Articles related to Family Medicine/General Practice

Are you one of those that makes a New Year’s Resolution, only to see it disappear by February? Don’t worry – you’re not alone. It’s not about making the list of what you want to achieve in the new year, it’s about “chunking” up that list into small, actionable, daily goals that you can achieve and feel. Read on to discover the habits you should be striving to make – and those you should be striving to break.

In the two-and-a-half-hours of suggested physical activity every week, we should be getting 10 minutes of heart-pumping exercise into every session. But what about those who like to jog in the morning and those who love pumping the iron after work? Who is better off? If you believe a 2019 study, it really doesn’t matter – consistency is key if your end goal is weight loss.

Is too much of a good thing a bad thing? Seems perhaps so when it comes to exercising. Studies in various journals have looked at the impact of gyms, personal trainers, and health clubs on the world and are questioning whether this “exercise addiction” is a socially acceptable practice despite its parallel to eating disorders. Looking good is great, but what is the overall cost to your health?

Some researchers have found that as many as 50% of clinicians suffer from burnout, defined as a long-term stress reaction causing emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and other symptoms that affect quality of life and physical health. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, this specific condition is being seen in those in high-pressure fields more regularly than others.

Rehabilitation psychologist Abigail Hardin, PhD, of Rush University Medical Center offers some advice to those waiting for the COVID-19 vaccine, which is especially important given that the vaccines don’t take full effect (around 95% immunity) until days or weeks a number of days after the second dose. She recommends taking a few key steps now to reduce some of the challenges and anxieties that come with a serious illness.

Now that 2021 is here, you’re not alone in trying to possibly lose weight. In fact, an estimated 45 million Americans go on some sort of diet each year. But are you sabotaging yourself even before you get started? As you think about your health goals in this new year, be sure you’re not falling into the trap of these habits, which may seem harmless but are actually culprits when looking at the scale going up.