APA Blogs
43 Results
How Stress Affects Eating Habits: Not One-Size-Fits-All
Stress impacts health in a variety of ways, including eating behaviors. Stress can influence our appetite, how much we eat, and the types of food we are likely to choose. It is commonly understood that stress contributes to overeating, especially consumption of “comfort foods,” often processed foods high in fat and sugar. However, different people respond differently, and circumstances matter. For some people, experiencing chronic stress leads to reduced appetite
New Study Highlights Everyday Actions That Support Mental Health
We can all take many actions to support our mental health and protect against mental illness. These can include getting daily physical activity, eating healthy meals, getting sufficient restful sleep and more.
Pets and Mental Health: 2025 Social Media Toolkit
We're back again with #Paws4MentalHealth! We’re celebrating the mental health impact of our cats, dogs and other furry (and not furry) friends. Join the movement and take a "paws" in your day to share how your pets positively influence your well-being. Let's make this a month to remember! #Paws4MentalHealth
Move Your Mind: How Daily Physical Activity Boosts Brain Health and Mental Well-Being
- By Michael Bowen, M.D and Brook Choulet, M.D.
Most people understand exercise, and more broadly physical activity, to be beneficial to health from a physical perspective. In other words, it’s good for your heart, muscles, and potentially your waistline. What is often less appreciated is the importance of exercise to several aspects of brain health. Physical activity has been shown to be helpful in a variety of neurologic and psychiatric conditions, including reduced risk of dementia, reduced feelings of anxiety and depression (in individuals with and without clinical diagnoses), improved cognitive function, and improved sleep.
How Do We Cope with Loneliness?
With about 33% 0f people saying they report feeling lonely once a week or more, a new APA Healthy Minds survey looks at how people are coping. According to the poll, men and women and older and younger adults are using different strategies to deal with these feelings. Overall, younger adults are more likely to feel lonely than older adults. For example, 43% of young adults aged 18 to 34 feel lonely at least once a week compared to only 17% of adults 65 and older