From RealAge

Great sex — if it is within a mutually monogamous relationship — may be one of the ultimate mood boosters.

In fact, semen contains powerful — and potentially addictive — mood-altering chemicals, including testosterone, estrogen, prolactin, luteinizing hormone, and prostaglandins. So although sex won’t cure depression, it may boost mood if some of these chemicals are absorbed through the walls of the vagina.

Read more…

Posted on April 2nd, 2008 by Lori Braun
Filed under: Health | No Comments »

[via thatsfit]

Summer is a great time of year to get outside and try a new sport that will help you stay fit and look great. After all, when it’s nice out, who wants to be couped up on a treadmill? If you’re bored of the same old gym routine and want to get out and enjoy the weather while getting some exercise, try the sports discussed here (note: calories burned are based on an 150lb person):

Soccer: The sport burns between 630 and 900 calories an hour depending on the level of play and works your quads, hamstrings, calves and glutes. All that running is great for your cardiovascular system too.

Squash: According to the piece, squash helps burn a whopping 1,080 calories in an hour! The sport also helps hand-eye coordination and strengthens core, shoulder and leg muscles.

Basketball: Not only is shooting hopes fun, it will burn 400 calories in an hour. A competitive game will burn up to 700, and basketball also helps build coordination and agility. Plus, like soccer, it’s good for your cardiovascular system.

Want to find out more? Take a look at the article for alternate work-outs for each sport, as well as for a breakdown on additional activities like water polo and kickboxing.

Posted on March 27th, 2008 by Lori Braun
Filed under: Health | No Comments »

“All I need is a vacation,” you tell yourself as you slog off to another endless day at the office. But does a holiday really relieve employee burnout?

According to one study, it does–for a while. Researchers at Israel’s Tel Aviv University surveyed 76 billing and accounting workers about their exhaustion levels before, during, and after a two-week vacation. Burnout dropped sharply during the break, the researchers report in the Journal of Applied Psychology but the vacation’s beneficial effects were already beginning to dissipate just three days after the workers returned to their jobs. By the three-week point, employees felt just as stressed as they did before taking time off.

While few companies are likely to grant vacations every three weeks, these results do suggest an alternative: frequent short getaways. “Since respite from work decreases burnout, the more respites you get, the greater the benefits.” says Mina Westman, Ph.D., one of the researchers.

And if your boss doesn’t agree? Mention that previous studies have shown that vacations boost performance and curb absenteeism. So from the company’s perspective, time off for employees may be time well spent.

Posted on February 24th, 2008 by Lori Braun
Filed under: Health | No Comments »

From Yahoo Health by Dr. Mao

It’s feeling like spring outside, and after months of inactivity, now seems like the right time to start getting physically active. Read on to find the numerous benefits of exercise to your health and longevity.

Activate Your Health with Exercise
Yes, exercise will give you a fit physique, but the benefits of daily exercise are much more. Regular exercise can help promote physiological wellbeing, strengthen the immune system, maintain joint mobility, increase energy - the list goes on and on.

Read more…

Posted on February 15th, 2008 by Lori Braun
Filed under: Health | No Comments »

Posted by Nicholas DiNubile, M.D. [via yahoo health]

Do you ever feel that life could be easier? That each day is a little harder? Life can, at times, be that way.

There is a Navy SEAL saying (from their training programs) that goes “the only easy day was yeaterday.”

Although most of us do not want to become Navy SEALS, nor could we even if we tried, there are some lessons to be learned from them about training and conditioning the human body (and mind), and the role of adaptation.
Read more…

Posted on January 9th, 2008 by Lori Braun
Filed under: Health | No Comments »