In a recent Tampa Bay Times article entitled, “10 tips to help you sleep: Look outside the medicine cabinet“, health writer Bob Clark from Belleair, Florida points out that Americans are using 60 million prescriptions for sleep-inducing drugs at a cost of $7 billion a year. But it’s not doing the trick. He says, “Sleep experts
“It was the first time the question had been asked and the study turned up a surprising result: some 6 million Americans had used a mind-body therapy because their doctor had recommended it.” What was the question? “A 2011 study conducted by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School looked at how mainstream
In a CBS News segment by Jim Axelrod last Saturday, U.S. Congressman Tim Ryan concurred – with a smile – that yes, Congress could benefit from a form of meditation called mindfulness. Ryan feels it can also help in our schools and help lower health care costs. Highlights of the CBS report: “It often seem
“Your mind can cut your chances of catching a cold by 40 to 50 percent.” Really? Yes – according to a recent ABC News report by Susan Ince entitled, “15 Ways To Prevent Colds and Flu” which lists meditation along with other methods of prevention such as exercise, getting enough sleep, and frequently washing one’s hands. Here’s
(Photo: © Glow Images, Models are used for illustrative purposes.)
GO FISH anyone?
New research suggests that playing cards may help preserve mental health.
A 12/13/2012 PRWEB article republished by the San Francisco Chronicle (SFGATE.com) states, “The Project for Natural Health Choices Inc. encourages playing cards and board games as these may actually contribute to a healthier brain according to new research conducted by Rush University Medical Center and the Illinois Institute of Technology. The research results, presented on November 25, 2012 at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America, suggest that playing cards and board games can help fight brain aging.”
Yours truly at the U.S. Capitol on a rainy day
“We don’t need to move to the left or to the right. We all need to go a little deeper.”
This from Ohio Congressman Tim Ryan according to a recent Washington Times article¹ by Patrick Hruby about Mr. Ryan’s interest in a form of meditation called mindfulness. Ryan has found it so helpful that he said, “This needs to be in the schools. And the health care system.”
There’s a lot of talk these days in the U.S. about health care, health care costs, and what role the government should play. Mr. Ryan’s interest in mindfulness seems focused more on health itself.
According to Hruby, research suggests that mindfulness helps with such problems as chronic pain, inflammation, high blood pressure, and stress. He quotes Mr. Davidson, director of the University of Wisconsin’s Lab for Affective Neuroscience, who said, “There’s a huge amount of suffering that can be prevented with healthy habits of the mind.”
May was National Mental Health Month here in the U.S.
Here are brief excerpts from five interesting news stories on the subject that show things we’re learning, new approaches that are being tried to treat mental health issues, and a recognition that spirituality is important.