The hottest Health & Wellness Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Health & Wellness Topics

Your Holiday Survival Guide: Part 1

Are You Okay? • 738 implied HN points • 11 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Physical health Alcohol Food Sleep Exercise Socializing
  1. Have a plan for managing your physical health during the holidays, covering aspects like COVID, alcohol, food, sleep, exercise, and socializing.
  2. Consider your approach to alcohol in social occasions, stressful situations, and when alone, especially during holiday gatherings.
  3. Approach holiday food with mindfulness; don't arrive hungry, set intentions before eating, allow yourself to enjoy without guilt, and practice self-compassion if you over-indulge.

An Illustrated Guide to Bugging Out

OK Doomer • 111 implied HN points • 08 Dec 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Emergency Prep First Aid Hydration Pet Care Disease Prevention
  1. Use simple visual lists and group items to make packing less overwhelming, and choose lightweight carrying options like camel packs, fanny packs, vests, or rolling suitcases.
  2. Water is a top priority—bring actual water and a good hydration system (camelbacks/hydration packs) as well as a purifier so you can move quickly without heavy containers.
  3. Bugging out isn’t always heading into the woods; plan for car-based evacuation, tailor your gear to your route, and don’t forget to include pets in your plans.

I feel bad about my induction

Evil Witches Newsletter • 1022 implied HN points • 31 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Informed consent
  1. Many women who undergo inductions feel blindsided and unprepared for the process.
  2. Informed decision-making and increased sense of control over the environment can help prevent post-induced birth trauma.
  3. Trauma counseling and techniques like EMDR can help individuals heal and re-process difficult birth experiences.
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Secrets to Superior Cognitive Performance (Without Drugs)

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 838 implied HN points • 17 Nov 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Cognitive Performance Supplements
  1. Nutrition is more effective than drugs in enhancing cognitive performance.
  2. Optimal nutrition can enhance focus, motivation, attention, mental flexibility, while reducing anxiety and depression.
  3. Finding individual nutritional optimization and genetic 'health super-unlock' is key for cognitive enhancement.

Friday Q&A: microplastics; infrared saunas; yoga versus pilates; & tinnitus

Are You Okay? • 519 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Fitness Mental health Wellness Self-care
  1. Limit exposure to microplastics by using stainless steel or glass instead of plastic products like water bottles and food containers.
  2. Infrared saunas may not be effective for energy and weight loss as some claim, according to a medical professional.
  3. Research on the potential health impacts of microplastics and the mechanisms for toxicity is ongoing; more studies are needed.

Book Review: Healthy Buildings

Construction Physics • 6681 implied HN points • 08 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Environmental Impact Work Environment
  1. Healthy Buildings book focuses on how indoor environments impact health and productivity.
  2. Improving ventilation and air quality indoors can lead to better cognitive performance and reduce the spread of airborne pathogens.
  3. Creating standards for healthier buildings may require government incentives rather than relying solely on voluntary certifications.

How Did Remdesivir Obtain Approval for Kidney Disease?

COVID Reason • 1506 implied HN points • 31 Jul 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Treatment Lawsuit FDA Approval
  1. Remdesivir, a controversial drug, was approved by the FDA for COVID treatment in kidney patients.
  2. Family members of patients express anger and grief over the use of Remdesivir, linking it to worsened health conditions and deaths.
  3. Financial incentives and hospital protocols played a significant role in the administration of Remdesivir, raising concerns about ethics and patient care.

Friday Q&A: intermittent fasting; APOE4 testing for Alzheimer’s; Pap test frequency; & at-home menopause tests

Are You Okay? • 479 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Wellness Nutrition Medicine Personal Growth Disease
  1. Intermittent fasting may work for some to aid in weight loss or improved metabolism, but it can be challenging for many due to feelings of irritability and restrictive eating behaviors.
  2. Data on APOE4 gene testing for Alzheimer's is mixed; the decision to find out your APOE status should be thoughtful due to potential health anxiety, but lifestyle interventions may be suggested based on the results.
  3. Extreme diets like intermittent fasting may not be the most effective in the long run, and sustainable lifestyle changes are crucial for lasting health outcomes.

