Like other parts of the body that show signs of aging, your brain also declines as you get older. And while you can’t put your brain on a treadmill or give it a set of dumbbells to lift, there are some proven techniques that can help keep your brain fit. Check out these tips to strengthen your mental acuity.
Keeping your blood pressure under control is one of the most important health commitments you can make. But unlike other health concerns, which announce themselves with symptoms you can easily detect on your own, high blood pressure (hypertension) can fly under your radar until damage is done.
It’s a simple but unfortunate fact that most of us don’t sleep enough. These five truths shed light on why you don’t need to settle for less when it comes to this important aspect of your health and how some habits may be keeping you wide-eyed.
Research shows that insufficient sleep is linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, depression and obesity. While medications are helpful to many, they can also cause side effects. Consider trying these alternatives if you experience occasional insomnia.
Andropause (more casually called male menopause) is the gradual decline of testosterone, the primary male sex hormone. Though not always as noticeable as the symptoms women experience during their hormonal shift, male menopause can cause changes that can be hard to accept.
What’s the best way to keep a muscle healthy and strong? Challenge it. The same can be said for your brain, and certain types of activities do a particularly good job of keeping your mind on its proverbial toes. Consider putting these brain-bending activities on your to do list.
With our busy lives, getting more or better sleep may seem like a luxury. Though it might seem like you have no control over how much and how well you rest, there are some simple things you can do to get a better night’s sleep.
If you know someone who can seemingly eat anything and stay slim, chances are they have a high metabolism. While it is true that metabolism is largely determined by genetics, age and gender, there are specific things you do to give it a boost. Try these tips to rev up your internal engine, jump-start a weight loss plan or maintain a healthy weight.
How can food help you think faster, perform better, preserve your memory and even improve your mood? The truth is you probably have superfoods within arm’s reach right now. Nourish your brain to stay sharp today and for many tomorrows.
If you’re like many men, you have experienced some changes in your urination—or even had problems urinating—as you’ve gotten older. You may not have given these issues much thought, but your doctor can help you get the right treatment, if any is needed, to improve your symptoms.
When lifestyle changes aren’t enough to help you get the rest you need, sleep aids may be something you’d like to consider, particularly if your issues have persisted for some time. Start down the path of more restful sleep by using this information to weigh your options wisely.
A puppy in the pet shop window who tugs at your heartstrings, the first relationship that left you heartbroken—it’s tough to shield your heart from everything life has in store. But when it comes to keeping your heart healthy and preventing heart disease, protection is crucial.
Paying attention to hitting your nutrition marks while you’re pregnant is a great way to get into the habit of doing the same thing once you become a mom—a true gift of awareness that can benefit you now and for years to come. Here are some key recommended daily nutrient goals.
After an evening of staying up watching late-night TV or desperately trying to fall asleep without success, you’ll feel the effects of lack of sleep the following morning. Long term, chronic lack of sleep can do much more harm than just leaving you feeling tired. Quality rest is essential to staying healthy.
You’ve been taught not to bring it up in polite conversation and certainly never to discuss it at the dinner table, but understanding (and, yes, talking about) your bathroom habits is an important first step in maintaining healthy bowels.
Like the rest of your body, your brain changes with each passing year. It sounds scary, but the process is natural and it happens to everyone. Take an active role in slowing negative effects and working to stay sharper, longer.
Being overweight can hurt. Carrying extra pounds puts added stress on your joints and that can cause your bone-cushioning cartilage to wear down, your ligaments to become strained and, as a result, you find yourself in constant pain.
While you can’t control some risk factors for high cholesterol, like family history and gender, you can seize these opportunities to make a positive impact on unhealthy levels.
Loss of libido is a big fear for many men—and their partners. Decreased sex drive has all sorts of repercussions. It can lead to strained relationships, loss of self-esteem and even depression. Determining the cause of reduced sexual desire is the first step towards recovering a healthy sex life.
As a woman, you are unique in so many ways—and that includes whether or not you choose to treat your menopause symptoms and what options you select if you do. If you’re unsure if you want to explore prescription therapies, these natural remedies for menopause symptoms may be a good place to start.
The earlier you can take steps to prevent osteoporosis, the better—but bone-building strategies can be effective as you age, too. Understand the risks, when to get a bone scan and what you can do now to protect yourself.
People with lactose intolerance may find themselves frustrated by the dietary limitations of their disorder. Others may not even realize that they have it. Though it affects more than 30 million Americans, lactose intolerance is one of the most misunderstood and misdiagnosed digestive conditions.
While it’s true that genetics play a part, your metabolism is not predetermined—lifestyle affects it, too. Understanding what metabolism is and how yours works is the first step in doing what you can to maximize its potential.
Bone loss, breast cancer—these and other health issues affecting scores of women get a lot of deserved attention and inspire health changes that can go a long way in preventing them from becoming part of your future.
While taking a snooze may feel like a frivolous indulgence, your brain will actually tell you otherwise. Mini rests give you a mental break from the stress of the day, but they also allow for actual changes in the brain that can help improve short-term mood, alertness and productivity.
It’s easy to hop on the bathroom scale and declare that your weight is just right, but your body mass index (BMI) can more closely gauge whether or not you are in a healthy weight range. Take a look at what the range of possible scores mean.
Exercise. It’s good for the body, but it’s also good for the brain. And those mood-boosting hormones that kick in—often called “runner’s high”—are only part of the story. Regular exercise makes your brain stronger, fitter and sharper. Here’s what happens over the course of a typical workout.
We all aim for a good night’s rest in order to feel energized and alert the next day, but sleep is imperative to maintaining a strong memory as well as the ability to learn and recall skills and tasks—now and in the future. Give your brain the time it needs to properly transfer and store information.
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