Self-Care

Science has discovered that the heart is so much more than a mechanical pump. It has its own brain and a nervous system, and constantly changes what it’s doing based on its perception of your internal state. It turns out that love doesn’t just feel good — it can actually protect your heart from damage and disease, too.

Feed a cold, and starve a fever. Or is it the other way around? It can be hard to separate fact from well-meaning fiction when it comes to preventing and recovering from colds and flu. But science has been busy, and now we have simple and powerful strategies to keep from catching a cold — and to suffer less and get better faster if we do. Here are five lifestyle strategies and seven superfoods proven to help keep you well during cold and flu season.

Hundreds of millions of people suffer from discomfort and disruption during their menstrual cycle because of excess prostaglandins and inflammation. But uncomfortable period symptoms don’t have to be a given. A number of nutrient-rich whole foods are proven to shorten period length, reduce pain, and decrease flow. Learn more about which foods can help reduce inflammation and contribute to feeling better during menstruation.

More and more kids are suffering from food allergies, gastrointestinal disorders, mood imbalances, ADHD, obesity, and a host of other conditions that are profoundly linked to the health of their gut microbiome. This can set them up for a lifetime of compromised health. But there’s also a lot we can do to improve the gut health of the children in our lives. And the sooner we start, the better.

The cutting edge of medicine is largely focused on longevity through genetic manipulation, nanotechnology, and advances in cellular science. While most of this is still in the realm of science fiction, the good news is that we already know a great deal about how to extend human life and health. There are several societies that produce far more than their expected share of centenarians and other healthy long-lived people. What can we learn from the Blue Zones, and how can we apply their wisdom to our lives?

We all want healthy-looking skin, but many of the “anti-aging” products on the market give you a temporary youthful appearance while actually compromising the health of your skin. Some could even be carcinogenic! A popular anti-wrinkle compound, retinol, shows great promise, but also comes with significant risks and side effects. Is there a natural and plant-based approach that actually works?

Collagen supplements are a hot beauty trend, promoted with the promise that they can keep your skin looking young. But what exactly is collagen? Do you need to take a supplement to keep your collagen levels high and your skin healthy? Or are there better ways to support your body’s collagen stores?

A good night’s sleep is one of the foundations of health. Yet our modern lifestyles can undermine our sleep, which can lead to fatigue and set the stage for low moods and chronic disease. The good news is that the latest research tells us there are proven steps you can take to improve your sleep — starting with what you eat and drink.

Quiz question: What's the healthiest part of Thanksgiving? Nope, it's not the Brussels sprouts or sweet potato casserole. The most health-promoting aspect of Thanksgiving is right there in the name of the holiday: giving thanks. It turns out that the practice of gratitude, if it were bottled in pill form, would be the world's best-selling drug. Practicing gratitude daily can improve our moods, our fortunes, and our communities. Read on to discover the mind-blowing power of giving thanks on our health and happiness.

When we talk about food, we typically focus on what we’re eating. Kale, good. Donuts, bad. But how we’re eating is also important. Are we wolfing down our food while driving or scrolling through Instagram? Are we using food to distract ourselves from unwanted feelings? Or are we eating consciously and gratefully, nourishing our bodies with good food choices? In this article, we’ll explore the challenge — and power — of mindful eating.

The times we’re living in can make just about anybody feel anxious. While we can’t easily change the state of the world, there are many actions we can take to reduce our anxious responses to it. In this article, we’ll look at what anxiety is, what causes it, and the simple dietary and lifestyle changes demonstrated to help.

Everybody sleeps, but that doesn't mean we all sleep well. Here’s how to design your diet and lifestyle to get the most out of your nightly z’s.