Peak Health Wellness Insights Issue 21
Mental Resilience
Feeling loved improves psychological well-being
This study found that those who reported feeling loved and having experiences of love and connection in everyday life had significantly higher feelings of purpose and optimism. Interestingly, when asked to recognise love and connection in life, study participants reported increased feelings of love. This suggests that an increased focus on feeling loved, could increase your awareness of felt love and therefore improve wellbeing.
Sleep
Sleep is important for bone health
This study has found that insufficient sleep is linked to lower bone density and osteoporosis in women. This is yet another reason why sleep is crucial for optimal overall health.
Nutrition
Sugar consumption is changing our brain chemistry for the worse.
New research shows that excessive sugar consumption causes your brain to reduce the availability of opioid and dopamine receptors (the receptors activated by sugar) to protect against overstimulation and damage. However, once this happens, more sugar is needed to get the same pleasure response (creating an addiction cycle). Additionally, consistent sugar consumption impairs spacial memory, learning, and memory processing. Lastly, high sugar diets impact neurons in the part of the brain responsible for decision-making and impulse control.
Fitness
Exercise helps to regulate appetite and reduce over-eating
This research demonstrates that for those trying to lose weight, exercising helps adherence to a reduced-calorie diet and protects against overeating. Specifically, 60 minutes of exercise cuts the likelihood of overeating in half.
Productivity Tip
Stop trying to multitask.
While it may feel like you’re getting more done, everything will ultimately take you longer.
Habit Hack of the week
Replace lost needs
If you are giving up an unhealthy habit, make sure you are replacing it with something that fulfils the same needs. For example, if television at the end of the day gave you a way to relax, try replacing it with reading instead to fulfil the need to relax in a more healthful manner.