If you have been trying to get over your fear of crowds or public spaces through exposure to them, try wading in early in the morning because that is when the level of cortisol, the stress hormone which helps the mind develop new reactions to fear triggers, is highest.
To test this idea, researchers recruited 24 people with fear of crowds or public spaces. The participants met with therapists for 'exposure therapy' once a week for three weeks, in sessions staggered by time. In each session, they spent at least half an hour in a new setting -- public transportation, crowded supermarket or movie theatre -- and remained there until it began to feel less threatening. Before and after each meeting, the researchers gave patients surveys to assess their symptoms, and also took saliva samples to measure cortisol levels.
Sure enough, the morning sessions were the ones where patients made the biggest gains. When they met with their therapists in the morning, patients reported feeling less panic and more control over their anxiety at the following meeting, compared with when they had their therapy in the afternoon. It seems a simple scheduling tweak could make mental health treatment more effective.
TweetIf you thought that only less hours of sleep would affect your health, then you ar...
Having more friends and strong social connections may slow brain ageing, preserve ...
Detoxification of the skin is essential during monsoon as it prevents allergies, p...
Silver is the new gold now. Everyone wants a piece of silver to stay trendy these ...
So what do you do to take care of your hair? Is it the usual shampoo and condition...
Do you like canned foods such as corn, tuna, asparagus or chicken? If yes, then th...
Are you spending a lot of time on Facebook and want to wean yourself off from the ...
Water is an essential part of our lives and it is one of the basic elements requir...
Rose water is a part of several ingredients and do-it-yourself beauty regimes. Bes...
Music has become an integral part of workouts around the world. No one can be seen...
Holi is one of the most popular festivals of Hindu religion, and is celebrated wit...
Picking perfumes can be hard. Be specific beforehand to save time while choosing f...