Healthy Body

social media contributing to youth mental health crisis

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) – Western Mass News is getting answers on a new social media warning from the United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, who is warning people that social media is contributing to a ‘youth mental health crisis’ in a major advisory released on Tuesday.

The Surgeon General recommended creating media plans and encouraging kids to develop in-person friendships. One child psychiatrist is breaking down more social media tips for those who feel a negative impact from social media usage.

Dr. Murthy issued a major advisory on Tuesday, warning that social media is feeding into a ‘youth mental health crisis.’

“The advisory suggested there are some potential benefits for kids for social media, but there’s also significant concerns and risks related to their behavior and mental health,” said Baystate Medical Center Chief of Child Psychiatry Dr. Bruce Waslick.

The lengthy 25-page advisory listed several red flags pertaining

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Healthy Body

How these science-backed practices can improve mental health

“Mindfulness” and “self-compassion” are now buzzwords for self-improvement. But in fact, a growing body of research shows these practices can lead to real mental health benefits. This research — ongoing, voluminous, and worldwide — clearly shows how and why these two practices work.

One effective way to cultivate mindfulness and self-compassion is through meditation.

For more than 20 years, as a clinical psychologist, research scientist, and educator, I taught meditation to students and clinical patients, and took a deep dive into the research literature. My recent book, The Self-Talk Workout: Six Science-Backed Strategies to Dissolve Self-Criticism and Transform the Voice in Your Head, highlights much of that research.

I learned even more when I evaluated mental health programs and psychology classes that train participants in mindfulness and compassion-based techniques.

Defining mindfulness and self-compassion

Mindfulness means purposefully paying attention to the present moment with an

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Healthy Body

Social Media Could Pose ‘Profound Risk of Harm’ to Young People’s Mental Health, Surgeon General Warns

The U.S. surgeon general warned Tuesday of the potential risks of social media to young people, and urged policy makers and technology companies to strengthen standards for adolescents.

Dr. Vivek Murthy’s office said a growing body of research shows the detrimental effects of social media on adolescents. The office’s public advisory said more research is needed to better understand the effects of social media on children and teens.

The advisory noted the benefits of social media, including its use as an outlet for creativity and for finding community. But, the report said, “there are ample indicators that social media can also have a profound risk of harm to the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents.”

“We are in the middle of a national youth mental health crisis, and I am concerned that social media is an important driver of that crisis—one that we must urgently address,” Murthy said

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Healthy Body

Surgeon General issues advisory linking social media and youth mental health

Vivek Murthy asked lawmakers, tech companies, researchers, families, and young people to take action

With nearly every person aged 13 to 17 now having a social media account, and growing evidence that these sites can have a negative effect on the mental health of young people, some states and institutions have started taking steps to combat the negative effects.

For example, earlier this year, Seattle Public Schools sued social media companies, including Meta, Facebook, Instagram, Alphabet, Google, YouTube, TikTok, and Snap, for creating “a youth mental health crisis,” including an increase in  anxiety, depression, thoughts of self-harm, and suicidal ideation. In April, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed legislation requiring minors to get their parents’ permission to create a new account.

Now, United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy is also making his voice heard as well, releasing a new Surgeon General’s Advisory on Social Media and Youth Mental

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Healthy Body

Mind and body workouts at Beach Cities Health District

The Beach Cities Halth District offers a full range of physical and mental health programs throughout the summer, beginning with a focus on Mental Health Month of May. 

 

  •  Mental Health First Aid Trainings 

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training teaches how to recognize and support individuals experiencing mental health challenges. You’ll learn how to assess risk factors, provide initial support and connect individuals to professional resources when needed.  

Tuesday, May 23 or Friday, May 9

9 a.m. – 4 p.m. 

Beach Cities Health District  

514 N. Prospect Ave, Beach Cities Room (Lower Level)  

Redondo Beach, CA 90277  

Register here 

 

  • National Senior Health & Fitness Week 

Join the Center for Health & Fitness for National Center Health & Fitness Week, the nation’s largest health event encouraging all older adults to take action toward maintaining and improving their health. Enjoy FREE classes, educational lectures and assessments. 

