Research on stress and its effects on mind and body. Covers work stress and health, mood-supporting materials, stress-response cells, and deep sleep's role.
Research from Michigan State University found that proactive help can lead to less gratitude for the helper and lower esteem for the person receiving help. Experts advise waiting to be asked for help instead of going out looking for problems to solve.
A randomized controlled trial found that Transcendental Meditation significantly improved emotional intelligence and reduced perceived stress among school district staff. The study's findings have implications for organizations seeking to improve employee well-being and performance.
Receiving hugs on days with interpersonal conflict was associated with smaller decreases in positive emotions and increased negative emotions. The effects of hugs may have lingered, as interviewees reported continued attenuation of negative mood the next day.
A new study suggests that higher mindfulness may lower stress and the impact of menopause-related symptoms such as hot flashes in midlife women. The study, presented at The North American Menopause Society Annual Meeting, found a correlation between higher mindfulness and lower menopause symptom scores, as well as lower stress scores.
A new study by Boston University School of Public Health researchers found that higher levels of stress are associated with lower odds of conception for women, but not for men. Women with high perceived stress were 13% less likely to conceive than those with low perceived stress.
Researchers found that spontaneous self-distancing predicts whether awe has a positive or negative effect on people. Awe can lead to a sense of smallness, making obstacles seem insignificant, but also a perception of capabilities as insignificant, making stressors unmanageable.
Researchers found that a program designed to reduce stress in cancer patients can be taught to therapists across the country and effectively improves mood. The study involved 15 sites and 158 patients with various types of cancer, showing significant improvement on measures of mood and physical activity.
A study on inequalities and health among foreign-born Latinos in rural borderland communities found that population is vulnerable to high stress negatively impacting mental and physical health. Historical factors such as oppression of farm labor and current practices like racial profiling contribute to low social status, employment ins...
A new Baylor University study reveals that employees with high levels of autonomy and emotional stability are best suited for remote-work opportunities. The research team surveyed 403 working adults and found that autonomy is critical to protecting remote employees' well-being and helping them avoid strain.
Research suggests that early life stress can lead to increased levels of 'danger' molecules, which can overwhelm the body's natural system and cause chronic inflammation. This can ultimately result in a host of health problems, including cardiovascular disease.
A recent study by UC Riverside researcher Kate Sweeny found that perception of romantic partner's responsiveness during anxious waiting periods is associated with reduced stress. People who perceived their partner as supportive reported better sleep and overall health, even if they didn't receive actual support.
A 40-year study found that vacations can prolong life by reducing stress. Men who took longer vacations had lower mortality rates than those with shorter vacation times, suggesting that stress reduction is key to cardiovascular health.
A USC study found that kids stressed over public acts of discrimination show increased behavioral problems, including depression and substance use. The study tracked 2,572 11th-grade students in L.A. County and found a significant association between concern about discrimination and adverse behavioral outcomes.
Terence M. Keane, a BU School of Medicine professor, received the Presidential Award from the American Psychological Association for his outstanding work in trauma psychology and post-traumatic stress disorder research. He is a national leader in the field and has published over 300 articles on assessment and treatment.
A study by ISGlobal found that cycling yields the best results in every analysis, linked to better self-perceived general health, mental health, and vitality. Walking is also beneficial, associated with greater vitality and more contact with friends and family.
Researchers say childhood thoughts and beliefs make people vulnerable to fake news. To defend against it, psychologists recommend reducing anxiety through humor, sublimation, and cultivating an open mind. Critical thinking skills also play a key role in questioning information and diminishing confirmation bias.
A UCL-led study found that stress enhances people's ability to process and internalize bad news, reversing the typical optimism bias. Under stressful conditions, individuals become more vigilant to bad news, even when unrelated to their anxiety source.
A nationwide health study found that service workers, particularly those who rely on tips, are more susceptible to mental health issues such as depression and stress. The research team suggests that the precarious nature of service work, including lower wages and lack of control over work hours, may contribute to these findings.
Researchers at the University of Arizona found that horses experience significant stress reduction when inhaled lavender from a diffuser, as measured by heart rate variability. The data showed a significant increase in relaxation signals such as neck lowering and licking, indicating a calming effect on the horses.
