Laughter — Good for Your Health
Laughter is good for your health! A recent study in the journal “Emotion” showed that people who were able to laugh at themselves tended to take themselves less seriously, and to report feeling happier overall. And many research studies have shown that laughter lowers blood pressure, improves mood and allows us to redirect our negative thinking to more positive thoughts. This is why I often recommend that depressed clients watch funny movies or television programs. The Law of Attraction says that our thoughts are energy, and that our positive thought energy attracts positive energy to us. So, laugh often and live well!
Mindfulness and Asperger’s Syndrome
A recent edition of the magazine, Mindfulness, contained the story of a father with two young boys, both of whom had been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome. Asperger’s syndrome is considered to be on the “Autism Spectrum,” a continuum of conditions ranging from mild autistic symptoms (Asperger’s Syndrome) to more serious symptoms (Autism). The symptoms of Asperger’s syndrome include difficulty with understanding social cues, difficulty transitioning between activities, preoccupation with a few subjects, and a strong need to maintain a set schedule of activities and routines (because change in daily routine can be very upsetting). The father in this story shared that practicing mindfulness had helped him to enjoy his time with his sons much more, because he was able to stay with them in the moment and not worry about the upheavals or difficulties that might arise should either boy become upset. He also found that he felt less driven to carve out “me time” for himself, since being present in each moment of his day allowed him to experience driving, standing in the grocery checkout line, and other daily tasks as opportunities for him to simply be mindful.
This father, Jack Russell, also said that he had also used mindfulness skills to teach his sons how to notice when they were becoming upset, and how to calm themselves. The boys were calmer, and so was he.
This is just one example of how mindfulness skills can be helpful in our daily lives, even in the most challenging situations. If you would like more information about mindfulness, or would like to learn mindfulness skills yourself, contact Dr. Evelo at leslie.evelo@OnlineTherapyConsult.com.
Stressed Out Moms-to-Be More Likely to Have Girls
A recent study by British and American researchers has found that pregnant women who experience high levels of chronic stress are more likely to give birth to daughters than sons. The researchers studied pregnant women’s self-reported stress levels and their levels of the stress hormone, cortisol. They found that the women with the highest levels of cortisol were 75% less likely to have boys than girls. The researchers speculated that, while gender is determined by chromosomes in the father’s sperm, high levels of cortisol in the mother could influence whether or not the embryos implant in the mother’s uterus; thus, female embryos may be more likely to implant than male embryos.
The findings were not entirely surprising to the researchers, since it has long been known that high-stress environmental factors — such as war or natural disaster — can influence the gender of an embryo. Still, this does not mean that it is a good idea for mothers-to-be who want to have daughters to increase their stress levels. Stress hormones also cause many negative consequences when it comes to physical and emotional health, such as increased risk for cardiovascular disease, reduced brain volume, impaired short-term memory, anxiety and depression.
Healthy Diets Lead to Better Mental Health
Three recent studies of adolescents and adults have once again confirmed the link between good nutrition and mental health. The studies, conducted in Australia and in Norway, found that diets high in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean protein were associated with lower rates of depression and anxiety. Diets that consisted of processed foods, unhealthy fats (such as trans-fats), and sugar were associated with higher rates of depression and anxiety. Researchers also found that adolescents who switched from unhealthy to healthy diets showed reductions in levels of depression and anxiety, whereas depression and anxiety increased for those whose diets became more unhealthy.
Scientists already know that exercise improves mental and physical health, and speculate that healthy nutrition and exercise together may be an effective, non-drug “prescription” for good mental health. Upcoming research will explore whether healthy diets during pregnancy lead to good mental health in children.
Manage All Your Social Networking From One Place!
Now and then, I come across tools or resources that I think are really fantastic. When that happens, I want to share them with people who I believe might benefit from them, too. My website consultant recently told me about one such resource and I love it! It’s called HootSuite.com, and it’s a super easy-to-use tool that has simplified my life and saved me a lot of stress.
My website consultant knows that I am a (somewhat reluctant) newcomer to the world of social networking, and she insisted that I “plug in” to Twitter and Facebook in order to promote my business. I was instantly overwhelmed by the task, so she told me about HootSuite.com because she knew that it would make the process easier for me. HootSuite lets me post messages on Twitter, Facebook, Linked-In, and an assortment of other social networking venues, all at the same time and all from one place. I can type in a message or post, schedule when it is to go out, and then post it to all my networking sites with a single click. I can also select just one or a few sites and post only to them.
HootSuite.com saves me a lot of time and aggravation. I highly recommend it, and urge you to try it for yourself. Go to http://hootsuite.com/p_7974 and see why I like it so much. It has opened up the world of social networking for me, and it can save you time and effort, too.
