Mental Health
Here you can read the latest news and research studies covering mental health. This is also the place to find out about different strategies on how you can reduce stress and boost happiness, and many other ways to look after your mental wellbeing.
Students in Illinois will soon be able to take up to 5 mental health days
Even before the pandemic, instances of mental health crises among teens were on the rise, making classrooms a focal point for addressing mental health challenges. That’s why Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed a bill this summer that allows students to take up to five excused mental health Read More...
Gut Instincts—Health and the microbiome
“Our body teaches us that health lies in balance and harmony, rather than in conflict and fighting.” - Ilchi Lee BY Amelia Buckley Whether choosing a sandwich option for lunch or accepting a new job offer, we’re all familiar with gut instincts. Although the term “gut instinct” only Read More...
Researchers successfully use deep brain stimulation to treat depression
Deep brain stimulation, or DBS, is a technique used to manage Parkinson’s disease and certain types of seizures, but now, researchers have successfully used it to treat depression for the first time. Scientists from the University of California, San Francisco, published a study detailing how they Read More...
3 ways that exercise changes the very structure of the brain
You probably know that exercise boosts brain function, but did you know that exercise can literally change the structure of our brains? Although these structural changes may not be visible to us, they can help us protect and preserve brain health and function throughout our Read More...
10 Ways to speak to yourself with compassion
Self-compassion is a critical component of mental health, but in a world where we are often our own harshest critics, this can be difficult. Keeping some compassion-centered phrases on hand will make it easier to shift your perspective when you catch yourself being too harsh. Here are 10 from Read More...
Dutch supermarket introduces “chat checkouts” to combat loneliness
Jumbo, a Dutch supermarket chain, has come up with a simple and creative solution to combat the widespread issue of loneliness by opening tills where clients can stop and chat instead of being rushed to pay and gather their shopping. The very first “Kletskassa,” which translates to “chat Read More...
Study: Boosting happiness slows down cognitive decline
A new longitudinal study investigating whether a person’s level of happiness affects their cognitive health as they age strongly suggests that the happier you are, the less likely you are of developing neurodegenerative diseases like dementia. While there have been previous studies that link Read More...
4 Ways to improve your health literacy
Navigating health choices was already complex even before a global pandemic. Now, decisions like whether to send your child back to school or wear a mask in the park are compounded by vast amounts of scientific data and public recommendations. Even if you’re not a doctor or a scientist, a few Read More...
Ask these 3 questions to help you choose a therapist
The pandemic has placed unparalleled stress on many people’s mental health. If self-care solutions aren’t doing the trick, it may be time to consider seeing a therapist to get professional advice on what you’re going through. It can take a few tries to find a therapist that works for you, but Read More...
Want better sleep? Try getting outside
Spending time in nature has been shown to boost children’s cognitive development and improve mental health. One study even showed that just listening to nature is good for your health. Now, further research published in the Journal of Affective Disorders shows that one big aspect of time outdoors Read More...