{"data":[{"excerpt":"

Sitting on the floor is considered by some experts to be a natural position that promotes strength, flexibility, and wellness. Millions of people in the US suffer from back pain each day. In fact, back pain is so prevalent, the condition is estimated to cost the American economy hundreds of billions of dollars each year in healthcare costs. Yes, billions of dollars! For some people the cause of their back pain remains elusive but many can trace it to their daily routine. Spending the majority of your waking hours sitting at a computer in a lousy desk chair can easily

\n","terms":{"category":[{"slug":"health","ID":2,"count":2032,"parent":null,"link":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/category/health/","description":"","meta":{"links":{"self":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/taxonomies/category/terms/2","collection":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/taxonomies/category/terms"}},"name":"Health","taxonomy":"category"}],"post_tag":[{"slug":"featured","ID":70,"count":2308,"parent":null,"link":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/tag/featured/","description":"","meta":{"links":{"self":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/taxonomies/post_tag/terms/70","collection":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/taxonomies/post_tag/terms"}},"name":"featured","taxonomy":"post_tag"},{"slug":"how-to-alleviate-back-pain","ID":73542,"count":1,"parent":null,"link":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/tag/how-to-alleviate-back-pain/","description":"","meta":{"links":{"self":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/taxonomies/post_tag/terms/73542","collection":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/taxonomies/post_tag/terms"}},"name":"how to alleviate back pain","taxonomy":"post_tag"},{"slug":"how-to-cure-back-pain","ID":73543,"count":1,"parent":null,"link":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/tag/how-to-cure-back-pain/","description":"","meta":{"links":{"self":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/taxonomies/post_tag/terms/73543","collection":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/taxonomies/post_tag/terms"}},"name":"how to cure back pain","taxonomy":"post_tag"},{"slug":"sitting-on-a-chair-and-back-pain","ID":73540,"count":1,"parent":null,"link":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/tag/sitting-on-a-chair-and-back-pain/","description":"","meta":{"links":{"self":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/taxonomies/post_tag/terms/73540","collection":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/taxonomies/post_tag/terms"}},"name":"sitting on a chair and back pain","taxonomy":"post_tag"},{"slug":"sitting-on-the-floor-and-back-pain","ID":73541,"count":1,"parent":null,"link":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/tag/sitting-on-the-floor-and-back-pain/","description":"","meta":{"links":{"self":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/taxonomies/post_tag/terms/73541","collection":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/taxonomies/post_tag/terms"}},"name":"sitting on the floor and back pain","taxonomy":"post_tag"}]},"parent":null,"password":"","format":"standard","date_tz":"UTC","author":{"username":"vsimpson","description":"","URL":"","last_name":"Simpson","registered":"2015-06-26T18:03:33+00:00","nickname":"vsimpson","avatar":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/aba76f5c3ff99a95cd18b7bb019f14f6?s=96","slug":"vsimpson","ID":34,"first_name":"Victoria","name":"Victoria Simpson","meta":{"links":{"self":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/users/34","archives":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/users/34/posts"}}},"type":"post","featured_image":{"excerpt":"

A man sits at a desk and holds his lower back in pain. Facebook Comments

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$\"Sitting$

A man sits at a desk and holds his lower back in pain.

\r\n\t\tFacebook Comments\r\n\t\t

","guid":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/back-pain.jpg","source":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/back-pain.jpg","title":"back pain","modified_tz":"UTC"},"modified_gmt":"2023-01-30T22:41:11","sticky":false,"link":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/how-sitting-on-the-floor-helps-solve-lower-back-pain/","meta":{"links":{"replies":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/posts/198361/comments","version-history":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/posts/198361/revisions","self":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/posts/198361","author":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/users/34","collection":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/posts"}},"ping_status":"closed","menu_order":0,"modified":"2023-01-30T22:41:11","comment_status":"closed","date_gmt":"2023-02-03T09:00:40","slug":"how-sitting-on-the-floor-helps-solve-lower-back-pain","ID":198361,"status":"publish","date":"2023-02-03T09:00:40","content":"

Sitting on the floor is considered by some experts to be a natural position that promotes strength, flexibility, and wellness.

