The hottest Well-being Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Health & Wellness Topics

You can't be too happy, literally

Experimental History • 21278 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Emotions Well-being Psychology Self-care
  1. People tend to stay at the same level of happiness over time, despite major events happening around them.
  2. Research shows that individuals adjust to both good and bad situations, aiming to maintain a balance in their emotions like a thermostat.
  3. The mind has control systems like a furnace and an air conditioner that help modulate mood levels to prevent extreme states of sadness or euphoria.

The Three Adults Who Abandoned Me—And Taught Me Life’s Most Important Lesson

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1660 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Addiction Mental health Physical health Well-being
  1. Rob Henderson shares his heartbreaking childhood and the impact of abandonment from three adults in his life.
  2. Fentanyl epidemic in America is causing record-high overdose deaths, impacting people across all backgrounds.
  3. Concerns about Biden's age and the Democrats' shift in attitude towards his ability to run for reelection are becoming more openly discussed.
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Do you need to reinvent – or should you just cut yourself some slack?!

The Shift With Sam Baker • 3854 implied HN points • 04 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-Improvement Mindfulness Well-being
  1. Reinvention is a popular theme for New Year's resolutions, but it's worth questioning why you feel the need to reinvent something in your life.
  2. Consider what aspects of your life truly need change and why before jumping into reinventing yourself.
  3. Don't feel pressured to follow trends like 'New Year, New You' if it doesn't resonate with you; it's okay to not feel the need to constantly reinvent yourself.

How to stay sane

Striking 13 • 3693 implied HN points • 22 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Self-care Hobbies Stress management Well-being
  1. Having a hobby not related to politics can help you stay sane and prevent burnout by giving you a break from political anger and allowing you to focus on something you enjoy.
  2. Hobbies provide personal permission for relaxation and access to higher realms of pleasure by tricking the brain into feeling achievement and offering a sense of purpose.
  3. Engaging in a hobby allows you to enjoy the process of learning and perfecting skills with no external pressures, leading to a meaningful pursuit of pleasure and maintaining mental well-being.

The Power Of Movement Over Exercise

Insight Axis • 1402 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Fitness Movement Mindset Physical health Well-being
  1. Think of movement as more inclusive and sustainable than just exercise - align with your biology rather than work against it.
  2. Make movement a meaningful ritual instead of just a habit - care for your body intentionally.
  3. Remember that movement is constant in life - from everyday tasks to intentional workouts, aim for a sustainable approach for long-term health.

The uncomfortable yet productive kind of pain

The Rubesletter by Matt Ruby (of Vooza) | Sent every Tuesday • 926 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-Improvement Mental health Physical health Personal Growth Well-being
  1. Many of life's greatest experiences involve initially overcoming discomfort and pain, leading to growth and transcendence.
  2. Recognize and reframe feelings of discomfort to gauge if something productive might be happening on the other side.
  3. Differentiate between productive, growth-inducing discomfort and unnecessary fear that may hold you back from personal development.

A COVID Q&A: booster timing; testing; contagiousness; & the Novavax shot

Are You Okay? • 718 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 Medical Advice Vaccination Testing Well-being
  1. It's crucial for high-risk individuals to consider getting a COVID booster shot 6 months post-infection, but the benefits of additional doses diminish for those at lower risk. Boosters may help briefly reduce infection risks, but lifestyle factors like sleep, nutrition, and exercise are also key for health.
  2. COVID testing should be prioritized for cases where results would alter medical care. For healthy individuals, testing may not be as critical for every symptom, but knowing the specific virus causing symptoms can still influence precautions and decisions.
  3. In households with multiple symptomatic individuals, differing COVID test results can occur; one positive and one negative doesn't necessarily mean the negative individual isn't contagious. Contact a healthcare provider for guidance when unsure.

