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4 Types of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Never to Ignore

March 28, 2022 by Chris Butler

Obsessive-compulsive disorder has become a famous phrase to describe when someone cleans excessively or likes order. However, this anxiety-based condition is multifaceted and involves much more than someone who wants a clean home. The folks who suffer from this mental health disorder have compulsions or obsessions that repeatedly cause them to do the same things.

People with OCD feel like their life is on a merry-go-round where they must repeat the same behaviors and can’t seem to get out of the loop. It’s a stimulus-response that results in a pattern. For instance, someone afraid of germs might wash their hands multiple times.

You may feel that your hands are contaminated and perceive danger from the germs, so you wash compulsively. While cleaning your hands is good, this individual will wash them until they’re raw to eliminate the threat. This condition affects 1.2 percent of the population in this country, according to statistics gathered by the National Library of Medicine.

The same study found that this disease occurs in adults and children, affecting women more than men. It’s important to note that obsessive-compulsive disorder is not a single symptom, like hand washing. However, it’s a set of compulsions that dominate your life. The same person who washes their hands over and over might also keep verifying the stove to make sure it’s off or locking and relocking the front door.

Understanding the Difference Between Obsessions and Compulsions

Obsessions are unpleasant, rhythmic thoughts, urges, or psychological pictures that generate anxiety and stress. The most common obsessions observed by the mental health community include:

Aggressive thoughts
Impulsive behaviors
Forbidden thoughts
The need for symmetry and balance
Fear of germs or pollution from outside sources

On the other hand, compulsions are behaviors that must be done repetitively. The person with this mental health disorder gets into a pattern of negative thoughts and feels compelled to act out to calm these notions. Here are some of the most common compulsions observed:

Rituals that involve counting things
Checking and rechecking things like the stove, doors, kids, etc.
Arranging things in a precise way
Excessive handwashing
Preoccupation with bathing

Here’s where it gets tricky. A person preoccupied with counting rituals or handwashing might not be diagnosed with this mental health disorder, as it can signify other conditions. However, combining obsessions and compulsions helps paint a better picture for the treating physician.

Diagnosing Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

You might like to keep your hands clean, but the compulsion doesn’t elevate to that of someone who has OCD. People who have this disorder are caused great distress by their symptoms. For a psychiatrist to diagnose someone with this condition, they must meet specific criteria defined in the DSM 5 or the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Symptoms that meet these criteria include:

The inability to defuse distressing thoughts or behaviors, ruminations.
Spending excessive amounts of time on ritualistic or compulsive behaviors
Occupational, social, and interpersonal impairment exists because of the obsessions and compulsions
Other comorbidities like depression or substance abuse. Many feel the need to self-medicate
Relief from anxiety when engaged in compulsive behaviors
The need for orderliness may stem from past traumas.

There are many facets to obsessive-compulsive disorder, so it’s so much more than just a motto used to describe someone who likes their home to be tidy. The person with this condition is suffering and needs help. They entrap their mind with negative thoughts that cause them great anxiety.

Four Types of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

The disease is divided into four types or subcategories to complicate the condition further. A person may suffer from one or many kinds, and it can often be tricky to figure things out. It takes a skilled psychiatrist or mental health professional to peel back the layers and see what’s going on under the surface.

When a doctor first meets a patient, they will consider their symptoms. These symptoms can be placed into distinct categories or dimensions, as they call them in the mental health community. Additionally, these symptoms can also include compulsions and obsessions alike.

Type 1: Contamination

The first and most recognized category of this condition is contamination. Folks that fall into this group are afraid of germs and their space becoming unkempt. It’s the most talked-about of the subcategories of this disorder, but it’s certainly not the only one to consider. Here are some signs that a person has an issue with contamination:

Excessive cleaning – vacuuming, mopping, dusting
Created spaces they deem as clean or safe to dwell
Sterilizing and disinfecting constantly
Purging any items that they believe are bringing germs into their space
Constantly changing their clothes

Type 2: Intrusive Thoughts

Everyone has intrusive thoughts, but the person suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder finds that they’re repetitive and can be vile. These thoughts cause this person a great deal of distress or anxiety. The ideas can be anything from disturbing to violent.

For instance, one person may not get into the car because they fear they will have a wreck. They may see an accident scene with all the gore in their mind’s eye. They feel these are warning signs of impending doom coming if they get into the car, so they may refuse to drive.

Another person might have disturbing fantasies. For instance, they may feel that they’re going to cause harm to someone they love. The problem is that these thoughts become so real that they interfere with a person’s life. Here are some common ruminating thoughts these folks experience:

Doubting the love of their partner
Obsessed by sexual thoughts that are disturbing in nature
Believing that if you think something terrible, it will cause that thought to manifest
Fixating on religion or religious issues
Fearing that a person will act violently against the ones they love
Intrusive thought patterns that inhibit their ability to function

Type 3: Hoarding

You’re probably pretty familiar with the hoarding aspect of this condition, as depicted on TV, and you can see it driving through your neighborhood. The person that suffers from this type of obsessive-compulsive disorder refuses to get rid of things like worn-out possessions because they feel they will need them later.

They will save items with little to no value and take up valuable space. Many of these individuals frequent yard sales, antique stores, dumpsters, thrift stores, and other outlet-type settings. They don’t need the things they collect, but they’re fearful of being without mixed piles.

Many of these individuals feel that they can sell the items for a profit should they fall on hard times. These folks will develop an emotional attachment to these items regardless of condition or value. Hoarding is divided into categories since it’s such a vast issue alone, they are:

Preventative – The person believes harm will come to them or someone else if they throw something away. For instance, they might not want to put glass in the trash because someone can get cut.
Deprivation – In this instance, the person won’t throw anything away because they might need it later. They feel that they will use it or make money from it later.
Emotional – Finally, the last type of hoarder holds on to things because they believe they’re of high emotional value. They may have old dolls, games, toys, or other items from their childhood or their children. Anything that has memories attached to it is complicated for them to get rid of.

Type 4: Checking

The final type of OCD is where a person has an obsession with checking things. They’re fearful that the house will blow up from the gas fumes if they leave the stove on. So, they will check the stove twenty times before they go to bed to make sure it’s off.

The need to check and recheck is a compulsion that drives them mad. They may fear they left the water on or left an unlocked door. They might also be afraid they wrote an email for work with errors that will cause them to be fired. Thus, they will check the email repeatedly.

Final Thoughts on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

While it seems that obsessive-compulsive disorder is overwhelming, it’s a very treatable condition. Since it’s anxiety-based, it’s known to respond well to psychotherapy as well as other treatments. The ruminations that come along with this condition are hard to ignore, but others suffer from the need for orderliness.

This condition might display as many different things, but the core of these behaviors is an anxiety disorder. There are varying degrees of severity, and it’s common to run in families. According to the National Library of Medicine, the genetic links to this mental health disorder are definitive.

If you or a loved one is suffering from obsessive-compulsive symptoms, you should seek help sooner rather than later. This condition is progressive and will only worsen as the ruminations take over.

4 Benefits of Self-Regulation Never to Ignore

March 27, 2022 by Lakeisha Ethans

Self-regulation is a term with many different definitions in the realm of psychology.

Most experts define it as the ability to execute actions aligned with core values and long-term goals. This practice involves the capability of emotional intelligence, as you’ll need to control and manage your feelings, thoughts, and reactions in the process.

In the most generic layman’s terms, the ability to self-regulate means you can think before you act. It means that you can satisfy your emotional thoughts in positive ways so that your actions are ones you’d be happy with. This skill prevents you from caving into more disruptive feelings and other similar impulses.

