Psychology of Health

Living with chronic illness is challenging in ways those of us who are healthy can only imagine. It’s particularly difficult for young adults, often living away from home for the first time and among peers who can take more liberties with their bodies. Onlinecollege.net has compiled some valuable resources for young adults and specifically students living with chronic disease or illness.  It includes issues such as balancing studies with self care, as well as links to scholarships directed to individuals in this situation. http://www.onlinecolleges.net/for-students/chronic-health-issues/

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“Exercise.” Even the word evokes dread for so many. Perhaps it needn’t be so intimidating. No one disputes the data linking physical exertion to physical health, psychological wellbeing, longevity and diminished illness. And considerable information points to the role of exercise in recovery from illness and in some cases reversing it. As the feature begins, “We all know we’re supposed to exercise daily, but precious few of us do. And it only seems to get harder with age.” New information shows that consistent physical activity, the stuff of daily life, can have a substantial and positive effect on health, too. The markers of medical wellness and illness are better among people who get moving. Move. Often.  Check it out at npr.org. http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/10/29/241618771/for-a-longer-life-you-might-try-mowing-the-lawn The published study itself is available here: http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2013/10/08/bjsports-2012-092038.abstract

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Exercise has long been thought to improve sleep. That’s generally the case for people who sleep well. Turns out that it’s more complicated for people suffering insomnia. Regular exercise appears to improve sleep—both lengthening duration and reducing interruptions—over time. The research was conducted with women suffering insomnia. While women did not experience better sleep on the days they exercised, sometimes having more sleep disruption the nights after tough workouts, people who exercised regularly experienced real and meaningful sleep gains after 4 months. #exercise #insomnia #sleep #Stickwithit http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/08/21/how-exercise-can-help-us-sleep-better/

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Skipping breakfast and late night eating are linked to cardiovascular disease. Mayo Clinic’s well published physiologist, Michael Joyner, MD, argues that staying lean is a function not of obsessive rule bound diet and exercise, but of a careful, strategic and reasonable combination of eating, activity and exercise. Oh, and skipping breakfast is not recommended. http://www.outsideonline.com/fitness/outside-fitness-center/Stop-Skipping-Breakfast.html?utm_source=dispatch&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_content=MRlink3&utm_campaign=08132013

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Sleep is good for sleep and not just our health, according to research of self-described exercisers. The big surprise is that unless one suffers insomnia, sleep is improved by exercise at any time of the day, contradicting long standing sleep recommendations. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130304123551.htm

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Increased fruits and vegetables improves mood. A diet high in fruits and vegetables can improve mood, according to a new study published in the British Journal of Health Psychology. Dietary data from 281 New Zealanders between the ages of 18 and 25 were collected over a 21-day period. The more fruits and vegetables the participants ate, the calmer, happier, and more energetic they felt. The authors noted the mood improvements followed the increased consumption of fruits and vegetables and not vice versa. Investigators sought to expand on previous research that explored the association between eating unhealthful foods, such as sugary and fatty foods, and negative emotional states. White BA, Horwath CC, Conner TS. Many apples a day keep the blues away – daily experiences of negative and positive affect and food consumption in young adults. Br J Health Psychol. Published ahead of print January 24, 2013.

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All sugars are not alike. Fructose, corn syrup and table sugar are linked to food seeking behavior while glucose is not.  http://www.medpagetoday.com/PrimaryCare/DietNutrition/36672?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyHeadlines&utm_source=WC&xid=NL_DHE_2013-01-03&eun=g376601d0r&userid=376601&email=lee@leemfaver.com&mu_id=5369900

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