A 20-MINUTE stroll through a park is one of the best stress-busters doctors can prescribe, research suggests. Connecting with nature was found to improve wellbeing and calm. Spending between 20-30 minutes near trees and flowers lowered stress hormones by around ten per cent. Scientists said the benefits continued after half an hour but at a reduced rate, The Times reported. Study leader Mary Carol Hunter, of the University of Michigan, said: “For the greatest payoff, in terms of efficiently lowering levels of (stress hormone) cortisol, you should spend 20 to 30 minutes sitting or walking in a place that provides you with a sense of nature. Graphic WarningTHE ‘CURSED’ CHILD A MUM WON’T LOVE Heartbreaking photos show the premature baby whose mum won't hold or feed her SEX CLUES This is how much sex you SHOULD be having... according to your age Sex Secrets Prostitute who earns £2,000 a week reveals the average penis size ... and how much she enjoys work SHOCK … [Read more...] about 20-minute strolls in the park is one of the best stress-busters doctors can prescribe, research finds
Mental Health
Doctors should quiz kids over excessive social media use amid fears over their mental health
DOCTORS should quiz kids over excessive social media use, new guidelines say. It comes amid fears exposure to Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook can affect mental health. Children viewing self-harm images or eating disorder material could worsen an existing illness, The Royal College of Psychiatrists said. It also warned the use of too much technology could lead to school, sleep and behavioural problems, as well as eating issues. The RCP recommends kids stop using phones or tablets at least an hour before going to bed and avoid them at mealtimes. It is also backing calls for an independent regulator, a code of conduct for social media firms and a levy to pay for research into links with mental illness. President Prof Wendy Burn said: “Technology is moving fast and we must make sure clinicians are keeping up. “Many young people’s lives are now being dominated by the online world.” SNOW STORM C4's Jon Snow slammed after 'I've never seen so many white people' … [Read more...] about Doctors should quiz kids over excessive social media use amid fears over their mental health
Living in heavily polluted areas raises the risk of mental illness and psychotic disorders in children, study finds
LIVING in a polluted area increases the risk of kids experiencing severe mental conditions, a study suggests. Kids exposed to filthy air were up to 72 per cent more likely to report having a psychotic experience. Fumes from traffic and factories have previously been linked to heart disease, cancer and dementia. Now researchers from King’s College London say these toxins may fuel mental illness too. They quizzed 2,062 18-year-olds and examined pollution levels near their homes. Some 30 per cent reported having at least one psychotic experience since the age of 12. This includes hearing voices or feeling they were being followed, watched or spied on. These were more common among teens with higher levels of annual exposure to pollution. The lethal cocktail contains nitrogen oxides (NOX), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and tiny particles (PM2.5). Those with the most exposure to NOX were 72 per cent more likely to suffer than those with the least. Figures for NO2 and PM2.5 were 71 per cent … [Read more...] about Living in heavily polluted areas raises the risk of mental illness and psychotic disorders in children, study finds
Sitting all day is ‘new smoking’ – as 70k lives lost to couch potato lifestyle
DESK jobs and lazy nights in front of the TV kills nearly 70,000 a year and costs the NHS £700million, a study says. Experts are urging those who sit for six hours or more each day — at work or at home — to be more active at other times. Past studies have shown that spending large parts of the day seated can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, cancer and death. Researchers say more than one in ten deaths is linked to a sedentary lifestyle, equating to 69,276 per year. They have estimated the financial impact on the NHS for the first time — and claim it is around £700million. But the true figure may be higher as the analysis did not include musculoskeletal conditions or mental health disorders. Lead author Leonie Heron, of Queen’s University Belfast, said: “Measures should be taken to reduce sedentary behaviour with the aim of improving health and reducing the financial burden to the health service.” Measures should … [Read more...] about Sitting all day is ‘new smoking’ – as 70k lives lost to couch potato lifestyle
70,000 deaths every year are linked to couch potato lifestyle costing NHS £700m, experts warn
DESK jobs and lazy nights in front of the TV kills nearly 70,000 a year and costs the NHS £700million, a study says. Experts are urging those who sit for six hours or more each day — at work or at home — to be more active at other times. Past studies have shown that spending large parts of the day seated can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, cancer and death. Researchers say more than one in ten deaths is linked to a sedentary lifestyle, equating to 69,276 per year. They have estimated the financial impact on the NHS for the first time — and claim it is around £700million. But the true figure may be higher as the analysis did not include musculoskeletal conditions or mental health disorders. WHAT A COCK-UP Man circumcised by MISTAKE after surgeons mix him up with another patient TAKING THE BACON Supermarket bacon 'contains cancer-linked chemicals', leaked report warns CIRCUMCISION DEATH Five-month-old boy dies after parents … [Read more...] about 70,000 deaths every year are linked to couch potato lifestyle costing NHS £700m, experts warn