Archive for December, 2008

Are men hardwired to overspend?

Thursday, December 11th, 2008

Bling, foreclosures, rising credit card debt, bank and auto bailouts, upside down mortgages and perhaps a mid-life crisis new Corvette -- all symptoms of compulsive overspending.

Unlocking the mysteries of memory

Wednesday, December 10th, 2008

Groundbreaking research on human memory by Tel Aviv University.

EEGs show brain differences between poor and rich kids

Tuesday, December 9th, 2008

Prefrontal cortex activity in poor children resembles that of stroke victim, study finds

Happiness is a collective — not just individual — phenomenon

Monday, December 8th, 2008

Happiness spreads through social networks like an emotional contagion, according to a study that looked at nearly 5,000 individuals over a period of 20 years. When an individual becomes happy, the network effect can be measured up to three degrees. One person's happiness triggers a chain reaction that benefits not only his friends, but his friends' friends, and his friends' friends' friends. The effect lasts for up to one year. Conversely, sadness does not spread through social networks as robustly as happiness.

De-Stress During the Hustle and Bustle

Sunday, December 7th, 2008
by Susan

Amidst the holiday hustle and bustle, I hope you will take time to de-stress so you don't wear yourself out completely.   My husband and I are doing that on a regular basis this year.   As we have gotten older we have realized that we need to take time for us to be alone together........ enjoying some of our usual activities. 

Yesterday we finished our Christmas shopping, I think.   We always shop for our four children, their spouses and our two grandchildren as well as a few other family members.   We don't spend a lot of money but we do spend a lot of time out there among the crowds.   We try to accomplish as much as possible on weekdays but yesterday, a Saturday, we were right out there in the midst of the hustle and bustle, along with all the other shoppers.

However, we also took the time to see a movie which is one of our favorite things to do.   This time we saw Australia, starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman.   I loved the movie..... it stirred so many feelings in me.   I did a lot of sniffling and wiped my eyes repeatedly.   Today we are going to a free Christmas concert to be performed by the music department at Missouri State University.  We plan to dress up for the occasion and perhaps have dinner afterwards.  

Oh dear!   I just realized another item we need to get at a store!    I'm also wondering if I purchased enough wrapping paper.   All of these holiday preparations are so much fun and yet so stressful, especially for those of us with anxiety/depression.   I think a nice long walk today would go a long way in de-stressing.  Sometimes a nap helps too!   Be sure to take time to de-stress in whatever way works best for you. 

Too much commitment may be unhealthy for relationships, psychology professor says

Saturday, December 6th, 2008

Relationship-contingent self-esteem can trigger depression and anxiety, eroding bonds

Stress-related disorders affect brain’s processing of memory

Friday, December 5th, 2008

Researchers using functional MRI have determined that the circuitry in the area of the brain responsible for suppressing memory is dysfunctional in patients suffering from stress-related psychiatric disorders. Results of the study will be presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America.

The freedom of power

Thursday, December 4th, 2008

New research explores the creative and attitude expressions of the powerful and the powerless

Stereotypes, bias and personnel decisions

Thursday, December 4th, 2008

2 articles explore complexity of stereotyping and workplace discrimination

Exercise helps prevent age-related brain changes in older adults

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008

Older adults who exercise regularly show increased cerebral blood flow and a greater number of small blood vessels in the brain.