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.
A genetic variation in oxytocin's receptor has been linked to both empathetic ability and stress reactivity in a study of college students. Those with the GG allele showed lower heart rate responses to stress tests and performed better on a test measuring empathy.
A clinical trial found that eating about an ounce and a half of dark chocolate daily for two weeks reduced stress hormone levels and corrected other stress-related biochemical imbalances. This study provides strong evidence for the potential benefits of dark chocolate in reducing emotional stress.
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that only 13% of service members with back pain returned to duty, despite treatment. The low success rate is attributed to psychosocial factors and the limited availability of pain management options in war zones.
A new study funded by NIH will investigate whether Transcendental Meditation can aid in the treatment of coronary heart disease. The 12-week trial at Columbia University Medical Center will examine 56 patients with CHD, measuring changes in coronary artery disease using advanced non-invasive methods.
A study published in the Journal of Happiness Studies found that individuals who engage in activities increasing their competency experience decreased happiness in the moment but increased happiness on a daily basis. In contrast, those who meet their need for autonomy or connectedness report higher hourly and daily happiness levels.
People with job authority report higher levels of interpersonal conflict and stressors spilling over into non-work domains. Despite benefits like greater pay and problem-solving tasks, the health costs negate the advantages of having power at work.
Research reveals strong correlation between prolonged stress and increased risk of large vessel disease, small vessel disease, and cryptogenic stroke. Stress may be related to behaviors such as smoking and physical inactivity that increase stroke susceptibility.
A study published in BMC Medicine found a correlation between severe stress and an increased risk of stroke, particularly among patients with cerebral infarction due to atherosclerosis or blood clots. The study suggests that further research is needed to understand the role of stress in developing certain types of strokes.
A new study finds that cognitive stress can significantly impact decision making, leading participants to overlook information predicting negative outcomes. Under pressure, individuals may rely on past rewards rather than rational considerations, resulting in irrational biases.
A melon-derived antioxidant supplement has been shown to relieve stress and fatigue in healthy volunteers. The study found significant improvements in perceived stress symptoms after 28 days, but not beyond the initial 7-day period of placebo effect.
Researchers found that plants in university classrooms improved students' course and instructor evaluation scores, particularly for those in windowless rooms. The study also showed increased motivation and reduced stress among students, suggesting a positive impact on academic performance.
Researchers have developed a predictive tool to detect at-risk soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The study shows that fMRI can be used to forecast which soldiers might be vulnerable to stress psychopathology in the future.
A Tel Aviv University researcher suggests that tears signal vulnerability and attachment, making interpersonal relationships stronger. Crying is not just a symptom of pain or stress, but an evolution-based mechanism to bring people closer together.
A Kansas State University study found that employees who are engaged in their work experience better moods and more satisfaction at home. The researchers tracked 67 extension agents over two weeks to determine the relationship between daily work engagement and work-to-family facilitation.
A study published in The Lancet found that Afghan children are experiencing high rates of mental health problems and trauma, with girls being disproportionately affected. School-based initiatives to address child mental health are crucial, but challenges exist due to inadequate resources and strain on the education system.
A recent study published in Biological Psychiatry found that hormone levels play a crucial role in stress resilience among military combat divers. Soldiers with higher dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels performed better during stressful underwater navigation exercises.
Researchers found that adolescents with low social support levels reported higher levels of depression after a suicide bombing in Israel. Social support was a protective factor against depression, with happier adolescents better able to cope with terrorism-related stress.
Research found that mothers of children with autism had higher levels of parenting-related stress and psychological distress, while daily living skills were not associated with increased stress. The study suggests that addressing problem behaviors in autism is crucial for family well-being and early intervention.
A study found that stress is linked to weight gain, particularly in women who experience strained family relationships and limited life circumstances. Stress reduction strategies, such as access to weight-loss programs and flexible work schedules, may help mitigate this effect.
A study found that mental stress causes vasodilation in healthy subjects, resulting in a net increase in brain blood flow. However, individuals with high blood pressure showed no vasodilation or change in brain blood flow under similar conditions.
