#Mentalhealth

Despite following every productivity guide, adopting the healthiest diet, and striving for perfection, an increasing number of Thais and people worldwide finish each day feeling like they have fallen short. This unsettling phenomenon—of ticking all the boxes yet still feeling unsuccessful—is now being dissected by new research and expert opinion, revealing that the root causes often run deeper than lack of effort or discipline. According to a recent article published by VegOut Magazine on July 21, 2025, the answer lies not in what people are doing, but in how they measure their progress and the expectations they set for themselves (VegOut Magazine).

The objects and habits that fill our homes may reveal more about our psychological wellbeing than we realise, recent research shows. An article published by YourTango on July 20, 2025, highlights 11 household items and behaviours frequently found in the homes of deeply unhappy individuals—items that most others would never choose to acquire. With the quality of our living space increasingly recognised as a key driver of mental health, psychologists and medical professionals are urging a closer look at our environments and what we keep within them.

Why do some people continue making harmful choices, even when they’re fully aware of the negative consequences? A groundbreaking international study led by researchers at UNSW Sydney has shed light on this perplexing question, uncovering distinct behavioral types that dictate how individuals respond to negative outcomes. The findings, published in Communications Psychology and summarized by MedicalXpress on July 21, 2025, suggest that for a significant group, the inability to break bad habits stems not from lack of motivation, but from a subtle failure to connect action and consequence—even after being shown exactly where they’re going wrong (MedicalXpress).

In an age where stress and emotional upheaval are everyday realities, groundbreaking research is shedding light on fast, practical ways to manage overwhelming feelings—without resorting to drastic historical remedies like bloodletting or even surgical procedures. According to the latest insights outlined by a University of Michigan psychology professor and an array of supporting studies, effective emotional management can happen in as little as nine minutes, drawing on scientifically validated strategies rather than outdated or invasive interventions (Big Think).

A recent analysis has shed new light on the profound psychological impact of viral shame and online outrage, revealing that the aftermath of public scandal can inflict deeper, more lasting trauma than the scandalous event itself. As digital outrage continues to shape public discourse worldwide, Thai society is increasingly wrestling with the health and social ramifications of cyber-shaming and its devastating consequences for individuals and families.

The report, highlighted in Psychology Today under the title “The Real Scandal Isn’t the Affair—It’s Our Reaction”, argues that the real damage often emerges not from an initial act—such as an affair—but from the crushing wave of public condemnation that follows when personal failings go viral. The authors point to a growing body of psychological research showing that the experience of internet-driven shaming can be deeply traumatic, leaving victims more vulnerable to anxiety, depression, PTSD symptoms, and social withdrawal than the transgression itself.

The rapid rise of mental health conversations on social media has brought newfound openness to a previously stigmatized subject. Yet, alongside this positive trend is a surge of misinformation that experts warn can worsen confusion, delay proper help, and even cause harm. The challenge for Thais—especially millions of digital-savvy youth navigating platforms from Facebook to TikTok—is to distinguish helpful, evidence-based advice from misleading, sometimes dangerous myths. This report explains why mental health misinformation online is an escalating problem, the risks it poses, and what can be done to stay safe and informed.

A new study has uncovered that people with an optimistic outlook actually share similar patterns of brain activity when imagining the future—a finding that may shed new light on why “positive thinking” often leads to social success and resilience. Conducted by researchers at Kobe University in Japan and published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the research used MRI scans to demonstrate that optimists tend to process future events using a shared neural framework, specifically in the medial prefrontal cortex, a region of the brain associated with future-oriented thought (The Guardian).

Toxic positivity—a workplace culture that insists “every cloud has a silver lining”—is causing more harm than good, experts warn, pushing employees toward burnout and undermining psychological safety. As businesses across Thailand strive to uplift morale after the disruptions of the pandemic, mounting evidence suggests that masking or suppressing negative emotions with relentless optimism can worsen mental health, reduce trust, and even hinder organisational growth. Recent research and commentary from international and Asian experts point to the urgency for leaders to foster honest, compassionate workplaces where the full range of human emotion is accepted.

