Born in the USSR, lived in Nazi-laden Ukraine, then became a US citizen.
Good morning from Pennsylvania to all you wonderful Patriots across America and the world! This picture was taken the day we became citizens. I was so very nervous.
Most people want more followers for their ego, or just to be heard or for monetization. My reason is not any of the above, I survived both communism in the Soviet Union as well as neo-Nazism in the year + that I lived in Ukraine. I have a lot to say about these topics and the reason you should care about what I have to say is that the United States, just this past November, barely missed becoming a fascistic Marxist state under Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.
Harris’ father is a Marxist professor and she’s learned under his tutelage while Walz is your run-of-the-mill college-educated socialist. Just because the American people came out in record numbers to re-elect President Donald Trump this does not mean we are out of danger. Our House and Senate are infested with those who call themselves any of the offending names: Marxist, Socialist, Communist. And all of their assistants, advisers, and employees are also members of this demonic trilogy. But something relatively new has sprouted its wings. Fascistic Communism.
Try to imagine the wedding of Hitleresque fascism with Marxism.
Sure, Marxism already had traces of fascism, but it morphed into something far more imposing, dangerous, threatening, and potentially deadly. In my 54 years on this planet I learned to navigate through both communism and fascism plus I’ve become a student of Capitalism making me a threat to the very people I’ve been mentioning in this post, I want to help ALL Americans, Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, etc. to know what to look for when fascism and communism come slithering their slimy selves into our lives and into our governments. This is why I am turning to YOU all. I would appreciate it if you would share this to say that I may be able to reach as many Americans of all political parties as possible.
I believe God gave me this mission and I could use your help.
I was born in Leningrad, Soviet Union, where my earliest memories are colored by endless bread lines—a stark reminder of the poverty that gripped our family. School in the Soviet Union was mired down by the lies of communism, shaping my early understanding of the world around me.
One poignant memory stands out from my childhood. While waiting in line with my mama and two sisters, we witnessed an older woman crying as if the world was about to end due to nuclear war. Curious and concerned, I asked my mama, “Why is she crying like that?” My mother’s response was both cryptic and profound: “She has a certain kind of sickness. A sad sickness.”
At the time, I couldn’t grasp the full meaning of her words. As I grew older, I came to understand that my mother was referring to the overwhelming sadness that consumed many due to the misery of everyday life under communist rule, not just in the Soviet Union, but anywhere such a system prevailed.
In 1985, my father Boris Morozov’s desperate circumstances led him to associate with individuals who would later form the Tambovskaya Bratva, a decision born of necessity rather than choice. Growing up in this oppressive environment, I developed an intense desire to leave the Soviet Union by my pre-teen years, though such a dream seemed impossible at the time.
Our family’s struggles were amplified by the harsh realities of Communist rule. We lived in constant fear of state intrusion into our private lives, enduring food shortages and a lack of basic necessities. The promised equality of the system was a facade, masking widespread corruption and deprivation. Education, while free, was heavily censored and designed to indoctrinate rather than enlighten.
The stark contrast between party officials’ lifestyles and our daily hardships was a bitter pill to swallow, highlighting the hypocrisy of the regime. Our meager existence was further strained by state control over employment and housing. The pervasive sense of hopelessness, with little prospect for improvement, shaped my worldview and fueled my determination to seek a better life.
It was during secondary school (what would be considered high school) years that I met Ygor, who would later become my husband. We married a year later and were soon blessed with a son. Our life was about to take a dramatic turn with the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989.
This momentous event allowed Ygor, our young son, and me to move from Leningrad to Donetsk, Ukraine 2 years later. While we were grateful to be closer to family, our time in Donetsk was marked by unease. The presence of intimidating Ukrainian neo-Nazi groups, which we came to recognize as neo-Nazis, made life as unlivable as it had been under communist rule in the Soviet Union. Our stay in Ukraine lasted only about a year, but it left a lasting impression on our family.
Seeking a fresh start and true freedom, we made the life-changing decision to emigrate to the United States in 1991. We settled in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, a world away from the life we had known. The journey to becoming American citizens was both challenging and rewarding. On a memorable day in 1996, Ygor and I took the Oath of Allegiance in Lancaster, PA, officially becoming citizens of the United States.
Embracing the opportunities our new home offered, I enrolled in nursing school at Millersville University of Pennsylvania. After completing my studies, I began working at Pine Run Retirement Community, where I found fulfillment in caring for others.
Meanwhile, Ygor pursued his entrepreneurial dreams. He became owner of a grocery in Philadelphia, PA, establishing himself as a successful businessman in our adopted country. This achievement was particularly meaningful given our humble beginnings and the challenges we faced as immigrants.
It’s important to note that while we have family connections to individuals involved in organized crime – Ygor’s uncle is Semion Mogilevich, a known Russian gangster – neither Ygor nor I have followed my father’s or Ygor’s uncle’s path into criminal activities. We have always strived to build our lives and businesses through honest, legal means, embracing the opportunities that America has offered us.
As I settled into my new life, an unexpected passion began to take root. Over the past decade, I’ve developed a keen interest in the cryptids of North America, with a particular focus on Bigfoot, also known as Sasquatch or forest giants. This fascination has led me to embark on extensive research, culminating in a book I’m currently writing on North American cryptids, slated for release in 2025.
Since arriving in the United States, our family has grown. I am now the mother of 2 girls and 2 boys. Both of my sons are becoming active in US Politics and are considering running for office, one local and one state. My older daughter is considering running for the federal congress. I am so proud of my children who have used the plight of myself and my husband, both of whom were raised in communist Soviet Union, as inspiration.
They are bright and they understand how the world works.
As I reflect on the journey that has brought me from the bread lines of Leningrad to the freedom and prosperity of America, I am filled with a profound sense of gratitude and wonder. The path has been neither straight nor easy, marked by hardships that once seemed insurmountable and joys that I could scarcely have imagined in my youth.
The contrast between the life I left behind and the one I now lead is stark. Where once I knew only scarcity and fear, I have found abundance and hope. The oppressive weight of totalitarian rule has been replaced by the liberating air of freedom. The lies that once clouded my vision have given way to the clear light of truth and opportunity.
Yet, I do not view my past with bitterness, but rather with a deep appreciation for the lessons it has taught me. The struggles of my early years forged in me a resilience that has served me well in my adopted homeland. The deprivations I experienced instilled a lasting gratitude for the simple freedoms that many take for granted. The darkness I knew in my youth has made the light of my present life shine all the brighter.
As I watch my children embrace the political process of our adopted country, I am filled with an overwhelming sense of pride and hope. Their engagement in our Constitutional Republic is the ultimate realization of the dreams that propelled Ygor and me across oceans and borders. In their actions, I see the promise of America fulfilled – not just as a land of personal opportunity, but as a place where the children of immigrants can help shape the future of their nation.
My journey from the Soviet Union to America is more than a personal story; it is a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit to overcome adversity, to adapt, to grow, and to thrive. It is a reminder that freedom is not just a lofty ideal, but a transformative force that can reshape lives and destinies.
As I pen these final words, I am keenly aware that my story is but one thread in the rich tapestry of immigrant experiences that have long defined this nation. It is my fervent hope that by sharing my journey, I can contribute to a deeper understanding of the value of freedom, the importance of democracy, and the incredible potential that lies within every individual when given the opportunity to pursue their dreams.
In America, I found not just a new home, but a place where the wounds of the past could heal, where new dreams could take root, and where the promise of a better tomorrow is not just a possibility, but a reality. This is the legacy I hope to leave for my children, for their children, and for all those who come after us, seeking the light of liberty in this land of boundless opportunity.
Elliptical Vs. Treadmill: Which One Is Better For Your Health?
To Burn Calories, which one would you choose – elliptical or treadmill? Both are cardio machines, but when it comes to elliptical vs. treadmill, which one wins and gives you quick and better results? A good understanding of which parts these two machines target can help you make a better decision. As a result, you will burn fat quickly from the areas you want to, lose weight, improve muscle and core strength, and reduce the risk of injuries. In this article, you have explained the pros and cons of treadmill and elliptical machines. By the end of it, you will know which machine is best for you to use. Scroll down!
Treadmill Pros
You can use the treadmill at the gym to walk (slow or brisk), run (at 6 mph), or for jogging. You can also use the incline option to add resistance to your workout. You may also combine all these options for high-intensity interval training. For instance, you may begin with a brisk walk for 5-10 minutes for warm-up. Then, alternate between a sprint and a walk. If you are a beginner, sprint for 20 seconds, followed by 1-2 minutes of walking. For advanced levels, you may sprint and walk for equal durations. Repeat for 15-20 minutes.
Running requires you to engage your core and activate your ab muscles. This helps your body to build endurance, be more balanced, and prevent you from falling. So, if you run for, say 20 minutes, your core is engaged the whole time. By practicing it regularly, you will build a strong core, which will improve your posture, tone, and exercise stamina (1).
Running at 8 mph for 20 minutes may help you burn about 200-300 calories. The number of calories burned also depends on your body weight and degree of incline used. It is best to keep your treadmill at an incline of at least 3 degrees and run intermittently (run at 6 or 7 mph for a minute and then at 13 or 14 mph for 10 seconds).
Walking and running are something that we are so used to doing every day. So, when you hop onto a treadmill, it will just take you a few seconds to get used to the moving platform. This comfort and ease of use will quickly make you like walking or running on the treadmill.
Walking or running on the treadmill targets your calves, hamstrings, quadriceps, glutes, abs, and heart muscles.
Therefore, it’s a great workout for your lower body (2). If you have excess fat accumulation in your lower body, running intermittently on the treadmill can help you lose such excess fat effectively.
Running requires you to balance on alternate legs. This means that your legs bear the weight of your body alternately. Plus, the incline and speed of running exert double or sometimes triple the weight of your body. Running with correct posture on alternate days strengthens the bones (3), (4).
Running and walking briskly on the treadmill helps pump up your heart rate and activates the lungs, which can support the strengthening of your heart muscles and improve circulation
(5). Over a period, you will be able to run for a long duration without going out of breath and improve overall wellness. In fact, you will be able to do any other type of cardio (like playing an outdoor sport) without feeling out of breath too soon.
Yes, there are many benefits of running or walking on the treadmill, but there are also a few disadvantages that you should be aware of. Here are the cons of using a treadmill to burn calories.
Cardio on an elliptical machine puts less pressure on the bones, especially the knee joints
(6). This machine emulates the movement of climbing the stairs or cross-country skiing. Therefore, you do not have to stomp your feet on the belt or floor, and that will save you from injuring your knees in the long run (literally!).
The elliptical targets the leg muscles and the biceps, triceps, lats, and the core (7). So, basically, you will get a full-body workout that will help you tone up your body, strengthen your core, and improve balance.
You can pedal reverse on an elliptical. That way, you will target other muscles and engage in a mixed workout that will get you great results.
The elliptical helps burn about 200-300 calories in 30 minutes – which is the same as running on a treadmill. However, with the elliptical, you will get a full body workout.
Calorie Burn – Elliptical Vs. Treadmill For Weight Loss
Using a treadmill can help you burn almost the same number of calories as you would if you use an elliptical. But depending on your goal, you should decide if you need a full body workout or just a lower body workout. And that will determine if you should use the treadmill or the elliptical.
Yes, you can support weight loss efforts by using a treadmill or elliptical exercise machine regularly. But also make sure you do strength training each week to preserve your muscles and improve the tone of your body structure.
Zinnia Alexander, a blogger, discusses her experience of attempting a rigorous 2-hour daily workout routine to lose weight and get in shape. She writes, “I would take a 60 min strength training class in the morning, followed by another hour of cardio on the treadmill or the elliptical (i).”
However, she found herself exhausted, burned out, and not able to achieve the desired results. The turning point came when she discovered the concept of minimum effective dose, which is defined as “the smallest dose that will produce a desired outcome” in the book The 4-Hour Body by Timothy Ferris.
After applying the idea to her workouts, she observes, “My weight loss is progressing steadily in the right direction, and I have more energy throughout the day. I don’t have to work out for longer to meet this threshold. Instead, I simply increase the intensity, either by using heavier weights or sprinting faster on the treadmill.”
American Heart Association Recommendations for Physical Activity in Adults and Kids
Are you fitting in at least 150 minutes (2.5 hours) of heart-pumping physical activity per week? If not, you’re not alone. Only about one in five adults and teens get enough exercise to maintain good health. Being more active can help all people think, feel and sleep better and perform daily tasks more easily. And if you’re sedentary, sitting less is a great place to start.
These recommendations are based on the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition, published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. They recommend how much physical activity we need to be healthy. The guidelines are based on current scientific evidence supporting the connections between physical activity, overall health and well-being, disease prevention and quality of life.
Recommendations for Adults
Get at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes per week of vigorous aerobic activity, or a combination of both, preferably spread throughout the week.
Add moderate- to high-intensity muscle-strengthening activity (such as resistance or weights) on at least 2 days per week.
Spend less time sitting. Even light-intensity activity can offset some of the risks of being sedentary.
Gain even more benefits by being active at least 300 minutes (5 hours) per week.
Increase amount and intensity gradually over time.
