A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration showed an increase in deaths from impaired driving crashes during the holiday season. The analysis states “fatalities associated with impaired driving, expressed as number of...
Staying active outdoors during the winter can be great for your health. But it’s important to be vigilant when planning extended outdoor excursions; overexposure to cold and wind poses the risk of frostbite. This...
Most everyone has endured those embarrassing white flakes on their shoulders. This time of year it could be snow or dandruff — a seasonal condition most common in cold weather. Warning signs of the...
Everyday life can wear down anyone; sometimes it seems you’re facing an insurmountable series of burdens. And when stress swirls, it’s easy to lose perspective. If negativity begins to overwhelm you, try this: Pause,...
If you’re feeling leveled by lethargy lately, fight back by boosting your metabolism — defined by the National Institutes of Health as “all the physical and chemical processes in the body that convert or...
Chocolate is one sweet treat you can afford to eat. Although partially boosted by the wishful thinking of its countless connoisseurs, chocolate’s reputation is nearing that of “super foods”— along with blueberries, walnuts, beans,...
A common consequence of holiday excess is heartburn. Overeating and lying down too quickly after meals are the top causes of that burning sensation or sour taste. About 1 in 7 Americans have these...
anging from mild “winter blues” to more severe depression–like symptoms, Seasonal Affective Disorder may hit up to 10 million Americans annually, between September and April when daylight hours decrease. Research indicates SAD rates rise...
While chestnuts are roasting on an open fire, remind yourself to grab a handful of nutritious nuts. Studies show they can help stabilize blood sugar, decrease heart disease risk, lower cholesterol, and provide strong...
Shoveling snow is no simple chore. Combine frosty temperatures and heavy lifting — a driveway can contain hundreds of pounds of snow — and you have a recipe for injury or worse. Each year,...
Still stuffed from Thanksgiving? Join the club. The average American gains 1 pound during the holidays, says the National Institutes of Health. While a single pound doesn’t seem too drastic, the cumulative effect of...
The classic holiday movie A Christmas Story depicts young Ralphie’s hilarious obsession with obtaining a Red Rider BB gun despite his mother’s warnings that he’ll “shoot his eye out.” Unfortunately, moms worry for good...
When snow and sleet are falling, the best bet is to stay home. But if you absolutely must drive during dangerous conditions, it’s critical to be prepared. Have a mechanic inspect your car in...
Most people get enough vitamin D naturally — through sunlight. But our sun exposure is often limited this time of year due to shorter days and colder temperatures. Adding vitamin D through your diet...
During the colder months, it’s easy to get cooped up indoors. But with a winter wonderland of outdoor fun available, there’s no reason your physical activity should suffer. Go get some sunlight, breathe in...
An 8–ounce glass of 100% fruit or vegetable juice is generally a tasty and healthy choice. But it can be loaded with carbs, sugar, and 100–200 calories. At least 5 servings of fruits and...
The true holiday spirit is love and kindness, not gifts and indulgence. While volunteering is a selfless act, those who annually donate 100–plus hours enjoy enhanced physical and mental health themselves — greater longevity,...
You probably think everyone washes their hands — it’s common sense, right? Surprisingly, just 75% of adult females and 58% of adult males wash their hands appropriately, according to a 2006 study cited by...
The sometimes absentminded rocker–reality star Ozzy Osbourne offers a great reminder: Don’t forget your memory. According to WebMD.com, common causes of memory loss include medications, alcohol, illicit drug use, stress, depression, head injury, infection,...
An annual cocktail of joy and dread, the holiday season exposes us to stressors that can unnerve even the most strong–willed person. The top holiday anxiety triggers, according to the Mayo Clinic, are relationships,...