Stanford Lifestyle Medicine Student Blogs

Impact 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...

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A 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...

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Botanical 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...

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Sleep 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...

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How 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...

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Optimism 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...

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The 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...

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Aerobic & 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...

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