According to psychotherapist Tess Brigham, doomscrolling is mindlessly scrolling through negative news articles, social media posts, or other content-sharing platforms.
“People doom scroll for many different reasons,” Brigham says. “The main reason is as a way of feeling in control in a world that feels so out of control all the time.”
She points to a feeling of “If I know what’s happening, I can be better prepared when things get bad” as a reason for doomscrolling. However, doomscrolling is more likely to increase anxiety than cure it.
Brigham suggests four strategies to control doomscrolling: do something else, set a time limit for scrolling, seek out positivity, and practice gratitude. These lead to better mental and physical health!
“How ‘Doomscrolling’ Impacts Your Mental Health—and How to Stop,” Verywell Mind, verywellmind.com, May 19, 2023.
Two herbs used as seasonings have been found to have significant anticancer properties.
In 2019, the International Journal of Molecular Science published a study on the antitumor effects of thyme. The study found that in mice, two different concentrations of thyme reduced the volume of tumors by 85 percent in one concentration and 84 percent in another.
In 2011, a meta-analysis published in Food Science and Nutrition examined the protective effects of rosemary on colorectal cancer and other types of cancer. It found extensive literature from animal and cell studies demonstrating the anticancer potential of rosemary extract.
Rosemary and thyme both go great in any kind of sauce or soup that uses tomatoes. Rosemary and garlic go great in mashed potatoes. Thyme is lovely in any kind of vegetable. Including them in a healthy, plant-based diet may help with cancer protection.
“Popular Holiday Spices Reduce Cancerous Tumors,” Life and Health Network, lifeandhealth.org, Dec. 17, 2023.
We’re now just starting to understand how important dental health is to overall health. Researchers have found a connection between dental health and cognitive decline. New research shows that people with poor oral health and who are missing teeth are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s and dementia later in life.
Scientists at the University of Eastern Finland found that those with poor dental health were 23 percent more likely to experience cognitive decline and 21 percent more likely to develop dementia. In particular, they found that tooth loss was an independent risk factor for dementia and cognitive impairment among other oral health indicators examined.
As we age, we need to make sure we get regular teeth cleanings and examinations at the dentist. Twice-daily brushing and flossing helps maintain dental health.
“Dental Health and Dementia Link Found,” Life and Health Network, lifeandhealth.org, Oct. 25, 2022.
Experts have long cautioned against eating late at night, especially a large meal loaded with fats or sugars. Now there’s another reason to listen to their advice: eating within three hours of bedtime at least four days a week could increase chances for developing colorectal cancer.
Researchers in a new study questioned 664 people getting a colonoscopy to screen for cancer, and 42 percent said they were late eaters. This group was 46 percent more likely than non-late eaters to have an adenoma—a small noncancerous lesion—found during colonoscopy.
An adenoma is not cancer, but an estimated 5 to 10 percent of them become cancerous over time.
It’s not been established whether the time of eating or the type of food eaten (more likely to be high in fat and/or sugar), or both, influence colon health. Either way, it’s safer to avoid the habit.
“Late-Night Eaters May Have Increased Risk for Colorectal Cancer,” Medscape, medscape.com, May 24, 2024.
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