Read More

Read More

Read More

The most important organ in your body—your brain—needs workouts and attention to keep it healthy; learning new subjects, tackling new challenges, and engaging in new experiences are excellent ways to exercise you brain. There are also more subtle ways to give your brain the workout it needs. Matteo Bonetti of TrendinTech writes about boosting your brain power using a common household item—a simple pen or pencil.

As Bonetti states, a pen or pencil “… is a fantastic way to increase your learning speed, creativity and focus in ways that a computer never will. But how?

According to the article, when using a pen or pencil you’re more focused, you learn faster, and you’re more creative. Writing or drawing by hand allows you to concentrate by taking away the distractions of the internet, e-mail, text messages, and the everyday “hustle and bustle” or home- and work-life. Bonetti refers to UCLA psychologists who claim that students learn better when taking notes by hand rather than a computer, and a University of Washington study showing that essays written by hand were far better than those written using a keyboard.

So, it seems that using of a pen or pencil often can help to keep our minds sharp, and remind us of the days when life was simple before the onslaught of technology.

For more details, check out the article Boost Your Brain Power for Just a Few Cents.

The rhythm of breathing co-ordinates electrical activity across a network of brain regions associated with smell, memory, and emotions, and can enhance their functioning, according to a new study by researchers at Northwestern University. The findings, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, suggest that breathing does not merely supply oxygen to the brain and body, but may also organise the activity of populations of cells within multiple brain regions to help orchestrate complex behaviours.

Nearly 75 years ago, the British physiologist Edgar Adrian used electrodes to record brain activity in hedgehogs, and found that brain waves in the olfactory system were closely coupled to breathing, with their size and frequency being directly related to the speed at which air moves through the nose. Since then, this same activity has been observed in the olfactory bulb and other brain regions of rats, mice and other small animals, but until now it has not been investigated in humans.

In this new study, a research team led by Christina Zelano recorded electrical activity directly from the surface of the brain in seven patients being evaluated for surgery to treat drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy, focusing on three brain regions: the piriform cortex, which processes smell information from the olfactory bulbs, the hippocampus, which is critical for memory formation, and the amygdala, which plays an important role in emotional processing. At the same time, they monitored the patients’ respiratory rates with either pressure sensors or an abdominal breathing belt.

The researchers found that slow brain wave oscillations in the piriform cortex, and higher frequency brain waves in the hippocampus and amygdala, were synchronised with the rate of natural, spontaneous breathing. Importantly, though, the brain wave oscillations in all three regions were most highly synchronised immediately after the patients breathed in, but less so while they were breathing out. And when the patients were asked to divert breathing to their mouths, the researchers observed a significant decrease in brain wave coupling.

Thus, the air plumes that periodically enter the nose during natural breathing appear to synchronise the activity of neurons in the piriform cortex, and this synchrony is then propagated to the hippocampus and amygdala.

Given the well established respective roles of the hippocampus and amygdala in memory and emotions, the researchers conducted a series of behavioural tests to investigate whether breathing phase might influence thought processes. First, they recruited 21 healthy participants, and asked them to perform an emotion discrimination task. They were shown images of faces expressing either fear or surprise, in quick succession, and asked to identify the emotion in each one as quickly as they could. Another group of 75 healthy participants performed a visual memory task, in which they viewed a series of images and then identify the ones they had seen before from a second series presented to them 20 minutes later.

Participants in the emotion discrimination task identified the fearful faces, but not the surprised ones, more quickly when they saw them while breathing in compared to when breathing out. And those who performed the memory task were far better able to recall images that had been presented to them while breathing than those they saw while breathing out.

Breathing therefore modulates emotional recognition and memory recall, with both processes being more accurate during breathing in compared to breathing out. Once again, the route of breathing was critically important – the effects were seen when the participants were asked to breath in through their noses, but their performance on both tasks declined markedly when they breathed through their mouths.

Breathing is controlled unconsciously by the brainstem, and humans alter their breathing pattern in response to emotional stimuli and mental effort, suggesting that our thought processes affect the rate of breathing. These new findings suggest that breathing can also impact our mental function. For example, breathing rapidly when we are scared or highly aroused may optimise information processing in the brain so that we can think and act appropriately and quickly.

“When you breathe in… you are stimulating neurons in the olfactory cortex, amygdala and hippocampus,” says Zelano. “In a panic state, your breathing rhythm becomes faster [and] as a result you’ll spend proportionally more time inhaling,” [This] could have a positive impact on brain function and result in faster response times to dangerous stimuli in the environment.”

This article was curated from theguardian.com.

Research suggests that an hour long nap after lunch could help boost memory in older adults. As we age, our cognitive functioning gradually declines, meaning that we start having problems recalling names, learning new things, or simply remembering where we left the house keys. Previous studies have linked being active – both mentally and physically – with staying on the ball in older age – but is there anything else you can do to keep your mind sharp?

According to a new study, yes. Research undertaken at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore suggests that a good afternoon nap could work wonders if you find yourself in need of a memory boost. Whilst similar investigations have already established a link between napping and cognitive performance, these new findings – published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society – show that an afternoon nap of around one hour to be ideal when it comes to boosting memory performance in older adults.