Most adults’ level of skill in self-regulation is rooted in their childhood development, research shows. If you learned to self-regulate as a child, you developed emotional maturity and socially intelligent management skills as part of your upbringing. If you never knew these things, you likely struggle with self-regulation today.

But does that mean that you’re stuck with your current self-regulation skills? No, not at all! You can learn to boost your self-regulation and improve how you interact with your emotions and thoughts. It’s a complicated process, though, and you remain unconvinced that it’s worth it. Let’s tell you right now that it is! Here are four benefits of self-regulation never to ignore.

1. It Improves Executive Function

Executive function refers to a series of mental skills and cognitive processes that aid in the planning, managing, and executing of various intended goals and actions. Essentially, anything you do that requires conscious decision-making and thought requires executive function.

If you’ve ever struggled to do something, even just a simple task, because you just couldn’t will yourself to, then you’ve worked with executive function problems. For example, you might have sat at your computer and thought, “I need to go to the bathroom,” but found yourself feeling too “lazy” to go for another hour.

These executive function problems are an annoyance with simple everyday tasks, but they can be a massive factor in failing bigger goals. When you’re not able to put a plan into motion and stay disciplined for the required length of that plan, you suffer for it. Goals fall apart, and you get discouraged, which worsens your wellbeing.

Benefits of Self-Regulation:

Self-regulation plays a considerable part in executive function, say studies. It allows you to:

Build working memory so that you can recall recent information.
Boost mental flexibility so you can shift focus between sources of stimulus while applying appropriate thoughts and action to the context.
Improve self-control, so you can better determine priorities, fight off impulses, and manage your feelings and thoughts.
Solve problems that occur within your planning and management phases without feeling stuck.
Develop improved attentional control to maintain a dedication to your goals no matter what distractions come your way.
Remain mindful so you live in the present and don’t become bogged down by rumination or past events.
Make good decisions or put as much effort as possible into making wise, rationally chosen options in life.

These things, working together, are all a part of executive function. Self-regulation improves your skills in these areas so that they are less of a struggle to achieve.

2. It Improves Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence is a crucial part of everyday life. It can be defined as understanding, perceiving, managing, utilizing, and processing various emotions. These emotions can be your own, which you must self-regulate, or they can be those of others, which you need to increase empathy.

High emotional intelligence allows people to recognize, acknowledge, and manage their own emotions, whether they’re positive or negative. Research also shows that those who are emotionally intelligent have better relationships with others and are often happier, with improved markers for wellbeing.

Self-regulation contributes to emotional intelligence by helping you to regulate and handle the way you feel reflectively. As studies say, doing so gives you an excellent opportunity for better intellectual and emotional growth.

Self-regulation is just one of five markers for emotional intelligence, but it’s a pretty big one! When you control your emotional impulses and influence your thoughts, you don’t overreact or get lost in your head. You don’t ruminate too much over negative experiences or get overconfident because of positive experiences. You know how to react appropriately to each situation and validate your emotions while keeping them in check.

At the same time, you also become more socially intelligent. Your relationships flourish because you can respond appropriately to those around you and put yourself in their shoes. Kindness comes more naturally when you’re emotionally intelligent, after all.

On top of all that, this emotional intelligence can help to reduce the risk of mental health disorders. Or, at the very least, it’ll help you to manage symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other similar illnesses. This outcome happens when heightened EQ will give you better ways of addressing these disorders and coping with the thoughts and feelings they conjure up.

3. It Encourages Approach Instead Of Avoidance or Attacks

There are three typical motivation styles to any given situation, as outlined by many research papers. These styles determine how you react to and handle different events, and they dictate your perspective on life. These styles are:

· Attack

The attack style of motivation involves the desire to undermine or lash out at a given situation, whether literally or figuratively. You’re disinterested in empathizing or getting close to that situation, preferring to keep it at arm’s length through attacks. This can be for self-protection, but it can also exist as a form of selfishness, to view others as competition or things to exploit. This motivation can involve behaviors and actions related to anger, contempt, manipulation, coercion, disgust, abuse, and threats.

· Avoid

The avoid style of motivation involves the desire to escape from or minimize a given situation, whether literally or figuratively. You feel that you have to get away from or diminish something to better repress or escape the thoughts and feelings attached. This can be for self-protection. This motivation can involve behaviors and actions related to withdrawal, dismissal, superiority, inferiority, and devaluing.

· Approach

The approach style of motivation involves the desire to get closer to a given situation, whether literally or figuratively. You’re interested in giving it your attention to better appreciate it, learn from it, or experience it. Curiosity drives you, or perhaps compassion for the person you’re approaching. This motivation can involve behaviors and actions related to cooperation, guidance, protection, learning, bonding, and communication.

It’s pretty obvious which of these three motivational styles are the most beneficial for someone’s life. Approaching gives you the chance to get the truth about a situation, communicate with others positively, and manage your emotions so you don’t act in a way you’ll later regret.

Self-regulation helps you to choose approaching over avoiding or attacking different complex life events. Instead of lashing out, repressing, or otherwise harming yourself and others for self-protection, you’re motivated to learn, grow, and experience life mindfully. This grants you better life satisfaction and healthier relationships! You’ll be able to manage conflict a little more positively while also staying aware of other people’s perspectives.

4. It Keeps You On Track For Success

Self-regulation relies on motivation as much as motivation relies on self-regulation. They go hand-in-hand to create a healthy mindset. Without self-regulation, you can’t achieve success in the way you desire. It’s a harsh truth, but it’s one that you have to keep in mind. It helps you to stick to your goals and continue on your path to achievements by:

Giving you the ability to understand what matters to you to plot your life goals following them.
Helping you stick to your core values and beliefs without being swayed by others so you stay on track for your desired outcomes.
It allows you to discover your unique path, even if it’s against social norms or the typical grain.
Giving you the ability to develop plans and put them into action to achieve success.
Providing you internal or intrinsic motivation so you don’t rely on external validation and attention for inspiration.
Encouraging more substantial commitment to your goals.
Building your competence and confidence in your abilities to reach your goals.
Allowing you to make decisions that align with your desired outcomes in life.
Maintaining the willpower to regulate your impulses and stay disciplined, so you don’t lose sight of your goals.
Giving you resilience so that failures don’t discourage you from your goals, instead of teaching you to learn from mistakes and find silver linings, according to studies.

The road to success is far from easy, and without self-regulation, you might find it an insurmountable and challenging path. If you can adequately delegate your actions and feelings, you’ll have a much better shot at that.

Final Thoughts On Some Benefits Of Self-Regulation To Never Ignore

Self-regulation is an essential skill that has to be present for someone to have a healthy, happy life. It’s crucial to executive function, emotional intelligence, motivational styles, and long-term success and goal achievement. It’s also a somewhat tricky skill to develop, and many people struggle with self-regulation.

If you have issues with self-regulation, they likely stem from childhood. The formation of an unhealthy attachment style is often caused by young children not being taught how to regulate their feelings. This can lead to several serious issues later on in life. As an adult, the fact that you never mastered this skill means you see the world through a much more painful lens.

Things like cognitive reframing and mindfulness can work wonders for slowly improving your ability to self-regulate. Research shows that these two coping styles are especially helpful for emotional management. You learn to reframe your perspective on situations to be kinder and more grateful, and you also know to take each day one step at a time. You’re not bogged down by your past or your worries about the future!

It’s worth bearing in mind that disorders like anxiety, depression, ADHD, BPD, PTSD, and others can affect self-regulation. If you face these issues, it’s a good idea to talk to a mental health professional for advice on how to teach yourself self-regulation for your unique situation!

