A massive dataset challenges the idea that phones are toxic for mental health.
Energy, optimism and the sense of feeling alive are all boosted by this mindset.
Energy, optimism and the sense of feeling alive are all boosted by this mindset.
The easiest way to kill stress and tension is to not be so hard on yourself.
People who are more compassionate towards themselves experience less stress.
Self-compassion is also linked to more:
The conclusions come from a study of students coping with their first year at college.
Dr Katie Gunnell, the study’s first author, said:
“Our study suggests the psychological stress students may experience during the transition between high school and university can be mitigated with self-compassion because it enhances the psychological needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness, which in turn, enriches well-being.”
Self-compassion has three components, the study’s authors explain:
(1) self-kindness, which represents the ability to be caring and kind to ourselves rather than excessively critical,
(2) common humanity, which represents an understanding that everyone makes mistakes and fails and our experience is part of a larger common experience,
and (3) mindfulness, which represents being present and aware while keeping thoughts in balance rather than overidentifying.”
Professor Peter Crocker, a study co-author, said:
“Research shows first-year university is stressful.
Students who are used to getting high grades may be shocked to not do as well in university, feel challenged living away from home, and are often missing important social support they had in high school.
Self-compassion appears to be an effective strategy or resource to cope with these types of issues.”
One way to increase this sense of self-compassion is to carry out a writing exercise.
Think about a recent negative experience and write about it.
Crucially, though, you need to write about it while being compassionate towards yourself.
In other words: don’t be too critical and recognise that everyone makes mistakes.
The study was published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences (Gunnell et al., 2017).
A massive shift in the age-unhappiness curve has emerged in the last decade.
The dramatic effects nature has on people’s agency, their perception of time, sleep, mental health and much more.
Science is uncovering powerful links between spirituality, the mind and the body.
The problem with the mental health advice most people give is easily corrected.
The link between neuroticism and mental health is well known, but another trait has been overlooked.
This is an indicator of brain health and a better functioning memory.
Scientists followed the family trees of 3 million people for 50 years – what they found about mental illness will surprise you.
The activity improved mental quality of life by 13 percent, physical quality by 25 percent and emotional quality by 26 percent.
The activity improved mental quality of life by 13 percent, physical quality by 25 percent and emotional quality by 26 percent.
Group exercise lowers stress by 26 percent, while working out alone does not reduce stress.
The study also found that group fitness classes improved people’s quality of life, while working out alone did not.
Dr Dayna Yorks, the study’s first author, said:
“The communal benefits of coming together with friends and colleagues, and doing something difficult, while encouraging one another, pays dividends beyond exercising alone.
The findings support the concept of a mental, physical and emotional approach to health that is necessary for student doctors and physicians.”
The research was carried out on 69 medical students, who are known for their high-stress, low-satisfaction lifestyles.
For 12 weeks, some of the students did an exercise program either in groups or on their own.
Both were compared to a control group who did no extra exercise.
The results showed that those working out in a group saw all sorts of benefits the other groups did not.
Group exercise improved mental quality of life by 13 percent, physical quality by 25 percent and emotional quality by 26 percent.
Stress was also reduced by 26 percent.
In comparison, those exercising alone — despite exercising for twice as long — only saw an 11 percent boost to their mental quality of life and no increases in other areas.
Naturally, the control group (who did nothing different) saw no changes.
Dr Yorks said:
“Medical schools understand their programs are demanding and stressful.
Given this data on the positive impact group fitness can have, schools should consider offering group fitness opportunities.
Giving students an outlet to help them manage stress and feel better mentally and physically can potentially alleviate some of the burnout and anxiety in the profession.”
The study was published in the The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association (Yorks et al., 2017).
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