Latest news with #stressManagement
CBC
7 days ago
- Climate
- CBC
How to deal with your — and your child's — anxiety during wildfire season
Nearly 100 wildfires have been reported in Newfoundland and Labrador so far this year, marking an early and active start to the season that has already claimed 12 homes on the island and threatened a community in central Labrador. The threat of wildfires can cause significant disruption, and child psychologist Janine Hubbard says the stress and uncertainty affects everyone. Hubbard said it's important to avoid keeping children in the dark about what's happening. "Kids are smart. They pick up on the fact that adults are stressed over that," Hubbard said. Rather than treating fires like an elephant in the room, Hubbard said, parents should involve their children in the preparation for a potential emergency evacuation. Hubbard also suggests assigning children tasks, such as packing a bag or taking pictures of the home, which can be helpful for insurance purposes. "Let them take total control of a bag that they want to pack with what they think are priorities. You can pack the necessities and the practical stuff in another bag for them, but let them figure that out," she said. For children between the ages of eight and 10, Hubbard said allowing them to learn about wildfires through age-appropriate YouTube videos can be helpful. "There are some fabulous videos and information online about how forest fires work," she said. "They get their sense of control by just understanding the situation a little bit better." The main priority, she said, is reminding children that they will be safe. For adults, she suggests preparing for wildfires in a similar manner to how people prepare for a hurricane can help alleviate anxiety. "This is the time to make sure you've got all your emergency preparedness, your extra dog food, your extra water, all of those things," she said. "This appears to be something we're going to be talking about each year." Fires settling Provincial forest fire duty officer Jeff Motty said Monday that the fire threatening Churchill Falls is now under control, while a second fire, burning in nearby Faden Siding, is being contained. Happy Valley-Goose Bay lifted its municipal fire ban on Monday, while several towns on the Avalon Peninsula maintain theirs despite there being a low risk status on the province's fire hazard map. WATCH | Fred Hollett says he's seen a shift in the fire season: Firefighter of 50 years says climate change has shifted forest fires in Canada 1 day ago Duration 1:02 Fire crews continue to monitor wildfires in Labrador on Monday, while other communities across the province remain under a fire ban. One of those towns is Portugal Cove-St. Philip's, where fire Chief Fred Hollett says he's seen the season change dramatically over his five decades on the job. Motty said rain is in the forecast for Labrador — news that allows him to breathe a sigh of relief. "Three of four days this week, we are expecting rain in Labrador. So that will settle the fire risk down," Motty said. "The weather settles my brain."
Gizmodo
29-05-2025
- Health
- Gizmodo
This Temporary E-Tattoo Is Like a Mood Ring for Your Face
Ever wondered exactly how much your job is stressing you out? Scientists have developed a temporary forehead tattoo that could one day give you the answer. Scientists at the University of Texas at Austin created the facial mood ring, a tattoo made of electronic ink that wirelessly measures and analyzes electrical signals from the brain and eyes. In a small study of human volunteers, the e-tattoo appeared capable of conveying when people were mentally taxed. The unobtrusive, relatively affordable technology could be adapted to track mental strain in pilots, surgeons, and others in high-risk jobs, the researchers say. Senior researcher Nanshu Lu and her team were driven to develop their e-tattoo by a well-known conundrum; electroencephalography (EEG) can reliably measure a person's brain activity, but it's often not very practical to carry out. A typical EEG today might require someone to wear a bulky cap attached to all sorts of wires, for instance (not to mention the sticky conductive gel). This is usually straightforward in a clinical setting, but using EEGs in real-world environments is more challenging—especially when measuring mental stress during work. The team's ultrathin, flexible, and wireless e-tattoo looks to overcome this challenge. It also combines the functions of an EEG and an electrooculography (EOG), which measures electrical activity to monitor eye movement. 