Student Blog
Our Student Blog Program offers undergraduate and high-school students the opportunity to learn about Lifestyle Medicine, collaborate with world-class Stanford experts, and write research-backed articles.
The Ultimate Brain Booster: Exercise and Mental Health
By Soren Ghorai When you’re feeling down, it can be difficult to find the motivation to get up and exercise. Exercise may seem like the last thing you want to do, but it can make huge improvements for your mental health. So next time you’re feeling low, getting up and going for a jog could be exactly what you need. Exercise linked to Emotional Well-Being In a recent study, researchers examined the effects of exercise...
Read moreImpact of the Ketogenic Diet on Mental Health
By Claire Paul Can food really impact your mood? Nutritional psychiatry, the use of food interventions as a form of mental health treatment, has gained popularity in recent years. While there’s an overwhelming amount of dietary suggestions out there, it is worth noting a 2023 comprehensive review assessing the relationship of the Ketogenic diet with neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases. Although not recommended for everyone, the ketogenic diet may be one avenue for improving mental health...
Read moreA Step Up to Health: The Power of Stairs
By Anya Higashionna and Jonanne Talebloo With the increasing automation of the world around us, Levi Frehlich MSc PhD ©, emphasizes, “We are learning more and more that a sedentary behavior independent of your activity levels can have a profound influence on your health. The environment can be used to break up sedentary behavior and utilizing stairs can be a “great first step.” How many times a week are you faced with the decision: stairs...
Read moreBotanical Brain Boost
Exploring how surroundings impact unconscious cognitive processing during work and rest. By: Anya Higashionna As a student who loves the outdoors, I have always found great joy and comfort in curating house plants for my living spaces. When I left for college I was determined to hand carry all my plants through the airport from my room in California to my dorm in Washington. I believe the effort was worth it as the living greenery...
Read moreSleep and Academic Excellence: A Deeper Look
By: Keshav Saigal In the whirlwind of deadlines, exams, and extracurricular activities that define our lives throughout high school and college, sleep is often sacrificed. Late-night study sessions, scrolling through social media, or binge-watching the latest Netflix series might seem like necessary trade-offs for those hours of rest. However, for those looking to boost your academic performance, optimizing your sleep might be more beneficial and more nuanced than you think. In this article, we’ll go...
Read moreHow Joy is Linked to Gratitude and Well-being
By Donovan Giang This blog is part of our Gratitude & Reflection newsletter. If you like this content, sign up to receive our monthly newsletter! With the holiday season upon us, the spirit of joy is in the air. From magazine advertisements of happy families having a delicious meal to hearing Christmas carols in department stores, we are constantly being fed the message that we should be joyful at this time of year. However, if we...
Read moreOptimism as a Means to a Longer Life
By Jonanne Talebloo This blog is part of our Gratitude & Reflection newsletter. If you like this content, sign up to receive our monthly newsletter! We have all heard the saying "mind over matter" when it comes to athletics and physical challenges. But can this saying be applied to health, healing, aging, and longevity? Studies suggest that optimism may play a leading role in improving not only one’s emotional well-being but also physical health and increasing...
Read moreThe Unexpected Health Benefits of Forest Bathing
By Vedika Patani and Carly Smith, BS, MPH(c) This blog is part of the Stress Management newsletter. If you like this content, sign up here to receive our monthly newsletter! Many people know that hiking in nature can help reduce stress and anxiety. But not everyone knows that forest bathing is a way to take the therapeutic effects of a scenic walk to the next level. While hiking is a great way to get outdoors...
Read moreAerobic & Resistance Exercise Improves Sleep
Sleep, a fundamental element of human biology, plays a crucial role in various physiological processes. A good night’s sleep is essential for immune function, cognitive performance, emotional well-being, and overall physical health. Exercise is another critical lifestyle factor with tremendous potential to improve your health. Regular physical activity has numerous benefits, from reducing the risk of chronic diseases to improving mental health. However, could exercise improve your sleep? Impact of Resistance Exercise on Sleep A...
Read moreGardening as a Lifestyle Medicine Practice
By Donovan Giang, Maya Shetty, and Rusly Harsono, MD Life hastens while we focus on our goals, and this can be overwhelming and stressful. Let’s find balance and evaluate our lifestyle! Do you feel like you are eating healthy or connecting well with people around you on a consistent basis? Home and Community Gardening may help you and your family to get there. Home gardening is the practice of growing plants in a traditional outdoor...
Read moreNote: This blog’s content reflects the student author’s perspective and may not necessarily represent the views of the Stanford Lifestyle Medicine Program.