#Mindfulness

Anxiety is rising worldwide, including in Thailand, and a centuries-old nerve is drawing renewed attention as a possible ally: the vagus nerve. Known as the body’s “electrical information superhighway,” the vagus nerve is now under close scientific scrutiny as researchers explore its role in mood, inflammation, and stress responses. But can vagus nerve stimulation really help anxiety, and what should Thai readers know before trying popular methods?

The vagus nerve runs from the brainstem to the heart, lungs, and digestive system. It is a central component of the parasympathetic nervous system, the “rest and digest” system that counteracts the “fight or flight” response. By influencing breathing, heart rate, gut function, and immunity, the vagus nerve links physiology to mood. In Thailand, where mental health awareness is growing, many people are curious about whether stimulating this nerve can offer tangible benefits.

In an era marked by economic volatility, global trade uncertainties, and the unrelenting pressure of leading large organizations, CEOs are reimagining their approaches to stress management—drawing from meditation, nature immersion, and even curated social media use to maintain their well-being. A recent report from Business Insider highlights how prominent executives are using a mix of traditional and modern wellness tactics to thrive under pressure, offering practical insights for leaders and professionals in Thailand who may be experiencing similar workplace stressors (Business Insider, 2025).

Gen Z is flocking to gyms worldwide, seeking more than physical strength. For young adults navigating social, economic, and digital pressures, the gym has become a space to reclaim agency and emotional balance. Experts say fitness acts as both shield and sanctuary—helping manage stress, build identity, and create stability in uncertain times.

In Thailand, urban areas like Bangkok reflect this shift. Gym memberships among university-age Thais have risen after the pandemic, driven by the desire to cope with study stress, social media fatigue, and a volatile economy. Data from local health and education authorities shows young people are prioritizing mental wellbeing alongside fitness goals.

Across the globe, Generation Z is flooding gyms at record rates, seeking more than just muscle tone or cardiovascular endurance. For young adults facing unprecedented social, economic, and digital turbulence, the gym has emerged as a crucial arena for reclaiming a sense of agency and emotional wellbeing. New research and expert observations emphasize that, for Gen Z, fitness is both a shield and a sanctuary—a way to manage stress, cultivate identity, and carve out stability in an unpredictable era Refinery29.

Jennifer Aniston has spoken candidly about her long-standing fear of flying, a phobia that affects millions worldwide. In her account, she shares not only the challenge of air travel but also the practical steps and therapies she’s used to regain calm in the skies. Her openness highlights growing conversations about mental health, celebrity influence, and contemporary anxiety treatments.

Aviophobia affects a widening slice of the population. In the United States alone, tens of millions experience some level of fear during flights, with parallels seen globally, including in Thailand. While the Thai aviation sector powers domestic tourism and international connections, conversations about mental health can still carry stigma. Aniston’s disclosure helps normalize seeking support for anxiety in travel contexts. She described moving beyond a pre-flight superstition—tapping the outside of the aircraft and stepping in with her right foot—as part of a ritual she is gradually leaving behind. She credits a recent focus on hypnosis for reducing reliance on superstition and boosting confidence in flying. Experts note hypnosis can complement evidence-based practices when paired with mindfulness and relaxation techniques.

Executives worldwide are rethinking stress management as market volatility and demands of leadership persist. A new wave of high-profile leaders is turning to yoga, nature time, and carefully curated digital use to stay grounded. Insights from recent coverage show how these practices translate into practical strategies for Thai professionals facing similar pressures.

In Thailand, traditional values around calm, community, and balance—embodied in the idea of jai yen (cool heart)—resonate with modern wellness approaches. Mindfulness and physical health are increasingly viewed not as luxury but as essential foundations for effective leadership. Data from Thai health experts and international researchers suggest mindfulness and regular movement can reduce stress hormones and improve emotional regulation, offering measurable benefits for leaders navigating complex decisions.

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 recent international study reveals that women experiencing moment-to-moment anxiety may have notably less insight into their internal bodily signals, such as breathing, compared with men. Published in the European Journal of Neuroscience and summarized by PsyPost, the findings offer fresh clues about why anxiety manifests differently across genders and could influence mental health approaches in Thailand and beyond.

