Did you know that what you eat can affect your sleep? That's right -- there are foods that can help us enjoy a blissful night's rest, while other foods and eating habits can prevent us from getting our needed zzz's. "Foods higher in specific nutrients can enhance our ability to go to sleep and the quality of sleep," said Vandana Sheth, a California-based registered dietitian nutritionist who provides counseling about diet and sleep hygiene to clients. That's probably welcome news for thos...

There are many misconceptions about what it takes to build muscle, and exercise experts say that buying into them may be precisely what's preventing you from achieving your fitness goals. According to Marques Garcia, MS, a certified clinical exercise physiologist and strength and conditioning specialist, one reason why many of these myths persist is that the sports science field is still relatively new. "We have just begun to understand the intricate connection between the physiolo...

Now that we’re more than a year into the pandemic, certain eating challenges have emerged from the disruption of our daily routines, limited opportunities to dine out and the anxieties that come along with job and financial insecurities. Here are some common pandemic eating problems and how to handle them. You’re grazing all day or snacking through lunch A handful of nuts here, a few chips there, a taste of chocolate, a bite of leftovers — if this scenario rings a b...

Hatha yoga has become one of the more popular types of yoga because it can build strength, improve flexibility, and align posture - while still being gentle enough for most bodies. "If you've been to a yoga class, you likely practiced hatha yoga," says certified yoga instructor Adrienne Leslie. "It's a great option for both beginners and experienced yogis. The instructors will cue the breath and guide you into proper alignment in the poses, and the poses can be modified based on the expe...

Here's a dirty little secret that luxury gym chains and big-name personal trainers don't want you to know: If you eat the right foods, you don't have to sign up for an ultramarathon training program or fork out $300 per-month on tailor-made fitness instruction in order to get stronger, leaner, and feel better. In fact, you can simply move more, walk more, and make tiny little decisions throughout the course of every day that can actually add up to make a real difference to your bo...

No one wants to hear (or even think) this, but if you work out regularly and don't wash your athletic attire well enough or often enough, you very well may stink. Bacteria, sweat, and body oils collect inside synthetic fabrics like your leggings or sports bra and can cause a funky odor, says dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. And the more bacteria in your sweat, the greater your chances of stinking. (Here are th...

Affecting 15% to 30% of the US population, bloating often feels like a swelling or tightness in your abdomen and can cause your stomach to bulge. It's often uncomfortable but doesn't always signal a cause for concern. You can't always prevent bloating but there are ways to reduce bloating, gas, and stomach pain - here are five. 1. Avoid certain foods Foods that contain certain types of carbohydrates, called FODMAPs, are not as effectively digested by the small intestine, whic...

Even if you’re not up for going full-on vegetarian or vegan, there are so many reasons to move toward a more plant-based diet. Not only is eating less meat associated with a lower risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease, it’s also better for the planet since beef production uses up a disproportionate share of the world’s resources. The good news is, you no longer have to trek to a health food store on the outskirts of town to find plant-b...

After a year in quarantine, with many of our usual pastimes unavailable to us, daydreaming has become a welcome escape. But is daydreaming good for you? We live in such a task-oriented society that the idea of just taking a break to let your mind think freely is often seen as lazy or unproductive. We can’t sit at the doctor’s office without scrolling through social media or go for a walk without listening to a podcast. But we’re actually daydreaming more often than we realize—almost 50% of ou...

You're out to dinner and feel a hand on your shoulder as a familiar voice says your name. You turn around and this person is smiling. You know her—you’ve known her for years, in fact. But her name has evaporated from your mind, and all you can muster is a “Hey…you!” Before you start Googling “signs of dementia,” rest assured that some changes in memory and cognition are a normal part of the aging process, especially if they manifest as trouble finding words or momentary lapses in...