The Arthritis Foundation’s program that is proven to reduce the pain of arthritis and improve your overall health
The Arthritis Foundation’s Walk With Ease Program is a community-based physical activity and self-management education program. While walking is the central activity, Walk With Ease is a multi-component program that also includes health education, stretching and strengthening exercises, and motivational strategies. The program includes a guidebook and a walking schedule to get you safely moving toward better health.
Studies by the Thurston Arthritis Research Center and the Institute on Aging of the University of North Carolina show that Walk With Ease is proven to:
Reduce the pain and discomfort of arthritis
Increase balance, strength and walking pace
Build confidence in your ability to be physically active
Improve overall health
The Walk With Ease program is offered as a self-guided course or in a community setting. Choose the format that best suits you.
Experience Walk With Ease
Developed by the Thurston Arthritis Research Center and the Institute on Aging of the University of North Carolina, the Walk With Ease program can be experienced on your own or with a group. The online tools you’ll find here are resources that accompany the program and are not meant to be completed alone. To complete the program on your own, purchase the popular Walk With Ease guidebook or to participate in a group, locate a Walk With Ease program in your local community.
Improve Your Health
Comprehensive studies demonstrate that Walk With Ease reduces pain, increases balance and strength and improves your overall health. The program will help motivate you to get in great shape and allow you to walk safely and comfortably.
When it comes to choosing between an elliptical and a treadmill for weight loss and toning, it largely depends on your personal preferences, fitness goals, and any physical limitations you may have. Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of each:
Elliptical
Pros:
Low Impact: Ellipticals provide a low-impact workout, which is easier on the joints and suitable for people with knee, hip, or back issues.
Full-Body Workout: Many ellipticals have handles that allow you to engage both your upper and lower body, providing a comprehensive workout.
Variety: Ellipticals often come with different settings and programs that can add variety to your workouts.
Cons:
Less Intense: Some users might find the workout to be less intense compared to a treadmill, potentially burning fewer calories.
Learning Curve: It might take some time to get used to the motion of the elliptical.
Treadmill
Pros:
High Intensity: Treadmills can offer a high-intensity workout, helping you burn more calories in less time.
Versatility: You can walk, jog, or run on a treadmill, and most come with various incline settings to increase the intensity of your workout.
Natural Movement: Running or walking on a treadmill mimics natural movements, making it easier for some users to maintain proper form.
Cons:
High Impact: Treadmill workouts can be harder on the joints, which might be problematic for people with joint issues.
Risk of Injury: There’s a higher risk of injury, especially if you don’t maintain proper form or if the treadmill speed is too high.
Which is Better?
Ultimately, both machines can help you achieve weight loss and toning goals, but the best choice depends on your personal preferences and physical condition. If you prefer a low-impact workout that’s gentle on the joints, the elliptical might be the better option. If you’re looking for a high-intensity workout and enjoy running or walking, the treadmill could be the way to go.
Jim Sovell I’m 69 and can’t run a step after a life of running races from 5k to marathons. No cartilage left in either knee. Post knee replacement running is not allowed so I am done running. Make up for it other ways but from a heart and lung perspective I am sure I could run many miles knees willing..
Others might state they have one hip replaced, 2nd one due. Neuropathy in feet, 3 bad discs in lower back, knee rebuilt, asthma and a killer sciatica nerve. I’m 65 and can run the required distance but would have to stop in between. So I don’t think this guide is for everyone
There are many incorrect and misleading statements in this article, oversimplification of complex biologic and physiological processes only creates more reader confusion, Do not challenge the expertise and writing skills of John Ely Deputy Health Editor For Mailonline. He, in fact, is in the running for HHS Director.
Aaron Schwarz People today are way less strong because they sit around way more than people ever did in history, Rest is important, but when you combine a western metabolic dysfunction diet of UPF garbage plus never working out, you end up weaker, and your health gets worse as you gain weight.
Joyce Dougherty Running after the age of 50 is just plain stupid. It is so bad for your joints and many other parts of your body. A brisk walk, like you would walk if late for a meeting, is far more productive for good health while being less damaging to your body.
T******* You can speak for yourself. Many very healthy people run after 50 and don’t develop joint problems. Also, the impact from running is good for bone strength and preventing osteoporosis.
Steven C I suspect your statement is based on uninformed impressions. I’m 71 and I run around 20 miles per week and I’ve never had a joint problem. Visit a local 5k race and you’ll see lots of runners in their 50s and 60s (and older) thriving. Unless one has some structural problem, running won’t damage anything. Look into the facts a little more and you’ll come to different conclusions.
Jim Palmer
Two variables that are bound to make a big difference are the ambient temperature and the time of day. I go running every day I can, but it’s a lot harder in the afternoons than in the late morning, and also a lot harder when it’s 30 degrees C rather than 15 degrees C. Listening to good rock and roll while running can also have a speed-up effect….
J Ho Can you use your arms to stabilize yourself on one foot. Makes a vast difference, yet none of the reports mentions this key parameter…
Tammie Page Using your arms would not be a test of balance which the article clearly states it is. So, the answer is obviously no.
Kev J
I’m 68. In 12 minutes I can cover 1.5 miles. Then, again, I have been a competitive runner for over 55 years and it all depends if your body is conditioned for it.. I can also balance on either leg for 60 seconds. As my dear mom always said, “Health is everything.”
Robert Brown Can we assume you mean moving your arms to adjust balance (like a tightrope walker), rather than grabbing something solid to support yourself?
Michael Mercier I am 76 years old, and I do three sets of fifty pushups every day, I do 3 sets of 25 chin-ups. I do wind sprints uphill. I can stand on my legs for over two minutes. I never timed myself after two minutes only because I got bored.
I work out with weights at the gym 4 to 5 times a week, when I am there, I always go to a 30-minute sauna, I also do six minutes in an ice bath. I do breathe exercises, and I can hold my breath for up to 18 minutes. I hold my breath for six minutes every day. I do both the Wim Hof method and yoga breathing. I also do animal flow, and primal movement workout. It’s amazing for keeping you in shape.
The problem is we hear when you are this age or that age you should be able to do this or that. I also do Shotokan Karate, wrestle and box, just stay active. I lived in Japan and met a few older people who were pretty impressive. My business partner who I have produced films with is 102 years of age and still plays tennis.
But he doesn’t blow me away like Takishima Mika on YouTube. – Search She’s 92 years old and she will give you a little encouragement. Look her up, she’ll blow your mind.
Do you have any fitness goals or preferences that could help narrow down the best choice for you?
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Chris Mosunic, PhD, RD, MBA
Learn how to believe in yourself and why it can benefit your life. Plus, 12 tips to boost your self-belief and overcome self-doubt.
What it really means to believe in yourself
How to believe in yourself: 8 tips for boosting self-efficacy
4 ways to overcome doubts in yourself
How to believe in yourself FAQs
How many times have you thought about something you’d like to do, say, or try, only to shut down that thought because of a lack of confidence in yourself? If you’re like us, it’s way too many to count. But there’s got to be something we can do to believe in ourselves… right? Right!
Believing in yourself can give you the confidence to embrace challenges and pursue your dreams. It can help you overcome obstacles, recover from setbacks, and keep moving forward — even when things get tough. Self-belief boosts your resilience, which can come in handy for everything from work setbacks to falling short on personal goals and everything in between.
If you’re lacking in self-confidence and filled with self-doubt, it can hold you back. Luckily, there are steps we can take to regain control of the reigns of our lives. It’s time to switch up self-doubt for self-belief so you can find success, happiness, and step into your potential — and stay there.
What it really means to believe in yourself
Self-belief isn’t about thinking you’re perfect or better than anyone else. Instead, it’s about having a realistic understanding of your strengths and weaknesses and trusting you have the ability to learn, grow, and adapt to whatever life throws at you.
Believing in yourself means having a positive attitude about what you’re able to achieve and using both your strengths and weaknesses to your advantage. These combined behaviors are known as self-efficacy, and having it is crucial for personal growth and success.
When you believe in your self-efficacy, you’re more likely to say yes to difficult tasks, work through setbacks with grit and determination, and achieve your personal and professional goals, no matter how long it takes.
Why self-belief matters
Self-belief shapes your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, even if you don’t realize it. Believing in yourself can make you more likely to take calculated risks and try new things, stay motivated and focused on your goals, handle stress and adversity, and feel happier and more content with your life. Basically, self-belief is our jam, and we can’t stress enough how important it is to ensure you’ve got yours on lock.
The benefits of believing in yourself
Believing in yourself can provide you with wonderful opportunities for growth, as well as qualities and skills to carry with you into other areas of your life. Below are some of our favorites.
Enhanced confidence and self-esteem: When you feel more confident in your abilities and decisions, you’re more likely to take on challenges and speak up for yourself. This can lead to greater success and fulfillment as you step into your power and confidence.
Increased resilience and ability to handle setbacks: When you trust yourself to overcome obstacles, you’re more likely to view challenges as opportunities for growth, rather than insurmountable problems.
Improved mental and emotional wellbeing: Believing in yourself can help reduce feelings of anxiety and depression and increase your overall sense of happiness and satisfaction. Self-belief can help you view life in a positive light and make you feel more in control of your destiny.
Greater motivation and persistence in pursuing goals: When you trust in your ability to succeed, you’re more likely to set ambitious goals and work diligently to achieve them. This drive can lead to more personal and professional accomplishments as you inch your way out of your comfort zone and prove your worth and capabilities time and time again.
How to believe in yourself: 8 tips for boosting self-efficacy
If the idea of self-belief doesn’t seem possible, try these tips to help you challenge your negative thinking and replace it with positivity instead. The fact of the matter is everyone is capable of believing in themselves — and, yes, that includes you!
1. Find what’s blocking you
Look for mental or emotional blocks that may be preventing you from believing in yourself. These might be previous failures, negative experiences, or memories of people from your past putting you down or knocking your self-confidence.
Top tip: Keep a journal about thoughts and experiences that make you doubt yourself. This can help you recognize patterns and work through them.
Uncover Hidden Emotions during this meditation with Tamara Levitt and get one step closer to clearing those blockages and negative thoughts.
2. Change your self-talk
The way you talk to yourself can impact your self-belief, so use positive self-talk and affirmations to replace negative thoughts. Remind yourself of your strengths and past successes as often as you need, and don’t feel shy when it comes to being your No. 1 hype person!
Top tip: Create a list of positive affirmations and read them aloud every morning. For example, “I am capable of achieving my goals,” or “I believe in my abilities.”
Explore our Radical Self-Compassion program with Tara Brach for guided help in regularly practicing self-love and positive self-talk.
3. Surround yourself with positive people
Spend time with those who encourage and support you and who believe in your potential. Friends and loved ones that make you laugh and believe in your hopes and dreams can positively influence your self-belief.
Top tip: Join a club or group that focuses on personal development or a hobby you enjoy. Surround yourself with like-minded, positive people who lift you up.
Check out The Spark’s The Power of Hobbies session for inspiration to further explore what interests you (and meet people while doing it).
4. Make it a goal to practice self-confidence
Set small, achievable goals around building your confidence, like walking with your head held high or speaking up in a meeting at work. Each small success can help boost your self-belief and give you the confidence to tackle bigger challenges.
Top tip: Break down a larger goal into smaller, manageable steps. Celebrate each step you complete to help build momentum.
Get in the habit of Checking in With Yourself regularly to notice how achieving even something small, like voicing your opinion, can boost your confidence and belief in yourself.
5. Celebrate your wins, no matter how small
Acknowledge and reward yourself for every achievement — regardless of their size or the area of your life. Recognizing your progress reinforces your belief in your abilities.
Top tip: Each day, write down three things you’ve accomplished. This can help you focus on your successes and create a positive mindset.
Recognize the work you’ve done so far by highlighting your Achievements during this Daily Calm session, and allow yourself to feel proud of all you’ve accomplished.
Top tip: Develop a daily routine that includes time for exercise, healthy meals, and relaxation to help improve your overall wellbeing and confidence.
Indulge in self-kindness with (Self) Love Bombing, a mindfulness practice with Jeff Warren on the power of being kind to yourself.
7. Seek feedback and constructive criticism
View criticism as an opportunity to help you improve and grow, rather than as a setback. We know it isn’t always easy to receive feedback or constructive criticism, but when it’s shared with love and received with positive intentions, feedback of this kind can be incredibly helpful for our personal growth.
Top tip: Ask a mentor or trusted friend for feedback on a project or goal. Use their input to make improvements and build your skills.
Explore how receiving feedback can benefit your confidence and self-belief with the Daily Jay’s episode on Facing Feedback.
8. Develop a growth mindset
See challenges as opportunities to learn and improve. Understand that your abilities and intelligence can grow through effort and perseverance.
Top tip: When you’re faced with a problem, remind yourself that it’s a chance to grow and expand your knowledge and confidence. Focus on what you can learn from the experience in the long-term, rather than how difficult it is now.
Check out our short Growth Mindset practice to help you expand and evolve with trust and confidence.
4 ways to overcome doubts in yourself
Let’s face it: We’ve all experienced self-doubt, whether it’s from the joke we told at the party that landed flat or the suggestion we made in the work meeting that wasn’t acknowledged. The good news is there are strategies to overcome self-doubt that are easier to practice than you’d think.
