Spirituality/Purpose

Having a sense of purpose in your life is linked to many positive mental and physical health outcomes, such as a decreased risk of Alzheimer’s disease, better sleep, and decreased stress. Purpose also helps you feel more connected to and invested in the things that you do throughout the day, which can have a positive impact on your mental health. Purpose doesn’t have to be something grandiose; it can be something as simple as making your daily activities more meaningful. Purpose can be something as simple as cooking a meal for someone who can’t do it themselves, or cleaning your house or office with a systematic and methodical approach, making each task a small piece of art. Purpose can also be something that is a bit grander, like engaging in activism to help others, volunteering, or pursuing passions and hobbies.

Why Best Friends Turn Into Strangers and How to Foster Lasting Friendships
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Why Best Friends Turn Into Strangers and How to Foster Lasting Friendships

Friendship is a tapestry woven with the threads of shared experiences, secrets, laughter, and support. Best friends, in particular, are like mirrors reflecting our past, anchors in our present, and compasses guiding us toward our future. They witness our life’s journey, standing by us through triumphs and tribulations.  Yet, in a paradox that baffles many,…

Top Back-To-School Health Risks & How To Avoid Them
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Top Back-To-School Health Risks & How To Avoid Them

A Personal Note: Summer vacation has again come to a close, and back-to-school is season is upon us. This season of change looks different for each family. In our household, we have younger children getting back in the habit of earlier bedtimes, as well as a high schooler preparing to drive herself to school on…

The Secret to Happiness, According to This Harvard Professor: A Reverse Bucket List
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The Secret to Happiness, According to This Harvard Professor: A Reverse Bucket List

Arthur Brooks, a Harvard professor, recently wrote an article reflecting on the nature of happiness. It’s hard, he says, for people to stay happy. Biologically, we are programmed to be in competition with each other, since the people who are doing best are (theoretically) the ones to pass on their dreams. Psychologists Phillip Brickman and…

Here Is Where Spirituality Lives in the Brain
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Here Is Where Spirituality Lives in the Brain

What happens in the brain during a spiritual experience? New research from Brigham and Women’s Hospital shows that humans do indeed have a spiritual region in the brain. The study showed that spirituality resides in the periaqueductal grey (known as PAG). This centralized location is also where the brain conditions fear, altruistic behaviors, and unconditional…

Bed-sharing does not lead to stronger infant-mother attachment or maternal bonding
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Bed-sharing does not lead to stronger infant-mother attachment or maternal bonding

Here in the United States, bed-sharing between parents and infants seems to be on the rise. The National Infant Sleep Position Study reported that the practice of bed-sharing between parents and their offsprings went from 5.5% in 1993 to 12.8% in 2000.

These 3 Things Determine if Your Kids Will Have Good Self Control as Adults
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These 3 Things Determine if Your Kids Will Have Good Self Control as Adults

Self-control is the ability to regulate one’s emotions, thoughts, and behavior in the face of temptations and impulses, which is an aspect of inhibitory control. It gives us the capacity to override an impulse in order to respond appropriately. (1) Self-control is a cognitive process that is required in order to achieve specific goals. (1)…

Kids Who Exercise Become Smarter Adults, Scientists Discover
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Kids Who Exercise Become Smarter Adults, Scientists Discover

A study has made a positive connection between childhood exercise and improved cognitive function in later life. According to the study, adults who were physically active up to 12 years of age as children, showed higher cognitive functions. No such association was made for those who participated in post-childhood physical activity. (1) Exercise And Intelligence…

4 Minutes of HIIT can help Diabetes, Liver, Heart, Lungs
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4 Minutes of HIIT can help Diabetes, Liver, Heart, Lungs

In recent years, one of the most popular trends in fitness training has been High-Intensity Interval Training, or HIIT, for short. (1)   HIIT is a 100% effort training technique through rapid, intensive exercise bursts accompanied by brief, but at times active, periods of recovery. The total training session is usually between 15-30 minutes, keeping the…