Articles tagged with Stress Management
A small, wireless polygraph system can track multiple physiological signals to capture a real-time view of stress in the body. The device can help clinicians detect stress and potential discomfort in patients, including infants or the elderly who may be unable to communicate.
A global study published in Nature Human Behaviour analyzed data from over 8,000 participants to investigate the connection between physical activity and emotional well-being. The results showed that mood improves with everyday movement, and people are more physically active when they feel better.
A study found that a smartphone app combined with personal coaching via text messages can be an effective intervention against depression, anxiety, and eating disorders in university students. The app proved more effective than traditional campus counseling services, especially for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
A new study found that mental health clinicians prefer evolutionary explanations of anxiety over genetic approaches, believing they provide a more positive outlook and can improve patient willingness to seek help. This shift could lead to more hopeful and therapeutically empowering attitudes towards anxiety treatment.
A new national survey found nearly all parents (97%) felt stress related to parenting in the past month, with children's behavioral issues and emotional/mental health being top sources of that stress. The Kids Mental Health Foundation offers free resources to help parents build healthy homes and reduce stress.
A new study from the University of Pittsburgh found that mindfulness training can help students build resilience in the face of emotional threats, leading to increased engagement in college physics. After five days of training, students reported feeling less threatened and more motivated to learn.
Research by Virginia Tech researcher Phil Thompson and his colleagues found that when managers frame work problems as potential losses, employees are more likely to take action. Framing something as a loss yields employees to voice a work suggestion more than framing them as gains. This approach can influence employees' motivation to s...
Prenatal stress alters signaling pathways involving corticosteroids in brown fat tissue, potentially blunting the metabolic benefits of exercise. The study highlights the importance of considering maternal stress context in developmental metabolic programming.
Elif and Alp Tural teach interior designers to consider how spaces affect users every day, emphasizing trauma-informed design and visual accessibility. Their approach aims to create legible and comfortable environments that respond to users' needs.
A recent study found that strengthening one's sense of belonging to natural environments has a protective effect against loneliness. The study investigated the impact of outdoor activities on loneliness and discovered that noticing details in nature, such as sounds and patterns, can be beneficial for mental well-being.
A large-scale study linked loneliness to an increased risk of degenerative heart valve disease, including aortic valve stenosis and mitral valve regurgitation. Researchers say addressing loneliness could help delay disease progression and reduce the clinical and economic burden of valvular heart disease.
A study by Edith Cowan University found that tracking students' moods over several weeks provides a more accurate picture than a single snapshot in time. Repeated mood monitoring can help identify students who may be struggling with mental health challenges.
The study brings clarity to the field by agreeing on 19 dimensions of mental wellbeing, including six essential factors that define positive mental health. Positive mental health is separate from mental illness and involves emotional wellbeing, psychological functioning, and social connection.
A study of 52 female nurses found a two-fold increase in salivary cortisol levels at midnight for those working double shifts compared to single shift workers. This suggests that extended shift schedules are associated with alterations in the circadian pattern of cortisol, reflecting increased physiological strain.
A new study found that female post-9/11 veterans experienced a more significant decline in overall well-being compared to their male counterparts after the COVID-19 pandemic. They reported lower work satisfaction, higher underemployment, and less emotional support, with the sharpest difference appearing in work strain.
A study published in Brain Medicine suggests autonomic dysfunction, particularly parasympathetic and sympathetic imbalances, contributes to depressive symptoms in patients unresponsive to conventional antidepressants. Low-dose medications targeting these imbalances may offer a new approach to treatment.
A Tulane University study reveals how the brain regulates defensive behavior and fine-tunes fear responses as perceived threats diminish. Researchers identified distinct roles for neurons in the central amygdala, which help determine whether an animal responds with intense escape behavior or freezing.
The Transcendental Meditation technique produces a physiological state of 'restful alertness,' reducing sympathetic nervous system activity and increasing parasympathetic tone. Large international studies have shown that psychosocial stress substantially increases cardiovascular disease risk, including heart attack and stroke.
A large-scale study of over 421,000 individuals found no link between psychosocial factors and cancer incidence. However, some psychosocial factors were associated with a higher risk of lung cancer, which decreased after adjusting for known risk factors.
A new study by the University of Technology Sydney found that regular Group Clinical Supervision can meaningfully reduce burnout among midwives. The program provided a confidential setting for small groups to reflect on their experiences and develop strategies for managing emotional demands.
