Nature, Child Development, and Family Relationships

By RISC | 3 weeks ago

Given the chance, would you prefer to live in nature? Would you like to be near the sea, mountains, waterfalls, trees, or streams each day, rather than waiting for weekends or holidays to reconnect with nature?Being close to green spaces boosts our physical and mental health. It helps us relax, reduces our stress and anxiety, alleviates depression, and even promotes longevity. Studies show that living in green settings can lower the risk of respiratory diseases and cancer, reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes, strengthen bones through sunlight exposure, and boost the immune system by increasing our contact with natural microorganisms.Lots of studies from around the world support these findings. Living in an area with 20% green space can significantly reduce stress and depression, according to research published by Oxford University Press. If the green space exceeds 30%, anxiety levels also drop. It’s no wonder we feel drawn to greenery and want to live closer to nature.Simply seeing green surroundings helps us relax. But imagine how much our lives improve if all the family enjoys nature every day, whether it’s going for a walk, exercising, or simply sitting together and sharing stories… All these simple moments help build family bonds.Two great ways to boost physical and mental well-being, while bringing your family closer, are gardening and relaxing outdoors.Gardening improves motor skills when we dig, loosen soil, pull up weeds, pick up leaves, or water plants. But it also relieves stress. Just 30 minutes of gardening can reduce cortisol, the stress hormone, bringing the body back to a normal, relaxed state, according to research.Relaxing outdoors boosts physical, linguistic, cognitive, creative, and social development. Different types of play influence various aspects of growth:- Active Play – Running, climbing, and jumping strengthen muscles strength and boost skills and balance.- Sensory Play – We can engage different senses by studying plants, listening to water and bird songs, or capturing nature’s beauty through photography or painting.- Social Play – Activities like group discussions and team games improve social skills and teamwork.- Passive Play – Taking a stroll, relaxing on a hammock, or engaging in restful activities helps us unwind and build social bonds through conversation.Living by green spaces that encourage outdoor activities enhances life. It supports childhood development, benefits all age groups, slows aging, and reduces the risk of chronic diseases. We also suffer less stress and anxiety,  leading to a healthier, happier family.When all the family enjoys good physical and mental well-being, we gain stronger relationships, deeper understanding, and greater family harmony.Story by Saritorn Amornjaruchit, Assistant Vice President of RISCReferences:Beyer, K. M., et al., Exposure to Neighborhood Green Space and Mental Health: Evidence from the Survey of the Health of Wisconsin, 2014.​Cox, D. T. C., et al., Doses of Neighborhood Nature: The Benefits for Mental Health of Living with Nature. Bioscience, 2017.​Elizabeth Pegg Frates, Time spent in green places linked with longer life in women, 2017.​James P, Hart JE, Banay RF, Laden F, Exposure to Greenness and Mortality in a Nationwide Prospective Cohort Study of Women, 2016.​Maureen Bennie, How Does Your Garden Grow? Mental Health, Wellness & Skills Development Through Gardening, 2020.​Rook, G.A.W. Regulation of the immune system by biodiversity from the natural environment: an ecosystem service essential to health, 2013.​Soga, M., et al., Health benefits of urban allotment gardening: improved physical and psychological well-being and social integration. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2017.​Van Den Berg, A. E., & Custers, M. H., Gardening promotes neuroendocrine and affective restoration from stress. Journal of Health Psychology, 2011.​

Quality time with family promotes quality of life

By RISC | 2 months ago

Did New Year let you spend quality time with your loved ones? However brief, such moments bring joy we look forward to all year.We often value quality over quantity in how we spend our time. Quality time has lots more impact than everyday time. But if we can spend more hours with one another, we boost the chances of meaningful family moments.A warm family with healthy relationships can strike a balance between too much and too little time together. Family activities you can do daily include sharing meals, cooking together, chatting about your day, going for walks, and exercising together. You can even do the chores as a team. These activities not only strengthen bonds but also teach children how to balance their lives from how their parents model effective time management.Time with parents is crucial for adolescent well-being, improving social skills such as communicating clearly, building friendships, and managing emotions. One-on-one time with parents also helps boost self-esteem.Close relationships between grandparents and grandchildren can deepen family ties. Caring for grandchildren can reduce the risk of loneliness for elderly family members, giving them a sense of being trusted and valued. It also significantly alleviates depression in both generations, as supported by a study from Boston College involving 374 grandparents and 356 adult grandchildren over 19 years (1985–2004).Modern urban lifestyles and work responsibilities can often prevent us from living as extended families. Chances to meet and spend time together mightn’t come as often as we’d like. Festivals and special occasions become unique opportunities to express love and give support. These moments serve as "family therapy", recharging and uplifting us for the challenges ahead.Families lucky enough to regularly spend time together can benefit even more from homes with spaces for quality moments. Such spaces should support shared activities and foster interaction without compromising privacy. Even more ideal are family spaces close to nature, such as home gardens, community parks, or public green spaces. These areas help reduce stress, boost energy, and encourage physical activity among both children and the elderly. They also spark creativity and imagination in children as they play and learn in natural surroundings.Although New Year is over, there are countless opportunities throughout the year to spend time together. Let’s start by making the upcoming Children’s Day a meaningful time for our families.Story by Saritorn Amornjaruchit, Assistant Vice President of RISCReferences:Ami Albernaz, The Boston Globe (December 14, 2015).Danielle Cohen, Child Mind Institute (November 13, 2024).Susan McHale, Penn State Social Science Research Institute (August 21, 2012).Suzanne Pish, Michigan State University Extension (June 15, 2013).

Neuromarketing and Facial Emotion Detection

By RISC | 3 months ago

We looked at neuromarketing in our last post (read it here: https://bit.ly/40LGLjL). Beyond methods like eye tracking and galvanic skin response (GSR), there are other fascinating technologies such as facial emotion detection.Facial emotion detection is another effective method for understanding customer emotions on a deeper level—emotions that may not be expressed through words or surveys. Key techniques for detecting emotions from facial expressions include:Analyzing Facial Action Units (AUs)The Facial Action Coding System (FACS) categorizes facial movements into "Action Units", which correspond to specific muscle movements, such as raising the eyebrows (AU1) or squinting (AU7). These movements help interpret emotions with greater precision. Frowning may indicate confusion, for example, while smiling and cheek-raising suggest happiness.Using Artificial Intelligence (AI)Advancements in AI, particularly Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), have enhanced the accuracy of emotion detection. CNNs are trained on diverse datasets of facial expressions, capturing complex and nuanced emotions. This technology can recognize emotions even under varying lighting conditions and across different cultural contexts.Applications of Facial Emotion Detection in Neuromarketing. Here are some primary ways this technology is applied in neuromarketing:- Evaluating Event Emotions: Facial emotion detection is a valuable tool for monitoring audience emotions during events, providing real-time insights into satisfaction and engagement levels. This data is especially useful for large-scale events where individual surveys are impractical.- Ad Response and Optimization: During ad testing, businesses can use facial emotion detection to analyze emotional responses to new campaigns. Positive emotions like joy and surprise—or lack of interest—can inform adjustments to improve engagement and reduce negative reactions.- Designing Attractive Products: When launching new packaging or features, emotion detection helps gauge initial emotional responses. Adjustments to design, color, or messaging can be made to align with target customer preferences, enhancing product appeal.- Measuring Interest and Optimizing Retail Layouts: Understanding customers’ facial expressions in stores can create a more positive shopping experience. Emotion data can reveal areas of interest or confusion, enabling better layout adjustments.Challenges and Ethical Considerations: While emotion detection is powerful, it has privacy limitations. Using sensitive personal data requires explicit user consent and transparency to build trust. Additionally, cultural differences in emotional expressions and technical factors like lighting, camera quality, and facial obstructions can affect accuracy.Transforming Neuromarketing: In a world where emotions drive most decisions, facial emotion detection is revolutionizing neuromarketing. It helps businesses understand consumer feelings and refine marketing strategies to resonate with diverse audience segments more effectively.Want to know more about neuromarketing? Get in touch now with RISC:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/riscwellbeing  ​LINE Official: risc_center-------------------------------------------------------Story by Sittha Preedapirat, Senior Researcher, Brain Computer Interface, Happiness Science Hub, RISC

How to Boost Sales with Neuromarketing?

