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.
How to prevent before-bed screen use from completely ruining your sleep
We hear it again and again: Avoid devices before bedtime to sleep properly. Research and sleep specialists say late-night scrolling and streaming stimulate your brain, delaying sleep and preventing quality rest. Electronic light disrupts your body clock and sleep. The recommendation is Read More...
How to deal with panic attacks: Understanding the calming effects of brainspotting
The overpowering drive to restore control during a panic episode can be all-consuming. Breathing exercises and other techniques can help, but brainspotting, which makes use of the intriguing connection between eye location and brain activity, is a relatively unknown but effective alternative. Read More...
What are neurobics? Memory coach Jim Kwik's 3 brain-boosting tips
We typically highlight the importance of physical strength training in the domain of well-being, but what about our brain? Jim Kwik, author of Limitless: Upgrade Your Brain, Learn Anything Faster, and Unlock Your Exceptional Life, and renowned memory coach, emphasizes this analogy, saying, "Our Read More...
Building bridges in the midst of conflict: 12 organizations working for Israel-Palestine peace
There is a glimmer of hope in the heart of one of the world's longest and most complex wars, yet it often goes unrecognized. While the sad reality of violence and division dominates the media, countless grassroots organizations are working tirelessly to bring peace and reconciliation to the Read More...
Meaningful moments: how to make family gatherings more engaging over the holidays
During the holiday season, the spirit of family togetherness is sometimes overshadowed by family tensions and unavoidable disputes. Caroline Maguire, M.Ed., a recognized childcare specialist and author of Why Will No One Play with Me?: The Play Better Plan to Help Children of All Ages Make Friends Read More...
These 8 tips will help reduce holiday cooking stress
Spice up your holiday cooking with these eight helpful and stress-reducing tips and savor the true joy of the season: making merry memories with those you cherish most. Smart store-bought swaps Professionals and home cooks alike agree on a simple principle to making holiday meals easier: there's Read More...
Canada's new 988 suicide crisis helpline aims for hope and healing
On November 30th, Canada launched the 988 Suicide Crisis Helpline, providing a quick and accessible lifeline to persons in mental health crises. This three-digit hotline, similar to 911 for emergencies, connects individuals to critical suicide prevention services, giving instant assistance 24/7, Read More...
How West African hairdressers offer mental health support and a pathway to healing
DECEMBER 21ST, 2023 UPDATE: This solution is a Reader's Choice selection of 2023! Here's why one of our fellow optimists nominated this story: "A few days before [this article was published], I was at my favorite salon getting my hair done. As she was conditioning my hair and massaging my scalp Read More...
Breaking the ice: Swedish city combats winter loneliness with "say hello" campaign
In the frozen embrace of Luleå, where daylight dwindles to mere hours, plunging into icy seawater becomes a ritual. For Katariina Yliperttula, a dip before work is about more than braving the cold—it’s an invigorating thrill. "It’s like a happiness rush afterwards," she says, recounting her Read More...
Irish town's Smartphone ban offers blueprint for digital balance and kid's mental health
The daily quandary of when to introduce smartphones to tweens resonates with parents worldwide. Greystones, County Wicklow, in Ireland, however, didn't just grapple with this challenge individually but united to create a town-wide ‘no-smartphone code.’ The collaborative endeavor aims to Read More...