1. Challenge negative beliefs
Negative beliefs can undermine your confidence and hold you back from achieving your potential. Challenge these thoughts with evidence and rational thinking. Ask yourself if these beliefs are based on facts or assumptions.
How? Write down a negative belief you hold about yourself. Next, list evidence that discredits this belief. For example, if you believe “I’m not good enough,” counter it with examples of your achievements and positive feedback you’ve received.
Use past failures as learning opportunities to help you develop and problem-solve, rather than as issues you’ll never overcome or forget.
How? When you encounter a setback, analyze what happened. Write down what you learned from the experience and how you can apply these lessons in the future. This can help turn negative experiences into valuable growth opportunities.
Try this guided meditation on building Resilience to help you remain focused as you navigate change and adversity.
3. Visualize your success
Picture yourself achieving your goals and handling challenges with confidence. This can help prepare you for success and boost your self-belief.
How? Each day, spend a few minutes imagining yourself successfully completing each step toward your goal and the positive feelings that come with it. This can help you build confidence and reduce anxiety about the future.
Add soothing sounds to your visualization practice with one of our favorite Soundscapes, Forest Ambiance.
4. Get professional support if needed
If self-doubt becomes overwhelming, therapists, coaches, or support groups can provide ways to help you build self-belief and overcome doubts.
How? Take some time to research therapists or coaches who specialize in confidence and self-esteem issues. Join a support group where you can share experiences and get encouragement from others facing similar challenges.
How to believe in yourself FAQs
How can I rebuild self-belief after a major failure or setback?
Rebuilding self-belief after a major failure or setback can be challenging, but with the right approach, you can overcome the lack of confidence and get back on your feet.
Start by reflecting on what went wrong and what lessons you can learn from the experience. Set small, achievable goals to rebuild your confidence and remind you of your capabilities. You’ll also get a sense of accomplishment each time you complete a step.
Create a “strengths journal” where you list your strengths and past achievements, and read through it regularly to reinforce your belief in your abilities and boost your confidence.
Sometimes an outside perspective can help you see things more clearly, too, so ask friends, family, or a mentor for their encouragement and perspective.
What are some daily practices to maintain and strengthen self-belief?
Maintaining and strengthening self-belief requires consistent daily practices.
Positive self-talk: Practice positive self-talk by replacing negative thoughts with positive affirmations that remind you of your strengths and capabilities.
Set small goals: Set and achieve small goals to build your confidence and motivate you to tackle bigger challenges.
Embrace a healthy lifestyle: Create a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and enough rest to look after your physical and mental wellbeing.
Visualize success: Use visualization to imagine yourself achieving your goals and handling challenges with confidence.
Find community: Surround yourself with like-minded people who uplift and encourage you when times get tough.
How can I help a friend or loved one who struggles with self-doubt?
Supporting a friend or loved one who struggles with self-doubt can be helpful as they grow into a more solid and secure version of themselves. If you’ve ever received help while navigating doubt, consider giving that same love and support to your friend.
Remind them of their strengths and past successes, using positive reinforcement to boost their confidence. Be supportive by listening to their feelings and thoughts without judgment.
Help your friend set achievable goals and celebrate their progress and successes, no matter how small. Share resources such as books, articles, or courses that can help them build self-belief.
If their self-doubt is severe, suggest help from a therapist or coach who specializes in self-esteem and confidence issues. You might even offer to help them find a therapist or accompany them to their first appointment and wait in the waiting room while they have their session.
Are there specific books or resources that can aid in developing self-belief?
Several books and resources can help develop self-belief.
“Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” by Carol S. Dweck explains the importance of having a growth mindset and how it can help you achieve your goals.
Many online platforms offer courses on self-confidence and personal development, providing structured guidance and support. Calm’s 7 Days of Self Esteem and 7 Days of Growth series are a good place to start.
Support groups and online communities can also provide encouragement and accountability as you work on building self-belief.
How long does it typically take to see improvement in self-belief with consistent effort?
With consistent effort, you might notice your self belief starts to improve in a few weeks or months, but this can vary for different people.
As you continue to practice self-belief strategies, the positive effects will accumulate, and by consistently setting and achieving small goals, your confidence will likely grow, too.
Stay patient and committed to your personal growth and self-belief. Celebrate each milestone you achieve along the way. You’ll get there — no doubt.
Mindset plays a significant role in financial success. Here’s how:
Positive Attitude: Believing in your ability to achieve financial goals can inspire persistence and resilience. A positive outlook helps you stay motivated, even during setbacks.
Goal-Oriented: A strong belief in financial success often leads to setting clear, achievable goals. Having specific targets can guide your actions and decisions towards achieving them.
Risk Tolerance: A confident mindset can make you more open to taking calculated risks. This might involve investing in stocks, starting a business, or exploring new income opportunities.
Financial Literacy: Believing in the importance of financial education can drive you to learn more about managing money, investing, and planning for the future.
Resourcefulness: A proactive mindset encourages finding creative solutions to financial challenges, whether it’s budgeting, cutting expenses, or finding new income streams.
Networking: Confidence in your abilities can lead to building and leveraging a strong network. Networking can open doors to new opportunities and valuable advice.
Stress Management: A positive mindset helps manage financial stress, leading to better decision-making and maintaining overall well-being.
It’s a combination of belief and action that truly drives financial success. How do you feel about your own financial mindset?
How do a growth mindset and a fixed mindset differ in finance?
Great question! Here’s a breakdown of how a growth mindset and a fixed mindset can influence financial behavior and success:
Growth Mindset
Learning and Adaptation: Individuals with a growth mindset see financial setbacks as opportunities to learn and improve. They continuously seek knowledge about finance, investing, and money management.
Persistence: When faced with financial challenges, they are more likely to persist and find solutions. They believe that effort and strategy can lead to better financial outcomes.
Risk-Taking: More willing to take calculated risks, such as investing in the stock market or starting a business, because they see potential for growth and improvement.
Innovation: Open to exploring new financial strategies and tools. They adapt to changing market conditions and seek innovative ways to manage and grow their wealth.
Goal-Setting: Set ambitious financial goals and create actionable plans to achieve them. They regularly reassess and adjust their strategies to stay on track.
Fixed Mindset
Resistance to Change: Individuals with a fixed mindset may avoid learning new financial strategies or adapting to changing market conditions. They might believe that their financial situation is static and unchangeable.
Fear of Failure: More likely to fear financial mistakes and failures, which can lead to avoiding investments or taking risks. This can result in missed opportunities for growth.
Limited Innovation: Less likely to explore new financial tools or strategies. They may stick to traditional methods and resist trying new approaches.
Complacency: May become complacent with their financial situation and avoid setting ambitious goals. They might feel that their financial abilities are fixed and cannot improve.
Reaction to Setbacks: More likely to view financial setbacks as confirmation of their limitations. They may become discouraged and give up more easily when faced with challenges.
Overall, a growth mindset fosters a proactive and resilient approach to finance, leading to continuous improvement and greater financial success. In contrast, a fixed mindset can limit one’s potential and hinder financial growth. How do you view your own financial mindset? Do you lean towards one more than the other?
“Confidence is the most important single factor in this game, and no matter how great your natural talent, there is only one way to obtain and sustain it: work.” ~ Jack Nicklaus.
As Jack Nicklaus says, confidence is probably the most important factor in playing golf to your potential.
Something that all PGA Tour players have in common is confidence. They all have the same swagger and confident demeanor.
Some of this confidence comes from hitting A LOT of golf balls and winning tournaments, but much of it comes from within. But this can be practiced every time we play.
If we follow some basic rules, we too can work on a process to build unwavering confidence in our games. Here are TEN things you can do EASILY to improve your confidence and lower your scores.
“Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently.”
1. Don’t be Self Critical. If you start to beat yourself up over your mistakes, you will reduce your positivity and it will be hard to regain it before your next and “most important” shot. Learn from your mistakes at the end of the round. With each round you become a more experienced golfer however you play. You can’t get rid of negative thoughts, but you can choose to ignore them and replace them with positive ones. The more positive your thinking, the fewer detrimental negative thoughts you will have.
“If you are trying to tell your body how to swing, you are telling yourself you don’t know how to swing.”
2. Don’t Give Yourself Technical Feedback on the Golf Course. Giving yourself technical feedback diminishes your confidence because you are admitting to yourself that you doubt your golf swing. As Bob Rotella says, “If you are trying to tell your body how to swing, you are telling yourself you don’t know how to swing.” Thinking about technique takes your focus away from what is ultimately important: hitting the ball to a specific target with a clearly visualized path. As I mentioned earlier, the golf swing takes place during a couple of seconds, so even the slightest thought about your body movement will cause you to disconnect with the intention.
Every shot should have a purpose.
3. Visualize and Feel. The more vividly you can see the target and the shot you intend to hit, the less you will see what you fear. Putting the intention into the subconscious mind, can help synchronizing the body and mind and increase the chance of success. Hogan used to say he only hit 3-4 shots each round exactly as he intended, but it was having commitment to the shot he visualized that made his misses so small.
When you have a good routine, even when you are in a high pressure situation you can feel confident you have approached the shot correctly.
4. Develop a Strong Shot Routine. When you have a good pre shot routine for golf, even when you are in a high pressure situation you can still feel confident and less uncomfortable. If your fundamentals are right and you have mentally and physically rehearsed the shot, you’ve done all you can do to produce a good swing.
One of the keys to becoming a better player is quickly letting go of the past and staying in the present.
5. React Indifferently to Bad Shots. Holding on to poor shots is extremely counter-productive. The longer we hold onto them, the more negative emotion we create and the longer it will take to regain that lost confidence. One of the keys to becoming a better player is quickly letting go of the past and staying in the present. After all, the present is where we need to be to give every shot our best intention. If you hit a bad shot, look up to the sky or focus on the beauty of your surroundings. Quickly realizing the relative insignificance of what happened will put it in perspective and allow you to move on immediately.
Overcoming nerves, doubt and fear and succeeding will make you stronger and more confident.
6. Take Yourself Out of Your Comfort Zone. Overcoming nerves, doubt and fear and succeeding will make you a stronger and more confident player. You’ll need to learn how to reduce your heart rate, lower tension and stay mentally sharp. Check out my Mental Game Fundamentals eBook for techniques to do this.
7. Change Your Goals. Make the a”process” of hitting good golf shots your goal for the round instead of shooting your best score. Focus on executing your routine of Analysis, Visualization, Feel and Trust will help your game in the longer-term instead of judging your performance by your score.
Breed confidence by thinking of the positives.
8. Focus On What You Did Well. When you finish your round, be honest with yourself about what you need to work on but think mostly about what you did well. The more you can relive those great shots you played the more confident you will become. Breed confidence by thinking of the positives.
9. Recall pass success. During your shot routine and in between shots you need to be firmly in the present moment, but if you feel your confidence dipping, recall some of your past success. Thinking about times where you were in control and succeeding, can lift your spirits.
10. Believe in Yourself! There is simply no reason not to.
A self-analytical approach is one of the first and most important steps to playing smarter. It is all to do with the golfer’s belief in their ability to execute a specific task successfully, like a 6ft right to left putt or hitting a drive in the fairway on a dogleg left to right.
The top photo is simply a photo. The bottom is an illustration using a photo of the sun.
Close-Up of the Three Kings of Orion’s Belt
Look up on a clear night, and you’ll spot three brilliant stars in a perfect line – Orion’s Belt. One of the most famous asterisms in the sky, it’s made up of three blue supergiants: Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka.
Alnitak, the easternmost star, is a triple-star system blazing 1,260 light-years away. Its primary star, Alnitak Aa, is the brightest O-type star in the night sky.
Alnilam, the center star, is the most luminous of the three, sitting about 2,000 light-years from Earth. It’s a massive, unstable giant destined for a spectacular supernova.
Mintaka, the westernmost star, is actually six stars in one, locked in a cosmic dance 1,200 light-years away. It’s also the closest to the celestial equator, making Orion’s Belt visible from nearly every part of the world.
Despite appearing side by side, these stars are vast distances apart, each thousands of times brighter than our Sun. Combined, the stars of Orion’s Belt shine nearly a million times brighter than our Sun!
Next time you gaze up at the night sky, remember: these stars are giants, burning their fuel at an astonishing rate, and one day, they will explode in brilliant supernovae, shaping the cosmos yet again.
Mintaka, the westernmost star in the belt, comes from the Arabic word for belt. Alnilam, the center star in the belt, means “a belt of pearls”. And Alnitak, the easternmost star, means the girdle. Two of the stars in Orion’s Belt, Mintaka and Alnitak, are actually star systems, meaning they consist of multiple stars located close to one another. From our perspective, however, they appear as a single bright light.
Mintaka consists of five stars arranged in a complex system, and Alnitak includes three stars. If you follow the line formed by Orion’s Belt, it points upward to Aldebaran (the bright red eye of Taurus, the Bull) and points downward to the bright star Sirius (the brightest star in the night sky, in the constellation Canis Major). Various ancient mythologies state that Sirius is humans’ point of origin.
In New Zealand Orion is upside down as is the moon. (Well, upside down if you are used to seeing Orion from the northern hemisphere. Once you realize why it kind of makkkes you dizzy. While looking up at Orion in New Zealand and feeling like something was off. Have you ever had that moment when the sky just doesn’t look the way you expect?
