Men too have antenatal blues
According to a recent study, antenatal depression affects men, too, revealing that a first baby is a reality check as dads suddenly find they are no longer the centre of attention. The study reveals that an astonishing number of fathers, nearly 13 per cent, experience depressive symptoms during their partner’s pregnancy. Very little research has been done on male reactions to pregnancy and childbirth. Becoming a first-time father is many things — terrifying, joyful, nerve-racking, exciting — but disagreeing, it is not. Although most men eventually come to savour the fantasy of being a father, they also dimly anticipate the reality. As childbirth approaches, men have to face the fact that they are not as important as they thought they were. The arrival of a first baby from the point of view of the father is a massive shift. Antenatal depression is rational enough and the solution is to keep reminding yourself that it can sometimes be hard to believe when you find yourself suddenly living on the fringes of your own life.
Yoga can help drug addicts, says study
Yoga can help addicts reduce dependency on drugs and improve the overall quality of their life, according to a new Government study. The study authorised by the Ministry of AYUSH was concluded this year at AIIMS. It has shown that the quality of life of drug users can be significantly improved and also the frequency of drug use can be reduced with the help of yoga interventions. The study concluded this year and was funded under the Extra Mural Research (EMR) scheme of the Ministry of AYUSH. It used Sudarshan Kriya Yoga and meditation as an adjunct with regular treatment among a group of drug addicts, specially heroin users, an official release stated.
Noon naps boost learning power
A good nap could be the key to improving learning for students and schoolchildren, according to new research. The study suggests receiving rewards as they learn can help cement facts and skills in their memory, particularly when combined with a 90-minute daytime nap. The findings, published in the journal elife, reveal that memories associated with a reward are preferentially reinforced by sleep. Even a short nap after a period of learning is beneficial. lead researcher Dr Kinga Igloi, of the University of Geneva, said: “Rewards may act as a kind of tag, sealing information in the brain during learning. During sleep, that information is favourably consolidated over information associated with a low reward and is transferred to areas of the brain associated with long-term memory.”