3 Things That Cause Self-Doubt and 3 Things That Reverse It

March 27, 2022 by Lakeisha Ethans

In life, the only person you know who will be there for you till the end is yourself. While you’ll meet tons of good people along the way and will form great relationships, you also need to be able to rely on yourself. So what happens when all that you have is self-doubt?

Self-doubt is a dangerous thing, and it can really drag you down. But why does it happen so strongly and how can you get rid of it? Here are three things that cause self-doubt and three ways to gain confidence.

3 Things That Cause Self-Doubt

Do you engage in any of these self-deprecating behaviors?

1. Negative Self-Talk Causes Self-Doubt

Negative self-talk is what happens when you allow insecurities and fears to win over your mind. Sure, everyone has moments of insecurity, but those moments have to be managed and their associated emotions regulated to ensure that you don’t believe the harshness of those insecurities.

Negative self-talk causes self-doubt by:

Insisting that your emotions are a reflection of reality; when something makes you feel bad, that feeling defines you and you believe what the emotions say. Research shows that this is extremely damaging to mental health.
Giving you constant critique of yourself. Instead of encouraging you to find ways to improve and learn, negative self-talk slams you left and right for every small issue in an unproductive way. This increases self-doubt.
Overgeneralizing everyday events. When something bad happens once, you become afraid that it will always go bad when you try again. This keeps you stagnant, say studies, and you’ll start doubting your abilities to overcome problems.
Making you ruminate over various negative thoughts. Instead of processing thought and then doing what you can to regulate it and act productively on it, negative self-talk traps you. It keeps you stuck in an endless loop of overthinking negativity.
Catastrophizing every single event. Whatever happens to you, negative self-talk blows it up into a huge, disproportionate problem. You’re not able to feel at peace and you begin questioning the point of your actions and efforts since everything feels so big to you.

2. Excessive Perfectionism Increases Self-Doubt

Perfectionism seems to be a trait for the most assured of their work, but in reality, it’s a mark of self-doubt and will only worsen that lack of confidence over time. To achieve your goals, you basically wind up needing to meet impossible standards. Studies show that this is a poor way to set goals, as it can become overwhelming and disappointing quickly.

Worse still, self-doubt feeds more perfectionism. Due to the lack of confidence, you feel that you have no choice but to compensate by proving to yourself and to everyone else that you can exceed ridiculous expectations. When that fails, you wind up with even more self-doubt to fuel back into the destructive cycle.

At some point, you may even begin to define yourself by those failures. In reality, excessive perfectionism isn’t something that any human being could ever satisfy – much less someone who’s already burned themselves out on past unrealistic attempts!

3. Self-Doubt Stems From Self-Comparison

In the world we live in, it can be hard to avoid comparing yourself to others. Social media is filled with people parading the very best snapshots and words about their lives. Meanwhile, as you sit scrolling, you’re aware of all your own flaws and the issues with your life, so you become envious of the facades you see.

There are less extreme versions of that self-comparison that are even easier to fall into. When you hear your friend talking about waking up at the crack of dawn to exercise, you wonder if you’re not trying hard enough in your life. When your colleague gets a promotion, you wish you could be as good as them. When a stranger walks by with a fit body, you wish you looked like them.

These types of self-comparison are inherently doomed to damage your confidence. No self-comparisons made like this are ever accurate. You’re comparing what you see of others and what they’re willing to showcase to the world with what you deeply know about your darkest flaws. Of course, your vision will be skewed as a result! It’s natural fuel for self-doubt.

If you absolutely must compare yourself to others, you should do it in a way that studies recommend. Upwards social comparison, where you use others’ success as a motivating or inspiring factor in your life, is a great way to keep on task. But remember that you have to do it realistically. You don’t know anyone’s life story and how it compares to yours, so overly direct, harsh comparisons will always be unfair to you and them.

3 Ways To Reverse Self-Doubt

Now that you know how you sabotage yourself, here are tips to help you undo the damage.

1. Develop A Positive Explanatory Style

If negative self-talk has had a grip on you, you’ll need to retrain yourself to overcome self-doubt. Specifically, the inner voice you have that criticizes and berates you needs to be dealt with and put in its place! But you can’t just shoot back with your own criticisms, you have to slowly but surely train that voice to be more positive. To do that, start with your explanatory style.

Your explanatory style is the way you naturally narrate the world around you. When you do so in a negative way that’s biased against you, that dictates your entire life’s perspective. It’s a surprisingly powerful thing, and very deceptively simple to change. Studies show that a healthier explanatory style can significantly improve wellbeing, mental health, and confidence.

Here are some examples of shifting your explanatory style.

1. Event: Your boss praises you for doing a great job at work.

Negative Explanatory Statement: “I sure am lucky that my boss is in a good mood and that work wasn’t too hard for me today.”

This is negative because it attributes your success and capabilities to luck instead of giving credit where it’s due.

Positive Explanatory Statement: “I’m proud of myself for the good job I’ve done.”

This statement gives you the internal praise and acknowledgment that’s fitting for the achievement.

2. Event: A cashier is rude to you unexpectedly for no clear reason.

Negative Explanatory Statement: “I probably did something really annoying.”

This is negative because it assumes, with no evidence, that you’ve done something wrong to deserve poor treatment.

Positive Explanatory Statement: “They’re probably having a pretty bad day. Hope they feel better soon!”

This statement acknowledges that you can’t be responsible for all other people’s unrelated actions. You realize that the world is about more than just you and that the cashier’s actions aren’t a reflection of you.

3. Event: You lose a competition for a hobby you’re passionate about.

Negative Explanatory Statement: “I’m just not very good at this. I should quit, this just isn’t my forte at all.”

This is negative because it prevents further growth by taking perceived failure as an absolute, defining end-all.

Positive Explanatory Statement: “That was a great learning experience. Next time, I can improve by…”

This statement seeks to learn and grow from the perceived failure, which further builds on your skills.

You’ve likely learned your explanatory style throughout your life, so it’ll take time to undo. You also need to make sure that you maintain awareness of your thoughts so that you can correct negative explanatory statements when they come up. Building that awareness can be a challenge, but it’s worth it!

2. Step Outside Of Your Comfort Zone

When you’re filled with self-doubt, it’s tough to want to leave the spaces you’re comfortable with. You feel like you’re not capable of surviving new circumstances, and you’re afraid of failure from all corners.

Ironically, the best balm to this issue is to prove yourself wrong via direct exposure. The fact is that, while scary, leaving your comfort zone gives you the chance to grow. With that growth, more confidence will arise, as you’ll have survived numerous forays into the unknown and the uncomfortable.

If you’ve noticed that confident people always seem to be challenging themselves, well, this is why! They enjoy discomfort and seek it out because it makes them stronger. When you do this, you’ll get the chance to:

Realize the full extent of your most impressive capabilities
Grow more accustomed to wise-decision making when weighing and taking risks
Experience brand new things that change your perspectives and widen your worldview
Sharpen various skills and improve in many fields, whether they’re ones you’re good at or new to
Become more comfortable with negative situations so you can better respond to them with resilience and confidence
Learn lots of new things that fuel further growth and development

3. Be Kind To Yourself to Decrease Self-Doubt

Being kind to yourself means forgiving yourself for making mistakes, putting your trust in your abilities, and developing a healthy voice to talk to yourself with. It also means treating yourself like you would treat a cherished loved one.

