Physical Health

Many people think acne is just a teenage result of puberty, menstruation and a changing body. That’s not always the case.

I’ve found that college is a great time to create healthy habits through regular practice of physical activity. While every person is different, here are some workouts that work for me as a college student.

Fermented foods are becoming more popular for physical health and well-being. Here is what to know about fermented foods and gut health.

Celtic salt was a recent TikTok health "hack." It does contain minerals like magnesium, potassium, calcium and iron, but does it contain enough of those minerals to make a difference?

This hormone is essential for menstruation, reproduction and overall health. Let’s look at what progesterone does, symptoms of low progesterone, causes and treatments.

Nearly one in 10 women who give birth experience premature birth. There are a variety of inherent health factors, environmental factors and lifestyle factors that heighten the risk of premature birth.

Blue light glasses have become increasingly popular in the past few years. There has been a growing concern about whether the blue light from screens is unhealthy for the human eye.

Lifetime sports are those you can play for your whole life at any age. Regular exercise is important for people of all ages and has been shown to reduce and prevent many health conditions.

Fibermaxxing is a trend rooted in eating more fiber than you may be used to. It's a trend most dietitians can get behind, as more than 90% of American adults fail to reach the minimum fiber threshold.

Growing evidence suggests ice may not always be the best remedy for certain injuries. Let’s take a look at icing and when and how you should apply it.

According to the Sleep Foundation, incorporating gentle yoga stretches can release tension held in the muscles, promote deep breathing and ease stiffness, all of which may help you prepare for a restful and restorative sleep.

Both perimenopause and menopause can bring noticeable physical and mental changes, due to shifting hormone levels.

You may add more probiotic foods to your diet or reach for a supplement to help with physical and mental health, but do they work? Here’s a look at probiotics, how they affect health conditions women face and whether you should consider taking them.

Many people struggle with portion control without even realizing it. But those extra bites can add up and have a real impact on your health over time.

Buying store-bought dressing is convenient, but those products are often highly processed and contain excess sugar, preservatives and unhealthy fats. Making your own salad dressing is not only healthier, it’s easier than you think.

Potatoes are the most popular vegetable in the United States. Here is what to know about potatoes and their association with increased Type 2 diabetes risk.

Apple cider is a beloved fall beverage, but is it healthy? Learn more about its pasteurization process and nutrition value, here.

Walking indoors can help reduce the risk of chronic conditions and help reduce stress. Here are the benefits of indoor walking and a few tips to add fun challenges to your workouts.

It’s common for people to confuse canker sores and cold sores, but these conditions are actually very different. Understanding their various causes and symptoms is crucial for proper prevention and treatment.

A new study found eating a higher ratio of plant to animal protein was associated with lower risks of cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease. Interested in incorporating more plant-based protein into your diet? Here's what you need to do.

There are some at home remedies that can help ease the discomfort and irritation. One is gargling salt water. Learn more about the benefits that saltwater gargling has for your throat.

A large network connecting tissues and fluid under your skin? Meet the interstitium.

Inflammation is a regular part of the body’s response to injuries and invaders, such as when germs enter the body, triggering an immediate inflammatory reaction.

Since we were kids we discarded the pits, peels and seeds from our fruit while eating the tasty flesh. But did you know the parts of the fruit we usually scrap can have health benefits, too?

Could the bag you carry every day be the source of your back pain? Learn more about the effects your bag may have on your back.

Performing routine actions with food packaging like unwrapping cheese and cold cuts or steeping tea bags in water could shed microplastics and nanoplastics into your food and drinks, according to a new study.

Before you pack for a summer day outing or road trip, read this list of summer-friendly snacks that won't melt, get soggy or spoil under the sun.

There are a myriad of physical and mental health benefits associated with eating outdoors. Here is how getting into the habit of eating outside here and there can improve your health.

Research shows that regularly practicing yoga can benefit our health. Next time you strike a pose and hold it, know that you’re improving your physical and mental health in a myriad of ways.

