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.
The Optimist View: Celebrating Mental Health Week
“Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” — Christopher Robin from Winnie the Pooh In the wake of a pandemic which saw increased rates of depression and anxiety, this year’s Mental Health Month feels Read More...
The psychedelic therapy movement is hitting its stride
We’ve shared before on The Optimist Daily how alternative medications like psilocybin and even MDMA could be used to treat depression and PTSD with more permanent results. With promising studies adding to the body of research supporting these therapies, we are beginning to see a monumental shift Read More...
This simple trick can significantly boost your brain health
We recently shared a few habits you can integrate within your day-to-day life to improve your brain health. Now, we’d like to bring you another simple trick that you can practice to keep your brain sharp. Using your non-dominant hand The trick comes from neuroscientist and author of Biohack Read More...
Mental Health Week Thought Leader: Nedra Glover Tawwab
Social media has been criticized for exacerbating mental health struggles, especially for young users. While online comparison certainly can take a toll on one’s mental wellbeing, when used properly, social media can also be an immense resource for those who are struggling. A growing number Read More...
5 Research-backed reasons why it’s important to have fun
Everyone has a slightly different definition for fun, but whether you love hitting the town with friends or going for a long hike, research shows that having fun is good for your health, both mental and physical. Below, you can find five science-based reasons why you should have more fun in your Read More...
8 Ways to kickstart socialization skills after the pandemic
With so much time spent at a distance from others, it goes without saying, our social muscles have atrophied during the pandemic. Now, as the end of isolation seems to be slowly coming into view, many of us may still feel apprehensive about social contact, despite longing for more of it since the Read More...
Psychedelic-like drugs could treat depression without hallucinations
In recent years, scientists have increasingly been investigating psychedelic drugs for their medical benefits — such as treating depression — in controlled environments. While the results have been incredibly promising, there is a catch — these drugs can trigger hallucinations that can be Read More...
A five minute writing exercise to cultivate gratitude
Research has demonstrated over and over again that gratitude is a powerful force for reducing stress, boosting mental health, and increasing happiness. Essentially, recognizing all the good in our lives helps us focus on appreciation, rather than criticism. Writing down what we’re grateful for is Read More...
Move Dance Feel empowers and connects women living with cancer
Confronting a terminal illness like cancer is not just physically taxing, but also an emotionally draining process for the patient and for those who care for them. Emily Jenkins seeks to reinject feelings of joy and release for people affected by cancer through Move Dance Feel, a community interest Read More...
Study: Feeling younger can help you live longer
Healthy diet, regular exercise, and social connection are all important factors for staying healthy as we age, but your outlook on ageing can also influence how we feel in our older years. A new study from the German Centre of Gerontology finds that simply feeling and acting younger can combat the Read More...