The Study

Scientists analysed the data of 2,974 Chinese adults aged 65 and over who were part of the China Health and Retirement longitudinal study. All participants were tested to assess their attention span, episodic memory and visuospatial abilities using a variety of means including mathematical, word recall and figure drawing tests.

They were also asked to report how long they napped for after lunch on each day during the past month, and were categorised into four groups based on their answers: non-nappers (0 minutes, short nappers (less than 30 minutes), moderate nappers (30-90 minutes) and extended nappers (more than 90 minutes).

Stick to a Moderate Nap

Of the 57.7% of those who claimed to partake in post-lunch napping, moderate nappers (averaging a snooze time of one hour) came out on top. When compared to those who did not sleep in the afternoon, or who slept for much longer, this group of participants performed better in the cognitive tests.

Indeed, reductions in mental abilities of non-nappers, short nappers and extended nappers were between four and six times greater than those of moderate nappers. It was also noted that such a decline in cognitive function was comparable to an estimated five-year increase in age.

Study co-author Junxin Li, Ph.D., of the Center for Sleep and Circadian Neurobiology at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, said:

“The results support the hypothesis that a moderate-duration nap taken during the post-lunch dip is associated with better overall cognition. Older adults who did not nap or napped longer than 90 minutes (extended nappers) were significantly more likely than those who napped for 30-90 minutes after lunch (moderate nappers) to have lower overall cognition scores after adjusting for possible confounders.”

However, Li did highlight that the cross-sectional design and self-reported measures of sleep limited the findings, and agreed that further research is needed.

This article was curated from netdoctor.co.uk.

Pets are a big responsibility in a lot of cases, but they can also really enrich our lives. There is some evidence to show that people who have pets may live longer, be happier, and less lonely. Just petting a cat or a dog can actually lower your blood pressure and your cortisol levels thereby reducing stress and anxiety. You don’t need a lot of scientific evidence to show that if you’re around animals that are relaxed and calm, it’ll calm you down and relax you as well. They also force you to get out of bed when you’re feeling depressed by meowing in your face or barking or licking your face. And with dogs, it’s great because they force you to get up, walk, and get out into the world.

Check out a brief video by Bp Magazine in which columnist Melody Moezzi talks about the power of pets in recovery.

This article was curated from bphope.com.

The two most under-diagnosed and under-treated mental illnesses among the elderly population are depression and anxiety. There are particular signs and symptoms of these disorders that are important to monitor, according to Dr. Jennifer Stelter, PsyD and Director of Operations of Clinical Programs for The Alden Network.

If your loved one is no longer engaging in the day-to-day activities that they used to enjoy, you should probably be concerned about possible depression. Other symptoms include sad facial expressions, tearfulness, increases or decreases in appetite, increases or decreases in the amount of sleep they get, irritability, loss of energy, feelings of guilt and difficulties with concentration that appear to cause forgetfulness and may mimic dementia.

In addition, if they begin to express the notion that they no longer have anything to live for or would rather join their deceased loved ones, there is certainly a need for a mental health evaluation, Dr. Stelter stated.

Anxiety is another often-missed mental malady among the elderly. Those suffering from anxiety may appear irritable, frustrated or angry. They may start pacing or, when seated, rocking. Their level of worry, especially about their own health, may increase, even causing intestinal distress like diarrhea or constipation. They may also become hyper-verbal.

“Depression and anxiety among the elderly is not normal. No matter their age, everyone should be able to have the highest quality of life possible,” Dr. Stelter emphasized, hypothesizing that there is still an unfortunate stigma about mental illness that prevents people from seeking help, especially among older adults.

That is why The Alden Network’s rehabilitation and health care centers and other providers of senior housing and healthcare assess new patients’ mental wellness upon admission, she explained.

But if your loved one is not soon going to a post-acute rehabilitation center like Alden for short-term therapy or moving to a long-term care facility and you detect changes in their attitude and social interaction, Dr. Stelter recommends talking to their physician, mentioning the issues you notice and asking them to rule out medical causes for the changes.

“Certain medications and medical/physical conditions can cause different types of personality changes. So, ask for a thorough physical, including blood and urine work, to rule out any physical problem that may be contributing to what you are observing,” she suggested. “And if nothing in the testing can explain the changes in your loved one, ask the physician to refer your loved one for a mental health screening.

“The screening process is very important because some older adults with depression issues can appear to have dementia. We call it pseudo-dementia and it is vital that these individuals be thoroughly assessed in order to receive the help they need,” Dr. Stelter stated.

“As we age, our brain chemistry changes and, therefore, a chemical imbalance may be the cause of depression,” said Dr. Stelter. “Depression or anxiety in someone who has never experienced it in the past can also be situational. It may be caused by losses of their mate, other family members and friends, or by the transition to retirement after a busy career or the transition to a new housing situation.”

