Strenuous activity predicts greater longevity Shift some of your easy walking to fast walking Physical fitness experts tout the benefits of moderate-intensity activity. Perhaps emphasizing "moderate" makes exercise seem more accessible to more people. But a study from Australia showed that strenuous physical activity conferred greater health benefits than less strenuous activity. Researchers used data…
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Neighborhood Cohesion Predicts Health
Including stroke and heart attack? Use of preventive health services? Neighborhood social cohesion refers to the perceived degree of connectedness between and among neighbors and their willingness to take action for the common good. Greater neighborhood social cohesion predicts better overall health. Stroke is a leading cause of disability in the US. Would greater social…
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Can Healthy Choices Offset Risk of Dementia?
Even if You Have a Gene Linked to Dementia Risk? Researchers have identified variations in genes that predispose people to developing dementia. However, healthy lifestyle choices can decrease your risk of dementia. Could better lifestyle choices reduce your risk of dementia even if you have a gene that predisposes you to dementia? Researchers in the…
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Optimism and Health
Greater Optimism Predicts Living Longer and Better What if You Have an Optimistic Spouse? Do optimistic people really live longer than pessimists? Researchers at the University of Michigan used data from 6,985 participants at least 50 years of age in the 2006 wave of the Health and Retirement Study to find out. The well-validated Life…
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