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Research we're watching

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Stressful events � even positive ones, such as watching an exciting sporting match � can affect your heart. During World Cup soccer and the National Football League's Super Bowl, rates of heart attacks and heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias) increase, both among sports fans and within the local population. A study published online August 20 by the American Journal of Cardiology takes a closer look at this risk.

Researchers examined data from 133 people with implanted cardiac devices in St. Louis, Mo., during two 10-day periods. The first was in early September of 2011 (the control period). The second was six weeks later during the World Series, when the St. Louis Cardinals played a series of dramatic games against the Texas Rangers.

There are ways to shorten flare-ups and, in some people, prevent them from recurring.

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Psoriasis is a big star on TV drug ads, but this autoimmune skin disease is something most people try to keep well hidden.

"Psoriasis is among the most common skin conditions, affecting about 2% of the U.S. population, and while the condition doesn't affect everyone the same way, the approach to treatment and prevention is often similar," says Dr. Gideon Smith, an assistant professor of dermatology at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital.

Every day, carve out a little time to release your worries and relax your mind. It may counteract the heart-damaging effects of stress.

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Stress is an inevitable part of life. People often fret over day-to-day hassles such as traffic jams and unpaid bills, not to mention the relentless news about natural disasters and political crises. Many are also coping with the added anguish of divorce, illness, or death within their families.

All of these so-called psychosocial stresses first take hold in your mind. But the effects spread throughout your brain and body. Sometimes, you can even feel it: your heart pounds, you breathe faster, and your muscles tense. However, chronic stress also has more insidious physical effects that can harm your heart (see "Stress and your cardiovascular system").

Because social connections are vital to human development and health, and writing is a way to form or strengthen a sense of connection to others, the creative expression of writing has been found to improve health and boost healthy emotions.

Asking for help from friends and family and then engaging with your new community will get you through the transition.

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Downsizing from a large home to a smaller one is a fact of life for many older adults. The reason may be finances, health issues, or a desire to simplify your lifestyle. But making the transition can bring a host of emotions: sadness, grief, stress, or anxiety.

Understanding the triggers for these feelings and using strategies to navigate them may not change how you feel, but it may help the downsizing process go more smoothly so you can focus on your next chapter.

Asking for help from friends and family and then engaging with your new community will get you through the transition.

ÌýImage: © IPGGutenbergUKLtd/Getty Images

Downsizing from a large home to a smaller one is a fact of life for many older adults. The reason may be finances, health issues, or a desire to simplify your lifestyle. But making the transition can bring a host of emotions: sadness, grief, stress, or anxiety.

Understanding the triggers for these feelings and using strategies to navigate them may not change how you feel, but it may help the downsizing process go more smoothly so you can focus on your next chapter.

Staying connected to friends, neighbors, and your community may protect your heart.

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The lonely hearts club may be larger than you realize. About a third of older adults say they frequently feel lonely, according to findings from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project. And only about half of Americans have meaningful in-person social interactions on a daily basis, such as having an extended conversation with a friend or spending time with family members, suggests a recent survey by the global health service company Cigna.

People whose main social contacts were at their place of work often feel that loss acutely after they retire. Many older adults are also at risk for isolation and loneliness because they're divorced or have lost a partner. But a lack of caring companionship (including from family, friends, or a romantic partner) may make you more vulnerable to a number of health woes. In fact, several studies suggest that isolated and lonely people face a slightly higher risk of heart attack or stroke than people with stronger social networks.

It might seem like retirement is a time to take it easy and devote yourself to gardening, golfing, and napping. But don't take it too easy, say Harvard experts. For optimal well-being, you need to stay engaged � with your own interests as well as with other people.

Making the change

Newly retired men face some typical difficulties. One is creating a new routine after leaving behind the nine-to-five grind. "During that phase of going from a lot of structure to almost no structure, men can exhibit the same signs as someone who is overworked," explains Dr. Randall Paulsen, a psychiatrist at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital.