Behavioral Health

Speeding, hard braking, cellphones: Researchers look at teens’ unsafe driving behaviors

A study by Catherine McDonald of the School of Nursing and colleagues finds that risky behaviors are relatively common among teen drivers, including handheld cellphone use and speeding.

Rejoice in the end of daylight saving time

Katy Milkman of the Wharton School says that the autumn clock change can be reframed as a “windfall” which helps people kick-start a new habit.

Person sitting in the dark, leaning on a desk, staring at a cell phone. A coffee cup and pile of papers sit nearby.

The language of loneliness and depression, revealed in social media

By analyzing Facebook posts, Penn researchers found that words associated with depression are often tied to emotions, whereas those associated with loneliness are linked to cognition.

Word of the day: Circadian

Ilene M. Rosen of the Perelman School of Medicine is quoted from an article examining sleep cycles in order to define the word “circadian.”

How to get a good night’s sleep

On an episode of “Radio Times,” Philip Gehrman of the Perelman School of Medicine discusses the science of sleep and its links to brain and body health and mental wellbeing.

What to know about Ozempic, TikTok’s favorite weight loss drug

Ariana Chao of the School of Nursing discusses the science, side effects, and efficacy of semaglutide, a weight loss medication touted by influencers.

Three maps of the U.S., one blue, one purple, one red, indicating partisan politics.

Where political views and fundamental beliefs intersect

Research from The Penn Primals Project debunks the idea that conservatives think the world is more dangerous than liberals, findings with implications for future research and productive political debate.

Botox and bubble baths are Band-Aids. Here’s how to avoid consumerist self-care

Barbara Riegel of the School of Nursing says that “treat yourself” consumerism doesn’t meet the definition of self-care.

A person seated at a dining table with their elbows on the table, with one single carrot on the plate before them.

The allure of fad diets, and why they fail

In a new book, Penn nutritional anthropologist Janet Chrzan and Kima Cargill of the University of Washington, Tacoma, explain the cultural, social, and psychological fixation on fad diets and why they don’t typically succeed.

How habits get formed

On an episode of “Life Examined,” Katy Milkman of the Wharton School discusses the formation of habitual behaviors and some tips for adopting good habits.

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