The All-Day Benefits of Yoga

An ancient practice, yoga has become increasingly popular in our busy modern world. For a lot of people, yoga offers a kind of escape from their chaotic and stressful lives. This is true whether you’re in an ashram in India or on a secondhand mat in your own bedroom. There are endless reasons that people love yoga; many of them are about the way you feel during your practice. A good yoga session is quite cathartic; you’ll relax, stretch, meditate, challenge yourself, and enjoy the improvements you make from day to day. However, many of the benefits of yoga carry over beyond the mat into your everyday life. Here are a few of these benefits. (more…)
Get Writing: A Guide for Getting Into the Habit of Journaling

By now, most of us have heard about the benefits of keeping a journal. If you’re seeing a doctor about anxiety, depression, or another mental health issue, you’ve probably been advised to start writing down your thoughts. (more…)
Energy Drinks Could Short Circuit Your Heart

I used to drink an energy drink on a regular basis prior to going to the gym. It gave me motivation and stamina, so I could get a good workout. One morning I was really tired, so I drank a 24-ounce can of "Rockstar" on my way to work. After a couple of hours, my heart started racing and pounding like it was going to beat out of my chest. I have had "panic attacks" before, so I thought if I could calm down I would be ok. After fifteen minutes of non-stop heart pounding, I went to the emergency room. (more…)
The Curious Case of Compatibilities When Choosing a Partner

Dating is one of those few games where a vast majority of us are going to make mistakes, ranging from frivolous to grave. But fortunately, we are allowed to make them; dating is a science which is not absolute and we are left with no other choice but to rely on the trial and error method, however erratic the method may be. (more…)
Iowa House Bans E-Cigarette Sales to Minors

In a move that might send a powerful precedent to the world of e-cigarettes and vaping, the Iowa House voted 76-22 banning the sale of e-cigarettes to minors. One of the key points seeks to prevent vaping or e-cigarette inhaling from becoming an acceptable activity for minors. One can only imagine school children inhaling e-cigarettes inside their school buses as other children look on. Although there's no research that proves that e-cigarettes can cause cancer, the presence of nicotine is a crucial issue as it is habit forming and addictive. As a father, I know fully well the bane of children developing bad habits. (more…)
Preventing Environmental Allergies

The rates of allergies are increasing throughout the world these days, and the reasons are not fully known, although there are various theories. Many of these allergies are environmental ones, so it is important to have some preventative strategies. (more…)
Vitamin C for Colds

"Drink your orange juice!"
"Take vitamin C as soon as you feel a cold coming on."
These are just a few of the things people tell you to do when you start to sniffle and sneeze. But does vitamin C for colds really work? (more…)
How I lost 30 Pounds Without Excercise: There’s an App for That

Two years ago after I turned forty-five, I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. I knew I had to change my eating habits and drop some weight. I'm 5'7" tall and weighed 195 Lbs. I have tried fad diets, and they just left me hungry or irritable. Stimulant drinks or diet pills caused my pulse to race well above 140 bpm. I drank a Rockstar energy drink on my way to work one morning and by noon I was in the ER, because my pulse spiked to 210 bpm. They had to perform a cardioversion, which means using medication to stop and restart my heart to a normal rhythm. (more…)
COVID-19 Safety Tips to Keep You Healthy – and Sane

There’s no arguing that we live in a new world – one where a simple trip to the grocery store could result in a life-threatening illness. Or so it seems if you stay on top of the latest headlines. It can be difficult to separate fact from fiction with so many people disagreeing, but a few things are indisputable: first, there is a new virus out there that we don’t fully understand; second, staying home is the best way to avoid exposure; and third, most people cannot stay at home day after day, so understanding how to protect yourself is key. Here are a few tips to help you stay safe and give you peace of mind while we wait for a vaccine (the ultimate goal). (more…)
Defying the Odds? Superstar Smokers from Sports

The Winter Olympics in Sochi has begun and will be watched by millions of sports fans worldwide who will marvel at the athletes’ fitness, skill and mental stamina as they strive to win gold for their countries. Each competitor has their own tailor-made training regime complete with specific dietary requirements to ensure their body remains in peak fitness. Olympic athletes obviously don’t smoke; right? Actually, some of them do. (more…)