Real-Life Support Far Superior Than Social Media
Razi Berry Social media may make it easier for people to engage online, but it does not provide certain benefits of real-life human interactions, says a Michigan State University researcher. “Problematic social media use has been associated with depression, anxiety and social isolation, and having a good social support system helps insulate people from negative […]
What Does Social Isolation do to the Brain?
Razi Berry Since the coronavirus pandemic began in the spring, many people have only seen their close friends and loved ones during video calls, if at all. A new study from MIT finds that the longings we feel during this kind of social isolation share a neural basis with the food cravings we feel when […]
Take my hand
Razi Berry In any stressed or painful situation – a visit to the hospital, a presentation at work, or a funeral for a loved one – it helps to have someone holding your hand. We all know this to be true. Recent experiments have validated our intuitive knowledge and provided explanations as to why having […]
Common Mental State Test Lacks Clear Perspective
Razi Berry The test is deeply flawed How do clinicians rate how well a patient understands what other people are thinking and feeling? That is to say—how does the patient assess another person’s mental state? An accurate tool is key for measuring treatment outcomes and carries profound consequences for the patient’s mental and physical well-being. […]
In-Person Contact Reduces PTSD and Depression in Military Veterans
Razi Berry A great new study supports in-person social interactions as protective against depression and PTSD symptoms. The study found that this protection was not seen with other social outlets, such as phone, email or social media interaction, such as Facebook. The study was conducted by the VA Portland Health Care System and Oregon Health […]
More Early Social Interaction Equals Better Health
(NaturalPath) In a study out of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, researchers found that the more social ties people have at an early age the better their health is at the beginning and end of their life. The study is the first to definitively link social relationships with concrete measures of physical well-being […]