Articles By Health Topic
Read the latest blog posts from lifestyle medicine experts at Stanford University covering health topics related to healthy aging.
Finding Purpose in Midlife and Beyond
By Sharon Brock, MS, MEd “What is it you plan to do with your wild and precious life?” What if this famous line by poet Mary Oliver was not only relevant to people in their teens, but also in midlife? Given the considerable research on longevity, people are living healthier and longer lives, redefining what it is to be middle-aged. There is an antiquated cultural belief that once a person reaches the age of about 50, it’s too late to...
How Mindfulness Can Soothe Tension at Family Gatherings
By Angel Cleare, BS As we prepare our holiday meals, we may reflect on how this family gathering unfolded last year. It may have started well, with many smiles and joyful conversations of family members sharing what was happening in their lives. But, when everyone sat down at the dinner table, one family member couldn’t stop complaining about the food, and another couldn’t resist voicing their antagonizing opinions. Knowing this may happen again, we may ask ourselves, “What can...
What Does it Mean to be Spiritual but Not Religious?
By Sharon Brock, MS, MEd More and more people today identify as spiritual but not religious. In this blog, we explore and appreciate what spirituality is as human beings to increase our capacity for more spiritual experiences in our lives. “Spirituality is an individual experience,” says Bruce Feldstein, MD, BCC, Head of Stanford Lifestyle Medicine’s Gratitude & Purpose pillar. “As a chaplain and professor providing and teaching spiritual care for the past 25 years, I’ve often encountered people who identify...
Practice of the Month: Cultivating a Habit of Optimism
By Meagan Matthews, BS Do you tend to have pessimistic thoughts throughout the day? Do you wish you had a more optimistic outlook? Incorporating this one habit might be the key to unlocking a more positive headspace, and it only takes three seconds. "The Maui Habit" was created by BJ Fogg, PhD, New York Times bestselling author of Tiny Habits and founder of Stanford’s Behavior Design Lab. It goes like this: as soon as your feet hit the ground in...
What is Social Health and How Does it Impact Longevity?
By Sharon Brock, MEd, MS Last year, the U.S. Surgeon General published an advisory on the healing effects of social connection and community. This advisory was based on decades of research on the impact of social connection on mental and physical health and brought nationwide awareness to the importance of creating and maintaining relationships for a long, healthy life. "Most of us recognize that exercise and healthy eating are important for our longevity; however, if you're doing those things by...