You can reduce stress and keep you mind sharp at the same time. According to researchers at Harvard Medical School, studies have shown that many common stress management techniques also serve to improve mental functions like memory and cognitive function and maybe even help prevent cognitive decline as we get older. In addition these have all been shown to benefit health in a wide variety of ways like:

• staying physically active
• getting enough sleep
• not smoking
• having good social connections
• limiting alcohol to no more than one drink a day
• eating a Mediterranean style diet.

Read on for tips from Harvard and Oxford Universities on how to keep your mind active through all the stresses and distractions that come with surviving the age of “Corona”. 

What if instead of prescribing a pill for something like depression, a doctor could prescribe a yearlong pass to the museum or a series of art classes? Would that be as effective as a drug? Could it even be more effective? How do we keep people healthy in mind and body during these stressful times?These are fascinating questions that scientists from around the world are beginning answer.

Taking a more holistic approach to health is the concept of “social prescribing” where physicians, nurses, and integrative medicine practitioners refer patients to community-based programs that offer education, social and emotional support, exercise, and recreational opportunities in order to improve health and well being. The concept has gained popularity in the UK, Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands. Social prescribing interventions tend to include targeted life-style interventions like physical activity, healthy eating or cooking well as social determinants of health, activity levels, social connectivity,2 and mental health.3 

A major study just completed by an interdisciplinary team at Oxford University “Can Gardens, Libraries and Museums Improve Wellbeing Through Social Prescribing?” brings together the experience and expertise of health researchers in the University’s Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (CEBM), general practitioners, heritage sector specialists in the University’s Gardens, Libraries and Museums (GLAM), and members of the public.

During this time of COVID induced isolation we can do a lot of sitting around feeling sorry for ourselves or we can take the mind away from its troubles and learn something new. At the very least it can pass the time in a productive way and at best we can actually improve our minds and learn something new. In this article, you will find access to Oxford University’s Department of Continuing Educations best picks for on-line learning opportunities for free from the University of Oxford. Also, find a host of great Ted talks to improve your mind during these mind-numbing times.

Help us understand how to keep the mind and body healthy

If you are 30 or older and participate in lifelong learning and/or integrative medicine, you may be eligible to participate in a research study.

Community Med School: A Study in Lifelong Learning and Integrative Medicine

Take a simple survey and help us to understand the value of lifelong learning and integrative medicine on keeping the mind and body healthy. It will only take about ten minutes of your time.

Once upon a time, a student asked his Tai Chi teacher “ master, what is the secret to living a long healthy life” the Tai Chi teacher thought about it for a while and then replied, “ just keep breathing”.

One phenomenon puzzling doctors treating patients with COVID-19 is called “silent hypoxia”. Many patients appear in the emergency room who are not exhibiting breathlessness, they are alert and talking and yet can have dangerously low levels of blood oxygen. 

If you get sick with COVID you can’t always tell if you are not breathing in enough oxygen. Like a thermometer, a pulse oximeter should be part of every medicine chest.