A sound bath is sitting in a calm place with soothing sounds and vibrations. Learn more about how it works, the possible health benefits of sound baths and how to create a sound bath space at home.

The heat has been intense in Michigan over the last week or so. Before letting your kids play outside, it's important to take these tips and advice into consideration.

It's important to understand the various food product dates stamped on our food. Knowing the difference between them, as well as how to perform an egg float test, can help you figure out if your eggs have spoiled.

A color walk is a type of walking meditation in which you pick a color and search for items in various shades. This kind of walk combines exercise with meditation.

Fruits are high in nutrients, minerals, antioxidants and fiber necessary for overall health. People with diabetes should include fruit as part of a healthy diet while keeping an eye on fruits with particularly high sugar content.

Upbeat music can make exercise feel easier, and the right collection of songs can put you in the zone. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you are building a workout playlist.

As you get older, your approach to exercise needs to shift. Strength training isn’t only for athletes, it’s one of the most effective ways to stay strong, steady and independent in your golden years.

Roller coasters are a favorite among thrill-seekers. Learn how the loops, launches and drops affect our bodies.

Is medium rare steak healthier than well-done steak? Or is it the other way around? As grilling season ramps up, check out the answers to these questions.

If you’re feeling sore or battling an illness but still want to power through a workout, you may consider a dose of NSAIDs before exercising. Here's why that might not be a wise idea.

If you are susceptible to springtime allergies, you'll want to put preventive measures in place to quash symptoms before they start. Here's how to be proactive.

Let’s look at the relationship between allergies, asthma and exercise and how to manage the conditions.

If your smartphone never leaves your hand, you’re not alone. As much as smartphones have made lives more convenient, there’s a downside that’s becoming more common: hand and finger pain. You may have heard terms like “text claw” or “cell phone hand” tossed around to describe it.

Whether they’re playing recreationally with friends on the playground or in an organized league at school, the safety provided by masks and eyewear should be a top priority for kids this spring.

Grilling is a summer pastime in Michigan, and baking is known to be a healthy way to prepare foods. We all know the grilled food is healthier than fried food, but how does the grilling method stack up against baked food?

There’s a science behind what the first five minutes of exercise does to your body. Don’t let it deter you from a great workout.

Are you seated a lot for work, or do you watch a lot of TV and play video games in your free time? Exercise can help reverse the harmful effects of prolonged sitting and a sedentary lifestyle.

Charcoal grills, gas grills and smokers have all seen an uptick in use over the past five years. The question is, what is the healthiest grill to use?

Walking is extremely beneficial, but it may be enough exercise if you are an adult age 65 or older. Moderate to vigorous exercise is important to maintain a level of health and fitness.

Research has found laughter to be beneficial to our health in both the short-term and the long-term. From releasing endorphins to increasing your body's concentration of oxygen, laughter does plenty good for the body and mind.

You may feel like diving into a gallon of chocolate ice cream, but there are certain foods you should avoid during your period.

Enriched flour is a processed food. Here's how it can affect blood sugar and which foods are commonly made with it.

The term “healthy salt” is a bit of an oxymoron. Here's everything you need to know about the nutritional differences between sea salt and table salt.

It is helpful to know the typical timeline for baby teeth falling out and permanent teeth growing in to help your kids navigate this transition. While losing teeth is generally quick and painless, there is value in teaching your kids about the process to avoid unnecessary anxiety around the experience.

How much exercise do my children need to stay healthy? And what does exercise look like for a child? Walking 12,000 steps a day is a great way to get started.

Want to get better, more consistent sleep? Improving sleep quality may be a few diet tweaks away. Here’s how food affects the sleep cycle, and which foods promote and disrupt a good night’s sleep.

Breakfast, lunch or dinner, which meal should be the heaviest? If you are trying to lose weight, what you eat and the amount is important, in addition to the timing. Read more about when you should eat your biggest meal.

Caffeine is a stimulant that has wide-ranging effects on the body. You have to consider its impact on digestion, whether it dehydrates you and how it affects your heart before consuming unhealthy amounts of it.