By RISC | 4 months ago

Companies are focusing more on marketing to reach their target market and bring in revenue.New technology now helps them research thoughts, feelings, and interests in response to products, advertisements, or signs, as well as purchasing decisions. Let’s see what this "neuromarketing" can offer.Neuromarketing combines neuroscience and marketing. It aims to apply the knowledge and tools used in neuroscience and psychology to marketing tasks to enhance communication to fit the target audience and meet objectives. It includes product packaging, posters, TV or online advertisements, billboards, and websites. It also involves studying psychology to determine product placement on store shelves, the optimal positioning of billboards where people can clearly see and read key messages, or even designing customer walkthrough paths in large shopping malls. Neuromarketing is also applied in many other areas.As neuromarketing is a scientific process, various tools are used to understand customer emotions and interests. One tool is eye-tracking to evaluate what customers are interested in, reading, or looking at on a product or advertisement. Eye-tracking can measure in two forms: Heatmap Analysis: This provides an overall view of where people are looking in an advertisement, product display, store area, poster, and so on. Gaze Plot Analysis: This examines the sequence and duration of eye movements, giving insights into customers' automatic interest, which can be applied to future product design and placement. Another commonly used tool is Galvanic Skin Response (GSR), which measures skin resistance. Normally, when the human body experiences stress, the skin’s resistance increases as the body sweats. GSR is often used in video advertisements, short films, or movies to analyze the emotional responses of viewers—whether they are feeling more relaxed or stressed during certain parts of the advertisement—and whether this matches the objectives of the ad or video.Neuromarketing could could play a major role in increasing sales through scientific methods. In the next installment, we’ll dive deeper into the details. Stay tuned on the RISC page.If you’d like to know more about neuromarketing, get in touch with RISC at:RISC FB: https://www.facebook.com/riscwellbeingRISC LINE Official: risc_center​Story by Nattapat Tanjariyaporn, Senior Researcher in Brain Computer Interface, RISC​

Why Do We Need Sunlight?​

By RISC | 5 months ago

Plants need sunlight for photosynthesis. Without it, they wither and die. ​But we need it too. How? Let's find out.​We sleep at night and wake up in the morning with help from a hormone called melatonin. Melatonin helps regulate our sleep-wake cycle so we wake up refreshed. But this procedure relies heavily on light, particularly sunlight. The pineal gland in our brain generates more melatonin at night, making us sleepy. Melatonin levels drop when the sun rises and we’re exposed to sunlight, making us feel alert and ready to face the day.​This "Circadian Rhythm" corresponds to the day-night cycle. Several other hormones contribute. Cortisol levels, for example, rise during the day, keeping us alert. This rhythm regulates serotonin, which controls mood, and even activities such as digestion, so we know when to eat or rest. ​​So what if we don’t get enough sunlight?​​The primary result is that the body's processes are disrupted. Without sunlight to regulate our internal clock, melatonin may not be released at night and cortisol may not be activated throughout the day. We may struggle to fall asleep at night and feel tired throughout the daytime. This disruption also has an impact on other processes such as digestion and metabolism, causing us to feel hungry at unusual times, such as late at night, or not at all throughout the day. These imbalances can cause additional health concerns.​Aside from the physical repercussions, a lack of sunlight can harm our mental health. People who live in places with long winter nights, such as regions of Europe, are more likely to suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Reduced sunlight exposure throughout the day, along with chilly weather, causes serotonin levels to drop, resulting in sadness or anger. ​​RISC hopes that this post inspires you to get outside, enjoy a little sunlight, and re-energize yourself for the day ahead.​​Story by Nattapat Tanjariyaporn, Senior Researcher in Brain Computer Interface, RISC​​References:​1. The Impact of Sleep and Circadian Disturbance on Hormones and Metabolism​2. Circadian Rhythms and Hormonal Homeostasis: Pathophysiological Implications​3. Circadian rhythm disruption and mental health​4. The Impact of Sleep and Circadian Disturbance on Hormones and Metabolism​

How Can Rain Improve Your Mood?

