Mental Health Archive

Articles

Healthy brain, healthier heart?

Researchers have increasingly found links between poor mental health and higher heart disease risk. Stress, childhood trauma, and other issues may affect behavior and trigger physical changes that elevate heart risk. Taking steps to support mental health can potentially improve heart health as well.

Stories connect us

Research has shown that social isolation is bad for our health. Sharing our personal stories helps connect us, and it is an important aspect of maintaining mental health and managing chronic conditions.

Hope: Why it matters

As humans, we live our lives in a chaotic world, knowing that bad things happen to people every day, yet we are expected to continue moving forward. How do we do this? By finding ways to confront life's dangers with hope, an essential component of our well-being.

Living with an implantable defibrillator

After receiving an implanted cardiac defibrillator, people are often anxious about receiving a shock from the device. But relaxation therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and support groups may help people cope with this anxiety.

Thoughts on optimism

Science continues to find that people with an optimistic outlook enjoy healthier and longer lives. The power of optimism is not just having a sunny disposition, but applying this mindset to make positive change. Even if people are not naturally optimistic, there are ways to change one’s outlook, such as looking for opportunities during trying times, focusing on personal strengths, practicing gratitude, and visualizing their best possible self.

3 ways to enhance your walking workouts

People who want to reinvigorate their walking workouts might try interval walking, which adds short bursts of fast walking that elevates the heart rate and improves fitness. Another option is Nordic walking, which uses special poles with hand straps that help engage the upper body and burn more calories. On the other hand, a mindful walk (also known as walking meditation) can help relieve stress.

Fostering healthy relationships

While positive interpersonal relationships can boost health, the opposite is often true when it comes to problematic relationships. Chronic emotional stress may put a person at higher risk for a number of health problems, including cardiovascular disease and even bone-related problems. If a relationship is unhealthy, strategies such as setting boundaries, communicating clearly, and limiting interactions with the person can help.

How can you manage anxiety during pregnancy?

During pregnancy it's completely normal to experience a certain amount of anxiety about the baby, giving birth, and becoming a new parent. But for some women this worry takes over their thoughts and becomes debilitating. There are treatments available that may or may not involve medication, depending on the individual situation.

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