News Above the Noise: Week of July 31, 2022
1. The Emotional Toll of Financial Stress
As if we needed one more thing to be anxious about these days: Soaring prices on everything from food to gas are prompting many to worry almost constantly about their finances. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data released this month, the Consumer Price Index rose 9.1 percent from a year ago. And the financial stress that bump is causing isn’t just having an impact on families’ bank accounts. Along with it comes overwhelming feelings of shame, anger, fear, and even depression. If this is what you’re feeling—and you’re looking for ways to cope—CLICK HERE.
2. Microdoses of psychedelic mushrooms may improve mood and mental health
Psychedelics are having a moment: From Michael Pollan’s wildly successful book and now Netflix documentary, How to Change Your Mind, to substances like LSD, psilocybin, MDMA, and mescaline in mainstream news, more of us are talking about the potential power of these mind-altering drugs. Now, new research published in the journal Scientific Reports shows microdosing—the practice of regularly using small amounts of psychedelic substances that do not impair cognitive function—results in improvements in mental health and mood. To learn more about this new, large study, CLICK HERE.
3. FYI: Empathy And Sympathy Are Totally Different
You have two “power player” emotions that you’re likely very familiar with when it comes to helping someone through a tough time, feeling sad for someone who’s in pain, and being “a shoulder to cry on”: empathy and sympathy. Yet most of us think they are the same, says Dr. Erin Leonard, PhD, a psychotherapist, author, and researcher. Yet this isn’t true. Empathy and sympathy each have their own set of circumstances where one might be the best emotional reaction over the other. Want to know more about these differences and what it means for how you show up for the people you love? CLICK HERE.
4. Here Are 4 Critical Skills Every Anxious Person Needs
Who doesn’t want to feel less suffering these days? With so much to stress about, it can sometimes feel impossible not to spiral into a place of doom and gloom. This is one reason why it’s more important than ever to learn coping skills that can help you deal with your anxiety and actually eliminate unnecessary worrying. To learn more about these critical skills, CLICK HERE.
5. The Case for Dating A Friend
Romantic relationships are hard. They require a ton of effort, not to mention the time it takes to find someone you like, get to know them, and determine if the two of you are compatible. What if it could be easier? What if there were already people in your life that you knew well and got along with perfectly? One psychologist argues your friends are a great place to start when it comes to dating. To learn more about what they have to say, CLICK HERE.
Editor's Note: Every week, The Sunday Paper's team of journalists sifts through the news to make sense of what's happening in the world and provide hope for your week to come. We find what Rises Above the Noise and do our best to highlight what we think matters. If you’d like to read more in-depth, please note that while we do our best to feature articles that are not behind a paywall, some of the news pieces we recommend require their own subscriptions beyond our control.
