How to Use the Latest Health News to Improve Your Well-being
Keeping up with health news can be overwhelming, but it’s crucial for incorporating it into your daily life. Below, we’ve broken down the latest health headlines and showed you how you can use the news to stay healthy and thriving.
Squat for a Brain Boost
Research has shown that sitting for long periods can lead to a reduction in cognitive function. However, a new study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology suggests that doing one minute of squatting exercises can help preserve the brain’s cognitive and executive function. This simple physical activity can be used by individuals seeking to break up their sedentary behavior, especially during times like in the workplace.
Although this study may encourage squatting specifically, it emphasizes that any type of activity is better than sitting down for long periods. Shorter “activity snacks” like taking a quick walk around the block can also be beneficial.
Avoid Pre-Cut Cantaloupe
The CDC has warned people not to eat pre-cut cantaloupe of unknown origin due to a recent deadly salmonella outbreak linked to the fruit. Salmonella can cause severe illness, especially in people with compromised immune systems. If you suspect salmonella may be to blame for any related illness, it’s important to drink plenty of fluids and rest at home and see a doctor if more intense symptoms occur.
Eat More Plants
Stanford Medicine researchers found evidence to suggest that a plant-based vegan diet may be more beneficial to one’s well-being than a healthy omnivore diet. In a randomized clinical trial, participants consuming a healthy vegan diet improved several health markers, including fasting insulin level and LDL-C levels, referred to as “bad cholesterol.” Additionally, the participants increased their fiber intake and lowered their saturated fat consumption, which can improve cardiometabolic health.
Eating a variety of vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds is crucial on a plant-based diet to get gut-healthy fiber and a wide range of vitamins and minerals. January is a great time to start exploring a plant-based diet, as many people participate in the “Veganuary” challenge, encouraging individuals to go entirely plant-based for the first month of the year.
Don’t Make Big Decisions After a Lack of Sleep
New research published in the journal Psychophysiology found that going 24 hours or more without sleep can significantly impact your ability to make smart decisions. Lack of sleep can dampen neural responses to outcomes of choices, affecting how you feel about positive and negative outcomes.
Prioritizing sleep is important for both mental and physical health. Not getting enough sleep can affect mood and exacerbate symptoms of conditions like depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. The CDC recommends at least seven hours of sleep for adults 18 to 60. Creating a winddown routine, avoiding screens, sticking to a consistent sleep schedule, and maintaining an optimal sleep temperature can all improve sleep quality.