THESignificance without our sun
the entire cosmos Would Collapse Tau Ceti has 78% the mass of the Sun and half its luminosity. Epsilon Eridani has 82% the mass and a third the luminosity. Both of them are visible to the naked eye. Makes you realise how piss ant our little arguments are when there are things like that out in the universe that dwarf usPeople cannot grasp the distance in the universe…1 light year in miles – Search
This will be their downfall as they do not understand their present within the universe… if they did their mind would change and become humble and aware of their vulnerability…But who am I that is just repeating the worst of prophets and those that knew…educate yourself for your own peace of mind and intelligence.
Bad guys live here, in bible psalms states, RELEASE THE BANDS OF ORION,(GREYS AND REPTILIANS)THEY HAVE CONTROL OF THE EARTH. GO THE SWEET WAY OF THE PLEIADES, (THEY HAVE STAYED FAITHFUL TO OUR LOVING CREATOR THE TRUE GOD, NOT THE false god Satan WHEN JESUS COMES (VERY SOON) JESUS COMES THROUGH THE ORION STAR GROUP, DESTROYED THESE BAD GUYS, COMES AND COLLECTS HIS FAITHFUL CHILDREN ON EARTH TAKES THEM TO HEAVEN EARTH THEN DESTROYED, Will BURN UP THIS PLANET. WITH NOTHING LEFT ALIVE. SO HAVE YOU ACCEPTED JESUS AS KING AND LORD? THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO BE SAVED. If you remember satan askedJESUS to do one act of worship to satan ,satan said if you do this he would give the earth to JESUS, ALSO WHEN ALMIGHTY GOD, (THE FATHER) SAT DOWN ON HIS THRONE, ALL THE ANGELS WERE THERE, GOD THE FATHER SAW Satan also there, GOD ASKED satan where are you from? GOD KNEW WHERE satan was assigned. GOD WANTED ALL THE ANGLES TO HEAR GOD’S QUESTION. Satan replied from roving around earth. GOD ASKED satan? HAVE YOU CAME UPON MY FAITHFUL SERVANT JOB satan replied you put a hedge around him, take it away and he will curse you..we all know what satan did. But the job never cursed GOD. AND GOD BLESSED JOB. An old friend wrote this tune about Orion
https://youtu.be/Uw_n4kQkqTY?si=gQJ1nNU6QtbLXi_K One of the linked stars, the other is Pleiades.Read the book of Job, ch 38: 34-34 In these verses, God speaks to Job out of the whirlwind, challenging him. God asks Job if he can command the clouds and make it rain, or if he can send lightning bolts on their way and have them respond to him. This passage highlights God’s power and control over the natural world, emphasizing human limitations in comparison.
The Orion Constellation is within the Milky Way. You’ll find a good representation of the distance from earth for all the stars here: https://www.space.com/16659-constellation-orion.html The Egyptian & Mayan pyramids are built like the belt of Orion! Also, there are 118 known pyramids in Egypt, not three. I already knew cranks believe the pyramids were constructed to align with Orion’s belt. Why? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orion_correlation_theory
The Egyptian & Mayan pyramids are built like the belt of Orion!
There’s a fascinating theory called the “Orion Correlation Theory,” which suggests that the layout of the three main pyramids of Giza in Egypt were aligned to match the positions of the three stars in Orion’s Belt (Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka). This alignment is said to reflect the ancient Egyptians’ reverence for the constellation Orion, which they associated with Osiris, the god of the afterlife.
Similarly, some researchers have speculated that certain Mayan pyramid complexes, such as those in Teotihuacan, may have been aligned with astronomical features, including the stars of Orion’s Belt. However, these theories are more controversial and less widely accepted in the archaeological community.
Isn’t it incredible to think that ancient civilizations might have been so connected to the stars that they built monumental structures to mirror the heavens?
Do you have a particular interest in ancient civilizations or astronomy?
What other ancient structures align with stars?
Several ancient structures around the world are believed to have been aligned with stars and celestial events. Here are a few notable examples:
Stonehenge (United Kingdom): This prehistoric monument is famously aligned with the sunrise on the summer solstice. Some researchers also suggest alignments with lunar events and other celestial bodies.
Newgrange (Ireland): This Neolithic passage tomb is aligned with the winter solstice sunrise. During the solstice, sunlight illuminates the inner chamber of the tomb.
The Great Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe): Some scholars suggest that the layout of this ancient city might have been influenced by celestial alignments, though this is still a subject of debate.
Chaco Canyon (United States): The Ancestral Puebloans constructed buildings and roads in Chaco Canyon that align with various celestial events, including solstices and equinoxes.
Machu Picchu (Peru): This Incan city has several structures that align with astronomical events, including the Intihuatana stone, which aligns with the sun during the winter solstice.
Angkor Wat (Cambodia): This temple complex is oriented to the west, which is unusual for Khmer temples. It is believed to align with the equinox, and some researchers suggest celestial alignments with the constellation Draco.
These alignments highlight the deep connection ancient civilizations had with the cosmos. They often used their knowledge of the stars for agricultural, religious, and cultural purposes.
These alignments highlight the deep connection ancient civilizations had with the cosmos. They often used their knowledge of the stars for agricultural, religious, and cultural purposes.
Is there a particular site you’d like to learn more about?
How did ancient cultures measure these celestial alignments?
Ancient cultures used a variety of methods to measure celestial alignments, often relying on careful observation and recording of the movements of celestial bodies. Here are some of the techniques they used:
Observation and Recording: Ancient astronomers would observe the positions of stars, planets, the sun, and the moon over long periods. They recorded these observations in various forms, such as carvings, paintings, and written texts.
Monuments and Structures: Many ancient structures were built to align with specific celestial events. For example, Stonehenge in the UK is aligned with the summer solstice sunrise, and the pyramids of Giza are aligned with the cardinal points and certain stars.
Gnomons and Sundials: These simple devices were used to track the movement of the sun. A gnomon is a vertical stick or pillar that casts a shadow, and by observing the shadow’s length and direction, ancient people could determine the time of day and the time of year.
Water Clocks and Star Clocks: Water clocks measured time by the flow of water, while star clocks used the positions of stars to tell time. The ancient Egyptians, for example, used star clocks to measure time during the night.
Calendars: Many ancient cultures developed complex calendars based on their observations of celestial events. The Mayan calendar, for example, was highly accurate and based on the movements of the sun, moon, and planets.
These methods allowed ancient cultures to develop a deep understanding of the cosmos and its cycles, which they used for agricultural, religious, and navigational purposes.
Is there a specific ancient culture or method you’re particularly interested in?
: History Skills : Egypt Mythology : Astra Space Universe
If you thought our sun was big, look at the comparison of these stars found in the universe. It may be the biggest thing in this neighborhood, but the sun is just average compared to other stars. Betelgeuse, a red giant, is about 700 times bigger than the sun and about 14,000 times brighter. . .
Yes, bird flu, particularly the H5N1 strain, can be deadly to humans. The case fatality rate for H5N1 is approximately 52%, meaning that about half of the people who contract the virus die from it. However, it’s important to note that the actual fatality rate might be lower because mild cases often go undetected 1. The virus primarily spreads from birds to humans, and human-to-human transmission is rare.
While the threat to the general public remains low, it’s crucial to take precautions, especially if you have close contact with birds.
If you have any specific concerns or need more information, feel free to ask!
Seasonal Flu: Spreads easily from person to person through droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.
Bird Flu: Primarily spreads from birds to humans. Human-to-human transmission is rare but possible in certain strains like H5N1 and H7N9.
Symptoms
Seasonal Flu: Common symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue, and sometimes a stuffy or runny nose.
Bird Flu: Symptoms are similar but can be more severe. They include high fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, and sometimes severe respiratory illness like pneumonia.
Severity
Seasonal Flu: Generally mild to moderate in healthy individuals, but can be severe in the elderly, young children, and those with underlying health conditions. The case fatality rate is typically less than 0.1%.
Bird Flu: Often more severe, with a higher case fatality rate (e.g., about 52% for H5N1). Infection can lead to serious respiratory illness and complications.
Vaccines and Treatment
Seasonal Flu: Vaccines are readily available and updated annually to match circulating strains. Antiviral medications can help reduce severity and duration if taken early.
Bird Flu: No widely available vaccine for humans, though research is ongoing. Antiviral medications like oseltamivir (Tamiflu) can be effective if taken early.
Public Health Impact
Seasonal Flu: Affects millions of people worldwide each year, leading to significant illness, hospitalizations, and deaths, particularly among vulnerable populations.
Bird Flu: Less common but can cause severe outbreaks in poultry and pose a significant health risk if transmitted to humans.
In summary, while seasonal flu is more common and spreads easily among humans, bird flu is generally more severe and has a higher fatality rate, though it’s less likely to be transmitted between people.
Yes, bird flu, particularly the H5N1 strain, can be deadly to humans. The case fatality rate for H5N1 is approximately 52%, meaning that about half of the people who contract the virus die from it. However, it’s important to note that the actual fatality rate might be lower because mild cases often go undetected 1. The virus primarily spreads from birds to humans, and human-to-human transmission is rare.
While the threat to the general public remains low, it’s crucial to take precautions, especially if you have close contact with birds.
If you have any specific concerns or need more information, feel free to ask!
Emboldened crypto industry seeks to cement political influence and mainstream acceptance
President Donald Trump listens to White House adviser David Sacks as he signs an executive order regarding cryptocurrency in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File)
When the Trump administration’s crypto czar, David Sacks, recently held a news conference to announce a new congressional working group to advance cryptocurrency regulation, many digital asset enthusiasts were unimpressed and underwhelmed.
“There were a lot of people on X who felt like this wasn’t, you know, a mind-blowing announcement,” Sacks said on a podcast a few days later, referring to the social media outlet formerly known as Twitter. But Sacks said having the White House and key members of Congress committed to passing key crypto legislation in the next year, possibly within six months, was worth celebrating. “We’ve never had that before, so that is pretty monumental,” he said.
Sacks’ defensiveness highlights a new reality in Washington: After spending heavily to help elect Trump and other crypto-friendly lawmakers, the industry is emboldened, impatient and eager to cement its influence in politics and mainstream financial systems.
“Time is critical,” Ji Hun Kim, president and acting CEO at the Crypto Council for Innovation said at a recent House committee hearing titled: “A Golden Age of Digital Assets: Charting a Path Forward.”
The crypto industry has scored some early wins since Trump took office, including the repeal of an accounting rule by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and an executive order by the president directing a working group to study and propose changes to crypto regulations as well as the possible formation of a strategic government reserve of cryptocurrencies within 180 days.
As the industry calls for more substantive action, some crypto companies are looking to exert their influence by trying to punish old enemies.
Tyler Winklevoss, co-founder of the crypto exchange Gemini, said his firm won’t hire any MIT graduates as punishment for the school rehiring former SEC Chairman Gary Gensler to teach classes.
“Not even interns for our summer intern program,” Winklevoss said on X. The move came after Coinbase’s CEO announced his firm wouldn’t work with any law firms that hired any of Gensler’s former deputies who’d committed “bad deeds” toward the crypto industry. The Gensler SEC was the most aggressive financial regulator in trying to police the crypto industry.
Congress has held several hearings in recent weeks where crypto supporters have aired grievances over how they were treated during the Biden administration, particularly around how regulators allegedly forced banks to cut ties with crypto companies.
And new Republican leadership at the SEC has criticized the agency’s past performance under Gensler and promised a new day, while making it clear that day won’t be tomorrow.
“It took us a long time to get into this mess,” SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce, who is leading a new crypto task force, said in a lengthy statement on the agency’s website. “Please be patient.”
The SEC recently asked a federal court to pause ongoing litigation against Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, because leadership is now rethinking previous enforcement actions.
Sacks and crypto-friendly lawmakers expect two pieces of legislation to become law. One would set regulations and reserve requirements for issuers of stablecoins, a type of crypto that’s exploded in popularity and whose value is typically tied to the dollar or other traditional currencies.
The other piece of legislation aims to set clear rules for how crypto exchanges and other companies operate, as well as decide which digital assets are regulated as securities, like stocks, and which should be considered commodities, like gold or oil. Securities generally face stricter regulations.
Similar legislation has stalled in past years but many in the crypto industry expect broad, bipartisan support for passage this time. That’s due in part to the heavy political spending by the crypto industry. Fairshake, the crypto super PAC that was one of the biggest spenders in last year’s election, said recently it has already amassed a huge war chest for next year’s midterms. One of the crypto industry’s biggest wins last year was helping knock off former Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat from Ohio and crypto critic who led the Senate’s banking committee.
“The Democrats have gotten the message,” said crypto investor Anthony Scaramucci, who briefly served as communications director during Trump’s first term, “They don’t want to be in the 2026 campaign having a crypto army against them.”
Just like crypto prices, the industry’s popularity and influence are prone to wild upswings and falls. A few years ago, the Super Bowl was packed with celebrities doing commercials for crypto companies and mogul Sam Bankman-Fried had easy access to the top halls of power.
That popularity and influence waned after Bankman-Fried’s company collapsed amid massive criminal fraud, a market meltdown and other scandals — before roaring back with Trump’s victory.
