It's ironic, isn't it? A season that's meant to be a happy, wonderful time of celebration so often ends up being stress central. But do the holidays have to be synonymous with stress? Not if you take steps to cope.
It’s spring! Which means: warm winds, tulips, the beginning of baseball season, swingy dresses, itchy eyes and nonstop sneezing...wait. What?
Yes, for some of us, spring is not all butterflies and rainbows. If you suffer seasonal allergies—commonly called hayfever—read on for tips on how to survive (and enjoy) the season.
In the quest for better health, we have a powerful new ally on our side: digital technology. There have been some truly exciting innovations in recent years, and they're being woven into our daily lives as we speak. It's something of a revolution, and I must say: it’s time.
The best part? Digital technology can empower you to improve your own health, and the health of your family.
When it comes to getting healthy, technology can be a wonderful and powerful thing. And that power is more accessible than ever, in the form of free and inexpensive apps. There are tons of excellent health-related apps available; today I’m going to look at four of them.
In case you need another reason to eat broccoli: in a British study published this week, a compound found in broccoli has been shown to help prevent osteoarthritis. The compound is called sulforaphane and it’s found in all cruciferous veggies—like cabbage and Brussels sprouts—but broccoli has the highest concentration.
Research from Toronto's Ryerson University recently revealed this shocking statistic: 30-40 percent of couples sleep apart at night.
And we're not just talking about people heading for divorce. Many of these couples enjoy healthy, happy marriages. They just happen to not share a bed.
I know, it's all very Fred and Wilma Flintstone, but bear with me a moment...there may be good reason for the trend.
A small cloth covered my eyes and I felt myself gliding backwards into the large metal cylinder. I heard a soft hum and then rhythmic clicking. I focused on the sound of my own breathing.
I was having a CT scan of my head. This was two weeks ago.
At the time, the thought circulating through my head—yes, the one that was being radiologically sliced and imaged and analyzed—was this: being a patient really kinda sucks.
Got a weird twinge in your neck? Kid just woke up with a strange rash? Something odd about the way your tongue feels? Hmm...what to do...ooh, I know. Jump on the old laptop and Google that freaky symptom!
Or, maybe not.
I typically assume most patients have already Googled themselves silly before turning up in my office. And that assumption usually turns out to be correct. But is it a good idea?
What’s one of the first things that happens when you encounter a stressful situation? You tense up. Your shoulders rise, your stomach tightens, your jaw clenches.
It’s part of the evolutionary fight-or-flight response in the face of danger. Your body is literally getting ready to do battle. With a saber-toothed tiger. Except that, in reality, there aren’t any of those around.
Just your two year old.
Having a temper tantrum in the grocery store.
(Which, let’s be honest, does bear some resemblance to a saber-toothed tiger.)
It's time to call attention to an under-recognized health habit—and this one is free, has no calories, and you won’t need to make a trip to the health food store OR to the gym to reap the benefits. I’m talking about cuddling. Human touch—and I’m not even talking sexual contact, necessarily—simply hugging, cuddling, and snuggling, conveys substantial health benefits.