'Compared to existing methods like headbands or gel-based caps, our approach is far more wearable, especially in dynamic or helmet-constrained environments,' Lu, an engineer specializing in soft electronics at UT Austin, told Gizmodo. Compared to the usual EEG equipment (a new system can start at $20,000), the e-tattoo is also inexpensive, with its chips and battery pack only costing $200, and its disposable sensors about $20 each. In the new study, published Thursday in the journal Device, Lu and her team tested their e-tattoos on six volunteers. These volunteers took memory tests that gradually grew in difficulty. As the tests got harder and people performed worse, the tattoos picked up changes in their brain activity that can signal increased cognitive demand or fatigue, the researchers found. These detected brain changes also matched up well to the volunteers' self-reported changes in stress levels. The team then fed data collected from the e-tattoos into a computer model, finding that the model could estimate different levels of mental workload. That suggests these e-tattoos can be used to not only detect but predict when a person is about to become severely mentally fatigued. 'This technology could help monitor cognitive fatigue in pilots, drivers, or surgeons, where lapses can be dangerous. It could also support personalized learning, stress management, or even early warning systems in high-risk jobs,' Lu said. There are still some important limitations to the team's tech, however. The tattoos currently only work on hairless skin, for instance, though the team is hoping to combine them with wireless ink sensors that can be placed on the scalp. Lu also notes it will be hard to extend the tattoo's coverage beyond the forehead while making sure it stays comfortable. And ultimately, it will take real-world data to confirm that the technology can work as expected—a goal the researchers are already pushing toward. 'Next, we aim to validate our device in relevant and even real-world environments. We're also working on integrating on-tattoo edge computing and real-time feedback without compromising user privacy,' Lu said. Perhaps the biggest challenge though, consumer-wise, will be making sure that people don't look too dorky while wearing one of these tattoos.
CNA
24-05-2025
- Health
- CNA
Exposure to high stress at our jobs can harm us in the long run. How do we handle the pressure?
One moment, he is in Singapore and the next, he is in another country helping to transport a patient across country borders. In an aeroplane with limited resources, sick patients and worried family members thousands of metres above the ocean, stress is all too common for Dr Charles Johnson, an emergency medicine physician. While he has since adapted to the pressure and irregular hours since become a doctor more than 30 years ago, the 56-year-old told CNA TODAY that it took him over a decade to get used to the high amount of stress associated with his job. 'When the patient is critically ill, we're working under time pressure with limited resources on the plane,' he said. 'You can't go to the nearest hospital because you're in a plane in the middle of the ocean ... and there are things you can't control like bad weather and turbulence. But I just trust myself that in the moment, I do the right thing and the best I can." Although individuals such as Dr Johnson eventually find a way to function efficiently and more comfortably in such environments, health experts told CNA TODAY that constant exposure to high-stress environments can be harmful, leaving a lasting impact on mental health and decision-making capabilities. LITTLE MARGIN FOR ERROR High-pressure jobs often have tight timelines and place great pressure on people to do everything perfectly because mistakes can have dire consequences. This can be those in the financial services who deal with clients who might give them pressure to perform, to those in the medical field or law enforcement officers who face life-or-death situations often. People who work in other sectors may not face such high pressure situations on a regular basis but may be exposed to them on occasion. Ms Sandhya Aswani, a mental health counsellor from social enterprise It All Starts Hear, said several factors contribute to a high-pressure work environment. For instance, the nature of the job could be fast-paced with tight deadlines, or people are expected to deal with critical situations such as emergency response settings. 'Such environments can be physically and emotionally demanding, requiring you to make quick decisions on the go. These decisions often have high impact and lasting consequences,' she said. Beyond that, such jobs may have little margin for error and employees may have high expectations placed on them. 'All of this is magnified in environments with little support or healthy avenues for employees to cope with stress,' Ms Sandhya said. THE RISKS OF A HIGH-PRESSURE JOB Dr Annabelle Chow, principal clinical psychologist at Annabelle Psychology, said that when people are placed in high-pressure situations, their brain kicks into survival mode by activating their sympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system activates the fight-or-flight response when faced with a threat of perceived danger, by releasing adrenaline and cortisol, a stress hormone. 