7 Ways Spring Cleaning Is Good for Your Mental Health
As winter fades and spring emerges, many embrace the tradition of spring cleaning—not just as a household chore but as an act of self-care. Beyond the obvious physical benefits of a cleaner space, research suggests that decluttering can significantly boost mental well-being. Many people report feeling less stressed and more accomplished after tidying up, making […]
Cannabis and mental health
In the 1990s, cannabis use among young people saw a significant rise, becoming more common than tobacco smoking in some countries. Several factors may contribute to this shift, including the drug’s ready availability, growing social disapproval of cigarette smoking, stricter drink-driving laws, and perceptions that cannabis is safer or less harmful than cigarettes or alcohol. […]
Vision Loss, Blindness, and Smoking
Smoking harms your eyes just as much as it harms the rest of your body, increasing your risk of serious eye conditions that can lead to vision loss or blindness. Two major threats to your eyesight are macular degeneration and cataracts. Macular degeneration, or age-related macular degeneration (AMD), affects central vision, which is essential for […]
How to Know If You Are in a Healthy Relationship
Relationships are rarely flawless; they’re a blend of both healthy and unhealthy elements. Yet, while we often discuss the warning signs of unhealthy relationships, we tend to overlook what defines a healthy one. Healthy relationships thrive on respect, trust, honest communication, and mutual support. Shifting our focus to these positive aspects helps us cultivate stronger, […]
Asthma and Secondhand Smoke
Asthma is a chronic disease that affects the airways in the lungs, causing them to swell and narrow during an asthma attack, which makes breathing difficult. This swelling reduces the flow of air in and out of the lungs, and the cells in the airways may produce excess mucus—a thick, sticky substance—that further obstructs airflow […]
Know the Effects, Risks and Side Effects of Marijuana
Marijuana use carries significant risks that can impact a person’s health and life, yet its use continues to rise, especially among all adult age groups, both sexes, and pregnant women. In the U.S., marijuana is the most commonly used illegal substance, and despite growing usage, the perception of its potential harm is declining. Many young […]
Can You Have a Delayed Reaction to Grief?
Grief typically unfolds through five stages: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. While it begins with denial and ends with acceptance, the journey is rarely linear. According to San Francisco therapist Dr. Avigail Lev, individuals often move back and forth between stages—shifting from anger to bargaining, returning to depression, and so on. These stages provide […]
What are the physical health consequences of tobacco use?
Cigarette smoking harms nearly every organ in the body and remains the leading preventable cause of premature death in the United States, contributing to an estimated 480,000 deaths annually. Smokers aged 60 and older face a twofold increase in mortality compared to nonsmokers, dying approximately six years earlier. While nicotine itself is not carcinogenic, tobacco […]
10 Sneaky Signs Stress Is Showing Up in Your Body
You’re probably familiar with the word stress, but you might not have heard of overstress. The American Psychological Association (APA) defines stress as the physical and emotional reactions to challenges or stressors. This can manifest as physical symptoms like a racing heart or emotional responses like irritability (more on that shortly). Stress is an unavoidable […]
Office on Smoking and Health (OSH)
Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable illness, disability, and death in the United States. As of 2021, approximately 28.3 million U.S. adults smoke cigarettes, with over 16 million living with at least one smoking-related disease. Additionally, 58 million nonsmokers are exposed to secondhand smoke. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) leads […]