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That cup of joe in the morning is a pick-me-upper for most but it also may be a cup of medicine for some. A newly published study analyzing data from almost 10,000 people found that a higher level of caffeine in plasma concentrations predicted lower body mass index (BMI), lower body fat mass, and even lower incidents of type 2 diabetes.

The study actually measured certain genetic markers that affect the absorption and metabolizing of caffeine, and found statistically high correlations between caffeine levels and BMI and Type 2 diabetes. No correlation was found to other diseases like atrial fibrillation, heart failure and stroke.

While some of these results had been published before, the new study added more details to the knowledge base on caffeine. While there are still questions about the long-term effects of caffeine use, short term effects as reported in the study are quite positive.

The study adds physical benefits to the list of positive impacts shown in previous studies. There is growing evidence that caffeine reduces the incidence, or delays the onset, of dementia and increases the level of alertness and focus (of interest in particular to those who have forms of ADHD). Most studies indicate that up to 4 cups of coffee are perfectly okay for most adults. It’s not all positive, though, because caffeine can also increase levels of anxiety for those who are susceptible to anxiety.

Since the current study focused on plasma levels of caffeine using genetic markers, it also was not able to examine the effects of high calorie specialty coffee drinks on BMI and diabetes: while an 8 ounce cup of black coffee has only a negligible 1-5 calories, adding a tablespoon of sugar adds 49 calories and a tablespoon of half and half milk adds 20 calories. Compare that to a latte at the coffee shop with 190 calories , a caramel macchiato at 250 (roughly equal to a candy bar), and a white chocolate mocha at a whopping 430 calories (about the same as a double cheeseburger at a popular restaurant chain). In other words, keep it simple! A regular drip or french press coffee may be one step on the way to a slimmer waist.

Some of the few negative mental health consequences that researchers have linked to social media use are disrupted sleep, lower life satisfaction and poor self-esteem. Somehow the same platforms that can help people feel more connected and knowledgeable also contribute to loneliness, disatisfaction and disinformation.

It’s easy to quickly get lost in social media. When people encounter a platform where they can infinitely scroll for more information, it can trigger a similar reward system as in anticipating a winning lottery ticket or going to a fancy restaurant expecting great food. It’s a powerful way that these apps are designed to keep us checking and scrolling, says researcher Amanda Baughan, a graduate student specializing in human-computer interaction at the University of Washington.

The 30-Minute Ick Factor is when people mean to check their social media briefly but then find that 30 minutes have passed, and when they realize how much time they have spent, they have this sense of disgust and disappointment in themselves. Research has shown that people are dissatisfied with this habitual social media use. A lot of people frame it as meaningless, unproductive or addictive.

Additionally, the design of social media can have a lot of power in how people interact with one another and how they feel about their online experiences. For example, when people were encouraged to start talking about something contentious in a comment thread by switching to direct messaging, participants really liked it. Direct communication, even online, helped to resolve their conflict and replicated a solution we use in-person: people having a public argument move to a private space to work things out.

Interventions that make a difference.

Not surprisingly, people only have a different experience when they actively choose to make changes. For example, the most successful were custom lists and reading history labels. In custom lists, the study app forced users to categorize the content they followed, such as “sports” or “news” or “friends.” Then, instead of interacting with Twitter’s main feed, they engaged only with content on these lists. This would be easy to replicate without joining a study, but there would have to be the person’s commitment do doing this on their own.

In a reading history intervention, people received a message when they were caught up on the newest tweets. Rather than continuing to scroll, they were alerted to what they had already seen, and so they focused on just the newest content. Those interventions reduced dissociation, and when the researchers interviewed the participants, people said they felt safer checking their social media accounts when these modifications were present. Several social media sites today allow you to set a timer alerting you to the time you have spent on the app. If you prefer to be a little happier about your use of social media, use that timer!

We are approaching two years of living in the COVID-19 pandemic. After a slow start to the research into this special group, there is mounting evidence that pregnant women are more vulnerable than the general population to severe disease. Having COVID while pregnant considerably increases the risk of dying or having several pregnancy-related complications. Yet despite a growing number of studies demonstrating that the COVID vaccines are safe during pregnancy, only about 32% of pregnant people aged 18 to 49 in the U.S. are fully vaccinated (September 25 data point). This figure is especially concerning now that “some data suggest the Delta variant might cause more severe illness than previous variants in unvaccinated people,” as noted by the CDC. On September 29, the CDC issued a health advisory strongly recommending COVID-19 vaccination "either before or during pregnancy."

