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.
US government funds psychedelic therapy research for the first time in 50 years
Fifty years after being classified as a Schedule I drug in the US, psychedelic therapy has officially received federal funding from the government in what researchers see as a huge shift in the medical and public perception of the benefits of psychedelics. Using psychedelics to help treat tobacco Read More...
China rolls out new curriculum to ease burden on young stressed-out students
In recent years, school-aged students in China have been suffering from poor eyesight in growing numbers and at a younger age. According to Vice Education Minister Yuan Guiren, the worsening eyesight of students is due to the excessive amounts of schoolwork that are assigned to students, as well Read More...
Yet another study confirms cognitive benefits of green space
If you’re a regular Optimist Daily reader, you know about the tremendous cognitive and mental health benefits of green space. Now, yet another study has confirmed the link between nature and brain development and finds that access to green space helps children meet critical development Read More...
Celebrate Emotional Wellness Month with these 5 healthy habits
Did you know that October is Emotional Wellness Month? Mental health is closely tied to physical health, and just like we exercise and eat well to stay physically healthy, mental health takes some healthy habits and upkeep as well. If you feel like you’re in a mental health rut, these free habits Read More...
The Calm Line is Colombia's anti-machismo hotline for men
Cultures that are deeply ingrained with the concept of machismo, or the belief that men must be dominant, often have issues surrounding abuse and violence against women. While there are many women-centered movements and support lines, men who are willing but struggling to move past machismo Read More...
5 Strategies to cope with work-induced anxiety
For those who live in seasonal parts of the country, working from home may start feeling more confining as the days get colder and darker, preventing us from opening our windows or from setting up our office on our sunny balconies and backyards. This may make us more susceptible to anxiety and Read More...
The scientific power of live music
We’re all familiar with the sense of wonder and joy we experience when we hear a song or piece of music we love, but there’s something even more magical about hearing that song performed live. Although many artists offered streamed performances online during the pandemic, these didn’t quite Read More...
How horror movies can actually benefit your mental health
It’s spooky season once again, and for many people, that means breaking out the horror movies for a good scare. If you enjoy movies that make your blood run cold, we’ve got some good news for you. Those frightening flicks might actually benefit your health. Andrew Scahill, Ph.D., the author Read More...
These are some of the surprising benefits of acupuncture
What is acupuncture? Acupuncture is the Chinese medicine practice of placing needles in the skin to promote healthier energy, or chi or qi, flow throughout the body. Acupuncture is used for a wide variety of reasons from stress management to chronic pain management. Although it has its roots in Read More...
6 Ways to end bedtime procrastination
Are you a bedtime procrastinator? Do you know you should go to sleep but end up binge-watching television, scrolling through social media, or looking for an appetizer recipe to bring to that dinner party this weekend? Nighttime procrastination is often driven by what a 2014 study coined as Read More...