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Try ‘Physical Activity’ Instead of ‘Exercise’

Robert Roy Britt @robertroybritt.bsky.social · 2d

In this week's Wise & Well newsletter:

> How to Curb Menopausal Weight Gain
> This Vaccine Serendipitously Reduces Dementia
> Politics is Like One Big Dysfunctional Family
> Focus on Sleep Quality, Not Just Duration
> Short ‘Exercise Snacks’ Boost Fitness in Inactive Adults

Plus:

Plus: Several other features to make your tomorrow a little better than today

80% Women Dealing with Menopause Symptoms Don’t Seek Care

Robert Roy Britt @robertroybritt.bsky.social · 3d

A Mayo Clinic survey of nearly 5,000 women ages 45–60 that found more than 80% don’t seek medical care for their #menopause symptoms. If you're going through menopause, this special Wise & Well newsletter offers a bunch of helpful information and resources:

medium.com/wise-well/80...

Plus: More menopause resources in a Wise & Well mid-week newsletter special

Why Do Menopausal Women Gain Weight So Easily? And What Can Be Done?

Robert Roy Britt @robertroybritt.bsky.social · 3d

Common symptoms of #menopause —hot flashes, mood swings and sleep challenges —are bad enough. Then there's weight gain on top of it all. And the added visceral fat around the midsection is the most unhealthy kind. This family physician sees it often. Here she explains what's going on and what to do.

Midlife hormonal changes conspire to trigger harmful weight gain. Here’s a strategy to counter the effect and reduce health risks.

Triggers of Gun Violence are Not What You Think

Robert Roy Britt @robertroybritt.bsky.social · 4d

Writer makes a strong case for momentary rage—spontaneous, impulsive behaviors—being the main factor in gun violence (80% of the time), not any sort of planned assault. That begs for wildly different preventive measures to curb the problem.

medium.com/wise-well/tr...

Unthinking Violence: We need to understand that 80% of gun murders are spontaneous, thoughtless, decisions.

Short ‘Exercise Snacks’ Boost Fitness in Inactive Adults

Robert Roy Britt @robertroybritt.bsky.social · 4d

If lack of time is your excuse for not getting enough physical activity, then you might try exercise snacks. A new study indicates than less than five minutes, twice a day, done thrice weekly, "can improve both cardiorespiratory #health and muscle #fitness in otherwise inactive adults."

No gym required for mini workouts that deliver real gain in weeks

Why Should I Get Shingles Vaccine?

Robert Roy Britt @robertroybritt.bsky.social · 5d

I can't provide individualized medical advice, but here's an informative overview written by a doctor. If you still have questions, best to ask your doctor or pharmacist. medium.com/wise-well/wh...

You might think it’s “just a rash,” but fluid-filled blisters are the mildest of symptoms that can include debilitating, never-ending pain.

I’m Only 35, But I Got Shingles?

Robert Roy Britt @robertroybritt.bsky.social · 5d

Here's an informative take on this from a scientists who got shingles in his 30s: medium.com/wise-well/im...

My childhood chickenpox came back to haunt me. Don’t let it happen to you.

The Next Step in the Science of Walking

Robert Roy Britt @robertroybritt.bsky.social · 5d

Scientists have made great strides in recent decades revealing the power of simply walking to improve physical and mental health. A new study adds a fresh twist: One longer walk is better than three shorter ones that add up to the same duration. But don't read the story. Just go for a walk!

Any walking is good for you, but one longish walk is better than multiple shorter strolls, new research suggests

Foods That Food Safety Experts Refuse to Eat

Robert Roy Britt @robertroybritt.bsky.social · 5d

Raw cookie dough, raw shellfish, raw milk, undercooked beef or eggs. Those are just a few of items on a long list of foods that food safety experts and health professionals would not eat, period, based on this writer's interview with several of them.

medium.com/wise-well/fo... #food #health

I spoke with scientists and public health professionals from around the world to reveal the hidden risks in everyday foods

This Vaccine Serendipitously Reduces Dementia

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Robert Roy Britt @robertroybritt.bsky.social · 6d

As he saw with a friend, the spiral into dementia can be swift. Since the writer is a doctor, he dug into the things that might've helped prevent his friend's fate, surprised to find the shingles vaccine is among them.

The shingles vaccine is highly recommended for preventing shingles, but studies find a nifty added benefit

Why You Should Focus on Sleep Quality, Not Duration

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Robert Roy Britt @robertroybritt.bsky.social · 7d

At least as important as sleep duration, almost surely more so, is to focus on how well you sleep, new research reveals. Learn how to gauge your sleep quality and the changes that'll improve the efficiency of your sleep, boosting overall health and how you feel every day.

New research reveals a new sleep mystery, plus the vital importance of a good night’s sleep — beyond the hours you put in

The Science of Great Conversation

Robert Roy Britt @robertroybritt.bsky.social · 9d

In addition to listening well, there are four specific things you can do to prepare for and stimulate better interpersonal discussions, regardless the skills of your counterpart. Can you guess what they might be? (That was a hint.)

