Why Cursive Writing Still Matters in the Digital Age

In a world dominated by screens and keyboards, the art of cursive writing is often seen as outdated or unnecessary. As a matter of fact, many schools have even removed cursive instruction from their curricula, opting instead to focus on typing skills. While proficiency in typing is undoubtedly important in today’s digital age, abandoning cursive altogether may deprive children of critical developmental and cognitive benefits.

Here’s why children should continue learning cursive alongside their tech skills:

Boosts Cognitive Development

Cursive writing engages the brain differently than typing or printing. Studies show that the act of forming connected letters requires fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and simultaneous mental processing. These activities stimulate neural connections in ways that enhance learning, memory, and creativity.

One recent study found cursive writing created far more elaborate brain connectivity patterns than just typing. Just think as to how exacting a child needs to be too successful make a cursive letter ‘a’ verse how little of the brain come into play when hitting the letter ‘r’ on a keyboard.

Children who write in cursive also often display improved reading and spelling skills because the fluid motion helps them connect letters to sounds, reinforcing language comprehension.

Encourages Individual Expression

Cursive writing can be viewed as a personal and expressive art form. Each child’s cursive handwriting is unique, serving as a reflection of their individuality and personality. This creative expression is lost when communication is reduced to the uniformity of typed fonts. 

Years ago, I studied handwriting analysis (it was called Graphology) and its level of accuracy in interpreting a person’s personality traits was, in my experience, quite accurate.

I also got to see with clients, if they deliberately changed their handwriting, they actually changed their personality, too.

In addition, the rhythm and flow of cursive writing can have a calming, meditative effect, promoting focus and emotional well-being.

A Key to Understanding History

While we focus on the future, don’t forget the past. The ability to read and write in cursive opens a window into this past. Historical documents like the Declaration of Independence, personal letters, and journals were written in cursive. Without the ability to read cursive, future generations may struggle to connect with these rich cultural treasures.

By teaching children cursive, we ensure that they remain literate in historical contexts, fostering a deeper appreciation for the stories and struggles that shaped our world.

Improves Notetaking and Retention

Handwriting, particularly cursive, has been shown to improve information retention compared to typing. Writing by hand forces the brain to process information more deeply, making it easier to understand and recall.

For students, this can mean better performance in school and stronger study habits. Cursive’s faster writing style also makes it ideal for taking notes during lectures or brainstorming ideas.

When I was in Law School, I took notes voraciously in my classes, even when I had no idea what they were talking about. When I went to study for exams, suddenly my notes made sense to me. 

In addition, when I was studying for the Bar Exam what I did was to take notes by hand on the study guides they gave us for the different areas of the law. When I finished, I then created an outline of my notes and suddenly I was able to understand the principles of law that we needed to know. And amazingly, I passed the first time!

Balances Digital and Analog Skills

While typing is essential for navigating the digital world, cursive writing offers a balance, providing children with a tangible, tactile way to connect with their thoughts. This duality ensures that they are not overly reliant on technology and can communicate effectively in any setting.

Preserving a Valuable Skill

Cursive writing and typing are not mutually exclusive. Each has its place and purpose in a child’s education. By embracing both, we give children the tools to excel in a fast-paced, tech-driven world while preserving the cognitive and cultural benefits of handwriting.

So…what if we actually celebrate cursive writing as both an art form and also as a practical skill that complements the technological tools of today’s world. Teaching children both cursive and typing will prepare their brains to navigate the complexities of life with a well-rounded set of skills.

There’s a Surprising Third Element to Add to Work-Life Balance That Could Add 10 Years to Your Life

For years, people—including myself—have been talking about the importance of achieving a work-life balance. But recently, I learned something that may surprise you: there’s another kind of balance, one that could add 10 years or more to your life. Yes, you read that right—10 years!

So, what’s this “new” balance? It has everything to do with a simple exercise that anyone can do at home, and it just might change how you think about longevity.

Let me give you a hint: It’s something as simple as standing on one leg.

The Power of Balance: 10 Seconds, 10 Years

If you can stand on one leg for just 10 seconds, studies suggest you could have twice the chance of living at least another 10 years—or more! It’s that simple. Think about it: a mere 10 seconds could add years to your life. Sounds like a pretty good trade-off, right?

But here’s the thing—this isn’t just a fun party trick. It’s actually a matter of health and longevity. The leading cause of injury for adults aged 65 and older is unintentional falls. This highlights just how important maintaining good balance is as we age. Good balance isn’t just about avoiding embarrassing moments—it’s about keeping you safe and independent, and ultimately, living longer.