The Brain Health Prize, a student competition to improve brain health on campus, was won by Shreeyalaxhmee Rao and Riya Acharya's 'Resilience Neighborhoods' project. The prize aims to equip students with brain-healthy strategies through innovative ideas.
The Brain Gym program combines brain science and practical tools to strengthen cognitive flexibility, emotional regulation, and stress management. Early adopters include the Dallas Police Department, recognizing the importance of accessible brain health support.
China's youth faces a growing mental health crisis, but AI platforms like DeepSeek offer promising solutions to bridge the gap. These platforms leverage natural language processing and generative AI to provide round-the-clock support tailored to Chinese society.
A study led by University College London found that academic pressure at age 15 is linked to higher depressive symptoms and self-harm in young people. The association persists into adulthood, with high levels of academic pressure at age 15 associated with increased risk of self-harm up to age 24.
A landmark report reveals increasing levels of high and very high psychosocial risk across Australian higher education, driven by weaknesses in safety systems. The study offers universities a clear roadmap for action to prioritize staff wellbeing and create workplaces that support the wellbeing of their people.
A new study by Bournemouth University calls for faster autism diagnosis and tailored mental health support to reduce autistic people's suicidal thoughts and attempts. The research identified key priorities, including improving autism diagnostic services, tackling societal inequalities, and providing autism-specific support in crisis.
A study published in Progress in Neurobiology found that synthetic oxytocin carbetocin can prevent anxiety-related behaviors in laboratory rats exposed to social stress. The researchers observed that carbetocin had a preventive effect on anxiety without having direct anxiolytic effects.
A study found that women in the public service sector tend to report satisfaction with their work, but also struggle with suppressing negative emotions. The researchers surveyed over 120 women and discovered that most never felt ashamed or scared at work, but many reported hiding their true feelings due to job expectations.
A new study found that nearly one in five adults with tinnitus have had to reduce their working hours or leave employment due to the condition. The research also revealed that targeted interventions, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, can improve work productivity and overall wellbeing.
A randomized controlled study found that Transcendental Meditation (TM) significantly reduced perceived stress, anger, and fatigue in Ugandan women. TM also improved sleep quality, self-efficacy, and relationships with family and neighbors.
Researchers found that paid sick leave is linked to lower perceived infection risk, reduced job stress, and higher job satisfaction among home service workers. The study suggests that expanding paid sick leave can be a population-level prevention strategy during public health emergencies.
Researchers found that nearly one-third of young people experience physical aggression towards their parents between ages 11-24. This behavior is linked to factors such as parental conflict, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD), and physical punishment.
Research from City St George's University of London found self-employed individuals report 24% higher stress levels than non-self-employed counterparts over a six-year period. Cortisol levels also remained elevated throughout the day, suggesting prolonged exposure to daily stresses.
Dissociation is a complex survival mechanism in response to overwhelming trauma, affecting memory, identity, and perception. Research confirms its prevalence among individuals who have experienced trauma, and effective dissociation-specific treatment options are needed.
A UH psychologist's study finds that anxiety sensitivity and pain-related anxiety are linked to mental health problems and clinically significant alcohol use among survivors of traumatic sexual assault. The investigation highlights the importance of addressing both types of anxiety in reducing the risk of lifelong challenges.
A study found that chronic stress and inflammation contribute to elevated mortality risk among Black Americans, with approximately half of the disparity attributed to these factors. The research suggests policy efforts to address structural racism and stress exposure can help minimize health risks.
A new treatment method combining metacognitive therapy and job focus has been shown to significantly reduce absenteeism due to mental illness. By getting people back to work faster, it can save society up to three times as much as it costs.
A study found that ordering takeaway meals is a popular self-gifting option for both rewarding good days and consoling bad days. The research suggests that this may be due to the convenience of taking away daily cooking duties, while also providing a indulgent treat.
A new study finds that cognitive bias modification for memory (CBM-M) training reduces both psychological and physical stress by altering biased memory processing patterns. Participants showed reductions in anxiety and depressive traits, as well as improved mood and reduced cortisol levels.
A new analysis of wellbeing interventions shows that there is no single route to improving mental health, with mindfulness, compassion-based approaches, yoga, exercise and positive psychology interventions all showing moderate benefits. Combining physical activity with psychological interventions appeared particularly promising.
