How much Money do You Need to be Happy?

Can money buy happiness?

Some say money cannot buy you happiness. Yet studies have suggested that money can, in fact, buy you happiness—to an extent.

A survey of more than 33,000 employed US adults and more than 1.7 million sampling reports discovered a direct connection between higher incomes, feeling better day-to-day and being more satisfied with life overall.

The study data suggests that happiness actually increases the higher a person's income rises. The study raises the point that the more money we make, the happier we become (or rather, we have the means to buy the things or experiences that in turn make us happy). Poverty can amplify the experience of misfortunes and stressors. In other words, lower income levels may increase perceptions of unhappiness or other negative emotions. 

In fact, people are driven by different values. For some, value lies in power; others find value in security or self-care.

"A person who is driven by power might have different financial needs than someone who is driven by security," licensed mental health therapist Billy Roberts  explains. These factors can affect a person's happiness or perception of happiness, altering the amount of money they truly need to feel satisfied emotionally. 

"At the end of the day, the salary should support a value-driven lifestyle," Roberts explains, "so the number is less important than that number allowing a person to drive in their 'values lane,' so to speak." 

On the other hand, some individuals with higher salaries may not be able to enjoy small pleasures in life due to stressful and time-demanding jobs. A recent study found that US employees making more money experienced significantly higher levels of stress—up to 68% more for top earners taking in over $200,000. While these higher incomes buy pleasures such as nice vacations and meals at restaurants, stress can play a key factor in one's overall happiness. 

The connection between money and happiness is not just a feeling or perception: there is a science behind the phenomenon. "From a neuroscience perspective, scarcity of money and resources signals to our brain that there is a threat to our survival," Renetta Weaver, doctor of metaphysics and licensed clinical social worker, says. In fact, poverty can influence a person's cognitive function, altering the way they think and reducing performance in verbal memory and processing speed. 

If we do not equate money and things to our worth and value, we find happiness in the things that money cannot buy such as quality time and experiences with oneself and others.

Milana Perepyolkina, international bestselling author of two books about happiness, adds that people confuse pleasure with happiness, meaning correlations between salary and emotional well-being may not be accurate. Happiness is intrinsic.

Perepyolkina notes that even certain people "who live in very poor conditions, such as makeshift plastic tents with all of their possessions fitting in one bag, you will notice joyful, bright smiles," she says. "How can someone who has almost nothing be so happy? This is because they are grateful for what they have: their life, their family and their community."

While happiness can rise or fall with income levels, a person's true sense of emotional well-being will ultimately depend on their life circumstances, values and personal needs.

The Healthiest Ingredients in Indian Food

In India, the food, in general, uses a lot of plant-based proteins such as beans and lentils, whole grains, and fermented foods such as yogurt. Many ingredients as below are some of the healthiest you can find in Indian cooking:

1 Turmeric

Its active chemical compound, curcumin, has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Research found that taking a curcumin supplement may be a safe and effective treatment for major depressive disorder. 

Turmeric is usually added to most vegetables, beans, lentils and other Indian dishes. Adding black pepper to a dish with turmeric can enhance absorption of curcumin by 2000 percent. 

2 Chickpeas (Chana)

People who regularly eat these legumes have been shown to have higher intakes of essential nutrients, including dietary fiber, healthy fats, folate, magnesium, potassium, iron, and vitamins A, E and C. And while chickpeas are often associated with hummus, they are used in a variety of ways in Indian cooking: whole chickpeas are soaked and cooked with spices, dry roasted chickpeas are enjoyed as a snack, and dry roasted chickpea flour is used to make pancakes, dumplings and sweets.

Because chickpeas are high in protein and fiber (half a cup has more than 7 grams of protein and more than 6 grams of fiber), they can help you feel full longer and keep your total calorie intake in check. 

3 Mung Beans

A half-cup of these small green beans is a good source of both protein and fiber, with around 7 grams of each. These beans are also rich in antioxidants and minerals that have been linked to positive health benefits, according to research published in the Journal of Food Science. And unlike many other beans, the carbohydrates in mung beans seem to be more easily digested, so eating them does not cause the usual digestive side effects.

Traditionally, they are made into a soup with garlic, ginger and spices to be enjoyed with rice, or served sprouted as a salad with chopped veggies.

4 Kidney Beans (Rajma)

Consuming these organ-shaped red beans has been linked to a lower incidence of chronic diseases such diabetes, cancer, obesity and coronary heart disease. They tend to be lower in carbohydrates than some other beans. 

Kidney beans contain resistant starch, a fiberlike substance that resists digestion and that may help improve insulin sensitivity and have a potentially beneficial effect on gut health.

5 Lentils (Daal)

These flat, disc-shaped seeds come in a variety of colors and flavors, and are a great source of plant-based protein. More than one-quarter of the calories in lentils comes from protein, and they are also a good plant source of iron, with more than 3 grams per half-cup. Lentils are rich in soluble fiber, which can lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol and may help with glycemic control, according to Today’s Dietitian.

