Sleep Helps Memory. If you want to give your memory a boost, make sure to get enough sleep. The National Sleep Foundation says that sleep benefits your memory the following ways: it helps your body retain what you’ve learned, it fosters new neuron connections that transform experiences into long-term memories, and it enhances your ability…

Music May Soothe Post-Op Pain. Patients recovering from major surgery often struggle with pain and anxiety. In this study, 30 post-surgical patients participated in a 30-minute music therapy session within 72 hours of their operation that included singing, rhythmic drumming, and live music. Researchers found that those who participated in the music sessions experienced less…

A Lonely Heart May Worsen Cold Symptoms. Being lonely may mean more misery when you’re sick. Investigators tracked the mental and physical health of 159 volunteers and found that people who said they had less social support had cold symptoms that were more severe than individuals who felt more socially connected. Researcher Dr. Angie LeRoy…

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PSTD) normally stems from witnessing a shocking, dangerous, or life-threatening event. Researchers recently conducted an analysis of nearly 300 Australian military veterans from the Vietnam War era and found those with a history of PTSD were much more likely to experience sleep disorders, gastrointestinal problems, cardiovascular diseases, and numerous other health conditions.…

Do Dental Visits Make You Anxious? It is not uncommon to be fearful of going to the dentist, but there are ways to help minimize your anxiety. The American Dental Association offers the following tips to put you at ease: talk with your dentist about your anxiety; schedule your appointment at a time when you…

Pros and Cons of Instagram for Teens’ Mental Health. Researchers tracked Instagram use by teens for six months and found a link between frequent use and a greater risk for depression. However, the research team also observed that Instagram use can help adolescents feel closer to their friends, leading to lower levels of depression. The…

Heart Diagnosis, Depression, and Death. In this study, researchers assessed the mental health of 24,000 adults recently diagnosed with coronary artery disease and found about 15% suffered from depression—an amount that is significantly higher than the general population. Furthermore, half of those with depression died over the following decade compared to 38% of those without…

Volunteer Work Is Good for the Brain. An analysis of data from the 2010, 2012, and 2014 Swedish National Prescribed Drug Register reveals that seniors who regularly perform volunteer work in their community are significantly less likely to develop dementia than those who don’t do volunteer work or only do so infrequently. The authors of…

This study included nearly 1,800 people aged 19 to 32 who completed an online questionnaire and found that those who used social media sites/apps more often—either in terms of the number of times they used them or in total amount of time spent on them—were more likely to feel isolated from others. Study lead author…

Driving May Suffer Even After Concussion Symptoms Fade. Concussion patients may still have difficulty driving, even after their symptoms disappear. Researchers tested fifteen college-aged participants in a driving simulator within 48 hours of reporting they no longer felt the effects of their concussions and found that despite the participants feeling like they had recovered, they…