A recent episode of Slate’s “Care and Feeding” parenting podcast highlighted a very relatable dilemma: a five-year-old only child in a rural family asked her parents for a sibling, expressing a yearning for companionship and connection. With a growing number of parents in the US, Thailand, and globally having just one child, her plea raises urgent questions about the effects of being a singleton on social development, emotional health, and family dynamics—and how parents can support their children’s social needs, especially when isolation looms large.

The number of students skipping school due to emotional distress—termed emotionally-based school avoidance (EBSA)—has soared in recent years, raising alarms among educators, healthcare professionals, and parents worldwide. Recent research from the UK highlights a five-fold increase in children missing more than half of their school days over the past decade, with experts pointing to the lingering repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic as a key factor driving this concerning trend (BBC News).

A new study reveals that nearly 75% of American teenagers have experimented with artificial intelligence (AI) tools—apps and chatbots designed to simulate conversation—for flirting, seeking advice, or chatting about life. Yet, despite AI’s growing role in adolescent lives, the majority still prefer real-life friendships and face-to-face interactions, according to research released Wednesday by Common Sense Media, a leading child-advocacy nonprofit NPR.

This revelation holds particular significance for Thai educators, parents, and policy-makers as social technology and AI-integrated apps become more embedded in youth culture worldwide. As Thai teens increasingly engage with digital platforms, understanding the social patterns, risks, and preferences illuminated by U.S. findings can help anticipate similar trends in Thailand—and shape timely response strategies.

Younger and older Thais alike often believe that personality is as fixed as one’s blood type—a destiny defined in childhood and cast for life. However, new research and expert consensus are turning this assumption upside down, revealing that it’s not only possible to intentionally reshape your personality, but also that such change can benefit mental health, social connection, and overall happiness. Recent reporting from CBS News highlights the story of one determined journalist who took on the challenge of self-reinvention, backed by a growing body of psychological science (CBS News). Leading researchers now urge anyone dissatisfied with aspects of themselves, such as anxiety, shyness, or disorganization, to reconsider: your personality is more flexible than you think.

As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly integrates into workplaces worldwide, mental health experts and researchers are sounding the alarm on the urgent need to investigate its emotional and psychological consequences. A recent call to action published in Psychology Today argues that while the technological capabilities of AI continue to dominate headlines, its less visible impact on human well-being—particularly for those whose livelihoods are increasingly intertwined with machines—deserves immediate and thorough research (Psychology Today).

A new study published in PLOS One reveals that whether we interpret someone’s tears as sincere or manipulative depends greatly on the situation—and who is shedding them. The research, involving thousands of participants across five countries, challenges the common assumption that crying is always seen as a mark of honesty. Instead, the perceived genuineness of tears hinges on nuanced contextual factors—findings that have significant implications for how Thais navigate emotional expression and social trust.

A recent cheating scandal made global headlines not simply for the act itself but for the extraordinary audacity with which it played out. At a Coldplay concert in the United States, two top corporate executives were caught sharing an intimate moment on the stadium’s giant screens, triggering a tidal wave of speculation and analysis across social media. This “kiss-cam couple” incident has renewed interest in the psychology of affairs, particularly why some individuals engage in infidelity in such public, high-risk ways. Insights from the latest psychological research indicate that cheating is rarely just about sexual desire—it reflects deeper emotional, personal, and relational complexities, highlighting issues around emotional connection, the craving for novelty, the thrill of breaking rules, and even cries for help within relationships.

In today’s fast-paced world, relationships are often tested by the pressures of daily life, misunderstandings, and the ever-evolving nature of personal growth. A new article by psychologist Mark Travers, published on Forbes on July 19, 2025, spotlights the profound influence of “micro-behaviors”—tiny, often-overlooked actions that hold the power to transform how couples connect and thrive over time. These seemingly simple habits, backed by compelling research, could represent the building blocks for happier, more enduring partnerships, with important implications for Thai families and couples striving for harmony.

