Stuck in a rut? There is new research that explains how, under high stress loads, the brain prefers habits and routines over new learning. The New York Times published an article about this study titled “Brain Is a Co-Conspirator in a Vicious Stress Loop” on August 17. In the rats studied, “regions of the brain …
Time Magazine has an online article titled “Study: ‘Depression Gene’ Doesn’t Predict the Blues.” The article reviews a recent meta-analysis published in JAMA. Time’s writers report that “The meta-analysis of 14 prior studies concludes that the so-called depression gene — a variant of a serotonin-transporter gene called 5-HTTLPR — may not be associated with an …
Good Housekeeping has an online article 6 Surprising Stress Fixes. Here are their recommendations: “Strategy 1: Smooch spontaneously…’Kissing relieves stress by creating a sense of connectedness, which releases endorphins, the chemicals that counteract stress and depression.’” “Strategy 2: Take the cuddle cure…holding hands and hugging can measurably reduce stress.” “Strategy 3: Lash out less…Concentrate on …
The Medical News recently posted and article entitled: Research suggests potential new treatment for anxiety disorders and depression. The article reviews the study A New Role for FGF2 as an Endogenous Inhibitor of Anxiety, which was published by The Journal of Neuroscience on May 13, 2009. The article reminds us that “(p)revious human studies…showed that …
The Globe and Mail reviewed “The Spirit Level: Why More Equal Societies Almost Always Do Better,” by Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett, Allen Lane. The reviewers write that: “This is the authors’ “big idea”: People’s health depends on the quality of their social relationships, and the most important determinant of the quality of social relationships …
The Associated Press has an interactive map of the US broken down by counties of economic stress factors. It measures unemployment, foreclosure and bankruptcy. A stress level of zero is best and 100 is worst. For instance, here in Providence County, the stress level is 13.74 which is double the rate from a year ago. …