HealthyLife Articles

Tag: Social Health

Misinformation & Social Media

WELL-BEING

While social media can be an easy way to catch up on the latest, it is not always a reliable source of factual information.

Social media sites tend to amplify sensationalized messages. Information that contains an emotional appeal, quotes a supposed expert, or points to a deeper conspiracy is more likely to catch our attention. The result is that plain facts are often ignored or disbelieved.

Six ways to prevent misinformation

Avoid the sensational

The headline or title of a social media post can be the first clue to its reliability. Avoid catchy, overly sensationalized headlines. Don’t fall for clickbait.

Check the source

Watch out for anecdotal stories or information heard from a friend of a friend of a distant family member. Look for real experts from reputable organizations.

Verify the facts

Double-check when you hear new information to see if other reputable sources support the facts. Misinformation goes viral all the time, so verify before you share.

Ask questions

Before you believe something you read on social media, ask yourself if you truly think the information is accurate. A moment to reflect may save you from falling prey to fake news.

Notice your feelings

A lot of misinformation is designed to tap into frustration and outrage. Look for information that encourages you to think objectively and acknowledge nuance.

Limit time on social media

The more time you spend on social media, the more likely you will run into misinformation. Keep your time on social media brief and focus on meaningful connection, not information surfing.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Help Others And Let Others Help You

Social Health

* Attend a support group with others who share the same health problem you have.

* Volunteer in a soup kitchen or food bank.

* Take care of your friend’s or family member’s children and let them return the favor.

* Call, text, email, or visit a friend today. Let your friend know how much they mean to you.

Dos

* Share your feelings with trusted relatives and friends.

* Vent your feelings and give and get support on social media networks.

Don’ts

* Don’t let your emotions get “bottled up inside.”

* Don’t post any messages or photos that you would want an employer or stranger to see.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Social Media Breaks

WELL-BEING

Taking regular breaks from social media is a healthy way to refocus and prevent it from taking over too much of your time. When you return, you will hopefully have a clearer idea of social media’s role in your life and the boundaries you need to use it well.

Try these tips to have a successful social media break:

* Set a clear time frame for your break. It could be a week to a monthlong goal.

* Alert your followers to your upcoming break.

* Temporarily disable your accounts, or delete the apps from your phone.

* Plan an alternate activity for when you’re tempted to check social media like stretching, having a glass of water, phoning a friend, or deep breathing.

* Choose an accountability partner to keep you on track.

* Make a plan for how you want to use social media after your break.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Love And Be Loved

Social Health

Start with loving yourself.

Build your own sense of self-worth.

* “Know thyself.” Define who you are in a way that does not depend on what other people think. Accept your weaknesses, but focus on your strengths. Accept others for their strengths and weaknesses, too. Trying to change other people is not realistic and can lead to them feeling rejected.

* Do things you love and are good at. The more time you spend doing things you love to do, the better it makes you feel. Doing things that you are good at gives you pride and raises your self-esteem.

* Look on the bright side and be with positive people. Positive energy spreads from one person to the next like an electrical charge.

* Speak in an assertive way. This is expressing your wants and need without hurting the feelings of others or putting them down. This helps prevent an aggressive response which can lead to feeling rejected.

* Be with and make new friends who have the same interests.

– Take a class.

– Join a scrapbooking club or book readers group.

– Play a favorite sport.

* Seek a support system. If you need help to feel accepted for who you are, be with family, friends, and coworkers who care for you without judgment. Join a support group with others who understand what you are going through and will accept you.

* Share intimate times with a partner. Raise your level of oxytocin, the “love hormone,” through a close, intimate relationship. This includes physical closeness through holding hands, hugging, and caressing, as well as sex. It also includes being willing to share your most private thoughts.

“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love & affection.”

– Buddha

Action Step

Set aside time from your hectic day or week to engage in activities that you love being a part of. And make concrete plans to spend one-on-one time with your partner or soul mate.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
10 Ways To Extend A Healthy Life

SELF-CARE CORNER

“Whether you’re turning 30, 40, 50, 65, or 90, there’s no reason to assume you’re doomed to decline after a certain age-especially if you’re doing everything you can to stay healthy and active,” says Colin Milner, CEO of the International Council on Active Aging. Milner offers the following “E-tips” to help you extend a healthy life.

1. Expectations:

If you’ve been following a healthy lifestyle, simply keep going. If you need to make changes, anticipate succeeding, not failing-and don’t let age be a barrier. Research has shown that thinking positively about getting older can extend your life by as much as 7.5 years.

2. Enthusiasm:

Few people are thrilled with every aspect of their lives, but many have at least one area-family, friends, work, a hobby-they feel good about. Identify an activity or connection that sparks your enthusiasm and make it your lifeline. Try to extend that enthusiasm to other areas of your life.

3. Energy:

Having the energy and motivation you need to age well are hallmarks of healthy living. If you’re tired all the time, don’t let it drag you down. Get a checkup to try to determine the cause-and the solution.

4. Eating:

Eating a balanced diet and attaining/maintaining a normal weight are keys to physical and mental health. If you need to lose weight or make changes in your diet, keep your expectations high-you can do it.

5. Exercise:

Staying physically active fuels the body and mind. If you’re already exercising regularly, keep it up. If you’re getting started, know your skill level, set goals, progress at your own pace, and be consistent.

6. Engagement:

Volunteers have higher levels of well-being and life satisfaction than those who don’t volunteer. Get involved.

