School just started back in my neck of the woods, so in addition to the connection between brain function and heart health, the psychology of food, and other mental health news, this week’s Psychology Around the Net takes a look at some important kid-specific topics like dealing with back-to-school anxiety, the impact of mental illness on teen friendships, and why doctors are going to start prescribing playtime!
How to Help Your Kids Cope With Back-to-School Anxiety: Some worry is normal, right? Naturally kids are going to be a little anxious (and maybe even excited) about who their teachers will be, whether they’ll have class with their friends — whether they’re going to make friends — and if they’ll be able to keep up with their school subjects. However, just because it’s normal doesn’t mean there aren’t ways you can help smooth the transition, and there are signs to look for when “normal worry” turns into “extreme anxiety.”
Scientist Explores the Nexus Between Appetite and Psychology: A bad mood could make your food taste sour. Organic foods could make you feel superior and judgmental. Want to eat less? Try putting your food on a red plate. The psychological influences on our appetites are fascinating!
Brain Function Tied to Heart Health Early and Late in Life: Two new reports show that the cardiovascular health of both young and older folk is tied to brain function.
Regarding Teens and Friendship, Misery Does Love Company: Researchers from Florida Atlantic University and collaborators studied whether internalizing poor mental health symptoms such as anxiety, depressions, and social withdrawal could predict the end of teen friendships. Does a teenager’s friendships end because of the teen’s mental health problems or because of the differences in the ways friends suffer from these problems?
The Secret to Business Success That Will Improve Your Mental Health: I won’t give it away here, but be prepared to think about how the success of your business can benefit more than just your bank account.
The Power of Play: A Pediatric Role in Enhancing Development in Young Children: The American Academy of Pediatrics has released a report emphasizing the important role playtime plays (pun sort of intended) in helping children develop social-emotional, cognitive, language, and self-regulation skills and providing pediatric doctors with the information they need to “write a prescription” for playtime.