News Above the Noise—Week of April 21, 2024
1. The Mental-Health Benefits Linked to Going to Church
A growing body of research is proving what those who go to churches, synagogues, and mosques feel deeply: Active religious practices lead to mental well-being. “There is a mounting body of empirical evidence suggesting that people who are active in their faith tend to be the recipients of a number of important physical and mental-health benefits, Byron Johnson, professor of social sciences at Baylor University, told The Wall Street Journal. To read the piece, click here.
2. 7 Tips to Help Spring-Clean Your Financial Life
This time of year, many of us find ourselves doing a deeper clean than usual—and Washington Post columnist Michelle Singletary recommends adding one more spring-clean to your household to-dos: clearing the clutter in your financial life. In this article, she offers 7 straightforward tips to help you get started.
3. Women in Menopause Are Getting Short Shrift
The menopause transition and gender transition share more in common than you might imagine: They are both body-wide hormonal shifts that affect virtually every organ of the body, from skin to bones to brain. Now, medicine is starting to connect the dots—and clinicians who typically treat transgender patients (urologists, sexual medicine specialists, and gender-affirmation surgeons) are moving into menopause care. For more on what this could mean for women’s health, click here.
4. Does Birth Order Really Shape Who We Are?
Firstborn daughters are having a moment in the online spotlight lately, with memes and think pieces shining a light on put-upon older sisters. But is “eldest daughter syndrome” a real thing? If you’re interested in learning more about what the research—and personal experience—says about birth order, don’t miss this article.
Editor's Note: Every week, The Sunday Paper's team of journalists sifts through the news to make sense of what's happening in the world and provide hope for your week to come. We find what Rises Above the Noise and do our best to highlight what we think matters. If you’d like to read more in-depth, please note that while we do our best to feature articles that are not behind a paywall, some of the news pieces we recommend require their own subscriptions beyond our control.