A landmark meta-analysis published in July 2025 is shaking up the world of sleep science, revealing that exercise forms like tai chi, yoga, and jogging may rival, or even surpass, medication as frontline treatments for chronic insomnia. The study, which pooled data from 22 randomized clinical trials and 1,348 participants, found that these accessible and affordable activities can deliver dramatic improvements in sleep quality, efficiency, and total sleep time — sometimes matching current gold-standard therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-i)[ScienceDaily]( https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250716000856.htm).

A groundbreaking wave of research suggests that the trillions of fungi quietly inhabiting our bodies may be doing much more than previously believed, potentially influencing our brains and behavior in ways just starting to be understood. This emerging field, often called “the mycobiome,” is yielding clues that the fungi living throughout our gut, skin, and even brains could have direct links to depression, anxiety, and neurological disorders—a revelation with major implications for health and medicine in Thailand and beyond.

A new international study, published in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, has unveiled four simple and cost-free forms of exercise that can significantly improve sleep disorders, offering new hope for the millions of Thais struggling with insomnia and poor sleep quality. The research, led by a team from the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, analyzed 22 randomized controlled trials and identified that yoga, Tai Chi, walking or jogging, and strength training each play a distinct and beneficial role in enhancing different aspects of sleep—without relying on medication or expensive therapy.

A groundbreaking new study reveals that for single adults, the secret to a satisfying life lies not in the number of friends they have, but in the quality and flexibility of their friendships. The research, published in the academic journal Personal Relationships, challenges longstanding stereotypes about singlehood and shows that single people who feel satisfied with their friendships and can adapt their social connections enjoy greater emotional well-being than those who simply have large friendship circles or communicate frequently with friends.

Recent research is making waves in the mental health and urban planning communities: people who live near nature and greenspaces experience a staggering 60% reduction in mental health problems compared to those in less green environments. This new finding, reported by Earth.com, underscores the profound influence of natural surroundings on our collective psychological well-being, drawing renewed attention to the role urban design plays in public health (Earth.com).

For urban residents across the world—including those squeezed into the high-rise concrete jungle of Bangkok—these findings offer both hope and a call to action. Bangkok, where access to lush public parks can be limited, faces growing mental health challenges as societal pressures and digital lifestyles keep more Thais indoors and on screens. Understanding the protective effects of greener environments could chart a new course for the nation’s approach to city planning, public health, and the evolution of Thai urban life.

A groundbreaking new report by the World Health Organization has revealed an alarming truth: loneliness is claiming lives at a rate of roughly 100 people every hour—outpacing some of the world’s deadliest diseases and amounting to more than 871,000 deaths per year globally. Despite living in the most connected era in human history, the persistent reality of social isolation has emerged as a severe threat to physical and mental health on a global scale, an issue that resonates deeply for Thai society grappling with rapid digital change and demographic shifts.

Group family vacations, once considered logistically daunting and emotionally fraught, are enjoying a renewed wave of popularity and positive reappraisal, according to recent reports and expert commentary. This growing trend, observed both in global travel circles and among Thai families, is more than a matter of convenience or shared expenses—it’s a profound reflection of changing family dynamics, social needs, and a pursuit of deeper connections in an increasingly fragmented world.

Recent research has begun to challenge long-held assumptions about self-control and willpower, offering new hope to those struggling to stay disciplined in an age of constant distraction, stress, and instant gratification. While society often looks up to highly self-controlled individuals—the avid gym-goers, the impeccably organized home-makers, the unfailingly calm professionals—scientists are discovering that the real keys to self-control may be less about innate “grit” and more about learnable skills and environment management, according to a new report from The New York Times (nytimes.com).