Children with elevated exposure to early life stress in the home and elevated prenatal exposure to air pollution exhibited heightened symptoms of attention and thought problems, according to researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and Columbia Psychiatry. Early life stress is common in youth from disadvantaged backgrounds who also often live in areas with greater exposure to air pollution. Continue reading “Mix of stress and air pollution may lead to cognitive difficulties in children”
Spending time in nature reduces stress
Research from an interdisciplinary Cornell team has found that as little as 10 minutes in a natural setting can help college students feel happier and lessen the effects of both physical and mental stress. Continue reading “Spending time in nature reduces stress”
Stressed to the max? Deep sleep can rewire the anxious brain
When it comes to managing anxiety disorders, William Shakespeare’s Macbeth had it right when he referred to sleep as the “balm of hurt minds.” While a full night of slumber stabilizes emotions, a sleepless night can trigger up to a 30% rise in anxiety levels, according to new research from the University of California, Berkeley. Continue reading “Stressed to the max? Deep sleep can rewire the anxious brain”
Maternal stress at conception linked to children’s stress response at age 11
A new study published in the Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease finds that mothers’ stress levels at the moment they conceive their children are linked to the way children respond to life challenges at age 11. SFU health sciences professor Pablo Nepomnaschy led an interdisciplinary research team on this first cohort study. Continue reading “Maternal stress at conception linked to children’s stress response at age 11”
Breastfeeding changes gene activity that may make babies less reactive to stress
It has long been known that there are many physical and mental health benefits of breastfeeding for mothers and babies. But can these benefits be due to genetic changes induced by breastfeeding? New research suggests that connection. Continue reading “Breastfeeding changes gene activity that may make babies less reactive to stress”
Increased stress on fathers leads to brain development changes in offspring
New research in mice has found that a father’s stress affects the brain development of his offspring. This stress changes the father’s sperm, which can then alter the brain development of the child. This new research provides a much better understanding of the key role that fathers play in the brain development of offspring. Continue reading “Increased stress on fathers leads to brain development changes in offspring”