By RISC | 7 months ago

Imagine rain pouring down the window and raindrops beating on the ground with a fresh scent in the air… Ever wondered why you feel great when it rains? ​​These sensory impressions alter our mood and well-being. You might see rain as an obstacle to your daily routine, creating delays and difficulties. Rain can also cause affect serotonin through overcast skies and lack of sunlight, as mentioned in a previous article (read more at https://www.risc.in.th/knowledge/does-the-rain-make-you-lonely). But studies show that rain also boosts our mental and physical wellness.​Let's look at how rain impacts us, with a focus on the olfactory and auditory sensory experiences.​Let's start with the sense of smell. The fresh fragrance of rain or dirt rising from the soil is known as petrichor and was identified by Australian scientists in 1964. Petrichor contains several key components, including ozone, geosmin, and several plant oils.Streptomyces, a type of bacterium found in soil, produces geosmin. When rain falls and contacts the ground, it releases bacterial spores and geosmin molecules into the air. This makes us conscious of the fragrance. In addition, plant oils produced during the dry season are discharged into the atmosphere. The study discovered that this rain scent can produce feelings of peace, reduce tension, and enhance relaxation and connection with nature.​The sound of rain also has a positive impact through our auditory sense. Rain typically has a steady rhythm, melody, and frequency. It is classified as pink or white noise. Such sounds help to hide background noise, allowing us to focus on the current moment. According to the study, listening to natural noises such as rain can improve concentration, reduce tension and anxiety, and promote tranquility, relaxation, and better sleep.​Many artists, writers, and musicians have drawn inspiration from the rain. This is because the rain sound stimulates creativity and concentration. Research also shows that listening to rain sounds while completing arithmetic problems reduces calculation time and enhances computation efficiency more than a silent atmosphere. This suggests that the rain sound reduces external distractions, improves attention, and promotes brain function. ​Rain not only influences surface senses that increase perception and performance, but also cools temperatures. A study discovered that high temperatures (above 32.22°C) and low temperatures (below 10°C) reduce the brain's ability to process information and make decisions. As a result, colder temperatures generated by rain are ideal for work and can boost creativity and problem-solving abilities. ​​As we can see, rain influences both our bodies and our emotions. It’s not just a natural occurrence but also provides inspiration and relaxation. Let's enjoy the rainy season and its positive vibes. ​Story by Sittha Preedapirat, Senior Researcher, Brain Computer Interface, Happiness Science Hub, RISC ​​References:​1. https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-44904298 ​2. Amiri, M. J., Sadeghi, T., & Bonabi, T. N. (2017). The effect of natural sounds on the anxiety of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Perioperative Medicine, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13741-017-0074-3 ​3. Bentley, P. R., Fisher, J. C., Dallimer, M., Fish, R. D., Austen, G. E., Irvine, K. N., & Davies, Z. G. (2022). Nature, smells, and human wellbeing. Ambio, 52(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-022-01760-w ​4. Pilcher, J. J., Nadler, E., & Busch, C. (2002). Effects of hot and cold temperature exposure on performance: a meta-analytic review. Ergonomics, 45(10), 682–698. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140130210158419 ​5. Proverbio, A. M., De Benedetto, F., Ferrari, M. V., & Ferrarini, G. (2018). When listening to rain sounds boosts arithmetic ability. PloS One, 13(2), e0192296. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0192296 ​6. Yoon, H., & Baek, H. J. (2022). External Auditory Stimulation as a Non-Pharmacological Sleep Aid. Sensors, 22(3), 1264. https://doi.org/10.3390/s22031264 ​

Does the Rain Make You Lonely?

