"When people talk about the ways in which social support is good for our health, they typically assume that the benefits of social support come from the support we receive from others, but it now seems likely that some of the health benefits of social support actually come from the support we provide to others," said researcher Naomi Eisenberger of the University of California, Los Angeles.

In order to investigate this concept, a team of scientists conducted a study that enrolled 20 heterosexual couples. While the women were undergoing MRI scans of their brains, their boyfriends were receiving electric shocks nearby. Sometimes the women were allowed to hold their boyfriends' arms throughout the experience, while at other times they could only use a squeeze-ball.

Results showed that during the periods when the women were allowed to comfort their boyfriends, there was increased activity in parts of the brain related to experiences of reward, as published in Psychosomatic Medicine.

The researchers want to conduct further studies investigating the health benefits of helping others.

Omega-3 is a class of polyunsaturated fats that a growing body of research indicates may benefit the health of the heart, joints and other systems, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM).

These compounds may also help reduce the body's levels of cytokines, molecules that are produced by inflammation and during times of stress. While inflammation can help the immune system, chronic inflammation and cytokine production can have negative effects.

Researchers from Ohio State University conducted a study in which they enrolled 68 first or second-year medical students: half received omega-3 supplements, while the other group took placebos. Throughout the duration of the study, the subjects underwent psychological screenings and blood tests to measure levels of anxiety and cytokines.

While the school curriculum was somewhat easier than in previous years, results still showed that individuals who took omega-3 were 20 percent less anxious and produced fewer cytokines than the controls, as published in the journal Brain, Behavior and Immunity.

However, instead of making broad recommendations about omega-3 supplements, the researchers suggest that people simply increase their dietary intake. This type of fat is found in oils from walnuts, flaxseed and certain fish, according to NCCAM.

In times of stress, the body releases a hormone called cortisol, which helps an individual use energy to take action in case of an emergency. While cortisol can be useful in a crisis, chronically high levels of the hormone can have negative effects on the body, including the immune system, according to medical experts.

Researchers from the Netherlands conducted a study to help characterize the relationship between friendships and stress in children. The team enrolled about 100 fourth graders into their experiment, using the advice of classmates who helped them select candidates who were picked on or had few friends.

Scientists collected saliva samples to measure cortisol levels in their subjects, while also asking them questions about the quantity and quality of their friendships. Additionally, the researchers interviewed the parents about behavioral problems.

Results showed that children who had few friends or poor-quality friendships experienced more stress. However, those who were bullied did not have higher cortisol levels, which may indicate that being excluded is more stressful than being victimized, as published in the journal Child Development.

"Together, the results demonstrate that although friends cannot completely eliminate the stress of exclusion at school, they do reduce it," said researcher Marianne Riksen-Walraven.

Researchers from the University of Missouri in Columbia surveyed 168 patients from a mid-western academic health center. The study participants, who had a variety of chronic conditions, completed questionnaires describing factors such as private practices, organizational practices, congregational support, general health perception and mental health. Spiritual support ranged from religious counseling to forgiveness philosophies.

Results showed that there were no differences between men and women when it came to endorsing religious and spiritual practices. Both genders benefited from spirituality, but in different ways. While the practices of women were associated with improvements in mental health, men experienced a boost to both mental health and perception of their own well-being, as published in Journal of Religion, Disability & Health.

The study supports the idea that an individual's spirituality, which may include meditation, religious counseling or forgiveness practices, can have positive effects on health outcomes, according to the researchers.

"Encouragement to seek out religious and spiritual support can assist individuals in coping with stress and physical symptoms related to health issues," said co-author Brick Johnstone. "Healthcare providers can urge patients to take advantage of these resources, which provide emotional care, financial assistance and opportunities for increased socialization."

Stress is a very powerful force that affects more than just the mind, but the heart and immune system as well. Anecdotal evidence suggested that some kids make it out of poverty okay, but it was never clear why. Researchers at the University of British Columbia studied two factors that are often cited as reasons why children can rise above the negative health effects of poverty: upward mobility and early parental nurturing.

