Category: Articles
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HOW TO REMAIN YOUTHFUL AND RESILIENT DESPITE STRESS
Jolanta Burke, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences and Padraic J. Dunne, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences A bit of stress can be good for your mental and physical wellbeing, but too much can lead to anxiety, depression and other health problems. It can also make you age faster. So learning to…
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LANGUISHING: WHAT TO DO IF YOU’RE FEELING RESTLESS, APATHETIC OR EMPTY
Jolanta Burke, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences If you’ve been feeling restless, apathetic or even emotionally empty since the pandemic began, you may be “languishing”. Languishing is described as an emotional state of limbo, aimlessness and low mood, which can last for a long time. But while languishing isn’t itself considered a mental…
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WHY THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS CAN BE BAD FOR YOU – AND WHAT YOU SHOULD PURSUE INSTEAD
Christian van Nieuwerburgh, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences and Jolanta Burke, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences Happiness is one of the most important goals in life. During the pandemic, it trended as the most searched word on Google. But here’s why the pursuit of happiness can be bad for you. It…
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AN EXCESS OF EMPATHY CAN BE BAD FOR YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
Trudy Meehan, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences and Jolanta Burke, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences Have you found yourself irritable, sad or close to tears when watching the news lately? If so, you are not alone. Experiencing empathy has its benefits, but there are also many downsides to it, which is…
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THREE REASONS WHY YOU FEEL STRESSED WHEN TRYING TO RELAX – AND WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT
Jolanta Burke, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences Have you ever tried to relax, only to find yourself overwhelmed with feeling stressed and having negative thoughts? Turns out a lot of us experience this – which is why some have coined it “stresslaxing”. Even though stresslaxation is a new term, it describes relaxation-induced anxiety…
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GUILT: WHEN IT IS USEFUL – AND WHAT TO DO IF IT TAKES OVER YOUR LIFE
Jolanta Burke, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences Many people feel guilty when watching horrific things happen to others on the news. It can also hit when we think about a time we broke someone’s heart, snapped at a child or deeply hurt a friend’s feelings. In fact, most of us feel guilt from…
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PSYCHOLOGISTS HAVE TRADITIONALLY FOCUSED ON THE PAST – WHAT IF THAT’S ALL WRONG?
Jolanta Burke, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences For over a century, psychologists such as Sigmund Freud and Carl Rogers focused people’s attention on the past. And so when Mary struggles to maintain romantic relationships, she blames her past boyfriends for it. When Chris battles with addiction, he digs into his memories from childhood…
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JOY IS GOOD FOR YOUR BODY AND YOUR MIND – THREE WAYS TO FEEL IT MORE OFTEN
Jolanta Burke, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences and Padraic J. Dunne, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences Joy is an emotion experienced by many but understood by few. It’s usually mistaken for happiness, yet is unique in its impact on both our mind and body. https://embed-player.newsoveraudio.com/v4?key=x84olp&id=https://theconversation.com/joy-is-good-for-your-body-and-your-mind-three-ways-to-feel-it-more-often-198276%20&bgColor=F5F5F5&color=D8352A&playColor=D8352A You can listen to more articles…
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HOW TO REWIRE YOUR BRAIN TO FEEL GOOD ON MONDAYS
Cristina R. Reschke, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences and Jolanta Burke, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences If you hate Mondays, you’re most certainly in good company. After a couple of days off, many of us have difficulty settling back into our routines and work duties. You may even have dread and…
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Having low expectations probably won’t make us happier – here’s what psychology research says
Jolanta Burke, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences Finland was recently named the happiest country in the world for the sixth year running. A range of theories have been put forward to explain why the Nordic nation continues to rank at the top of the table for happiness, from greater income equality to time…
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Holiday burnout: why it happens – and three research-proven ways to help you recover
Jolanta Burke, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences and Justin Laiti, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences Although Christmas only lasts a few days each year, many of us spend months planning for it. But as enjoyable as all the parties and festivities might be, many people find they feel a bit burnt-out…
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Three ways to tackle the ‘Sunday scaries’, the anxiety and dread many people feel at the end of the weekend
Sunday is often a chance to catch up with friends, lost sleep, and recover from last night’s hangover. But for many of us, by the time Sunday afternoon rolls around, a feeling of intense anxiety and dread sets in – often referred to as the “Sunday scaries”.
Dr Jolanta Burke 