The hottest Wellbeing Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health & Wellness Topics

Can AI Help Us With Our Mental Health Issues?

Bojan’s Newsletter • 78 implied HN points • 16 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Wellbeing
  1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps people change their mental perspective to overcome psychological problems like depression and anxiety.
  2. CBT is well-researched but requires frequent and prolonged use, which can be challenging to sustain.
  3. Generative AI could assist in mental health by creating realistic conversation partners to track and improve mental health states.

4 Gentle Shifts That Can Quietly Change Your Year

Prawfeed Newsletter • 4 implied HN points • 03 Jan 26
🏥 Health & Wellness Wellbeing
  1. Listen to the quiet nudge inside you; what feels calm often points the right way even if the path isn’t clear.
  2. Be honest about the real reason you want change, like needing breathing space or less stress; when your why is clear you stop forcing things and move more naturally.
  3. Don’t wait until you feel ready — readiness often follows action; focus on the next manageable step today instead of the whole journey, because small steps create clarity.
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I'm Confused About Sugar

The Heart Attack Diet • 59 implied HN points • 06 Nov 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Wellbeing
  1. People in history had terrible dental health due to sugar, which was driven by British people's desire for cheap sugar, leading to dental problems and health issues.
  2. Tooth decay might not have always been a problem caused by sugar, which raises questions about ancestral populations' exposure to sugar and the evolution of taste preferences.
  3. The idea that sugar causes tooth decay and people like the taste of sugar might not align over evolutionary timescales, leading to a need for further exploration and explanations.

How you work is how you eat

10x your mind • 59 implied HN points • 16 Feb 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Wellbeing
  1. The type of food you crave after a task reflects how enjoyable or boring the task was - more boring tasks lead to craving unhealthy foods.
  2. Mental energy is vital for self-control and decision-making, and the brain consumes significant energy, influencing food choices.
  3. Engaging in interesting and challenging work situations can lead to a 'flow' state where creativity and productivity thrive without the need for self-control.

Are social media bad for mental health? It's the wrong question.

An Educated Guess • 174 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Wellbeing
  1. The impact of social media on mental health is a complex issue that cannot be simplified to a dose-response relationship.
  2. The understanding of social media's effect on mental health can benefit from incorporating different epidemiological paradigms like sanitation, infection, chronic disease, and eco-epidemiology.
  3. Social media is not just a risk factor but an environment that plays a crucial role in shaping various behaviors and experiences, especially for young people.

Choline

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 139 implied HN points • 27 Jun 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Wellbeing
  1. Choline plays a critical role in assisting B12 and folate, supporting fat digestion, and contributing to memory and attention.
  2. Choline helps clear the liver of fat and supports cell membranes.
  3. This post by Chris Masterjohn focuses on the importance of choline for various bodily functions.

Mom Test: Weeks Two and Three

The Heart Attack Diet • 39 implied HN points • 10 Oct 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Wellbeing
  1. The individual experienced tiredness which was possibly caused by consuming cherries with high sulphite content. This led to slight hot flashes and adjustments in medication.
  2. Despite feeling overfed due to increased carbohydrate intake, weight gain was observed. This challenges the idea of homeostasis fixing itself as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) clear from the system.
  3. The person plans to monitor weight changes over a week to draw conclusions about the observed weight gain and its relationship to diet changes.

Bite-Sized Self-Care Challenge Day 30

QUALITY BOSS • 19 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Wellbeing
  1. It's important to take care of our fingers since they do a lot of work, especially if we type a lot. Stretching can help keep them flexible and reduce tension.
  2. Today's self-care challenge focuses on finger stretches. These include pressing fingers back away from the palm and rotating fists, which can feel really good.
  3. This self-care journey is about discovering new ways to take care of ourselves. It's nice to reflect on what we've learned throughout this 30-day challenge.

The Fossil Record So Far

Living Fossils • 14 implied HN points • 30 Jul 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Wellbeing
  1. Emotions are important because they help us understand our experiences and motivate us to take action. They are adaptations that have been useful throughout human history.
  2. A lot of our modern problems come from living in environments that are very different from what our ancestors knew. This mismatch can lead to various forms of psychological distress.
  3. There is a need for reform in academic psychology to better understand human behavior and mental health. Using evolutionary principles can provide a better foundation for understanding these issues.

Tiling the universe and 'simple' theories of wellbeing plus an update on my life

Philosophy bear • 107 implied HN points • 16 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Wellbeing
  1. Well-being theories based solely on desire satisfaction or pleasure may not fully capture what makes a life 'good'.
  2. Comparing universes with simple lives to complex lives highlights the importance of diversity, continuity, and relationships for overall well-being.
  3. Considering well-being as forming a coherent and positive narrative could provide a richer perspective than solely focusing on desire satisfaction or pleasure.

How much is a friend worth? About half as much as a job

Klement on Investing • 2 implied HN points • 21 Nov 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Wellbeing
  1. Doubling the number of close friends raises happiness a bit, but the effect is fairly small.
  2. Having a job increases happiness about twice as much as doubling your close friends and is roughly as helpful as being in a relationship; improvements in how healthy people feel are the single biggest source of happiness gains.
  3. People in Germany, Switzerland and the UK report about four to five close friends on average, and that number has stayed stable over the last 20 years, unlike declines seen in the U.S.

My hip and the NHS

The ZIPster • 44 implied HN points • 19 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Wellbeing
  1. The author shares their personal experience with hip issues and the journey through the healthcare system.
  2. Finding the right medical professional and treatment plan is important for managing and improving hip health.
  3. The importance of supporting the NHS for providing quality healthcare to all individuals.

