Magazine Article Review: Feel More Connected

Feel More Connected by Sharlene Breakey, Prevention, October 2025, 26-35.

Even with social network friends and family and workmates, many people still feel alone.  This article explores things you can do to build ties.  Recent studies show that true connection is just as important as diet, exercise and not smoking to physical and mental well-being.  Loneliness or lack of connection have become a real threat to health and well-being.  Connection is not just being around friends more often.  It is being connected to the planet and its creatures.  This includes mature, art, shop keepers, neighbors, a higher power, and even random people.

Six ideas for being more connected:

1. Connect through creativity.  Creating just for the fun of it creates positive emotions.  It is not important to be good, but to enjoy.  Dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin are released leading to increased empathy and joy.  But there is more, creativity is a way to connect with yourself.  You have positive inner talk and positive emotions.  

2. Find value in smaller moments.  Small moments would be casual conversations with neighbors or local store clerks.  Frequenting local business and talking with neighbors can create a sense that there are good people in the world, and lead to feelings of security.

3. Take the talk deeper.  People want to be connected as well, and having a sense of curiosity can help.  Every person has their own story to tell. 

4. Deepen your bond to nature.  Being part of something, having an awe experience reminds us we are part of an incredible large and beautiful universe.  The awe experience can happen in nature, or seeing a beautiful painting, or listening to a beautiful symphony.  Awe and wonder strengthen empathy and kindness.

5. Find a sense of Purpose.  Random acts of kindness and serving is the most important thing you can do to create connectedness for the world and yourself.  Acts of kindness have a bounce back effect which furthers belonging.  Volunteering has the same effect.

6. Find spiritual peace within.  Using prayer, mediation or pondering can lead to focus and deep calm.  This can also lead to deep gratitude.  This emotion itself leads to a well spring if interconnectedness.

Being connected effects the health of others as well, and it can be like a ripple in a lake and have a positive effect on many.  

Magazine Article Review: 5 Myths Behind Recent Food Headlines

 5 Myths Behind Recent Food Headlines, Prevention, October 2025, 18-23.

This is a short article, using myths to provide up to date information about nutrition.

1. Eating red meat is a direct route to dementia.  The truth is not red meat, but processed red meat is the culprit.  This includes hot dogs, salami, sausage, bologna and bacon.  Diets high in fat and sodium are worse for the brain.  This describes processed meat.  People who eat more than half a hot dog, half a slice of bacon etc have lower brain functioning on average.  As for red meat no evidence it effects brain functioning, but they are high in saturated fats and should be eaten sparingly.

2. You should avoid all processed foods.  Processed food would include yogurt, eve sugar free caned vegetables and canned fish which can be part of a healthy diet.  Ultra processed foods however should be avoided.  These are foods with ingredients not found in nature.  You should choose foods you can make at home, otherwise they may have chemicals and lead to cancer, diabetes and other ailments.

3. Seed oils up your risk for diabetes, obesity, and other diseases.  These oils contain omega-6 fatty acids, which if used in excess can cause inflammation.  However they also have health benefits such as better heart health, lower risk of cancer and lower risk of diabetes.  Polyunsaturated fats play a vital role in the structure of cells.  Used in moderation there should be no ill effects.

4. Your favorite chocolate is full of harmful metals.  Yes chocolate has been shown to contain metals such as lead.  This is because the plant attracts these from the soil.  However there is not enough metal or lead in chocolate to cause any real concern. A health dose of chocolate daily is about one ounce.

5. Bananas should never be used in smoothies.  A study with only 8 subjects showed that combining bananas with fruits high in anti-oxidants (flavonoids) such as berries, the the flavonoids do not digest as well.  The study is too small to detrmine anything, and even if it is true eating more berries at other times will. oungteract any bad effcts.  Bananas are rich in potassium which is good for your heart and blood pressure.  

Magazine Article Review: How to Sooth a Sunburn

 How to Sooth a Sunburn, Prevention, August 2025, 13-15.

The best protection against sunburn and increasing your skin cancer risk is sunscreen.  However even with sunscreen, if misapplied you may burn.  These steps may help smooth a burn:

1. Take a burn seriously and treat with care.  Avoid popping blisters and picking at skin.  Aloe vera, moisturizer or petroleum jelly may increase healing.

2. Heed red flags.  If you have a severe burn and other issues pop up you may need medical attention.  These include: fever, nausea and headache and may be signs of a heat related illness such as heat stroke.  Heat stroke requires medical attention.

3. Try ibuprofen.  This anti-inflammatory may help reduce pain so you heal more comfortably.

4. Take a chilly bath or shower.  This will cool down your body rapidly.  Don't forget moisturizer after to rehydrate dry skin.

5. Apply an ice pack.  You can pop a cool damp wash clothe in the freezer for a few minutes to make one.  Also a topical anti-inflammatory such as hydrocortisone may be helpful.

6. Check your medicine cabinet.  If you are using sun screen and you are still burning there may be another cause.  Certain medicines may increase risk.  These include mental health medications, antihistamines, antibiotics, blood pressure medicines and others.  If you take these medicines you may need to avoid the sun if possible.