By RISC | 7 months ago

Ever wondered why you feel lonelier during the rainy season?​ Let's find out…​If you feel sad and lonely when it rains, or have less energy, don’t worry. It’s not just your imagination. The weather can greatly impact how we feel. But it mightn’t affect us all or every time it rains. Some of us get seasonal affective disorder (SAD).​A lot of research is underway into weather and mood. Sunshine boosts the creation of serotonin, which dips with cloudy skies and winter weather.​Serotonin has a vital impact on our emotions, feelings, and behavior. The hormone helps us feel happy and relaxed. High levels help us concentrate and enjoy stable moods. Lower levels can make us touchy, anxious, sad, angry, unable to concentrate, remember, or take decisions.In the long term, low serotonin raises the risk of emotional difficulties such as depression, anxiety, stress, ADHD, and phobias. ​If you look at the rain and feel lonely, get active. You could clean your home, exercise, or go outside for natural light. Eat some tasty and healthy foods like meat, milk, eggs, soybeans, salmon, tuna, and dark chocolate. You’ll boost your serotonin levels and feel better when it rains… and when it doesn’t!​Story by: Kotchakorn Rattanama, Biodiversity Researcher, RISC ​References:​(1) Mental Health Knowledge Base, Department of Mental Health, Ministry of Public Health​(2) Baylor Scott,(2019), Rainy day blues? "8 ways to boost your mood when the sun is away. Retrieved 9 July 2024, from https://www.bswhealth.com/blog/rainy-day-blues-ways-to-boost-your-mood-when-the -sun-is-away​

"Stress": The Hidden Threat​

By RISC | 8 months ago

In our fast-paced world, stress can be hard to avoid, but it threatens our health in many ways.Stress is our response to challenging situations. It’s the body's instinctive reaction to preparing for an exam, working on a project, or presenting a plan to the boss. Acute stress helps us work, think, find solutions, and overcome challenges.​But what happens when we’re always stressed?​Repeated stress becomes chronic stress that can cause long-term problems. Our bodies gather energy to help us work and speed up brain function so we can focus. But stressed organs get overused until they fail, like a laptop that never reboots. Chronic stress can affect the entire body.​Organs at risk include the cardiovascular, excretory, respiratory, and immune systems. A study led by Yuli Huang [1] found that continuous work stress increases the risk of having a stroke by 22%. Tanya M. Spruill's study [2] discovered that chronic stress raises blood pressure and increases the risk of heart disease by more than 50%. A study by David A. Kalmbach and colleagues [3] found that prolonged stress can create sleep issues. The body under stress is constantly ready to perform tasks, causing trouble sleeping and leading to long-term problems.​Chronic stress not only causes physical harm, but it is also one of the leading causes of mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. A study by Paula Cristóbal-Narváez and colleagues [4] found a link between depression and chronic stress. A study by Nuria Daviu and colleagues [5] explained the link to anxiety problems produced by persistent stress.​Chronic stress is a leading cause of physical and emotional problems. In the next article, we'll look at how to relieve it.​Story by Nattapat Tanjariyaporn, Senior Researcher in Brain Computer Interface, RISC​References:​[1] Association Between Job Strain and Risk of Incident Stroke ​[2] Association Between High Perceived Stress Over Time and Incident Hypertension in Black Adults: Findings From the Jackson Heart Study ​[3] The Impact of Stress on Sleep: Pathogenic Sleep Reactivity as a vulnerability to Insomnia and Circadian Disorders ​[4] Perceived stress and depression in 45 low- and middle-income countries ​[5] Neurological Links Between Stress and Anxiety

Hot Weather Causes Bad Temper… and Crime!

