#Mentalwellness

In a striking revelation that sheds light on the complexity of marital intimacy, new survey results indicate that over 55% of married individuals confess to fantasizing about past lovers. The findings have prompted sex and relationships experts to sound a note of caution, suggesting such fantasies may signal underlying issues within current partnerships if left unchecked. While occasional reminiscing about former flames is more common than many would admit, recent expert advice highlights both the psychological roots and potential risks of allowing such daydreams to dominate the private lives of couples.

A new survey reveals that more than half of married individuals in Thailand report fantasizing about former partners during intimate moments. Relationship experts say these private thoughts are common, but how couples address them can influence trust, communication, and intimacy.

For Thai readers, the findings invite reflection on how private fantasies intersect with loyalty and discreet social norms. The path forward lies in open dialogue, healthy boundaries, and a nuanced understanding of desire within modern marriages.

A sweeping new study of over 3,500 university students has cast procrastination in a new, more troubling light: chronic delays are not just a time management problem, but a significant risk factor for mental and physical health issues. The research, coordinated by a team at Sophiahemmet University in Sweden and published this week in a major medical journal, revealed that habitual procrastinators were more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, stress, sleep disturbances, upper body pain, and even financial difficulties, compared to their more punctual peers. These findings underscore the complex ways that psychological habits can reverberate through every aspect of health, echoing concerns that apply as much to Thai society as anywhere else in the world.

A large international study of more than 3,500 university students shows a clear link between chronic procrastination and a range of mental and physical health issues. Although conducted in Sweden, the findings resonate with Thai readers as mental health concerns rise among students and workers.

In Thailand, procrastination is a familiar pattern for many learners and employees. The new research underscores that when delay becomes habitual, it can affect mood, sleep, posture, finances, and daily functioning. Thai health authorities advise that chronic procrastination is not laziness but a behavioural pattern tied to emotional and cognitive processes.

A growing body of research and media coverage is challenging the long-held silence around men’s emotional struggles in romantic relationships, revealing that the pain of heartbreak, ghosting, and emotional strain has a far deeper impact on men’s mental health than previously acknowledged. This timely conversation, highlighted in a recent feature from KHOU 11+ (“I’m not OK: Why love hurts more than we admit” KHOU), offers Thai readers urgent insights into the hidden battles men face in love—and why understanding these challenges is crucial to advancing mental wellness for everyone.

A wave of research and thoughtful coverage is lifting the veil on men’s emotional struggles in love. The pain of heartbreak, ghosting, and relationship stress can affect men’s mental health far more than many realize. This conversation is timely for Thai readers as well, highlighting why supporting men’s emotional well-being matters for families, workplaces, and communities.

In many cultures, including Thailand, men are often expected to stay stoic and self-reliant. Such “toughness” ideas can make heartbreak feel taboo. When men suppress sadness or anxiety, the consequences may surface as physical symptoms, risky behaviors, or strained relationships. Experts say openness about emotions is essential to preventing longer-term harm.

A new wave of neuroscience research is overturning long-held notions about the amount of physical activity needed for meaningful brain benefits. According to renowned neuroscientist and expert in brain plasticity, even just ten minutes of walking can prompt remarkable improvements in mood and cognition, effectively giving the brain a neurochemical “bubble bath” that rejuvenates mental health and function. This discovery is especially significant for busy Thais who struggle to dedicate time for lengthy exercise routines, suggesting that modest, regular physical movement could have a disproportionately positive impact on mental well-being.

A wave of neuroscience is changing how we think about exercise and brain health. Researchers now suggest that just ten minutes of walking can lift mood and sharpen thinking, providing the brain with a quick, powerful neurochemical boost. This is especially relevant for busy Thai individuals who struggle to fit long workouts into daily life. Small, regular movement can yield meaningful improvements in mental well-being.

Traditionally, health guidelines have emphasized longer aerobic sessions—about 30 minutes or more. While longer exercise remains beneficial, recent findings show that brief daily activity can trigger lasting changes in brain chemistry and structure. When you move, your brain floods with mood-enhancing chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline, and endorphins, producing a positive mood and greater mental clarity.

New research is turning kitchens into potential health hubs. Scientists increasingly highlight rosemary’s brain-protective, mood-supporting, and sleep-enhancing properties. A common herb found in many Thai and global dishes, rosemary—especially its carnosic acid component—has shown promise in fighting cognitive decline and reducing anxiety, while improving sleep quality. This emerging evidence invites Thailand’s aging and stress-prone society to consider dietary options as part of a holistic approach to wellness.

Thailand faces rising dementia and mental health challenges, mirroring global trends. Nutrition experts and neurologists emphasize diet as a modifiable risk factor. In Thai culture, the idea of “food as medicine” runs deep, with herbs such as holy basil and lemongrass playing important roles. Rosemary is increasingly available in urban markets and culinary communities, offering an accessible addition to Thai kitchens while aligning with contemporary wellness trends.