Real-Life Example: How Balance Can Impact Longevity

Let me give you a personal example. My wife’s mom, who’s 91, suffered a serious fall last year. She broke a couple of major bones in her leg. Thankfully, the doctor who treated her was an Osteopathic Surgeon, and he was able to perform surgery the next morning. The recovery was long and challenging, but she’s doing much better now.

Now, imagine if she had better balance before the fall. Sure, accidents can still happen, but better balance can drastically reduce the likelihood of a fall in the first place, and it can also speed up recovery if one does occur.

Balance = Easier Everyday Life

But balance isn’t just about preventing falls—it makes life easier. Think about how much we rely on balance every day: climbing stairs, carrying groceries, getting up from the couch. The better your balance, the easier these tasks become, and the less likely you are to injure yourself.

The best part? You don’t have to wait until a fall to start improving your balance. You can start now, and all it takes is a few seconds every day.

The 10-Second Balance Challenge

Dr. Stephen Cury, a leading expert in health and balance, came up with a simple exercise to improve balance—and it only takes 10 seconds a day.

Here’s how you do it:

1. Stand up straight behind a stable chair (make sure it’s sturdy and won’t rock). Hold the backrest with both hands for support.

2. Slowly lift the heel of your dominant foot off the floor (if you’re right-handed, that’s your right foot).

3. Hold your foot there until you feel stable.

4. Then, lift the rest of your foot off the floor, so it’s hovering above the ground. Try to balance without holding onto the chair. Hold this position for 10 seconds.

5. Lower your foot back to the ground, and repeat with the other foot.

Bonus Challenge: Close Your Eyes!

For an extra challenge, try this exercise without holding onto the chair. Or, if you're feeling adventurous, close your eyes while balancing and see how long you can last. (Just make sure that chair is nearby for safety!)

Why It Works

Studies back up the benefits of this exercise. According to research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, the ability to perform a 10-second one-legged stance is a strong predictor of survival in middle-aged and older adults. The researchers found that those who could perform the exercise had significantly better chances of living longer.

It’s Never Too Late to Start

I’ve been doing balance exercises for years—balancing on one foot, then the other—and I can tell you from personal experience that it works. You don’t need to be in perfect shape to start, and it’s never too late. Even small improvements in balance can have big effects on your health and longevity.

A Third Element to Work-Life Balance

So, as you work on improving your work-life balance, consider adding this third category to the mix: balance for your body. It could be one of the best investments you make for your future.

By adding just 10 seconds of balance to your daily routine, you might not only feel better but also live longer. That’s a simple, effective way to invest in your health—and who wouldn’t want that?

(Source: Araujo CG, de Souza e Silva CG, Laukkanen JA, et al. "Successful 10-second one-legged stance performance predicts survival in middle-aged and older individuals." British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2022;56:975-980.)

The Growing Health Problem of Microplastics

Plastics have become an integral part of our modern lives, but they come with a hidden cost. Every year, hundreds of millions of tons of plastic waste are discarded, and over time, these plastics break down into tiny fragments known as microplastics.

What Are Microplastics?

Microplastics are plastic particles smaller than 5 millimeters—ranging in size from a pencil eraser to microscopic fragments. The smallest particles pose the greatest risk to human health because they are pervasive and nearly impossible to avoid.

Microplastics are in the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink. Alarming research shows they are now found in virtually every organ in our bodies—and their effects on our health are concerning.

The Extent of the Problem

Recycling has not been the solution we hoped for. Only about 9% of plastics are recycled. The rest continues to exist indefinitely in our environment, breaking down into microplastics that enter ecosystems—and eventually, our bodies.

Here are some shocking statistics:

• Washing a synthetic shirt releases 700,000 microplastic fibers into wastewater per cycle.

• When cigarettes burn, they release microplastics into the air, adding to the health hazards of smoking.

• Studies estimate that we ingest the equivalent of a credit card’s worth of plastic each week.

• Microplastics have even been found in the placentas of pregnant women, including every Hawaiian mother tested in a recent study.

And the risks don’t stop there.

The Health Impacts of Microplastics

Microplastics have been linked to serious health concerns:

• Heart Disease and Stroke: A March 2024 study in the New England Journal of Medicine revealed that heart patients with microplastics in their arterial plaque were 4.5 times more likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke than those without microplastics.

• Immune System Damage: Microplastics are toxic to macrophages—immune cells responsible for destroying harmful substances. The more microplastics present, the higher the rate of macrophage death, weakening the immune system.

What Can You Do to Lower Your Risk?

While eliminating microplastics entirely is not yet feasible, there are steps you can take to minimize your exposure:

1. Ditch Bottled Water: Bottled water is the leading source of dietary microplastics. Opt for filtered tap water instead.