But while showing a united front for the election, debates over the crypto legislation and other policy proposals risk exposing fault lines among the industry’s many different tribes and strong and eccentric personalities.
The CEO of Ripple, for example, caused waves when he said he’d like to see a U.S. government reserve of crypto include multiple digital assets rather than bitcoin, the world’s most popular cryptocurrency. The idea is a nonstarter for many bitcoin diehards.
And a new report from JPMorgan highlighted how some of the proposals in the stablecoin legislation related to how those coins hold reserves could pose a “significant challenge” to Tether, the world’s largest stablecoin.
The CEO of Tether, which recently relocated to crypto-friendly El Salvador, responded on social media by disputing the bank’s findings and calling its analysts “salty.” Gold Wallet app – SearchStrike app – Search
When you’re buying low selling high better hope you find a buyer when you’re trying to sell when its high, converting your crypto into cash is a fantastic way to reap the rewards of your investments. If you’ve profited from your cryptocurrency trades, then why not cash out a fraction of it to enjoy as fiat currency?
Thankfully, converting crypto into cash is a straightforward and often fairly swift process. Traders have several options for doing this, with each method having its own advantages and disadvantages. Some methods are faster and more flexible, whilst others are more cost-effective.
Through this article, you’ll discover the five best ways to convert your cryptocurrency into cash. We’ll also cover the main consequences of cashing out crypto so you don’t encounter any surprises. So without further ado, let’s look at the main ways of converting crypto into cash!
Should I Cash Out My Crypto?
You may want to cash out Bitcoin and other crypto for numerous reasons. For a start, cashing out your crypto allows you to enjoy any gains you’ve made. In fact, the best time to cash out your crypto is when you have made optimal gains in your trading portfolio. This is typically the main reason traders convert their cryptocurrency assets into fiat currency or another digital currency.
However, if this is the case for you, then time will be your biggest issue. Since the crypto market is extremely unpredictable and each crypto coin is highly volatile, it’s important to cash out as fast as possible. Otherwise, those gains you’ve made may just vanish before your eyes!
Remember, you don’t have to cash out all your crypto at once. We actually advise against doing so if possible, as crypto coins always have a chance of rising in value, and you don’t want to deny yourself future gains. Your best option is cashing out fractions of your crypto portfolio. Trading experts recommend periodically cashing out 30-40% of your total profit. That is unless you’re in a situation where you need as much cash as possible.
The Five Best Ways to Convert Crypto Into Cash
Here are the five best ways to convert cryptocurrency into cash! The most suitable option for you will depend on how fast you want to cash out your crypto, your experience level, and how much fees you’re willing to pay.
Make a Peer-to-Peer Exchange
Pros:
Highly cost-effective
Most private option
Able to negotiate fees
Cons:
Very time-consuming
Inexperienced traders may struggle
Peer-to-peer selling is a terrific option for more experienced traders who are looking for a private and cost-effective way to sell crypto and convert it into cash. Through a decentralised peer-to-peer (P2P) exchange, you can exchange your crypto assets for cash or other digital assets with another trader. Both parties can negotiate a price that suits them both, and there is no need for a third party’s involvement.
This method is a viable option for anyone looking for reduced fees when cashing out crypto and those who don’t want to pass various identification checks. But this option is most suited to those who already have experience with P2P platforms, as others may feel overwhelmed. Making a P2P trade can also be quite time-consuming, which may not be optimal for you if you’re looking for a quick cash-out option.
Sign-up for a Centralised Exchange
Pros:
User-friendly
Secure
Plenty of crypto asset options
Cons:
Higher crypto cash-out fees
Identification checks needed
If you want a more regulated option, you can cash out your crypto through a centralised crypto exchange. A centralised exchange acts as an intermediary between buyers and sellers, as well as offering various other services. Crypto exchanges are one of the safest options on our list, but they require several identification checks that some traders may want to avoid.
However, if you want a wide range of options for cashing out your crypto, then this is your best bet. Most crypto exchanges, such as Kraken, support a wide range of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Dogecoin (DOGE), XRP (XRP), Tether (USDT), Cardano (ADA), and Litecoin (LTC). These exchanges are also very reliable and user-friendly, which makes them an appealing option for many traders.
Use a Crypto Broker
Pros:
Highly suitable for beginners
Plenty of flexibility
Access to other trading-related services
Cons:
Can be time-consuming
Not the most convenient option
Crypto brokers assist traders as they learn to navigate the crypto market, refine their trading skills, and build up their trading portfolios. With a crypto broker, you can trade multiple digital currencies after connecting your bank account or using another payment method to make a deposit.
Furthermore, using a crypto broker is an excellent option for anyone who wants to cash out Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in a safe environment. If you’re new to the crypto world, this may be the most suitable method for you since brokers are experienced in offering assistance.
If you decide to opt for a broker, you can connect with one by registering on crypto platforms like https://coin-gpt.io/. You can swiftly sign up and get paired with a suitable broker based on your trading goals and individual preferences without wasting any unnecessary time.
Withdraw Funds From a Bitcoin ATM
Pros:
Highly convenient
Safe for traders
Allows fast withdrawals
Cons:
High transaction fees
Limited availability
Using a Bitcoin ATM can be a fast and convenient way to withdraw cash using your crypto assets. There are already thousands of Bitcoin ATMs worldwide (around 34,000), and many more are expected to appear as countries continue to open their arms to the crypto sector.
A Bitcoin ATM will look just like a regular ATM you use to withdraw money from your bank account, but you’ll notice a few key differences. For example, unlike traditional ATMs, you cannot view your cash balance or manage your account funds. Instead, you’re limited to using the Bitcoin ATM to sell Bitcoin and withdraw your earnings as cash.
Most of these ATMs also allow users to withdraw other types of crypto, not just Bitcoin. Popular coins you can typically withdraw from a Bitcoin ATM include Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Dash, and Ethereum. Although, this method may not be viable for many since Bitcoin ATMs are generally limited to larger cities.
Get a Crypto Debit Card
Pros:
The fastest way to cash out crypto
Additional privacy
Favourable exchange rates
Cons:
Limited options
Only select cryptocurrencies supported
Traders can use a crypto debit card similar to how they use their usual bank account debit card. With these cards, you can withdraw cash using your crypto funds. You can also use them to make various online transactions without needing to spend time converting your crypto to cash first.
This is a fast and reasonably cheap method that is suitable for both beginner and experienced traders. Even if you have limited knowledge of trading and crypto withdrawal, you should have no trouble using a crypto debit card. The most popular crypto debit card provider is BitPay. With BitPay, you can withdraw cash using multiple crypto coins, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, and Litecoin.
Additionally, many of these providers offer various rewards and cash bank options for users who withdraw fiat money using their crypto, making it a highly affordable and interesting option.
The Consequences of Converting Crypto Into Cash
Hold up! Before you begin cashing out your crypto using one of the methods we’ve listed above, there are a few things you need to be aware of. As with everything, cashing out your crypto results in several consequences. Although these consequences aren’t too serious, it’s still important that you understand them.
Tax Implications
Tax implications are the main consequences of cashing out your crypto holdings. In most countries, all traders must report any profit they’ve made on their crypto trades and pay capital gains tax. You may also have the opportunity to offset capital gains from alternate investments if you sell your crypto assets at a loss.
The amount of tax you have to pay and the process to do so will vary depending on which country you’re located in. It’s important to do adequate research and ensure you complete all necessary steps so that you don’t incur fines or other repercussions. You can refer to your country’s tax revenue service for more information about paying taxes for your crypto holdings.
If you’re struggling to calculate your capital gains tax, we strongly advise using crypto tax software such as Koinly. This software will help you record crypto transactions, preview capital gains, and generate tax reports.
Withdrawal Fees
You will likely encounter withdrawal and transaction fees when cashing out your crypto. This will vary depending on which method you opt for and which provider you choose.
For example, Bitcoin ATMs usually charge a transaction fee of up to 15% of the total amount. Centralised exchanges also have much higher withdrawal fees, which is one of their main disadvantages compared to using a broker or decentralised exchange.
If you want to save as much money as possible when converting your crypto into cash, then it’s best to choose a method with lower fees. Crypto debit cards and P2P exchanges are typically the most cost-effective way to cash out your crypto regarding these fees.
Additionally, other factors can affect how high your withdrawal and transaction fees will be. For instance, the type of bank account you own, the crypto coins you’re holding, and how much you want to withdraw at once will influence the fees you’ll need to pay. One way to reduce these fees is to make as few withdrawals as possible. This is because many providers calculate fees as a percentage of the transaction’s total value.
Scams
Another possible consequence of converting your crypto assets into cash is falling for a crypto scam. The cryptocurrency industry is ripe with scammers, each refining new ways to lure in and deceive victims. But don’t worry! It’s not as bad as it seems. These scams won’t be an issue for you if you’re aware of them and understand how to avoid them.
Most importantly, you should do extensive research before signing up for any platform or service. Your research should include reviewing user testimonials, thoroughly reading the company’s privacy policy, and using a scam-checking tool. Call us paranoid, but if you don’t want to risk losing all your assets, you should do this with any website or app before providing any of your financial information.
Summary
To summarise, there are five main ways to convert crypto into cash. The best method for you will depend on several factors, so it’s important to consider all your options before proceeding.
For instance, if you want to cash out your crypto as fast as possible, then your best option will be to use a Bitcoin ATM (if you have one nearby) or use a crypto debit card. On the other hand, if you want to avoid paying substantial transaction fees, then you’re better off converting your crypto into cash through a broker or making a trade through a P2P exchange.
It’s also crucial to make sure you’re aware of the tax implications and other consequences of converting your crypto assets into cash before doing so. Remember, if you do thorough research on each platform before providing sensitive information, then you’re much less likely to fall victim to a scam.
A comprehensive and authoritative exploration of Bitcoin and its place in monetary history
When a pseudonymous programmer introduced “a new electronic cash system that’s fully peer-to-peer, with no trusted third party” to a small online mailing list in 2008, very few people paid attention.
Ten years later, and against all odds, this upstart autonomous decentralized software offers an unstoppable and globally accessible hard money alternative to modern central banks. The Bitcoin Standard analyzes the historical context to the rise of Bitcoin, the economic properties that have allowed it to grow quickly, and its likely economic, political, and social implications.
While Bitcoin is an invention of the digital age, the problem it purports to solve is as old as human society itself: transferring value across time and space. Author Saifedean Ammous takes the reader on an engaging journey through the history of technologies performing the functions of money, from primitive systems of trading limestones and seashells, to metals, coins, the gold standard, and modern government debt.
Exploring what gave these technologies their monetary role, and how most lost it, provides the reader with a good idea of what makes for sound money, and sets the stage for an economic discussion of its consequences for individual and societal future-orientation, capital accumulation, trade, peace, culture, and art. Compellingly, Ammous shows that it is no coincidence that the loftiest achievements of humanity have come in societies enjoying the benefits of sound monetary regimes, nor is it coincidental that monetary collapse has usually accompanied civilizational collapse.
With this background in place, the book moves on to explain the operation of Bitcoin in a functional and intuitive way. Bitcoin is a decentralized, distributed piece of software that converts electricity and processing power into indisputably accurate records, thus allowing its users to utilize the Internet to perform the traditional functions of money without having to rely on, or trust, any authorities or infrastructure in the physical world.
Bitcoin is thus best understood as the first successfully implemented form of digital cash and digital hard money. With an automated and perfectly predictable monetary policy, and the ability to perform final settlement of large sums across the world in a matter of minutes, Bitcoin’s real competitive edge might just be as a store of value and network for the final settlement of large payments―a digital form of gold with a built-in settlement infrastructure.
Ammous’ firm grasp of the technological possibilities as well as the historical realities of monetary evolution provides for a fascinating exploration of the ramifications of voluntary free market money. As it challenges the most sacred of government monopolies, Bitcoin shifts the pendulum of sovereignty away from governments in favor of individuals, offering us the tantalizing possibility of a world where money is fully extricated from politics and unrestrained by borders.
The final chapter of the book explores some of the most common questions surrounding Bitcoin: Is Bitcoin mining a waste of energy? Is Bitcoin for criminals? Who controls Bitcoin, and can they change it if they please? How can Bitcoin be killed? And what to make of all the thousands of Bitcoin knockoffs, and the many supposed applications of Bitcoin’s ‘block chain technology’? The Bitcoin Standard is the essential resource for a clear understanding of the rise of the Internet’s decentralized, apolitical, free-market alternative to national central banks.
The Tsimané are an indigenous people of lowland Bolivia. AFP via Getty Images
A community in the heart of the jungle
As Americans race to unlock the secret to anti-aging, the answer could be tucked away in the depths of the Amazon rainforest.
The Tsimané people boast the “healthiest hearts on the planet” and brains that age far more slowly than their Western counterparts, with just 1% of the population showing signs of dementia.
Research suggests their pre-industrial lifestyle, marked by a unique balance of food consumption and physical activity, may hold the key.
“This ideal set of conditions for disease prevention prompts us to consider whether our industrialized lifestyles increase our risk of disease,” said Dr. Andrei Irimia, an associate professor at the University of Southern California’s Leonard Davis School of Gerontology who studies the tribe.