Millions of people in the US suffer from back pain each day. In fact, back pain is so prevalent, the condition is estimated to cost the American economy hundreds of billions of dollars each year in healthcare costs. Yes, billions of dollars!

For some people the cause of their back pain remains elusive but many can trace it to their daily routine. Spending the majority of your waking hours sitting at a computer in a lousy desk chair can easily cause your lower back to seize up. What’s the solution? Some experts are saying it’s getting out of it and returning to a childlike position.

Sitting on the floor might help your back act as nature intended

When you sit on a surface that’s cushioned, you often don’t maintain your spine in a static position for very long. Some experts are now saying sitting crossed-legged on the floor helps you better keep your spine in its natural position.

Sitting with your legs crossed stretches your hips out, as well as your legs and pelvis. This sitting position is used by people in many cultures around the world from Turkey to Korea, Japan, and beyond, and can even be found in yoga’s vast lexicon of bodily contortions. When you sit cross-legged on the floor, you may also help improve your lower-back strength and thereby help reduce your chances of developing continual back pain over time.

How chairs cause problems

Your chair may seem to be an innocent piece of mundane office equipment but don’t be fooled. This furniture isn’t to be underestimated!

According to some research, the lumbar lordosis, that spot just above your bum that curves inwards, gets flattened a bit when you sit in a chair. This can in turn cause problems.

This being said, when you sit on the floor experts say it’s important that you sit with something called a lordotic lumbar curve. In other words, don’t slouch and make sure you sit up straight.

The key to good sitting

Whether you sit on the floor, the countertop, or in a chair, the key is to change things up often. Don’t sit for hours on end, (even if your shows are amazing or you have endless days of work to complete). Get up every twenty minutes or so and move around. Change your sitting position to give new parts of your body a rest and to keep your blood flowing. Stretch things out so you don’t get too stiff.

Experts recommend you go for a five-minute stroll every half hour to avoid too much sedentary time.

And remember to get your recommended 30 minutes of cardio exercise per day, as this can make a big difference. (Is your neck seizing up from too much screen time? Go for a jog!)

For more on this topic and all types of sitting advice, click here.

photo credits: Africa Studio/Shutterstock.com

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","guid":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/?p=198361","title":"How Sitting on the Floor Helps Solve Lower Back Pain","modified_tz":"UTC"},{"excerpt":"

Be prepared before potential infection strikes. If you are a senior, and particularly someone living with an underlying condition, you have probably already heard of Paxlovid. This is the oral antiviral drug therapy that consists of two separate medications that work together during the first few days of being infected with COVID-19. Paxlovid can potentially reduce your chances of suffering from a serious or life-threatening case of COVID. How can you access it and when should you take it? Here’s a look. When to Access Paxlovid Health experts advise you take Paxlovid within the first five days of testing positive

