Research shows that maintaining a well-balanced gut microbiome is an integral part of both short- and long-term health. After all, a properly functioning gastrointestinal system is the foundation for the health of your entire body, with the ability to impact everything from your cardiovascular system and chronic disease risk to...
We’ve always heard the importance of starting the day with a great breakfast… but yet somehow putting this into consistent practice seems to be easier said than done for most. Putting actual food into your body every morning is not only about refueling your energy tank. Eating a high-quality, nutrient-filled...
On average, you will take around 16 breaths per minute. This means you will take 23,040 breaths just today and 8,409,600 breaths this year. Out of all those breaths, how many can you remember taking consciously? Although breathing is an important part of your autonomic nervous system, your body's control system...
[disclaimer] In the midst of our quarantine during the COVID-19 outbreak, many people are being forced to work from home for the foreseeable future. Your work may be pretty much the same as before, but your work setup is probably different (couch, meet butt). Although it’s cozy, this desk alternative isn’t ideal for your back—which is...
[disclaimer] Sounds wrong, right! Eating ourselves to death? But it does make sense from a scientific standpoint, as it what the vast majority of Americans are doing every single day. We are overfed and badly under-nourished. This is surprisingly easy to do as we overload on empty fat and sugar-filled calories...
2020 has completely shifted our day to day routines, to say the least. Among the changes for many is working or schooling from home. Sitting for hours on end, it seems we yearn to get up and get moving to feel better. Maybe a stroll outside will do the trick....
The Ironman, Crossfit Games, or maybe Mr. & Ms. Olympia competitions evoke the thought of what strength and fitness are supposed to be. And though they do take a great deal of training and hard work, as important as many of the abilities showcased on these platforms are, the relationship...
In recent years, companies have hopped on the bandwagon of creating products that tout brain power-boosting abilities. Notably, energy drinks or pill supplements filled with artificial sweeteners, caffeine, and a plethora of unspoken chemicals that can wreak havoc on your body and your brain, the very thing it promises to...
We've all been experiencing highs and lows in our motivation this year, and you may find yourself in a bit of a rut at this moment. If that's the case, at WWD we declare that it's time to make adjustments, to shake off the dust, and pick it up where...
Your knees are the largest joint in your body, and they’re in charge of so many of your movements. And new research suggests that those who perform physically demanding jobs are more prone to developing osteoarthritis in the knees—which proves that taking care of the knee joint health is essential...
Alcohol has become a huge part of American culture and is now the center of many social events, both personal and professional. Alcohol is also used as a means to boost confidence, wind down after a long day, and is even used by introverts when confronted with large crowds. But,...
Mindfulness—including practices such as yoga, journaling, meditation, and more—has surged in popularity in the last several years. People typically seek out these activities to control stress and improve mental and emotional wellness, but with limited research on the physical impacts of the practice and no reimbursement incentives from health plans...
A study published in July 2019 in the journal Current Biology indicates a poor night’s sleep—specifically, restless rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep—negatively impacts brain function, including the work of amygdalae. These are almond-sized clusters of nuclei located deep within the brain’s temporal lobes and responsible for the consolidation of memories for long-term...
Have you ever heard of sleep architecture? Your body’s natural daily rhythms are regulated by structures in the brain that help determine when you fall asleep and wake up. People progress through a series of distinct physiological stages during sleep. Each stage of sleep serves an important purpose in keeping...
The hardest part of working out is quite possibly sticking to the routine. Breaks - planned or unplanned - happen to everyone, even the most dedicated fitness enthusiasts. Still, the body has a great way to adapt and is capable of springing right back into the swing of things when...
In the times of COVID-19, walking quickly became the workout darling. With gyms closed and at-home workouts the new norm, a walking workout not only one of the best ways to get some fresh air while social distancing (something even experts recommend, as long as you abide by the six-feet-apart...
According to a new study, the treatment gap between men and women who have strokes has significantly narrowed from 30% to 13% in 10 years. The study, published in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, examined 24 existing studies published between 2008 to 2018, with one...
The coronavirus has killed dozens of Americans and sickened many others. At the same time, it has caused most people to drastically alter their daily schedules as schools have closed, and working from home has become of the order of the day. This kind of upheaval also can wreak havoc...
The initial appeal that comes with working from home is that you’re not tied to the confines of a desk. Work from your bed! Or the couch! But once you realize you’ve got neck tension and your sore wrists, this freedom loses its appeal. Though we rarely give our wrists much thought, R....
Many of us have been sheltering in place for months — and with most gyms closed, this period has changed the way we incorporate movement into our days. Some have invested in at-home fitness equipment or online training sessions, while others have reassessed what a “workout” has to look like, fitting in small bursts...
From posting live workouts online via social media to using virtual class vendors, teams are continuing to serve their staff by keeping them engaged in health and fitness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual Group Exercise Class Schedule The fitness center staff at a national insurance company is offering Take a Stress Break...
Did you realize that you will spend about a third of your life asleep? Yet often we don’t give the same attention to sleep that we give to other necessities, like food and water. This is probably why more than 70 million Americans suffer from dysfunctional sleep or a sleep...
Coffee is one of the world’s most popular beverages. Thanks to its high levels of antioxidants and beneficial nutrients, it also seems to be quite healthy. Studies show that coffee drinkers have a much lower risk of several serious diseases. Here some of the top health benefits of coffee. Coffee Can Improve Energy Levels...
