Happy Hump Day!

This week is National CPR and AED Awareness Week which is dedicated to highlighting how bystander intervention can double or even triple survival rates during out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. Because nearly 70% of cardiac arrests happen at home, learning these simple skills is a crucial way to protect your loved ones.

This week you should consider learning hands-only CPR or learning to use an Automated External Defibrillators (AED) which gives clear, step-by-step voice instructions and does not require formal training.

For comprehensive CPR training, use the American Red Cross or browse the course catalog from the American Heart Association.

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A new study found that daylight saving time acts as a population-wide circadian stressor — with people living with depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, and psychotic disorders facing significantly amplified mental health risks in the days and weeks following a clock change.

Researchers put it bluntly: "We change the clocks in a single night, but the brain does not adjust that quickly" — disrupting sleep, emotional regulation, cognition, and psychiatric stability in ways that ripple far beyond just feeling tired. Treat clock-change weekends like a mental health event — protect your sleep, go easy on yourself, and reach out if you notice your mood shifting.

Read More: Daylight Saving Time Linked To Heightened Mental Health Risks, Review Finds (The Independent)

Our teens are in crisis — and they're turning to AI chatbots instead of telling a single adult. A new JAMA Pediatrics study found that nearly 1 in 5 young people ages 12-21 — an estimated 8.2 million teens — are now using AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Character.AI for mental health support when feeling sad, anxious, or stressed, up 40% from just a year ago, and roughly equal to the number receiving actual professional counseling.

Most alarming: the majority are doing this privately, without the knowledge of any parent, clinician, or trusted adult. AI can never replace a real human connection, and every parent needs to be having open, judgment-free conversations with their kids about where they're turning when they're struggling.

Read More: Around 1 in 5 Young People Use AI Chatbots For Mental Health Advice, Survey Finds (NBC News)

Slowmaxxing is the new wellness trend of intentionally moving through your daily routines more slowly and mindfully — and experts say it makes you more present, deepens gratitude, helps you reconnect with your inner self, and even increases empathy for the people around you.

Simple ways to start include slowing down daily activities, simplifying your schedule, and building buffer time between tasks — because as one mindfulness facilitator puts it, "it's not what we do; it's how we do it."

Read More: Introducing ‘Slowmaxxing,’ the Wellness Trend for People Who Are Tired of Rushing Through Life (Vice)

Veloxrotaphobia (veh-lucks-roh-tuh-FOH-bee-uh), more commonly known as coaster-phobia, is the specific phobia defined as the extreme, irrational fear of roller coasters. It is often rooted in underlying issues like a fear of heights (acrophobia), enclosed spaces (claustrophobia), or a fear of falling and spinning, and can frequently trace back to a past traumatic experience or learned anxiety.

Are you scared of roller coasters? Overcoming veloxrotaphobia requires a mix of psychological preparation and gradual exposure. Start by taking it slow, understanding the physics, practicing breathing exercises, and getting professional support if needed.

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