Topic: Health & Healing

Lack of light is often blamed for seasonal affective disorder (SAD), but just how darker days cause depression in SAD sufferers is still in question, reports the January 2008 issue of the Harvard Health Letter.

People troubled by depression usually experience their dark moods in an on-again, off-again fashion. In that respect, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) differs only in that the oscillations follow a seasonal schedule, with the depression usually starting in the fall and lasting through the spring. Lack of light is often blamed for SAD, but just how darker days cause depression in SAD sufferers is still in question, reports the January 2008 issue of the Harvard Health Letter.

According to a recent study conducted by Pennsylvania State University, a spoonful of honey might be just the thing to help quiet children's coughs.

According to experts at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, a recent study may have discovered an intriguing option to help quiet children's coughs.

UCLA researchers report that omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), found in fish oil, increases the production of LR11, a protein that is found at reduced levels in Alzheimer's patients and which is known to destroy the the "plaques" associated with the disease.

It's good news that we are living longer, but bad news that the longer we live, the better our odds of developing late-onset Alzheimer's disease.

Fitness resolutions fade more quickly than any other--by January 15 in many cases. Fitness coach David Berger suggests that the exercise-challenged may find hope in a simple, low-cost approach to getting in shape.

With 2008 quickly approaching, millions of Americans are considering their New Year's resolutions, and most will swear that adopting a healthier lifestyle--including regular exercise--is their top priority. Unfortunately, research shows that fitness resolutions fade more quickly than any other--by January 15 in many cases. Award-winning, ASCM-certified fitness coach David Berger suggests that the exercise-challenged may find hope in a simple, low-cost approach to getting in shape.

Anthony Ong, Cornell University assistant professor of human development, studies positive psychology, believing that people can willfully choose to focus on their positive emotions, which may lead to promoting healing and easing pain.

When strangers ask Anthony Ong, assistant professor of human development, what he does for a living, he replies he is a psychologist.

Physicians with University of California, San Diego Medical Center and School of Medicine say “Savor the seasonal offerings… just do it sensibly.”

The sweet scent brings back a flurry of childhood memories the minute mom opens the door. She bakes gingerbread cookies just once a year and it’s the smell that says “Home for the holidays.” Physicians with University of California, San Diego Medical Center and School of Medicine say “Savor the seasonal offerings… just do it sensibly.”

There are many reasons why people are leaving so-called "traditional medicine" for alternative treatments - and they often start with that visit to the doctor's office.

Alternative medicine has become increasingly popular as more and more people are left unsatisfied with their doctors. There are many major disappointments inherent in the western doctor-patient relationship these days. This has caused patients to stray from their doctors and seek out alternative methods of healing.

The end of the calendar year has enormous impact as we construct our lives to a very large extent around the calendar, with December 31 being a very important date. But instead of making resolutions which are often times quickly forgotten, New Years is a good time to take personal inventory of our lives.

The end the year is a time when many of us will make resolutions to lose weight or quit smoking. But instead of making resolutions which are often times quickly forgotten, New Years is a good time to take personal inventory of our lives, says Temple University psychologist Frank Farley.

Researchers at Miami and Ohio State universities are investigating the impact of Tibetan meditation on victims of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with a test group in Columbus, Ohio. The project will continue for two years.

Miami and Ohio State university researchers are using an ancient technique to address a modern problem. With a $98,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Mental Health, Deborah Akers, Miami visiting assistant professor of anthropology, is working with co-researchers from Ohio State on a project titled "Treatment of Trauma Survivors: Effects of Meditation Practice on Clients' Mental Health Outcomes."

Author Jim Loehr, Ed.D., shows how to use your inner conversations to achieve inner balance, as well as mental, emotional and spiritual wellness during the year-end holidays. Free tools available from author's web site to promote full engagement and energy for life and work.

Millions of people will soon take time off for their year-end holidays, looking forward to a break from business, school and the workplace. But we all know that for many, a different type of stress takes over. How can people help themselves get the mental, emotional and spiritual wellness they hope for during this time?