Technology Use May Slow Cognitive Decline

The baby boomers are the first generation that has navigated adulthood using digital technology. The oldest baby boomers were around 25 when the first e-mail was sent; they were the first generation to have home computers and personal smartphones. [Read more…]

Does Social Class Influence Generosity?

For decades, researchers have debated how social class affects a person’s likelihood of helping others.

There are two main schools of thought on the topic. One hypothesizes that because lower-income individuals rely more on social networks, they are more likely to be generous. The other hypothesizes that because higher-income individuals have more resources, they are more likely to be generous. [Read more…]

Yoga Supports Wellness at the Molecular Level

Yoga is growing in popularity. In 2022, nearly 17 percent of adults in America reported practicing yoga, a significant increase compared to 10 years earlier, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. [Read more…]

Research Confirms That Chores Are Good for Kids

Put away the silverware. Fold the towels. Feed the dog. Bring in the mail.

There is a myriad of ways in which kids – starting as early as age 2 – can help out around the house. While some of this “helping” isn’t actually that helpful, there is strong evidence that you should require your kids to do chores anyway. [Read more…]

Is Cold-Water Swimming Really Good for Your Brain?

If you live near a body of water in the northern latitudes, you likely have heard of your local polar bear club — usually made up of a group of hearty swimmers who take part in cold water swimming. [Read more…]

You Can Help Delay Dementia With Your Diet

Dementia is the loss of cognitive functioning, like thinking, remembering, and reasoning, at levels that interfere with a person’s daily life and activities. Dementia affects the health and well-being of millions of older adults; with baby boomers reaching their senior years, that number is expected to grow substantially. [Read more…]

The Gender Gap in Online Reviews

Americans are shopping online in record numbers this holiday season, according to an analysis by Adobe Analytics. Online shopping certainly comes with added convenience: No traffic, no long lines, and a larger selection of available items—not to mention you can shop while wearing pajamas from the comfort of your sofa. But it can also be tricky to figure out exactly what you’re getting: How will that sweater fit? What do those sheets actually feel like? And do those sneakers really run small? [Read more…]

The Benefits of Deep Breathing and Why It Works

Feeling anxious? Angry? Frustrated? Disappointed?

The evidence clearly shows there is something you can do—no matter where you are or what the circumstances are. Take a few slow, deep breaths.

In most stressful situations, human nature actually drives us to take deep breaths. If you’re getting ready to give a speech to a large crowd or standing at the starting line for a community running race, you may find yourself taking a deep breath without even thinking about it. [Read more…]

Why Laughter Is Such Good Medicine

You know the feeling (hopefully!): Something silly sets you off – a movie, a joke, or maybe someone near you slips and falls – and you burst into laughter.

It feels good to laugh. And since the 1970s, medical experts have learned that laughter can boost pain tolerance and improve overall well-being. [Read more…]

How Heat Waves Affect Your Brain

As heat waves roll across the U.S. in the summer, heat-related illnesses are a serious threat to Americans. Although we often hear about the dangers of overheating and dehydration, heat waves lead to even broader consequences for the people coping with them. A “heat dome” covered the East Coast and southern U.S. last month, and has now shifted to California. [Read more…]

The Best Ways to Manage Anger

 

ARAMYAN/Adobe StockAccording to a worldwide Gallup poll of more than 147,000 people living in 142countries, nearly one-quarter of people feel angry on a regular basis, and that number has remained flat for the past three years.

Anger is one of the basic human emotions. Like other emotions, it is accompanied by physiological and biological changes in the body including increased heart rate and blood pressure, and higher levels of adrenaline and noradrenaline.

[Read more…]

What Fitness Exercises Treat Depression the Best?

Chances are that someone you love has experienced depression. Approximately 8 percent of U.S. adults – some 21 million people – have a major depressive disorder each year. For people under age 18, depression is the most common cause of hospitalization. [Read more…]

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