The researchers followed more than 1,200 subjects over the course of a decade and characterized them by their physical health, as well as the educational status of their parents and how they felt their parents cared for them. After a decade, results showed that having more advantages later in life didn't necessarily impact one's health. According to the research, children raised by two parents who did not graduate high school were more likely to have poor digestive health than children raised by two college graduates. However, children raised with nurturing mothers proved to be an outstanding exception.

"Adults can teach kids to cope with stress more effectively, model more appropriate emotional responses, or give them a sense of the world as generally a safe place," said study author Gregory Miller.

"Remarkably, over the last 50 years, opportunities for children to play freely have declined continuously and dramatically in the U.S. and other developed nations; and that decline continues, with serious negative consequences for children's physical, mental and social development," said Gray in the report.

The researcher goes on to suggest that "helicopter parents" who control their children's play environment can actually be a detriment to their child's overall mental health. In fact, Gray outlines how the decline of free play, as well as age-mixed play, has had an increasing effect on many social issues.

"This special issue of the American Journal of Play reviews the evidence for the crucial roles of play in children's development and proposes ways we may create a world in which play – especially free outdoor play with other children – is once again a normative part of childhood," Gray added.

However, a recent article published by the Huffington Post highlighted several natural ways that individuals can consider using to help promote good digestive health.

The news provider explained that the same chemicals and hormones that affect the brain also have an impact on the gut. Therefore, using methods of stress reductions such as yoga or meditation may help promote a balance of these compounds that could potentially relieve digestive symptoms.

Peppermint oil may have a soothing effect on a person’s digestive system. The news source cited a study that appeared in the journal Nutrition in Clinical Practice, which found that peppermint oil capsules were more effective for promoting good digestive health than some other conventional choices.

According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, as many as 70 million Americans are affected by digestive health problems.

The researchers evaluated a group of medical students who needed to prepare for an upcoming exam. They chose this cohort based on the high levels of stress that the students are often under.

The scientists anticipated that fish oil supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids would help balance levels of inflammation in the participants' bodies.

"We thought the omega-3 would reduce the stress-induced increase in cytokines that normally arose from nervousness over the tests," said Janice Kiecolt-Glaser, a professor of psychology and psychiatry at Ohio State University.

The study's results confirmed the researchers' hypothesis, as students who were given the fish oil supplements reported that they had better mental health before the exam, compared to those that were given a placebo.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, more than 26 percent of the U.S. adult population experiences mental health problems in a given year.

A recent article published by Fox News highlighted several of these unique remedies. One of these is snake grease, which is believed to help treat back pain and promote joint health. The news provider explained that some people think the fat provides a heating effect and that snakeskin has been used as casting material for broken bones.

Furthermore, a combination of boiled frog, honey, pollen, and aloe vera is often sold in some markets in Lima, Peru as a remedy for sexual dysfunction, as well as anemia, tiredness and stress, the news source reported.

Officials from the Peruvian Health and Drug Administration told the news organization that individuals should ensure that these treatments have proper health credentials before using them.

According to Alternative Medicine Online, American consumers spend more than $1.5 billion on herbal remedies annually.

A recent article published by Fox News highlighted several of these unique remedies. One of these is snake grease, which is believed to help treat back pain and promote joint health. The news provider explained that some people think the fat provides a heating effect and that snakeskin has been used as casting material for broken bones.

Furthermore, a combination of boiled frog, honey, pollen, and aloe vera is often sold in some markets in Lima, Peru as a remedy for sexual dysfunction, as well as anemia, tiredness and stress, the news source reported.

Officials from the Peruvian Health and Drug Administration told the news organization that individuals should ensure that these treatments have proper health credentials before using them.

According to Alternative Medicine Online, American consumers spend more than $1.5 billion on herbal remedies annually.