Mental Health and Well-being Research and Training Hub

04/17/2026

New article in The Conversation by Dr. Pozzulo!

Read more here:
https://theconversation.com/is-reading-your-favourite-hobby-a-new-era-of-book-clubs-is-reshaping-how-we-read-274406

04/16/2026

New Substack post up, follow the link in bio to read.

Do you ever pick up your phone “just for a second”… and suddenly 30 minutes are gone?

You’re not alone. Most Canadians and Americans spend 6-to-7 hours a day online (if not longer) - and it can be eroding our ability to focus.

It’s not a lack of discipline that keeps you scrolling - it’s a habit that can be changed.

How can we address this downside of being connected all the time?

One of the most effective and enjoyable ways to take back control of your attention and focus is by reading a physical book (not a screen). Just 20 minutes of daily reading can:

- improve focus
- boost comprehension
- help you feel calmer
- sharpen your thinking
- help you regain control of your attention

04/08/2026

😀

Click here to sign up: https://carleton.ca/mental-health/book-club-sign-up/

04/08/2026

New Substack post up! Check it out via the link in bio.

A sonnet, a verse, a lyric — just a few words can have a powerful impact. Poems can calm your mind, help you deal with your emotions, and even boost your well-being. Science is starting to catch up with what poets have always known.

Emerging research suggests that reading and writing poetry can have measurable positive affects on well-being.

03/31/2026

Professor Pozzulo’s Pick (April, 2026): Art Cure: The Science of How Arts Save Lives, by Daisy Fancourt (2026, published by Celadon Books)

Do you enjoy listening to music, writing, crafting, or reading? You get the picture (pun intended). In Art Cure: The Science of How the Arts Save Lives, Fancourt examines how the arts affect both our physical health—such as lowering inflammatory markers in the body—and our psychological well-being by providing meaning and purpose in life. She guides readers through the scientific evidence on the benefits of the arts for people who are healthy as well as those dealing with illness. She also offers practical strategies for incorporating more art into everyday life.

03/30/2026

New Substack post up! Check it out by following the link in bio.

Have you ever noticed that your mind feels clearer after a brief walk outside, or your mood has lifted after looking at a tree? Spring is the perfect reminder that even small encounters with nature can make a big difference.

As the cooler weather begins to warm and the first signs of green emerge, I find myself returning to one of the simplest—and most reliable—ways to support well-being: spending time in nature.

Decades of research in psychology and neuroscience demonstrate that regular contact with natural environments can significantly improve how we think, feel, and function.

Research suggests that about two hours per week in nature—broken into small, manageable chunks (e.g., 15 minutes at a time) —can significantly improve well-being.

03/26/2026

Exercise and Student Success By Madelyn Cook

03/24/2026

Why Sleep Matters and How to Improve It By Madelyn Cook