\n","terms":{"category":[{"slug":"coronavirus","ID":71995,"count":334,"parent":{"slug":"health","ID":2,"count":2032,"parent":null,"link":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/category/health/","description":"","meta":{"links":{"self":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/taxonomies/category/terms/2","collection":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/taxonomies/category/terms"}},"name":"Health","taxonomy":"category"},"link":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/category/health/coronavirus/","description":"","meta":{"links":{"self":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/taxonomies/category/terms/71995","collection":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/taxonomies/category/terms"}},"name":"Coronavirus","taxonomy":"category"},{"slug":"health","ID":2,"count":2032,"parent":null,"link":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/category/health/","description":"","meta":{"links":{"self":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/taxonomies/category/terms/2","collection":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/taxonomies/category/terms"}},"name":"Health","taxonomy":"category"},{"slug":"seniors-health","ID":60233,"count":229,"parent":{"slug":"health","ID":2,"count":2032,"parent":null,"link":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/category/health/","description":"","meta":{"links":{"self":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/taxonomies/category/terms/2","collection":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/taxonomies/category/terms"}},"name":"Health","taxonomy":"category"},"link":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/category/health/seniors-health/","description":"","meta":{"links":{"self":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/taxonomies/category/terms/60233","collection":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/taxonomies/category/terms"}},"name":"Senior's Health","taxonomy":"category"}],"post_tag":[{"slug":"featured","ID":70,"count":2308,"parent":null,"link":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/tag/featured/","description":"","meta":{"links":{"self":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/taxonomies/post_tag/terms/70","collection":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/taxonomies/post_tag/terms"}},"name":"featured","taxonomy":"post_tag"},{"slug":"how-to-take-paxlovid","ID":73539,"count":1,"parent":null,"link":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/tag/how-to-take-paxlovid/","description":"","meta":{"links":{"self":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/taxonomies/post_tag/terms/73539","collection":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/taxonomies/post_tag/terms"}},"name":"how to take Paxlovid","taxonomy":"post_tag"},{"slug":"paxlovid","ID":73154,"count":2,"parent":null,"link":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/tag/paxlovid/","description":"","meta":{"links":{"self":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/taxonomies/post_tag/terms/73154","collection":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/taxonomies/post_tag/terms"}},"name":"Paxlovid","taxonomy":"post_tag"},{"slug":"paxlovid-and-seniors","ID":73537,"count":1,"parent":null,"link":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/tag/paxlovid-and-seniors/","description":"","meta":{"links":{"self":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/taxonomies/post_tag/terms/73537","collection":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/taxonomies/post_tag/terms"}},"name":"Paxlovid and seniors","taxonomy":"post_tag"},{"slug":"seniors-and-covid","ID":73538,"count":1,"parent":null,"link":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/tag/seniors-and-covid/","description":"","meta":{"links":{"self":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/taxonomies/post_tag/terms/73538","collection":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/taxonomies/post_tag/terms"}},"name":"Seniors and COVID","taxonomy":"post_tag"}]},"parent":null,"password":"","format":"standard","date_tz":"UTC","author":{"username":"vsimpson","description":"","URL":"","last_name":"Simpson","registered":"2015-06-26T18:03:33+00:00","nickname":"vsimpson","avatar":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/aba76f5c3ff99a95cd18b7bb019f14f6?s=96","slug":"vsimpson","ID":34,"first_name":"Victoria","name":"Victoria Simpson","meta":{"links":{"self":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/users/34","archives":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/users/34/posts"}}},"type":"post","featured_image":{"excerpt":"

Paxlovid is a drug from Pfizer that may prevent people from severe COVID-19 if taken early on. Facebook Comments

\n","terms":[],"parent":196361,"password":"","format":"standard","date_tz":"UTC","author":{"username":"vsimpson","description":"","URL":"","last_name":"Simpson","registered":"2015-06-26T18:03:33+00:00","nickname":"vsimpson","avatar":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/aba76f5c3ff99a95cd18b7bb019f14f6?s=96","slug":"vsimpson","ID":34,"first_name":"Victoria","name":"Victoria Simpson","meta":{"links":{"self":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/users/34","archives":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/users/34/posts"}}},"type":"attachment","is_image":true,"modified_gmt":"2021-12-22T16:17:05","sticky":false,"link":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/pfizer-paxlovid-covid-medication-how-it-works/newyorkusa-08november2020-conceptofantiviral/","meta":{"links":{"collection":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/media","replies":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/media/196388/comments","version-history":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/media/196388/revisions","self":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/media/196388","author":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/users/34","up":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/media/196361"}},"ping_status":"closed","menu_order":0,"modified":"2021-12-22T16:17:05","attachment_meta":{"height":657,"sizes":{"thumbnail":{"height":70,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","file":"paxlovid-70x70.jpg","width":70,"url":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/paxlovid-70x70.jpg"},"medium_large":{"height":505,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","file":"paxlovid-768x505.jpg","width":768,"url":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/paxlovid-768x505.jpg"},"medium":{"height":214,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","file":"paxlovid-326x214.jpg","width":326,"url":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/paxlovid-326x214.jpg"}},"file":"2021/12/paxlovid.jpg","width":1000,"image_meta":{"credit":"Shutterstock","aperture":"0","caption":"","copyright":"Copyright (c) 2021 vovidzha/Shutterstock. No use without permission.","shutter_speed":"0","created_timestamp":"0","focal_length":"0","orientation":"1","iso":"0","camera":"","title":"New,York,,Usa,-,08,November,2020.,Concept,Of,Antiviral","keywords":["antibiotic,pills,covid,medical,pharmaceutical,pandemic,kn95,pill"]}},"comment_status":"closed","date_gmt":"2021-12-22T16:16:16","slug":"newyorkusa-08november2020-conceptofantiviral","ID":196388,"status":"inherit","date":"2021-12-22T16:16:16","content":"

