A recent Harvard review of dozens of studies concludes that being upbeat and optimistic seems to help to protect against heart disease. Optimism, in particular, seems to be key. It may cut the risk of a first heart attack in half.
Two Academy Award nominated films, Silver Linings Playbook, and Life of Pi, resonated with so many millions of people because their themes of resilience speak to each of us -- and are grounded in a growing body of scientific research. Far from being delusional or faith-based, having a positive outlook in difficult circumstances is the most important predictor of resilience -- how quickly you will recover from adversity.
This article discusses the potential link between creativity and mental illness.
Shyness and introversion — or more precisely, the careful, sensitive temperament from which both often spring — are not just normal. They are valuable. And they may be essential to the survival of our species.
With suicide ranking third as the leading cause of death in American youth aged 15-24, a new prevention program tested in Ohio schools has proven it can help teens overcome depression and thoughts of killing themselves.
Scientists, once again, point to those who have an optimistic outlook on life as being the people who age best. Dr Stefanie Brassen, the new study's author, said that successful aging came down to "the positivity effect".
A study of 50,000 American women showed that those who drank two or more cups of coffee a day were less likely to get depressed. It is not clear why it might have this effect, but the authors believe caffeine in coffee may alter the brain's chemistry -- it is known to enhance feelings of wellbeing and energy.
For more than a decade, researchers have studied the effects of gratitude on physical health, on psychological well-being, and on our relationships with others. The results have been overwhelming. Studies of more than one thousand people, from ages eight to 80, found that people who practice gratitude consistently report a host of benefits...
When Beth Zilbert trained her rescued Golden retriever, Luke, to become a therapy dog, she had no idea that one day he would help her survive her own trauma.
For more than a decade, researchers have studied the effects of gratitude on physical health, on psychological well-being, and on our relationships with others. The results have been overwhelming. Studies of more than one thousand people, from ages eight to 80, found that people who practice gratitude consistently report a host of benefits:
Integrative medicine programs are including prescriptions for meditation coming from doctors at hospitals and clinics across the country.
A police sergeant said it was pure dumb luck how a 20 year old, Nick Simmons, was reunited with his family in upstate New York after a news photographer shot his photo huddled with homeless men on a grate in Washington, DC.
A man who took a suicide leap off the Golden Gate Bridge told an audience at a mental health conference how he survived the normally deadly fall after a sea lion pushed him to the surface and kept him afloat until the Coast Guard arrived.
It's no surprise that those who tend to see a rose's blooms before its thorns are also better at handling stress. But science has never been able to reliably associate optimism with individuals' biological stress response – until now. New research from Concordia University's Department of Psychology is deepening the understanding of how optimists and pessimists each handle stress. Results show that indeed the "stress hormone" cortisol tends to be more stable in those with more positive personalities.
Russia's suicide rate last year declined to its lowest point since 1961, falling below average after being one of the highest in the world just 20 years ago.
The stigma against mental illness and silence surrounding it is harmful to those of all ages, but thankfully, kids have a Royal on their side.
Faced with busy schedules and challenging lives, we often forget how fortunate we truly are. Being thankful should be treated as an important part of the day because appreciation contributes to our genuine happiness.
United Airlines is bringing 200 dogs to busy American airports during the holiday travel season to ease traveler stress.
A key ingredient to improving your marriage might be the simple sweetener called gratitude, according to researchers. "We found that feeling appreciated and believing that your spouse values you directly influences how you feel about your marriage, how committed you are to it, and your belief that it will last," said study co-author Ted Futris, […]
Milwaukee theater professionals have been working with local veterans through intensive weekend workshops that allow emotions to boil from the cauldron of conflict within, using the words Shakespeare. The Feast of Crispian program, run out of the Milwaukee's Veterans Affairs hospital, has been such a success that last week it received a $50,000 grant from the Helen Bader Foundation to launch an all-veteran, fully-staged production of Julius Caesar.
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