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Post Election Stress Disorder (PESD)
Yep. It's a real thing. And you might be experiencing it right about now.
Post-election stress disorder (PESD) is characterized by anxiety, hopelessness, and dread after a critical political election. Although not officially recognized as a mental illness, it is a prevalent response to elections. Mental health professionals report patients experiencing anxiety and depression related to the constant news cycle surrounding political changes.
What Can You Do About It?
It’s difficult not to be worked up about politics in today’s polarized climate. Regardless of which side of the political aisle you sit on, you may find yourself glued to your browser or TV, gobbling up every tiny tidbit of news and feeling your stress levels skyrocket. Election anxiety doesn’t need to win − here are 3 science-backed strategies from a clinical psychologist to rein in the stress (theconversation.com)
And then there's . . .
The good news: You will get a glorious extra hour of sleep.
The bad: It’ll be dark as a pocket by late afternoon for the next few months in the U.S. Daylight saving time ended at 2 a.m. local time Sunday, Nov. 3. Standard time will last until March 9 when we will again “spring forward” with the return of daylight-saving time.
It may take a while to adjust your sleep habits, not to mention the downsides of leaving work in the dark or trying exercise while there’s still enough light. Some people with seasonal affective disorder, a type of depression usually linked to the shorter days and less sunlight of fall and winter, may struggle, too….
And so many people are already sleep deprived. About 1 in 3 U.S. adults sleep less than the recommended seven-plus hours nightly, and more than half of U.S. teens don’t get the recommended eight-plus hours on weeknights.
Sleep deprivation is linked to heart disease, cognitive decline, obesity and numerous other problems. The Mayo Clinic offers 6 tips to get a better night's sleep.
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Too much screen time: bad for your health & the planet
From July 2021 to December 2023, about 50 percent of Americans ages 12 to 17 spent four or more hours a day in front of screens. These teens were more likely to report symptoms of anxiety and depression in the previous two weeks, according to the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics.
The AI boom could unleash a surge in electronic waste.
Why? Tech companies are building and upgrading data centers needed to power artificial intelligence — and discarding older computer chips and equipment.
What it means: By 2030, that extra waste could amount to the equivalent of throwing out 13 billion iPhones annually, a study found. E-waste is a problem, and most isn’t recycled.
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 Preventing Strokes
World Stroke Day was Oct. 21, but we should take care to prevent stroke every day.
According to VDH, more than 22,000 Virginians experienced a stroke event in 2022. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that is located in the brain bursts or the blood supply for the brain is blocked.
There are several healthy habits VDH provided that people can adopt to potentially lessen the chance of having a stroke, including:
- Eating a healthy diet
- Avoiding smoking
- Limiting the amount of alcohol that you drink
- Exercising regularly
- Keeping an eye on your weight
While there are also risk factors that increase stroke chances such as cholesterol levels and blood pressure, there are several other factors that may be out of one’s control, like someone’s age or ethnic background, according to VDH.
To learn more about stroke risk, visit the VDH stroke webpage and check out the program Stroke Smart Virginia — which teaches people how to recognize and respond to a stroke.
November is American Diabetes Month
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) claim that people first observed National Diabetes Month in 1975. Organizations come together to launch initiatives, run campaigns, and increase awareness efforts. It only takes a minute of your time to see whether you might be a candidate for diabetes.
One minute for your risk
Millions of American adults have prediabetes, but here’s the kicker: the majority of them don’t even know it. The test you need is right here—it just takes 60 seconds of your time. 60-Second Risk Test for Type 2 Diabetes| ADA
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CDC COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
CDC Recommends Second Dose of 2024-2025 COVID-19 Vaccine for People 65 Years and Older and for People Who are Moderately or Severely Immunocompromised
CDC has updated the vaccine recommendations for people 65 years and older and those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised to receive a second dose of 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine 6 months after their first dose. These updated recommendations also allow for flexibility for additional doses (i.e., three or more) for those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, in consultation with their healthcare provider (a strategy known as shared clinical decision making).
Data continue to show that vaccination is important to protect the people most at risk for severe outcomes of COVID-19. Receiving the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines can restore and enhance protection against the virus variants currently responsible for most infections and hospitalizations in the United States. COVID-19 vaccination also reduces the chance of suffering the effects of Long COVID, which can develop during or following acute infection and last for an extended duration.
CDC and ACIP will continue to monitor COVID-19 vaccine safety and effectiveness. CDC continues to recommend that everyone stay up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines, especially people 65 years of age and older and people with weakened immune systems.
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