A nationwide study found that longer work hours were associated with increased stress and decreased self-perceived competency, but not with burnout. The study suggests that a comprehensive approach beyond work hour restrictions is needed to support resident well-being in training.
New research suggests Virtual Reality (VR) may support personal self-disclosure by offering anonymity through avatars and calming virtual environments. Nature-based VR settings proved particularly comfortable and suitable for therapeutic conversation.
A new study found that playing classic video games such as Super Mario Bros. and Yoshi can evoke childlike wonder, boosting overall happiness and reducing burnout risk in young adults. The research used mixed methods, including interviews and surveys, to understand how these games resonate with students.
A special issue of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America seeks to transform how clinicians, educators, and policymakers think about girls' mental health by focusing on systems that support or fail to support them. The issue explores intersectionality, trauma-informed approaches, and the impact of social media on bod...
The study found that behavioral health care accounted for $41.8 billion of overall health spending in 2022, with families paying an average of $2.9 billion out-of-pocket. The costs have grown more than twice as fast as other types of medical care, with telehealth visits increasing by 99% per year.
A new study found that highly educated, Western European millennials have the most digital concerns, with individuals having higher levels of digital literacy being the most affected. The research also found that people's perceptions of digital harm are heightened by their level of digital exposure and knowledge.
A study of 349 new parents found intrusive thoughts and psychotic-like experiences more prevalent than thought, causing severe distress linked to higher parenting stress and lower satisfaction. The research highlights the need for normalisation, stigma reduction, and targeted support for affected parents.
Dr. Paul Lucassen's research on adult neurogenesis reveals the link between early life experiences, lifestyle factors, and depression/dementia risk. His work has implications for therapeutic approaches to brain health and disease.
A new review emphasizes the importance of smell health, highlighting its role in nutrition, cognitive function, and psychological resilience. Researchers call for a global campaign to promote smell health through education, awareness, and targeted public health policies.
A new study found that remote work can improve quality of life by providing choice and autonomy, but poor support can lead to feelings of isolation and decreased job satisfaction. The research highlights the importance of access to amenities like green spaces and local services for sustainable remote work.
Researchers found that small group counseling improved students' anger management, academic and life skills, feelings of connectedness and safety. Students learned practical strategies and developed social-emotional skills, leading to a positive perception of the school environment.
A federally funded clinical trial tested an intervention to prevent suicides among people recently released from jail, reducing suicide attempts by over half. The safety planning intervention involved in-jail programs and telephone check-ins for six months.
A new study reveals that 11.2% of Norwegians experience reduced capacity for work due to work-related anxiety. Experts stress the importance of a supportive culture at work, including psychological support from managers and colleagues, job security, and a safe working environment.
Researchers at UTA will develop and test SJT training effectiveness with soldiers to enhance ingenuity in resource-constrained scenarios. The two-year project aims to improve a more effective force, benefiting not only military personnel but also other high-stakes professions like firefighters and emergency medical personnel.
A new study from Wake Forest University School of Medicine found that a brief sound-based neurotechnology intervention can improve well-being by reducing symptoms of stress, anxiety, and insomnia in healthcare workers. The intervention uses acoustic neuromodulation guided by each participant's unique brainwave patterns.
A study of 200 Chilean women released from prison found that those with substance use disorders had higher rates of recidivism, reincarceration, and victimization. The researchers also found that pre-release screening missed many women with severe symptoms, highlighting the need for improved mental health care services.
Researchers found that facial self-touching, particularly around the nose, chin, and cheeks, strongly correlates with stress levels during cognitive work. The study also suggests that this behavior may be an evolutionary, self-soothing mechanism to regulate stress.
New University of Virginia research explores the most common and effective types of counseling and support for people who have had a near-death experience. The study found that acceptance and validation, as well as support from groups or online sources knowledgeable about NDEs, are key to successful support.
A study by Portland State University's Liu-Qin Yang and colleagues found that challenge stressors can energize employees, boosting performance and collaboration, while hindrance stressors lead to emotional downs. The research also highlighted the importance of motivational mindsets in responding to stress.
A longitudinal study of over 700 university students found that stress sensitivity increases the frequency, intensity, and variability of suicidal thoughts. Stress sensitivity was also found to intensify the frequency and variability of suicidal thoughts among students with intense, frequent, and persistent ideation.