7. Emotions:

Everyone feels down at times, but full-blown depression is a major cause of disability. If you’re feeling out of sorts for two weeks or more, talk with your doctor or take an online screening test atwww.mentalhealthscreening.org. Often, simply exercising and eating right can change your mood.

8. Education:

Life-long learning is important to living an independent and fulfilling life. Start now to learn a new area of knowledge or physical activity. It’s good for the brain.

9. Effort:

Changing expectations and embarking on new behaviors takes energy and effort, but the results are well worth it.

10. Enjoyment:

A healthy life generally is a joyous one.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Attitude Of Gratitude

WELL-BEING

Grateful people aren’t just kinder people, according to University of Kentucky psychology professor Nathan DeWall. They are also less aggressive. Giving thanks lowers daily aggression, hurt feelings, and overall sensitivity.

“If you count your blessings, you’re more likely to empathize with other people,” he said. Gratitude motivates people to express sensitivity and concern for others and stimulates pro-social behavior, according to DeWall.

The study, in Social Psychological and Personality Science, links gratitude to “a nonviolent heart,” with those less inclined to aggression.

“We know that grateful people are nice people,” said DeWall. “But this is the first study to really show that they’re not very aggressive either.”

An activity as basic as writing a letter or mentally counting your blessings can be enough to decrease aggression.

“Take a step back, and look at what you’ve got,” said DeWall. “Don’t spend every waking moment being grateful, but one time a week definitely increases your well-being over time.”

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Benefits Of Volunteering

WELL-BEING

Gallup surveys in 130 countries show people with higher personal well-being are more likely to say they give time, money, or help to others in their communities.

In general, volunteers reported higher levels of happiness, life-satisfaction, self-esteem, and a sense of control over life. Volunteering provides a sense of purpose, as well as social and physical activities. Also, studies have shown a strong link between volunteering and health benefits. Two hours a week, about 100 hours a year, is the number that is associated with these benefits:

* Less chronic pain

* Lower rates of heart disease

* Lower rates of depression, especially for volunteers age 60 and older

* Lower mortality rates

One study of alcoholics going through the Alcoholics Anonymous program, found that those who helped others were nearly twice as likely to stay dry a year later. Their levels of depression were lower, too.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Get Social For Stress Relief

SUCCESS OVER STRESS

Talking to others is a great way to cope with stress. On the flip side, feeling isolated or alone can increase stress levels. Seek out social support to help you deal with life’s challenges. If you’re not sure where to start, try these tips:

*Reach out to others.Make an effort to connect with people. Say “yes” when you get invited to a social gathering. Offer to help someone when they need it. Over time, you may find that your social connections have greatly increased because of your efforts.

*Find value in lots of people.You may find that neighbors, co-workers and family members all have positive roles to play in your life. You can have multiple friends who all have different things to offer.

*Get face to face when you can.It’s good to find time to sit down with friends and family. Talking to someone in person may help you feel more calm and connected.

*Get involved.Find a class or group that offers things you enjoy. This is a great way to connect with people who share the same interests.

Aiming for a stress-free life?

Trying to achieve a life without any stress isn’t realistic. It may even make you more stressed when you don’t succeed! Instead, look for healthy ways to cope with challenges.

Meditation, prayer, deep breathing and exercise can help you change how you react to stress. This can have a positive effect on your physical and mental health. Not all stress is bad for you if you know how to deal with it. In fact, learning to cope with stress can make you a healthier person.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
How Do You Define Success?

WELL-BEING

Whether it’s a new home, a promotion, or finding your soul mate, most people would agree that success can bring happiness. A study published in Psychological Bulletin from research conducted at the University of Missouri-Columbia has found that happiness and a positive attitude can lead to success.

Researchers looked at data from several studies and thousands of people. They found that happy people, those who frequently experience positive emotions, tend to be more successful and accomplished in many aspects of their lives.

In one workplace, they found that happy workers were more likely to get positive job evaluations and less likely to show signs of burnout. They also had higher incomes.

Happy people, they found, had more close friends. Happiest were married people.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
No One Deserves To Be Bullied

WELL-BEING

All children sometimes find themselves the butt of jokes or teasing by their classmates. But bullying is different. It is generally relentless and can include physical violence, coercion, name calling, social shunning, social isolation, or verbal or written threats. In extreme causes, death or sexual assaults have resulted from bullying.

Bullying can be in person or online through email or social networking sites, according to Dr. Earlene Strayhorn, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Loyola University Medical Center. “Being the target of a bully involves real suffering,” she said.

Bullying can involve one child against another or also a group of kids united against a single child or another group. Boys are more likely to be the initiators and targets of bullying. Their victims can include both boys and girls.

Bullied boys are more likely to be hit, slapped, kicked, or pushed. Girls often engage in verbal bullying. Their targets are often other girls.

“Let your child know that he or she is not alone and is not at fault. Tell your child that no one deserves to be bullied for any reason, and then take action,” Dr. Strayhorn said.

If the bullying is occurring at school, meet with a teacher, principal, sports coach or school counselor and demand someone intervene to defuse the situation. Frequently, the problem can be solved by an authority figure without the bully ever learning who reported it.

If the bullying is occurring outside of the school, tell your child to seek safety in numbers by sticking close to friends or other classmates when walking home or while in places where the bullying happens. Sometimes you’ll have to get law enforcement involved.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026