Cultivating A New Aging Narrative

Creative Destruction • 9 implied HN points • 29 Nov 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Wellbeing
  1. We should shift our focus from trying to avoid aging to embracing life as we get older. This change in mindset can lead to a more positive and fulfilling experience of aging.
  2. There are practical examples and approaches that can help us see aging in a new, more inspiring light. These can motivate us to live fully as we age.
  3. It's important to challenge the cultural obsession with anti-aging by promoting a narrative that values living well, rather than just looking young. This can create a healthier perspective on aging.

We Don't Need 'Self-Help,' We Need Support

Changing The Channel • 1 HN point • 15 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Wellbeing
  1. Americans seek relief for problems that can't be solved at the individual level, demonstrating a need for broader societal support.
  2. Creating a culture of support, like in Denmark, where government provides for healthcare, education, and work-life balance, leads to happier and healthier individuals.
  3. High levels of hyper-individualism in the US may contribute to problems, contrasting with the community-focused approach in Denmark that fosters trust and happiness.

A different and better way to live

Building the Builders • 15 implied HN points • 14 Jul 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Wellbeing
  1. Recognize the oscillation between the 'drill sergeant' and 'Zen master' mindsets in different areas of life.
  2. Aim to adopt the 'builder's mindset' which focuses on building and enjoying your own best life.
  3. Motivate yourself based on love and values, rather than fear, and take charge of shaping your own life.

Winter

Notes in the Margins • 19 implied HN points • 05 Apr 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Wellbeing
  1. Winter months between holidays and spring can be challenging, and 2021 seems particularly tough.
  2. Finding solace and balance during difficult times is important for mental well-being.
  3. Looking forward to spring symbolizes hope and a fresh start after enduring the challenges of winter.

GRANTED: Burnout is everyone's problem

Granted • 19 implied HN points • 17 Mar 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Wellbeing
  1. Burnout is not just a personal issue, it is influenced by the circumstances in the workplace.
  2. To reduce burnout, the demand-control-support model is effective: lessen job demands, provide more control, and increase support.
  3. A feeling of daily progress, even through small wins, is key to combatting burnout.

From Couch to 10K

The Next Chapter • 2 implied HN points • 04 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Wellbeing
  1. Discovering harmonious passion in running after struggling with self-doubt in other activities.
  2. Starting small and gradually building up in running led to enjoying the journey more than the end goal.
  3. Facing challenges and doubts in training for a 10K race, but finding joy, connection, and fulfillment in the running journey.

Allow for Grief

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 21 May 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Wellbeing
  1. Grief is important to acknowledge, whether it's from major losses like the pandemic or smaller losses like missed events or daily routines.
  2. Understanding the stages of grief like denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance, and finding meaning can help navigate the healing process.
  3. It's okay to mourn the past, but embrace change; look for silver linings, find hope in new beginnings, and be patient for a future that will bring a different 'normal.'

Mitigate Risk

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 26 May 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Wellbeing
  1. The risk of getting COVID-19 will never be zero until a vaccine is available, so focus on mitigating risks by wearing masks, social distancing, being outside, handwashing, and taking personal and public responsibility.
  2. Grief is a natural response to loss and understanding the stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance, finding meaning) can help navigate the process and find healing.
  3. Change is inevitable, and while the current reality may be challenging, hope remains as people adapt to new norms, follow safety guidelines, and show kindness to one another.

Hang In There

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 10 Aug 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Wellbeing
  1. The school reopening situation is challenging for everyone involved, from parents and teachers to students and administrators.
  2. It's important to remember that no one is to blame for the difficulties faced during this time; the real issue is the coronavirus. Kindness and support are crucial.
  3. Kids are resilient and should remember to ask for help when needed, while adults should focus on listening and understanding in order to help them through this tough time.

Acknowledge the Struggle

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 31 Aug 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Wellbeing
  1. Young people, especially teenagers and college-aged students, are facing increased struggles with mental health during the pandemic.
  2. Acknowledging the struggle and seeking help is important for maintaining mental well-being.
  3. Having a structured plan, including addressing basics like sleep, diet, exercise, processing emotions, and seeking professional support, is essential for coping with mental health challenges.

Take a Pause - And a Few Covid Updates

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 27 Dec 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Wellbeing
  1. Monoclonal antibodies can prevent severe COVID-19 complications and hospitalization for eligible patients.
  2. The variants of the coronavirus shouldn't make us panic, but we should continue following safety measures.
  3. Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are safe and effective, but those with a history of severe vaccine allergies should take precautions.

Separate Vaccine Fact from Fiction

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 13 Jan 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Wellbeing
  1. Many people have understandable worries about the COVID-19 vaccine, but it's crucial to trust the science and get vaccinated.
  2. Anxiety can magnify concerns about the vaccine and cause individuals to latch on to misinformation or anecdotes, rather than scientific data.
  3. Listening to concerns with empathy and providing accurate information is key to helping individuals make informed decisions about their health.

Self-Forgiveness

effectiviology • 0 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Wellbeing
  1. Forgiving yourself for past mistakes can reduce negative feelings like guilt and shame.
  2. Self-forgiveness can help you stop problematic behaviors by accepting responsibility for your actions and avoiding rumination and self-loathing.
  3. Proper self-forgiveness involves taking full responsibility for your actions, acknowledging any harm caused, and focusing on avoiding similar mistakes in the future.

Cold. Hungry. Wet.

aquaflamingo • 0 implied HN points • 04 Nov 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Wellbeing
  1. The challenges of 'Cold. Hungry. Wet' may explain ancestral adaptions and modern wellness practices.
  2. Natural selection prefers 'sufficiently better' outcomes over optimal ones.
  3. Reflection on cultural trends and the cyclical nature of rediscovering old practices.