Why Are You Waking Up At 3am?
Happy Spouse = Happier YOU!
You’ve heard the expression “Happy wife, happy life”…… Well, it’s true, AND it’s true for husbands, too! Research from UC Davis found that when your spouse is in a good mood, you’ll probably feel happier too. And it goes deeper than that. When your partner experiences positive emotions, your body produces less cortisol, the primary stress hormone, regardless of how you’re feeling yourself.
And the benefits are greater in happy, long-term relationships. People in long-term, satisfying relationships showed the strongest link between their partner’s happiness and reduced stress. And that emotional reciprocity plays a critical role in healthy aging.
So what about negative emotions? Thankfully, unlike positive emotions, a partner’s negative emotions were not found to significantly affect stress levels. The researchers think that’s because long-term couples develop strategies to protect each other from stress. And if both partners are in a good mood? That’s the best-case scenario.
The researchers say creating opportunities for shared good times provides a mutual health boost.
One Food Can Keep You Healthier As You Age!
If you want one simple thing that can improve your health as you get older, here it is: Walnuts. That’s it! According to a Nurses’ Health Study, walnuts were the only nut linked with a greater chance of healthy aging. And that was true even after accounting for all the other variables that affect aging, from lifestyle to wealth.
The study found that eating just two servings of walnuts a week – which is about 14 walnuts – was linked with a greater chance of being a “healthy ager” compared to a diet without any walnuts.
So what’s so great about walnuts? They have more healthy fat than almonds – which makes them a better choice for brain and heart health. They’re high in omega-3 fatty acids, which have an anti-inflammatory effect that can help keep blood pressure in check. There’s also a lot of research showing that walnuts are linked to better brain health, especially for people who are at risk for cognitive decline. One more thing in the plus-column for walnuts: They have prebiotic compounds, to keep your gut healthy.
So remember – to age well, eat 14 walnuts a week.
Turn Back The Clock On Your Brain Health!
I’m about to share a hack that can REVERSE age-related cognitive issues by 10 years! Turn off your phone’s internet connection. So no wi-fi – and no 5G. A study was conducted by the Universities of Alberta, Texas, British Columbia and Georgetown University. And they found that blocking phone internet for two weeks led to a boost in well-being, productivity, focus and sleep. The participants reported feeling happier and more satisfied with their lives. And the improvement in “sustained attention” was the equivalent of reversing 10 years of age-related decline!
The study participants also naturally spent more time socializing in person, exercising, and being outdoors. And the longer the study went on – the better people felt!
Now you may say – “But I NEED my phone!” Well, for the study, participants used an app that still allowed calls and text messaging – but they couldn’t use social media or endlessly scroll through the news. And surprisingly, the people who started the study with a high “fear of missing out” – or FOMO – were the ones with the biggest improvements in well-being. If you want to try it, start by setting phone limits – where you disable everything on your phone except calls and texts – and see how you feel.
Hugs Are The Health Boost You Need!
The immunity science behind hugging:
Our family has developed this habit of never arriving or departing each other without a hug. It may seem obvious to you, but I know plenty of people who don’t do this.
We’ve never talked about it…it just happens. It feels natural. And if one of my grandkids gets all the way out the door and into my son’s car, she will run back if she forgot to give everyone a hug. And I mean everyone. Even Leroy, the dog. Well now I find that we’re on to something….at least when it comes to our health.
For many reasons there’s been an increased focus on boosting our immune system lately. But today researchers are reporting that we don’t need supplements – or a special diet……what we need to strengthen our immune system is a daily hug.
According to the journal Psychological Science, every time we hug a loved one, we give our immune system a powerful boost. In a recent study, people were purposely exposed to a cold virus……but those who got the most hugs were significantly less likely to get sick.
That’s because, when we’re stressed out, our immune function is suppressed and we’re more vulnerable to infection. But a hug – and the emotional support we feel through that physical contact – dials down our stress, bolstering our immune system, and our ability to fight off infections.
Alright….let me hear it…when was the last time you hugged someone?…and who was it? [email protected]
Growing Older Is Better With A PET!
Growing older is Better with a PET!
That’s according to the latest research from the University of Michigan. They did a survey, called the National Poll on Healthy Aging – aimed at people ages 50 to 80-years-old. And here’s what they found……
· No matter what type of pet someone had, the vast majority of owners said their pets boosted their mental and physical health.
· Nearly 90% of older pet owners said their animals helped them enjoy life and feel loved.
· Roughly 80% said their pets kept them active.
· And three out of four older pet owners said their pet provided a sense of purpose.
So were there any drawbacks to pet ownership for older folks?
The survey found that the biggest drawback was that half of older pet owners didn’t want to travel, or leave the house for very long, because of their pet.
And 6% of pet owners said they’d fallen or injured themselves as a result of having a pet.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? I can already tell how much more exercise I’m getting with Leroy, our family dog!