Blog - Page 5 of 13 - Bending Birches NP

Torture Affects Community Wellbeing

Torture Affects Community Wellbeing Torture affects the wellbeing of everyone. The tortured person is deliberately targeted, affecting their wellbeing. The torturer’s wellbeing is impacted, at least on the neuroscientific level. And, the witnesses of torture experience a deterioration of wellbeing. Let’s explore my hypothesis that torture affects community wellbeing. What Is Torture According to Article…

Belonging is Important for Wellbeing

Belonging is Important for Wellbeing In previous posts, I have spoken about the neuroscience of wellbeing, often referencing social connectedness. I have cited the literature related to peace and conflict resolution to highlight the contribution of social capital to safety in our communities, de facto our collective wellbeing. Let’s explore belonging from a slightly different…

Dehumanization Risks Our Wellbeing

Dehumanization Risks Our Wellbeing The topic de jour is the dehumanization of our fellow human beings. And, we are going to explore the neuroscience of this topic because dehumanization risks our collective wellbeing. What Is Dehumanization? Dehumanization is the treatment of fellow human beings as lesser beings. When we dehumanize another person, we may perceive…

Body Temperature and Mental Wellbeing

Body Temperature and Mental Wellbeing Today’s post is brief and practical because our recent weather reminded me to talk about body temperature and mental wellbeing. Body Temperature Affects Mental Wellbeing Body temperature can affect our mental wellbeing. We can develop mental health symptoms due to hot weather and an increase in our body temperature just…

Peace Building for Collective Wellbeing

Peace Building for Collective Wellbeing I believe that we are more alike than different, in the USA and in the world. Our differences are our superpowers: we complement each other because of our differences. We need each other’s differences. Our lives are better in a peaceful society. We need peace building for collective wellbeing. Let’s…

The Intersection of Heart Health and Mental Wellbeing

The Intersection of Heart Health and Mental Wellbeing Our times are troubled and troubled times can lead to an increase in heart rate and an increase in blood pressure and an increase in inflammation, all of which reflect cardiovascular (heart) health. Our heart health is jeopardized by these troubled times. Our heart health and our…

Food for Wellbeing

Food for Wellbeing Today’s post refers you to some resources in honour of World Food Safety Day on June 7, 2025. Check out the World Health Organization’s website resources on Food Safety: https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-food-safety-day/2025 Consider the intersection of food and social connectedness. Preparing food together is a social activity. Gathering for meals is a social activity.…

Both Sides for A Healthy World

Both Sides for A Healthy World Every issue can be approached from more than one perspective. Let’s explore both sides for a healthy world. Healthy Thinking That’s an audacious topic heading for a short blog post, you say? Sure is. I am not beyond challenges. So, let’s dive in. What constitutes healthy thinking in my…

A Sense of Identity Affects Our Wellbeing

A Sense of Identity Affects Our Wellbeing Our sense of identity affects our wellbeing and the wellbeing of our community. Let’s explore. What Is Identity A sense of identity is necessarily influenced by a sense of self. Let me make a distinction between sense of self and sense of identity. Sense of Identity A person’s…

Holidays and Mental Wellbeing

Holidays and Mental Wellbeing I have previously touched on the topic of holidays and mental wellbeing. With the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, I invite you to consider the topic again. Consider how holidays impact your self-care routines and your gratitude for the life you have. Today’s post is deliberately brief. I ask everyone to contemplate…

Our news