Mental Attitude
Neuroticism and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Neuroticism and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Many people experience traumatic events (such as the death of a loved one, witnessing violence, or physical assault) but only a small amount develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). A decade long study of 1,000 random residents in southeastern Michigan found those who scored higher on a neuroticism scale (chronic anxiety,…
Read MoreVitamin D and Alzheimer’s Disease
Vitamin D and Alzheimer’s Disease. Higher vitamin D dietary intake is associated with a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Women who developed Alzheimer’s disease had lower baseline vitamin D intakes (an average of 50.3 micrograms per week) than those who developed no dementia at all (an average of 59.0 micrograms per week). Journals of…
Read MoreMultiple Media Use
Multiple Media Use. Media use among United States youth has increased 20% in the past decade, and the amount of time spent multitasking with media has spiked 120%. Using multiple forms of media at the same time (ie. playing a computer game while watching TV) has been linked to symptoms of anxiety and depression. Cyberpsychology.…
Read MoreCognitive Behavioral Therapy vs. Antidepressants
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy vs. Antidepressants. Only a third of patients respond fully to antidepressant medications and there is no consensus on what to try next. In a study of 469 patients from the United Kingdom who did not fully respond to initial treatment, 235 patients again received the usual care (antidepressants) and 234 again received…
Read MoreI Can’t Remember
I Can’t Remember. Older individuals’ complaints about memory lapses (such as trouble remembering recent events) may indicate they are experiencing cognitive problems that are greater than typical age-related changes. The incidence of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias is expected to rise in the United States as adults 65 and older are projected to double in…
Read MoreA Good Laugh
A Good Laugh. When we laugh heartily among friends, we exhale repeatedly without drawing breath. This physical effort leaves us exhausted and triggers the release of protective endorphins, one of the complex neuropeptide chemicals of the brain that regulate pain and promote feelings of wellbeing. Watching 15 minutes of comedy in the company of others…
Read MoreChewing Gum?
Chewing Gum? Students who chewed gum for 5 minutes before taking a test did better on the test than non-gum-chewing students. “Mastication-induced arousal” is credited for the boost, which lasted for just the first 20 minutes of testing. Many studies have shown that any type of physical activity before an examination can produce a performance…
Read MoreBad Obligation?
Bad Obligation? Ever stay on a job longer than you wanted because you felt obligated? Staying in an organization out of a sense of obligation or for lack of alternatives can lead to emotional exhaustion, a chronic state of physical and mental depletion resulting from continuous stress and excessive job demands. Human Relations, April 2012
Read MoreNo Emails?
No Emails? Being cut off from work email significantly reduces stress and improves focus. Heart rate monitors were attached to computer users in an office setting, while software sensors detected how often they switched windows. People who read email changed screens twice as often and were in a steady “high alert” state. Those removed from…
Read MoreSleep Tight?
Sleep Tight? Children with excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), despite little indication of short sleep from traditional measurements, were more likely to experience problems with learning, attention/hyperactivity and conduct than children without EDS. Obesity, symptoms of inattention, depression, anxiety, and asthma have been found to contribute to EDS. Penn State, May 2012
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