Discuss family health history at Thanksgiving dinner; the importance of post-meal walks; worse mental health during the holidays – Morning Medical Update

Happy National Family Health History Day—also known as Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day is a time for reconnecting with friends and family, sharing meals and stories—and asking important questions regarding family health history. The holiday is also recognized as Family Health History Day, a national call to raise awareness of inherited health risks. Read the full Mayo Clinic News Network article here.

A post-meal walk will leave you feeling less “stuffed”

The concept of post-meal walks has been around for centuries, and they’re a common practice in European culture. In an npr article, Loretta DiPietro, a professor of exercise and nutrition science at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, stresses the significance of going for a brief walk after Thanksgiving dinner (or any meal, for that matter), to improve digestion, rather than sitting back and watching TV. Check out the full story here.

A rise in mental health crises during the holidays

Around Thanksgiving, a holiday all about bringing people together and reconnecting, medical experts have reportedly seen an upsurge in mental health crises. Anjali Chandra, MD, a medical expert at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, has noted this upsurge in mental health cases, which she attributes to individuals who have experienced loss, or don’t have social connections, feeling increasingly sad and isolated when so much emphasis is placed on togetherness and family. Read more here.