There are an estimated 17,000 Tsimané living deep in the lowland Bolivian jungle. This isolated indigenous community stays physically active throughout their lives, fishing, hunting, farming and foraging from the tropical forest.
They live near the Mosetén people, who also reside in rural villages and rely on subsistence agriculture for their livelihoods.
“Something about the pre-industrial subsistence lifestyle appears to protect older Tsimané and Mosetén from dementia,” said Margaret Gatz, the lead study author and professor at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.
Previous studies have shown that both the Tsimané and Mosetén experience significantly less brain atrophy than industrialized populations in the US and Europe. Brain atrophy is strongly linked to cognitive decline, functional impairment and dementia.
But here’s the twist: The Tsimané and Mosetén, while both living traditional lifestyles, differ significantly in terms of modern exposure. Though they share similar languages and history, the Mosetén have more access to modern technology, medicine and education.
While the Mosetén are healthier than most Westerners, they don’t quite match the Tsimané’s extraordinary health.
In fact, researchers have found that among the Tsimané, a higher body mass index (BMI) and slightly elevated levels of “bad cholesterol” are associated with larger brain volumes for their age.
This could be due to the Tsimané being generally more muscular than individuals in industrialized countries with similar BMIs — likely a result of their active, physically demanding lifestyle.
Even more surprising is the Tsimané’s high levels of inflammation, which is typically linked to brain atrophy in Western populations. However, studies suggest that high inflammation doesn’t have the same impact on their brains.
The Tsimané community first captured the attention of scientists when a 2017 study revealed their extraordinary heart health in older age.
Researchers discovered that the Tsimané have the lowest prevalence of coronary atherosclerosis — a condition marked by fatty deposits inside the arteries — of any known population. Additionally, they have remarkably few cardiovascular disease risk factors.
Farming and foraging is mostly done by children and women. REUTERS
Scientists believe that the Tsimané’s low cardiovascular risks may outweigh the inflammation caused by infections, raising new questions about the true causes of dementia. While inflammation in Westerners is often linked to obesity and metabolic issues, in the Tsimane, it’s primarily driven by respiratory, gastrointestinal, and parasitic infections.
“This study demonstrates that the Tsimané stand out not only in terms of heart health but brain health as well,” said Hillard Kaplan, a professor at Chapman University who has studied the community for nearly two decades. “The findings suggest ample opportunities for interventions to improve brain health, even in populations with high levels of inflammation.”
While people in industrialized nations enjoy modern health care, we’ve grown accustomed to exercising less and eating more — especially diets rich in sugars and fats.
By contrast, the Tsimané have little or no access to health care but remain extremely physically active and consume a high-fiber diet full of vegetables, fish and lean meats.
“Our sedentary lifestyle and diet rich in sugars and fats may be accelerating the loss of brain tissue with age and making us more vulnerable to diseases such as Alzheimer’s,” Kaplan said.
All-natural carbohydrates make up roughly 70% of the tribe’s diet.
When CNN’s chief medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, visited the Tsimané in the Amazon rainforest, he was surprised to find that most of their calories come from carbohydrates.
The Tsimané’s diet is straightforward and unprocessed, free from added sugars and salts. Plantains, cassava, rice, and corn make up nearly 70% of their food intake, with 15% derived from fat and another 15% from protein.
Gupta noted that this carb-heavy approach is born out of necessity, as farmed food offers more predictability, especially during lean hunting seasons. The diet provides twice the fiber of the typical American diet and is rich in micronutrients like selenium, potassium and magnesium.
When Gupta visited the tribe, he also discovered that intermittent fasting was part of the Tsimané culture — not a trendy practice, but one born out of food scarcity. Experts say this is common in pre-industrialized societies.
Food scarcity is a staple of many pre-industrial societies. Courtesy of Tsimané Health and Life History Project Team
“The lives of our pre-industrial ancestors were punctured by limited food availability,” said Irimia. “Humans historically spent a lot of time exercising out of necessity to find food, and [the Tsimane] brain aging profiles reflected this lifestyle.”
Gupta observed that nearly all of the Tsimané’s waking hours involve standing or walking, with hunting and foraging lasting all day. On average, they take about 17,000 steps daily, while also getting ample rest at night.
Researchers suggest that the Tsimané’s unique balance of physical exertion and food availability could hold the key to healthy aging.
They point out that in societies with abundant food and little physical activity, people often struggle between what they know is best for their health and the cravings that evolved over time.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN’s chief medical correspondent, has indeed explored the lives of the Tsimané people in the Amazon rainforest. The Tsimané diet is fascinating because it primarily consists of carbohydrates, which is quite different from many Western diets. Their main sources of calories include plantains, rice, corn, and manioc2.
Dr. Gupta’s observations highlight how the Tsimané people maintain remarkable heart health despite their high carbohydrate intake. This has intrigued researchers and health experts, as it challenges some common assumptions about diet and heart health2.
If you’re interested in learning more about Dr. Gupta’s findings and the Tsimané lifestyle, you can check out his podcast, Chasing Life.
What do you find most intriguing about the Tsimané diet?’
The Tsimané diet is quite unique and contributes to their heart health in several ways:
High in Complex Carbohydrates: About 70% of their diet consists of complex carbohydrates like plantains, rice, corn, and manioc. These foods are rich in fiber, which helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels and supports overall heart health2.
Low in Processed Foods: The Tsimané diet lacks processed foods, trans fats, and refined sugars, which are common in many Western diets. This absence of unhealthy fats and sugars reduces the risk of heart disease2.
Rich in Micronutrients: Their diet is rich in essential micronutrients like potassium, magnesium, and selenium, which are linked to heart health. These nutrients help regulate blood pressure and support cardiovascular function2.
Lean Protein Sources: While they do consume meat, it comes from wild game, which is leaner compared to the meat commonly consumed in industrialized societies. This helps in maintaining lower levels of unhealthy fats in their diet3.
Active Lifestyle: The Tsimané people lead a physically active lifestyle, which complements their diet and contributes to their overall heart health. Regular physical activity is known to reduce the risk of heart disease3.
The combination of these dietary habits and their active lifestyle results in remarkably low levels of atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in the arteries) among the Tsimané people3.
Is there anything specific you’d like to know more about regarding their diet or lifestyle?
How does the Tsimané diet compare to the Mediterranean diet?
The Tsimané and Mediterranean diets both promote heart health, but they have some key differences and similarities:
Similarities:
High in Fiber: Both diets are rich in fiber, which helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels and supports overall heart health.
Low in Processed Foods: Both diets emphasize whole, unprocessed foods, reducing the intake of unhealthy fats and sugars.
Rich in Micronutrients: Both diets provide essential micronutrients like potassium, magnesium, and antioxidants, which are beneficial for heart health.
Differences:
Primary Food Sources:
Tsimané Diet: Primarily consists of complex carbohydrates like plantains, rice, corn, and manioc, with lean protein from wild game and fish.
Mediterranean Diet: Emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds, with healthy fats from olive oil and moderate consumption of fish and poultry.
Fat Content:
Tsimané Diet: Lower in overall fat content, with minimal intake of unhealthy fats.
Mediterranean Diet: Includes healthy fats, particularly from olive oil, which is a staple in the diet.
Protein Sources:
Tsimané Diet: Protein comes mainly from wild-caught animal meat and fish.
Mediterranean Diet: Protein sources include fish, poultry, legumes, and occasionally red meat.
Lifestyle Factors:
Tsimané: Lead a physically active lifestyle, which complements their diet and contributes to their overall heart health.
Mediterranean: Also promotes an active lifestyle, but the level of physical activity may vary depending on individual habits.
Both diets offer valuable insights into maintaining heart health through natural, whole foods and an active lifestyle. If you’re considering adopting elements from either diet, it’s essential to find a balance that works best for your individual needs and preferences.
The Tsimané diet is rich in micronutrients like selenium, potassium and magnesium. AP
Is there a specific aspect of these diets you’d like to explore further?
“During our evolutionary past, more food and less calories spent in getting it resulted in improved health, well-being and ultimately higher reproductive success or Darwinian fitness,” Kaplan said.
“This evolutionary history selected for psychological and physiological traits that made us desirous of extra food and less physical work, and with industrialization, those traits lead us to overshoot the mark.”
According to Irimia, the ideal scenario for brain health and disease risk is the “sweet spot” — a place where the brain is provided with neither too little nor too much food and nutrients, while also getting a healthy dose of exercise.
With the global population aging, along with rising risk factors, researchers predict the number of people with dementia will triple to more than 152 million worldwide by 2050.
“We’re in a race for solutions to the growing prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias,” Kaplan said. “Looking at these diverse populations augments and accelerates our understanding of these diseases and generates new insights.”
Life expectancy is a crucial measure that reflects the average lifespan of individuals in a given population. In the United States, life expectancy can vary significantly from state to state, influenced by various factors such as access to healthcare, lifestyle choices, socioeconomic status, and environmental conditions. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the variations in life expectancy by state, shedding light on the states with the highest and lowest life expectancies.
Life Expectancy By State
What is Life Expectancy?
Life expectancy, also known as the average life span, is a statistical measure that estimates the number of years an individual is expected to live, based on various demographic factors. It represents the average age at which individuals in a population are likely to die. Life expectancy is typically calculated at birth, but it can also be measured at different stages of life, such as at age 65 or 75.
It is important to note that life expectancy is influenced by a wide range of factors, including genetics, lifestyle choices, access to healthcare, socioeconomic status, and environmental conditions. These factors contribute to the overall health and well-being of individuals, influencing their longevity.
The Impact of Geography on Life Expectancy
Geography plays a significant role in determining life expectancy. Different states within the United States exhibit variations in healthcare systems, socioeconomic conditions, educational opportunities, and environmental factors, which can significantly impact the health and well-being of their populations. As a result, life expectancy can vary widely from state to state.
To provide a comprehensive overview, let’s explore the states with the highest and lowest life expectancies in the United States, based on the latest available data.
States with the Highest Life Expectancies
Hawaii: Hawaii boasts the highest life expectancy among all states, with an average of 82.4 years. This beautiful island state offers a unique combination of natural beauty, a healthy lifestyle, and access to quality healthcare.
California: With a life expectancy of 81.6 years, California secures the second spot on the list. The state’s commitment to health and wellness, coupled with its diverse population and access to cutting-edge healthcare facilities, contributes to its high life expectancy.
New York proudly claims the third spot, with a remarkable life expectancy of 81.2 years. The state’s dedication to healthcare accessibility, education, and overall well-being ensures a high life expectancy for its residents.
Minnesota: Known for its excellent healthcare system and emphasis on healthy living, Minnesota enjoys a life expectancy of 81 years. The state’s commitment to promoting physical activity and access to quality healthcare services contribute to its residents’ longevity.
States with the Lowest Life Expectancies
West Virginia: Having the lowest life expectancy in the US at 74.1 years, the state grapples with high obesity rates, limited healthcare access, and socioeconomic challenges that adversely impact its average life expectancy.
Mississippi: Unfortunately, Mississippi has the second lowest life expectancy among all states, with an average of 74.8 years. The state faces numerous challenges, including high poverty rates, limited access to healthcare services, and higher rates of chronic diseases.
Louisiana: Louisiana follows closely with a life expectancy of 75.3 years. The state struggles with high rates of poverty, limited education opportunities, and higher rates of chronic diseases, all of which contribute to the lower life expectancy among its residents.
Alabama: life expectancy at birth in is 75.4 years as of 2025. This is lower than the national average in the United States. Factors such as healthcare access, lifestyle, and socioeconomic conditions can influence life expectancy.
It is worth mentioning that several other factors, such as race, ethnicity, income levels, and education, can also influence life expectancy within each state. Disparities in healthcare access and socioeconomic conditions can further exacerbate variations in life expectancy among different populations.
Every State’s Life Expectancy At Birth
Hawaii
82.4 years
California
81.6 years
New York
81.2 years
Minnesota
81.0 years
Connecticut
80.9 years
Massachusetts
80.8 years
New Jersey
80.6 years
Colorado
80.5 years
Vermont
80.5 years
Utah
80.4 years
Washington
80.2 years
New Hampshire
80.1 years
Maryland
79.9 years
Rhode Island
79.9 years
South Dakota
79.9 years
Florida
79.8 years
Oregon
79.6 years
Maine
79.5 years
North Dakota
79.5 years
Virginia
79.4 years
Wisconsin
79.4 years
Iowa
79.3 years
Nebraska
79.2 years
Arizona
79.1 years
Idaho
79.1 years
Illinois
79.0 years
Kansas
78.9 years
Alaska
78.7 years
Delaware
78.7 years
Montana
78.7 years
Pennsylvania
78.6 years
Michigan
78.5 years
Texas
78.5 years
Nevada
78.4 years
New Mexico
78.4 years
North Carolina
78.0 years
Wyoming
78.0 years
Ohio
77.6 years
Missouri
77.3 years
Georgia
77.2 years
South Carolina
77.0 years
Indiana
76.8 years
Tennessee
76.5 years
Arkansas
75.8 years
Oklahoma
75.7 years
Kentucky
75.6 years
Alabama
75.4 years
Louisiana
75.3 years
Mississippi
74.8 years
West Virginia
74.1 years
Factors Affecting Life Expectancy by State
Numerous factors contribute to the variations in life expectancy by state. Let’s delve deeper into these factors to gain a comprehensive understanding.
