#ThaiCulture

A growing movement is reshaping the field of psychology as experts call for the integration of spirituality into mainstream psychological science and practice, according to a recent report in Psychology Today. The article highlights that psychological research and therapeutic approaches have long neglected spiritual dimensions, but a new wave of studies and practitioner perspectives are advocating for a more holistic approach that acknowledges the spiritual lives of individuals.

In Thailand, a nation where Buddhism deeply influences culture, family, and even national holidays, this potential shift is especially significant. Many Thais engage in regular religious ceremonies, meditation, and practices such as merit-making to address life’s stresses. Yet, mainstream Thai psychological services, often modeled on Western paradigms, typically focus on cognitive, behavioral, and medical interventions, reserved about directly engaging with spiritual matters beyond cultural context.

Recent psychology hints that warmth, honesty, and compassion are not always the deciding factors in how people judge leaders. Emotional appeal can be just as persuasive, or even more so, than factual accuracy or moral consistency. For Thai readers, this has practical implications as public figures rely on energy and storytelling to sustain support.

Trust and empathy were long considered core leadership traits. Yet contemporary research indicates that affective impact often sways opinions, shaping everything from workplace dynamics to voter choices. In Thai contexts, charismatic speakers—whether in politics, media, or community groups—can build loyal followings even when their statements lack rigor. This pattern mirrors a global trend toward prioritizing personal style and emotional resonance over clear facts.

As summer holidays begin and schools wind down, research increasingly links regular exercise with better mental well-being for teenagers. A nationwide survey in the United States found that 90% of teens say exercise makes them feel happy, yet many admit their activity drops during long breaks. For Thai families, rising concerns about youth mental health echo global trends, prompting questions about sustaining motivation for healthy movement year-round.

This topic matters in Thailand, where shifts in lifestyle and screen time influence teen habits. Data from Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health and UNICEF Thailand show rising sedentary behavior, while recent local studies indicate that regular physical activity boosts well-being into adulthood. With school-based sports paused during holidays, families and educators face the challenge of keeping teens engaged in movement.

A new study finds that mindfulness does not universally increase generosity. The positive effects appear strongest among individuals who prioritize group goals and social connection. The findings challenge the idea that mindfulness automatically leads to more kindness for everyone.

Mindfulness has become common in Thai schools, workplaces, and temples. In Thailand, it aligns with Buddhist traditions that view meditation as a path to personal peace and social harmony. The latest research suggests that the generosity benefits of mindfulness may depend on underlying personality and social orientation rather than being universal.

A new study has revealed that mindfulness – a practice often praised for its personal and societal benefits – does not universally increase generosity, but instead, its positive effects are most pronounced among individuals who are more group-oriented. This finding, recently published and reported by PsyPost, challenges the widespread assumption that mindfulness always leads to greater kindness and altruism.

Mindfulness, widely promoted in Thai schools, workplaces, and temples, has rapidly gained popularity in recent years, with advocates claiming it can make people calmer, healthier, and more compassionate. In Thailand, this practice aligns closely with Buddhist traditions, where mindfulness meditation is viewed not only as a path to personal enlightenment but also as a means to support social harmony. However, the latest study suggests that the prosocial effects of mindfulness, such as generosity, may depend more on the underlying personality traits or social orientations of individuals than previously thought.

A shift is underway in psychology as experts push for spirituality to be part of mainstream science and practice. A recent feature notes that traditional research and therapy have often sidelined spiritual dimensions, while a new wave of studies and practitioner voices advocates for a more holistic approach that acknowledges people’s spiritual lives.

In Thailand, where Buddhism shapes daily life, culture, and national celebrations, this shift could be particularly meaningful. Many Thais participate in regular religious activities, meditation, and merit-making to cope with stress. Yet, Thai mental health services commonly follow Western models that emphasize cognitive, behavioral, and medical interventions, with limited direct engagement with spiritual matters beyond cultural context.

A new study in Scientific Reports suggests that protein bars may not deliver the nutrition they promise, a finding that resonates with health-conscious readers across Thailand. The research highlights that “high protein” labeling does not always translate into effective protein absorption, especially for those who rely on bars for quick post-workout recovery or busy workdays.

Protein bars line shelves from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, marketed as a convenient way to boost protein intake. The global market for these snacks surpassed the $14 billion mark in 2023, a surge driven by fitness culture and changing work patterns. In Thailand, office life in districts like Sathorn and university campuses alike have popularized grabbing a bar between meetings or classes as a standard habit.