'Although natural stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline play useful roles in enhancing brain function and increasing blood glucose levels for immediate muscle action, these benefits are only short-term,' she said. 'Key functions such as decision making and emotional processing start to break down, making it harder to stay clear-headed.' In the long run, Dr Chow warned that chronic stress can affect the brain, especially when it comes to memory, emotional regulation and decision making. 'Over time, it also increases the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and dementia,' she added. 'Essentially, prolonged stress causes the brain to function in ways that are non-optimal, making it harder for individuals to cope with and respond to situations appropriately.' She noted that several studies have shown that chronic stress can reduce the size of the part of the human brain that makes learning and forming new memories difficult. The amygdala, a part of the brain that regulates emotions, can become overactive as well, making people more prone to anxiety or mood swings. For people holding high-pressure jobs where there can be life-or-death outcomes – such as doctors and firefighters – witnessing tragedies as a result of a mistake can also result in survivor's guilt or post-traumatic stress disorder, she added. MANAGE THE PRESSURE WITHOUT LEAVING THE JOB Ultimately, people in high-stress jobs may not be able to escape the pressure entirely without giving up on their careers. However, the experts said there are practical ways to manage the stress. Ms Vivien Tay, a senior counsellor at New Leaf, said it is essential to stay connected to the purpose that drives our work, and trust the judgments that we have learnt through years of training, education and experience. 'While it is natural to feel the weight of others' expectations, staying grounded in your professional training and experience is key to making informed and sound decisions.' She also said that having a supportive network of trusted professionals such as colleagues, mentors or supervisors can help refocus your thinking and assist when the weight of the decision feels overwhelming. 'Maintaining sound decision-making in high-pressure, life-and-death situations requires a balance of self-awareness, support and practical techniques to manage stress,' she added. 'By staying true to your professional training, embracing collaboration and recognising the uncertainty inherent in complex situations, you can navigate high-stakes situations with composure, clarity and confidence.' Dr Chow warned against habits such as skipping meals or sacrificing sleep that negatively affect mental clarity in high-pressure jobs. 'While these may seem like quick solutions, they have significant consequences for mental clarity. The brain requires adequate fuel from food to function optimally and without regular meals, cognitive performance – including concentration, memory and decision making – suffers,' she said. 'To break free from these unproductive patterns, it is essential to replace them with healthier alternatives that prioritise self-care and well-being so that we can be productive in a more sustainable manner.' She said that adopting relaxation techniques such as diaphragmatic breathing, which involves slow and deep breaths to help promote relaxation, can help reduce stress throughout he day. When possible, taking short and regular breaks throughout the workday can help prevent mental fatigue, Dr Chow added. It is also important to take care of yourself by staying hydrated and getting enough sleep each day. 'Mental clarity is influenced by a combination of physiological, emotional and cognitive factors,' she said. 'It is important to remember that change does not need to happen all at once. The key to long-lasting transformation is to start small. Choose one area where you feel most ready to improve. Perhaps it is committing to getting enough sleep or tackling tasks before they pile up.' For Dr Johnson, adopting "lifestyle medicine" has helped him stay clear-headed and reduce his stress levels so that he is able to do his best at work while in "the right mind space". Lifestyle medicine is a medical multidisciplinary specialty that looks at making healthy lifestyle interventions to prevent and reverse the root causes of health challenges such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension and more. Dr Johnson said he has turned to a diet that avoids meats and ultra-processed food. He exercises often and tries his best to get enough restful sleep. 'It is these little things that help me stay healthy and clear-headed so I can handle work ... and reminding myself that I've tried my best and given my all whenever I'm (on call).'
Health Line
06-05-2025
- Health
- Health Line
What Does Your Sympathetic Nervous System Do?
