All articles tagged with #well being
Dermatologists say five common skin-care habits should be dropped for healthier skin, including loading the face with too many salves and serums, taking scalding hot showers, and popping pimples; for best results, stick to gentle cleansing, moisturizing, and broad-spectrum sunscreen.
A Journal of Positive Psychology study of about 1,200 adults in Canada and the UK finds that autonomy—the sense that life decisions are self-directed—predicts greater life satisfaction beyond momentary mood. Along with relatedness and competence, autonomy contributes to happiness, suggesting a blended view where both feelings and personal control matter. The Western sample and cultural limitations are noted, and findings imply well-being programs should avoid over-restricting choice to prevent backfiring.
A Washington Post health explainer reviews current cannabis use trends (noting that more than 21% of Americans 12+ used cannabis in the past year and that older adults are the fastest-growing user group) and summarizes what scientists now know about the health risks and uncertainties of light to moderate cannabis use.
The Washington Post’s Well+Being piece recommends three simple ways to support long-term brain health: play fast-paced video games to accelerate learning on new cognitive tasks, read fiction to potentially reduce cognitive decline and broaden social understanding, and learn a new language to keep the brain actively monitoring speech and improving efficiency.
The piece highlights six subtle signs of age-related hearing loss—such as trouble following conversations in noisy settings and persistent tinnitus—and offers practical steps: get a professional hearing test, protect your ears from loud noise, consider hearing aids, and use strategies to stay engaged in social activities.
The Washington Post Mind/Well‑Being column argues that smartphones aren’t inherently good or bad; their impact depends on how you use them. Citing cyberpsychology insights, it presents seven science-backed activities you can do on your phone that are more uplifting than mindless scrolling, encouraging a mindful, purposeful approach to tech use that can boost mood, learning, and overall well‑being.
Don’t rely on catching up on sleep to erase sleep debt; maintain a consistent schedule and consider a short 20-minute nap if you’re short on sleep. Aim for about 6.4–7.8 hours of sleep per night—the “sweet spot” for better brain, heart and immune function. If sleep remains difficult, talk with a doctor about supplements like melatonin or magnesium, noting magnesium has less evidence but may help with muscle relaxation.
Perimenopause and menopause can bring cognitive and emotional symptoms—such as memory lapses, word-finding difficulties, anxiety, and sudden, intense anger—that many doctors don’t routinely discuss, often disrupting daily life and highlighting the need for greater clinician awareness and patient-provider conversation.
Both cottage cheese and Greek yogurt are protein-rich staples, but dietitians note key distinctions: Greek yogurt typically has more protein and a thicker texture, while cottage cheese can be lower in sugar and calories depending on fat content; choosing plain varieties and aligning with goals like satiety and bone/metabolism support is advised.
The piece argues that thriving with age comes from actively renegotiating life's terms rather than passive acceptance. It contrasts disengagement theory with Baltes’ select–optimize–compensate approach, showing how flexible goal adjustment and tenacious pursuit can coexist to sustain purpose and happiness; examples include an elderly badminton player who improves by changing format, and research linking ongoing 'mattering' and optimism to longer, more satisfying lives.
Experts say that a 10-minute drawing activates the brain’s reward system and calms the nervous system, making quick sketching a practical, accessible form of stress relief that’s trending in art therapy and on social media.
A seven-day residential silent retreat sharply reduced connectivity in the brain's default mode network—the self-talk hub—and boosted mystical experiences to levels usually associated with psilocybin, all without any drugs. The finding comes from an observational study and cannot prove causation or medical treatment claims, but suggests that simply removing external inputs and extending quiet can rewire self-talk networks.
Yale psychology professor Dr. Laurie Santos argues happiness is a trainable skill, not a natural outcome, and outlines five habits to rewire the brain: strengthen social connections, be more other-oriented, cultivate gratitude, savor everyday moments, and get consistent exercise. These practices counter intuitive mind traps and diminishing returns on pleasure, offering a practical path to lasting well-being.
Trying to compensate for a week of sleep loss by oversleeping on weekends won’t fully reverse the health effects of sleep deprivation. Experts advise focusing on a stable, consistent weekly sleep schedule, keeping naps short and early if needed, and pairing it with routines like morning light exposure and regular bedtimes to recharge more effectively.
Research summarized by The Washington Post suggests that even low levels of alcohol can harm the brain, but quitting or cutting back can allow the brain to recover to some extent, with potential cognitive improvements and a lower dementia risk over time.