081 - Mind Meld, Productive Conflict, and the Art of Saying No - HealthHippieMD Week In Review

NCCIH Relaxation Techniques

"Relaxation techniques help bring about the body's "relaxation response," characterized by slower breathing, lower blood pressure, and a reduced heart rate. The relaxation response is the opposite of the stress response." Here is an evidence fact sheet: Relaxation Techniques: What You Need To Know. | NCCIH

The Art of Saying "No" for a Happier You

In his article Overwhelmed? Just Say 'No.' - The Atlantic Arthur C. Brooks delves into the science of happiness and how saying "no" more often can lead to a more fulfilling life. He argues that the constant bombardment of demands and requests can overwhelm us and distract us from our happiness. Brooks identifies two main issues that contribute to this problem: hyperbolic discounting, which leads us to prioritize immediate pleasures over future benefits, and the fear of future regret, which can make us hesitant to decline opportunities. He suggests three strategies to combat these tendencies: forming a "No Club" for accountability, making "no" the default response, and adding friction to the process of saying "yes." By mastering the art of saying "no," Brooks believes we can focus more on our priorities and lead happier lives.

Long-Covid's Foggy Forecast

A comprehensive study in England involving nearly 113,000 participants has revealed that individuals with persistent post-COVID symptoms, commonly referred to as long-term COVID-19, exhibit a measurable decline in cognitive abilities, particularly in memory, reasoning, and planning. The study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, found that those with long Covid scored the equivalent of 6 I.Q. points lower than those who had never been infected. Even individuals who had recovered from Covid-19 showed a slight decline in cognitive performance compared to the uninfected. However, the study also offers hope, suggesting that the associated cognitive impairment might improve if Covid symptoms ease over time. This research provides numerical evidence for the cognitive challenges many long Covid sufferers face and highlights the importance of understanding and addressing the long-term effects of the virus on mental function. Long Covid May Lead to Measurable Cognitive Decline, Study Finds - The New York Times (gift article).

Covid is NOT the Flu

Four years into the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States' approach to managing the virus increasingly resembles its handling of seasonal flu. Vaccines are updated annually, and the CDC is considering more flu-like isolation guidelines. Despite some similarities, COVID-19 and flu are distinct, with COVID-19 causing more hospitalizations and deaths and having a less predictable pattern. The trend towards treating COVID-19 as a routine illness raises concerns about diminishing precautions and the potential underutilization of treatments like Paxlovid. This shift may also obscure the ongoing impact of long COVID and reduce incentives for testing. While some policy convergence is understandable, experts worry that the U.S. is moving too quickly towards normalizing COVID-19 without adequately addressing its unique challenges. Why Are We Still Flu-ifying COVID? - The Atlantic.

Productive Conflict

"The goal. It isn't to avoid conflict. At the highest level, it's to recognize what kind of conversation you're having." Derek Thompson explores the insights from Charles Duhigg's book, "Supercommunicators," on improving communication in relationships. The article highlights the importance of recognizing the type of conversation, whether practical or emotional, to avoid unnecessary conflicts. It also delves into research from the 1970s by psychologists known as the "Love Shrinks," who studied how married couples navigate conflicts. Their findings revealed that all couples fight, but the key to a healthy relationship is not what they fight about but how they fight. Happy couples tend to focus on controlling themselves rather than their partners, avoid escalating the conflict, and use "I" statements instead of accusatory "you" statements. Thompson shares his realization of the importance of staying on topic during arguments, using the metaphor of not "opening new tabs" in a browser. The article suggests asking three brief questions during conflicts to improve communication: "Are we opening new tabs?" "Are we venting or problem-solving?" and "What if I tried to control only myself?" Three Ways to Have Better Fights - The Atlantic

The Neuroscience of Hanging Art

Arranging art on walls can be overwhelming, but incorporating whimsy and proportion can enhance enjoyment. Neuroscience suggests considering the viewer's perspective, with art ideally hung 56 to 60 inches above the floor. For groupings, prioritize special pieces, maintain spacing, and consider symmetry, which is psychologically pleasing. Planning layouts on the floor before hanging can ensure a satisfying arrangement. The article emphasizes that while there are guidelines, personal expression and creativity are key to a visually appealing display. How to hang art and photos to please the eye and the brain - The Washington Post (gift article).

Mind Meld

The Remarkable Ways Our Brains Slip Into Synchrony | The MIT Press Reader explores the fascinating ways in which our brains synchronize during shared experiences, a phenomenon increasingly supported by cognitive science research. This synchronization is evident in various scenarios, such as collaborating on a task, engaging in conversation, or sharing a meal. The merging of individual cognitions creates a fluid exchange of information, blurring the lines between separate entities. Experiments have shown that when people work together, their actions and even postural sways can become coordinated, resembling the behavior of a single system. This coordination extends to brain activity, eye movements, and gestures, enhancing empathy and rapport. The article highlights that effective communication is about exchanging messages and co-creating a shared experience, underscoring the deep interconnectedness of human cognition. (Thanks, Wendy)

Microbiome and Retinal Disease

Recent research suggests a surprising link between gut bacteria and inherited retinal diseases like retinitis pigmentosa, which can lead to blindness. The study, published in Cell, challenges the long-held belief that the eyes are shielded from bacterial invasion. Researchers found that mutations in the CRB1 gene, a leading cause of these diseases, weaken the protective barrier around the eye and the cell linkages in the colon, allowing gut bacteria to travel to the retina. Experiments with Crb1-mutant mice showed that depleting gut bacteria or treating with antibiotics reduced retinal damage, hinting at potential new treatments. However, experts urge caution, as the complexity of the disease and the role of bacteria are not fully understood, and antibiotics may not reverse the genetic damage. The surprising link between gut bacteria and devastating eye diseases. (Thanks, Amy)