That’s right. Or, as Health Writer Bob Clark in Florida puts it, in a recent Tampa Bay Times article, “Don’t manage anger — get rid of it”. Clark points out: “studies show that somewhere between 75 and 90 percent of all visits to primary care physicians result from stress-related disorders.” And doesn’t it make sense
Consider this: “If scientists suddenly discovered a drug that was as powerful as love in creating health, it would be heralded as a medical breakthrough and marketed overnight – especially if it had as few side effects and was as inexpensive as love.” This insight is from Dr. Larry Dossey, M.D. in his book, Healing Words. We
With the one-year anniversary of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, coming up tomorrow, Saturday, December 14, it’s important to turn our hearts and thoughts in directions that will continue the healing process. In Watching what we’re watching for health’s sake, we are reminded that research shows a link between watching
“Those who reported a lot of stress but didn’t view it as harmful actually had a lower risk of dying than anyone else in the study, including those who reported low levels of stress.” What? Really? That’s what the study found. Furthermore, can caring for others and divine inspiration help reduce negative effects of stress?
“Each of us has within us a divine spark.” ~Christiane Northrup, M.D. In her recent article in Westminster Patch in Maryland, Kate Johnson, who writes about spirituality and health, takes a look at how women find better health by looking within. Here are three excerpts showing some of the examples Johnson shares: Dr. Riina, a family physician,
On the East Bay in Traverse City, Michigan
Friday marks the official start of summer, and for many, summer is vacation time.
Research has found that vacations are beneficial for health and well-being, at least in the short run.
For example, one study¹ looked at fifty-three employees and measured physical complaints and the quality of sleep and mood both 10 days before and 3 days after vacations. These measures all improved. And then, again, five weeks after vacations, the employees still reported fewer physical complaints. The study concluded that vacations may improve well-being on a short-term basis.
Perhaps not surprisingly, though, it depends on the nature of the vacation. For example, other studies² have found that:
(©Glowimages/Stock photo; Models used for illustrative purposes only)
Images of the category EF-5 tornado that went through portions of Oklahoma on Monday and the trail of destruction it left behind can be disturbing to watch. And, as in the case of other recent tragedies, such as hurricane Sandy, the Newtown massacre and the Boston Marathon bombing, our hearts yearn for everyone involved to find comfort and peace, along with any needed provisions.
Perhaps we recognize familiar sentiments from these words of the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah when he wrote in the book of Lamentations¹ about devastation:
It’s self-evident that helping others is helpful to those being helped. But a recent study¹ has found that giving – in the form of helping others – is also beneficial to the helper’s health and longevity. The study looked at 846 subjects from the Detroit area. The subjects completed baseline interviews identifying stressful experiences in the
(Photo: © Glow Images, Models are used for illustrative purposes.)
The recent tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut pulls at the heartstrings of all of us. We long to know that everyone involved will soon find some measure of comfort and peace.
As we search for answers to why the tragedy unfolded in the first place and to how to help children who are suffering trauma recover, many have offered helpful ideas. One idea struck me as not only of benefit in dealing with trauma but also useful for preventing the illnesses that can accompany stress and emotional duress.
In a recent opinion piece¹ in Heritage-Media West newspapers, Smita Nagpal, a licensed psychologist and licensed professional counselor, advised, “Limit exposure to TV images and news coverage. The graphic images and repetitive scenes can be disturbing for children.” “Talk honestly about the incident, without graphic detail…”
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.”