Welcome to The Local Optimist Digest, your crib sheet for the latest news in mental health. Whether you want to know how the government is (or is not) investing in our well-being, discover the latest research on how the mind impacts the body, or find out which celebrities are helping continue the conversation by opening up about their own mental health struggles, we’ll be covering it all here every week. This week, we’re looking at how to cultivate freudenfreude, the dangerous revival of “heroin chic” bodies in the media, and why weighted blankets might help you sleep better.

Frudenfreude: What It Is and How to Cultivate It

You might be familiar with the term ‘schadenfreude’ (pronounced ‘shaa·duhn·froy·duh’), which is the pleasure we feel when witnessing someone’s misfortune. But what we don’t hear about as much is schandenfreude’s counterpart –freudenfreude (froy·duhn·froy·duh). Inspired by the German word for “joy,” frudenfreude describes the pleasure we feel in another person’s good fortune, even if it doesn’t directly involve us. While there are many benefits of freudenfreude, it doesn’t always come easily, but psychologists have recommendations for ways we can cultivate freudenfreude to strengthen our relationships. READ.

How Old You Feel Can Reveal a Lot About Your Health, Scientists Say 

Psychological age can differ from chronological age, which raises the question: are you only as old as you feel? One study found physiological differences in the brains of people who shared they felt older than their real ages and those who said they felt younger. Some psychologists and gerontologists say there might be ways for us to improve our health by making ourselves feel younger—or at least taking a positive attitude toward aging. READ.

The Dangerous Revival of “Heroin Chic” Bodies in the Media

Content warning: Discussion of diet culture, weight loss, and disordered eating.

While fashion trends inevitably evolve, expecting bodies to change with them will only continue to increase disordered eating and body dissatisfaction. It’s no secret that 90s and early 2000s fashion have made quite the comeback. Think Uggs, bucket hats, Juicy Couture tracksuits, and, dare we say… low-rise jeans. But the resurgence of another Y2K trend –'heroin chic' bodies– is a dangerous notion. First coined in the 1990s, the term 'heroin chic' is characterized by thin bodies, pale skin, dark circles underneath the eyes, and emaciated features. Promoting an often unrealistic physique and the idea of body types as a trend can be harmful to people who have or are recovering from eating disorders and other appearance-centric mental health conditions. READ.

3 Things to Do When You’re About to Go Into an Anger Spiral

1. Get out of your hot head. Interrupt your automatic (and often unproductive) reaction to anger before it completely takes over and drives your behavior. Brief meditations or breathing exercises are one way to do that, but if you’re in no mood for that advice, try moving around.

2. Identify the root(s) of your rage. Anger is often protecting us from feelings that are difficult to face, so try asking yourself why you’re really upset. Identifying those feelings with some gentle (and honest) self-interrogation can be an important step in calming down before you lose control.

3. Get some perspective. Being emotionally vulnerable can be scary, but it also provides an opportunity to release pent-up feelings, receive validation, and get closer to others. Getting vulnerable (versus simply venting) is more likely to make you feel seen, heard, and connected—all of which can extinguish your rage fire.

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Weighted Blankets Might Help Your Sleep

Weighted blankets have gained popularity in recent years thanks to their association with decreased anxiety and increased relaxation. Now, a recent study suggests that weighted blankets can help some people sleep better. The study found that, on average, participants who slept with a weighted blanket (compared to participants who didn’t) had a 32% increase in melatonin. Although this is exciting news, experts note there must be more research on whether the effects of a weighted blanket on melatonin are sustained over longer periods of time to fully understand the product's benefits. READ.

The Youth Mental Health Project

This week, we are excited to highlight The Youth Mental Health Project, a non-profit that's been working to educate, empower, and support families and communities to better understand and care for the mental health of our youth. The Youth Mental Health Project helps create events that spark positive dialogue and bring the subject of youth mental health to life in a way that is compelling, inspiring, and informative. To check out their resources or find out how you can support their mission, head HERE.

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