12 Ways to Explore Better Health & Wellness
Check out Wise & Well’s curated collections of stories about a dozen aspects of the human condition, written by experts, right here on Medium
Welcome back to your weekly dose of wisdom and wellness. Below you’ll find several new, actionable feature stories. First this week, I want to welcome all our new subscribers, and highlight our mission and mention a valuable resource you might not have discovered yet…
Wise & Well stories are written by a team of journalists, topical experts and practicing professionals—including physicians, psychologists, research scientists and award-winning authors—who bring their professional expertise and lived experience to their writing. Every story is professionally edited for accuracy, relevancy, and overall value to readers. We aim to inform, entertain and make you feel like your time with us has been well spent.
Closing in on two years since launch, our archives run deep, and most of the stories are as informative, entertaining and relevant today as when they first published. We curate these stories on a dozen Topic Pages, so Medium members can drill down on whatever subject most interests them. (I know many of you are not Medium members, but I mention this for those who are. SKIP DOWN to this week’s feature stories if you wish.) While they don’t encompass everything we write about, these 12 topic pages are reflection of what we offer up every week, aiming to make your tomorrow a little better than today:
Now, let’s check out the latest gems that’ll be added to the archives—this week’s new feature stories. As I mention every week: The links in these stories bypass the Medium paywall, so everyone can enjoy them:
11 Common Skin Care Myths and Mistakes
Skin is an organ, one that can deteriorate with time just like any bodily organ. But symptoms of decline or acute problems of the skin are almost always right there on the surface where we can see them. Odd, then, that we know so little about how to properly care for it. This dermatologist enlightened me on a slew of things I thought I knew but, perhaps like you, was mistaken about, from when moles normally form to what foments blackheads and what really causes dry scalp. Story by Annie Foley
Unintended Consequences of Over-the-Counter Pain Meds
Individual studies that purport to reveal a particular health benefit or drawback are often overhyped by bloggers, YouTubers, podcasters and even well-meaning mainstream media publications. Peel back the scientific onion, and the new findings may be humdrum or even suspect, in light of a deeper body of work. So it goes with two recent pain med claims. Story by John Kruse MD, PhD
The 7 Worst Diet Mistakes Dietitians See Over and Over
Diet schemes and dietary supplements are big money makers because they don’t work. It keeps us coming back again and again. And there’s always someone in our lives who swears by this diet or that supplement for weight loss or better health. Given the TMI, much of which is bad, I reached out to four dietitians and asked them what mistakes they see over and over. Among their answers: counting calories, cutting out entire food groups and restrictive eating. Story by Robert Roy Britt
Do Pets Improve or Worsen Your Mental Health?
I’ve had dogs that brought me so much emotional comfort, I’ve wondered if they’re healthier to have around than humans. But then there’ve been dogs that caused me constant anxiety. I can’t speak to cats, but the point is: Science shows that pets do not automatically make us feel better. As with other how other people make us feel, it’s all about the quality of the relationship. Story by Brian N. Chin
The Mysterious Resurgence of Tuberculosis, the ‘Robber of Youth’
An outbreak of this ancient disease in Kansas has researchers puzzled. What we do know is we don’t want it around. Untreated, its extremely deadly. Treatments reduce the death rate to “just” 12%, but the treatments are awful, too. And as with Covid, people can catch, carry and transmit TB without realizing they have it. This is just one more example of our need for a robust federal health monitoring and research apparatus. Story by Karen Dobos and Marcela Henao-Tamayo
Nostalgia is Really Good For You
When was the last time you sat with an old friend — or chatted with them on the phone — and told some story you’ve both heard over and over? If you’re feeling the least bit moody these days, that could be just the salve. Maintaining old friendships is supported by such nostalgic reflections, and new research finds it’s really good for your well-being. The message: Reach out and touch someone today. Story by Robert Roy Britt
I hope we’ve helped make your tomorrow a little better than today.
Cheers,
Rob