New research published in PLOS ONE found that men under stress are more likely to engage in risky behavior, including gambling, while stressed women tend to moderate their choices. The study used the Balloon Analogue Risk Task to assess participants' risk-taking tendencies.
A study published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress found that at least half of Afghan school children have developed PTSD due to traumatic experiences. The research highlights the need for interventions addressing not only war experiences but also family disturbances and community factors.
Teenage girls experience increased stress levels, with seven out of ten suffering from stress. To withstand this, girls rely on various sources of strength including emotional support, controlling their daily lives, and engaging in recreational activities.
Over 30 years, middle-aged women's levels of perceived mental stress have increased significantly, while their blood pressure has decreased. This is according to a Swedish study that followed 1,462 women from the 1960s to the 2000s.
Researchers identify three key findings: toxic stress disrupts brain architecture, major risk factors include poverty and abuse, and relieving this stress can improve individual well-being and societal health. The report proposes promising applications in health policy and clinical practice to address these disparities.
New research published by King's College London reveals that experiencing 'cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment' (CIDT) is associated with higher rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than physical torture. Survivors reported an average of 21 stressor events during detention or captivity, highlighting the severity of CIDT.
Research suggests that childhood physical and mental stress may have long-lasting negative impacts on adult health. Effective strategies for reducing chronic morbidity and premature death are needed.
Integrative body-mind training (IBMT) alters blood flow and electrical activity in the brain, breathing quality, and even skin conductance, allowing for a state of relaxation, calmness, and reduced stress. IBMT improves connection between central nervous system structures and promotes integration of brain and body.
Research by Kansas State University psychologists found that 45% of workers reporting hostility had no definite plans to leave their current job, while 59% indicated they either liked or disliked it. This contradicts the common assumption that hostile work environments lead to employee turnover.
A new study by University of Rochester researchers shows that striving for materialistic goals like wealth and fame can actually decrease happiness. In contrast, focusing on personal growth, relationships, and community involvement leads to greater well-being.
Researchers found that increased stress levels in adolescents are associated with a greater likelihood of being overweight or obese. The study also highlights the importance of reducing stress and food insecurity in households to prevent childhood obesity.
Researchers investigate how work-related stress affects family life, assessing stress levels through saliva samples and daily diaries. The study aims to improve the physical and psychological well-being of managers, employees, and their families.
Researchers found that men with highest increase in heart rate during mild mental stress had twice the risk of dying from a heart attack. The study suggests cheap and easy ways to predict who might be at risk, using pulse measurement as a prognostic marker.
A study led by the University of Bath found that children with Asperger Syndrome do not experience a surge in cortisol levels after waking, which may contribute to their struggles with minor changes. The researchers believe this could help explain why individuals with AS have difficulties adapting to routine or environmental changes.
A study published in Psychological Science found that acute stress impairs rational thinking, causing individuals to become more conservative in financial decisions but riskier when losses are involved. This can have significant implications for personal finance and decision-making under stress.
A new web-based therapy programme, eTIPS, is being tested to help people with psoriasis manage their condition better. The programme uses cognitive behaviour therapy to address the psychological discomfort caused by the visible nature of the condition.
Research finds that light-to-moderate drinking with high social support reduces the risk of stroke, coronary heart disease, and total cardiovascular disease. Men with higher social support have a more pronounced benefit from moderate alcohol consumption.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that work stress among urban police officers is significantly associated with adverse mental and physical health outcomes, including depression, anxiety, and intimate partner abuse. The study identified five major categories of stressors, including exposure to criti...
A study by UCLA researchers found that teenage stress is associated with higher levels of inflammation, a potential indicator for cardiovascular disease. Daily interpersonal stress experienced during high school years was linked to elevated CRP levels even among healthy teens.
A study by UCLA researchers found that teenage stress is associated with higher levels of inflammation, which can lead to cardiovascular disease. Daily interpersonal stress experienced during high school years was linked to elevated CRP levels in healthy teens.
A new study by the University of Toronto found that believers show less activity in the anterior cingulate cortex when making errors, resulting in fewer mistakes. This suggests that religious belief has a calming effect on anxiety and stress, allowing individuals to perform better in tasks requiring cognitive control.
