On average, 115 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose—about five times more deaths compared to two decades ago. These drugs—which include prescription pain medications, heroin, and illegally manufactured Fentanyl—have a powerful and potentially dangerous effect on the brain.
What Do We Really Know About Mindfulness?
April 6, 2018 By Leave a Comment
The concept of mindfulness is in the media constantly. We’ve written about it several times on the Evidence-based Living blog. Many people see meditation as a magic bullet that can reduce pain, relieve depression, and sharpen our focus. [Read more…]
Meditation Does Not Make You a Better Person
February 11, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Many people think of meditation as a magic bullet that can improve our health, sharpen our focus, and make us better people overall.
But in reality, the evidence on meditation is mixed. According to reviews by the Cochrane Collaboration, there is little evidence that mindfulness can help improve health problems such as fibromyalgia, anxiety, depression, and neck pain. There are some credible data that demonstrate meditation can improve risk factors for cardiovascular disease. And research on brain function shows that meditation can reduce feelings of pain. [Read more…]
What To Do About Cyberbullying
November 9, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Today’s teenagers are growing up with a completely different set of social parameters compared to any other generation before them thanks to advances in technology. [Read more…]
When Grandparents Raise Their Grandchildren
September 26, 2017 By Leave a Comment
More children are living with their grandparents than ever before in contemporary society. This phenomenon leads to a complex set of issues and outcomes for grandparents and the children for whom they care. [Read more…]
Do Concealed Weapons Keep People Safer?
August 24, 2017 By 2 Comments
Today, all 50 U.S. states allow residents to carry concealed weapons in public, and eight states extend this right without requiring a special permit.
Laws allowing people to carry concealed weapons in public places (often called right-to-carry or RTC laws) were passed over the past several decades as gun advocates argued that they would promote safety. The perspective is based on the premise that everyday citizens who carry handguns will be able to fight back against armed criminals. [Read more…]
Playing To Win: Should Youth Specialize in Sports?
June 14, 2017 By Leave a Comment
If you spend any time at a baseball field during this season, you’ll pick up on all sorts of philosophies about kids and sports.
There are the laid back parents who don’t mind that their kid is picking dandelions in the outfield. There are the intense parents who are watching their kids’ every move and critiquing their play. There are coaches working to instill the values of hard work and sportsmanship, and those who are out there simply to win. [Read more…]
What Motivates Us and Why
April 24, 2017 By 1 Comment
Much of society today is focused on striving – for better grades, a raise or promotion, fitness achievements and more. Teachers, business managers and even community leaders are looking for ways to motivate people. [Read more…]
Sex Education: Teens Teaching Teens
April 3, 2017 By Leave a Comment
There is clear evidence that risky sexual behavior harms young people. More than two million people ages 15 to 24 across the globe contract HIV each year, including more than 17,000 American young people. Four million U.S. teens experience a sexually-transmitted infection each year. And between 750,000 and 900,000 teenage women in the U.S. become pregnant each year. [Read more…]
In preschool, quality counts the most
March 15, 2017 By Leave a Comment
In elementary school and beyond, the stakes for students are higher than ever before. Third-graders are practicing algebra. Standardized testing is more and more important. Even kindergartners often forgo play-time to work on reading and writing. As a result, preschool programs are increasingly focused on getting kids ready for elementary school. [Read more…]
Mental health and sexual orientation: What the evidence says
February 23, 2017 By Leave a Comment
It’s no secret that being different than other people — whether it means your race, gender, or sexual orientation — is often a source of stress in our society. People of minority sexual orientations often feel that stress most acutely. And it’s no surprise. [Read more…]
What we know about fake news
February 3, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Former President Barack Obama banned the pledge of allegiance in schools before leaving office, and Pope Francis endorsed President Donald Trump in the 2016 election….right? [Read more…]
