Back to basics and cost effective solutions for our sanity

Solutions in technology and science to help us survive, feel better and stay sane are ubiquitous. The progress is fascinating to follow. Each day I explore new studies, new approaches, new ideas leading towards desired solutions.

Interestingly, we appear to go back to basics; natural, simple and cost effective solutions. For example, "exercise is a magic drug for many people with depression and anxiety disorders, and it should be more widely prescribed by mental health care providers, according to researchers who analyzed the results of numerous published studies". This was highlighted by the SMU Research recently.

In addition, cost effective and simplistic solutions are attracting our attentions. It is great to know that researchers in Penn State University developed a low-cost behavioral assessment that can clue someone in to Alzheimer's disease at its earliest stage. More information could be obtained from this link.

I'd be interested to obtain your views and examples of basic, natural, simple, inexpensive yet efficient solutions from your experience that you can comment here.

Would attitude for everyday activities make us healthier?

Exercise is an inevitable part of our lives. It is essential for us to stay healthy. We are recommended 150 minutes of aerobic activity throughout the week by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. My health consultants so far recommended at least an hour of walking which I have been following and enjoying the outcome.

What I found more interesting is the research through gaining exercises at unconscious level. I'd like to highlight a recent study conducted by the Penn State University. The media release is titled "Attitude toward everyday activity important for healthy lifestyle". David Conroy (associate professor of kinesiology) said "It wasn't the overall level of activity we focused on, it was specifically the unintentional activity -- those little things that you don't even think about that help you burn those extra few calories. If you aren't in the habit of being physically active, you can run out of energy trying to force yourself to do it everyday but if you can make physical activity habitual, being active becomes a lot easier."

What I am more interested in their further research is "exploring whether there are ways to promote or encourage physical activity without a person knowing it".