New Study Says That These 5 Activities Will Make Your Life Happier
The transformative impact of creativity on New Jerseyan’s mental and physical well-being is now a well-supported idea.
According to a July 2023 poll conducted by the American Psychiatric Association, indulging in creative activities at least once a week contributes to better mental health.
As we navigate through the challenges of everyday life, engaging in enjoyable activities that are sometimes called “restorers,” really helps us recover from stress and make life’s tough decisions just a bit easier.
“We live in stressful times, and sometimes our jobs and responsibilities can drain our energy and our mental health,” said APA President Petros Levounis, M.D., M.A. “Creative activities aren’t just for fun, they can help us take a step back from the daily grind, use our brains differently, and relax. Picking up that paintbrush or solving a tricky puzzle can truly move us to a different mindset.”
Here are the top five creative activities found to have the most significant stress-relieving effects:
Listening To Music: Music emerges as a crowd-favorite with 77% of respondents in the APA poll citing it as their go-to stress reliever. Delighting in music can balance emotions by positively impacting the amygdala, the brain’s emotional regulator. Additionally, beyond mental health benefits, music also reduces pain, improves posture, and enhances relaxation.
Solving Puzzles: Nearly 40% of respondents attribute stress reduction to solving puzzles. Puzzle games enhance cognitive functions, stimulate thinking, and boost confidence. Remarkably, they may even mitigate brain shrinkage, reducing the risk of cognitive decline.
Singing Or Dancing: A quarter of respondents find solace in singing and dancing. These transformative activities provide a safe outlet for emotions, lifting mood, and offering respite from life’s challenges. Group singing benefits cognitive health and well-being for individuals with various health conditions.
Drawing, Painting, Or Sculpting: Art therapy emerges as a powerful tool for mental health treatment. 24% of participants acknowledged its stress-relieving impact. Creative expressions, especially for children, provide a voice to emotions and inner struggles.
Creative Writing: Journaling and creative writing, embraced by 16% of respondents, offer therapeutic benefits. By using poetic language to express emotions, individuals can gain insight, cope with stress, and enhance self-reflection techniques.
You Should Probably Skip These Foods At A Breakfast Buffet
Eggs
Many establishments opt for powdered eggs instead of fresh ones, as it’s a cost-effective way to prepare large quantities of scrambled eggs to cater to numerous guests at once. However, powdered eggs cannot compare to the taste, texture, and color of their fresh counterparts. Another concern lies in the fact that these eggs are pre-cooked, which means they might sit at unsafe temperatures for extended periods.
According to the FDA, serving eggs immediately after cooking is crucial to prevent foodborne illnesses. Unfortunately, in a buffet setting, it’s challenging to determine how long the eggs have been sitting out.
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Fruit
Unless you witnessed the fruit being freshly prepared in the kitchen, it’s nearly impossible to gauge how long that eye-catching fruit display has been sitting there. According to the FDA, when fruits are cut, their protective skins are breached, leaving the flesh vulnerable to the surrounding environment and any potential bacteria. This creates two primary reasons that heighten the risk of contamination. Firstly, cutting the fruit makes its water content and nutrients readily available to microorganisms. Secondly, without any heating process, disease-causing germs aren’t eliminated, further contributing to the potential hazards of consuming cut fruits from a buffet display.
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Waffles
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There’s a joy of pouring your own batter into a Belgian waffle maker, flipping it eagerly, and waiting for that gratifying green light before embellishing it with toppings. However, it’s best to exercise caution and avoid the waffle station. As per TikToker Brandi Augustus, a former hotel employee, the waffle batter served there is often old and sour. Instead of disposing of the old batter, new batter is mixed with it. It’s worth noting that not all places offering breakfast buffets adhere to this practice, but it’s wise to stay informed and make a decision based on the circumstances.
