dr. jenny holland

Stress as a risk factor in older adults can be mitigated with intervention

Stress as a risk factor in older adults can be mitigated with intervention

Posted on by Dhyana Kearly

Researchers found, on average, participants who reported more stress in their lives experienced a steeper decline in functional health over three years, and that link between stress and functional health decline was stronger for chronologically older participants.

However, subjective age seemed to provide a protective buffer. Among people who felt younger than their chronological age, the link between stress and declines in functional health was weaker. That protective effect was strongest among the oldest participants.

Emotional well-being gets a boost from optimism

Emotional well-being gets a boost from optimism

Posted on by Dhyana Kearly

Researchers followed 233 older men who first completed an optimism questionnaire; 14 years later, they reported daily stressors along with positive and negative moods on eight consecutive evenings up to three times over an eight-year span. The researchers found more optimistic men reported not only lower negative mood but also more positive mood (beyond simply not feeling negative). They also reported having fewer stressors which was unrelated to their higher positive mood but explained their lower levels of negative mood.

Nature walking can improve self-esteem around body image

Nature walking can improve self-esteem around body image

Posted on by Dhyana Kearly

A new study has found that being in nature helps people deal with negative body image by removing some of the triggers of body image anxiety, such as the focus on social media, and strengthening coping mechanisms to keep negative feelings in perspective.

Art therapy can be beneficial for stressed caregivers of cancer patients

Art therapy can be beneficial for stressed caregivers of cancer patients

Posted on by Dhyana Kearly

Creative activities like art-making are mindful practices, allowing patients and caregivers to stay in the moment, which by definition can free them from the stress that cancer brings. Caregivers experience stress, which can affect their own health and the patient’s outcome. A recent study showed coloring and open-studio art therapy benefits stressed caregivers of cancer patients.

Offering kindness to others reduces anxiety and increases happiness

Offering kindness to others reduces anxiety and increases happiness

Posted on by Dhyana Kearly

Several studies reported in the 1990s and early 2000s that mindfulness based treatments can be effective for a range of psychological problems, particularly those associated with anxiety and mood disorders. A study Published by NCBI found that Loving Kindness exercises were effective for self-critical individuals for reducing self-criticism and depression and improving self-compassion along with positive emotions.

Physical activity improves symptoms of depression, making change possible

Physical activity improves symptoms of depression, making change possible

Posted on by Dhyana Kearly

People with depression often withdraw and are physically inactive. To investigate the effect of physical activity, researchers enlisted 41 people, who were undergoing treatment at the hospital, for the study. The participants were each assigned to one of two groups, one of which completed a three-week exercise program. The program, which was developed by a sports science team, was varied, included fun elements, and did not come across as a competition or test, but instead employed teamwork from the participants. The other group took part in a control program without physical activity.