Access to Quality Healthcare
Access to quality healthcare services is a critical determinant of life expectancy. States with robust healthcare systems, including accessible primary care, preventive services, and specialized treatments, tend to have higher life expectancies. Conversely, limited access to healthcare services can result in delayed diagnosis, inadequate treatment, and poorer health outcomes, ultimately leading to lower life expectancies.
Socioeconomic Status
Socioeconomic factors, such as income levels, education, and employment opportunities, significantly influence life expectancy. Higher socioeconomic status is generally associated with better access to healthcare, improved living conditions, and healthier lifestyle choices, which contribute to longer life expectancies. Conversely, individuals with lower socioeconomic status often face barriers to healthcare, limited resources, and challenging living conditions, leading to reduced life expectancies.
Lifestyle Choices
Individual lifestyle choices, including diet, exercise, smoking, alcohol consumption, and substance abuse, play a crucial role in determining life expectancy. States that prioritize public health initiatives, promote healthy behaviors, and offer resources for disease prevention and management tend to have higher life expectancies. On the other hand, states with higher rates of unhealthy behaviors and limited public health interventions may experience lower life expectancies.
Environmental Factors
Environmental conditions, including air and water quality, access to green spaces, exposure to pollutants, and natural disaster risks, can impact life expectancy. States with cleaner environments, well-maintained infrastructure, and effective disaster preparedness tend to have higher life expectancies. Conversely, states facing environmental challenges, such as pollution, inadequate infrastructure, and higher risks of natural disasters, may experience lower life expectancies.
Demographic Factors
Demographic factors, such as age, gender, and racial or ethnic background, can contribute to variations in life expectancy. Women generally have longer life expectancies compared to men, reflecting biological differences and variations in health behaviors. Moreover, racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare access, socioeconomic conditions, and health outcomes can result in variations in life expectancy among different populations.
Promoting Health Equity and Improving Life Expectancy
Understanding the variations in life expectancy by state is crucial for policymakers, healthcare providers, and communities to address disparities and promote health equity. Efforts to improve healthcare access, socioeconomic conditions, public health initiatives, and environmental factors can contribute to raising life expectancies in states with lower averages.
By investing in comprehensive healthcare systems, promoting healthier lifestyles, addressing socioeconomic inequalities, and prioritizing public health interventions, states can work towards improving the well-being and longevity of their populations. Collaboration between government agencies, healthcare providers, community organizations, and individuals is essential to achieve these goals.
In conclusion, life expectancy by state in the United States varies significantly due to multiple factors, including access to healthcare, socioeconomic conditions, lifestyle choices, and environmental factors. By identifying these determinants and implementing targeted interventions, states can strive towards achieving health equity and improving the overall well-being and life expectancy of their residents.
In recent years, life expectancy in the United States has been declining. According to the American Medica Association, this trend is influenced by factors such as rising rates of chronic diseases, drug overdoses, and disparities in healthcare access.
But even as the national average decreases, the gap between the states with the highest and lowest life expectancies remains stark, driven by socio-economic, environmental, and cultural differences.
Life expectations have to do with individual life choices. Bad and good habits are the major reasons for differences in life expectations in different areas. None of the government’s business how one lives their lives. A slave in a gilded cage is still a slave. Freedom is the answer.
“Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron’s cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.” ~ C. S. Lewis
So, poverty, lack of affordable healthcare, and higher rates of people who have no health insurance do not factor in?
Health insurance is something most responsible people have. Healthcare is expensive because of government interference in healthcare.
A free market would give us the lower cost and highest standards of healthcare.
“When a man spends his own money to buy something for himself, he is very careful about how much he spends and how he spends it. When a man spends his own money to buy something for someone else, he is still very careful about how much he spends, but somewhat less what he spends it on.
When a man spends someone else’s money to buy something for himself, he is very careful about what he buys, but doesn’t care at all how much he spends. And when a man spends someone else’s money on someone else, he doesn’t care how much he spends or what he spends it on. And that’s the government for you.” ~ Milton Friedman
Poverty is often caused by poor habits. Dropping out of school, drug use, and so on, To be successful in the United States you need to keep eight rules in mind. It doesn’t matter who your parents were or where you live, the color of your skin, or what religion you are.
Don’t become addicted to drugs, alcohol, gambling, or any other wasteful habit. Do not have a child until you are married and can afford to. Get your high school diploma or GED. The more the education you get the better. Do not get married until you are 21 and can afford it.
Do not commit a felony.
Take work when offered and do your best. Avoid debt. Debt can drag you down.
Take promotions when offered.
You may not become a millionaire, but you will be able to feed and house your family. Of course, you need to take time for yourself, family, exercise and so on. No guarantee in life. A well-rounded life is important. If one cannot follow these rules, they probably have bad health habits too.
Comes down to Smoking, Obesity, and limited quality access to good medical care. No education, dumb people, low life expectancy, Very simple in themselves not as much as personal habits. Get a good job, spend your money on healthy food and exercise and move closer to good medical care as you age.
Map Shows States With the Highest Alzheimer’s Disease Deaths
Story by Marni Rose McFall
Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder affecting millions of Americans, and its impact varies significantly across the country.
While the disease is a nationwide concern, certain areas, particularly in the South and the Pacific Northwest, experience significantly higher mortality rates, according to data from 2022 released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Factors such as healthcare access, lifestyle, and underlying health conditions may contribute to these variations.
The CDC researchers also looked at where people with Alzheimer’s were living when they died of the disease. They found that although most deaths in 2014 occurred in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities, more patients with the disease were dying at home than they were 16 years earlier.
In 1999, only 13.9 percent of people with Alzheimer’s were living at home when they died. That number rose to 24.9 percent in 2014. Another 6.1 percent died in a hospice facility.
Possible reasons for increase
“The number of Alzheimer’s deaths has increased, in part, because of a growing population of older adults,” write the CDC researchers. They also point out that the rise in deaths from Alzheimer’s disease may be the result of fewer “competing” deaths from heart disease and stroke.
In addition, Alzheimer’s is now much more likely to be correctly diagnosed — and cited on death certificates as the direct cause of death — than in past decades.
Whatever the reasons for the increase in the nation’s Alzheimer’s death rate, the growing burden of the disease on American families is clear.
“In 2015, caregivers of persons with dementia, including Alzheimer’s, provided 18.2 billion hours of unpaid assistance,” write the researchers. “These caregiving hours might correspond to increased financial costs for caregivers and decreased work productivity, as caregivers might take leave from work to ensure adequate care is provided.”
“As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, caregiving becomes very important,” explained Christopher Taylor, a CDC epidemiologist who led the study, in the released statement. “Caregivers and patients can benefit from programs that include education about Alzheimer’s disease, how to take care of themselves and their loved one, and case management to lessen the burden of care.”
“Supportive interventions can lessen the burden for caregivers and improve the quality of care for people with Alzheimer’s disease,” he added.
What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?
The National Institute on Aging defines Alzheimer‘s disease as a progressive brain disorder that gradually destroys memory, thinking skills, and the ability to perform simple tasks.
It is most common in people over 65, with late-onset Alzheimer’s being the predominant form. In rare cases, early-onset Alzheimer’s can occur between a person’s 30s and mid-60s. The disease is the leading cause of dementia among older adults.
Named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer, who first observed abnormal clumps (amyloid plaques) and tangled fibers (tau tangles) in the brain of a woman with memory loss and erratic behavior, these features remain key indicators of the disease today.
Alzheimer’s is marked by the buildup of plaques and tangles, as well as the loss of connections between neurons that transmit messages within the brain and to other parts of the body. The damage initially impacts areas critical to memory, such as the entorhinal cortex and hippocampus, before spreading to regions responsible for language, reasoning, and social behavior.
Over time, this widespread brain deterioration severely impairs cognitive and physical abilities, leading to the loss of independence in those affected. While scientists continue to investigate other complex brain changes that may contribute to Alzheimer’s, plaques, tangles, and neuronal damage remain central to understanding the disease. Alzheimer’s Risk Higher If Mom Had Memory Problems
The top five states with the highest Alzheimer’s mortality rates are:
Mississippi
Washington
Alabama
Arkansas
Louisiana
Idaho
Utah
Georgia
Texas
California
What Causes the State Differences?
According to research from the University of Alabama, Alzheimer’s disease disproportionately affects the Deep South, where states like Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina see significantly higher rates of dementia.
People born in this region have a 20–30 percent greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, largely due to underlying health disparities. Factors such as high rates of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and vascular disease in the region contribute to cognitive decline and increase dementia risk. These conditions are particularly prevalent among African Americans, who make up over 20 percent of the population in the Deep South, and face twice the risk of late-onset Alzheimer’s compared to other groups.
A key issue in addressing Alzheimer’s disparities is the underrepresentation of African Americans in Alzheimer’s-related research. Although African Americans make up around 10 percent of the U.S. population over 55, few clinical studies have included a proportionate number of African American participants.
The Deep South is also a hotspot for other health conditions that heighten the risk of Alzheimer’s, including cerebrovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity. The so-called “Stroke Belt” – Searchand“Diabetes Belt” – Search—areas in the region where those diseases are prevalent—contribute to widespread vascular problems and cognitive decline, while obesity is linked to inflammation that could exacerbate dementia.
A spokesperson for UsAgainstAlzheimer’s said, “There are a number of comorbidities that can increase a person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s or related dementias and controlling these can reduce a person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s. We should be clear that hypertension and diabetes are not really “lifestyle factors” but diseases that can be treated—and they should be treated.”
“One of the things we are focused on is making sure the public knows there are things people can do to reduce their risk of Alzheimer’s. Hypertension, diabetes, social isolation, and tobacco use, to name a few, are examples of the risk factors. But people can make simple lifestyle changes to reduce their risk. Exercise, sleep, eating a healthy diet, and even wearing hearing aids if you have hearing loss are just some of the actions people can take to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s.”
“Access to information and healthcare are two of the biggest challenges,” the spokesperson said.
“Working with the Centers for Disease Control, we are working very hard to reach these very communities so we can raise Alzheimer’s awareness and encourage people to talk about it. But you still have the issue of access to healthcare and adequate treatment – not only for dementia but to address the other factors that increase the risk for Black and Latino people, in particular. We need a healthcare system that works for everyone; getting there is a major priority for ‘UsAgainstAlzheimer’s.” – Search
Update, 17/10/24, 12:01 p.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from UsAgainstAlzheimer’s.
Estimate of U.S. prevalence of adults aged 18 and over with any serious medical condition, as of 2018. (CDC map)
A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a map showing which counties have populations with an increased risk of severe outcomes from covid-19. Many are rural, since rural populations tend to be older, more obese, and are more likely to have underlying medical conditions.
I have a special interest in Alzheimer’s disease. For nearly 25 years, I practiced general neurology in Portland, Oregon, and some of my patients had dementia. In 2012, while doing a genealogical DNA search, I inadvertently discovered that I have two copies of the APOE-4 allele, meaning I had a very good chance of getting Alzheimer’s-caused dementia by age 80.
I felt Gobsmacked.
I remember walking down the stairs in a daze after reading the report from the genetic testing service and telling my wife, Lois, “I think I am screwed.”
A year later, I retired at age 62 even though I had no symptoms of cognitive impairment. If I had almost any other job, I could have continued working for a few more years, but in medicine, forgetfulness could have fatal consequences. I suddenly wore two hats — that of a retired physician who had cared for a lot of people with Alzheimer’s disease and now a person living with the same disorder.
I had been taught, in medical school in the 1970s and even during my neurology residency in the 1980s, that Alzheimer’s disease progresses from onset to death in about three to five years, and nothing can be done about it. Neither statement is true.
In hindsight, my first symptom of Alzheimer’s disease was a gradual loss of smell that I first noticed in 2006. This was accompanied by odd olfactory hallucinations that smelled like baking bread mixed with perfume. I didn’t have any measurable cognitive impairment until 2015, when I had significant trouble remembering words, including the names of friends and colleagues.
I had a PET scan as part of a research study, which showed my brain had the beginning of abnormal tau protein, a key part of diagnosing Alzheimer’s. When the scans were repeated in 2018 and 2022, the tau protein can be seen spreading through my brain.
We now know that the first signs of Alzheimer’s disease, beta-amyloid plaques, can be seen in the brain up to 20 years before any cognitive changes. Tau-containing tangles start to form later, about two or three years before the onset of mild cognitive impairment. There is a variation in the speed of progression from mild impairment to full-blown dementia to death, probably about eight to 12 years on average.
I am now 73, and I have had mild cognitive impairment for roughly five years, followed by mild dementia for about four years. We don’t yet have a way to stop this progression, but what have I been doing to slow it?
There are lifestyle modifications that help, and they also decrease the likelihood of getting it in the first place.
Top among them is aerobic exercise.
Multiple studies have shown up to a 50 percent reduction in the chance of getting Alzheimer’s disease for people who exercise regularly. The only group that doesn’t seem to benefit from exercise are those who already have dementia. The sooner you start, the better.
