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I remember encountering a psychologist while hiking in Iceland and we talked about some of the differences in our conceptions of what leads to people’s suffering. And she said that one of her primary approaches is to send people with mental health challenges into nature. This hot-off-the-press research supports that she was right, especially in terms of decreasing low mood by taking nature walks.
Walking in nature decreases negative feelings among those diagnosed with major depressive disorder
A study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders investigated the relationship between walking in nature and emotional affect in those with major depressive disorder (MDD). Compared to urban settings, walking in nature successfully lowered levels of negative affect in those diagnosed with MDD.
The holidays can been notoriously stressful for people. Here’s a video of a clinical psychologist giving tips for the holidays.
Ask an Expert: Dealing with holiday stress | Watch News Videos Online
Watch Ask an Expert: Dealing with holiday stress Video Online, on GlobalNews.ca
So many people struggle with sleep. Here is an interesting article that answers some interesting questions.
Your questions about how to sleep well, answered
We collected your most pressing questions and put them to sleep experts, who recommend we all start making sleep a bigger priority in our busy lives
Most of us have uncomfortable or unwanted thoughts sometimes. We know from research that trying to control or suppress them typically makes them worse. Think of the “don’t think of the pink elephant” phenomenon. Here’s an interesting article of a recent study that sheds more light on this and what to do.
Can we control unwanted thoughts? New research says, yes
A new study suggests that instead of rejecting or suppressing unwanted thoughts or memories, preempting them can give people better control.
The issue about who reaches out to who among one’s friends and relatives is of course a bit of a “thing.” Here is an interesting article about the importance of reaching out to others and how we tend to underestimate the positive impact this can have on others.
Friends enjoy being reached out to more than we think
People consistently underestimate how much others in their social circle might appreciate an unexpected phone call, text or email just to say hello, and the more surprising the connection, the greater the appreciation.
We know that making gratitude and appreciation explicit in long-term relationships has significant positive effects on the partners, but here is an article about research that suggests that same is true in work relationships.
Here’s an easy way to improve workplace stress – and anyone can do it.
Giving and receiving praise in the workplace may be key to managing day-to-day stress and can enhance performance under pressure.
A recent study suggests that staying off social media, even for a week, can boost mental health. Here is an article summarizing the findings.
Time off social media boosts mental health, study suggests
It’s no secret that too much social media can be bad for one’s mental health. Now, research suggests that taking even a brief break from TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter can ease symptoms of depression and anxiety. Staying off social media for a week meant, for some study participants, gaining about nine hours of free […]
So many people struggle with feelings of self-doubt or thoughts like “I don’t really know what I am doing” or “People will find out that I am not that great at…” Here is a great article about these kinds of ideas and feelings, which may be part of Impostor Syndrome.
Do you have ‘impostor syndrome’? Look for these signs
Experts say anytime you’re facing a new challenge or you’re out of your comfort zone, you’re more susceptible to impostor syndrome. Here’s how to deal.
If you think that friends and their behaviour may protect you from COVID, be careful! As much as you love your friends and they may love you, research suggests that it pays to stick to safety precautions.
People wrongly believe their friends will protect them from COVID-19
People may feel less vulnerable and take fewer safety precautions about COVID-19 when they are with, or even just think about, their friends instead of acquaintances or strangers.
Reopening anxiety ‘quite common’ as COVID-19 restrictions lift, B.C. psychologist says
Feelings of anxiety are perfectly normal as British Columbians adjust to life without some of the province’s longstanding COVID-19 restrictions, according to one expert.