Having a sense of purpose sure feels good, but did you know it can also help you to live a longer, healthier life? Being inspired and having a reason to get out of bed in the morning is great for your mental health, and your mental health can make a huge impact on your physical health and well-being. But how can you learn to cultivate a strong sense of purpose in your life, especially when you’re been through trying times in the past?

Stress and trauma close your mind off to new possibilities. Rather than looking toward the future, after a trauma has occurred, oftentimes you will start to think of ways to avoid such trauma in the future. Post-traumatic stress can make you pessimistic, fearing rejection and failure and decreasing your ability to weather uncertainty. Ove time this can have a snowball effect and lead to depression and an inability to focus on your work or life.

Fortunately, there is a way through such trying times. Reframing is a technique by which you can change your perspective on difficult times in order to find a way through them. Instead of focusing on the trauma, you can think about what you learned from the trauma that will help you to become stronger in the future, thus opening yourself up to the prospect of new possibilities in life.

Cultivating a sense of purpose isn’t difficult and you don’t need special equipment. All you need to do is take stock of the important things in your life – your family, your career, your education, your hobbies, and your religious or spiritual beliefs – and work to cultivate them on a regular basis. 

It’s important to cultivate these important things together simultaneously, as placing all your eggs in one basket is a recipe for future disappointment and aimlessness. When your entire sense of purpose is wrapped up in one thing, such as your kids or your career, when the kids move out or it’s time for retirement, you can find yourself in a very hopeless place. Cultivating those things simultaneously gives you a safety net of sorts to prevent the aimlessness and hopelessness from setting in.

Having a strong sense of purpose has been proven to be good for your health, well-being, and longevity. In one study, 7000 people over the age of 50 were asked to rate their feelings of purpose in life. Those who reported a weak sense of purpose were 2.4 times more likely to die during the study than those who reported a strong sense of purpose. What’s more, 64% of people credit their health and well-being to their happiness with who they are and how they live their lives.

It’s never too late to start working on improving your life and overall well-being. Pursuing hobbies and educational activities is one of the best ways to ensure you feel a strong sense of purpose in your life – lifelong learning is a gift that should never go wasted! Learn more about the art and science of purpose from the infographic below!

Cryotherapy, formally defined as any treatment that uses freezing or near-freezing temperatures, has been gaining prominence in the media for its mental and physical health benefits. The most prevalent form of this treatment is a cryotherapy booth that emits cold air for about 3-5 minutes. Other therapies include facials or wands to target particular points of pain within the body. Though cryotherapy is considered to be a non-medical treatment, it has various health benefits and healing properties. Here are a couple of aspects to keep in mind: 

Proposed Benefits: 

• Reduction in Inflammation: Cryotherapy is thought to have anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce the symptoms of diseases such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other cognitive impairments. It has also reportedly improved eczema symptoms. 
• Pain Relief and Muscle Healing: Research has suggested that cryotherapy alleviated the pain from arthritis and determined that it can assist in reducing the damaging effects of vigorous exercise. Another study indicates that cryotherapy may be able to relieve muscle pain and heal injuries more effectively than other treatments available. 
• Alleviates Migraine Symptoms: Cryotherapy on the neck has shown to reduce migraine pain. 

Risks: 

• Children, pregnant women, or those with extremely high blood pressure should not utilize cryotherapy. 
• Individuals with diabetes should not be using cryotherapy, as this can lead to nerve damage. 
• Cryotherapy treatment for more than 3-5 minutes can be fatal. 
• The side effects can include numbness, tingling, redness, and skin irritation.

Cryotherapy is a novel treatment in the market. More research needs to be conducted, as potential benefits have not been proven. Consult your healthcare before undergoing cryotherapy. 

Sources: 

1. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319740.php
2. https://www.healthline.com/health/cryotherapy-benefits#tips-and-guidelines

Yogurt is gaining prominence as a new superfood and for a good reason. It is known to help prevent osteoporosis, aid digestion, and relieves irritable bowel syndrome. What is special about yogurt is the various live cultures that keep the intestines healthy, thus contributing to gastrointestinal health. Here is a summary of the importance of different types of bacteria present in yogurt: 

• Lactobacillus bulgaricus: This is a nonpathogenic intestinal microflora that is known to bind to the brush border tissue found in our intestines. These brush border tissues are the primary sites of nutrient absorption. The binding of Lactobacilli to brush border tissue can prevent pathogens from accessing the gastrointestinal mucosa, which can regulate the process of digestion. 
• S. Thermophilus: This bacteria is utilized during the fermentation of yogurt. Since it can break down sugar into lactic acid, S. Thermophilus is a viable option for those who are lactose intolerant to improve digestion. In addition, this bacteria can reduce acute diarrhea. A study noted that children exposed to the probiotic had 50% of reduced symptoms as compared to the control group. 
• L acidophilus: This particular bacteria is produced naturally in the stomach and intestines. Some of the health benefits include improved heart health, increasing iron levels in the blood, and reducing cholesterol levels. 
• Bifidus: This bacteria is part of the natural microflora within the digestive system. Bifidus can assist with regulating the digestive system, promoting weight loss, and improving the immune system. 

In short, eating yogurt into your diet can be beneficial for your digestion and overall health. Let us know in the comments if you eat yogurt on a daily basis and have seen tangible benefits. 

Sources:

1. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/295714.php
2. https://www.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpgi.00005.2011
3. https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/80/2/245/4690304
4. https://www.water-for-health.co.uk/our-blog/2017/11/the-health-benefits-of-streptococcus-thermophilus/
5. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323364.php