Mind & Mood Archive

Writing a letter of gratitude to someone can increase positive feelings for both the letter writer and recipient.

A 2024 study suggests that cognitive changes are a more reliable signal than either age or biological signs of Alzheimer's disease to foreshadow an older adult's decision to stop driving.

Doomscrolling is the habit of constantly scrolling online news headlines, which often blare bad news. Doomscrolling became prominent during the pandemic. It can lead to a wide range of physical and mental health effects, including headaches, muscle tension, elevated blood pressure, and existential anxiety. To offset doomscrolling, people can create boundaries around using devices that include keeping phones off their nightstand, opting out of digital notifications, focusing on local news, and asking others not to send you depressing news items.

Music therapy uses personally tailored interventions such as singing, songwriting, playing an instrument, or moving to the beat to help people with a variety of health conditions manage disease symptoms and treatment side effects. Research suggests music therapy can curb stress, soothe pain, promote sleep, reduce anxiety, and improve memory and focus. People interested in accessing music therapy can ask their health care team or hospital for a referral, or look for a music therapist through the American Music Therapy Association.

If you're struggling with depression, the most important question about taking an antidepressant is whether it will work. But another question on your mind may be whether it will fuel weight gain. A new study provides some context.

A 2024 study suggests that optimism may help women stave off age-related physical decline.

A 2024 Harvard study of more than 92,000 healthy men and women (average age 56) found that consuming about half a tablespoon of olive oil per day was associated with a 28% reduction in the risk for dementia-related death, regardless of diet quality.

People who followed a balanced diet consisting of a good mix of healthy foods like lean meats, vegetables, fruit, and dairy, with occasional processed foods had the highest scores of cognitive function compared with other eating patterns, according to a 2024 study.