Peak Health Wellness Insights Issue 16

Mental Resilience

This study investigates the relationship between gratitude and loneliness in adults. The findings suggest that those with higher levels of gratitude experience less loneliness. It also supports a notion that this relationship is mediated by both having the ability to cope well with adversity, and having a sense of purpose in life.

Sleep

We now know that insufficient sleep can raise anxiety by up to 30% from this research. This is due to the deactivation of the medial prefrontal cortex (an area in the brain that influences anxiety and stress) after a sleepless night. However, deep sleep can act as an antidote to this, alleviating anxiety by helping to restore this brain area.

Nutrition

This latest study, conducted on approximately 63,000 adults, provides evidence that a diet centred on plant-based foods is associated with a decreased risk of cognitive decline. Specifically, plant-eaters are 18-33% less likely to experience cognitive impairment as they age.

Fitness

This recent study further supports how beneficial exercise is for the overall health of corporate employees. Findings show that those who regularly exercised have better mental health, earn 5-10% more, and have reduced health-care costs

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Productivity Tip

Make your meetings more productive by defining what 'problem-solving stage' should be addressed.

This article explains how and why intuitive problem solving works well (and automatically) for individuals, but is not productive in a group setting.

Habit Hack of the week

Try reorganising the apps present on the home page of your phone. Keep only utility apps on the first page and move the more distracting apps, such as Instagram or Facebook, to later pages. You may find it makes it easier for you to stop mindless phone use.