It has been purported on numerous occasions that stress can have long term effects. Recently, this hypothesis has been compounded by the appearance of studies that have investigated the effects of sustained stress on the expression of genes. The field encompassing the interplay between genes and the external environment is known more generally as epigenetics. More simply, […]
It is a generally accepted fact that self-control can allow people to achieve goals and better health. Beyond that, a recent study shows that having higher self-control is also associated with greater happiness and life satisfaction. Regulatory focus plays a role in this relationship. (Regulatory focus is defined as “the way people frame and direct […]
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The Start of a New Semester
As a new semester starts, so does the stress of the school year. Soon students will feel the full impact of their busy schedule and make efforts to keep on top of everything. It is important to remember that no one is alone in their anxiety for the coming school year. A 2011 survey of […]
With a brand new year, many of us have already set new year resolutions. Perhaps one goal that has slipped our minds is the goal of achieving good mental health. Good mental health can be defined as having a sense of well-being and being able to rebound from challenges, failures and everyday stresses. Here are […]
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Gratitude Works!
Keeping a gratitude journal seems to be one of those things many people are excited to start every once in a while on Thanksgiving or New Year’s, but as time goes on, they start to wonder if it actually works in increasing their happiness and gradually stop doing it because it can feel like a […]
Many people have told me that being in nature, experiencing it, and connecting with it brings them a sense of calmness, peace, and wholeness of being human. Even with our new technologies and our increasing ability to enhance or even substitute different aspects of human life, perhaps nothing can replace nature in positively affecting our […]
After millions of years of evolution, one would think that our brains would have evolved to become resistant to malfunctions like mental disorders. Why then, is depression still so common? According to authors of an article published in the Psychological Review, depression may be an adaptation rather than a disorder. This daring proposal came from […]
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Positive Psychology
A former president of the American Psychological Association, Dr. Martin Seligman is well known for his work within the field of positive psychology. As opposed to other areas of practice within psychology that are known to place more of a specific focus on the diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders, positive psychology seeks to identify and enhance […]
On Wednesday November 19th, MHAC and SUS hosted their puppy therapy session in the lobby of the Abul Ladha building. The event was highly successful with over 150 students coming out to de-stress for 15 minutes by playing with dogs. In attendance this year we had a pomeranian, shih-tzu, golden retriever, Australian shepherd, two chocolate labs, […]
It is often mentioned that people are may be happier when they spend money (or provide resources) to others instead of simply benefiting themselves. So, how does your social tie with the person affect how much happiness and satisfaction you achieve from spending money on him/her? A study shows that spending money on a person […]