A new study published in Scientific Reports has cast doubt on the reputed health benefits of protein bars, products that are rapidly gaining popularity among health-conscious Thais and urban professionals worldwide. Despite their status as convenient snacks for those with busy lifestyles—or for gym-goers seeking quick post-workout protein—recent research shows that not all protein bars deliver the nutritional punch they advertise, and Thai consumers may want to take a closer look at what’s really inside these trendy bars.

Affect overrules virtue—recent psychological research is challenging the long-standing belief that honesty, warmth, and compassion are universally valued traits in leaders and individuals, showing that emotional appeal can be equally, if not more, persuasive. This finding holds sobering lessons for Thai society and global democracies, as new evidence reveals why these virtues sometimes take a back seat to style, energy, and emotional resonance.

For years, trustworthiness and empathy were seen as essential personal qualities, especially in politics and public life. According to recent scholarly work such as that cited by Psychology Today, qualities like honesty and caring once formed the bedrock of how leaders were judged and supported, shaping everything from workplace relationships to voter decisions (psychologytoday.com). However, as new evidence and expert commentary suggest, affective—or emotional—impact now increasingly sways opinions, sometimes eclipsing the importance of fact-checking and moral consistency.

New research highlights that when you exercise and how regularly you do it may matter as much as how much you move. A study published in Medicine & Science in Sports and Exercise shows that earlier-in-the-day activity and steady routines can improve heart and lung fitness in older adults. Data from researchers who tracked 800-plus seniors, mostly around 76 years old, indicate that timing and consistency are linked to better cardiorespiratory fitness and walking efficiency. In practical terms, moving earlier and keeping a regular schedule could help Thais age with stronger hearts and lungs.

Staying active is widely acknowledged as a cornerstone of healthy aging, but new research is shedding light on how the timing and regularity of exercise could give an extra boost to heart and lung fitness—vital for extending quality of life among Thailand’s growing population of older adults. A study recently published in Medicine & Science in Sports and Exercise reveals that not only does the amount of physical activity matter, but exercising earlier in the day and sticking to a routine schedule may provide significant cardiovascular and pulmonary health benefits as people age (Medical News Today).

A growing body of research is shining a spotlight on an often overlooked crisis in marriage: emotional disengagement by wives, in a phenomenon some psychologists and therapists label as “Walkaway Wife Syndrome”—a term that has gained traction in the global discourse, including among Thai mental health professionals. The concept, detailed in a recent YourTango article and supported by psychological literature, emphasises the subtle—and often invisible—signs that a wife may have emotionally exited the relationship long before any physical separation occurs. This development is of profound importance in Thailand, where cultural expectations of marital harmony sometimes obscure underlying issues, leaving families and communities unprepared for abrupt dissolutions.

A growing body of research illuminates a quiet crisis in marriage: emotional disengagement by wives, a phenomenon some professionals call “Walkaway Wife Syndrome.” This concept has gained traction in global discussions and resonates with Thai mental health practitioners. It describes subtle, invisible signs that a wife may emotionally exit the relationship long before any physical separation occurs. In Thailand, where cultural expectations of marital harmony run deep, this insight helps families and communities address issues before they escalate.

The debate over whether a child is a “living room kid” or a “bedroom kid” is stirring interest among parents, psychologists, and educators across the globe, with implications resonating right here in Thailand. As new parenting trends sweep through social media, the question of where children prefer to spend their time at home is emerging as a unique lens into family dynamics, parenting styles, and even children’s mental health.

This topic’s rise in prominence reveals more than just quirks—it speaks to the core of childhood safety, comfort, and the way Thai families can nurture their home environments. According to a recent feature in the New York Post, the choice between shared family spaces and private bedrooms is far from trivial. Experts argue that a child’s preferred environment reveals important clues about their personality, developmental stage, and underlying feelings of security within the family.

A recent global debate on where children prefer to spend time—shared living spaces vs. private bedrooms—offers new insight into family dynamics, parenting styles, and child well-being. In Thailand, this discussion resonates as urban living, multi-generational households, and compact homes shape daily life for many families.

Leading research suggests that a child’s preferred space can reflect safety, comfort, and emotional needs. Living room kids gravitate toward communal areas like the living room, kitchen, and dining room. They tend to be expressive, playful, and closely connected to family activities. Experts describe these children as finding “the sound of safety, comfort, and connection” in the bustle of home life.

