A new study by academics from multiple universities on both sides of the Atlantic has found that sleep is a crucial factor in sticking to New Year's resolutions. Researchers tracked over 100 people for a week, sending them texts at random times to gauge their levels of tiredness. The results showed that those who had a poor night's sleep were more likely to engage in unhealthy habits such as binge eating and skipping exercise. However, once healthy habits are established, they can become automatic even when the person is feeling fatigued, making it easier to stick to them.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14241897/A-rough-start-2025-Pizza-Express-expose-customers-hilarious-hangover-cure-order-online.htmlAccording to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), mental health conditions such as stress, depression, and anxiety resulted in 18.5 million lost days of work in 2022 across all sectors in the UK. This is a significant concern highlighted by Helen Whately, shadow work and pensions secretary, who urged the government to take action on the growing issue. The data also shows that mental health conditions surpassed minor illnesses such as coughs, colds, flu, sickness, nausea, and diarrhoea, which accounted for 44.3 million lost days of work in 2022.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14238797/Public-sector-workers-likely-mental-health-sick-days-private-sector-employees-ministers-urged-grip.htmlLindsay Walter, a behavioral health professional with St. Peter's Health, notes that New Year's resolutions often fail due to the difficulty in forming new habits. Research suggests it can take up to 21 days for people to adjust to something new, but Walter believes this timeframe is likely longer and emphasizes the importance of consistency and not giving up. To increase success rates, Walter recommends breaking down larger goals into smaller, more achievable tasks.
https://www.kpax.com/news/montana-news/montanans-share-new-year-resolutions-as-2024-wraps-upDr Liaquat emphasized the need for healthcare providers to educate new mothers about the physical and emotional effects of extreme heatwaves, including the importance of hydration, a safe environment, and recognizing symptoms of heat-related illness. She also suggested that mental health professionals provide information on how stress from extreme heat can manifest as anxiety, irritability, or mood swings in postpartum depression, and encourage new mothers to express their feelings before they escalate into more severe cases. Dr Liaquat further recommended collaboration between psychologists, climatologists, and public health experts to address the issue, and highlighted the need for more research on how climate change impacts postpartum depression, particularly in regions such as Pakistan where heatwaves are common.
https://www.geo.tv/latest/580458-telltale-toll-how-escalating-heatwaves-are-giving-new-mums-postpartum-depressionDubai-based experts Bruna Moubarak and Anne Jackson are advocating for a more realistic approach to setting New Year's resolutions. Instead of aiming for major life goals, they recommend starting small by breaking down objectives into achievable tasks that can be completed daily or weekly. This approach is said to improve mental well-being by fostering a sense of accomplishment and control, boosting confidence and motivation, and building resilience over time. Examples of small, achievable goals include drinking an extra glass of water daily, reading for 10 minutes each night, and practising gratitude for five minutes each morning. Experts suggest that even minor accomplishments can boost self-confidence and motivate further progress, and that setbacks should be reframed as opportunities for growth rather than feelings of failure.
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/setting-new-years-resolutions-uae-experts-recommend-small-steps-for-lasting-resultsGreek Prime Minister Dendias has called for social media companies to take action to protect teenagers from the negative effects of excessive online activity. He specifically targeted platforms that profit from children's data, stating that they have already made significant profits and should not prioritize making money over their users' mental health. In response to growing concerns about web addiction among Greek teens, the government is introducing measures such as a parental control website and an age verification tool with daily browsing limits associated with a specific device by early April.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1267138-greece-announces-campaign-against-website-addictionPeople with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) may experience symptoms that impair their driving abilities, such as difficulty concentrating, slowed bodily movement, and delayed reflexes. According to research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Network Open, individuals over 65 with MDD are three times more likely to fail a driving test than those without the condition. A study conducted by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine found that this increased risk is particularly concerning for older adults, as they followed a sample of 395 participants around age 70 and observed their driving abilities over a period of one to two years.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-14236309/health-condition-suffered-millions-people-dangerous-drivers.htmlPeter, a person who has been open about his mental health struggles, has been experiencing anxiety due to the stress of caring for his mother, Thea, who suffers from both Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. He has found it difficult to cope with her condition, despite having had some positive moments this year.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1266978-peter-andre-opens-up-about-his-mental-health-struggles-after-tough-yearSave the Children estimates that around 6.4 million children in Syria are in need of psychological help due to traumatic experiences such as losing a parent, sibling or friend, and living under strict Western sanctions imposed on the country by the US and European Union since the early stages of the war. The sanctions have limited resources for aid organizations like Save the Children, making it difficult to respond to needs and reach those in need, according to Muhrez.
https://www.montanarightnow.com/national_news/more-than-half-of-syrian-children-out-of-school-save-the-children-to-afp/article_0c0e7f5b-f204-56c0-911f-1095886d67e5.html