Building meaningful bonds with others can feel intimidating. But research shows small tweaks to our conversational style can help us feel…

Vitamin D Supplements May, Oddly, Sabotage Vitamin D Levels

Robert Roy Britt @robertroybritt.bsky.social · 10d

Before you take any vitamin D supplement, you'll want to know which kind. Vitamin D comes in two main forms, and new research suggests one is a bit of a downer, negating the effect of the other, more important one. Who knew? (Well, that's what science is for!).

New research suggest it’s important to choose the right kind of vitamin D

Yes, We Are Divided. But in Thirds.

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Robert Roy Britt @robertroybritt.bsky.social · 10d

You might've heard of the rule of threes, whereby everything from art to mantras looks or sounds better in threes. It makes me think about thirds. So many things that we see as black and white are, more accurately, divided into thirds, from political leanings to ambition and talent. Many examples.

Looking beyond dichotomous characterizations of a seemingly polarized populace yields a notably more nuanced picture of Americans

robertroybritt.medium.com

Robert Roy Britt @robertroybritt.bsky.social · 11d

Blame the popular use of technical terms. This psychiatrist explains the difference, and why it matters, and in doing so offers a primer in the #neuroscience and #psychology of emotions, moods, and temperaments.

Don’t Call it a Mood Swing!

Emotions, moods, and temperaments describe different things.

5 Emergency Medical Myths That Won’t Die

Robert Roy Britt @robertroybritt.bsky.social · 13d

If people knew how to handle minor "emergencies" that land them in the ER, fewer people would go to the ER. But, you know, we're human. So we need an ER doc like this one to explain how to handle common non-life-threatening injuries and oddities like cuts, ankle injuries and nose bleeds.

These common and sometimes scary issues have simple treatments that people often get wrong, risking a worsening situation.

America’s Other Serious Drug Problem

Robert Roy Britt @robertroybritt.bsky.social · 15d

In this week's Wise & Well newsletter:

> The Truth about Type A vs. B Personalities
> Why You Should Expect Your Partner to Hurt You Emotionally
> Good Nursing Homes vs. Lousy Ones: What to Look For
> Perfectionism Makes Chronic Pain Worse
> Poor Hydration Linked to Higher Stress

Plus:

Do you take multiple prescription meds? Could you Just Say No?

Why You Should Expect Your Partner to Hurt You Emotionally

Robert Roy Britt @robertroybritt.bsky.social · 16d

In romantic #relationships, feelings are easily hurt because we don't think our partner would ever hurt us. But of course they will! Healing depends on accepting that fact, plus understanding the difference between intellectual analysis of the situation and actual feelings.

And how the most optimistic thing you can do is prepare for it

Changing Your Brain Can Change Your Mind

Robert Roy Britt @robertroybritt.bsky.social · 17d

Neurofeedback involves having people think different in order to change the readings of real-time brain scans, thereby rewiring underlying brain activity. Now, finally, the process is proving to be a real-world solution for numerous #mentalhealth conditions, rivaling talk therapy and medications.

An individualized approach to neurofeedback may finally make it a valued treatment for mental health conditions.

Good Nursing Homes vs. Lousy Ones: What to Look For

Robert Roy Britt @robertroybritt.bsky.social · 17d

Before you choose a long-term care facility for a loved one, you'll want to read this insider's take on what to look for and what questions to ask to help ensure the facility you choose is a quality one. This nurse has all the insights.

I’ve learned to spot warning signs the moment I walk into a facility. Here are the red flags I watch out for.

Poor Hydration Linked to Higher Stress

Robert Roy Britt @robertroybritt.bsky.social · 18d

Insufficient hydration—even if shy of actual dehydration—mucks with the brain. That's what new research finds. The point, of course, is obvious: Drink water before you stress out.

Dehydration can fuel cortisol surges linked to stress related illness, new research suggests.

Perfectionism Makes Chronic Pain Worse

Robert Roy Britt @robertroybritt.bsky.social · 18d

New research finds perfectionists suffer from more chronic pain than people who allow more self-compassion. The finding is particularly interesting to this writer, a life-long perfectionist and chronic pain sufferer.

New research finds the key to relief may be greater self-compassion

When Comedians Are Silenced, Society Suffers

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Robert Roy Britt @robertroybritt.bsky.social · 18d

Laughter is great medicine, but we don't all find the same things funny. Yet #comedy is a vital communication medium, and the price of #censorship is higher than you might realize.

Science weighs in on the power of comedy

Watching Certain Videos Can Lower Stress as Effectively as Meditation

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Robert Roy Britt @robertroybritt.bsky.social · 20d

New experiments investigated whether certain types of media can lower stress levels, and how effectively. Turns out one type, which engendered hope, beat out comedy at quashing stress, and even matched the positive effects of guided meditation. Can you guess which type?

Guess which type: Comedy, puppies, or something else?