$\"Pfizer's$

Paxlovid is a drug from Pfizer that may prevent people from severe COVID-19 if taken early on.

\r\n\t\tFacebook Comments\r\n\t\t

","guid":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/paxlovid.jpg","source":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/paxlovid.jpg","title":"Paxlovid","modified_tz":"UTC"},"modified_gmt":"2023-02-01T14:05:15","sticky":false,"link":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/are-you-a-senior-what-you-should-know-about-paxlovid-and-covid/","meta":{"links":{"replies":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/posts/198348/comments","version-history":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/posts/198348/revisions","self":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/posts/198348","author":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/users/34","collection":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/posts"}},"ping_status":"closed","menu_order":0,"modified":"2023-02-01T14:05:15","comment_status":"closed","date_gmt":"2023-02-01T09:00:34","slug":"are-you-a-senior-what-you-should-know-about-paxlovid-and-covid","ID":198348,"status":"publish","date":"2023-02-01T09:00:34","content":"

Be prepared before potential infection strikes.

If you are a senior, and particularly someone living with an underlying condition, you have probably already heard of Paxlovid. This is the oral antiviral drug therapy that consists of two separate medications that work together during the first few days of being infected with COVID-19.

Paxlovid can potentially reduce your chances of suffering from a serious or life-threatening case of COVID. How can you access it and when should you take it? Here’s a look.

When to Access Paxlovid

Health experts advise you take Paxlovid within the first five days of testing positive for COVID-19. In the US, Paxlovid is recommended for adults and children over the age of 12 who weigh at least 88 pounds, have mild to moderate cases of the virus, and are more likely to become very sick when infected. After you’ve been sick for a while, Paxlovid ceases to be as effective. It works best in the initial stages of infection and isn’t something that will save the life of someone who has already fallen very sick with COVID-19 and has been hospitalized.

How Paxlovid Works

As an antiviral, Paxlovid works by targeting specific areas of the virus that causes COVID-19 and prevents it from multiplying rapidly within you. The drugs do this by inhibiting a specific enzyme. This can help prevent a dreaded cytokine storm from occurring in your body and stop widespread inflammation before it begins. This means you can potentially recover faster and avoid being hospitalized or dying from the virus.

Paxlovid therapy involves two medications, nirmatrelvir and ritonavir, taken twice daily for five days at home. There are three pills to take each time adding up to six pills a day.

Who is Paxlovid For?

As stated above, Paxlovid is an antiviral for people who are at risk of developing severe COVID. This treatment is for those who have tested positive and who are living with an underlying medical condition like cancer or obesity, or who are 65 or older.

Does Paxlovid Have Any Side Effects?

