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How Acceptance Can Help With ATAR Anxiety as School Leavers Wait for Results
With exams over and schoolies celebrations wrapping up, the countdown is on for year 12s to find out how they performed — and whether they'll get into their dream university courses. Students will receive their Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) in mid-December, with a number between 0 and 99.95 indicating how their marks compared to their peers'. For some it can feel as though this number will define the success of their entire 13 years of school. Psychology researcher Ella Moeck from the University of Adelaide said it was normal for students to feel anxious while waiting for their ATAR. "Our brains really don't like uncertainty," she said.
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Doing Good is Good For You, Research Shows
If you want to increase your happiness and well-being, spend your money, time or energy on someone else. Research consistently finds that acts of altruism, such as donating money, volunteering or giving blood, benefit both the receiver and the giver — even when the giver does not expect anything in return. “Finding joy in helping others is fundamental to who we are as a species,” said Elizabeth Dunn, a professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia. ...
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Can You Find Awe in Christmas Cookies?
... I’m not sure it’ll be enough to elicit wonder, but it’s worth trying. According to Michelle Shiota, a psychology professor at Arizona State University who has researched the impact of awe, “You got to push the boundaries.” Elaborate icings and decorations become daily backdrops around the holidays, so Dr. Shiota suggests leaning into creative approaches, as she and her friends once did when they built a gingerbread Tower of London instead of the usual Cape Cod house.
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Midlife-Onset Alcohol Dependence: Causes and Consequences
Podcast: What drives the onset of alcohol dependence in midlife? How does it present unique challenges, and what strategies can help when it disrupts the lives of individuals and their families? Under the Cortex explores.
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Are You Good at Building Friendships? Here’s How to Tell.
To build closer friendships, experts say tell your friends you appreciate them, be vulnerable and “repot” the relationship. ... It’s important to show interest and full attention to what a friend is telling you, said Rich Slatcher, a psychology professor at the University of Georgia. When someone is in need, they’re looking for a friend who is responsive.
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Informal Caregivers Report Reduced Well-Being, May Not Bounce Back Years Later
Individuals acting as caregivers saw a decrease in life satisfaction and mood, alongside increases in depression, anxiety, and loneliness.
