Meditation and vacations appear to have overlapping effects. A small study from the University of Groningen (Netherlands) found that 15 minutes of meditation led to similar emotional states as a day of vacation: low levels of negative emotions such as irritation and high levels of positive emotions such as gratitude. ACCESS THIS STUDY
Two new European studies agree that ultra-processed foods are very bad for your health—and not just junk food, but breads, jarred sauces and frozen meals that are staples for many. A French study (tracking 100,000 adults) found that people who ate the most packaged foods were 23 percent more likely to suffer cardiovascular trouble. A Spanish study (20,000 adults) found that those with the highest…
According to a new study from Oxford and Yale (data from 1.2 million people), exercise is more important to mental health than having money. People who exercise regularly feel “bad” for 35 days a year, while non-exercisers feel “bad” an additional 18 days. Physically active people feel just as good as those who don’t exercise but who earn $25,000 more a year. Three to five…
The Big Business of Loneliness – Vox, May 6, 2019 Loneliness is pervasive and increasing, particularly in Anglo-Saxon countries—a tragedy and a trap for many people. Not surprisingly, companies and entrepreneurs now make it a business to sell an end to social isolation. From co-living apartments to co-working spaces to apps that help facilitate human connection, there is a lot of investment and infrastructure being…
A large, new study found that people who spend their day sitting may have to move less than was originally thought to eliminate serious health risks. Earlier studies suggested that one hour a day of physical activity was needed, but this new study found that even 20–40 minutes erased most of the risks of a sedentary life. ACCESS THE STUDY
A large Swedish study, comparing 136,637 people diagnosed with a stress disorder to 170,000+ unaffected siblings and over 1.3 million in the general population (over 27 years), found that someone with a stress disorder is 37 percent more likely to develop cardiovascular disease than the average person and 29 percent more likely than their unaffected siblings. ACCESS THE STUDY