Short, snack-sized exercise can deliver meaningful health boosts. New research confirms that just 10 minutes of movement, with no equipment, can improve fitness and cognitive function. Known as exercise snacks or active breaks, these quick sessions fit into busy schedules and help counteract sedentary lifestyles.

In Thailand, where long workdays, commutes, and family duties stretch daily time, brief activity breaks offer a practical path to healthier living. Urban work cultures and crowded commutes make it hard to fit traditional workouts, but movement during the day can reduce health risks associated with inactivity. Thailand’s National Plan to Promote Physical Activity, aligned with World Health Organization targets, supports integrating movement opportunities across life stages—from schools to workplaces and neighborhoods.

In a world where busy schedules make lengthy gym sessions feel impossible, a wave of new research is changing the way we think about fitness. If you only have 10 minutes, that’s now more than enough to spark major health and cognitive benefits—no fancy equipment or gym required. Called “exercise snacks” or “active breaks,” these brief sessions are getting endorsements from trainers and scientists alike as powerful tools for fighting sedentary lifestyles and improving wellbeing, including for Thai readers juggling family, work and community obligations.

A groundbreaking study from Brazil has highlighted a simple, overlooked aspect of daily movement—muscle power—as a crucial predictor for longevity and quality of life. This revelation, published following two decades of data collection in Rio de Janeiro and reported recently by The Guardian, suggests that the speed with which we move—how quickly we can apply our strength—matters just as much, if not more, than traditional measures of muscle strength when it comes to staying healthy and living longer (theguardian.com).

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.

For Thailand’s aging population, staying mobile and self-reliant is both a dream and a challenge. New expertise from researchers in Europe, echoed by Thai scholars, suggests two simple daily practices can significantly improve health and independence: regular mobility training and a Mediterranean-inspired eating pattern. These insights are resonating from Bangkok to Bangkok’s aging communities, with implications for Thailand’s rapidly graying society.

Thailand already faces a growing share of citizens aged 60 and over, a trend that highlights the urgency of extending healthspan—the years lived in good health. Community classes, local healthcare programs, and elder-support networks are increasingly focused on helping seniors stay active, avoid falls, and manage daily tasks without assistance. Research from sport and nutrition experts underscores that consistent movement and balanced nutrition are central to these goals.

For many Thais entering their later years, the prospect of living long and independently is both a hope and a challenge. Recent research affirms that two simple but powerful daily habits—performing regular mobility exercises and embracing a Mediterranean-style diet—may hold the key to staying healthy, active, and self-sufficient as we age. These recommendations, highlighted by experts at the University of Limerick, are gaining global and local traction, with direct implications for Thailand’s rapidly aging society (Fit&Well, 2025-05-27).

Parents and carers of children with autism face daily challenges that stretch far beyond what most families experience, according to recent international research and expert commentary. With stress levels often higher than those seen in parents of children with other disabilities, families are struggling to cope amid emotional, physical, and logistical demands—frequently without the support systems they desperately need (The Conversation, Medical Xpress). For Thailand, where the public conversation around autism is still evolving, the findings call for urgent reflection on how caregivers are being served and supported.

New research and expert guidance highlight self-compassion—the practice of treating ourselves with kindness—as a powerful tool for mental resilience. A recent discussion in mainstream coverage underscores that being gentle with oneself helps people cope with stress, recover from setbacks, and sustain well-being, even in difficult times.

Thai social norms prize warmth and care, often expressed as nam jai, or caring for others. Yet inward kindness has not always received the same attention. Leading researchers in the field emphasize that self-compassion is not self-indulgence. It is a core skill that buffers stress and supports thriving when facing adversity such as job loss, financial strain, or social isolation. The idea is to speak to ourselves with warmth rather than harsh judgment—acknowledging mistakes without labeling ourselves as a failure.

Caregivers of children with autism face daily burdens that go beyond typical parenting challenges. Global research indicates that parental stress tends to be higher for families dealing with autism than for those raising children with other disabilities. In Thailand, where autism awareness is still developing, these findings underscore the need for systemic support that reaches families in all communities, not just urban centers.

Autism spectrum disorder is a complex condition affecting social interaction, communication, and perception. Each child’s journey is unique, but common themes persist: difficulties with transitions, repetitive behaviors, and limited social communication require constant vigilance from parents. Experts and parents alike note that moments of joy can be balanced by days of exhaustion, sometimes within a single day, highlighting the emotional rollercoaster many families ride.