2. Choose Glass Over Plastic: Microwave food in glass containers, and store leftovers in glass rather than plastic.

3. Upgrade Your Cutting Boards: Switch from plastic cutting boards to wood. Studies suggest plastic cutting boards expose users to up to 80 million microplastics annually.

4. Opt for Natural Fibers: Reduce your use of synthetic clothing. When you must wash synthetics, use the gentle cycle to minimize fiber shedding.

5. Avoid Single-Use Plastics: Say no to disposable plastics whenever possible. Small changes can add up.

A Call to Action

Until effective solutions for recycling or eliminating microplastics are developed, the best thing you can do is protect yourself and your loved ones. Every step you take toward reducing exposure makes a difference.

Let’s prioritize our health and the health of our planet. Together, we can take meaningful action against the microplastic crisis.
(Reported by Bottom Line Health, 2024)

 

Why Student Health Issues on College Campuses Matter More Than Ever

We might expect that student health wouldn’t be a major issue on college campuses, but that assumption couldn’t be more off. Health and well-being challenges now significantly impact both students’ college retention rates and their chances of successfully graduating. This concern has led many campus leaders to double down on resources for student health and wellness—yet are these efforts making a difference?

This topic hits home for me. Years ago, my journey as a speaker began on college and university campuses, where I created a successful program that I called "How to Relax and Enjoy Being a Student and Passing Your Exams." At the time, stress management wasn’t a well-known term. I later adapted the seminar title to "Managing Exam Time Stress" and "Managing First-Year Stress" to address the specific pressures students faced. Now, decades later, we see these issues continue to gain more attention (just look at the stress from the election). So, the question is, are colleges truly meeting the needs of their students?

Let’s take a closer look at the state of wellness programs on college campuses today:

Wellness Investments and Mixed Student Satisfaction

A 2024 survey by Inside Higher Ed revealed that a striking 70% of colleges have made significant investments in wellness facilities or services aimed at improving student well-being. From expanded counseling services to stress management programs and mindfulness spaces, colleges are responding to what they recognize as a critical student need.

But here’s the kicker: students aren’t necessarily thrilled with these new offerings. According to a May 2024 Student Voice survey by Inside Higher Ed and Generation Lab, fewer than half (46%) of students rated their campus health and wellness services as either good or excellent. The largest portion (36%) found the services merely average, and a concerning 17% rated them as fair or poor. Essentially, over half of students feel their wellness needs aren’t being adequately met—a disappointing return on the colleges’ investments.

What Students Say Could Improve Their Well-Being

Despite their lukewarm reception to current services, students do value health and wellness programs. Nearly one in five (19%) students reported that if their colleges made more efforts to promote overall well-being, it would positively have an impact on their own mental health. 

There’s also a notable difference in how students at two-year community colleges view these services compared to their four-year college peers: 52% of community college students rated their wellness services as good or better, versus only 45% of students at four-year public institutions and just 39% at private colleges selected good or better.

Interestingly, more private college students (23%) expressed a desire for additional wellness offerings compared to their public school peers (19%), suggesting that private institutions may need to go a little further to enhance their wellness initiatives to meet these expectations.

Reflections and Looking Forward

Years ago, I thought my stress management workshops would be a temporary need because stress management would became standard practice. And today, I’m still helping people manage their stress through my seminars and several of my books, Managing Your Stress in Difficult Times and Switched-On Living.

For colleges and universities, the message is clear: wellness programs can’t just be a checked box; their services need to be adaptable, proactive, and closely aligned with students' needs. This shift not only supports individual student success but fosters a healthier, more engaged campus community. As wellness services continue to evolve, we’ll see which campuses lead the way in addressing the complex needs of modern students.

For resources on managing stress in college and beyond, you can find the e-book versions of my books at www.Teplitz.com under the Products link.

(Reported Better Health, October 2024)

A Better Choice Than Mammograms for Women

Mammograms came into use for detecting cancers in women’s breasts in the 1970s. Women starting at around age 40 to 45 have been urged to get screened every year or two.

There have almost always been problems with mammograms. The first one is that the procedure can be painful and even traumatic. It can lead to skin tears and deep tissue damage. If the woman has breast implants, they could rupture.

Mammograms are also not good at detecting cancers in dense breast tissue. They can miss almost half of these types of cancer.

Another major problem is having false positive reading. Over a 10-year period of getting mammograms, almost 50% of the women will have a false positive reading. This can then lead to biopsies and surgeries that were unnecessary and could be very costly.

The final negative is that the woman is exposed to small doses of radiation which has a cumulative effect on the body and can lead to cancer.

