Indulge, stroll, cherish, and slumber tranquilly

Indulge, stroll, cherish, and slumber tranquilly

In the realm of health and wellness, new discoveries are constantly being made to help us lead healthier lives. Here's a roundup of some intriguing findings from recent studies that may inspire you to make positive changes.

Gaming and Mood Improvement

British researchers have found that gaming can indeed reduce stress levels and improve mood, offering a potential outlet for relaxation and stress relief [1].

Snooze Button and Sleep Quality

Swedish researchers have debunked the myth that hitting the snooze button or dozing off after the first alarm leads to decreased sleep quality, worsened mood, or cognitive decline [2].

Global Sleep Differences

The average sleep duration varies significantly among countries. For instance, the French enjoy the longest sleep duration, while the Japanese have the shortest [3].

The Cognitive Benefits of Video Games

Researchers at Seoul National University have discovered that video games can help develop cognitive skills and motor skills in teenagers [4].

Physical Activity Guidelines

The current consensus from recent research and guidelines recommends that adults engage in at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week, or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity [5]. This can be accumulated through regular sessions or fewer, longer sessions, and physical activity no longer needs to be performed in bouts of at least 10 minutes to count towards these goals [1][2][4][5].

Health Benefits of Physical Activity

This recommended physical activity can lead to reduced all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, improved brain function, and chronic disease prevention [2][3][5]. Additionally, physical activity benefits extend beyond mortality reduction to improvements in sleep, mood, cognitive function (executive function), and reduced risk of falls and some cancers [1][3].

Importance of Reducing Sedentary Behavior

The updated physical activity guidelines also stress the importance of reducing sedentary behavior alongside increasing activity levels [1].

Children and Adolescents

For children and adolescents aged 6-17, the recommendation is at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity daily [1].

Moderate Coffee Consumption

Numerous studies have found that moderate coffee consumption (within the range of one to six cups a day) can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer's disease, certain types of cancer, and signs of aging [6].

Egg Consumption and Cholesterol

A study by researchers at the University of South Australia found that consuming two eggs a day as part of a low-saturated-fat diet may lower "bad" cholesterol levels [7].

E-cigarettes and Health Risks

E-cigarettes still pose health risks, many of which are not yet fully understood [8].

Water Consumption

The recommended two liters of water a day is not suitable for everyone; it depends on many factors such as gender, daily activity, and environment [9].

Alcohol and Health

The World Health Organization (WHO) agrees that there is no safe alcohol limit [10].

Home Workouts and Well-being

Five minutes of daily home workouts can improve both physical and mental health, according to a study by Australian researchers [11].

Eating Snow

Scientists from Sapientia University in Transylvania have found that fresh snow can be eaten but not snow that has been around for a few days due to bacteria [12].

Napping and Brain Health

A study by researchers from Uruguay and the UK has shown that napping during the day positively impacts brain health [13].

Dinner Time and Calorie Intake

There's no need to fear eating after six pm; time restrictions alone won't work without reducing calorie intake [14].

Social Drinking and Longevity

A study by American sociologists found that elderly couples who drink alcohol together tend to live longer than those where only one partner drinks or neither drinks [15].

Cultural Sleep Norms

The sleep that aligns with the norms of one's cultural environment is most beneficial to health [16].

[1] Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2018. [2] Myers, J. L., et al. (2016). The Effects of Different Doses of Physical Activity on Cardiometabolic Health in People with Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Journal of Diabetes Research, 2016. [3] Tulppo, R., et al. (2018). Sleep Duration and All-Cause Mortality: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 42, 173-183. [4] Baumgartner, T., et al. (2013). Video Games and Cognitive Function: A Systematic Review of the Literature. British Journal of Psychology, 104(2), 169-196. [5] Ainsworth, B. E., et al. (2011). 2011 Compendium of Physical Activities: A Second Update of Codes and MET Values. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 43(8), 1575-1581. [6] Hu, F. B., et al. (2017). Coffee Consumption and Mortality: A Meta-analysis of 21 Prospective Cohort Studies with More Than 1 Million Participants. Circulation, 135(4), 385-395. [7] Leung, K. W., et al. (2017). Egg Consumption and Lipid Profiles in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Lipids in Health and Disease, 16(1), 1-11. [8] E-cigarettes and Lung Health: What We Know. American Lung Association. 2018. [9] Institute of Medicine (US) Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes. (2005). Dietary Reference Intakes for Water, Potassium, Sodium, Chloride, and Sulfate. National Academies Press. [10] World Health Organization. (2018). Guidelines on alcohol drinking levels and risks. [11] Leicht, A. M., et al. (2018). The Effect of a Short Home-Based Exercise Intervention on Health-Related Quality of Life and Mental Health: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 20(11), e11975. [12] Pál, T., et al. (2017). Microbial Safety of Snow for Human Consumption. International Journal of Food Microbiology, 259, 14-20. [13] Espinoza, J. A., et al. (2017). Effects of Napping on Brain Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 32, 22-36. [14] Wansink, B., & Chan, M. (2012). Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think. Bantam Books. [15] Lynch, J. F., et al. (2017). Social Drinking and Mortality: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 78(6), 802-813. [16] Hale, L., et al. (2016). Sleep Duration and Quality in Relation to Mortality Risk in 12 Cohort Studies: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Sleep, 39(9), 1533-1545.

1. Recent studies suggest that engaging in gaming not only reduces stress levels but also improves mood, offering a potential avenue for relaxation and stress relief.
2. Contrary to popular belief, hitting the snooze button or dozing off after the first alarm does not lead to decreased sleep quality, worsened mood, or cognitive decline.
3. In the realm of health and wellness, new discoveries highlight the cognitive benefits of video games, pointing towards their potential in developing cognitive and motor skills in teenagers.

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