A new study found that dogs with strong bonds to their owners will hurry to overcome barriers to offer help and comfort when they detect emotional distress. The research team observed that dogs who were able to push through a door to rescue their owners showed less stress and exhibited more prosocial behavior.
A cluster randomized trial in Philadelphia found that greening vacant urban land improved self-reported mental health, with participants experiencing less depression and anxiety after the intervention. The study's results suggest that investing in green spaces can have a positive impact on mental wellbeing in urban areas.
Researchers found that neural inflammation caused by innate immune system triggers depressive behavior through activation of microglia and expression of inflammation-related cytokines. This discovery could lead to the development of new antidepressants targeting innate immune molecules.
A study of 61 popular mental health apps found they predominantly addressed anxiety and stress, framing problems as psychological symptoms. The analysis suggests these apps may be misleadingly simplistic in their approach to mental health issues.
Researchers found that anticipating stress can lower working memory later in the day, regardless of actual stressful events. This effect was particularly pronounced for older adults, who already experience cognitive decline.
A new study found that Transcendental Meditation significantly improves psychological distress and brain functioning in school administrators and staff, with enhanced performance and well-being. The study, published in Brain and Cognition, is the largest randomized control trial investigating the impact of TM on brain functioning.
Researchers developed a new data processing technique to monitor brain state using heart rate variability, revealing that yoga is more effective than Chi meditation in reducing stress. The study also found that long-term meditation practice can make permanent changes and improve executive control.
A comprehensive analysis of research and clinical reports reveals that psychological stress contributes to vision loss and disease progression. A holistic treatment approach combining stress management, patient education, and vision recovery techniques may be effective in interrupting this cycle.
A recent study published in Psychosomatic Medicine found that mindfulness meditation and relaxation response programs have unique effects on the brain. The mindfulness program improved self-compassion and rumination, while the relaxation response program strengthened coupling between neural regions associated with deliberate control.
A comprehensive study by the University of Konstanz found that female genital mutilation (FGM) increases the risk of developing mental illness, including post-traumatic stress disorder. The study also revealed changes in the body's reactions to stress, with increased cortisol levels affecting women who had undergone FGM.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University discovered that prolonged stress can lower sperm motility, affecting fertility. The study compared sperm samples from military conflict periods to unstressful periods, finding a significant difference.
An observational study tracking over 100000 men and women found that job strain is associated with a higher risk of premature death in men with coronary heart disease, stroke, or diabetes. Despite achieving treatment targets, men experiencing job strain had a 68% greater risk of death compared to those with no job strain.
Research published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found that stressful jobs are associated with a higher risk of atrial fibrillation. The study included 13,200 participants and found that employees with stressful jobs were almost 50% more likely to develop the condition.
A new Penn State research study found that posttraumatic stress symptoms increase risks for academic difficulties in student veterans. Partnered women were particularly affected due to relationship problems impacting their academic functioning.
A new study found that early life trauma in men is associated with lower levels of two specific sperm microRNAs, which can be transmitted to the next generation. The study suggests a possible link between childhood trauma and increased risk of stress-related disorders.
A Portland State University study found that older workers face significantly higher stress levels than younger colleagues when lacking autonomy, good relationships, and respect at work. The researchers suggest that employers provide essential resources to support all employees, particularly those nearing retirement.
Researchers can track brain states using wrist-worn wearables, predicting mental-stress-related diseases like chronic fatigue syndrome. This technology improves diagnosis and treatment by providing real-time data on skin conductance and cortisol levels.
Physician burnout is caused by both unavoidable occupational suffering and avoidable systems failures. Resilience training helps with the former, while improving systems addresses the latter.
Researchers found that stress can render extinction learning context-independent, allowing patients to transfer knowledge from one situation to another. This could improve the efficacy of exposure therapies for anxiety disorders.
A new animal model study found that brief maternal deprivation in early life alters adult brain function and cognition, leading to memory impairment and decreased communication between brain regions. The findings suggest a potential link between early-life trauma and the development of schizophrenia.
A study found that individuals with chronic anxiety exhibited increased nerve activity in response to physiological and mental stressors, which can lead to high blood pressure and heart disease. The research team measured sympathetic nerve activity and blood pressure in volunteers with and without anxiety.
