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 >

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 >

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 >

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 >

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 >

Wearing a bike helmet can save the life of your young child or teenager, but it needs to fit well to really do its job. A well-fitting bike helmet significantly reduces the odds of serious head injury or death due to a bicycle, scooter or skateboard accident, experts say. Children’s Hospital Los Angeles offers some…  read on >  read on >