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Neil Aston on NBC "hard to believe Oxlade-Chamberlain accidentally liked the tweet". What a putz.
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Journalists’ brains operate at below average due to excessive booze and caffeine: study
By Rahul Kalvapallé
National Online Journalist Global News
Journalists’ brains function at a subpar level because they consume too much alcohol, caffeine and sugar, but their love for their work helps them fight through the difficult times, according to a study by neuroscientist Tara Swart.
The research, which was carried out in partnership with the London Press Club, sought to figure out how journalists survive and thrive amid the stress of deadline pressure, low pay, poor job security and high levels of public scrutiny.
Thirty-one journalists were asked to carry out a series of tests, answer a questionnaire and report their eating and drinking habits.
Their brains were found to be lacking in the executive functioning department, which encompasses high-level cognitive functions such as emotional control, complex problem-solving, multi-tasking and the ability to suppress biases.
These deficiencies were attributed to “dehydration, self-medicating, and fueling their brains with caffeine and high-sugar foods,” according to a London Press Club release.
READ MORE: Canadian journalism group calls for public inquiry after journalists arrested in Hamilton
Over 40 per cent of participants said they drank 18 or more units of alcohol (1.8 liters of pure alcohol) per week — the recommended weekly consumption is 14 units, or 1.4 liters of pure alcohol. Less than five per cent drank enough water.
“It is likely that the levels of caffeine/alcohol and the lack of water consumed contributed to the low scores recorded for executive functioning because of the severe impact of dehydration on cognitive ability,” the study said.
WATCH: PM Trudeau says government defends journalists’ right to protect sources
However, it wasn’t all grim news. Journalists were found to excel in abstraction, the ability to detect and analyze patterns and relationships that aren’t immediately obvious. This indicates a superior capacity to “think outside of the box and make connections where others might not see them.”
Also, most of the journalists surveyed said they enjoyed their jobs and felt that their work was worthwhile and important, which enabled them to remain productive and resilient despite their challenges (and apparent shortcomings), the study says.
WATCH: A war with journalists is a threat to democracy
“It’s been great to see the role that meaning and purpose play in achieving mental resilience,” Dr. Swart said. “I hope this study serves as a useful tool to journalists, but also to anyone who wants to understand how neuroscience can show us how to join up brain and body health, and through that become more mentally resilient.”
Doug Wills, chair of the London Press Club, hailed the study for highlighting “how the integrity and purpose with which journalists imbue their work can help them to rise to the challenge.”
The study also found that older journalists were more adept at enduring stress and recovering from setbacks, suggesting that this is a skill that can be developed over time.
© 2017 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
http://globalnews.ca/news/3463547/journalists-brains-function-below-average-study/
By Rahul Kalvapallé
National Online Journalist Global News
Journalists’ brains function at a subpar level because they consume too much alcohol, caffeine and sugar, but their love for their work helps them fight through the difficult times, according to a study by neuroscientist Tara Swart.
The research, which was carried out in partnership with the London Press Club, sought to figure out how journalists survive and thrive amid the stress of deadline pressure, low pay, poor job security and high levels of public scrutiny.
Thirty-one journalists were asked to carry out a series of tests, answer a questionnaire and report their eating and drinking habits.
Their brains were found to be lacking in the executive functioning department, which encompasses high-level cognitive functions such as emotional control, complex problem-solving, multi-tasking and the ability to suppress biases.
These deficiencies were attributed to “dehydration, self-medicating, and fueling their brains with caffeine and high-sugar foods,” according to a London Press Club release.
READ MORE: Canadian journalism group calls for public inquiry after journalists arrested in Hamilton
Over 40 per cent of participants said they drank 18 or more units of alcohol (1.8 liters of pure alcohol) per week — the recommended weekly consumption is 14 units, or 1.4 liters of pure alcohol. Less than five per cent drank enough water.
“It is likely that the levels of caffeine/alcohol and the lack of water consumed contributed to the low scores recorded for executive functioning because of the severe impact of dehydration on cognitive ability,” the study said.
WATCH: PM Trudeau says government defends journalists’ right to protect sources
However, it wasn’t all grim news. Journalists were found to excel in abstraction, the ability to detect and analyze patterns and relationships that aren’t immediately obvious. This indicates a superior capacity to “think outside of the box and make connections where others might not see them.”
Also, most of the journalists surveyed said they enjoyed their jobs and felt that their work was worthwhile and important, which enabled them to remain productive and resilient despite their challenges (and apparent shortcomings), the study says.
WATCH: A war with journalists is a threat to democracy
“It’s been great to see the role that meaning and purpose play in achieving mental resilience,” Dr. Swart said. “I hope this study serves as a useful tool to journalists, but also to anyone who wants to understand how neuroscience can show us how to join up brain and body health, and through that become more mentally resilient.”
Doug Wills, chair of the London Press Club, hailed the study for highlighting “how the integrity and purpose with which journalists imbue their work can help them to rise to the challenge.”
The study also found that older journalists were more adept at enduring stress and recovering from setbacks, suggesting that this is a skill that can be developed over time.
© 2017 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
http://globalnews.ca/news/3463547/journalists-brains-function-below-average-study/
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