A study by the University of Exeter found that social support from friends and family significantly improves sports performance, particularly under stress. The researchers discovered that athletes with high levels of support maintained good performance even when experiencing personal problems or playing under pressure.
A new report suggests that teenagers' increased internet use has transformed it into a social networking tool, fostering closer relationships and reducing superficial connections. The study also highlights the positive effects of online communication on mental health, including reduced inhibition and higher quality friendships.
A new study found that Transcendental Meditation practice buffers college students against intense stresses, improving Brain Integration Scale scores, electrodermal habituation, and sleepiness. Students who practiced TM showed increased frontal coherence, reduced sympathetic reactivity, and improved emotional balance.
A study of 1060 vets in north Germany found that psychosocial stress increased with working hours, leading to demoralization and substance abuse. The research suggests a complex relationship between stress, tobacco consumption, problem drinking, and drug use.
A study published by the American College of Cardiology found that changes brought on by anger can predict future arrhythmias in patients with ICDs. Patients who experienced higher levels of anger-induced TWA were more likely to have arrhythmias requiring ICD termination.
The September 11 attacks caused heightened levels of stress and anxiety, particularly among those closest to the World Trade Center. This stress impacted day-to-day behaviors like driving, leading to a significant increase in traffic fatalities in the Northeast region.
Genes and psychological adversity in childhood contribute to major depression, with current treatments limited by delayed onset and adverse outcomes. Research is needed to explore how genes interact with environmental variables to influence major depressive disorder risk.
A new neuroimaging study shows that stressed humans experience impaired attention-shifting abilities, similar to rats under stress. However, the brain's resilience allows for quick recovery from stress, returning to normal function within a month.
A study by the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that early childhood stress can have long-lasting effects on kids' health, including impaired immune function. Adolescents who experienced physical abuse or time in an orphanage showed higher levels of antibodies against herpes simplex virus type 1.
A new research study suggests that high caffeine consumption may be linked to a greater tendency to hallucinate. People who consume more than seven cups of instant coffee per day are three times more likely to report hearing voices when there is no one around.
A study found that job strain is associated with a higher risk of stroke in Japanese men, particularly those with high job demand and low control. The relationship may be mediated by chronic diseases such as obesity and high blood pressure.
Researchers found that veterans with PTSD were more likely to have metabolic syndrome, which is composed of obesity, high blood pressure, and insulin resistance. The study suggests that stress and post-stress responses are related to long-term health outcomes and may be linked to an increased risk of disease.
A study by Seong-Hyun Park and Richard H. Mattson found that hospital patients with plants in their rooms had fewer intakes of pain medication and more positive physiological responses. Patients interacted with the plants, such as watering and pruning, indicating a therapeutic benefit.
Researchers found that people from the same racial group as participants are more sensitive to signs of anxiety, such as fidgeting and vocal tension, in interracial interactions. This 'in-group advantage' makes it difficult for those outside the same racial group to detect changes in anxiety levels.
Researchers found that most respondents reported improved mood after a good cry, but some felt worse or no improvement. Criers who received social support experienced the most significant improvements in mood. The study highlights the complexities of crying behavior and its physical and emotional effects.
Neuroscientists from the University of Washington found that stress impairs rats' ability to seek out larger rewards in a maze, lasting several days. A study using rats and muscimol to inactivate the amygdala showed that stressed rats were unable to adjust their behavior and learn from experience.
A randomized clinical trial found that breast cancer patients who participate in psychological intervention sessions experience reduced stress, improved mood, and altered health behaviors. This led to a significant decrease in cancer recurrence and death from breast cancer, as well as overall mortality.
A new study found that a psychological intervention program designed for breast cancer patients increases their chance of survival and reduces the risk of recurrence. Participants who received the program reduced their risk of dying from breast cancer by 56 percent and breast cancer recurrence by 45 percent.
A recent Indiana University study reveals that 25% of family caregivers of Alzheimer's patients visit the emergency room or are hospitalized every six months. The study emphasizes the need for a broader definition of patient to include both the individual with dementia and their caregiver.