Often, people treat themselves worse than they’d ever dream of treating someone else, and this contributes to self-doubt. Self-compassion minimizes these effects and allows you to give yourself the fairness and patience you deserve. It also helps you to gain confidence in the following ways:

· It Motivates You To Improve

Self-compassion is known to boost intrinsic motivation, or so say studies. That motivation helps you to push past the initial phases of bad doubt and into a stronger stance. It also allows you to let go of comparisons to others, as your motivation comes from within instead of from extrinsic validation.

· It Reduces The Negativity Of Thought Processes

Research shows that self-compassion alters your inner voice and boosts it to something more positive. You can accept yourself more easily and judge yourself much less. You’re less self-critical and don’t overdo it when you find yourself questioning your capabilities. This can help you to overcome self-doubt in a powerful way.

· It Makes You More Satisfied With Your Life

Poor mental health is behind a lot of the more severe aspects of self-doubt. When you’re able to be kind to yourself, research indicates that your psychological well-being will get much better. You’ll experience fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression, will enjoy better mindfulness, and will have higher satisfaction all in all. This puts you in the right frame of mind to squash self-doubt!

Final Thoughts On Some Things That Cause Self-Doubt And Ways To Gain Confidence

Self-doubt is a huge danger to your mental health, success, and general happiness. Unfortunately, it’s a difficult thing to overcome. Learning to build confidence through positive explanatory styles, leaving your comfort zone, and self-compassion are key steps in the right direction.

Yale Study Explains Why Calorie Restrictions Increase Human Health

March 27, 2022 by Kristen Lawrence

A new study by researchers from Yale University reveals that calorie restrictions can offer health advantages. Most people know that eating fewer calories than you burn can lead to weight loss and increased stamina. However, the new study highlights other health benefits as well.

Years of research on flies, worms, and mice proved that calorie restrictions could prolong their life span. Researchers also wanted to investigate whether this would have the same result in humans. The latest study led by Yale researchers identified a significant protein that could enhance human health. They published their findings in the journal Science.

Researchers based this study on results from the Comprehensive Assessment of Long-term Effects of Reducing Intake of Energy (CALERIE) clinical trial. This marked the first-ever controlled study of calorie restrictions in healthy humans.

For the trial, the research team gathered information on the baseline calorie intake of over 200 participants. The researchers also asked some participants to reduce their calories by 14% while the rest continued their regular diet. Then, the team studied the long-term health implications of eating a low-calorie diet over two years.

They already knew the benefits of calorie restrictions on lab animals. Vishwa Deep Dixit, the study’s senior author, said their main goal was to observe if humans would be similarly affected. The team wanted to investigate the mechanisms behind calorie restriction in the human body to do this.

Calorie Restrictions Versus Immune System Health

However, one negative observation of calorie restrictions in mice was that it could increase infections. Dixit wanted to know if calorie restriction may increase inflammation and lower immunity.

“Because we know that chronic low-grade inflammation in humans is a major trigger of many chronic diseases and, therefore, has a negative effect on life span,” said Dixit, who is also director of the Yale Center for Research on Aging. “Here we’re asking: What is calorie restriction doing to the immune and metabolic systems, and if it is indeed beneficial, how can we harness the endogenous pathways that mimic its effects in humans?”

Yale Study Explains Why Calorie Restrictions Increase Human Health

Dixit and the team began by investigating the thymus, a gland above the heart that produces T cells for the study. These white blood cells help the immune system function properly. Dixit said this gland ages more quickly than other organs. For instance, 70% of the thymus becomes fatty and unfunctional before a healthy adult turns 40. As this process occurs, the thymus also produces fewer T cells.

“As we get older, we begin to feel the absence of new T cells because the ones we have left aren’t great at fighting new pathogens,” said Dixit. “That’s one of the reasons why elderly people are at greater risk for illness.”

So, because the thymus plays a crucial role in immune system health, the research team wanted to focus their efforts on this gland. They used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to investigate differences between the thymus glands of those restricting calories and the control group.

They discovered that the thymus glands of participants undergoing calorie restrictions had less fat and functional volume after two years. This means that their thymus’ produced more T cells than at the beginning of the study. However, participants eating a regular diet showed no changes in functional volume.

Calorie Restrictions Could Open Up Exciting Possibilities

Dixit said that the thymus could regenerate shows promise for human health. Before this study, little evidence existed of this happening in humans, so he asserts the possibility is exciting.

Since calorie restrictions resulted in significant changes in the thymus, the team anticipated finding similar effects in immune cells. However, when they performed gene sequencing on immune cells in the thymus after two years, they observed no changes.

After doing more research, the team made a surprising discovery: “It turns out that the action was really in the tissue microenvironment, not the blood T cells,” Dixit said.

Specific Genes Altered Due to Calorie Restrictions

The team studied the body fat of participants undergoing calorie restrictions at three time points throughout the study. They measured adipose tissue (body fat) at the start of the study, after one year, and at its end.

Dixit said some amount of body fat helps the immune system function properly. Fat hosts several types of immune cells, but when they’re abnormally activated, they can cause inflammation. This might explain why rats undergoing calorie restrictions suffered from more infections.

“We found remarkable changes in the gene expression of adipose tissue after one year that were sustained through year two,” said Dixit. “This revealed some genes that were implicated in extending life in animals but also unique calorie restriction-mimicking targets that may improve metabolic and anti-inflammatory response in humans.”

So, the team wanted to investigate which genes, if any, triggered positive changes from calorie restriction. They discovered that one gene called PLA2G7, or group VII A platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase, became significantly inhibited during calorie restriction. Immune cells called macrophages produce this protein.

Incredible Outcomes

To understand if PLA2G7 caused some changes observed in those restricting calories, the team investigated what happened when they reduced this protein in laboratory mice.

“We found that reducing PLA2G7 in mice yielded benefits that were similar to what we saw with calorie restriction in humans,” said Olga Spadaro, a former research scientist at the Yale School of Medicine and lead author of the study.

Specifically, the team found that the thymus glands of the mice functioned for much longer. Due to diet, they also had more excellent protection from weight gain and age-related inflammation.

The research team discovered that these positive changes occurred since PLA2G7 triggers a specific mechanism of inflammation called NLRP3 inflammasome. So, reducing the protein in aged mice also lowered inflammation.

Final Thoughts on How Restricting Calories Improves Health

The recent Yale University study highlights the benefits of calorie restrictions and the mechanisms driving these positive changes. Dixit said that the research points to PLA2G7 as one of the critical components of calorie restrictions. By identifying which genes become affected by reducing calories, it helps the team understand how the immune system and metabolism work together.

This data can help scientists uncover potential targets to enhance immune system function, reduce inflammation and perhaps extend human life. For example, manipulating PLA2G7 could result in the same calorie restriction benefits without actually reducing calories. While calorie restriction can lead to a trimmer physique, Dixit said it could also cause adverse health outcomes.

“There’s so much debate about what type of diet is better — low carbohydrates or fat, increased protein, intermittent fasting, etc. — and I think time will tell which of these are important,” said Dixit. “But CALERIE is a very well-controlled study that shows a simple reduction in calories, and no specific diet has a remarkable effect in terms of biology and shifting the immuno-metabolic state in a direction that’s protective of human health. So from a public health standpoint, I think it gives hope.”

This Artist Uses a Typewriter to Create Absolute Masterpieces

March 27, 2022 by Kristen Lawrence

James Cook, a typewriter artist from the UK, creates beautiful artwork using only the antique typing machines. He mostly enjoys creating pictures of buildings since he went to college to study architecture. So far in his artistry career, he’s produced over 75 architectural drawings. However, James doesn’t limit himself to buildings.