(In the interest of transparency, I will receive a very small commission if you sign up. But even if I didn’t, I’d still urge you to try it! That’s how much I like it.)
Workers Are Too Stressed To Be Effective
According to a recent survey by ComPsych, a large EAP (Employee Assistance Program) that serves businesses of all sorts across the country. The survey findings revealed the following information about employee stress:
- 29 % of employees come to work five or more days per year too stressed to be effective.
- 66% of workers report sustained high levels of stress related to their jobs.
- Workload is the top source of employee stress; next are “people issues,” managing work and personal life, and job security worries.
Many companies are trying to do more work with fewer resources, which often translates into fewer employees due to large numbers of employee layoffs. Employees who remain are then expected to take on the work of those who have been let go, which has led to “unprecedented levels of burnout,” according to ComPsych.
So long as the US economy remains in some crisis, workloads are expected to remain high and so will employee burnout levels. Smart companies are recognizing these elevated employee stress levels, and are making efforts to implement stress reduction programs, support work/life balance, and to ensure that employees have the necessary resources to do their jobs without being overly taxed.
Probiotics May Reduce Stress Hormones
A recent study in the journal Food Nutrition and Science has found that probiotics , the gut-healthy bacteria found in yogurt and available in probiotic supplements, reduce the levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, in the bloodstreams of healthy mice. By increasing the amount of probiotics present in the stomachs and intestines of the mice, scientists noticed a reduction in their stress hormone levels in reaction to anxiety and stress.
The researchers said that these study results add to a growing amount of evidence that there is an interaction between the bacteria in the stomach and intestines and the central nervous system. The study findings are particularly important given the mounting evidence that gastrointestinal disorders are associated with higher stress levels. Irritable bowel syndrome, for example, has been shown to be linked to stress.
Yogurt also provides calcium and potassium, and its possible stress lowering benefits make it a good choice as part of an overall stress reduction plan. For people who are lactose intolerant, lactose free probiotic supplements may be an excellent alternative.
Loneliness and Social Isolation Are Unhealthy For Seniors
Older adults who experience loneliness and social isolation are more likely to engage in behaviors that negatively impact their physical and emotional health, according to a recent study in England (The English Longitudinal Study of Ageing). Seniors who reported feeling lonely or socially isolated were more likely to smoke, less likely to exercise, and more likely to become depressed. Researchers also found that social isolation was associated with increased inflammatory markers, which contribute to arthritis and other ailments common to seniors.
The researchers suggested that health care providers educate older adults and their families about the negative health impacts of social isolation, and that seniors be encouraged to engage in activities that ensure frequent social contact, such as volunteer work, community involvement, and faith-based activities. Regular contact with family and friends is also important for seniors, and every effort should be made to assist seniors in maintaining these contacts.
Suicide Risk Elevated Following Dementia Diagnosis
If someone you love has recently been diagnosed with Dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease (a specific form of dementia), pay careful attention to their emotional reactions and be alert for signs of depression or anxiety. According to a recent study, adults who receive the news that they have developed dementia are at increased risk for suicide. The study, published in the November issue of the journal Alzheimer’s and Dementia, showed that those individuals most at risk are males aged 60 years and older, particularly if they are depressed or anxious before receiving the diagnosis or if they have a history of depression or anxiety. The researchers also cautioned that if someone develops depression or anxiety after a dementia diagnosis, they should be monitored for indications of suicidality.
The study’s authors speculated that increased awareness of Alzheimer’s Disease, including its symptoms and prognosis, has allowed those with the diagnosis to anticipate their likely decline in functioning and to subsequently feel depressed and powerless.
Signs that a person may be feeling suicidal include the following: saying goodbye to friends and family; giving away possessions; talking about wanting to die; getting legal documents (wills, insurance policies, etc.) in order; withdrawal from loved ones; withdrawal from activities; saying that they have nothing left to live for. Also, an individual who suddenly seems to be happy or cheerful after feeling depressed for some time may be at risk for suicide. While this appears to be counter-intuitive, a depressed person who decides to end his or her life may experience relief in knowing that their pain will soon end; therefore, a depressed mood can suddenly improve despite the person’s plan to die. If you detect any of these signs, it is important to ask the person how they are feeling, whether they are feeling depressed, and whether they are thinking of ending their life. Contrary to popular belief, asking someone if they are considering suicide will not “plant the idea” in their minds or cause them to kill themselves. In reality, asking the question often allows the person to talk openly about their feelings, and this may offer some relief. In all cases, it is important to urge someone to seek professional help if they are depressed or suicidal. Many communities offer suicide crisis hotlines, and local mental health centers and hospitals can provide further assistance and information.