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
A large, new study from Harvard’s School of Public Health found that drinking sugar-heavy beverages (whether sodas or fruit drinks) was associated with early mortality. One extra 12-ounce serving of a sugary drink daily was linked to a 7 percent increased risk of death overall and a 10 percent increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease. One researcher noted: “The optimal intake of these drinks…
A large, new meta-review of 108 randomized controlled trials (23,000 participants) from the very stringent Cochrane Database found that exercise requiring standing up and not sitting is a very good way to reduce falls in the elderly. Tai chi, for example, reduced the rate of falls by 19 percent. The researchers summarized as follows: “We’re very sure that starting an exercise program will reduce the…
A new study from British researchers (on 6,616 children) found that using screens in the hour before bedtime hurts kids’ sleep and quality of life measures. Before-bed screen time was associated with a significantly worse ability to fall asleep as well as waking up too early (60 percent higher odds). And using screens in a dark room led to even worse sleep outcomes than using…
