Healthy happy you.
I've been taking advantage of the early sunrise and running before my family wakes up. It takes a bit of discipline, but it's so nice to check something off the daily to-do list before 7:00 a.m. Aside from patting myself on the back while brewing my cup of Joe, early morning exercise can translate into a more productive workout. The hormone cortisol, which helps break down fat for fuel, is Read more
A stress-free life is unfortunately just a fairy tale. Also unfortunate is the fact that chronic stress can lead to weight gain. This happens for a variety of reasons, one being that stress makes you hungry. As we evolved, stressful situations required great physical energy, like running from a saber-toothed tiger. Then and now, a stressful situation triggers a shot of adrenaline followed by a Read more
Cortisol is a hormone that's recruited to regulate blood pressure and the immune system when the body is experiencing physical or emotional stress. Constant stress can cause our bodies to overproduce the hormone, and instead of helping to balance our bodies, cortisol can cause sleep problems, leave us vulnerable to infection, induce blood sugar abnormalities, and lead to abdominal weight gain. Read more
It was great news when we learned that sex can reduce stress, but it turns out there's no need to get naked in order to ease your mind or your troubles — recent research shows that kissing is also a stress-reliever. When couples were asked to smooch for 15 minutes, there was a decrease in levels of the stress hormone, cortisol. Other couples who were asked to just hold hands, also had a Read more
Let's face it, the holiday season is stressful. Couple that with all the runny noses that surround you and it becomes clear – vitamin C is your ally. Aside from helping shorten the duration of a cold, fighting wrinkles, and helping absorb iron, vitamin C is a stress buster. Boosting your system with extra C before stressful events can help bring your blood pressure back to normal more quickly. Read more
Stress generally interferes with your desire to smile, but new research indicates that stress may actually have a detrimental impact on your gums. And that is definitely not worth smiling about. Researchers found 57% of recent studies reviewed showed a relationship between gum disease and stress as well as related psychological symptoms like distress, anxiety, depression, and loneliness. While Read more
Exercise is a proven way to beat stress, but if you're more in the mode for relaxation, here are some ways to ensure you stay healthy and stress-free without a bead of sweat. Eat fresh: Greasy, fried foods may be endorphin-boosting since they're addictive, but in the end, they'll only make you feel bloated and tired. Instead of eating processed foods, reach for feel-good foods that will not only Read more
We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Prevention here on FitSugar! You don’t have to go on a deprivation diet or spend hours exercising to ward off disease and be your healthiest self! Instead, try these supersimple tips By the editors of Prevention Staying healthy can feel like so much, well, work (think: logging hours at the gym and whipping up nutritious meals from scratch). Read more
We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Health.com here on our site. Does your metabolism grind to a halt after 35? Can certain foods rev it up? Answers ahead — and they're good. By Paige Greenfield Here's something to feel good about: your body is a calorie-burning machine. You'll even torch a few while reading this article. The point is, every single thing you do — Read more
We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Shape here on FitSugar. This week Shape turns to Cynthia Sass, a registered dietitian with master's degrees in both nutrition science and public health. In a new study published in the Journal of Obesity, researchers at the University of California, San Francisco found that mastering mindful eating and reducing stress effectively prevented Read more
