One of the largest sleep studies ever (Michigan State University) just revealed that sleep deprivation has a much more negative effect than earlier studies indicated. Prior studies showed how too little sleep hurts a person’s ability to maintain attention, but this one also looked at how it impacts placekeeping, or the ability to complete a series of steps without losing one’s place. The impact, the…
Vitamin Sea: Time Spent Near Water Is Medicine for Mind & Body
When people promote time in nature as the key to wellbeing, they usually focus on green spaces. But a new article in the Guardian explains why and how “blue space” (the ocean, rivers, lakes, canals, waterfalls, even urban fountains) positively impacts our mind and body—from boosting Vitamin D to having a stronger psychologically restorative effect than other natural environments. Support for the idea of “blue”…
Must-Reads from the Wellness World (Week of December 3, 2019)
Let’s Wage a War on Loneliness – The New York Times, November 9, 2019 The columnist explains why the condition of loneliness that corrodes modern life isn’t just depressing but can also be deadly. More than one-fifth of adults in both the US and Britain now report they often or always feel lonely, and the problem has now become so pervasive that Britain appointed a…
GWI Launches Wellness Coaching Initiative
The GWI just announced a new initiative on wellness coaching to empower individuals and businesses around the world to more confidently partner with wellness coaches—a unique force that can drive positive, personal and long-term lifestyle change. The mission: clarify wellness coach specialties and global guidelines through education and community resources. The Initiative chair is Susan O’Connor, CEO, PranaHealth Strategies & Wellness Coach. The vice-chair is…
November’s Wellness Moonshot: Embrace Water
Every aspect of our being fully alive relies on the precious resource of water. It’s the most important thing we consume, as the primary building block for our cells; it’s integral to many human faiths and spiritualities, and since ancient times, diverse hydrotherapies have been used to manage pain and stress and boost energy, sleep and immunity. Read the tips on how to more fully…
Wellness Evidence Study: Mind-Body Interventions, Including Meditation, Reduce Pain & Opioid Doses
A new, large meta-review of 60 clinical trials (6,400 participants) showed that mind-body approaches, such as meditation, guided imagery, hypnosis and cognitive behavioral therapy, improved pain in people who have been taking prescription opioids and led to reductions in the drug’s dose. ACCESS STUDY