Posts by Wellness Editor

If you’ve ever had a bad day and resorted to a bag of chips or a pint of ice cream to feel better at the end of a long day, you’re not alone. There’s just something about junk food that sounds so appealing when you’re frustrated or sad. Nevertheless, too much junk food isn’t healthy and, while sometimes it can make you feel better in the moment, over the long-term it isn’t healthy. Recently, evidence...
February 07
Like the villains in old-fashioned westerns, cholesterol tends to get viewed as one of our body’s bad guys. But cholesterol plays a vital role in keeping our bodies functioning properly. So it's important to view it with balance. We need to keep it within optimal levels, but not view it as evil or bad because it's important to our wellbeing. Let’s take a closer look at the role cholesterol plays in...
February 07
Hair coloring subjects a person to many dangerous chemicals. There’s not much agreement over the potential risks common hair dyes can pose, but many experts do warn that people should use them with caution. A recent breakthrough, however, could make coloring hair much less risky by using a synthetic form of a chemical our bodies already make. The Problem With Traditional Hair Dye According to the...
February 07
A study out of the Washington University School of Medicine warns of the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle and concludes that Americans are still not doing enough to increase their daily activity. In fact, data concerning daily physical activity found time spent sitting has increased even more for individuals of all ages.We took a close look at the data to learn just how much inactivity has increased...
February 06
Comfort eating feels so...well, comfy. For a number of reasons, most of us indulge at some point. And, likewise, for a number of reasons, some of us are powerless against the urge to do so. Now, new evidence may be the breakthrough that helps some of us break free. It turns out that we may crave certain foods the same way we crave socializing with other people. Isolation may convince the brain to encourage...
February 05
Assisted living facilities in the United States cost an average of $4,000 a month. For individuals requiring more care, a private room in a nursing home costs an average of $8,365 a month. This expense is always changing, with a documented increase of 8% over the last 5 years. That might seem expensive to many people and not so expensive to others. The real question is, is it worth it?Long-term care...
February 03
The Chinese medicine technique of gua sha has been around for centuries, and recently it's gotten renewed attention, but is it right for the health of your skin? This home remedy, which involves a type of skin scraping, is used for a number of health issues. Its use on facial skin and other areas of the body may be just the rejuvenation treatment you’re looking for. The Original Uses of Gua Sha During...
February 03
Ever had someone try to convince you that a certain activity is the “ideal” form of exercise….and then when you tried it, you said “ick” to that ideal? That’s what happened to me in high school dance class. My high school gym teacher loved to dance, pirouetting in her enthusiasm to teach us the different styles throughout the year. My girlfriends were thrilled. Having already been bounced from Ballet...
January 31
Cold, dry winter weather is inevitable, and it can bring all sorts of problems with it. We might consider cranking up a humidifier to aid congestion and make breathing easier if someone in the household gets sick, but higher humidity levels can be helpful all through the winter season. We’ve uncovered five reasons why many households could really benefit from a humidifier. 1. Humidity Improves Skin...
January 31
Video games have been studied extensively for their potential role in violent and negative behaviors, and this singular view has largely given them a bad rap. More recent research has highlighted the positive effects of video gameplay, which appears to be just as noteworthy. Time spent playing and genre choices could be important factors in the impact they have on us so it's not as easy as early ideas...
January 31