He also draws celebrities, family portraits and other commissioned work. He sometimes features his work in exhibitions throughout the UK where he reveals never-before-seen typewriter art for fans. Here’s James’ story, and how he got into this unique art medium.

“I create drawings by typing on mostly old and somewhat broken typewriters, and I’ve been doing so for more than 7 years now. In the collection I have just over 40 typewriters and I have created more than 160 drawings,” James said.

“I describe my drawings as being a picture worth a thousand words and because the drawings are handtyped, I’ll hide messages or words and phrases for people to find when they look at the drawings up close.”

This Artist Uses a Typewriter to Create Absolute Masterpieces

In his unique line of work, creating the typewriter art is only half the fun! Many of these machines have rich histories depending on their previous owners and age.

“A lot of typewriters I end up collecting, they normally have quite interesting backstories to the previous owner. Some of these machines have been around for more than 60 years, so a lot of them have already lived a life and have been passed around from generation to generation, workplace to workplace,” James said. “One of the typewriters behind me has paperwork on it showing that it was bought in London in 1935 just before the second World War and survived all of that, and still fully works.”

James says that sometimes, it’s the stories he hears from people who once owned the typewriters that inspires him. However, he also draws inspiration from buildings, as you can see from his depictions of the famous Big Ben and London Bridge.

“Many of my pictures are architectural, and most recently, I’ve made a series of these large panoramic drawings of the London skyline. More recently, I’ve worked on location in London recreating the Palace Westminster and Greenwich just by simply rolling up on a day when it’s not raining and all. Sometimes I take with me a fold-up chair and a couple of spare typewriters because it’s guaranteed one of them will break on me,” James says.

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By far, he enjoys drawing buildings on his typewriter the most since it opens an opportunity to work on-site. Sometimes, people look at him strangely while he’s typing away in public, but they’re usually inquisitive and friendly. Many of the architectural typewriter artworks are panoramic since it offers more room for large buildings.

The Talented Typewriter Artist Aims to Reach New Heights

“The panoramic drawings can take anywhere between 2-3 weeks to create and they are typed on sections of paper which then join to the very end to create these very wide drawings,” James explains.

According to his website, James “creates the largest typewriter art on record as many of his panoramic-scale drawings expand far beyond the size of his typewriters. Most of his art contains more than 100,000 individually-stamped typewritten marks and he can spend at least a month working on a single drawing.”

Aside from architectural drawings, James also enjoys drawing celebrities. Some of these include portraits of Tom Hanks (who collects typewriters), Jeff Goldblum, Blake Shelton, Bill Murray, and Jon Heder. After having so much practice drawing people on typewriters, James feels quite comfortable with the art medium. James said:

“This is a really weird thing to say, but probably now I type people better than I can draw them with a pencil. And I think it’s because, when I get commissions coming in, lots of people like to ask for a family portrait. So I’ve definitely honed my skills with drawing people on typewriters more than I have using any other art material. Some I might use to create a drawing.”

He added that his ultimate dream is to visit a rooftop, balcony or other area that looks out over the city. He loves working on-location, and has received several opportunities in the past to do so. Many of the buildings had incredible views which helped inspire his work.

“But, it is incredibly hard to get permission with the nature of my work. It’s also a really tricky thing to describe to people over email what exactly I do. I’m hoping I can do more of these on-location drawings in the future,” James says.

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What the Future Holds for James

We also hope James can expand his work and create even more amazing masterpieces in the future! If you’re impressed with his artwork, make sure to check out his prints available for purchase. Some of these include the Tower Bridge, Big Ben, Palace of Westminster, Parliament, Greenwich University, the London skyline, and a double-decker bus.

He also offers commissioned work in three different sizes – small, medium and large-scale. You can also request a video recording of the typewriter art for an additional cost.

His past commercial clients include WIRED Magazine, Disney STAR, NBC and Alex Preston. News outlets such as BBC News, Sky News, and ITV’s Good Morning Britain also featured his work.

Final Thoughts on the Typewriter Artist Who Creates Mesmerizing Drawings

James is taking the art world by storm with his unique typewriter creations. In the past seven years, he’s produced breathtaking masterpieces of iconic buildings in the UK, celebrities, and personal family portraits. Typewriter art has existed for nearly 100 years, and every artist puts their unique spin on it. For James, it’s his love of architecture that continues to inspire his creativity.

We hope you enjoyed hearing about this talented artist’s typewriter drawings! Which of his creations was your favorite? Let us know in the comments!

Meet a Woman Who is a Real Life Ninja Warrior

March 26, 2022 by Kristen Lawrence

Some people make being a ninja warrior look so easy! Fanny Josefine from Sweden, a self-proclaimed “ninja,” makes the world her gym, training in various climates and terrains. She’s even reconfigured her home to make it suitable for her intense workout sessions. For Fanny, nothing is off-limits or too crazy to try, as she’s always pushing herself to the next level.

On her Instagram and other social media accounts, she posts videos of her pulling off insane stunts and routines. For instance, one video shows her taking an ice bath in a frozen lake, presumably somewhere in Sweden. She’s wearing nothing but a thin swimsuit, but doesn’t seem phased by the frigid water!

Another video shows her using a beam underneath a bridge as her personal monkey bars. With a river running below her, she fearlessly climbs across the beam, relying on her strong arm muscles to carry her safely to the other side. She’s truly a beast!

At home, she installed a rock climbing wall and monkey bars in her hallway to maintain her training. She also regularly goes to the gym, lifting weights, running, practicing pull-ups, and performing balancing acts on various gym equipment. It’s amazing to see what this ninja warrior can do!

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Meet a Woman Who is a Real Life Ninja Warrior

“My favorite exercise is both pull-ups and muscle-ups – muscle-ups because it took me a really long time to learn how to do it, and pull-ups because it’s just my favorite. I also love running; it’s my favorite thing to do.

“I love doing crazy workouts, I love running, and I really love the sport swim-run. It’s a sport where you are swimming and running in really cool places,” Fanny says.

Swim running resembles a triathlon, except participants don’t typically change clothing during transitions. They also don’t transition between sports just once during the race, like an aquathlon or triathlon. Instead, they switch between swimming and running several times during a single race, keeping their swimsuit or trainers on the entire time.

It’s an increasingly popular endurance sport that takes you along beautiful cross-country trails and backcountry areas. Swim running appeals to many people because it gets them in touch with wild locations that they wouldn’t typically see otherwise.

In addition to swim running and gym workouts, the real-life ninja warrior enjoys other sports as well.

“When I was a child I was always in the stable. I did some running with my dad, but mostly just the stable and the horses. When I was 20 years old, I started with kickboxing and then boxing, and I’ve been competing in both. Kickboxing and boxing was a beginning for me with really hard workouts and I really enjoyed it,” Fanny said.

She never seems to run out of ideas for new challenges or workouts to try. Combining creativity with her athleticism, she’s constantly inspired by the world around her. As we said before, the world is her gym, so there’s always an opportunity for this ninja!

Ninja Warrior Keeps Her Eyes Peeled For New Workouts

“I have a lot of crazy things going on in my head and big ideas, but I also get a lot of inspiration from both Instagram and TikTok. I see a lot of things and I’m wondering, ‘Can I do it in my way?’ And then I’ll try it, and 9 of 10 times it doesn’t go the right way, but I have fun at the same time,” Fanny says.

While she makes everything look effortless and simple, Fanny still struggles in some areas. Like any great athlete, she doesn’t give up the first time she fails at something. She knows it takes dedication, mental strength and willpower to endure and overcome difficulties.

