The hippocampus, a crucial structure in memory formation and spatial orientation, is highly sensitive to the effects of stress due to its high concentration of glucocorticoid receptors. A study found that children exposed to three or more traumatic events had a 17% reduction in hippocampus size compared to those who experienced no trauma. Adversity can be caused by commission (abuse) or omission (neglect), with different effects on the brain's structure and function. For example, abuse affects limbic structures such as the amygdala and insular cortex, leading to overactivity and extreme reactions, while neglect affects prefrontal areas responsible for planning and reasoning. Research has also found that adversity can change genetic mechanisms through epigenetics, with abused children showing opposite gene expression patterns and increased risk of depressive symptoms. However, the brain is highly malleable, and many individuals can overcome early adversity through resilience, which can even lead to post-traumatic growth.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/life/2025/01/22/childhood-trauma-how-it-shapes-our-brains-bodies-and-genes/164054According to research, the top three drivers of unhappiness at work are feeling disconnected from one's career after years of dedication, struggling to secure promotions despite efforts, and being overwhelmed by an endless workload. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these issues, leading to a shift in people's psychological relationships with their careers.
https://www.forbesindia.com/article/mentors-and-mavens/the-goal-of-networking-is-to-learn-about-other-peoples-jobs-tessa-west/95112/1In China, some companies are offering unemployed individuals the opportunity to use their offices as a place to hide their unemployment from friends and family. For a fee of around 29.9 yuan per day, people can spend the day in an office setting, complete with lunch included, and even pose as a "boss" by sitting in a leather chair for an additional 50 yuan. This phenomenon has sparked debate on social media, with some seeing it as a way to reduce stress associated with unemployment while others believe it may demotivate people from actively seeking employment. The issue is particularly relevant in China where the value of work is deeply ingrained in society and professional success is highly valued. Many young people are demanding more respect, time for themselves, and meaning in their work, but are often pressured to keep their unemployment a secret due to social stigma.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/world/2025/01/22/rent-a-desk-deception-chinas-unemployed-pay-to-keep-up-work-appearances/164067A study led by Associate Professor Tom van Laer at the University of Sydney Business School has found that the Australian energy industry is promoting a narrative that individual consumers, or "net-zero heroes", can significantly impact climate change through personal choices and actions. The research analyzed reports from 44 energy market entities between 2015 and 2022 and found that this message is consistently promoted across the sector, encouraging consumers to make eco-friendly choices such as purchasing electric vehicles, using off-peak hot water, and installing solar panels. However, van Laer argues that this narrative overlooks the role of larger corporate and regulatory changes in addressing climate change, instead placing an unrealistic burden on individual consumers who may struggle to fulfill their responsibilities without adequate support systems. This could lead to feelings of helplessness and disengagement rather than empowerment.
https://www.techspot.com/news/106422-energy-industry-using-net-zero-hero-narrative-shifting.html#commentsOffsetDr Oliver Suendermann, a vice president at Intellect, a mental health services provider, notes that forcing individuals to receive treatment for noise disputes can be counterproductive as it may create distrust and resistance, ultimately undermining its effectiveness in resolving community issues.
https://channelnewsasia.com/singapore/noise-complaints-community-relations-unit-neighbours-dispute-4889281A new version of Spravato, an antidepressant treatment, is now available as a stand-alone option, allowing patients to experience improvements in depressive symptoms within 24 hours and at 28 days without the need for daily oral medication.
https://www.upi.com/Health_News/2025/01/21/fda-approves-spravato-nasal-spray-depression/7891737520404/Jordan Ablett, the wife of Geelong AFL champion Gary Ablett Jr, has shared a heartfelt message about her struggles with anxiety ahead of the release of her memoir "One Day At A Time". The book will detail her experiences as a mother to five-year-old son Levi, who suffers from a rare degenerative illness that affects his respiratory system. Jordan broke down in tears while sharing a photo of herself wiping away tears, revealing she has been struggling with unexpected anxiety about the upcoming release of her book.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-14312037/AFL-WAG-Jordan-Ablett-tears-heartbreaking-post-memoir.htmlA 24-year-old NEET aspirant from Gujarat has died by suicide in her hostel room in Kota, Rajasthan. This is the fifth such incident reported this year from Kota, a hub for coaching students preparing for the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) and Joint Entrance Examination (JEE). The incident occurred when she failed to respond or open the door at 9 am, with no suicide note found in her room.
https://indiatoday.in/india/rajasthan/story/neet-aspirant-suicide-kota-fifth-case-body-hanging-hostel-room-rajasthan-2668521-2025-01-22People are using a technique called bilateral stimulation to calm their nervous system on the subway. This involves tapping one side of their body then the other, engaging neural networks that are active during REM sleep. By doing this while awake, individuals can reduce anxiety by activating their parasympathetic nervous system, shifting from a state of stress to a calmer and more present state.
https://www.law.com/newyorklawjournal/2025/01/21/how-bilateral-tapping-can-help-with-stress-and-anxiety/