ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — According to the Commonwealth Fund, the United States has the lowest life expectancy at birth and the highest death rates for avoidable or treatable conditions. The US also has the highest rate of people with multiple chronic conditions. So, how can you beat the odds and improve your overall health? Ivanhoe tells us about some science-backed ways.
Want to improve your health? Research shows small changes can add up.
First: Hop on a bike. One study found people who commuted to work by bike had a lower risk for certain cancers and heart disease. And don’t skip the stairs! A UK-based study found people who climbed 50 stairs a day reduced their risk of cardiovascular disease by 20 percent!
Stephanie Nickitas, Owner, CrossFit Winter Park says, “If you work in a building that has multiple flights of stairs, maybe you could just go walk up and down the stairs a few times while you’re at work.”
Also, spend more time in nature. A 10-year study found that more exposure to green and blue spaces – such as living near a park or a lake – lowers a person’s chances of developing a mental health condition.
David Baker, PhD, Psychotherapist, Performance Management Consultant explains, “Mental health is about being able to find a joy or a contentment in something simple.”
Also, research shows exposure to sunlight can lessen your risk for type one diabetes, multiple sclerosis, high blood pressure, and some forms of cancer. In general, experts recommend 10 to 30 minutes of midday sunlight, several times a week. And try ways to de-stress. Another study found those who meditated had lower bad cholesterol and less inflammation compared to those who did not. Lastly, try taking cold showers! A Dutch study found those who took a cold shower every morning for a month were 30 percent less likely to take time off from work for sickness. With science-backed ways to boost your health.
Here’s another tip: Don’t just climb stairs. Walk down them too! Studies show the downward movement activates muscles while they are stretched and elongated – something called an eccentric exercise.
Contributors to this news report include: Julie Marks, Producer; Roque Correa, Editor.
Sources:
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/climbing-50-stairs-day-may-130041886.html?guccounter=1
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/benefits-of-sunlight#the-absence-of-sunlight
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-d-from-sun#skin-color
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/27-health-and-nutrition-tips#meditation
https://www.sciencefocus.com/science/michael-mosleys-health-advice
SCIENCE-BACKED WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH
REPORT #3160
BACKGROUND: The United States, despite being one of the wealthiest nations globally, faces significant challenges regarding its health statistics, reflecting systemic issues within its healthcare system and broader societal factors. Despite advancements in medical technology and healthcare services, life expectancy in the United States lags behind that of other developed countries. It has the lowest life expectancy at birth, the highest death rates for avoidable or treatable conditions, the highest infant mortality, and almost the highest suicide rates in the world. Several key areas highlight the concerning state of public health in the U.S. Obesity rates in the United States have reached alarming levels, with approximately 42.4 percent of adults considered obese according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, represent a growing public health crisis in the United States. Access to mental healthcare services remains inadequate, exacerbating the problem. The United States is also grappling with an opioid epidemic, with widespread misuse of prescription opioids and an increase in deaths from opioid overdoses. This crisis has devastated families and communities across the country, highlighting shortcomings in both healthcare and regulatory systems in addressing addiction and providing adequate support for individuals struggling with substance abuse disorders.
(Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK425844/ https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2023/jan/us-health-care-global-perspective-2022
THE STUDY: Experts recommend those living in the United States make small changes that will affect their physical and mental health. Personal trainers recommend tips called exercise snacking. If your work building has stairs, take a couple of trips up and down during breaks. A 10-year study also found that more exposure to green light and nature can lower a person’s chances of suffering from a mental health condition. Exposure to sunlight can also reduce someone’s chances of developing a risk for type one diabetes, multiple sclerosis, high blood pressure, and some forms of cancer. Studies have also linked meditation to lower cholesterol and colder showers to a heightened immune system.
NEW REGULATIONS: Under the new Biden Administration, a new landmark rule has been announced to strengthen both mental and physical health requirements for more than 150 million Americans in the United States. As part of the agenda, a comprehensive national strategy to transform how mental health is understood and adapted is being integrated into healthcare settings. This new rule emphasizes MHPAEA’s goal of making sure that families have the same access to mental health benefits that they do for physical health benefits.
* For More Information, Contact:
David Baker, PhD, LLC
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