Daily Refill - June 2, 2025

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1️⃣ Kissing May Transmit Depression and Anxiety, Study Finds

Summary — A study from Iran suggests that depression and anxiety might be transmissible through kissing. The research found that when one spouse had poor mental health and trouble sleeping, the healthy partner suffered similar symptoms after just six months, potentially due to the transfer of oral bacteria.

Why it matters — This finding supports existing psychological theories that close relationships can influence health through subtle, biologically-linked mechanisms.

Try it — Maintain good oral hygiene and be mindful of your partner’s mental health, encouraging open conversations and support when needed.

2️⃣ Preteen Physical Activity Linked to Better Mental Health at 18

Summary — A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine reveals a strong link between physical activity in preteens and improved mental health outcomes by age 18. Each additional hour of daily physical activity at age 11 was associated with a 12% reduction in the risk of psychiatric diagnoses at age 18.

Why it matters — Ages 10–12 may be a crucial period for fostering psychological resilience, and physical activity could play a protective role against the development of psychiatric conditions in later life.

Try it — Encourage your preteens to engage in daily physical activities, such as sports or outdoor play, to promote long-term mental well-being.

3️⃣ Moderate Coffee Consumption Linked to Healthier Aging in Women

Summary — A 32-year study involving nearly 50,000 women found that moderate consumption of caffeinated coffee is linked to healthier aging, including better physical, cognitive, and mental health into their seventies and beyond.

Why it matters — Coffee—not tea or decaffeinated coffee—was significantly associated with these benefits, while cola consumption correlated with poorer aging outcomes.

Try it — Enjoy up to three small cups of caffeinated coffee daily, but be mindful of your individual caffeine tolerance and consult with your healthcare provider if needed.

4️⃣ Health Tracking Overload: When Wearables Harm More Than Help

Summary — A tech journalist’s six-month experiment with multiple health-tracking devices led to increased anxiety and obsessive behavior, highlighting the potential downsides of constant self-monitoring.

Why it matters — While wearables can offer helpful insights for some, overuse may lead to more stress than benefit, especially if users become fixated on achieving ideal scores.

Try it — Use health trackers selectively, focusing on specific areas like sleep quality, and avoid becoming overly reliant on constant data monitoring.

5️⃣ Over Half of Top Mental Health TikToks Contain Misinformation

Summary — A Guardian investigation revealed that over 50% of the top 100 trending TikTok videos under the #mentalhealthtips hashtag contain some form of misinformation, often promoting unproven treatments and oversimplified solutions.

Why it matters — Such content may trivialize serious conditions, mislead viewers, and contribute to public misunderstanding about mental health.

Try it — Rely on evidence-based information from reputable sources and consult mental health professionals for guidance, rather than solely depending on social media content.

Quote of the Day

Micro-Habit for Monday

Take a 10-minute walk without your phone, focusing on your surroundings to reduce stress and improve mindfulness.

Small tweaks, big dividends. See you tomorrow!

— Matt

P.S. If you enjoyed this, then you’ll definitely love my weekly newsletter, Mitten Dad Minute, that includes deep dives into how you can spend more time doing what you love, with those you love, rather than waiting till your golden years.