "conflict make you anxious, even when it’s minor." Unsurprisingly, you may have become a referee during these arguments and currently find yourself being a mediator in your platonic or romantic relationships. Why?

Dr. Miller says, "You constantly feel the need to manage everyone else’s emotions often at the cost of your own needs and wellbeing." You know, to keep the peace.

Here are some more obvious signs you grew up in a dysfunctional family

4. You had to take on a parental role when one of your parents decided to stop being an adult.

I imagine that having an emotionally immature parent is one of the most aggravating and stressful things to deal with. Not only that, but you may have had to help keep the household afloat. You may have had to get a job or two to help pay bills, listening to an adult conversation as your mom or dad laid their problems at your young feet, and more!

If you "family roles were flipped" and you "maybe had to parent your own parents," Slavens says this is a form of emotional dysfunction.

5. You weren't allowed to go anywhere with your friends because your parents wanted to keep an eye on you at all times.

Slavens says boundaries that "didn't exist" or "were rigid and controlling" is a sign your home was a little...interesting. Being concerned about your whereabouts is one thing, but it's another when you're unable to do anything without your parents' eagle-eyes on you. Something as simple as going to the mall with your friends may have become a lecture about the dangers of shoplifting or car wrecks. Again, these are valid concerns but they shouldn't be treated like the verbal form of doom scrolling.

6. You consistently witnessed one of your parents abuse alcohol or drugs at home.

This is a tough because substance abuse is so prevalent in varies socioeconomic statuses and communities. From the functioning alcoholic to the one who becomes belligerent after they've had too much to drink, it always affects those around them. Slavens says if "there was ongoing neglect, substance abuse, or verbal/physical aggression," your home probably didn't safe.

I recognize some of these signs of a dysfunctional family. But that doesn't mean they're affecting my current relationships, right?

I hate to break it to you, but it's possible your childhood wounds have shown up before. "Dysfunctional dynamics don’t stay in childhood — they tend to creep into how you connect with others," says Slavens. Similarly, Dr. Miller agrees that "we typically repeat what we learned at home with our families in our other relationships." How?

"This includes the beliefs and rules we follow, often completely subconsciously, about what can and can’t talk about and why, as well as what emotions are allowed to be expressed, who can express them and how, and how we should or must respond to those people and their emotions," explains Dr. Miller.

Another way to look at this is how Slavens has outlined it:

In Platonic Relationships:

1. Overextending yourself to please others, even at your own expense
2. Feeling like you have to "earn your friends' affections.
3. Avoiding vulnerability because it feels unsafe.

In Romantic Relationships:

1. Struggling to trust your partner or feeling overly suspicious
2. Repeating patterns like dating people who are emotionally unavailable or controlling.
3. Feeling overly responsible for your partner's happiness — or relying on them for yours.

OMG! How do I unlearn habits from my dysfunctional family?

Honestly, everyone has a few bad habits they've carried from their childhood to adulthood. You're not an outlier because some things weren't 100% normal so I don't want you to feel like you're a failure for not having having it all together. "Dysfunction doesn’t have to define your future relationships," Slavens assures. Dr. Miller says you can start to unlearn things "that aren't working for you anymore" by "gathering your family's larger context to gain insight into how and why, for them, the behaviors make sense."

By taking a look at your family's "history and larger social and political contexts" gives you a chance to "see them as whole people with full lives," she says. Once you do that, she believes "you can examine what pieces make sense for you to keep and what parts you'd like to learn to do differently." Her other suggestion? Don't forget you're ability to utilize a "therapist who works systemically, like an LMFT" who "can be a huge support in this process."

Slavens' tips include the following:

1. Practice self-awareness: Notice when a response feels automatic — like people-pleasing or shutting down during conflict — and ask yourself, Is this helping me, or is this a leftover habit from the past?
2. Set boundaries: If your childhood lacked healthy boundaries, learning to say “no” without guilt is a game-changer. Boundaries protect your energy and teach others how to treat you.
3. Learn healthy conflict skills: If conflict made you feel unsafe growing up, it’s natural to avoid it. But healthy conflict is necessary in relationships. Practice expressing your needs calmly and directly.
4. Therapy, therapy, therapy: A good therapist can help untangle the messy, “weird” things that got normalized and give you tools to rebuild healthier ways of relating to yourself and others.
5. Surround yourself with healthier models: Whether it’s friends, mentors, or books/podcasts, seek examples of functional relationships and start observing what feels different.

While you're busy unlearning things, Dr. Miller also wants you to remember something. "Recognize that how your family does something is simply that; how your particular family system figured out and were taught to navigate the world. It isn’t inherently right because you’ve normalized it nor is the way another person or family does it inherently wrong," she says.

The 67th Grammy Awards — On CBS February 2, 2025

I truly don't remember the last time the Grammy Awards were this stacked. Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Charli XCX, The Beatles. It's going to be a night to remember!

The Grammys will air February 2.

The Kardashians Season 6 — On Hulu February 6, 2025

These iconic sisters (plus momager Kris) are tackling 2025 and all the relationship, internet, and family drama to come. That's right: Kourtney, Khloé, Kim, Kendall, and Kylie are back!

The Kardashians returns on February 6 and stars Kris Jenner, Kourtney Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian, Kim Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, and Kylie Jenner.

