Latest findings show an alarming increase in people, suffering from depression. Scientists estimate 350MM cases of depression by today. According to the World Health Organisation, mood disorders are predicted to rise to the second most frequent disease worldwide by 2020 and give strong reason for many scientific teams to work on solutions. First results are promising.
It’s about your Set and State of Mind
Scientists conducted a research at the University of North Florida, where 2.000 participants had to undergo a variety of assessments of their state of mind – brain fitness, working memory tests – their mindset and future expectations.
The study showed three learnings:
1. Age partly explains our optimistic mindset: Younger participants showed higher pessimism values. An underlying explanation is, that with higher age we can overcome our fears better and expect less adversity in future.
2. Choice of expectations and mindset: Almost 85% of participants with mood disorders had negative expectations towards their future. „If it can go wrong, it will go wrong“ and „ I do not expect it to happen, as I’d like it to” formed their default point of view.
3. Working memory performance: The scientists suggest, that people with a stronger Working Memory are more capable to allocate their attention to optimistic outcomes and do not let negativity congest their thoughts. Which explains their higher personal well-being scores.
Improve your State of Mind by Working Memory Training
Formed by our ancient instincts and our “flight or fight” behavior we tend to overrate “danger” and expect more negative outcomes. Our ability to withstand this patterns and control our fears gives us freedom of choice and support our pursuit of happiness.
Do you first step to get control of your negative thoughts and start your working memory training. The NeuroNation Working Memory Course “MemoWork” was created with the University of Berlin and awarded by the Ministry of Health.
Start your 15 minutes per day training towards a happier life.
Sources:
[1] “Does Working Memory Mediate the Link Between Dispositional Optimism and Depressive Symptoms?” by Tracy Packiam Alloway and John C. Horton in Applied Cognitive Psychology. [2] University of North Florida “Working Memory May Play Tole in Coping With Negaitve Events.” NeuroscienceNews.
