People who feel insecure about their attachments to others might be at higher risk for cardiovascular problems than those who feel secure in their relationships, according to a new study published by the American Psychological Association.

“This is the first study to examine adult attachment and a range of specific health conditions,” said lead author Lachlan A. McWilliams, PhD, of Acadia University. He and a colleague examined data on 5,645 adults age 18 to 60 from the National Cormorbidity Survey Replication and found that people who felt insecure in relationships or avoided getting close to others might be at a higher risk of developing several chronic diseases. [continue reading…]

The Guardian reviews Dr. Steve Ilardi’s book  The Depression Cure.
Up to 20% of the UK population will suffer from depression – twice as many as 30 years ago, says Steve Ilardi.  Dr. Ilardi ‘s  six step program advocates a healthier lifestyle to banish the blues – eschewing depressant medication.

Social connectedness forms one-sixth of his “lifestyle based” cure for depression. The other five elements are meaningful activity (to prevent “ruminating” on negative thoughts); regular exercise; a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids; daily exposure to sunlight; and good quality, restorative sleep. link to read article

Source: The Guardian

Sex in Bits and Bytes Scientific American asks how destructive is internet porn.

Online porn is accessible, affordable and often anonymous, and viewing it has become a popular pastime. A survey of college students in 2008 by psychologist Chiara Sabina of Penn State Harrisburg and her colleagues found that more than 90 percent of the men and 60 percent of the women had watched Internet pornography before age 18. link to read the article

Source: Scientific American