“Right now, the most challenging thing in my workouts is swimming. I’m not really good at the technique, so I’m trying to learn the right technique, and it’s hard because I’m doing different things with my arms, but I’m really motivated to learn to be a better swimmer.

“When something is really hard, I just need to trust myself and know that I can do it, just if I put in the time and all the work. Really, many things are really hard to learn, but you just need to try and try to learn how to do it. If you want to try a new sport, don’t be afraid to be a beginner in the beginning. Remember that it’s not always fun; it should be hard sometimes, but mostly fun,” Fanny says.

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She gives wonderful advice, because many people in the world take themselves far too seriously. While it’s important to achieve your goals, you should also make it fun and laugh along the way!

In many of her videos, you can see this positive attitude in action. For example, she sometimes does crunches with her dog sitting at her feet, feeding her treats as she comes up. Another fun workout involved her doing pull-ups while sitting on a blowup unicorn. Another time, she even peeled a banana with one hand while hanging on a pull-up bar with the other!

If you’re inspired by her workouts and want to become a ninja warrior yourself, Fanny offers some tips on creating a “ninja” home.

Final Thoughts on the Inspiring Ninja Warrior Woman

Being a ninja never seems to get old for Fanny, as she jumps on new opportunities to expand her training. Mainly, she enjoys running, swim running, climbing, obstacle course racing and lifting weights. She also brings her partner along for many of the activities since they share a love for fitness. Hopefully, Fanny inspired you to try a new sport or even become a ninja warrior!

Her Instagram account offers many ideas for anyone looking to get involved in obstacle course races. Now, we’re just waiting on her to appear on the actual show, because we’re convinced she would win! If you think she should compete, let us know in the comments.

Nutritionists Explain How Flavonoids Increase Brain Health (and What to Eat)

March 26, 2022 by Lakeisha Ethans

Flavonoids refer to specific natural substances that constitute beneficial effects for a person’s mental and physical health. So, if you are looking to be the most intelligent person in your classroom or family or simply looking to be the best version of yourself, flavonoids are just the thing you need inside your body.

The phenolic structures, any compound with a hydroxyl group attached directly to a benzene ring, contain healthful mutagenic, oxidative, carcinogenic, and inflammatory resistant properties. This means that the information around flavonoids and how the body uses them most efficiently is still debated by doctors.

How Flavonoids Increase Brain Health

The original data reflects the immense amount of positive cardiovascular proficiency one can obtain by incorporating the correct number of fruits, vegetables, teas, grains, and other natural products into a balanced diet. The same can be said for its effects on the human brain on how flavonoids can impact cognitive function and mental stability.

In today’s world, the number of processed foods within our society contributed to mental degradation over the past fifty years. So, when you are considering healthy lifestyle choices, you will find that consuming whole foods is one of the only choices you can make to live a happy and fruitful life.

Dr. David Geier, who is a double-board certified orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist, states that eating foods that are high in flavonoids can slow down the decline of brain health as we age. An adult must consume at least 600 milligrams of flavonoids per day, which, in turn, provides them with a 20% lower risk of cognitive decline.

Since damage to the blood vessels (whose primary purpose is to supply the brain with sufficient oxygen) is a crucial factor regarding cognitive decline, eating foods high in flavonoids is essential if you are looking to maintain healthy cognitive function. Flavonoids are a beneficial phytonutrient for optimal heart health.

Flavonoids: The Six Categories

As the research began to expand and become more inclusive regarding the entire body, the benefits of consuming flavonoids regarding brain health have become widely accepted amongst medical professionals. Part of a plant compound group called “phytonutrients,” flavonoids also break down into sub-categories known as:

1. Flavonols

Plants synthesize flavonols as secondary metabolites. While they don’t directly contribute to a plant’s reproductive or developmental capabilities, they tend to assist plants with any environmental stress they may come in contact with. A study purports that flavanols are essential to brain health due to increased blood flow. It is also said to assist with organ performance as well.

2. Flavones

Flavones strictly differ from any other subset of flavonoids due to their molecular structure. That’s because flavones come from plants that produce white (and off-white) colored flowers and wean off insects as well to keep their plant host safe. However, even though scientists and health professionals believe that flavones have an immense impact on cognitive function, it is still unclear exactly how they continue to impact the human body. From what science currently observes, Flavones help lower oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory signaling.

3. Flavan-3-ols

Typically found in cocoa beans and tea, Flavan-3-ols were isolated by Dr. Michiyo Tsujimura in 1929 at the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research in Japan. Some may say that Flavan-3-ols are not essential for human health. Regardless, they still have powerful antioxidant properties any health-loving individual should consider. Its ability to defend your brain against free radicals is still somewhat debated on its overall effectiveness. However, nutritionists know that Flavan-3-ols brings an extra layer of benefits for anyone eating a good number of fruits and vegetables.

4. Flavanones

Flavanones are compounds that affect both a plant’s color and taste. Even though we all cringe at that first bite of grapefruit, flavanones also improve many biological processes within the brain. Forms such as naringin, hesperidin, and eriocitrin are types of flavanones that can be found in anything from lemons to bee pollen, even though the vast majority of flavanones are made with plants themselves.

For example, naringin lowered cholesterol and estrogen in lab animals, while hesperidin worked hand-in-hand with vitamin C to create collagen in joints and skin. Red wine also contains an average number of flavanones. Still, everything in moderation is the key to successful brain function and all bodily functions, for that matter.

5. Anthocyanidins

This sugarless plant pigment is responsible for the pure and vibrant colors of fruits and vegetables. Blueberries, red cabbage, and raspberries are just a few edible plants that typically contain high levels of anthocyanidins. Some examples of anthocyanidins include malvidin, cyanidin, and delphinidin. Each maintains their chemical structures even after being consumed by humans. In contrast, other flavonoids will go through a transformative process after being eaten.

This is what makes anthocyanidins so unique in comparison to the other five flavonoid compounds. Many healthy individuals go out of their way to consume fruit high in anthocyanidins. That’s because the benefits for both brain health and inflammation are abundant in this flavonoid. However, it is crucial to finish the pieces of the plant that contain the color. For example, skinning an eggplant is the wrong move, as all of the Anthocyanidins properties come from within the flesh itself.

6. Isoflavones

Isoflavones are another secondary substance within fruits and vegetables that categorize themselves as a healthy estrogen source. While the estrogenic effects of isoflavones are less potent than the estrogen hormone, it is still a foundational flavonoid that is worth consideration. In combination with phytoestrogens, Isoflavones can help bring balance to low estrogen events such as menopause and reduce the effect of hyper-estrogen within cells.

Once the gut bacteria absorb isoflavones within the intestines, isoflavones can begin their beneficial processes that assist with brain cognition. You can find high levels of isoflavones in foods like soybeans, peanuts, pistachios, and various other fruits and vegetables. Naturally occurring isoflavones are predominately glycosylated. That means they have a tough time absorbing directly into the body. Healthy food processing forms can make isoflavones more bioavailable for human consumption.

According to Baptist Health’s Dr. Scott Davis, flavonoids can positively impact your body, especially your gut flora and GI tract, in a way that good bacteria transform into better bacteria. This is important because positively affecting your gut also assists with lowering your blood pressure. As we all know, high blood pressure can cause heart attacks and strokes, so it’s no wonder that eating a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables can be the saving grace for your overall brain cognition.

6 Foods to Add Flavonoids to Your Diet

Try a few of these foods–they are excellent sources!

1. Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits such as lemons, limes, and grapefruit contain flavanones. Simply consuming raw organic versions of citrus fruits will have a fantastic effect on your gut biome, especially when juiced. The bioavailability of these healthy plant compounds will provide your body with the antioxidants needed for proper brain health.

2. Berries

Every berry on planet Earth will contain some form of flavonoids, but not every berry is equal in flavonoid production. The most potent antioxidant berry to date is the blackberry, as they are known to contain all six types of flavonoids within them. A few other great options are raspberries, cherries, and blueberries. Of course, each has a decent amount of anthocyanidins.

3, 4, 5. Onions, Kale, and Red Cabbage

These three vegetables have tremendous effects on brain health due to their nutrient-dense compositions. Of course, onions are a root vegetable. Thus, they pull their nutrient value directly from the earth, making them a powerhouse for vital body functions. They are great for cognitive health and excellent fighters against cancerous cells. Kale is also a great source of flavanols. Indeed, you can add it to other vegetables and fruits to help boost their nutritional value. At the same time, red cabbage could be the lifeblood for anyone looking to mitigate cognitive disorders and diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

6. Soybeans

While soybeans come in a variety of different options, such as tofu, edamame, tempeh, and soy sauce. Indeed, each of these soybean-derived varieties will give your brain an increase in isoflavones. One word of caution. Be careful about consuming products made with highly concentrated amounts of salt. That’s because the harmful effects of factory production can counteract the health benefits you seek from soybeans.

Final Thoughts On How Flavonoids Increase Brain Health

When adding essential building blocks of healthy brain cognition, you almost cannot find a more beneficial source than the flavonoid family. A balanced diet of fruits and vegetables has been the proverbial lifeforce for as far back as human existence goes, and the opportunity to introduce a high level of dexterity to your brain is an acceptable way to stay sharp and healthy.

While flavonoids are a massive part of a healthy lifestyle, exercising and proper water consumption are crucial as our foods. If we stopped eating processed sugar and processed foods altogether, the clarity and efficiency we need for our best lives would reveal themselves in miraculous ways.

So be sure to get your daily dose of natural and organic fruits and vegetables every day. You will put yourself in the best mental and physical shape that you can. And of course, don’t hesitate to contact your health provider and do your research before switching up your diet, as food sensitivities and allergic reactions can still affect well-being.

Illinois Man Dresses as Superman to Make People Smile

March 26, 2022 by Kristen Lawrence

In Rockford, Illinois, one kind-hearted man decided to don a Superman outfit to warm people’s hearts. Of course, not all superheroes wear capes, but some of them do!

When he ventures out into the city dressed in the outfit, people instantly smile and take pictures of the anonymous Superman. He didn’t come to save the town but to spark joy and reignite people’s playful spirits.

“I walked past this big rack of Superman capes, and since I was a small child, I always wanted a full-sized Superman cape. So I grabbed the cape and went out on my motorcycle,” he said. “I was just gonna have fun with it for just a few minutes, you know? Five or ten minutes into the first motorcycle ride, I’d gotten like ten thumbs up, a bunch of honks, waves, people hanging out the windows, smiling.”

So, it seemed to go even better than he thought! After that, he decided to upgrade the costume and hit the streets again.

Illinois Man Dresses as Superman to Make People Smile

“I’m like, ‘These people think it’s just as much fun as I do!’ But I didn’t have a Superman shirt, so I turned around, went back to the store, and bought a Superman shirt,” he said.

He has a lot of fun driving his motorcycle throughout the city and dressing up as Superman. Plus, others seem to get a kick out of it, so he doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon. He ventures out into the city once every couple of weeks for the Superman shenanigans. And, he never knows what kind of reaction he’ll get from onlookers.

“I pulled up to a light one time, and this lady pulled up next to me, and she was crying. I’m like, ‘Are you okay?’ She had her face in her hands, and she looked up and went, ‘That’s the funniest thing I’ve seen all week!’ I mean, she was laughing that hard. She was crying!”

When you can make someone laugh so hard that they start to cry, you know you’ve done an excellent job! We don’t laugh enough in this world, and this man decided to do something about that. We need more people like him!

He says he realizes some people are probably laughing at him, but most are laughing with him. He doesn’t care either way, though, as long as it brings a smile to someone’s face. It lifts his spirits to know he can make people laugh, even if it’s just for a moment.

“Even for five seconds, make them smile, make them laugh, do something kind for somebody,” he says. “If everybody did that, I mean everybody, it would be a much better place to be.”

He’s Not the Only Superman in Illinois

In February 2015, then 7-year-old Bryce Schottel had been diagnosed with lymphatic cancer. Little did he know that two months later, a superhero would come to town and restore hope to him and his family.

He’d already been through three rounds of chemotherapy at the time and was scheduled for a fourth. During that difficult time, he turned to superheroes to lift his spirits. His favorite? Superman, according to his mom Regina Carlton.

Soon, her son would meet a real-life Superman, much to his surprise. After coming across Bryce’s picture and story online, police senior corporal Damon Cole in Dallas wanted to help somehow.

He already had experience dressing as Superman and other superheroes for “Heroes, Cops, and Kids.” So, he decided to contact Bryce’s family and ask if he could visit him in April. Of course, he planned on wearing his full costume and even decorated his car with the Superman theme!

His family wholeheartedly agreed and couldn’t wait to see their son’s reaction. So, Cole drove 11 hours from Dallas to Bryce’s hometown of Smithton, Illinois, where he surprised the young boy at his home. He wore his Superman costume as promised and even gave Bryce a collectible Superman figurine.

Bryce couldn’t believe someone had driven from so far away just to cheer him up. When he saw Cole’s Superman-themed car, he became even more ecstatic about the whole thing.

Of course, Cole couldn’t leave without a bit of bonding time with Bryce, especially considering he’d driven 11 hours. The two blew bubbles, played cards, and enjoyed some video games together. Before Cole left, he gave Bryce a parting gift of one of his prized Superman capes.

Cole said he could hardly tell Bryce was sick because he “had such a positive attitude,” according to an interview with ABC News.

Cole also planned to visit St. Louis Children’s Hospital during his time in Illinois. He would wear his Man of Steel gear this time to surprise Bryce and the other children there.

Bryce’s mom was blown away by Cole’s generosity and kindness. She told ABC that there aren’t many people left like him anymore who would go out of their way for a complete stranger.

The family encourages the public to donate to cancer research and children’s hospitals worldwide.

Final Thoughts on People Dressing As Superheroes to Make Others Smile

It’s not every day you get to meet Superman. But when you do, you never forget it. You often see kind citizens wearing superhero outfits in places like nursing homes or children’s hospitals, as Cole did. Since we associate superheroes with bravery and kindness, it’s easy to see why children look up to them.

However, we can all benefit from seeing someone dressed as a superhero, especially when they’re driving a motorcycle! The man from the first story also boosted people’s spirits simply by wearing the Superman costume. The bike also added to the “cool” factor of the ensemble, making people turn their heads when it passed by.

So, if you want to make people smile, wear a Superman outfit the next time you go out. You will undoubtedly bring joy to anyone who sees you!

Researchers Connect Link Between Restful Sleep And Better Health

March 26, 2022 by Lakeisha Ethans

Although people spend a significant amount of their time sleeping, most people seem to forget how important getting sleep is. Restful sleep is something people take for granted instead of trying to understand how much it affects their life. There is such thing as getting too much or too little sleep.

