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The sink’s over here, doc
Lowell Sun: While hospital patients would like to believe they are in good hands, they might not be in clean hands. Research shows that less than 50 percent of hospital workers adhere to hand-hygiene guidelines. In fact, on average, they only wash or use hand sanitizer one-third to half the time they ideally should. Reminding health-care workers that it is the patient they are there to protect increases hand hygiene, according to a recent study.
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Self-compassion helps heal post-divorce blues
Yahoo! India: Self-compassion and the ability to let painful emotions pass helps heal post divorce blues, a new study suggests. This trait 'can promote resilience and positive outcomes in the face of divorce,' says University of Arizona psychologist David A. Sbarra, who led the study with Hillary L. Smith and Matthias R. Mehl. 'The surprising part here is that when we look at a bunch of positive characteristics (self-esteem, resistance to depression, optimism, or ease with relationships), this one characteristic -self-compassion - uniquely predicts good outcomes,' adds Sbarra.
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Taxes les riches – Quel bonheur!
Le Petit Journal: Avec sa "taxe Buffett", le président américain veut faire payer davantage les plus riches pour réduire sa dette. Si l'idée ne fait pas sourire les républicains, elle pourrait remonter le moral des Américains. C'est en tout ca ce que révèle une étude, publiée par Psychological Science, qui met en lumière une corrélation entre taxation des plus riches et bien-être de la population. Pour être heureux, soyons taxés ! L'équipe de chercheurs de l'université de Virgine, menée par Shigehiro Oishi s'est basée sur les résultats de sondages de l'institut américain Gallup qui a comparé les niveaux de bien-être de 54 pays.
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The Meditating Brain: Express Version
I have been experimenting with mindfulness meditation recently. Originally a Buddhist practice, mindfulness meditation focuses on moment-to-moment awareness, of one’s body and its sensations and one’s immediate surroundings. When thoughts intrude on this aware state—as they always do—you gently let them go as you return to the moment. It’s very calming—and really hard. It’s hard because the mind does not want to stop churning out thoughts. I’m told that with time and practice, meditation becomes easier, and what’s more that it brings a variety of emotional and health benefits. Those testimonials are why I’m doing this, but I confess the prospect is daunting.
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Advice To Divorcees: Go Easy On Yourself
Divorce is tough, for just about everyone. But some people move through a breakup without overwhelming distress, even if they’re sad or worried about money, while others get stuck in the bad feelings and can’t seem to climb out. What accounts for the difference? Self-compassion, says an upcoming study in Psychological Science, a journal published by the Association for Psychological Science. Self-compassion—a combination of kindness toward oneself, recognition of common humanity, and the ability to let painful emotions pass—“can promote resilience and positive outcomes in the face of divorce,” says psychologist David A.
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MacArthur fellow will focus on suicide prevention
Los Angeles Times: Suicide has emerged as a prominent public health issue in recent years because of the stubbornly high rate of such deaths in the United States. But the announcement Tuesday of the MacArthur Fellowships will provide a boost in research aimed at preventing people from taking their own lives. MacArthur fellow Matthew Nock, 38, a professor of psychology at Harvard University, said the award will also help advance research that is beginning to dispel some myths about suicide. Suicide is the 10th-leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for about 100 deaths per day.