The Death of My Sister

The Frontier Psychiatrists • 471 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Addiction Family Trauma
  1. The author shares a heartbreaking story of his sister's struggles with addiction and mental health issues, leading to her tragic death.
  2. The importance of family support and forgiveness during difficult times is highlighted in the narrative.
  3. The impact of childhood trauma, like being given up for adoption, on a person's life and mental health is explored through the author's personal reflection.

The Fragile Beauty of Trying, with Isabella Goldman

Trying In Public • 79 implied HN points • 12 Jul 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Creativity Loss Vulnerability Self-compassion Grief
  1. Creativity is a mysterious process that often results in something beyond capture, whether creating life or art.
  2. Loss and failure are parts of the creative process, and handling them can vary based on the medium one works in.
  3. Being vulnerable and sharing the journey of trying, even if it leads to painful outcomes, can create stronger connections and provide valuable lessons in forgiveness and self-discovery.

The Woke Marxist Agenda to Destabilize Kids' Health

Welcome to Absurdistan • 982 implied HN points • 01 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Nutrition Fitness Lifestyle Diet
  1. The article discusses how societal movements like 'Fat Positivity' and 'Insulin Resistance' are impacting kids' health negatively.
  2. It criticizes the obsession with body image and the pressure to conform, which can lead to emotional issues and overeating.
  3. There is a focus on the health risks associated with obesity, especially in children, and the need to prioritize physical health over body positivity movements.

When (not if) Our Bodies Crumble

The Soup • 982 implied HN points • 25 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Chronic Illness Healing Community support Self-care
  1. The story talks about a personal journey with a child's chronic illness and the struggles faced as a family.
  2. It discusses the importance of recognizing and supporting those with chronic illness and disabilities in the community.
  3. The author shares insights on healing, community support, and the creative process behind writing and publishing a book.

SARS-CoV-2 Variant Soup and a New Vaccine: What to Expect This Fall

LIL Science • 982 implied HN points • 12 Jul 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Vaccines Variants Immunity Infection
  1. The FDA committee recommended a monovalent vaccine for Fall 2023, targeting specific variants.
  2. A new variant, EG.5, is growing quickly and might pose challenges alongside other mutated variants.
  3. Despite numerous variants, severe waves of COVID-19 might be unlikely, but there is a concern regarding long-term impacts of infection.

The Problem With the AMA's New BMI Policy

Weight and Healthcare • 978 implied HN points • 17 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Body positivity Medical Practices Weight Stigma Healthcare Inequalities
  1. The AMA's new BMI policy acknowledges the historical harm, racist exclusion, and limitations of using BMI, suggesting it be used alongside other measures.
  2. The AMA's recognition of the limitations of BMI doesn't fully address the core issue of pathologizing bodies based on size, perpetuating weight stigma and inequalities in healthcare.
  3. The AMA's connection to the weight loss industry raises concerns about their motives behind the new policy, impacting healthcare decisions and patient care.

The Paper Workout Journal

The Analog Family • 339 implied HN points • 21 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Fitness Mental health Nutrition Self-care Lifestyle
  1. Keeping a paper workout journal can help you track your fitness progress over time. Writing down workouts lets you see how you've improved in a more personal way than just using an app.
  2. Using a physical notebook allows for more detailed notes, like how you felt during a workout, which can be helpful for future training sessions.
  3. Writing on paper helps maintain focus and reduce distractions from phones during workouts. The act of using a journal can make the experience feel more real and meaningful.

The Smoke Detector Principle: The Evolutionary Advantage of Overreaction

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 1344 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Anxiety Depression Psychology Evolution
  1. Anxiety is more common in wealthy countries, particularly among educated people with white-collar jobs. It seems to be a problem that affects many people today.
  2. Clinical depression rates have reached a new high, especially among young adults and college students. Understanding depression can be important since it greatly affects people's lives.
  3. Both anxiety and depression have seen significant increases over the past decade. It's crucial to discuss and learn more about these issues to find better ways to cope.

🎧 An audio Q&A: high blood pressure; when to worry?; HRT risks after 60; & talking to your doctor about trauma

Are You Okay? • 399 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Medical Advice
  1. Optimal blood pressure for an adult is less than 130/80, or even 120/80. Worry about your blood pressure being a health problem if it fluctuates a lot.
  2. Feeling dismissed by your doctor when your complaints don't show up in tests like blood tests or X-rays might make you question if you're overly worried. Consider if your doctor should be paying more attention.
  3. Consider submitting your questions for future Q&A posts or taking a 7-day free trial to keep reading such informative content.

