As we scroll through aspirational accounts on Instagram or TikTok — or slap on our own smiles for the next holiday gathering — it can be hard to remember how common depression is. That sense of isolation is a cruel illusion. After Marsha Linehan survived her own suicidal depression, she developed a new approach for […]
How to fight middle-age weight gain
As we approach middle age, our bodies enter a vicious cycle. Chronic inflammation triggers weight gain, and weight gain triggers inflammation. Dr. Mary Claire Haver developed the Galveston Diet to help people, especially women, manage problems related to hormonal fluctuations. How does this plan differ from all the other diets that are out there? Shifting Gears […]
Is what you’re eating really food?
The first artificial sweetener, saccharin, was discovered by a chemist who was studying coal tar. This discovery marked a new era in synthetic food chemistry that introduced a large-scale addition of synthetic compounds to our diet. In industrialized countries like the United Kingdom, people ingest as much as 17.6 pounds (8 kilos) of food additives […]
A radical mental makeover
Who would you take life advice from if not Scott Adams, the guy who wrote the “Dilbert” comic strip? Okay, maybe quite a few other people. But the core principle of his recent self-help book is truly powerful: when you can’t alter your circumstances, change your perspective. He calls this skill “reframing,” and it can […]
How’s your mental fitness?
Negative thought patterns inhibit our happiness and damage our lives. Shirzad Chamine, a Stanford lecturer and the CEO of the largest coaching organization in the world, calls these thought patterns “Saboteurs.” They’re the automatic, habitual mind patterns that work against our success. How can we banish them? Train Your Brain Chamine says that the brain […]
5 steps to reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s
Better lifestyle choices have been found to lower the risk of Alzheimer’s by more than 80 percent, postpone the onset of symptoms, and lessen the severity of changes in the brain. In High-Octane Brain, neuropsychologist Michelle Braun distills cutting-edge research into just five simple steps. Brain-Healthy Habits The High-Octane Brain program suggests five steps over a […]
The sensational murder that revealed cracks in the system
Michael Laudor was living in lockdown at a mental health facility when he received his acceptance letter to Yale Law School. Before his paranoid schizophrenia had flared out of control, he had been admitted to the top seven law schools in the country. Michael deferred his admission and enrolled the next year. He was about to […]
Why you have to move more
Working out may not be enough. Research shows that excessive sitting can negate the benefits of regular workouts, even for athletes. With jobs that keep many of us in our seats — and 2023 shaping up to be the hottest summer in human history — we have to make an extra effort to stay mobile. […]
Disrupt your diet
The traditional diets of Mediterranean and Asian countries have common denominators that include nutrient-dense whole foods, unprocessed ingredients, and moderation. Dr. William W. Li’s “MediterAsian” way of eating has been endorsed by celebrities like Tony Robbins, Kelly Ripa, Bono, and Richard Branson. Our latest Instaread takes a closer look at his recommendations. Optimize Your Metabolism Metabolism […]
Are you buying the right stuff?
It’s a wonder we ever make it to the checkout aisle. Modern grocery stores stock around 50,000 items in the United States. That’s a lot of decisions for shoppers, and a big historical change. As recently as 1975, the average supermarket stocked just 9,000 products. That number has been on the rise ever since. What’s […]