We are told from the beginning about how important sleep is for the body. But how important is it really? Healthwise, chronic sleep loss can put you at an increased risk of heart disease, heart failure, high blood pressure, stroke, and diabetes. Some even say it decreases one’s sex drive. Although we know sleep is important for…
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps control the reward and pleasure centers in the brain. It helps regulate movement and emotional responses, enabling the brain to see rewards and move toward them. Dopamine provides enjoyment and reinforcement to motivate a person to do or continue doing certain activities that provide pleasure. It’s a key factor…
Indoor tanning is all the rage, primarily amongst women, despite countless warnings regarding the dangers of using tanning beds. More than 400,000 cases of skin cancer per year in the United States alone are related to indoor tanning. Tanning beds are placed under the Group 1 class of cancer-causing agents, the same category as cigarettes and…
Lots of jobs are hard. But parenting might just be the hardest. Despite all of the books, pamphlets and research that parents can delve into before their child is born, parenting often ends up being a “learn as you go” process. Most parents have a subtle but constant fear that something might go wrong. The…
Mouth ulcers, also known as canker sores, are usually small, painful lesions that develop in the mouth or at the base of the gums. They be extremely uncomfortable and painful while eating, drinking and talking. There is no exact cause behind mouth ulcers, but certain factors are known to trigger them, including: Minor mouth injury Toothpastes…
Microwaves are one of the most convenient kitchen appliances. In a rush and don’t have enough time to crank up the stove? No problem – just toss it in the microwave, hit one of the preset buttons, and finish up getting your outfit ready while your leftovers warm. But what’s the cost of that convenience?…
Maybe you’re an old soul, or you’re falling for someone who is. Old souls tend to live and love a bit differently than others, so it’s important to understand their personality, passions, goals and dreams in order to truly get to know and love them. Here are ten things to understand before you fall in…
Stress often creeps into our lives, even when we’re trying our hardest to keep it out. Balancing work, bills, family members, friends, romantic relationships and other obligations can be difficult, and at times it can become overwhelming. Constant stress can affect your mood, thoughts, work performance, emotions and relationships, and you may not even realize…
How do you get your kid to go to sleep when they’re feeling anxious about their day or the monsters under their bed? It’s a question that perplexes many a parent, which is probably why repetitive children’s book sales are so high. But what if I told you there was a way to get your…
Hello and welcome back to another issue of top 5 alternative health sites of the week. This week, we have 5 top sites in a unique alternative health category, which is Biofeedback Therapy. Every week we do a countdown from a special field of alternative health. Hope you enjoyed our last week’s countdown, which was…
Chronic anxiety is a common anxiety disorder that involves constant worry, nervousness and tension. It goes far beyond worrying about a work project or being nervous before a date. Chronic anxiety is an intense, persistent and excessive problem that can become extremely disruptive to a person’s everyday life, including his or her health. Anxiety causes…
We’ve all heard it before — added sugar is awful for you. Large quantities can wreak havoc on your health and lead to obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and even cancer. Despite the dangerous health consequences of consuming sugar, Americans are still eating it. Candy, sodas, ice cream treats, processed foods… The sugar addiction…
Are you guilty of people-watching? I know I am. A lot of us do it when we’re out in public places. It’s not hard to find yourself looking over at someone else and wondering why they’re acting the way they are. Not too many people will actually approach someone they see and apprehend them for…
It can be tough to come to grips with the fact that your body isn’t doing so well and even tougher to figure out exactly what to do about it. And while many people turn to modern medicine and pharmaceuticals right off the bat, there are plenty of alternatives out there to consider. Some of them…
We have talked extensively about restless leg syndrome and leg cramps in previous posts. Basically, these are conditions that occur at night when you are trying to go to sleep. They can be extremely painful and frustrating to deal with. This is especially true if someone just wants to rest. Restless leg syndrome is a…