New research is turning kitchens into potential laboratories for health, as scientists increasingly highlight the brain-protective, mood-supporting, and sleep-enhancing benefits of rosemary—a common herb found in many Thai and global dishes. Recent international studies reveal that rosemary compounds, particularly carnosic acid, not only show promise in fighting Alzheimer’s disease but may also reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality, suggesting this fragrant staple could play a supporting role in Thailand’s aging and stress-prone society (HuffPost UK; The Conversation).

Learning to treat ourselves with the same kindness we offer friends is emerging as a powerful tool for mental resilience, according to new research and expert opinion outlined in a recent New York Times article, “How to Stop Being So Hard on Yourself” (nytimes.com). As studies build on the psychological benefits of self-compassion, mental health professionals worldwide—and increasingly in Thailand—are beginning to view this practice as fundamentally important to personal well-being.

Amid years of mounting stress and burnout in the legal profession, new data from the 2025 ALM Mental Health Survey offers a cautiously optimistic outlook: mental health among lawyers is measurably improving for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic, even as serious workplace pressures persist and, in some cases, intensify. This shifting landscape holds valuable lessons for Thai legal professionals and underscores the universal challenge of workplace mental health in a high-pressure field.

Recent research is shining a new light on the science of happiness, pointing to a surprisingly simple factor: the precise hour you wake up. According to newly reviewed studies in chronobiology, the timing of your morning alarm may play a pivotal role in shaping not only your mood but also your long-term health and well-being. This trend is catching attention not only in academic circles but also among everyday people seeking practical ways to improve their lives—including right here in Thailand.

A growing body of chronobiology research suggests a surprisingly simple boost to well-being: the hour you wake up. New reviews indicate that aligning your morning alarm with natural light can improve sleep quality, mood, and long-term health. This idea resonates in Thailand, where traditional wisdom about early rising meets modern science.

In Thailand, the value of rising early has deep roots. The saying “early to bed and early to rise” has guided generations, and today scientists are validating its benefits. Evidence shows that waking close to sunrise supports hormonal balance, mood stability, and resilience. Cultural practices across the world—such as sunrise-aligned routines in Japan—illustrate how light-responsive wake times can foster calm and purpose during the day.

Employee burnout is no longer just a personal issue; it poses real risks to productivity and the economy. Recent analyses show companies lose billions yearly to lost output, absenteeism, and higher turnover. Thai leaders must act now to curb burnout and safeguard competitiveness, drawing on global findings and local context.

In Thailand, burnout hits hard in manufacturing, services, and tourism—sectors that often run at high tempo. A 2023 Thai labor survey found that about 64% of workers reported occasional or constant burnout. Global research echoes this, linking burnout to reduced engagement and higher costs from absenteeism and turnover. Data from these sources underline the financial and human toll on Thai workplaces.

Employee burnout, a phenomenon once considered a personal struggle, is now recognized as a crisis that threatens business productivity and the broader economy, with recent studies estimating that companies are losing millions each year due to lost productivity, increased absenteeism, and higher turnover. The urgency for leaders to act has never been higher as organizations in Thailand and around the world face growing pressure to address this silent epidemic and implement effective solutions (Forbes).

A groundbreaking new study reveals that simply combining two everyday activities—using a step counter and practicing mindfulness—could be the key to making exercise a more attractive, sustainable part of daily life. Published in April 2025 in the journal Mental Health and Physical Activity, researchers from the University of Bath found that integrating step tracking with mindfulness training delivered via a mobile application significantly improved participants’ desire to stay active compared to step counting alone. This research is particularly timely for Thai readers, as our society faces similar challenges with sedentary lifestyles and rising chronic health risks associated with inactivity.

A recent study suggests that pairing a simple step-tracking habit with brief mindfulness practice can make regular exercise more appealing and sustainable. Published in April 2025 in Mental Health and Physical Activity, researchers from the University of Bath found that combining step counting with app-guided mindfulness increased participants’ desire to stay active more than step counting alone. This finding resonates with Thailand, where sedentary lifestyles and rising health risks pose serious public health challenges.

A comforting cup of tea, already deeply woven into Thai daily life, now has powerful new scientific backing to its long-held reputation for promoting relaxation and tranquillity. Fresh research, highlighted in international news and peer-reviewed studies, confirms that drinking common teas—especially green and black varieties—can calm the brain and foster relaxation, offering both biochemical and psychological benefits for people under daily stress. The findings are especially meaningful for Thais, for whom ชา (cha/tea) is much more than a beverage: it’s a cultural anchor, a social lubricant, and a source of health and wellness.

A warm cup of tea, a staple in daily Thai life, now has reinforced scientific support for its soothing effects on the brain. New reviews and human trials show that common teas—especially green and black varieties—can help calm the brain and reduce stress, offering both biochemical and psychological benefits. For Thai readers, ча (cha/tea) is more than a drink: it’s a social ritual, a sign of hospitality, and a contributor to well-being.