Lauren Vinopal

Lauren Vinopal is a freelance journalist who writes about health and science. Have a weird science question? Lauren has your answer. She also specializes in men’s health, child development, sleep, pregnancy, relationships, psychology, mental health, and much more. Lauren was a full-time Health & Science writer for Fatherly from 2016 to 2019.

Lauren is currently a staff writer for MEL Magazine. She also writes for publications such as MTV News, Vice, GQ, and more. Lauren has a Bachelor’s in communications and journalism from DePaul University. A stand-up comedian to boot, she also hosts the Mid Riff Comedy Show in Brooklyn. You can follow Lauren on Twitter at @LaurenVino.

Men's Health

Yes, Dad’s Drinking May Contribute To Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

ByLauren Vinopal

Men may be able to improve their sperm health and reduce the risk of birth defects if they sober up 90 days before making a baby.

Work-Life Balance

Working From Home Is Stressful For Dads — But Being There Is Worth It

ByLauren Vinopal

Your presence at home means a whole lot to your kids.

Child Development

5 Reasons To Let Kids Buy Presents, According To Child Psychologists

ByLauren Vinopal

Even if it’s with your own money.

Good Vibes Only

I Tried The Apollo Neuro, And This Is No Normal Smart Watch

ByLauren Vinopal

Most wearables just track how unhealthy we are, but the Apollo Neuro offers a small solution in the form of literal vibes.

Runner's High

Is Weed What’s Missing From Your Workout Routine?

ByLauren Vinopal

Cannabis and exercise may not seem like the most likely duo, but emerging research suggests it might be the secret ingredient for making workouts more fun.

Tech

Screen Time Literally Changes Young Kids' Brains

ByLauren Vinopal

The research is eye-opening. But it doesn't mean parents need to freak out.

Taking Chances

How Big A Career Risk Is Too Big When You Have Kids?

ByLauren Vinopal

Fatherhood can make men less willing to take risks, for the safety of their families. But you still have to be open to taking chances.

Hug It Out

Why You Should Hug Your Kid For At Least 20 Seconds

ByLauren Vinopal

The benefits are seriously worth it.

Parenting

This Expert Mindfulness Hack Helps Parents Stay Level-Headed

ByLauren Vinopal

Envisioning the future might be a better strategy for raising kids, new research suggests.

Grief

Losing A Dad Hurts Boys On A Different Level. Here's How To Help Them Cope.

ByLauren Vinopal

The death of a parent can be incredibly painful at any age, but when boys lose their dads, they may be more vulnerable to a variety of problems later in life.

Flexibility

I Tried Hyperbolic Stretching And It Delivered — With One Big Caveat

ByLauren Vinopal

You could get closer to the splits in this four-week program that promises to increase flexibility. Or you could get a strained groin and a bunch of spam.

Mental Health

The Key To Mental Health Could Come Down To 3 Basic Needs

ByLauren Vinopal

A popular premise in psychology suggests mental health may be less complicated than it seems.

Dad Bod

Could Cardio On An Empty Stomach Aid Weight Loss, Or Is It An Empty Promise?

ByLauren Vinopal

Some evidence suggests fasted workouts promote faster weight loss, but many experts aren’t convinced. I tried it firsthand to settle the score.

Weed

This Simple Plan Would Make Marijuana Much Less Dangerous For Kids

ByLauren Vinopal

The wide availability of weed gummies and candy have led to a spike in child cannabis poisonings. A professor of clinical pharmacology offers a way forward.

Sex

6 Ways Men Can Close The Orgasm Gap In Their Relationships

ByLauren Vinopal

Stop trying to track how many orgasms you’re both having, and start exploring how to have a good time.

Watch Your Words

Why Using “Therapy Speak” With Your Partner Is Doomed To Fail

ByLauren Vinopal

The recent discourse surrounding Jonah Hill’s leaked text messages confirms that therapy is still important for men — but not if they’re going to use it to manipulate others.

Mindfulness

I Added Fire To My Meditation Practice And It Helped Calm Me Down

ByLauren Vinopal

You’re not supposed to play with fire, but you might want to meditate with it.

Dad Jokes

Cringey Dad Jokes Teach Your Kids A Valuable Life Lesson

ByLauren Vinopal

Who knew your eye-roll-inducing jokes had such a benefit?

$$$

More Money Makes Basically Everyone Happier — With One Major Exception

ByLauren Vinopal

Happiness was believed to top-out around $75,000 a year, but researchers may have had that wrong all along.

Calming Down

This Simple Self-Hypnosis Technique Is A Great Way To Fight Stress — And Insomnia

ByLauren Vinopal

How “autogenic training” helped me manage my anxiety and insomnia.