 May 30 – June 2 

Center

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Healthy Body

Outcry as World Health Assembly locks out Taiwan under pressure from China | Taiwan

The World Health Assembly has again rejected Taiwan’s request to join its annual gathering amid routine objections from China and despite strong support from a coalition of countries including the US, UK, France and Australia.

The assembly – the forum through which the World Health Organization is governed – on Monday decided not to extend an invitation for Taiwan to attend the 21-30 May event in Geneva as an observer. China and Pakistan spoke against the bid, while the Marshall Islands, Belize, Nauru and Eswatini – four of Taiwan’s 13 formal diplomatic allies – spoke in support.

Taiwan’s ministry of foreign affairs said its participation in the WHA was a matter of global public health. “Politics should not be allowed to take precedence over professionalism. It is not only unfair and unjust to shut Taiwan out due to Chinese political pressure, but also poses a serious threat to global health.

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Healthy Body

How wildfire smoke can harm human health, even when the fire is hundreds of miles away | Opinion

Christopher T. Migliaccio, University of Montana

Smoke from more than 200 wildfires burning across Canada has been turning skies hazy in North American cities far from the flames. We asked Chris Migliaccio, a toxicologist at the University of Montana who studies the impact of wildfire smoke on human health, about the health risks people can face when smoke blows in from distant wildfires.

What’s in wildfire smoke that’s a problem?

When we talk about air quality, we often talk about PM2.5. That’s particulate matter 2.5 microns or smaller – small enough that it can travel deep into the lungs.

Exposure to PM2.5 from smoke or other air pollution, such as vehicle emissions, can exacerbate health conditions like asthma and reduce lung function in ways that can worsen existing respiratory problems and even heart disease.

But the term PM2.5 only tells you about size, not composition – what

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Healthy Body

Social Media And Its Effect On The Mental Health Of Teens In America

A relatable scenario for any American parent with teens is going on a drive, only to see your child taking multiple selfies of themselves with their phone, and then posting it on a social media platform like Instagram or Snapchat. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 90% of teens aged 13-17 have used social media, and teens are online on average nine hours a day, not including time spent on homework. Given the large amounts of time teens spend on social media platforms, it should behoove us to ask if such use has any association with their mental well-being?

According to the CDC’s Bi-Annual Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 57% of teen girls experience

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Healthy Body

From desk to mat: How yoga can improve office worker’s health

In today’s fast-paced world, office workers often find themselves battling a range of health issues that arise from long hours spent at the desk. The sedentary nature of this lifestyle can take a toll on your physical and mental well-being. However, bringing simple yoga practices into your daily routine can significantly improve your general health and vitality. Eye strain, slouching, exhaustion, lack of focus, and even strained interpersonal relationships are some of the common challenges faced by those confined to their workstations. Yoga offers a holistic solution to address these concerns. Scroll down to know how yoga can improve office worker’s health.

How yoga improves office workers’ health?

1. Helps find relief from tired eyes

Eye strain is a prevalent issue among office workers who spend hours staring at computer screens. The 20/20 rule can alleviate this strain. Every 20 minutes, take a break and close your eyes for 20

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Healthy Body

Fit Body Boot Camp Raises Awareness for Mental Health Through Fitness

CHINO HILLS, Calif., May 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — As Mental Health Awareness Month, May provides the opportunity to promote behavioral health concerns and reduce their stigma.

Fit Body Boot Camp 30-minute Afterburn workouts combine High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) with Active Rest Training to produce fun workouts that burn twice the calories in half the time and keep your metabolism running at a higher rate for up to 36 hours post-workout.

A mental disorder or illness is a mental health condition that disrupts a person’s ability to think, feel, or act.

The stigma related to mental health conditions affects millions of people every day, leaving many of them struggling with their mental health issues for years without assistance.

1 in 5 people will experience a mental health condition during their lifetime for many circumstances, including genetics, substance use, and life events (e.g., trauma or abuse). Other developing causes include social, geopolitical, environmental, or economic factors.

Mental health is essential to a person’s well-being and exists on a complex continuum. Individuals experience it differently with varying degrees of difficulty, resulting in various social and clinical diagnoses.

In efforts to strengthen mental health, Fit Body Boot

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