By RISC | 1 year ago

When it’s hot you might seek shade or turn on an air conditioner or a fan. Heat makes us irritated, upset, or hot-headed – and it harms our productivity. ​​But another side effect can be crime! ​"The Impact of Temperature on Productivity and Labor Supply: Evidence from Indian Manufacturing" was conducted in 2015. Statistics from the textile and steel industries across 70,000 factories from 1998 to 2013 (15 years) showed that productivity dropped 4% for every 1°C increase in air temperature from 27°C. For every 1°C rise, absenteeism climbed 5% in the textile industry and 1% in the steel sector.Hot weather has a big impact on productivity.​ But it also affects people's emotions, causing them to become irritated or hot-headed, which can lead to crime.​A Finnish study, "The Association of Ambient Temperature and Violent Crime", in 2017 compared crime statistics and average temperatures in Finland in 1996-2013 (17 years). Platelet samples from 33 male criminal offenders were collected in 1996 and 1997. For every 2°C increase, the crime rate rises by 3%. The crime rate was highest between May and July. The platelet test findings revealed that levels of serotonin, which helps us relax and suppresses our anger and aggression, drop with high air temperatures. Ambient temperature is another component that influences people's conduct and aggression.​The weather is getting hotter with climate change from greenhouse gas emissions. If we continue to live in the same way, the environment may deteriorate until we can’t live happily physically and emotionally. This summer, instead of turning on a fan or air conditioner, try adjusting the environment around your home by planting trees to provide shade. Living near trees can reduce not only heat but also aggression.​Story by: Chirapa Horbanluekit, Communication Researcher, RISC ​References:​Somanathan, E. & Somanathan, Rohini & Sudarshan, Anant & Tewari, Meenu. (2015). The Impact of Temperature on Productivity and Labor Supply: Evidence from Indian Manufacturing. Journal of Political Economy. 129. 10.1086/713733. ​Tiihonen, J., Halonen, P., Tiihonen, L. et al. The Association of Ambient Temperature and Violent Crime. Sci Rep 7, 6543 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-06720-z ​

Test Your Brain at Chinese New Year​

By RISC | 1 year ago

Chinese New Year is just around the corner. Chinese people all around the world, and Thai-Chinese people in Thailand, eagerly await this festival to gather with their families and pay their respects to gods and deceased ancestors.​A time when everyone can come together and observe elderly loved ones highlights the value of healthcare. A decline in physical condition might be impossible to reverse, with impacts on feelings, emotions, and mental health, as well as bringing other illnesses.If you wait until there are severe symptoms before you see a doctor, treatment will be more difficult and costly – and might even no longer be possible. Taking care of older adults in the family is critical and shouldn’t be overlooked, particularly for brain health.​Why do we stress the significance of checking for dementia in older adults?​ According to an annual report for 2022 by the Department of Medical Services in the Ministry of Public Health, dementia is one of the most common disorders and a major health concern among the old. The study found that about 770,000 elderly people suffer dementia, almost 6% of Thailand's older adults. The number of sufferers is also increasing year after year, by an average of 100,000 each year.​Dementia affects brain functions such as memory, perception, comprehension, language, direction, thinking, and problem solving. There are behavioral and personality changes. It also has an impact on the body, intellect, and ability to function in daily life, including the difficulty of caring for a family member suffering from dementia.​An initial assessment is critical for identifying people at risk of dementia through a self-evaluation form developed by the Department of Medical Services, Ministry of Health: https://www.healthcheckup.in.th/self-test/8There are also popular standardized dementia assessment forms, although they require an evaluator to be present. They take about 15-20 minutes, including the MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment) and the TMSE (Thai Mental State Examination) assessments.They are specifically designed to evaluate the functioning of various aspects of the brain, including attention, concentration, executive function, memory, skills in visual relations and creating spatial patterns (Visuoconstruction), conceptual thinking, calculation, and awareness of surrounding conditions (orientation).​You can do the MoCA self-evaluation at http://www.rbpho.moph.go.th/upload-file/doc/files/12012023-110708-6436.pdf, www.mocatest.orgThe TMSE evaluation is at https://www.thainurse.org/wordpress/?p=12039These dementia tests are preliminary screenings to better understand the early stages of dementia. They enable earlier investigation and treatment to slow disease development. The tests can help see whether brain functions, such as memory or language, have been lost. But they cannot diagnose all causes of dementia and must be supplemented with further procedures such as laboratory blood testing and brain X-ray examinations to determine the cause.​Healthcare and brain evaluation for the elderly inside the family not only screen for dementia. They also strengthen family bonds and love, particularly during Chinese New Year. The festival is an excellent opportunity to closely monitor family members.​Story by Sittha Preedapirat, Senior Researcher, Brain Computer Interface, Happiness Science Hub, RISC​ ​Reference:​https://pr.moph.go.th/?url=pr%2Fdetail%2F2%2F02%2F204159%2F