And even if you sleep enough, you always have to consider how well you sleep. You might sleep for seven to nine hours and still wake up tired. That’s because the quality of your sleep matters just as much as the quantity. Many things can affect how well you sleep. From psychological disorders all the way to how your day goes. You have to take into account even sleep disorders, like insomnia.

Contrary to popular belief, you can’t exhaust yourself and count on those seven hours of sleep to save you. You have to make a conscious effort to ensure that the quality of your sleep is the best it can be. Even though sleep issues haven’t been discussed a lot in the past, scientists are beginning to underline just how vital sleep is for us. That’s precisely why even scientists from Harvard explain the importance of restful sleep.

Why Do You Have Trouble Sleeping?

While many things can affect the quality of your sleep, chronic sleep deprivation is one of the main issues. Chronic sleep deprivation is a condition caused by getting insufficient sleep or experiencing sleeplessness over an extended period. It can vary in severity, and, in some cases, its cause could be an underlying sleep disorder.

Chronic sleep deprivation can be primary or secondary. When we talk about primary sleep deprivation, that’s when the sleep you get is a problem by itself. Because you don’t get enough sleep, or that sleep is not qualitative, it causes other issues in your life. Secondary means the lack of good sleep is an unrelated issue. Certain medical conditions, like anxiety, can cause sleep deprivation. The symptoms include dark under-eye circles and the inability to keep your eyes open in both cases.

Besides that, you can experience head nodding, irritability, lack of energy, trouble concentrating, and yawning. Another common condition is insomnia. That’s when you feel like you need and want to sleep, but you just can’t. And even if you fall asleep, you have trouble staying asleep or sleeping as late as you would like. Insomnia affects around 35% of adults, and it’s an issue that people often overlook. Insomnia often results from bad habits and even psychological problems.

Stress, an irregular sleep schedule, and anxiety can cause this disorder. Moreover, having an unhealthy lifestyle can also lead to cases of insomnia. Napping late in the afternoon, sleeping more than you should, and using technological devices can all affect your sleep. Not all cases of insomnia are the same. For some people, the problem is falling asleep (sleep onset). In other cases, the problem is staying asleep (sleep maintenance). Insomnia is also a common issue for teens and older people.

Many other sleep disorders can affect people in all age groups. For example, aging is a common factor that causes a decrease in sleep quality. Besides insomnia and chronic sleep deprivation, people can also suffer from sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome. Sleep apnea causes a blockage in the upper airways, which may cause you to wake up abruptly. When it comes to restless leg syndrome, that causes an uncomfortable feeling which can also disrupt your sleep.

Why Is Restful Sleep Important?

Those are just some of the issues that are related to sleep disruption. But you don’t need to suffer from a long-term condition to have bad sleep habits. It’s enough to act indifferently towards your sleeping habits, and you’ll suffer the consequences. But, as with all issues, there are many ways through which you can improve the quality of your sleep.

1. Restful Sleep Improves Your Health

An adult needs to sleep an average of seven to nine hours every night to be healthy. Children and teenagers need considerably more sleep to develop and be healthy fully. But getting the recommended amount of sleep isn’t enough. If your rest isn’t of good quality, you won’t get the full benefits. Meaning if you find yourself waking up often, having trouble sleeping, or you sleep too lightly, that means you have an issue.

In that case, you should plan to see the doctor, as you might have a sleep disorder. What’s important to know is that lack of sleep leads to serious health issues. If you sleep less than six hours a night, you are at higher risk of developing diabetes. You also risk having heart issues, a stroke, suffering from cognitive decline, and even death in some cases.

Lack of sleep also leads to weight gain and an increase in cortisol levels. Recently, scientists have identified that it activates a brain cleaning function when your brain is at rest. During your sleep, a fluid runs through the lymphatic system. That fluid has been shown to wash away a harmful protein, beta-amyloid. When this process doesn’t occur, the protein builds up, which can lead to Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of cognitive decline.

The problem with regularly getting too little sleep is that people can tolerate sleep deprivation. You start being less aware of how tired your brain and body are, and you get increasingly less sleep. After some time, getting too little sleep becomes routine, and you risk developing all the conditions mentioned above.

Getting too much sleep can also be a problem. This might seem paradoxical, as most people associate a lot of sleep with being rested. But that’s not the case. Like too little sleep, oversleeping can lead to diabetes, heart issues, stroke, and death. Oversleeping is often caused by depression or not getting too much sleep the night before. So, in many cases, solving sleep deprivation also solves oversleeping.

When you struggle with sleep disruptions, the main thing you need to do is force yourself to stick to a strict sleep schedule. You also need to make sure you have a healthy lifestyle. Don’t drink too much caffeine, exercise, and don’t use technology too much. If your sleep patterns don’t improve, you will need to consult a doctor.

2. Sleep Reduces Stress

Sleep is tightly linked to a person’s cortisol levels. When you aren’t rested or don’t get enough sleep, your cortisol levels shoot through the roof. High cortisol levels are good in the short term, improving concentration. But in the long-term, they lead to hormonal imbalances and stress. If you are stressed, that takes a toll on your health.

Stress increases the heart rate and shuts down some systems to conserve energy. If you put your body through this every day, you will inevitably struggle with heart issues, increased blood pressure, memory loss, and many other problems. When you get enough sleep, you allow your body to go through the full sleep cycle. In that cycle, the body has the time and resources to solve everything that’s off in your body.

One of the main things that get regulated is your cortisol levels. That means you will be better equipped to deal with stress the next day. And, most importantly, you won’t wake up stressed. As a by-product, being rested improves your memory. When you have restful sleep, the mind can process all the stimuli it has taken in while you were awake. It strengthens neural connections, which allow you to form memories. That means while you sleep, you create new memories, which is vital for the learning process.

3. Restful Sleep Impacts Your Weight

While your weight isn’t necessary at all from a beauty standpoint, it plays an essential role in your health. Fluctuating a few pounds isn’t an issue at all. But, when you become severely overweight or underweight, that’s when you’ll have to deal with some health issues. And sleep connects to weight gain and calorie regulation.

In 2020, a study found that people who sleep less than seven hours per night have a 41% increased risk of developing obesity. Weight gain takes place because of many factors. For example, increased levels of leptin and decreased ghrelin levels affect your weight gain. The imbalance in hormones causes an increased appetite.

Moreover, to compensate for lack of sleep, your body will ask for an increased calorie intake. Sleep is crucial for calorie intake that trainers often recommend that athletes sleep up to ten hours. If that’s not bad enough, you might not feel like exercising if you don’t have enough energy. This way, you’ll gain calories without any way to offset that excess.

Weight gain, especially when it gets to obesity, has dire impacts on your health. It causes hypertension, type two diabetes, coronary heart disease, and even death. It even affects your mental well-being, leading to low quality of life, depression, anxiety, and more. The only way to avoid unwanted weight gain because of disruptive sleep patterns is to regulate your sleep. Make sure you have a clear sleep schedule and focus on having a healthy lifestyle.

Final Thoughts on the Importance of Restful Sleep (and How to Get It)

Sleep is an integral part of a person’s life, but many overlook its importance. It seems natural that most people don’t think they could ever mess it up. But having a restful sleep is much more complicated than you might think.

Many factors can interfere with restful sleep. The most common are sleep disorders, like insomnia and chronic sleep disorder. But an unhealthy lifestyle, stress, and an irregular sleeping schedule can also decrease the quality of your sleep. From your health to your stress levels and weight, sleeplessness can harm your quality of life.

If you find that your sleep isn’t as qualitative as you might like, you need to make a conscious effort to set a clear sleep schedule. Make sure you have a healthy lifestyle, and if further issues arise, visit a doctor.

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