6 Ginger (Adrak) 

One of the primary active compounds in this spicy root is gingerol, which has been studied for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Its use is for helping soothe nausea and digestive discomfort. And a review published in May 2020 in Phytotherapy Research examined ginger’s effectiveness at reducing pain in various applications and found that its use orally, topically, and even as aromatherapy showed promise for decreasing menstrual, migraine, and knee pain and even muscle soreness. 

Ginger is also a really low-calorie way to add flavor to all kinds of foods.

Fresh or dried gingerroot is added to many traditional Indian dishes as part of the seasonings. It is also added to chai (Indian tea).  

7 Cinnamon (Dalchini)

Research has identified antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties in this spice which is really the ground bark of a tree. Cinnamon has also been linked to improvements in blood glucose, which may help with insulin sensitivity and decreasing fasting blood sugars. 

8 Cumin (Jeera)

This versatile spice has been studied as a weight loss aid. In a study published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice of 88 women with overweight or obesity, supplementing their diet with cumin for three months led to a significant reduction in weight, body mass index, waist circumference, and body fat. According to USDA data, 1 teaspoon of ground cumin can provide almost 6 percent of the recommended daily intake of iron — a not insignificant amount for a spice. 

9 Fenugreek (Methi)

Several studies have suggested that this herb may help lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes or prediabetes, and it has also been recommended as a supplement to increase milk supply in breastfeeding women.  

Fenugreek leaves are used as a side dish or added to flatbreads, and the seeds are used in a variety of dishes.

10 Bitter Melon (Karela)

This Asian vegetable is related to squash like pumpkin and zucchini, and it has a slightly bitter taste. Like those other vegetables, it is low in calories and delivers some fiber, but perhaps most significant is its high vitamin C content. A half-cup has 46 percent of your daily value of this all-important antioxidant. And vitamin C is well known for its role in boosting immune function.

Drinking Coffee or Tea had a Lower Incidence of Stroke and Dementia

People who drank coffee, tea, or a combination of the two had a lower risk of stroke and dementia, and the risk was reduced the most for those who drank two to three cups of coffee or three to five cups of tea per day, according to results published today in the journal PLOS Medicine.

To examine how coffee or tea may impact the risk of stroke and dementia, investigators studied 365,682 participants between ages 50 and 74 from the UK health resource with the following results:

People who drank two to three cups of coffee, or three to five cups of tea per day, or a combination of four to six cups of coffee and tea had the lowest incidence of stroke or dementia.

Two to three cups of coffee with two to three cups of tea daily was associated with a 32 percent lower risk of stroke and a 28 percent lower risk of dementia compared with people who drank neither coffee nor tea.

Coffee alone or in combination with tea was associated with lower risk of post-stroke dementia. Post-stroke dementia is a condition where symptoms of dementia occur after a stroke.

Although coffee and tea consumption were associated with a lower incidence of dementia, stroke, and post-stroke dementia, the study was not set up to prove causality. However, the association is believable, says Douglas Scharre, MD, a professor of clinical neurology and psychiatry and the director of cognitive neurology at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus. “Several studies have found an association between caffeine consumption and decreased risk of stroke, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease,” he says.

One possible explanation could be related to caffeine’s stimulating effect on the brain, which in turn impacts our mood and makes us more alert, says Dr. Scharre. “Stroke and dementia are both brain disorders; increased brain excitability may impact brain reserve and delay dementia,” he says. 

Previous studies have shown that coffee was associated with a decreased risk of heart failure, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). There is evidence that heart failure is associated with an increased short-term and long-term risk of stroke.

Drinking up to 400 milligrams (mg) of caffeine a day is not associated with negative or dangerous health effects, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The average cup of green or black tea has 30 to 50 mg of caffeine, and an 8 ounce cup of coffee has about 80 to 100 mg. 

But too many cups of coffee or tea can cause insomnia, jitters, anxiousness, and an upset stomach. And the recommendations for coffee are for black coffee as many coffee-based drinks have a lot of added fats and sugar and are high in calories.

Dirty fasting - A newer approach to intermittent fasting

 

One common way to practice intermittent fasting is through time-restricted eating, which limits the amount of time in a day you can eat. For example, a 16:8 protocol involves fasting between 8 p.m. and noon and eating between noon and 8 p.m.  

Traditionally, only beverages with zero or very minimal calories, like water, black coffee or tea, and unsweetened herbal tea, are consumed during fasting hours, known as "clean fasting." Research shows that this may offer benefits that include cardiovascular protection, reductions in blood pressure and blood sugar, and weight loss. 

But a new approach has emerged in which more calories, or certain foods, are allowed during the fasting window. The goal is to disrupt the concept of fasting as little as possible while achieving similar benefits as a clean fast. This practice is referred to as "dirty fasting."  But there are no definite answers to the types of food or drink that are allowed during the fasting window. Some say that any food or beverage during the fasting hours is fine, as long as it is less than 100 calories. Other only sanctions high-fat foods. And some allow artificial sweeteners because they are zero calories.