Cold plunges can be a complementary recovery method to vigorous exercise. But exactly when should you take the plunge? Here's what the research suggests.

Like the saying goes, laughter is the best medicine. But why is laughing good for you, exactly? From a giggle to a guffaw, here is why laughing is healthy, including lists of short and long-term benefits.

Smashing old dishware with a baseball bat can be cathartic in the moment, but rage rooms may not be a long-term solution for stress relief.

Recreation therapy is a powerful, evidence-based way to empower individuals to live healthy, happy lives. Here are the adaptive recreational activities Disability Network Eastern Michigan organizes through its RecConnect program.

Early detection of common ear, nose and throat (ENT) problems in children can ensure prompt intervention, which leads to effective treatment and healthy long-term outcomes. 

What’s not to love about dark chocolate? It has a rich, flavorful taste and loads of health benefits to make it a good-for-you treat.

If you make a habit out of binge drinking, you could expose yourself to these specific short and long-term health problems.

Nearly half of American children have had a cavity filled or are dealing with an untreated cavity. While brushing and flossing daily along with regular dental exams are the best preventive measures against cavity, it’s also important to understand how cavities form.

While about 75% of women experience menopause symptoms, which start at the average age of 51, there are ways to manage symptoms and maintain health.

Exercise bikes are handy in cases of inclement weather, in cold winter months or when you simply want to get a good workout in the comfort of your own home or at your gym, watching television or listening to a podcast. But are exercise bikes effective at building up physical fitness and endurance?

Silent walking is the idea of a focused, silent walk without listening to music, podcasts, conversation, or other activities often used during runs or walks. The goal of silent walking is to focus your mind and body on the walk, on the world around you, and to use the walk as a meditative experience.

When it comes to food, “processed” and “ultra-processed” are not interchangeable terms. Products that are processed are also not inherently unhealthy. A better understanding of the difference between these terms may change your approach the next time you shop for groceries.

Are there any benefits to making New Year’s resolutions, or do they set you up for disappointment and failure? Reframe your thinking around resolutions and new habits or lifestyle changes and you’ll likely see better results.

Taking breaks to unplug and do nothing shouldn't be associated with laziness. Research shows that carving out time to do nothing here and there can be beneficial to the body and mind.

Don't let the icy temperatures deter you from staying fit this winter. Let this list of outdoor and indoor exercises spark some motivation.

Many winter sports, such as skiing and hockey, are high-impact or contact sports that may not appeal to many athletes. Here are some low-impact winter sports and exercises to include in your cold weather exercise plans.

Wearable weights have been around for years, but they're enjoying a renaissance on social media. Here's what to know about ankle and wrist weights, as well as weighted vests, before you try them.

Whether it’s because of colder weather, schedule changes, travel or holiday celebrations, it can be harder to stay active during the winter. Colder weather especially may leave you wanting to stay curled up and indoors rather than exercising. Here are some creative ideas to still get out and get enough physical exercise during the colder winter months.

For most women, having cramps is part of having your period. But here are some signs to watch for that mean you might need to talk to your doctor.

Did you know that many cleaning supplies can not only be bad for the environment, but also for your health? While cleaning is a necessary part of our everyday lives, many cleaning supplies can irritate the eyes or throat, cause headaches or other health problems.

TikTok is buzzing with a trend called “the winter arc” that encourages you to start your health and fitness goals in the fall to create a healthy winter. Let’s explore the viral winter arc challenge and whether it has potential to improve your self-improvement journey.

Proper nutrition is a must especially when running or exercising, not only to keep a healthy diet, but also to get additional nutrients needed when exercising regularly. Here are some tips on foods to eat and foods to avoid leading up to and following a run.

Pre-diabetes refers to elevated blood sugar levels that aren’t high enough to be Type 2 diabetes. However, pre-diabetes can lead to the development of diabetes without lifestyle changes to lower blood sugar levels.

