Time spent in nature can boost physical and mental well-being
Spending time outdoors in green spaces has been linked with myriad physical and mental health benefits, including lower mortality, according to Harvard Chan School’s Heather Eliassen.
Thich Nhat Hanh Center for Mindfulness in Public Health Launched at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
The Thich Nhat Hanh Center for Mindfulness in Public Health will launch April 26 at the Harvard Chan School. The Center’s mission is to empower people around the globe to live with purpose, equanimity, and joy through the…
Better Off Podcast: Is working from home unhealthy?
Working from home has its perks: Better coffee, easy commute, no fluorescent lighting. But, as any home office worker can tell you, there are also downsides: No more office social hours, no more ergonomic chairs, and no more…
Boost your mental health by spending time outside
Spending time in nature has been shown to improve both physical and mental health—and Harvard Chan School’s Peter James has advice on how to get the most benefit from time spent outdoors.
Health benefits of hope
An optimistic outlook may help people live longer, and may also lower the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and other chronic conditions.
Optimism linked with lower risk of high blood pressure
People who had the highest levels of optimism—the tendency to believe good events are likely and bad events are unlikely—had a 22% lower risk of developing hypertension than those with the lowest levels of optimism, according to a…
Study: Volunteering is good for your health
Older adults who volunteer for as little as two hours per week can substantially lower their risk of early death, become more physically active, and improve their sense of well-being compared with those who don’t volunteer, according to…
Op-ed: ‘Positive epidemiology’ needed to study health
Much as “positive psychology” looks at the science of human strengths, a “positive epidemiology” is needed to increase understanding around what causes people to not just avoid disease, but to flourish.
Social media use can be positive for mental health and well-being
A new study assessed the association of two dimensions of social media use—how much it’s routinely used and how emotionally connected users are to the platforms—with three health-related outcomes: social well-being, positive mental health, and self-rated health.
New evidence that optimists live longer
After decades of research, a new study links optimism and prolonged life.