In a nutshell, during fasting, your glucose and insulin levels become low while ketone (i.e. the converted stored fat after going to the liver) levels remain elevated. But in fact, this fasting state can potentially be achieved even with the limited intake of calories that a dirty fast allows.

One 2021 study in the journal Nutrients points out that a lower protein intake has been shown to be more effective at not triggering metabolic pathways in the body that sense the availability of nutrients. 

Many people who are interested in dirty fasting seek the health benefits of time-restricted eating with the flexibility to be able to eat or drink something with calories during the fasting window. Proponents of dirty fasting say that flexibility helps them stay on track with their fasting routine because they are not as limited or as hungry. And there can also be psychological or behavioral benefits to it. Time-restricted eating helps them prevent overeating, maintain a consistent eating schedule, and eat more mindfully but that they may miss having, say, a nut milk latte in the morning. That latte would not be allowed on a traditional clean fasting protocol, but dirty fasting may allow it. 

Obesity and COVID-19

 

Being obese (defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of over 30) increases the risk of premature death by almost 50%. It also doubles the risk of hospitalization from COVID-19 and could reduce the effectiveness of a COVID-19 vaccine, a study found.

The study, a collaborative effort between researchers from the Saudi Health Council, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the World Bank, found that obesity increases the risk of death from the virus by 48%, the risk of hospitalization by 113% and of needing intensive care by 74%.

The study also highlights the concern that a coronavirus vaccine may not be as effective in obese people, given that flu vaccines do not work as well in those with BMI of over 30.

The main drivers of overweight and obesity include a shift toward processed foods and beverages high in fat, salt, added sugar, insufficient fruit and vegetable intake as well as insufficient physical activity.

Other more recent drivers for overweight and obesity are likely the COVID-19 quarantine policies themselves. While it is absolutely necessary and critical to contain COVID-19, telework arrangements and social distancing requirements have likely worsened food consumption habits and further decreased physical activity, exacerbating current trends in overweight and obesity.

Arthritis Trigger Foods to Avoid

Joint pain is often caused by arthritis, resulting from the breakdown of cartilage (which cushions and lubricates joints) inside the joint itself. This causes the bones forming the joint to rub together. The joint then becomes inflamed and stiff, making it difficult to move. 

Two types of arthritis affect joints more than others: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis results from normal wear and tear that occurs over multiple years. In some cases, this condition is caused by overuse or an injury to the joint itself. On the other hand, people living with rheumatoid arthritis have an abnormal immune system response to healthy body tissues, including the joints. In either case, arthritis often leads to movement limitations, stiffness and pain.

If you have arthritis, the foods you choose can have a surprising impact on your joint health. You may find some arthritis trigger foods cause pain, stiffness and swelling, while others actually alleviate your symptoms.

There are several common trigger foods to avoid if you have arthritis:

1. Pasta

Wheat products, like pasta, bread, crackers and bagels, may spell trouble for your joints, especially if you have rheumatoid arthritis. This is because wheat contains gluten, a protein that can irritate and aggravate arthritic joints. In addition to wheat, barley and rye also contain gluten, so you might need to avoid these as well.

Instead, try polenta, quinoa, or instant brown rice. They are free of gluten while rich in fiber.

2. Butter and Margarine

They are packed with advanced glycation end products, or AGEs. These are substances generated during food processing that can cause stiffness and inflammation. Because cooking with high heat can also generate AGEs, they are also in many roasted, grilled and fried foods.

So, instead, try hummus. It contains a fraction of the AGEs found in butter or margarine, plus it is lower in fat and calories.

3. Hamburgers

A study found that high-fat foods like hamburgers may encourage the growth of unhealthful gut bacteria. This travels through the body to the bones and wears away at cartilage.  Besides, burgers are also loaded with AGEs.

Instead, try a salmon burger. Salmon boasts the same meaty texture as beef but filled with beneficial omega-3 fats, which are shown to decrease arthritis-related aches and stiffness.

4. Tomatoes

Some people with arthritis swear that nightshade vegetables, such as tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants and peppers, cause their arthritis to flare. This is because they raise levels of uric acid. Elevated uric acid can trigger gout, a form of arthritis that targets the joints of the toes, fingers, wrists, knees and elbows.

Instead, try vegetables such as carrots, squash and Brussels sprouts that may reduce your risk of arthritic knees by 40 percent.

5. Sugary Drinks

One recent study found that people who sipped fructose-filled beverages at least five times a week were three times more likely to battle arthritis than those who chose sugar-free drinks.

Instead, try sparkling water or iced tea sweetened with a splash of orange juice.

In addition, you need to maintain a healthy body weight, which means less pressure on your joints and less discomfort for you.