Category Archives: Stress Response

Does Money Increase Happiness? The World Answers A Gallup Poll

A recent survey conducted around the world, involved more than 136,000 people in 132 countries asked questions about income and happiness, and included questions about happiness and income. The results indicate that while life satisfaction usually rises with income, positive feelings don’t necessarily follow.   The results of the first Gallup World Poll, appear in ...…

B Vitamins Decrease Depression

Researchers at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago found that for every 10 milligram increase in the vitamin B6 intake and for every 10 microgram increase in vitamin B12 there was a 2 percent per year decrease in the risk of developing depression symptoms.    Previous studies have associated a lower risk of infection to ...…

Exercise Reduces and Prevents Angry Mood

Many medical studies have documented the positive effects of exercise on improving mood. To date, very few research studies have been conducted to evaluate the impact of exercise on angry feelings.  Recently, a small study presented at the 57th Annual Meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine found that exercise has a beneficial on ...…

Tai Chi Improves Mood Disorders

The BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine Journal reports that while Tai Chi is a good form of physical activity, it can improve symptoms that are associated with chronic mood disorders. According to the most recent statistics, more than 15 million people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with a form of depression.   A team ...…

Majority of Breast Cancer Patients Experience Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms

For a long time physicians have not considered the impact a serious diagnosis of cancer has on the patient.  We know it is a shocking and emotionally harrowing experience, I for one, never considered that it could actually cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in over 50 per cent of the women  experiencing breast cancer.   ...…

Changing Thoughts Key To Battling Even Severe Depression

For many decades, particularly in light of the debate and conversation surrounding movies such as the Secret, and the concept of the Law of Attraction, cognitive behavioral therapy—changing the way a person thinks about a certain aspect of life, can improve depressions.   People with moderate to severe depression, according to a recent study conducted ...…

Do You Remember? Forgetfulness Is A Growing Problem

I’ve heard many people suggest with a few episodes of memory lapse or loss that they are developing Alzheimer’s Disease.  That usually isn’t the case, and I understand the concern, since the disease has virtually exploded in epidemic numbers over the last 25 years, with no identifiable environmental causes.   According to psychiatrist Dr. Sameer ...…

Massage Fosters Healing in Bereaved Relatives

  Release of relaxation hormones has positive effects, researchers say.   Receiving soothing massages for eight weeks after the death of a loved one can provide much-needed consolation during an intense, stressful period of grieving, according to a study in the April issue of the Journal of Clinical Nursing.  Hand and foot massages can help ...…

How Lemon Scent Reduces Stress

Japanese researchers have confirmed what many aroma therapists have long advocated — the scent of plants like lemon, mango, lavender reduce stress.   The study, published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, found certain fragrances alter gene activity and blood chemistry in ways that can reduce stress levels.   Akio Nakamura of the ...…

Music Soothes Anxiety As Well As Massage

  A recent study conducted by the Group Health Research Institute in Seattle, Washington found that both massage therapy and music can effectively reduce anxiety.  Listening to soft, soothing music is much less costly than massage.   The study found that the patients involved had half the symptoms of anxiety three months after getting a ...…