Dry air and dust can wreak havoc on allergies, sinuses and skin. Dry air indoors is more common during the winter. Many people use humidifiers to keep their air more humid in the winter months, but do humidifiers help or exacerbate allergies? It depends on the specific allergens and triggers involved.

Maybe you feel like you’re dragging your feet or a step behind in the morning, or just wish you were more productive or active when you first get up. Becoming a morning person can be a hard adjustment but can be made much easier by setting yourself up for success by getting good sleep and changing some habits.

Energy drinks are everywhere these days, promising to relieve fatigue and help you power through your day. Energy drinks can also lead to jitters, crashes and dependence. Luckily, there are plenty of natural alternatives that can give you the boost you need without the negative side effects.

Learn how joining a running club can help you with your physical and mental health.

Don't get sidelined by an injury. Here's how to build strength and prevent injuries in the first place.

Malnutrition is often associated with being severely underweight. However, anyone whose body is deprived of the nutrients it needs to maintain healthy tissues and organ function is malnourished.

As of 2020, more than 54% of school-aged children in the United States participated in youth sports. Youth sports are associated with higher levels of physical activity and improved physical and mental health. There are multiple benefits to participation in youth sports.

While meat does contain high levels of protein, it is also often high in saturated fat and cholesterol. There are many plant-based sources of protein that Americans don’t use at nearly the rate of meat consumption. Learn how to start your day off with a healthy high-protein breakfast without relying on meat.

Silk pillowcases and other silk accessories such as wraps, scarves and bonnets have become increasingly popular for their benefits for hair and skin. These silk head accessories have been a cornerstone of Black hair experiences to protect natural and braided hairstyles long before they were more widely adopted as a healthy hair technique. Now the use of silk material has become more popular regardless of hair type.

Whether it's for health reasons or a curiosity, you might be wondering if a gluten-free diet is right for you. Going gluten-free is a commitment and requires both dietary and lifestyle changes. For some, consuming gluten can lead to serious health concerns, while others may choose to avoid it in hopes of better health.

Powdered greens have become a popular trend to add fruits and vegetables into your diet through a blend of freeze-dried and ground fruits, vegetables and greens mixed with water or a smoothie. Are they a good substitute for eating fruits and vegetables? Learn more about powdered greens and their benefits and drawbacks.

Rebecca Adams’ HER2-positive, stage 3A breast cancer diagnosis came as a shock. Extensive research and lifestyle changes helped her persevere.

Yoga is known for its health benefits, including increased flexibility, increased strength, improved sleep and the ability to help with chronic pain and inflammation. Many of these benefits apply to kids as well. Learn how to introduce yoga to kids with these tips and yoga poses.

Regular running and exercise are associated with better overall heart health and other health benefits. Americans who follow the American Heart Association guidelines of 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise a week have healthier hearts and avoid diseases at higher rates than those who don’t, and those who get 3-5 times that amount of exercise have the best health outcomes.

Gut health is connected to all other areas of personal health, including physical and mental health. Maintaining a healthy gut biome is important to support your body and the way it functions. There are foods that promote gut health in the way they are broken down and absorbed in the digestive system.

The recommended amount of daily fiber is between 25 and 38 grams, but most Americans eat only 10-15 grams daily. A diet high in fiber can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases and help you to feel fuller for longer and more energized compared to refined carbohydrates.

The risk of falls and injuries from falls increases as we age due to loss of bone mass, muscle mass and balance. Balance exercises can lower the risk of falling as well as the risk of injuries. Here are some balance exercises that are helpful for balance training and preventing falls and related injuries.

There are more than 30 million cases of illness cause by food contamination annually in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Many of these cases are preventable with proper cooking, handling and storing practices. Learning proper food preparation practices and getting rid of unhealthy habits in the kitchen can prevent food poisoning and safety issues.

In the hustle of everyday life, it's easy to overlook the importance of self-care. I know when my schedule picks up, I have a habit of prioritizing my responsibilities over my own wellness. However, I’ve made the conscious decision to incorporate self-care habits into my routine.