A study published in Health Care for Women International found that Transcendental Meditation significantly improves the lives of single, illiterate mothers in Uganda by reducing stress and improving their health and ability to support themselves and their children. The research shows that the practice empowers these women to overcome ...
Early life stress may affect mental health through epigenetic changes in both stress-related and sensory networks. This new hypothesis proposes that glucocorticoids prime the epigenetic machinery while neural activation coordinates programming mechanisms.
A study analyzing TV ad data from same-sex marriage referendums found increased stress among LGBTQ individuals with increased exposure, but also reported happiness in response to positive ads. The findings suggest that voter referendums can have both negative and positive effects on marginalized groups.
Research found that African American mothers' parenting stress is associated with epigenetic differences in DNA methylation, particularly in genes related to stress signaling. This discovery has implications for understanding health disparities among African American women and their children.
Researchers surveyed 246 students before and after therapy dog sessions, finding significant reductions in stress and increased happiness. The benefits were equally distributed across both genders and lasted for at least 10 hours.
Researchers at the University of Calgary discovered that stress transmitted from others can change the brain in mice, altering CRH neurons that control the brain's response to stress. In females, these effects are reversed after a social interaction, while males do not exhibit this reversal.
A new study by Georgia State University found that social stress causes changes in gut bacteria in Syrian hamsters, regardless of who wins or loses. The researchers discovered that even a single exposure to social stress leads to changes in the gut microbiota, similar to what is seen following other physical stressors.
A study found that stressed individuals performed equally well as relaxed individuals in a categorization task, but their brains showed increased activity and used additional brain regions. The researchers believe this compensation mechanism allows for good performance despite stress.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that smiles meant to convey dominance are associated with a spike in stress hormones, while reward smiles appear to physically buffer recipients against stress. This suggests that subtle differences in facial expressions can fundamentally change our experience and physiological response.
New research finds that high workloads and targets lead to psychological stress, demotivation, and reduced initiative among healthcare staff. This exposes healthcare services to major risk of staff shortage and inoperability during disasters.
A recent study found that learning stress-reducing techniques can significantly reduce the frequency of seizures in people with difficult-to-treat epilepsy. Participants who learned progressive muscle relaxation and breathing techniques experienced a 29% decrease in seizures, while those in the control group had a 25% reduction.
Researchers found that prenatal stress can promote developmental plasticity in babies, making them more likely to benefit from good parenting. However, this effect only manifests when they are reared in supportive environments.
A recent study by MLU psychologists found that nearly a third of residents near wind farms experience little to no annoyance from the noise, while one in ten suffer from stress symptoms. The researchers recommend proactive addressing residents' concerns during planning phases and providing early information campaigns.
A study by University of Illinois researchers found that third-graders who spend a class session in a natural outdoor setting are more engaged and less distracted in their regular classroom afterward. The effect was large and occurred week after week, regardless of teacher expectations.
A new study by researchers at the University of Arizona found that people with high levels of biospheric concern are more likely to experience stress and depression due to climate change. Those who show concern for the environment, animals, and plants tend to have a planetary outlook and think about bigger picture issues.
A study of 47 GPs found that dysfunctional working relationships, unsupportive colleagues, and fear of complaints are significant stressors. GPs who felt isolated and unsupported reported burnout, depression, or anxiety.
Researchers at the University of Missouri found that survivors of the 2011 Joplin tornado experienced a range of mental health issues, including post-traumatic stress. However, they also discovered that these individuals had the potential to experience positive changes or growth in addition to stress.
A new study published in Cancer Cell suggests that stress accelerates the development of pancreatic cancer by triggering the release of 'fight-or-flight' hormones. Beta-blockers, commonly used medications that inhibit these hormones, were found to increase survival in a mouse model of the disease.
A recent study published in Journal of Leukocyte Biology found that stress receptors can control immune cells' defense mechanisms, leading to allergic diseases. Mice with disabled stress receptors showed reduced disease symptoms and were protected against stress-related illnesses.
Women who smelled their partner's shirt felt less stressed before and after a stress test. The study found that women who correctly identified the scent also had lower cortisol levels, suggesting the benefits are strongest when women know what they're smelling.