In Thailand, anxiety rates are rising amid economic pressures, intense academic competition, and rapid social change. The World Health Organization notes that women are nearly twice as likely as men to develop anxiety disorders. Data from Thai health research mirrors this pattern among young people and working adults. The new study adds depth by showing that, beyond prevalence, women may struggle more with interoceptive insight—the ability to link internal sensations with emotions or mental states.

A groundbreaking international study has found women experiencing moment-to-moment anxiety may have significantly less insight into their own bodily sensations—specifically those related to breathing—than men do. The research, recently published in the European Journal of Neuroscience and highlighted by PsyPost, offers new clues into why anxiety feels and functions differently in men and women, raising important questions for mental health treatment in Thailand and beyond (PsyPost, 2025).

The significance of this finding comes as anxiety rates continue to soar in Thai society, amplified by the ongoing pressures of economic uncertainty, academic competition, and the social changes that come with a rapidly modernizing culture. According to the World Health Organization, women are already nearly twice as likely as men to develop anxiety disorders—an observation mirrored among Thai adolescents and working-age adults (WHO). Yet, this new research reveals that not only does anxiety’s prevalence differ by gender, but women may also uniquely struggle with “interoceptive insight”—the ability to connect their internal sensations, like breathing difficulty or chest tightness, with emotional or mental states.

A fresh wave of research and practical advice is emerging for those hoping to swap the comfort of phone scrolling for the energizing benefits of physical movement—a trend with urgent relevance for Thais of all ages as smartphone use, sedentary work and study, and stressful news cycles become daily realities. According to clinical psychologist Dr. Diana Hill and movement specialist Katy Bowman, co-authors of “I Know I Should Exercise But… 44 Reasons We Don’t Move and How to Get Over Them,” habitual screen use—especially when we’re stressed or tired—can subtly trap us in cycles of fleeting dopamine rewards, leaving us craving ever more screen time and less inclined to break out for a walk, a stretch, or a dance session. But their message, backed by findings in neuroscience and behavioral therapy, is hopeful: with practice and a few novel strategies, it is possible to retrain your brain to yearn for movement instead of another scroll through Facebook or TikTok (full report: KCBX/NPR).

A new wave of stressed-out spending, dubbed “doom spending,” is sweeping across generations, promising quick emotional relief but bringing longer-term pain for wallets and mental wellbeing alike. The phenomenon has sparked attention from psychologists and financial experts who warn that, despite its appeal, impulsive retail therapy in response to stress or pessimism about the future is not the stress-buster many hope it will be. With Thailand and other nations facing economic uncertainties — from global inflation to job insecurity — this trend offers a timely cautionary tale for Thai readers navigating their own financial decisions and stress management strategies.

A new wave of stressed shoppers is reshaping behavior worldwide, with many turning to impulsive buying as a quick mood boost. For Thai readers navigating economic uncertainty, doom spending poses a real risk to mental well-being and personal finances. Experts warn that while shopping can offer temporary relief, it often deepens stress when the effects fade and bills arrive.

Doom spending is described as compulsive buying in response to anxiety, hopelessness, or fear about the future. A psychologist explains that under uncertainty, people seek quick control and comfort, and spending money can become a coping mechanism. The pattern is not simply occasional splurging; it is a response to negative emotions that can spiral into longer-term financial and emotional strain. Studies and expert insights show that the emotional high from purchases is short-lived, followed by guilt and heightened worry about money.

A new wave of research and practical guidance helps people replace endless phone scrolling with the energizing benefits of physical movement. This has urgent relevance for Thais of all ages, as smartphone use, sedentary work and study, and constant news cycles shape daily life. Clinician Dr. Diana Hill and movement expert Katy Bowman argue that stressful periods can trap us in quick dopamine hits from screens. But with practice and new strategies, you can retrain your brain to crave movement instead of another scroll.

Depression isn’t only about visible tears or withdrawal. Increasing research and expert voices show many suffer quietly while appearing energetic, high-achieving, and outwardly successful. This phenomenon, often called high-functioning depression, is gaining attention worldwide, including in Thailand where resilience and productivity are deeply valued.

