First Psychology blog

It’s not unusual for many of us to experience disrupted sleep, with one in three of us suffering from sleep deprivation. There are several factors that can impact our sleep, these include: Stress  Anxiety Excessive noise Bedroom temperature Caffeine or alcohol Shift patterns Mental health issues Certain medicines A continuous lack of sleep has many implications on our wellbeing and can cause us to feel bad-tempered, agitated, impatient and lacking focus. But there are also more serious side effects that can take a toll on our mental and physical health, which can result in diabetes, heart disease and traffic accidents. By creating a bedtime routine and making small lifestyle changes, it becomes easier to unwind, relax and sleep better. Why we need bedtime routines Adopting a bedtime routine where you get into calming habits such as reading, taking a bath or meditating 30-60 minutes before you go to sleep can really assist your body and mind into knowing when it’s time to go to slee...

Owing to their healing properties, herbs and spices have been used for centuries as holistic remedies for physical health. But it’s only been in more modern times that studies have shown their benefits on mental health. As well as being used to season food and treat aches and pains, they are now more commonly used to improve cognitive ability and reduce the effects of stress and anxiety. Benefits of herbs and spices Many herbs and spices contain antioxidants and other powerful properties, and they have a wide range of health benefits such as: Helping to promote weight loss Controlling blood sugar levels Boosting the immune system Improving heart health Reducing blood pressure Reducing inflammation Helping to prevent Alzheimer’s disease Easing stress and anxiety Aiding insomnia Herbs and spices and their healing properties Turmeric One of the most popular spices used for its health benefits is turmeric. A study published by Science Direct showed that this spice is most effective as an...

Friendships play an integral role in our lives, not only for sharing the good times but also for the times when we need a shoulder to cry on. However, there are situations where we might not want to admit, even to our closest friend, that we are struggling with our mental health. So, although on the outside our closest companion may appear to be happy and confident, behind close doors they might be suffering in silence. Most of us will experience stress at some point in our lives but how we deal with it can impact both our physical and mental wellbeing. Confiding in a close friend can really help us in our times of need, but what can we do to help those who are suffering alone? Stress can affect us in many ways, from our physical appearance to our actions, but sometimes it’s hard to recognise especially when people hide their emotions. How to recognise when your friend is stressed If you notice any of the following, it could be that your friend is suffering from stress: They are short ...