A recent study involving over 700 pregnant women with COVID found pregnant women were at

• 76 % higher risk of developing pre-eclampsia (a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure),

• 59% higher risk of preterm birth;

• five times more likely to be admitted to an ICU ;

• 22 times more likely to die than those without COVID.

Research has also determined which risk factors make pregnant individuals even more susceptible to severe COVID: employed as health care workers or had underlying medical conditions—including obesity, chronic lung disease, chronic hypertension or diabetes—were at increased risk (which is the same for all people).

Vaccines have been shown to be very safe. Data from more than 3,900 pregnant women who received these vaccines indicated that they did not have increased rates of miscarriages, birth defects or preterm births. And another analysis also did not show an increased risk among more than 2,000 vaccinated pregnant people (i.e., vaccinated before becoming pregnant). The claim circulating on the internet that the vaccine causes infertility has been shown to be entirely unsubstantiated. The most recent ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) advisory now recommends that all eligible people receive a COVID vaccine, including pregnant and lactating individuals.

There is evidence that some of the protective benefits of the vaccine are being transferred to the baby when breastfeeding. The same is, of course, true for antibodies in the mother’s bloodstream during pregnancy: the baby develops the same defenses. Parents instinctively want to protect their babies. For the parents to get vaccinated is the most powerful way of protecting themselves and their babies from the novel coronavirus.

The question comes up over and over because the answers are often not what some like to hear. Guidance from the Employee Assistance Professionals Association briefly outlines the general and legal consensus at this point. Here we go:

Can my employer require me to get the COVID vaccine? The short answer is – YES.

Whether the US Federal Government, City of Chicago, Advocate Aurora Health, McDonald’s, United Airlines, etc., the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) stated on May 28th allowed for an employer COVID mandate. There are ADA exemptions, and Title VII (Civil Rights Act) protections for medical and religious reasons to not vax. There is a level of proof (to the employer) required for both. There are employer obligations for accommodation in these narrow circumstances for these specific vaccination opt-outs.

Can my employer fire me for refusing a vaccine? YES.

If the unvaccinated employee “would pose a direct threat due to a ‘significant risk of substantial harm to the health or safety of the individual or others that cannot be eliminate or reduced by reasonable accommodation.” A lawsuit was dismissed by a US Federal Judge over legal precedent when Houston Methodist terminated (or accepted the resignation of) 153 employees after mandating the vaccine. Terminations stand.

Can my employer ask about my vax status? YES.

An employer can ask for proof of vaccination. Under EEOC, an employer’s questions about other medical information get a bit more complicated.

It is still a must that the particulars of a CBA (collective bargaining agreement) be adhered to (pay, benefits, due process, etc.) in this COVID era when employees are represented by a union.

Editor’s note: While, as noted above, some readers may not LIKE the guidance published above, these are the current employment regulations regarding Covid. Some lawsuits currently before the courts may change this, but this is the stand as of today’s date.

American society is built on individualism and individual rights. As we are finding ourselves in a pandemic with rates of infections rising at an exponential level in some areas, at what point will I subordinate my individual rights to the needs of the larger society. Most of us would have very little hesitation to make sacrifices for our children or other loved ones. Maybe it’s time now to come together as a society that says ‘even though I don’t like it, I will do what is necessary to protect my neighbors.’

For some the current pandemic and the order to stay at home and to practice social distancing is enough to make them feel uneasy and anxious and excessively concerned. Nobody should minimize the seriousness of what we are experiencing, but excessive anxiety can be equally unhelpful and have a negative impact on others.

Our feature article is loaded with helpful hints and links to websites that offer helpful information and are invaluable resources in this and other situations. Take, for example, the link to a TED Talk about sleep hygiene. Or the link to free online courses from the most prestigious universities and colleges in the world.

Click on the link below for the feature article.

Kids spend a lot of time looking at screens. And some parents worry because there is frequent news about possible negative effects on mental and physical health attributed to screen time. A new study, however, does not support this narrative: when 388 early- and middle-adolescent kids were assessed for the effects of their screen time, the study found that kids were spending about 5 hours a day looking at screens (and that even excluded homework time), no correlation was found between mental health and increased screen time. If anything, there appears to be a positive correlation between the amount of text messages sent and the social connectedness reported by these kids. The author’s recommendation to parents: Just relax, worry less and talk to your kids more (hopefully not only by texting them)!