As with any medication, this one has possible side effects but many people are said to tolerate it well. According to Yale Medicine, these can include:

Nausea
Stomach pain
Aching muscles
Feeling unwell
Increase in blood pressure
Diarrhea
A change in your sense of taste

Serious side effects include:

A rash
Hives
Trouble breathing
Trouble swallowing
A tight throat
Swelling of your face, lips, and mouth

Stop taking Paxlovid immediately if you experience any of these symptoms and get medical help right away. You could be having a serious allergic reaction.

Experts advise it’s wise for seniors to develop a plan of what you’ll do if you catch COVID-19. Since it can be difficult at times to access a doctor exactly when you need one, it’s a good idea to talk with yours before you may fall sick.

Some people are on medication that can interact in dangerous ways with Paxlovid like certain blood thinners. Because of this, it’s essential to talk with your doctor about your plan and be ready to take the right course of action. Some might recommend you come off your blood thinner if you catch COVID so you can take Paxlovid, and others may not. In any case, if it can help, you may be able to obtain a prescription for Paxlovid to have on hand just in case you do test positive.

The pandemic has been declared over in the US but people continue to die from COVID -19 and seniors are particularly at risk. Protect your health. For more information on this topic click here.

photo credits: vovidzha/Shutterstock.com

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","guid":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/?p=198348","title":"Are you a senior? What you should know about Paxlovid and COVID","modified_tz":"UTC"},{"excerpt":"

In an unexpected twist, trauma may increase empathy and civic engagement. Do you know someone who recycles their plastic forks, (or flat-out refuses to use them), buys all their clothing used and doesn’t own a car? They aren’t just picky or poor. These friends, family members, and acquaintances are often environmental advocates. They are strong believers in living right to save the planet and they exist in altruistic ways for the benefit of future generations. It might seem like these people have the ability to see into the future with greater clarity than the rest of us. According to a

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a person hold dirt and plants in their hands against a green background in this image. Facebook Comments

\n","terms":[],"parent":198371,"password":"","format":"standard","date_tz":"UTC","author":{"username":"vsimpson","description":"","URL":"","last_name":"Simpson","registered":"2015-06-26T18:03:33+00:00","nickname":"vsimpson","avatar":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/aba76f5c3ff99a95cd18b7bb019f14f6?s=96","slug":"vsimpson","ID":34,"first_name":"Victoria","name":"Victoria Simpson","meta":{"links":{"self":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/users/34","archives":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/users/34/posts"}}},"type":"attachment","is_image":true,"modified_gmt":"2023-01-28T17:01:25","sticky":false,"link":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/childhood-trauma-linked-to-environmentalism-as-an-adult/handplantingtreeswithtechnologyofrenewableresourcestoreduce/","meta":{"links":{"collection":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/media","replies":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/media/198379/comments","version-history":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/media/198379/revisions","self":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/media/198379","author":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/users/34","up":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/media/198371"}},"ping_status":"closed","menu_order":0,"modified":"2023-01-28T17:01:25","attachment_meta":{"height":546,"sizes":{"thumbnail":{"height":70,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","file":"environmental-70x70.jpg","width":70,"url":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/environmental-70x70.jpg"},"medium_large":{"height":419,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","file":"environmental-768x419.jpg","width":768,"url":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/environmental-768x419.jpg"},"medium":{"height":197,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","file":"environmental-360x197.jpg","width":360,"url":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/environmental-360x197.jpg"}},"file":"2023/01/environmental.jpg","width":1000,"image_meta":{"credit":"Shutterstock","aperture":"0","caption":"","copyright":"Copyright (c) 2021 d.ee_angelo/Shutterstock. No use without permission.","shutter_speed":"0","created_timestamp":"0","focal_length":"0","orientation":"1","iso":"0","camera":"","title":"Hand,Planting,Trees,With,Technology,Of,Renewable,Resources,To,Reduce","keywords":["csr,achievement,criteria,friendly,pollution,artificial intelligence,eco,businessmen,growing,green factory,manufacturing,big data,energy,development,ecological,natural,investment,economy,creative,conservation,background,ethic,renewable,header,care,concept,icon,global,protection,agriculture,design,company,hand,carbon dioxide,green,business,cg,health,clean,leaf,environment,corporate,management,future,earth,esg,air pollution,growth,finance,governance"]}},"comment_status":"closed","date_gmt":"2023-01-28T17:00:36","slug":"handplantingtreeswithtechnologyofrenewableresourcestoreduce","ID":198379,"status":"inherit","date":"2023-01-28T17:00:36","content":"

$\"People$

a person hold dirt and plants in their hands against a green background in this image.

