Mind & Mood Archive

There are many health-related requirements for living independently in older age. For example, one needs sharp thinking skills in order to manage medications, pay bills, choose clothes for the day, and select and buy groceries; and one needs strength, balance, and flexibility in order to get up from a chair, cook, or clean. People with weakening aspects of health should talk to a doctor for potential solutions to improve or cope with health challenges in order to continue living independently.

Caring for a person with dementia is physically, emotionally, logistically, and financially demanding. Caregivers can benefit from numerous services, such as caregiver support groups; respite care; and dementia care navigators, such as the local Area Agency on Aging (which can provide a long list of resources) or a local hospital dementia care program. It can also help to speak to doctors about consolidating appointments for the person with dementia and to reach out to family and friends to ask for assistance.

Switching from a brand-name antidepressant to a generic can raise questions about side effect changes such as weight gain.

Blood pressure is the push of blood through the body, like water through a hose. Pressure depends on how hard the heart pumps, how much blood there is, and how tight small vessels are, all influenced by hormones, salt, fluids, and stress.

A 2026 study suggests that people who take GLP-1 drugs—prescribed for diabetes and weight loss—are less likely to develop a substance use disorder. Among people who already have addiction, use of a GLP-1 was linked with fewer complications such as overdose and death.

A 2026 study suggests that people who engage in spiritual practices and communities are significantly less likely than non-practitioners to misuse alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and illicit drugs and better able to recover from substance abuse.

Burnout - whatever the cause - can lead to depression and anxiety, and affect your relationships and ability to function. But it's possible to replenish your energy and enjoyment of life.

Meditation can be a natural part of everyday life, similar to maintaining a healthy diet or exercise routine. In this video, learn how meditation can be simple, flexible, and can be practiced almost anywhere.