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| Do you talk with at least one friend or loved one per day? If so, we have great news for you. According to a new study, this level of connection can significantly improve your mental health! We dish more details on this friendly front below. |
| Need new conversation starters? Use any of today’s topics as a talking point with your pals: |
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Be well,
Morgan Mandriota
Newsletter Editor, Healthline |
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Written by Morgan Mandriota
February 20, 2023 • 5 min read |
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| Here’s one convincing reason to chat with a friend today |
Going for a morning walk. Eating a well-balanced diet. Soaking up the sun. They’re each hyped up to have mental health benefits. Now, we can add one more to the list: New research suggests simply talking with your friends each day can boost your mood, too!
In this study, 900 participants were asked to do 1 of 7 communication behaviors per day:
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- catching up
- having a meaningful talk
- joking around
- showing care
- listening
- valuing others and their opinions
- offering sincere compliments
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Every night, the participants reported their levels of stress, connection, anxiety, well-being, loneliness, and the overall quality of their day. How did they feel, you ask? The researchers found that it didn’t matter which of the seven social behaviors was practiced –– just the act of intentionally connecting with a friend positively affected their mental health.
This goes to show how vital human connection is for our well-being and how small steps, like a daily chat with a friend, can help folks feel happier and healthier. The next time you need a pick-me-up, reach out to a loved one just to say hi. It might help more than you realize.
tl;dr: The daily act of connecting with a loved one can significantly improve your mental health. To learn more about this study’s findings, click here.
Tell us: How often do you engage in any of the seven behaviors listed above? And do you notice a connection between those actions and how you feel? Email wellnesswire@healthline.com to share your experience. (Please note that we may use your name and response in an upcoming newsletter!)
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| Editor faves with health perks |
| You know those great finds you just *have* to tell your friends about? That’s how we feel about the products we recommend here. Every pick has been vetted by our editorial team, and we genuinely think it’ll make your life better. |
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| Sansevieria (Snake Plant) |
| Research from 2018 suggests that taking care of plants can boost your mental *and* physical health. This low maintenance and beautiful adult snake plant may be a great way to add more life to your space or surprise a friend with a sweet gift. My parents sent me this exact plant as a housewarming gift when I moved into a new apartment, and it’s still going strong 2 years later. |
| In addition to looking pretty with their tall leaves, snake plants release oxygen, add moisture to the air, and absorb toxic air pollutants. This natural air purifier can be especially helpful for folks who are sensitive to allergens like dander or dust. Some experts say the plant’s sap can even heal skin wounds, reduce inflammation, and offer other health perks. |
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| Sweet scents with side effects? Scary! |
Are your favorite candles harming your health? This question started circulating in 2001 after the Environmental Protection Agency dropped a report warning that incense and candles may be sources of indoor air pollution.
There isn’t any conclusive research that confirms that they pose serious health risks. But there *may* be potentially toxic ingredients to avoid burning and breathing in, like lead wicks, paraffin wax, synthetic compounds, petrochemicals, etc.
When shopping for candles, buy products with these safer features to ensure a clean burn:
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phthalate-free |
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fragrances derived from 100% essential oils |
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100% natural or plant-based wax (e.g., coconut, soy, beeswax) |
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100% cotton, hemp, or wood wicks |
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brand transparency around ingredients used |
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Your homework this week: Take a look at the scents around your home, and swap out any products that have potentially harmful ingredients with a healthier alternative. Looking for recommendations? My personal favorites are Cali Vibes Candle Company and Sea Witch Botanicals. You can also buy and burn one (or more!) of these 9 best nontoxic candles.
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Stroke and heart attack risks are highest during which season?
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(Find the answer at the end of this email)
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| Stroke and heart attack risks are highest during which season? |
| Winter!
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Although the temperature may drop in the winter months, your stroke and heart attack risk may go up. Research suggests this is due to the increase in blood pressure associated with the stress that cold weather puts on the heart.
This might sound scary, but rest assured there are ways to protect your heart health in the colder months. Stay warm, bundle up, and consider reaching out for help to limit your time in freezing temps while shoveling your walkway and driveway.
To learn more about the connection between the cold and your heart, click here.
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Thanks for reading! Don’t worry, this isn’t goodbye. We’ll see you later. We’ll be back in your inbox on Wednesday.
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