This section provides resources for managing various life conditions.
What’s of interest to you?
Previous feature articles:
Over one third of adults, and about 70% of teenagers, are sleep deprived - with measurable impacts on health and functioning.
Two recent studies show in great detail the important functions of sleep and the impact of sleep deprivation. Researchers found that the brain prepares for the production of essential proteins before bed-time and before waking. But in sleep-deprived brains, the actual production does not take place. It’s a process of “on your marks”, “get ready”, “stop!” This has serious consequences on the brain’s ability to function.
The secrets of truly happy people is that they understand that sustaining happiness is not just about doing things that you already are familiar with and like. Rather, happiness also requires growth and exploration and adventuring beyond your own comfort zone. Research confirms that taking risks can promote happiness.
A long-term prospective study of more than a million adolescents has turned up a risk factor for early death and reduced quality of mental health: low levels of muscular strength in adolescence.
Can heterosexual men and women ever be just friends, or are we just fooling ourselves? New research uncovered large gender differences in how men and women experience opposite-sex friendships.
People multitask because it makes them feel good. The findings showed that multitasking often gave the students an emotional boost, even when it hurt their cognitive functions, such as studying. But the idea that we are more productive that way is actually a myth!
BPA is bad for your health! Food stored and sold in plastic containers, especially when heated, may absorb bisphenol-A (BPA, a chemical used to harden plastics. A new study examined if there is a connection between the amount of BPA in the body and heart disease. The results were quite clear: higher urinary concentrations of BPA metabolites are associated with an increased risk of developing coronary artery disease.
One third of cancers are caused by lifestyle choices. That also means that over one third of cancers are avoidable by choosing different life style options.
How’s your mood these days? A study of millions of tweets on the popular online Twitter service shows most people feel best in the morning.
Frustrated with your New Year’s Resolutions? You’re not alone. Most people are (and, no, the answer is NOT to just not make any resolutions!)
In May 2011, the World Health Organization (WHO) labeled radiation emitted from cell phones as “possibly carcinogenic”, and research supporting this conclusion was published subsequently. So, is it time to get rid of your cell phone?
The Internet has revolutionized such things as shopping, politics and entertainment. But for many people going online is not just about convenience. It's about the need to be online. And it interferes with social, professional and personal activities and obligations. A recent study sheds some light on this under-reported condition.
What habit have those people developed who are most successful in managing their weight?
Find the answer on the Diet & Weight page
Are you seeking to learn how to MEDITATE? Research has shown many benefits to mind and body from the regular practice of meditation.
Follow this link for a nice introduction to
Click on the audio/video link part way down on the target page for a guided tour. Give yourself time to practice. Meditation is not a one-time deal, but an ongoing practice!
Spending time in nature is good for you. Areas with more trees tend to be less polluted, so spending time there allows you to breathe easier. Spending time outdoors has been linked with reduced blood pressure and stress, and seems to motivate people to exercise more. Given our human evolutionary history, it makes sense that being in nature allows us to feel at home, secure, near a source of food and water and being able to enjoy soothing vistas. Studies have shown that even just looking at nature pictures, for example in hospital rooms, can have beneficial effects, like reducing stress and speeding the healing process. But when it comes to knowing exactly how much time is required to be beneficial, up until now we had no way of quantifying it.
A new study aimed to better understand the relationships between time spent in nature per week and self-reported health and subjective well-being. The magic number: 2 hours a week. That, according to the researchers is the mark from where on participants noted significantly improved well-being.