So, what to do about this?

Well, there are now four options available to women that seem to be a great alternative to having a mammogram.

The first one is called Infrared Thermography imaging which allows the Doc to see the vascular patterns in the breast along with temperature readings in the breast which may signify cancer. It will help the practitioner find abnormalities in the breast tissue.

While it’s FDA approved, it’s not meant to be the only method used to determine if there is breast cancer.

The second method, which is also FDA approved, is called Quantitative Transmission (QT) and it uses sound waves to take 3-D images of the breast. It has no pain or radiation involved. QTs resolutions are 40 times greater than getting an MRI.

The third method is using regular Ultrasound as it can detect lumps and bumps in the breast.

Finaly, the fourth one depends on the woman to do self-exams, which can be highly effective if done regularly and thoroughly.

So…all this means that a woman needs to ask her Doc about these options to mammograms. Won’t having no pain, no radiation and better detection be a great plus to having a checkup for breast cancer!
(Reported WDDTY.com, October 2024)

Unlocking the Secrets of Superagers: What We Can Learn About Longevity and Brain Health

You may have heard of the Blue Zones—regions where people live significantly longer and maintain better health well into their later years. There are five such zones globally, with Loma Linda, California, being the Blue Zone in the United States. By studying these areas, researchers have gained valuable insights into how to live longer and healthier lives.

Building on this research, a groundbreaking study at Northwestern University has been running for 25 years, taking a deeper look at not just physical longevity but also cognitive resilience. The focus is on a group they call Superagers—people who are over 80 years old yet possess the memory skills of someone decades younger, in their 50s or 60s. This study aims to unlock the mysteries of memory, aging, and even the human spirit.

The participants in this study have remarkable memories. While they live diverse lives, they all share an extraordinary ability to retain information. The definition of a Superager is quite specific: someone over 80 with the memory performance of a person 30 years their junior.

What’s particularly fascinating is that many of the participants have agreed to donate their brains for research after they pass away. Currently, the study follows about 110 active Superagers. Each year, researchers assess them for memory, language, problem-solving abilities, and much more. Brain scans (MRIs) and blood samples are also taken in an effort to find biomarkers that may explain their cognitive longevity.

One of the tests used to evaluate memory is simple but revealing. Participants are read a list of 15 words multiple times. After a 30-minute delay, they are asked to recall the words. A typical 50-year-old might remember 8 or 9 of them, but a Superager will recall 14 or 15—and they continue to do so year after year. It’s important to note that these participants aren’t even enrolled in the study until they reach 80 years old!

In addition to memory tests, the researchers have been studying the Superagers’ personalities and lifestyles. Interestingly, Superagers tend to be more extroverted. Their diets are also being closely examined, as diet and exercise play key roles in successful aging.

Perhaps most intriguing are the physical differences found in the Superagers’ brains posthumously. Their neurons, particularly in the hippocampus (the area associated with memory), are larger and healthier. Moreover, they have lower levels of tau protein, which is commonly associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

While this research is still ongoing, one thing is clear: adopting lifestyle habits from Superagers, especially those in the Blue Zones, could be your best bet for maintaining a sharp mind and a healthy body as you age. Your brain will thank you!
(Source: Reporter Northwestern, Fall 2024)

Big Oil Has Been Lying To Us For DECADES

Why would I, in my blog which is focused on natural health alternatives, be talking about the lies of Big Oil? 

Well, part of it is because I began my career as an attorney with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s Division of Air Pollution Control, back in the early days of the EPA’s formation. But the bigger reason is the devastating impact these lies have had on our environment, and in turn, our health.

A recent two-year Senate investigation uncovered decades of deception. The report details how Big Oil used "denial, disinformation, and doublespeak" to protect their profits, all while knowing full well the environmental damage their products were causing.

The story goes back to 1959, when nuclear scientist Edward Teller warned the American Petroleum Institute that CO2 emissions from burning oil would melt ice caps and raise sea levels. Sounds eerily familiar, right? 

By 1979, Exxon’s own scientists confirmed that continued fossil fuel consumption would trigger climate change by 2029. And here we are—Hurricane Helene and countless other climate disasters are just the tip of the melting iceberg.

Instead of taking steps to mitigate this looming crisis, Big Oil doubled down by lobbying lawmakers and spreading doubt about the science of climate change. 

And if that wasn’t enough, they even lied about plastics, claiming they were recyclable when they knew most of them weren’t. California is now suing ExxonMobil for deceiving the public about plastic recycling. 

Hopefully, this lawsuit will open the floodgates for more actions against Big Oil—our planet’s health and our own depends on it.
(Reported NRDC newsletter, October 2024)