In Thai culture, mental health conversations unfold through idioms like kreng jai—the reluctance to burden others—and a strong emphasis on maintaining harmony at home and work. As a result, many individuals mask distress by excelling in daily roles while privately struggling. Clinically, high-functioning depression involves classic symptoms such as low mood, disrupted sleep, changes in appetite, anhedonia (loss of pleasure), guilt, and restlessness, but without obvious dysfunction that triggers immediate treatment. Instead of disengaging, many keep over-performing, layering fatigue and stress atop constant busyness.

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.

Depression isn’t always cloaked in tears, lethargy, and withdrawal. Increasing research and expert voices reveal that many silently suffer while appearing energetic, high-achieving, and outwardly successful—a phenomenon now widely called “high-functioning depression”. Recent insights from psychiatrist Dr. Judith Joseph, as highlighted in a widely-shared Mindbodygreen article, have sparked new conversations about how this overlooked mental health challenge is affecting high-achievers globally, including in Thailand, where stoicism and productivity are highly valued traits.

“Air hunger,” a symptom of anxiety often overshadowed by more widely recognized manifestations, is gaining attention for its profound impact on individuals’ mental health and daily functioning. Originating from a sense of being unable to fully breathe despite adequate oxygen availability, this condition is medically known as dyspnea but manifests starkly different when linked with anxiety disorders. This revelation is crucial as it sheds light on a facet of anxiety that many experience yet few understand by name.

In a fast-paced world, where being busy is often equated with success, a hidden mental health challenge is emerging from the shadows: high-functioning depression. Contrary to the stereotypical view of depression as debilitating, high-functioning depression involves individuals who, despite experiencing inner turmoil, continuously achieve and excel in their daily lives. This condition is now receiving attention thanks to a recent study intent on transforming our understanding of mental health care.

In today’s fast-paced world, busyness is often mistaken for success. Yet a quieter mental health challenge is gaining attention: high-functioning depression. People with this condition may appear productive and composed while internally battling distress. A recent study is prompting a shift toward proactive mental health care that supports individuals before a crisis arises.

The research, led by a psychiatrist, highlights how some individuals keep moving forward despite inner turmoil. Rather than prompting a breakdown, their suffering often goes unseen until it surfaces in a crisis. The findings call for mental health systems to offer early, preventative support rather than waiting for overt dysfunction.

Air hunger is a lesser-known anxiety symptom that can quietly disrupt daily routines. It describes the feeling of not getting enough air even when oxygen levels are normal. Medically, this condition relates to dyspnea, but its link to anxiety makes the sensation distinct and more complex. Recognizing air hunger helps people understand a frustrating, often misunderstood experience.

For readers in Thailand, the message resonates amid Bangkok’s fast pace and air quality challenges. Stress can trigger the body’s “fight or flight” response, a familiar concept for those facing exams, presentations, or high-pressure work. In modern life, this reflex can overshoot, contributing to episodes of air hunger rather than protecting us.

The bustling world of A.D.H.D. diagnosis and treatment has come under fresh scrutiny as new research questions long-held beliefs about the disorder’s nature and treatment. A detailed New York Times article by Paul Tough, “Have We Been Thinking About A.D.H.D. All Wrong?,” dives deep into the evolving understanding of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (A.D.H.D.) and how it is frequently addressed through medical treatments, challenging the current paradigm with emerging scientific insights.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is undergoing re-examination as new research questions long-held assumptions about its nature and treatment. A recent New York Times piece by Paul Tough, Have We Been Thinking About ADHD All Wrong?, probes how the disorder is identified and managed, challenging prevailing approaches with fresh scientific insights.

ADHD diagnoses rose sharply in recent decades, from about 3% of American children in the early 1990s to roughly 11% today. The surge coincates with the 1990s, when stimulant medications such as Ritalin became widely prescribed. The landmark Multimodal Treatment of ADHD (MTA) study initially supported stimulant use for symptom relief. Yet long-term follow-ups raised questions about the durability and scope of medication benefits, with researchers including psychologist James Swanson highlighting evolving concerns.