It seems ironic that when we are tired, our minds are often the most active. Lying in bed waiting for sleep to come, it can feel as though there’s an entity inside us, chattering away at record speed, ruminating and overthinking, and working against us — the voice of doubt and judgment that...
For most of us, it's enough of a hassle just to work out, let alone the added effort to drive to and from the gym, pay the membership and look for daycare. Just the thought will dwindle the fitness hopes of many. However, the physical space should not be an obstacle, if...
[disclaimer] We commonly hear (and you may have noticed these among friends and family undergoing cancer treatment) that a big change for patients is the condition of their skin. Being aware of the potential skin issues is half the battle. We typically hear about potential nausea and hair loss, but most...
Late-night drinks with clients. Caloric airport food. Weeks of no exercise. While it may be easy to overlook the poor decisions we tend to make when traveling for business, in time, they will catch up with us. But instead of issuing warnings about how such choices can negatively impact your...
There are times we all feel like our body must be a liar—when we get a big pimple right before an important date or when we bloat before a black-tie event or a high school reunion. Or maybe when we melt inside looking at a picture of the person we’re...
Never underestimate the power of a good walk – and not just as a mid-run break. ‘Going for a “pure walk” – no running at all – allows your body to make small adaptations that strengthen your feet, knees, and hips,’ explains coach Jeff Galloway. Long, brisk walks can help...
On the off chance that you need a small but substantial fire under your ass to get moving, let's talk about why sitting, frankly, sucks. To start, sitting has unpleasant short-term effects—it can make our hips, back, and elsewhere feel stiff and tight. And if you're experiencing stiffness, pain probably...
The quintessential herb of summer, basil adds its subtle magic to just about every kind of dish from appetizer to salad to dessert. A member of the mint family, basil brings a slightly sweet Mediterranean-inspired flavor to a range of dishes. Grow your own or pick some up at the local market...
Every week a major diet fab makes news headlines or is endorsed by an increasingly fragile celebrity for all the wrong reasons. Disorders such as anorexia and purging, coupled with a line or a needle, are the rage these days on Hollywood Boulevard. All one needs to do is look...
Olive oil has been touted as one of the healthiest fats we can consume. As the trend toward improving our health (especially in the US) continues to gain momentum, the numerous benefits of olive oil find themselves in the news regularly. Aside from its incredible versatility for cooking, it also...
Do you notice how much of an effort you make to get to something you really enjoy? Yoga is no different. When we enjoy our time on the mat, we’re motivated to keep coming back. Regularly. If you're pretty new to yoga, you'll want to make it an enjoyable experience...
As economic and political turmoil strengthen, your peers insist on challenging convention, families continue to destabilize, and social media increasingly disrupts our emotions, it’s so easy to get overwhelmed, anxious and frustrated these days. Anxiety is commonplace in the workplace, communication gaps may be widening in your life, and great...
Was your Thanksgiving marred by overindulging? Don’t lose hope if you’re trying to eat healthfully over the holidays. There are several ways you can still enjoy food at holiday celebrations without overeating. Many people assume it’s unavoidable to gain weight over the holidays, but it’s possible to combat this notion...
No one would question the fitness of cyclists tackling the Tour de France, but can the bike benefit runners? Yes, says pro triathlete Linsey Corbin. ‘Cycling is a great way to cross-train, whether you’re healthy or working through an injury.’ In a study that compared running four days a week...
You're probably aware of the importance of creating a safe, comfortable, relaxing space in your home, to provide refuge, release and a space to explore and meditate. However, it's just as important to establish deep ties to the home within you, not just to your pile of bricks and wood....
The New Year’s Eve always sparks a storm of diet trends and a monsoon of conflicting information. The year 2015 was no exception with the Paleo and Raw Vegan Diet abound. In order to navigate through the murky waters, let’s look at some of the claims made by the Paleo...
What’s the difference between those who lead an active lifestyle, continually aspire for optimal physical and mental greatness, and train for the sake of their long-term health, versus the New Year’s resolution crowd? It’s elementally simple, but vastly complex: mentality. We’ve heard it a million times, but I had to...
Designed as the ‘edible fountain of youth’, raw foods diets are intended to resolve physical ailments and extend lifespan. According to researchers, raw or living foods contain important natural enzymes, which aid in digestion, but cooking with temperatures above 118 ̊ destroys their nutrients and vitamins and results in the...
The vegetarian bandwagon is crowded these days. Some people have jumped on board for religious reasons; others out of concern for the environment. Whatever the case may be, one does not need to subscribe to a political ideology or religious doctrine to embrace a vegetarian lifestyle. The health benefits attached...
It’s common to see a topless runner. It’s less common to see a shoeless runner. Yet in recent years, many runners have left their shoes in the dust and are running barefoot. This peculiar workout trend is known as barefoot running, giving the expression “I’ve got soul” a whole new...
It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s…superfood! In recent years superfoods, a label for foods packed with nutrients that supposedly ward-off disease and combat aging, have become a household name on par with Superman. But are the health claims attached to superfoods true, or a fiction on par with our...
Consumers are growing wary towards genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Technologically speaking, however, GMOs are old news. A new technology is on the horizon that has the power to genetically tweak food in a whole new way. Synthetic biology or “synbio” creates rather than modifies an organism’s genetic make-up. The goal...