Nothing says love like your best female friendships, and Sweet Magnolias season 4 proves it! According to showrunner Sheryl J. Anderson, season 4 will examine "the twists and turns of romance, the complexity of friendship, the surprises that pop up in life," she tells TUDUM, "and how all these things make us more grateful for the people who love us."

Sweet Magnolias season 4 premieres February 6 and stars JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Brooke Elliott, and Heather Headley.

Super Bowl LIX — On Fox February 9, 2025

There's one question on everyone's mind as we get closer to the big game: will we see Travis Kelce take home another Super Bowl trophy? And the question on my mind? WHO'S THE HALFTIME SHOW? Stay tuned to find out!

The Super Bowl airs on February 9.

Cobra Kai Season 6 Part 3 — On Netflix February 13, 2025

It all comes to a close for Miyagi-Do and Cobra Kai in the Cobra Kai finale — which will take place 40 years after the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament. Talk about timing!

Cobra Kai season 6 ends on February 13 and stars Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, Martin Kove, Xolo Maridueña, Jacob Bertrand, Mary Mouser, Tanner Buchanan, Peyton List, Gianni DeCenzo, Courtney Henggeler, Vanessa Rubio, Dallas Dupree Young, Yuji Okumoto, Alicia Hannah-Kim, Griffin Santopietro, and Oona O'Brien.

Next Level Chef Season 4 — On Fox February 13, 2025

If you're sick of cooking shows, I promise you you'll want to give this series a shot. Gordon Ramsey hosts the competition, which pits three teams against each other. The twist? Each episode the teams are assigned to one of three kitchens, each with wildly different resources.

Next Level Chef season 4 premieres February 13 and is hosted by Gordon Ramsey.

Love Is Blind Season 8 — On Netflix February 14, 2025

Nothing says Valentine's Day like a reality dating show. And nobody's doing it like Love is Blind. This series — in which couples get together without seeing one another — is perfect for anyone who's totally sick of the modern & normal approaches to dating (just me?).

Love is Blind season 8 drops on February 14 and is hosted by Vanessa & Nick Lachey.

SNL50: The Anniversary Special — On NBC February 16, 2025

In honor of SNL season 50, get a special glimpse at seasons past (including audition tapes!!) with this 3-hour anniversary special. Who knows what kind of guest appearances and musical acts we'll see!

SNL50: The Anniversary Special premieres February 16.

Remember how I said these new TV shows will get you in the mood for spring? Well The White Lotus season 3 will definitely have you dreaming of your first 2025 vacation. (Although hopefully it'll have way less drama). This season takes us to Thailand and introduces us to a slew of new characters who are all hiding something.

The White Lotus season 3 premieres February 16 and will star Leslie Bibb, Jason Isaacs, Michelle Monaghan, Carrie Coon, Parker Posey, Patrick Schwarzenegger and Blackpink’s Lisa Manobal.

If you thought Yellowjackets was crazy in the past, you haven't seen anything yet. Season 3 will tackle the idea of merging our favorite soccer team's past and present selves, and creator Ashley Lyle gave Vanity Faira glimpse into the new story, teasing, "How do you change while you are in your core, in your essence, the same person you always were? How much are you hiding that, and how long are you able to do that, is a question that we’re playing with this season."

Yellowjackets season 3 premieres February 16 and stars Melanie Lynskey, Christina Ricci, Tawny Cypress, Lauren Ambrose, Sophie Nélisse, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Sophie Thatcher, Samantha Hanratty, Courtney Eaton, Liv Hewson, Steven Krueger, Warren Kole, Kevin Alves, Sarah Desjardins, Simone Kessell, Elijah Wood, Joel McHale, and Hilary Swank.

SAG Awards — On Netflix February 23, 2025

Awards season is in full swing! The SAG awards celebrate all your favorite actors and actresses, and the fact the show is streamed on Netflix makes it easier than ever to tune in.

The SAG Awards will air on February 23 and are hosted by Kirstin Bell.

This new TV show FINALLY brings us back to the Duttons after season 1 ended with the Yellowstone ranch in danger, Alex and Spencer split up, and Teonna running for her life. February 23 can't come soon enough — and I'm hoping it doesn't take long for this family to reunite.

1923 season 2 premieres February 23 andthe cast includes Julia Schlaepfer, Harrison Ford, Helen Mirren, Brandon Sklenar, Michelle Randolph, Darren Mann, Jerome Flynn, Aminah Nieves, and Isabel May.

Grosse Pointe Garden Society — On NBC February 23, 2025

This new TV show follows four members of a local garden club who get more than they bargained for when they all become tangled up in a secret murder. Turns out the only thing harder than maintaining the perfect garden is maintaining the perfect image.

Grosse Pointe Garden Society premieres February 23 and stars Melissa Fumero, Aja Naomi King, Ben Rappaport, AnnaSophia Robb, Alexander Hodge, Nancy Travis, Matthew Davis, and Felix Wolfe.

House of David — On Prime Video February 27, 2025

You might think you know the story of King David, but you've never seen it told like this. When King Saul's pride leads to his fall, and loss of power over his kingdom, the young David becomes poised to take his place. And he's in for more heartbreak, love, and violence than he could have bargained for.

House of David premieres February 27 and stars Michael Iskander, Ali Suliman, Ayelet Zurer, Stephen Lang, Martyn Ford, Indy Lewis, and Yali Topol Margalith, Ethan Kai, Sam Otto, Oded Fehr, Louis Ferreira, Davood Ghadami, Ashraf Barhom, Alexander Uloom, and Aury Alby.