There’s no doubt that you’ve heard the age-old phrase, “laughter is the best medicine.” But what does it mean and is it true? In general, the idea behind the phrase is that happier people are healthier people and, the good news is, studies have shown that this is true. Those people who maintain a positive, upbeat attitude are, in general, healthier than people who look at the world with a...

Whether you are new to the fitness scene or have been running marathons for years, a great watch can be your best friend – after the perfect pair of sneakers, of course! There are hundreds of affordable watches on the market that do everything from count your steps to keep track of your heart rate. Here are a few of the top rated models: Timex Ironman Men’s Road Trainer Heart Rate Monitor...

When it comes to creating a budget, most people don’t consider that it can help their health. It shouldn’t come as a surprise, however. When you get your finances under control, the rest of your life easily falls in line behind. Here are five ways that you can utilize your budget to improve your health: 1. Credit Card Debt With the recent tank in the economy, more and more people have found...

I have suffered with allergies for years. Outdoor allergies had me sitting in my bedroom looking out the window, watching my brother have a great time in the yard like kids are supposed to do. I still feel twinges of jealousy when I think about that lonely, sad little kid stuck in the house during the warmest months of the year when the other children were out playing. Times have...

Running your business from home can sound like a great idea. Did you also know it can cause your health and relationships to suffer? If you are type A, chances are you will focus all of your energy on your company and forget that you need to push yourself away from your desk and get out of your office. If you wouldn’t put in 16 hours a day on-site, you shouldn’t be doing it at home...

Have you worn a favorite piece of jewelry for years only to wake up one morning and find the body part the jewelry is covered with a red, flaky rash? Or maybe you’ve bought a new piece of jewelry and found yourself reacting to it as soon as it touched your skin. If you’ve had this problem, chances are you are among the over 30 percent of the population with a nickel allergy. This allergic...

Any nutritionist or other health professional will tell you that there is no such thing as a diet. Diets don’t work. Diets, in fact, set you up for failure. Think about it: you diet, you lose weight, you go off of your diet and you gain weight. Rather than talk about diets, let’s discuss a lifestyle change: The Mediterranean Diet. Yes, we know, we just said there’s no such thing as a diet....

Car accidents are something certainly something to dread, no matter the season. Involvement in a winter weather car accident brings with it a whole new level of stress. Roads are more slippery, making it difficult for other drivers to stop, the temperature is lower making it more dangerous to be stranded, and if there is snow and ice on the road it can take longer for first responders to reach...

If we are lucky, we’ll live into ripe old age. However, along with a longer lifespan comes physical changes to our bodies that we aren’t ready for or would rather ignore. One of the first signs of aging is a change in eyesight, particularly how our eyes function at night. Fading night vision is common and shouldn’t be ignored. Denying the change in the functionality of your sight is not...

We all know what we should be eating, but when you are faced with a budget it can make the high processed, cheap and convenient foods alluring. As a society we are obsessed with staying fit and being healthy. This may seem out of reach to some of us who are trying to stretch every dollar these days. But rest assured, you too can be a healthy eater on a budget. Here are a few ideas to take the...

With all the crazy weather that we’ve been having lately I’m sure you’ve been asking yourself if it is related to global warming. Although its existence has been hotly debated, even hardcore resisters of the concept are starting to change their tune. You can’t deny that the earth is in fact getting warmer and it is starting to affect our weather patterns at an alarming pace. It seems...

As with any relationship, you need to find a doctor that you can trust and make sure it will be a beneficial partnership, in the interest of your health. First determine what type of doctor you are looking for. If it is a general practitioner it will be important that they have good bedside manner and take their time with you, as they could be working with you and your family over a lifetime....

Yes, it’s that time of the year again. Cold season is upon us and there will be the inevitable sniffles, sneezes and coughs. Every year it happens and no matter how vigilant you are or how many healthy habits you employ, it shows up anyway with reckless abandon. I am determined to beat it this year so I have searched far and wide for the best preventions and cures possible. Here’s wishing a...

In this age of technology, “Go play outside!” is probably the last thing your kids want to hear. Hours upon hours are spent watching television, playing video games and using the computer. There are so many benefits of having your child return to the basics of imaginative play. By instilling a love of the outdoors with exploration and imagination, you can encourage your child to live a life...

Many of us don’t think about the day-to-day effects that air pollution may have on our health. It is something that we can be subjected to both indoors and outdoors. So how do we know what is considered safe, and when should we really heed the warnings that we see on the local news? We take for granted that the air that we breathe everyday is okay for us, but it may be good to take a refresher...

What could be more dangerous to your health, or that of others on the road, than being at the wheel when you are impaired by alcohol or drugs.  One of the greatest tragedies in the nation that has occurred on America’s roadways has been the needless deaths that have resulted from driving while intoxicated. In 2011 alone, according to the Alcohol Alert “Death Clock” there have been 7,622...

Most people don’t realize how strong the link is between our health and genetics. Sure you see that everyone in your family has a potbelly or they are predisposed to certain health issues. But do we really connect that our relatives are our fate? Can we really do anything to head off any health problems that we are heading towards due to our genetic makeup, or are we stuck with it? If you...

These days, many folks are moving toward reducing their consumption of animal products for a variety of reasons. Whether by choice or instructions from your physician, cutting down your intake of animal-based foods is a great option for your health. Whatever your reason is for beginning a plant-based diet, it is important to understand how to balance these foods for optimal health. Often a person...

Why is it that restaurants must adhere to stringent requirements when it comes to food safety issues, but we neglect to follow the same guidelines when it comes to our own kitchens? We spend more time cooking in our homes than eating out, so doesn’t it make sense to be even more meticulous in our own homes? Here are some tips for preventing food poisoning when cooking at home. Thawing Meats All...

When you obtain health insurance coverage, you may not be covered for pre-existing conditions, at least at first. Many health insurance companies have a six- to eighteen-month exclusion period for coverage of pre-existing conditions. This means that although you are paying your monthly health insurance premiums, issues for which you have sought medical attention in the past are not covered during...

It is estimated that more than 46 million U.S. citizens are without health care and millions more are struggling to pay health insurance premiums and co-pays. If you are living on a small paycheck and need help controlling mounting medical costs, consider taking advantage of the following options: Go for a high deductible: No one likes the thought of a high deductible, but insurance is your best...

When you work 65 hours a week and come home and sit in front of the TV, what are you really working for? You can have all the money in the world, but if you don’t have time to enjoy it, you’re not enjoying life. When will you have time to meet people, raise a family, or exercise? More importantly, when will you find time to de-stress? Find Time for Yourself Stress is a major contributor to...

Truckers face hours and hours behind the wheel of a very large vehicle. These guys get paid depending on the amount of miles they drive, so naturally they want to accumulate as many miles as possible. This means eating, drinking and sleeping in their truck. While this is not the ideal healthy environment, steps can be taken to decrease the weight gain, muscle loss, and fatigue associated with...