March 28, 2013
Mindfulness from meditation associated with lower stress hormone:
Snip:
Focusing on the present rather than letting the mind drift may help to
lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, suggests new research from the
Shamatha Project at the University of California, Davis.
The ability to focus mental resources on immediate experience is an aspect
of mindfulness, which can be improved by meditation training.
*Mindfulness from meditation associated with lower stress hormone*
March 28, 2013
Common gene variants explain 42% of antidepressant response:
Mar. 28, 2013 — Antidepressants are commonly prescribed for the treatment
of depression, but many individuals do not experience symptom relief from
treatment. The National Institute of Mental Health’s STAR*D study, the
largest and longest study ever conducted to evaluate depression treatment,
found that only approximately one-third of patients responded within their
initial medication trial and approximately one-third of patients did not
have an adequate clinical response after being treated with several
different medications. Thus, identifying predictors of antidepressant
response could help to guide the treatment of this disorder.
A new study published in *Biological Psychiatry *now shares progress in
identifying genomic predictors of antidepressant response.
*Common gene variants explain 42% of antidepressant response*
March 27, 2013
Easing Brain Fatigue With a Walk in the Park:
Snip:
When the volunteers made their way through the urbanized, busy areas,
particularly the heavily trafficked commercial district at the end of their
walk, their brain wave patterns consistently showed that they were more
aroused, attentive and frustrated than when they walked through the
parkland, where brain-wave readings became more meditative.
While traveling through the park, the walkers were mentally quieter.
Which is not to say that they weren’t paying attention, said Jenny Roe, a
professor in the School of the Built Environment at Heriot-Watt University,
who oversaw the study. “Natural environments still engage” the brain, she
said, but the attention demanded “is effortless. It’s called involuntary
attention in psychology. It holds our attention while at the same time
allowing scope for reflection,” and providing a palliative to the nonstop
attentional demands of typical, city streets.
*Easing Brain Fatigue With a Walk in the Park*
March 18, 2013
March 9, 2013
Muddled thinking is fuelling obesity epidemic:
Diet control is more effective for many reasons. First, people often reward
themselves for their exercise with an indulgent treat, and end up consuming
more calories as a reward than the exercise burned in the first place. As a
result, calorie intake and exercise often increase together, even with the
best intentions. Second, people generally overestimate the amount of
calories burned during exercise and underestimate calories they eat.
*Muddled thinking is fuelling obesity epidemic*
March 7, 2013
The left brain is rational, and other lies you’ve been told about neuroscience:
*The left brain is rational, and other lies you’ve been told about
neuroscience*
March 1, 2013
NHS recognises that mindfulness meditation is good for depression:
*NHS recognises that mindfulness meditation is good for depression*
February 25, 2013
February 20, 2013
Bullied children can suffer lasting psychological harm as adults:
*Bullied children can suffer lasting psychological harm as adults*
February 15, 2013
*The 7 Habits of Calmness*
1. *A calm morning ritual*.
2. *Learn to watch your response*.
3. *Don’t take things personally*.
4. *Be grateful*.
5. *Create stress coping habits*.
6. *Single-task*.
7. *Reduce noise*.
Follow link for full discussion and examples.
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