KPFA - About Health

Have you ever felt awestruck? Maybe you were standing on a summit, looking over a vast mountain range. Perhaps you were overcome by the beauty of a song, poem, or scene in a movie. Maybe you were inspired by a speech or the kindness of another person. Such moments may be more special than any of us ever thought. That’s because, according to new research, experiencing awe can lead to a number of important mental and physical health benefits. Luckily, awe doesn’t have to be limited to unusual, dramatic occurrences. We can use simple techniques to nurture the daily experience of awe in our lives, leading to greater resilience and happiness. And, especially given the still-ongoing awful experiences of the past year, that’s something all of us can use a little more of. Host David B. Feldman interviews psychologist Dr. Jonah Paquette, author of Awestruck: How Embracing Wonder Can Make You Happier, Healthier, and More Connected.

The post 2/8/21 Experiencing Awe, Even When Times Seem Awful appeared first on KPFA.

The post 2/1/21 Type 2 Diabetes: A Model to Reduce Shame and Blame appeared first on KPFA.

According to the CDC, diabetes is a lot more common than most people think. About 1 in 10 adults in the United States have diabetes—that’s roughly 35 million people. And, a staggering 1 in 3 have pre-diabetes, even though most of them are unaware of it. So, is this episode, we talk about diabetes: What everyone should know about the condition, how to manage diabetes and stay healthy if you’ve been diagnosed with it, and how to prevent it, if you haven’t. Host David B. Feldman interviews Kimberly Ellis, Certified Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator, and expert in diabetes management.

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According to a 2016 CDC study, an estimated 50 million Americans are living with chronic pain, and almost 20 million report that it limits their life and work activities in significant ways. Many medications exist for pain—from over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen to stronger prescription medications. For many people, these work well and are an important part of their treatment. But, for many others, they aren’t as effective, and their pain continues. But, according to our guest today, there may still be hope. Whether we’re talking about headaches or other chronic pain conditions, because of neuroplasticity, new research shows that certain non-pharmacological techniques—often falling under the umbrella of cognitive-behavioral therapy—can help desensitize the brain’s pain circuits. Host David B. Feldman interviews Dr. Rachel Zoffness, pain psychologist and author of The Pain Management Workbook and The Chronic Pain and Illness Workbook for Teens.

The post 1/11/21 Coping with Chronic Pain appeared first on KPFA.