How to Manage Health Anxiety

Are You Okay? • 1258 implied HN points • 06 Nov 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Anxiety Trauma Mental health Well-being Therapy
  1. Health anxiety can be exacerbated by external factors like trauma from the pandemic and current world events
  2. Normalize cognitive distortions of anxiety and seek medical advice to address health anxiety instead of turning to online sources like Dr. Google
  3. Recognize the impact of misinformation on health anxiety and learn to accept uncertainty while addressing anxiety directly through various strategies like mindfulness, exercise, therapy, and medication when necessary

Putting one foot in front of another

Logging the World • 976 implied HN points • 21 Oct 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Physical health Mental health Exercise Nature Well-being
  1. Taking 10,000 steps daily can benefit physical and mental health by providing fresh air, exercise, and a change of scenery.
  2. Walking at a slower pace allows for a better connection with the surroundings, noticing details like street art and wildlife.
  3. Embarking on longer walks can lead to unique experiences, connections with landscapes, and a sense of personal achievement.

The moral urgency of a good study on cold showers and depression & anxiety

Philosophy bear • 62 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Alternative Medicine Research Well-being Self-care
  1. A good study on the potential benefits of cold showers for mood disorders like depression and anxiety is urgently needed.
  2. Previous studies have shown promising results, but a comprehensive study is still lacking, presenting an opportunity for significant positive impact.
  3. Running a study on the effects of cold showers could be a low-cost initiative that may potentially help millions suffering from mood disorders.

Friday Q&A: Mounjaro vs. Ozempic; forgetfulness; the snoring bed partner; & COVID testing

Are You Okay? • 439 implied HN points • 24 Nov 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Medication Memory Diabetes Obesity Well-being
  1. Mounjaro and Ozempic are medications for treating type 2 diabetes; Mounjaro also has a version for obesity, Zepbound. Both types of drugs improve insulin sensitivity, reduce blood sugar levels, and promote weight loss.
  2. Forgetfulness about simple things like names of familiar items could be a part of normal aging rather than a sign of dementia. However, if there are persistent concerns, it's best to consult a healthcare provider.
  3. Maintaining a balanced lifestyle with a healthy diet, regular exercise, and realistic expectations is essential for the effective use of medications like Mounjaro, Ozempic, and related drugs.

#147: Who’s allowed to want kids?

Maybe Baby • 1878 implied HN points • 14 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Parenthood Self-discovery Well-being Community support Personal Growth
  1. Exploring the desire for children can lead to self-discovery and realization of societal influences.
  2. Online forums can provide comfort and support for individuals navigating the journey of trying to conceive.
  3. Societal norms and personal ideologies can impact how individuals perceive parenthood and their own desires.

Friday Q&A about alcohol: social anxiety; general anxiety; dry November; & alcohol's upsides

Are You Okay? • 499 implied HN points • 03 Nov 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Anxiety Well-being
  1. Alcohol consumption can temporarily ease social anxiety, but it's important to remember the risks associated with it.
  2. Socializing without alcohol is possible with strategies like informing friends, finding alternatives, and practicing assertiveness.
  3. Some individuals may feel less anxious after drinking alcohol due to its temporary effects, but it's crucial to be aware of the potential connection between anxiety and alcoholism in the family.

BRB

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1021 implied HN points • 04 Aug 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Epidemiology Public Health Well-being
  1. Katelyn Jetelina is taking a two-week break to recharge before the busy respiratory season.
  2. During her break, she plans to enjoy puzzles, books, crosswords, and time in national parks with her toddlers.
  3. She is looking for nonfiction book recommendations that are not related to public health for her downtime.

E. Jean Caroll’s Nasty Little Game – the Animus of the Childless, Family-less Boomer.

Welcome to Absurdistan • 1572 implied HN points • 12 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Sexual Health Family Dynamics Well-being
  1. The pursuit of wealth, power, and fame can lead some individuals into harmful and dangerous situations.
  2. The book 'Feminism Against Progress' explores the challenges faced by those who try to defy nature in pursuits like career success and family-building.
  3. Gen Z is showing a trend of rejecting societal norms around sex, birth control, and identity, signaling a shift in values.

What is Emotional Intelligence and How do you Build it?

The Leadership Lab • 98 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Emotional Intelligence Self-awareness Mental health Well-being Personal Growth
  1. Emotional intelligence goes beyond empathy and involves being in conscious choice when dealing with emotions.
  2. Automatic responses to emotions like avoidance or attempting to 'fix' stimulus don't showcase emotional intelligence. It's about feeling and holding wisdom from emotions.
  3. To build emotional intelligence, one must feel emotions physically, match these feelings, and then choose how to respond after identifying the wisdom they offer.