Your fitness tracker, pedometer or smartwatch may motivate you to exercise more and lose weight, Australian researchers say. In a large research review, the investigators found that tracking your activity might inspire you to walk up to 40 minutes more a day (about 1,800 more steps). And those extra steps could translate to the loss… read on > read on >
All Do It Herself:
Summer Swim? Watch Out for ‘Swimmer’s Ear’
When weather gets hot and people start jumping into a pool, lake or ocean, cases of swimmer’s ear are likely to climb, but one expert says there are steps you can take to avoid the painful condition. The best prevention is a simple one: avoid getting water in your ears, said Dr. Hongzhao Ji, an… read on > read on >
Exercise, Puzzles, Games: They Help Men’s, Women’s Brains Differently
Exercising your body and mind can help stave off memory problems as you age, and some of these benefits may be even greater for women, a new study suggests. The study looked at cognitive reserve, or the brain’s ability to withstand the effects of diseases like Alzheimer’s without showing a decline in thinking or memory… read on > read on >
Post-Workout Sauna Might Boost Your Health Even More
Next time you work out, maybe take a 15-minute sauna when you’re done for extra heart health benefits. That’s the main finding of research out of Finland. It found taking a sauna confers additional cardiovascular benefits over exercise alone. The new study didn’t look at how saunas can boost heart health, but other studies have… read on > read on >
Using Pot May Impede Female Athletes’ Performance
Medical and recreational marijuana use has surged across the United States as more states legalize the drug, but young female athletes may want to think twice before taking a toke. A new study from the University of Northern Colorado connects regular cannabis use in fit young women to decreased anaerobic power, a component of physical… read on > read on >
Mindfulness Can Help Ease Pain, and Scientists Think They Know How
For thousands of years, people have used meditation to help diminish their pain – but how the process works has always seemed rather mysterious. Today, advanced brain scan technology has revealed how this ancient practice alters brain function and provides pain relief to its practitioners. A first-of-its-kind study used MRI scans to discover that mindfulness… read on > read on >
U.K. School Studies Find No Benefit of Mindfulness for Kids’ Mental Health
As rates of teenage anxiety and depression climb in the United States, parents and teachers are rushing to solve the mental health crisis. Some have proposed mindfulness training in schools as a therapeutic tool, but a review of studies out of the United Kingdom indicates it may be time to consider other options. For the… read on > read on >
Do You Live in America’s Fittest City? Experts Rank Best to Worst
Want to get fit and stay fit? Arlington, Va., may be the city for you: For the fifth year in a row, it has been named the fittest city in America. Meanwhile, the title of the least fit city goes to Oklahoma City, according to the annual fitness rankings of America’s 100 largest cities from… read on > read on >
Think You’re at High Risk of Prostate Cancer? Healthy Living Can Slash Odds for Lethal Disease
Genes can put some men at heightened risk of prostate cancer, but a new study suggests they can undo much of that potential harm with a healthy lifestyle. Researchers found that among men at increased genetic risk of prostate cancer, those who maintained a healthy lifestyle were much less likely to die of the disease… read on > read on >
Gardening Can Blossom Into Better Mental Health
If you are feeling stressed and depressed, new research suggests that grabbing a trowel and getting your hands dirty may improve your mood. Researchers found that tending to plants can reap mental health benefits, even for first-time gardeners. The activity was linked to decreased stress, anxiety and depression in healthy women who attended twice-weekly gardening… read on > read on >