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","guid":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/environmental.jpg","source":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/environmental.jpg","title":"environmentalism","modified_tz":"UTC"},"modified_gmt":"2023-01-30T22:39:14","sticky":false,"link":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/childhood-trauma-linked-to-environmentalism-as-an-adult/","meta":{"links":{"replies":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/posts/198371/comments","version-history":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/posts/198371/revisions","self":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/posts/198371","author":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/users/34","collection":"https://www.ratemds.com/blog/wp-json/posts"}},"ping_status":"closed","menu_order":0,"modified":"2023-01-30T22:39:14","comment_status":"closed","date_gmt":"2023-01-30T22:38:42","slug":"childhood-trauma-linked-to-environmentalism-as-an-adult","ID":198371,"status":"publish","date":"2023-01-30T22:38:42","content":"

In an unexpected twist, trauma may increase empathy and civic engagement.

Do you know someone who recycles their plastic forks, (or flat-out refuses to use them), buys all their clothing used and doesn’t own a car? They aren’t just picky or poor. These friends, family members, and acquaintances are often environmental advocates. They are strong believers in living right to save the planet and they exist in altruistic ways for the benefit of future generations. It might seem like these people have the ability to see into the future with greater clarity than the rest of us. According to a new study, they also may be more likely to have experienced childhood trauma.

Public engagement and early experiences

A study done by researchers at the University of Colorado at Boulder surveyed 450 American adults. Their goal was to examine people who engage in civic causes and display “green behavior”. Civic engagement was measured in how many hours participants devoted to environmental protection causes each month. This included writing letters to officials and donating time and resources to organizations. Researchers also examined how people acted to benefit the environment in their private life by recycling and adopting other green habits and behaviors such as taking shorter showers.

It was found that people who had experienced childhood trauma were more likely to engage in both private green behavior and public environment engagement. It isn’t known why trauma at a young age can result in this but some researchers feel it may have to with developing a stronger sense of empathy.

“It suggests that there could be another way of looking at trauma,” said the study’s lead author Urooj Raja, who is now an assistant professor at Loyola University in Chicago.

Spending time in nature and traveling also made a difference

The study also showed that participants who had traveled as a child or spent regular time in nature were also more likely to engage in behavior that benefited the environment.

Only childhood trauma, however, made people significantly more likely to be associated with public, civic engagement.

“It emerged as a very powerful piece of why people wanted to and became engaged with environmental work,” said Raja.

Researchers in this study say many students and professionals working in environmental fields struggle with the demands of their work. They also deal with the life experiences that led them to their chosen profession.

“It’s emotionally intense and exhausting. You’re talking about a community of people that seem to be carrying other kinds of emotionally complex burdens,” noted Amanda Carrico. Carrico is co-author of the study and associate professor in the Department of Environmental Studies at CU Boulder.

The healing power of nature

Many people may be trying to save the environment, and while at it, nature is in turn healing them. According to an article on PsychologyToday.com, being in nature is a pathway to inner peace. Time spent in trees reduces our stress and calms an overactive mind. Being in nature can even reduce inflammation and stabilize your heart rate.

So, if you feel inspired, confront your inner trouble with a hike or a day on the beach. And join the local environmental group if you feel a calling to do so: you might find like-minded individuals with more in common than you think.

photo credits: d.ee_angelo/Shutterstock.com

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Dr. Mun-Ting Liu, MD

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