For most healthy women, exercise during pregnancy is as important as it is at all times of life. It brings benefits such as better overall health, preventing back pain and keeping you regular, which can be a challenge for some women. While low-impact aerobic activities like walking are often emphasized, research has found a surprising…  read on >

Waging a successful battle against advanced colon cancer should include regular doses of exercise, a new study suggests. It found that physical activity was associated with slower cancer progression and reductions in severe treatment side effects in more than 1,200 patients undergoing chemotherapy. Exercise — even low-intensity activity such as walking — helped. “What we…  read on >

Developing core strength is essential for fitness and overall health, but it doesn’t have to be a drudge. If you’re ready to go beyond crunches — or never liked them to begin with! — consider these moves that target the muscles in your torso and spine. The Advanced Bird Dog: Begin on your hands and…  read on >

Your dog might be your heart’s best friend, if a new study is any indication. Researchers found that compared with people who had no pets, dog owners tended to have fewer risk factors for heart disease: They got more exercise, and had healthier diets and lower blood sugar levels. Even compared with other pet owners,…  read on >

Exercise, even a little of it, can lengthen your life, a new study suggests. The Norwegian researchers also found that too much sitting was associated with a higher risk of early death. “Developing ways to limit sedentary time and increase activity at any level could considerably improve health and reduce mortality,” the study authors concluded.…  read on >

Using a rich moisturizer, even an inexpensive one like petroleum jelly, is one part of keeping eczema under control. Now researchers have found that this skin care step can keep many newborns at risk for the condition from developing it. Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is the most common inflammatory skin condition among children. With eczema,…  read on >

There’s no shortage of self-help apps, videos and podcasts on topics from having better mental health to having a better six-pack. Though the programs they offer bring the convenience of working at your own pace and in your own space, it’s important that you evaluate any program on its merits before committing your time and…  read on >

You suffered an injury that has sidelined you from exercise, but you dodged a bullet — your doctor has said that you don’t need surgery. Instead, he or she prescribes physical therapy, most likely to start after a rest period to give any inflammation time to subside. At that point, you’re probably feeling better and…  read on >

If you’re satisfied with your life, you probably have emotional well-being. Emotional well-being can be mastered just like any other skill, according to Richard Davidson, founder of the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. How? By developing four key traits, said Davidson, a neuroscientist. The first is resilience. Research at the Center…  read on >