The sympathetic nervous system, which helps your heart and other vital organs function all the time, increases activity in response to danger or stress, preparing the body for extra demands. Stress is a part of everyday life, and the sympathetic nervous system, which increases activation in response to increased physical demands, may also increase activity in response to stress if we don't learn how to manage it. This system, called the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), is part of the autonomic nervous system, which operates automatically without conscious effort. The SNS plays a key role in what is known as the ' fight-or-flight ' response, preparing your body to respond to temporary increases in physical demands, which can happen during times of danger, or during physically demanding, but non stressful situations, like playing competitive sports. Primary functions of the SNS The sympathetic nervous system activity is always functioning in balance with the parasympathetic nervous system, and has effects on organs throughout your body that can potentially help you with physically demanding actions. These changes can happen in an instant and include: Increased respiration rate: Your breathing quickens to bring in more oxygen. This oxygen is directed to your muscles to give you the strength and energy needed to respond. Elevated blood pressure: Some blood vessels in the body constrict, and some blood vessel in the body dilate. The heart also beats faster, which helps move blood more efficiently to vital organs like the heart and brain. Constricted blood vessels in non-essential areas: Blood flow is reduced to systems that are not immediately needed, such as the digestive system, and redirected to the muscles and brain. Water retention: Your body retains water to help maintain blood volume, which is essential for sustaining circulation. Ultimately, the primary function of the sympathetic nervous system is to help the body maintain balance and stay alert by continuously regulating heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, oxygen flow, vision, and attention. During periods of stress or challenge, it temporarily increases activity to enhance strength, focus, and energy by boosting oxygen delivery and circulation. Why the fight-or-flight response exists The fight-or-flight response is your body's way of putting survival first. Imagine you're hiking and suddenly see a snake. Even before you have time to think, your heart rate jumps, your muscles tense, and your senses sharpen. That is your sympathetic nervous system at work. It bypasses conscious thought to trigger immediate physical reactions that can help keep you safe. This reaction has deep evolutionary roots. Our ancestors relied on it to survive threats in their environment, such as predators or natural dangers. While most modern stressors aren't life-threatening, our bodies can still respond as if they are. A traffic jam, a job interview, or even a loud noise can trigger the overactivation of the sympathetic nervous system, leading to symptoms like jitters, trouble focusing, or feeling frozen. In these situations, the fight-or-flight response may actually get in the way, which is why learning to manage our stress response is so important. How the body response to triggers The sympathetic nervous system can be triggered by many types of stress, both real and perceived. These triggers vary from person to person but often include loud sounds, conflict, pressure at work, or even scrolling through upsetting news. When the system is activated, you might notice: Increased heart rate: Your heart pumps faster to send blood to the muscles and brain. Dilated pupils: Your eyes open wider to allow more light in, improving vision. Heightened alertness: You feel more aware and focused, sometimes almost jittery. Changes in digestion: Blood is pulled away from your stomach and intestines, which can lead to a 'butterflies in the stomach' feeling or even nausea. Energy release: Your liver releases stored glucose, giving your body quick fuel to act. Some people may feel the effects of sympathetic nervous system activation more intensely, while others may simply be more aware of them. For example, someone with anxiety might both experience stronger physical symptoms and be more attuned to those changes, even in response to minor stressors. This kind of awareness can be helpful, as it's the first step toward understanding and managing the body's stress responses more effectively. Balance with the parasympathetic system The sympathetic nervous system speeds things up, abd its counterpart, the parasympathetic nervous system, slows things down. This is the 'rest and digest' system. After the threat passes, it helps your body return to a calm state. Heart rate slows, digestion resumes, and your breathing returns to normal. The balance between these two systems is essential for good health. If your sympathetic system is activated too often or for too long, it can become dysregulated, making it harder for your body to return to a calm state. This overactivation can lead to symptoms like chronic anxiety, fatigue, irritability, and even physical issues such as digestive problems or high blood pressure. That is why learning to engage the parasympathetic system is so important. How to manage your response Understanding how your sympathetic nervous system works can help you manage stress more effectively. Here are a few strategies: Deep breathing: Slow, deep breaths help stimulate the parasympathetic system and reduce the impact of the fight-or-flight response. Exercise: Physical activity helps your body redirect the effects of stress hormones and can regulate both systems. Mindfulness and meditation: These practices calm the mind and body, encouraging a return to balance.
