Harvard University
Living a Healthy Life
What is the secret to living a healthy life? Harvard experts explore the decisions we can make every day to ensure that we are prioritizing our health and wellbeing.
Science and research can help us make better choices when it comes to the foods we eat. Research suggests that some foods, like avocados and olive oil, provide benefits to our minds and bodies.
Scientists study everything from the relationship between late-night eating and weight gain and whether drinking coffee is good for you to how diets differ based on race and gender and how your diet and oral health are related.
Explore the evolution of the human metabolism and what makes a meal healthy.
Humans have deep-rooted instincts to avoid unnecessary physical activity, because until recently it was beneficial to avoid it.”
Balancing diet and exercise
The best balance is both a good diet and an active lifestyle, Professor I-Min Lee says.
Top 5 exercises
No matter your age or fitness level, these activities are some of the best you can do to help get in shape.
What we feel
How are our mental health and physical health linked? Harvard experts study the ways we can best take care of ourselves holistically.
- Harvard Medical School
Is a mobile app as good as a therapist?
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Daytime eating and mental health
- Harvard Law School
Student group focuses on wellbeing
- Harvard Chan School
Spirituality may lead to better health outcomes
- Harvard Graduate School of Education
Making time for mindfulness in the classroom
Learn about opportunities in your neighborhood and which greenspaces are easily accessible to you.”Heather Eliassen
Professor of nutrition and epidemiology
Music and mood
New analysis finds that music boosts our mood and wellbeing, and may even help during treatments for certain health conditions.
Healthy buildings
What makes a place “healthy” is complex, layered, and sometimes even contradictory, but our wellbeing depends on the places around us.
How we rest
How are sleep and wellness entwined? Researchers at Harvard study the different aspects of how sleep relates to our health.
Our brain while we sleep
Scientists believe that sleep plays a role in how we learn and form long-term memories.
Excessive napping
A study of older adults found that excessive daytime napping may signal an elevated risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Sleepy students
Researchers have found evidence that school start times impact non-cognitive factors like academic performance, attendance, and dropout rates.
Risky behaviors can negatively impact our health, cause health complications, and even decrease our lifespan.
Scientists at Harvard and beyond are investigating the dangers of vaping, evaluating the effectiveness of medical marijuana, and researching the paths to addiction.
Recent research has revealed that consuming less sodium and more potassium can decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease. Researchers have also linked sleep deprivation and alcohol consumption to the rise of cancer in those under 50.
