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 the ways our brain measures and experiences time, why music sparks memories, and effective strategies for managing rejection sensitivity.

Why Music Evokes Our Memories

Recent research finds that music has a unique ability to evoke memories and emotions from our past. This phenomenon has caught the attention of brain researchers, who believe that understanding the effect of music on the brain may lead to improved therapy for conditions such as dementia, anxiety, stress, depression, along with physical illnesses like chronic pain, cancer, and Parkinson's disease. Experts are currently exploring exactly how music opens the forgotten doors to our memories while investigating how the auditory and emotional spark allows our minds to wander back in time. READ.

Time Perception And The Brain Explored

Have you ever questioned why your early childhood years seemed to last a lot longer than your more recent ones? Although we know that the construct of time is measurable and finite, our perception of it varies enormously. Our brains play a critical role in shaping how we experience time, and as we encounter new experiences, our perception of time can undergo significant changes. Experts are taking a deep dive into the subjective sense of time perception, exploring the ways our brains measure and process time while working to understand how our perception is influenced by factors such as age and emotion. READ.

Digital Detox: Simplify Your Life By Eliminating Digital Clutter

Whether it's an overflowing email inbox, a phone that’s running out of photo storage, or a desktop bursting with files, it's easy for us to feel buried under the volume of information and data we accumulate in our digital lives. Fortunately, experts provide valuable tips and strategies for simplifying and decluttering our digital space. From minimizing app usage and organizing files to scheduling tech-free time, their insights for managing this clutter might just allow for a more organized and mindful digital life. READ.

5 Steps To Practice Forgiveness Using The REACH Model

• R: Recall the hurt and let the emotions associated with it surface; do not suppress them.

• E: Empathize with the offender, trying to understand their reasons for the action, without condoning the action or invaliding one’s feelings.

• A: Altruistic gift; realize that forgiveness is an altruistic gift that can be offered or withheld.

• C: Commit to forgive, to try to replace ill will with goodwill.

• H: Hold on to the forgiveness, realizing that it takes time for emotions to heal and that sometimes the anger will return.

Read MORE.

How To Understand And Confront Rejection Sensitivity

Although some individuals may attempt to reframe rejection as redirection, coping with rejection can be a painful experience, particularly for those who suffer from “rejection sensitivity.” This condition can lead to the amplification of even the slightest form of criticism, turning it into a significant emotional blow. Fortunately, expert psychotherapists are working to shed light on this matter by offering insights on the common symptoms of rejection sensitivity, its causes, and most importantly, how to cope with it. Whether you are personally grappling with rejection sensitivity or know someone who is, their expert insights provide a valuable resource for gaining a better understanding of this complex issue. READ.

American Institute Of Stress

April is Stress Awareness Month. According to recent research by The American Psychological Association, the current stress level experienced by Americans is 20 points higher than the global average, with 55% of us feeling stressed during the day. This week, we are excited to highlight The American Institute of Stress. Dedicated to researching the impact of stress on our health, the American Institute of Stress creates resources on how to deal with everything from workplace stress to combating operational stress. To donate or learn more about how to lessen stress in your own life, head HERE.

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Welcome to our new referral program, in which we give you some goodies for sharing the Digest with people who might enjoy this mental health news recap (and its bad jokes) as much as you do.

Here's how it works:1: Use the 'Click To Share' button below to access your personal link.2: Send this unique referral link to friends or family through email or text.3: Earn rewards like Local Optimist stickers, The Madhappy Journal, and Madhappy hats when they subscribe to the digest. Must be based in the U.S.

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