health

Skip the salt, but keep the flavor

The human body needs salt to survive. Sodium chloride is required in a nominal amount to conduct nerve impulses, contract and relax muscles, and maintain a proper balance of water and minerals. The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health says it's estimated people need 500 mg of sodium per day to...

Future forest success relies on the health of the tiniest species

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Ecosystems are complex networks of organisms, from the bacteria in the soil to the largest mammals in the forest. These living communities evolve to become well-adapted to their environment and each other, creating a careful balance...

The health benefits of hobbies

Maintaining physical and mental health often requires a multi-faceted approach. Eating well, exercising and reducing stress are part of a healthy regimen, but those are not the only components of a healthy lifestyle. Hobbies can have a positive effect on overall health. Hobbies can seem like ways...

Signs of worsening mental health

The prevalence of mental health issues garnered significant attention in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when many people acknowledged lockdowns and other restrictions and uncertainties were adversely affecting their thoughts and outlook. Though those restrictions were ultimately lifted...

Habits that affect cognitive health

Various changes to appearance and health are associated with aging. Issues such as diminished vision, waning muscle strength and gray hairs are among the more common and noticeable side effects of aging. Cognitive decline is another symptom often associated with aging, even if that needn't be the...

Does roller skating benefit overall health?

A little recreation never hurt anyone. In fact, the activities people choose to engage in during their free time can promote and safeguard their long-term health. Roller skating is a recreational activity often associated with children, but it can be enjoyed by people of all ages. And though roller...

The impact of reading on long-term cognitive health

Older adults recognize the threat posed by cognitive decline, which can make it hard for individuals to live independently. According to data from the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research published in 2020 in the journal Epidemiology, since the mid-1990s, rates of dementia cases in the...

What is Movember?

If you think you're seeing more moustaches lingering over mens' upper lips as November unfolds, chances are your eyes are not deceiving you. November has long been synonymous with Thanksgiving and the start of the holiday season, but it's also taken on a whole new persona in recent years, and...

Is your soil health improving? Metrics for assessing soil health over time

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu I’ve been participating in a climate resilience planning cohort with 12 farmers, led by Land Stewardship Project. One of the topics that has consistently come up is how we can measure our soil health over time. Evaluation is important,...

Resolutions inspired by trending health topics

Improving personal health is a popular New Years resolution. A 2020 Finder survey found that an estimated 188 million Americans planned to make resolutions to carry them into 2021. Similar numbers of people likely will put personal goals on the calendar this year. Those focused on health and...