When this type of situational depression or anxiety is diagnosed, Dr. Stelter said that she usually first suggests one-on-one therapy, group counseling or support groups. If those interventions do not work or are not a viable alternative for some reason, individuals may want to speak with their physician about a more formal psychiatric management program.

This article was curated from dailyherald.com.

Mental health, if not addressed, can have debilitating side effects—some of which may be detrimental to your business.

When people talk about entrepreneurship, most of the discussions revolve around the sense of fulfillment or satisfaction they get from building something out of nothing. While this may be true, there’s another side to going into business for yourself: the price you pay.

That “price” is a psychological one. According to a recent survey, 30 percent of the entrepreneurs participating reported a lifetime history of depression. Another 29 percent said they were dealing with ADHD; 27 percent revealed feelings of anxiety.

Mental health issues, if not addressed, can have debilitating side effects — some of which may be detrimental to the business itself. Take anxiety, for example. When you’re dealing with a choice, the anxiety involved may cause you to overestimate or underestimate the outcome of your selection.

Depression can have a similar effect on decision-making; it can lead to a more pessimistic point of view, one that renders you unable to use the information available to make the best decision.

What’s more, feelings of apathy can lead to a lack of self-confidence, causing you to feel less valuable or validated by your work. Your employees don’t just expect a salary from you; they want a reliable leader and exemplary role model to learn from and follow.

It’s hard to give anything your all if you’re not healthy — mentally and physically.

Taking Stock of Stress

Eighteen percent of employed respondents to the U.S. National Comorbidity Survey, a study of 15- to 54-year-old Americans, said they had felt some sort of symptom of a mental health disorder within a month of the survey. Although the signs that stress is affecting mental health vary from person to person, there are a few things to look out for — one of which is your temperament.

How do you react to unexpected news? If you’re quick to be moody, become angered or become irritated, there could be cause for concern.

The same is true for constructive criticism. You may normally be receptive to this type of input. But what if, of late, you’ve been unable to accept it, or you find yourself arguing over seemingly negative comments? That may be a sign you’re under too much stress and it’s now affecting your mental health.

You may also find yourself changing your mind with greater frequency or have an increasing level of difficulty making decisions — so much so that you start to neglect your responsibilities or drag your feet when faced with a choice.

Other signs can include a newfound paranoia about others around you (including trusted partners and investors), resistance to establishing relationships and enough oversensitivity to others’ opinions that it clouds your business and managerial decisions.

Shouldering the Load

Managing your workload is often the first order of business. But this is easier said than done for many entrepreneurs, and you might want to try the following to help:

1. CLASSIFY YOUR WORKLOAD. A CareerCast survey labeled unpredictability and deadlines as No. 1 and No. 3, respectively, on its list of the biggest contributors to work-related stress. Both issues can play a big part in an employees’ daily capacity.

Your workload will generally fall into one of two categories: physically loaded or psychologically loaded. Make the latter a priority. The more psychologically loaded work you do, the stronger you’ll get — no matter whether this work is successful or not. Increased amounts of this kind of work build a solid mental base and help you gain perspective on how to prioritize tasks during hectic or tenuous periods.

Steven Handmaker, chief marketing officer of independent insurance broker Assurance, noticed that his employees were struggling to manage their workloads and were bogged down with too many meetings, emails and interruptions.

After Handmaker spoke with a consultant, he had his Assurance employees block out a certain number of hours each week for priority-work time. Employees subsequently reported being happier, and Assurance subsequently received positive recognition from Fortune, the Chicago Tribune and other publications.

2. AVOID COMPARISONS WITH OTHERS. Thinking you’re the only person who can’t handle a large amount of work without feeling pressure is a recipe for disaster. CareerCast tabbed workplace environment — including interactions with colleagues, bosses and customers — the second-biggest reason for employee stress.

Facebook, like a number of companies, is a competitive, sometimes stressful work environment. To combat those tensions, the company uses an open office space to cultivate flat organizational structure while inspiring creativity and ambition without the stress of employees being right on top of one another.

Constant, immediate comparisons to your co-workers can only complicate those relationships. Although each one of us has the same autonomic stress system, what makes any one of us feel anxious won’t be the same as what affects even our closest colleagues.

3. RESPECT THE TIME AVAILABLE. Time moves at the same pace for everyone. Use it wisely, and understand that it’s better not to procrastinate on a task just because you feel that you’ll handle the rest of your work without pressure or stress.

Instead of fixating on tasks and checking off each subsequent box, take time to reflect on the value of your work over your lifetime. Look at the impact your work is having on those around you — or even the community at large.

Meditation can help with work stress. Companies, including Google, Nike and Yahoo, encourage meditation among their employees. It’s a great way to reduce tension and provide the mental reprieve necessary for employees to be productive and take better stock of work-related responsibilities.

Entrepreneurship can take its toll, and feelings of anxiousness, depression or stress aren’t signs of weakness. That’s just how your body and mind are responding to a particular stimulus. As long as you know the signs, you’ll be better equipped to maneuver the daily comings and goings of worklife.

This article was curated from entrepreneur.com.

Read More