I started exercising daily in 2012 as soon as I learned that I was on the Alzheimer’s trajectory. Recent evidence shows that tai chi can help people who already are experiencing cognitive impairment.
The data for adopting a plant-based diet are almost as strong as exercise. I follow a variant of the Mediterranean diet called the MIND diet that includes eating foods with increased flavonols such as nuts and certain vegetables. Many experts now recommend avoiding alcohol, especially for people with a family history of dementia. Recently, I gave up my daily glass of beer or wine. Frankly, I have been surprised that nonalcoholic beer tastes quite good.
Staying mentally active is very important. For me, my most important brain exercise is reading and writing. I do a crossword puzzle every day while eating lunch, and I enhance the brain benefit by looking up words I don’t know. Staying socially engaged is important but increasingly difficult as dementia progresses. It’s best for me to socialize with just one or two people at a time. Getting at least 7½ hours of sleep each night appears to reduce the chance of getting dementia.
What about drugs?
We now have two FDA-approved drugs, lecanemab and donanemab, that are effective in removing beta-amyloid from the brain, but they only slow cognitive decline by about 35 percent. They can also have lethal side effects in patients with two copies of the APOE-4 allele, like me. After only four monthly injections of aducanumab (a cousin of lecanemab) during the phase 3 trial, I developed swelling and bleeding in my brain requiring a stay in an intensive care unit and about four months to recover. The drug has since been discontinued by its manufacturer.
These treatments represent an important step forward in understanding the neurobiology of Alzheimer’s disease, but they should not be used by everyone. So I have learned that Alzheimer’s disease is not the rapidly progressive dementia I was taught about in medical school. It is a slowly progressive disease that is asymptomatic for up to 20 years. Mild symptoms of cognitive impairment may be annoying but usually can allow normal activities for another five years or so.
Even work may be possible with accommodations. Once someone has dementia, unable to live independently, lifestyle modifications and medications do not seem to be as effective. In my experience, it is critical to manage Alzheimer’s disease in the early stages to postpone the onset of dementia. Don’t wait for the horses to get out of the barn.
How to lower your dementia risk as cases expected to rise by 2060
Research shows that dementia cases are going up, with a study released this week estimating that cases in the United States, for instance, will double by 2060.
The study, published in the journal Nature Medicine on Monday, found that the risk of developing dementia after age 55 is double that reported by previous studies, estimating it at 42 per cent. They said this was tied to population ageing.
Previous research has estimated that global cases of dementia will rise due to population ageing and growth including a 2022 study that estimated global cases could rise from 57.4 million cases in 2019 to nearly 153 million in 2050.
Western Europe would see an estimated 74 per cent increase in cases by 2050, central Europe would have an 82 percent increase, and eastern Europe would see a 92 per cent increase, according to the study.
But people can take steps to reduce their risk of dementia, such as controlling high blood pressure and other bad-for-the-brain health problems, and it’s not too late to try even in middle age.
“All of our research suggests what you do in midlife really matters,” said Dr Josef Coresh, the study’s co-author from New York University (NYU) Langone Health in the US.
Dementia isn’t only Alzheimer’s
Dementia is the progressive loss of memory, language, and other cognitive functions.
Alzheimer’s is the most common form, and silent brain changes that eventually lead to it can begin two decades before symptoms appear. Other types include vascular dementia when heart disease or small strokes impair blood flow to the brain.
Many people have mixed causes, meaning vascular problems could exacerbate brewing Alzheimer’s symptoms.
Measuring the risk from a certain age over the potential remaining life span can guide public health recommendations and medical research.
“It’s not a guarantee that someone will develop dementia,” said Dr James Galvin, a University of Miami Alzheimer’s specialist. He wasn’t involved with the new study but said the findings fit with other research.
Dementia risk is different by age
Prior studies estimated about 14 percent of men and 23 percent of women would develop some form of dementia during their lifetime.
Coresh’s team analysed more recent data from a US study that has tracked the heart health and cognitive function of about 15,000 older adults for several decades. Importantly, they found the risk changes with the decades.
Only 4 percent of people developed dementia between the ages of 55 and 75, what Coresh calls a key 20-year window for protecting brain health.
For people who survive common health threats until 75, the dementia risk then jumps to 20 per cent by age 85 and 42 per cent between ages 85 and 95.
Overall, the lifetime dementia risk after age 55 was 35 per cent for men and 48 per cent for women, the researchers concluded.
Women generally live longer than men, a main reason for that difference, Coresh noted. Black Americans had a slightly higher risk, 44 per cent, than white people at 41 per cent.
Ways to lower dementia risk
There are some risk factors people can’t control, including age and whether you inherited a gene variant called APOE4 that raises the chances of late-in-life Alzheimer’s.
But people can try to avert or at least delay health problems that contribute to later dementia.
Coresh, for example, wears a helmet when biking because repeated or severe brain injuries from crashes or falls increase the risk of later-in-life dementia.
Especially important: “What’s good for your heart is good for your brain,” added Miami’s Galvin. He urges people to exercise, avoid obesity, and control blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol.
For example, high blood pressure can impair blood flow to the brain, a risk not just for vascular dementia but also linked to some hallmarks of Alzheimer’s.
Similarly, the high blood sugar of poorly controlled diabetes is linked to cognitive decline and damaging inflammation in the brain.
Stay socially and cognitively active, too, Galvin said. He urges people to try hearing aids if age brings hearing loss, which can spur social isolation.
“There are things that we have control over, and those things I think would be really, really important to build a better brain as we age,” he said.
“To the world, you might be one person, but to one person, you might be the world”
Genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia appeared to be partly offset by high levels of cardiorespiratory fitness, U.K. Biobank data suggested.
Overall, high cardiorespiratory fitness was associated with better global and domain-specific cognitive functions and lower risk of dementia in both middle-age and older adults, reported Weili Xu, PhD, of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, and co-authors.
The incidence rate ratio (IRR) of all-cause dementia was 0.60 (95% CI 0.48-0.76) for high versus low cardiorespiratory fitness.
Dementia onset was delayed by 1.48 years (95% CI 0.58- 2.39) in the high fitness group.
Among people with moderate or high genetic dementia risk scores, high cardiorespiratory fitness attenuated dementia risk by 35% (IRR 0.65, 95% CI 0.52-0.83) compared with low fitness, Xu and colleagues said in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
“Cardiorespiratory fitness may be used as a predictor of cognitive health,” the researchers stated. “Enhancing cardiorespiratory fitness could be a strategy for the prevention of dementia, even among people with a high genetic predisposition for Alzheimer’s disease.”
No study to date has explored the combined effect of cardiorespiratory fitness and genetic risk on dementia, Xu and colleagues pointed out. “Open questions remain regarding whether and to what extent favorable cardiorespiratory fitness may reduce dementia risk, even in those with a high genetic predisposition for dementia,” they noted.
In this analysis, the researchers followed 61,214 dementia-free U.K. Biobank participants ages 39-70 for a median of 11.72 years.
Mean baseline age was 56 and 52% of participants were female.
A 6-minute submaximal exercise test on a stationary bike was completed at study enrollment (from 2006 through 2010) to estimate cardiorespiratory fitness. Fitness scores were divided into low, moderate, and high tertiles, standardized by age and sex.
Global and domain-specific cognitive function was evaluated at baseline. Dementia was identified over the follow-up period using medical history and medical records. Genetic predisposition for dementia was estimated using polygenic risk scores for Alzheimer’s disease derived from genome-wide association studies.
During the follow-up period which spanned to 12 years, 553 people (0.9%) received a diagnosis of dementia. High cardiorespiratory fitness was associated with a lower risk of dementia and a delay in the onset of dementia across middle and older ages.
In multi-adjusted linear regression models, higher cardiorespiratory fitness was associated with better global cognitive function, prospective memory, verbal/numeric memory, and processing speed in all participants. The association between cardiorespiratory fitness and cognitive function was consistent in different age and genetic risk groups.
“Future research on the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and brain health, especially in older adults, is warranted, and the mechanisms by which cardiorespiratory fitness modifies the relationship between genetic risk and dementia deserve further investigation,” Xu and colleagues observed.
“As the measurement of cardiorespiratory fitness in clinical settings becomes both important and feasible, cardiorespiratory fitness may be used as a routine health monitoring tool or an indicator of health conditions,” they added.
The study was observational and cannot determine causality. Also, U.K. Biobank participants often are healthier than the general population, the researchers acknowledged.
U.K. Biobank participants with certain health conditions — such as chest pain at rest, high weight, high blood pressure, or a pacemaker — were excluded from the exercise test, which may have influenced outcomes. The submaximal exercise test used in this study is considered less accurate than maximal exercise testing which requires participants to exercise to exhaustion, Xu and co-authors said.
In addition, incident dementia cases were determined through register information, which might have led to an underestimation. Most participants did not have repeated cardiorespiratory fitness measurements, and relationships between changes in cardiorespiratory fitness and dementia risk could not be determined.
This research was supported by the Swedish Research Council, the Swedish Council for Health Working Life and Welfare, and the Karolinska Institutet Research Foundation.
Xu and co-authors reported no conflicts of interest.
People who have a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer’s disease may lower their risk of developing the illness with a workout routine, according to a new report. The study found that men and women with high levels of cardiorespiratory fitness in middle age and beyond were 35 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia in old age compared to their less fit peers. The benefits of exercise were particularly pronounced in those at increased genetic risk of Alzheimer’s because they carried the APOE-E4 gene variant or other genetic factors that predispose to the disease.
“Enhancing cardiorespiratory fitness could be a strategy for the prevention of dementia, even among people with a high genetic predisposition for Alzheimer’s disease,” the authors stated. The findings were published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
For the study, researchers from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm and other medical centers analyzed health records from 61,214 men and women who were part of the UK Biobank, a database containing in-depth genetic and medical information from half a million British citizens over many years. They ranged in age from 39 to 70 at the start of the study period, from 2006 to 2010.
At the beginning of the study period, participants underwent a six-minute fitness test on a stationary bicycle to assess their cardiorespiratory fitness, a measure of the ability of the heart, blood and lungs to supply oxygen to muscles during physical exertion. They were grouped into low, medium or high levels of cardiorespiratory fitness, standardized according to their age and sex.
Researchers assessed individuals’ genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease, according to standard research-based DNA analyses of genes linked to the disease. Participants also underwent tests of memory and thinking skills to assess their cognitive health. All were free of Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia when the study began.
Participants were followed for about 12 years, including with follow-up cognitive tests. During that time, 553 of them developed Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia.
The researchers found that overall, the more aerobically fit someone was in middle age, the better their cognitive health was more than a decade later. Cardiorespiratory fitness seemed to benefit multiple facets of memory, such as recalling specific words, names and numbers or remembering specific tasks, such as making an appointment.
The greatest benefits were observed in individuals with a genetic predisposition for Alzheimer’s. Those with the highest levels of cardiorespiratory fitness had a 35 percent lower relative risk of developing the disease compared to their least fit peers. Aerobic fitness delayed the onset of dementia by the equivalent of about one-and-a-half years, the researchers found.
“Our study shows that higher cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with better cognitive function and decreased dementia risk,” the authors concluded. “Moreover, high cardiorespiratory fitness may buffer the impact of genetic risk of all dementia by 35 percent”
The study was observational and cannot prove cause and effect. But it involved a large study population, and earlier research has shown that greater cardiorespiratory fitness is linked to a lower risk of serious diseases such as heart disease, stroke or cancer and a lower risk of dying young.
Cardiorespiratory fitness declines by around 3 percent to 6 percent per decade when we are in our 20s and 30s, but the decline accelerates to more than 20 percent per decade by the time we reach our70s.
Experts say the best way to help minimize cardiorespiratory decline as we age is by choosing an activity you enjoy, such as walking, running, biking or a dance or spin class, and to do it regularly for at least half an hour several days a week. Aim to perform the activity at a fairly rigorous level, in which it would be difficult to hold a conversation with a friend. You can also mix it up, aiming for brief periods of high-intensity exercise amid longer periods of lower intensity exertion.
If you’re just getting started, see your doctor to make sure the exercise plan is right for you. And don’t forget other lifestyle factors that can promote brain health, including a heart-healthy diet and a good night’s sleep.
By ALZinfo.org, The Alzheimer’s Information Site. Reviewed by Eric Schmidt, Ph.D. Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation at The Rockefeller University.
Source: Shuqi Wang, Liuao Xu, Wenzhe Yang, et al: “Association of cardiorespiratory fitness with dementia risk across different levels of genetic predisposition: a large community-based longitudinal study” British Journal of Sports Medicine, November 19, 2024
Uncover 
Alnitak, the easternmost star, is a triple-star system blazing 1,260 light-years away. Its primary star, Alnitak Aa, is the brightest O-type star in the night sky.
Tau Ceti has 78% the mass of the Sun and half its luminosity. Epsilon Eridani has 82% the mass and a third the luminosity. Both of them are visible to the naked eye. Makes you realise how piss ant our little arguments are when there are things like that out in the universe that dwarf usPeople cannot grasp the distance in the universe…
was big, look at the comparison of these stars found in the universe. It may be the biggest thing in this neighborhood, but the sun is just average compared to other stars. Betelgeuse, a red giant, is about 700 times bigger than the sun and about 14,000 times brighter. . .
