Mental Health

In an attempt to manage chronic stress, people try various techniques that help relax. However, it is not only relaxation that complementary practices, such as meditation, yoga exercises and chiropractic, can be useful for. Pain management, treatment of mental problems, and similar uses are becoming more widespread. Of these three, mindfulness is gaining ground faster than others. Here is why. Wellness practices are being adopted by more and more Americans. But the trend that is growing faster than the other two me...

Have you ever noticed that you cannot stop thinking about the things you should have already done but have not? They keep on crossing your mind again and again even when you are trying to focus on something else, and the unfinished work becomes the centerpiece of your current endeavors. Sounds familiar? Well, this phenomenon is known as the Zeigarnik effect and has great influence on how well we remember things. In 1927, Bluma Zeigarnik, a Russian psychologist, published the results of her research revolving around...

Your colleagues probably know how your children are doing, what your dog did to your shoes yesterday, and what you are going to give your Mom for Christmas. They may even know about your gout. But the one thing they are unlikely to be aware of is your mental health condition. In this day and age, having one means something extremely shameful, and the stigma at work is a problem for many an American.

The brain is an extremely complex organ comprised of a wide range of sophisticated systems. Previous research showed that the diversity of cells of which the brain is made up includes the so-called grid cells, which map the environment and divide it into virtual honeycomb-like spaces. A new paper suggests the system creates cognitive space maps for analysis not only of the external environment, but also of the internal one.

In the age when everything natural quickly becomes trendy, the news that living close to a forest is beneficial to your brain comes as no news – we have known it for a long time. But now anecdotal evidence is backed by its scientific counterpart. German scientists found that living in a place where a lot of trees can be found in the vicinity benefits the amygdala, which means these people are theoretically better at coping with stress.

Have you heard a joke about a husband being an extra child that doubles the stress of the woman? In fact, it is not a joke, but a reality.

A study led by David Lewis-Hodgson states that Marconi Union’s song called ‘Weightless’ has one of the most relaxing melodies in the history of anxiety-reducing songs. It is also considered as the song which can be 11% more effective than others that were also used in the experiment. Thus, today we are going to talk about how helpful or not it can be for people who struggle from stress or even anxiety.

Losing a loved one is a thing dreaded by nearly everyone, as all other problems pale into insignificance beside such a tragedy. It is commonly assumed that children are affected by death of a parent to a more significant extent, but it is not that simple, as adults can fail to get over it too. A grief-stricken brain changes, and here is how.

One of the psychological terms which have recently been dusted off is impostor syndrome. Not a disorder proper, it has preoccupied the mind of many a scholar, but the true essence of the issue remains elusive. It has been blamed by most people as a hindrance to career and a thing which is not in line with the American perspective on the world. But is it something that undesirable? Isn’t its opposite even worse?

We all have heard about PTSD, which results from adversities and haunts soldiers, victims of abusers, and other people who lived through something shocking. However, besides PTSD proper, which usually follows some terrible event, there is the so-called complex PTSD caused by long-term suffering. The latter is rarely discussed, but it should be.

The most mysterious organ of all those a human has, the brain is a riddle which has fascinated people for thousands of years. Even advanced technologies cannot help us reveal all its secrets, and while there is a lot to discover, the brain will probably remain a tough nut to crack. Still, some of the facts about it we know are really interesting, and you may find them curious even if you have always hated biology lessons.

Have you ever called your dog a good boy? We bet you have. While everyone around may be calling you nuts because of your talking to animals, it turns out such behavior is not a sign of stupidity, but a hallmark of intelligence characteristic of the human brain. The next time you are told talking to pets as if they were humans is pointless, refer to this article.

RAD is a condition diagnosed in children who do not receive enough nurturing from parents or caregivers and thus do not establish bonds with them. The condition affects the child’s relationships with other people significantly, and the effects are long-lasting, so adults can suffer the consequences of their parents’ failure to provide them with an appropriate environment and care in childhood.

Have you ever given some thought to the way you purchase things? Do you always want the best? Is it the cheapest option that appeals to you? What drives your consumer compass? While all these things may seem to be far from health issues, it appears that striving to buy only the best–especially if it only seems to be so–can affect your mind and body.

Oriental practices have been gaining popularity for quite a long time, but the effects they produce on the brain remain elusive. Several new researches are being carried out to uncover what mechanisms are behind mindfulness and meditation, and what changes they trigger in the brain. Preliminary findings suggest such practices can help those with depression, anxiety and PTSD.

One of the paradoxes of the modern world is that while most people are so tired and stressed that they desperately need relaxation, they fail to fall asleep when their head touches a pillow. To prevent another sheep-counting session, you can try eating certain foods that promote sleep – and avoid the ones stealing it, such as coffee and protein-rich and spicy food.

The notion of treatment goes far beyond taking pills and undergoing surgeries: it is the mental wellbeing that should also be improved in any patient. However, this aspect of treatment is often neglected when healthcare budget is being drawn up. A new research corroborates the theory that overall wellbeing of patients can be improved significantly by means of engaging in creative activities.

Let’s admit it: we’re stuck in virtual reality and keep on pushing buttons on a daily basis. The overwhelming majority of people have desk jobs and rarely remember they can use hands not only for typing, but also for creating. A recent research corroborates the theory that handiwork triggers processes in the brain that make you feel happier.

In some countries, the population is aging so fast that the government has to face more and more problems associated with it. One of such issues is that the elderly often suffer from dementia in its various forms, including Alzheimer’s disease. In Japan, a new solution has been introduced: those with dementia can now use adhesive barcodes to be easier to find if lost.

We've all experienced work stress, difficulty getting up every morning, occasional conflicts with colleagues. However, when it becomes a daily reality, work stress can turn your life into hell.