All articles tagged with #well being
A Minnesota couple who first met while both were being treated for traumatic brain injuries have reconnected years later, got engaged in the hospital where they met, and are now preparing to marry, bonded by their shared experiences and mutual understanding.
An increasing number of mothers over 40 report overlapping postpartum and perimenopausal symptoms—mood swings, brain fog and sleep disruption—as hormonal changes from childbirth intersect with aging, illustrated by a 44-year-old mom’s experience after a 2024 birth.
The Washington Post reports that smoking is the most common but also the riskiest way to use cannabis, and it outlines five safer alternatives. Among them, cannabis tinctures are noted for their quick onset (about 15 minutes), offering a faster option than edibles while aiming to reduce the harms associated with smoking, with input from experts like Dr. Peter Grinspoon.
The Washington Post piece explains the idea of a 'stress mindset'—that beliefs about whether stress helps or harms us influence anxiety and performance—and outlines six practical strategies to reframe stress as a resource to reduce daily anxiety and boost resilience.
Science suggests cringe-worthy dad jokes may serve a real purpose by strengthening father-child bonds: an analysis of 32,000 jokes shows that puns, literal humor, and pedantic quips drive bonding and positive emotional responses, underscoring humor's role in parenting and overall well-being.
A small UCSF study of 52 healthy older adults (median age ~75) found that adding a brief instruction to focus on moments of awe during a 15-minute weekly walk for eight weeks led to higher daily gratitude and compassion and lower distress compared with a control group. Selfies taken during walks suggested participants appeared smaller and smiled more over time, providing exploratory evidence of a link between awe and emotional health. The authors caution that this is a small, observational study and not medical advice, and results may not generalize to everyone.
A psychologist distills a decade of happiness research into five habits that build lasting well-being: invest in close relationships, guard your time, seek challenging experiences, spend on others, and spend 120 minutes per week in nature, highlighting happiness as an ecological outcome of how you structure your life.
Caffeine stays in your system differently for each person due to genetics, so a late-afternoon cup can disrupt sleep for some. For better rest, finish your caffeine about nine hours before you plan to sleep and keep total daily caffeine under the FDA-recommended 400 mg. Morning coffee may offer health benefits, but timing is key for sleep quality.
Close social ties and support can boost health and resilience to stress and may even extend life; research suggests that marriage or partnership can bring specific health benefits, including mental health advantages and possibly lower cancer risk.
Renowned happiness researcher Sonja Lyubomirsky shares six daily, science-backed habits she uses to maintain a positive mood even during hectic schedules.
A 27-year-old with a master’s degree, having studied abroad and now employed, feels behind in life because of being single with only a few close friends and a recent nonverbal learning disorder diagnosis. She mourns the life she thought she’d have if the diagnosis had come earlier. The adviser responds with empathy, urges self-compassion, recommends reframing success beyond relationship milestones, and offers practical steps to build meaningful connections and seek support for neurodiversity as she moves forward.
Dr. Sue Varma’s concept of practical optimism is a learnable, eight-pillared framework for thriving through stress and adversity. It blends realism with action, distinguishing itself from toxic positivity and resilience by focusing on purposeful intention, emotional processing, problem-solving, self-compassion, proficiency, presence, relationships, and healthy habits. Backed by research showing optimism links to lower cardiovascular risk, longer life, and better cognitive health, the approach provides concrete steps and daily practices (including a 10-minute focused routine and four-step emotion work) to cultivate a more optimistic outlook, with 75% of optimism being learned and doable for anyone.
A Washington Post piece reports that a small study found a surprisingly high rate of precancerous polyps among young extreme runners, raising questions about whether intense endurance sports might influence colorectal cancer risk; doctors also note cases of fit young patients with advanced colon cancer and few risk factors, but experts caution that data are limited and controversial.
Experts share science-backed strategies to fall asleep faster and improve sleep quality, noting that many people fall short of the recommended seven to nine hours due to sleep disorders, anxiety, caffeine, and daytime distractions; practical tips include reducing caffeine and screen time before bed, keeping a consistent sleep schedule, creating a sleep-friendly environment, and addressing underlying stress or health issues.
A Washington Post Well+Being piece explains that bone health is shaped by lifelong nutrition and that it's never too early to optimize your diet; it highlights five foods that can help maintain bone mass as you age.