Psychology

Your next doctor’s prescription might be to spend time in nature

Dr. Robert Zarr loves to write prescriptions that you don't have to take to the pharmacy. Instead, he sends patients outside to soak in the...

How to recognize and treat alcohol problems

Some people enjoy an occasional glass of wine with dinner. Others might grab a beer while watching a football game. Most people drink alcohol...

These common childhood behaviors may lead to anxiety in later life

In a new study from the University of Otago, researchers found which specific child behaviors may raise the likelihood of anxiety disorders developing in...

These old people can slow cognitive decline

In a new study from the University of Michigan, researchers found feeling happy about life slowed the cognitive decline among older adults. They found that...

Augmented reality could help tackle fear of spiders

Researchers from the University of Basel have developed an augmented reality app for smartphones to help people reduce their fear of spiders. The app has...

5 common thinking traps and how to avoid them

Have you ever fallen into a thinking trap? “I already messed up my plan by eating a piece of cake, so I might as well...

Do you think you’re exclusively straight?

Scientific research has shown that sexuality exists on a spectrum. But how certain are people about where they fit on it? A new University of...

Lonely flies, like many humans, eat more and sleep less

COVID-19 lockdowns scrambled sleep schedules and stretched waistlines. One culprit may be social isolation itself. Scientists have found that lone fruit flies quarantined in test tubes...

People with this personality trait more likely to have heart attacks

In a recent study published in the European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, researchers found that heart attack patients who are sarcastic or irritable could...

What size is an object? Your description might depend on your intentions

Imagine describing the precise dimensions of a common object—like a coin—for another person. Did you move your hand, pretending to pick one up to show...