A Sober Look at MDMA Therapy: What Happens Next?

Tripsitter • 119 implied HN points • 18 Jun 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychedelics Therapy PTSD Research Safety
  1. MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD is facing a critical juncture with the FDA, with potential historical implications for rescheduling and funding sources.
  2. There is ongoing debate on the safety, efficacy, and ethical conduct of MDMA-AT, with a focus on the role of organizations like Lykos/MAPS.
  3. Despite the current challenges and controversies, the testimonies of individuals like Cristina Pearse underscore the potential transformative impact of MDMA-AT and the imperative to enhance safety measures.

The Sun Will Rise

Spilled Coffee • 44 implied HN points • 21 Jan 26
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Self-care Resilience Mindfulness Stress management Family life
  1. Bad days stack and make small things feel huge, but they pass — the smart move is to survive the day without doing something you'll regret.
  2. Keeping perspective by noticing the basics you can be grateful for — healthy family, a warm home, steady work — puts setbacks in their place.
  3. Real progress comes from boring, disciplined days; you don't need every day to be great, you just need to keep showing up.

Friday Q&A: osteoporosis; Paxlovid; COVID misinformation; & breathing and heart rate

Are You Okay? • 619 implied HN points • 29 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Physical health Mental health Exercise Nutrition Medication
  1. Engaging in weight-bearing exercises like yoga can improve bone density and reduce the risk of osteoporosis, along with a calcium-rich diet and vitamin D supplements.
  2. For older adults, incorporating simple weight-bearing exercises into routines, like wearing a weighted vest while walking, can significantly enhance muscle strength and overall health.
  3. Decisions on medications for osteoporosis should be personalized, considering the effectiveness of lifestyle changes and the potential benefits of prescriptions like Fosamax, which may be complemented by habits like yoga.

Pulling Out The Big Guns For Needle Phobia In An Insane World Where Nobody Seems To Take It Seriously

Knowingless • 1121 implied HN points • 19 Feb 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Anxiety Medical treatment Self-help
  1. Needle phobia can be very serious and isn't always taken seriously by others. This fear can lead to panic attacks and avoidance of medical care.
  2. Exposure therapy often doesn't help with severe needle phobia. Finding alternatives like distraction or numbing methods can be more effective for managing panic.
  3. Techniques like ice packs and specialized devices can significantly reduce the pain associated with needles. Experimenting with different methods can lead to better results and less anxiety.

You can do it

Disaffected Newsletter • 1518 implied HN points • 14 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Addiction Mental health Recovery Self-Improvement Personal Stories
  1. You have the power to choose to quit drinking and make positive changes in your life. It doesn't matter how you do it, as long as it's a choice that helps you.
  2. Stopping drinking can reveal a lot of painful truths about your life and choices, but facing those realities is necessary for growth. It's hard at first, but it can lead to a healthier perspective.
  3. Believe in your strength and ability to change. Don't underestimate yourself; your willpower is stronger than you think.

Reader Question - Dealing with Diet Culture at the Holidays

Weight and Healthcare • 758 implied HN points • 22 Nov 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Diet Culture Holidays Boundaries Body Image Support
  1. During the holiday season, there is often an increase in diet culture behaviors like food policing and body shaming.
  2. Strategies like ignoring/responding silently, setting boundaries, and engaging in conversations can help navigate inappropriate comments about food and body during gatherings.
  3. It's important to prioritize enjoying meals in peace and remember that others' opinions about our food choices are not our concern.

Can B12 and Folate Help Detoxify Oxalate?

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 998 implied HN points • 15 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Detoxification Supplementation Testing Metabolism
  1. B12 and folate can help detoxify oxalate by converting it to formate and joining it to tetrahydrofolate in a two-step process.
  2. The rate of the first detoxification step exceeding the rate of the second step can lead to oxalate dumping symptoms.
  3. Nutritionally supporting the two detoxification steps requires biotin, manganese, tetrahydrofolate, B12, and various other nutrients.