When it comes to health and wellness, staying informed is crucial. Here are some of this week’s top health headlines and what you can learn from them to improve your overall well-being.
Reducing the Risk of Dementia by Improving Deep Sleep
A recent study published in JAMA Neurology has found a connection between the amount of deep sleep an individual gets and their risk of developing dementia. This research, involving 346 participants over the age of 60, who took part in two sleep studies, reveals that a mere 1% reduction in deep sleep (known as slow wave sleep) per year can result in a 27% increased risk of dementia. The study’s author, Matthew Pase, suggests that “slow wave sleep loss may be a factor in the development of dementia and can potentially be modified.”
The Significance: Sleep problems are common among older individuals, but this study emphasizes the importance of prioritizing quality sleep for maintaining good health. Deep sleep plays a crucial role in the body’s healing and rejuvenation process, as well as in the conversion of short-term memories into long-term ones. To promote deeper sleep, consider sleeping in a colder room to lower body temperature or taking a warm shower or bath before bedtime. Although warm water initially raises your body temperature, it subsequently decreases, which ultimately aids in better sleep.
The Impact of Mindfulness on Your Diet
A group of researchers at the Mindfulness Center at Brown University discovered that individuals who engaged in an eight-week mindfulness-based blood pressure reduction program were more likely to adhere to a heart-healthy diet. All participants in the study followed the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) program, which emphasizes the consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy. However, those who also received mindfulness training, including meditation and emotion regulation techniques, were more successful in adopting this eating plan.
The Importance: Regardless of whether you need to follow a specific diet for health reasons, evidence supports the positive impact of mindfulness on overall well-being. VeryWell Health defines mindfulness as being aware of internal thoughts, emotions, and feelings without judgment or stress as an automatic response. In a study conducted in 2022, meditation was shown to be as effective as the medication Lexapro in treating anxiety. There is also evidence suggesting that practicing mindfulness techniques can help reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. Some parents are even teaching mindfulness to their children to improve attention span and stress management.
How Online Shopping Affects Your Eating Habits
An analysis published in Marketing Science examined nearly 2 million instances of online grocery shopping and found that individuals who used online platforms like Instacart tended to purchase a narrower variety of fruits and vegetables but also made fewer unhealthy impulse buys.
The Reasoning: Apps like Instacart provide convenience for grocery shopping while reducing the temptation to make unhealthy impulse purchases. However, it is important to maintain variety in your diet. Recent research suggests that consuming 30 different types of plants per week can enhance gut health. To benefit from the convenience of online grocery shopping, take some extra time exploring the digital produce section and consider adding different and unfamiliar vegetables and fruits to your cart.
The Power of Anger in Achieving Goals
A recent study published by the American Psychological Association reveals that anger is associated with higher rates of completing challenging tasks compared to neutral emotions. Researchers suggest that certain emotions serve as cues for action. While sadness may prompt individuals to seek comfort, anger may motivate them to overcome obstacles.
The Significance: While many individuals try to improve their mood before tackling difficult tasks, this research suggests that it may not be necessary. In fact, anger may have some benefits and can help drive action. However, chronic anger is not ideal, as research also shows that stress-induced anger inhibits critical thinking.
