Monthly Archives: December 2016

Migraines and their relation to lightning storms

30 Friday Dec 2016

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If you’re a migraine sufferer, watch out for lightning storms. More than half of people with migraines are sensitive to weather changes – particularly when there are drops in air pressure, and lightning activity. Even the flashes alone can trigger migraines. Scientists say lightning emits electromagnetic waves, produces ozone in the atmosphere, and releases fungal spores… and any one of those things could bring on a migraine. So if you know bad weather is coming your way, take your medication before the first lightning bolt strikes.

The key to being less clumsy is TOE CURLS.

29 Thursday Dec 2016

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That’s according to research from UC Berkeley. Scientists say most balance disorders are caused by a problem in our inner ear or brain. But they’re also linked to muscle weakness in our feet. So any exercise that strengthens our feet can improve our coordination and balance.

That’s why researchers recommend doing toe curls. So try lifting your big toes without lifting the other toes. Or, use your feet to pick up small objects – like pencils. You’ll be less of a klutz in no time.

Having trouble sleeping?

28 Wednesday Dec 2016

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Stop paying bills or watching the financial news before bed. The National Sleep Foundation says 27% of people are kept awake by money worries. Instead, Dr. Rubin Naiman, a sleep specialist from the University of Arizona, says to watch a comedy before bed. Laughter reduces blood pressure and decreases your heart and respiratory rate, helping you relax.

Before you wash the dishes, know this!

27 Tuesday Dec 2016

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When you’re washing dishes, make sure the water temperature is at least lukewarm. If not, you risk leaving behind microorganisms that’ll make you sick. That’s according to food scientists from Ohio State University. They say, water that’s at least 75 degrees Fahrenheit will reduce bacteria to safe levels. Because if you leave behind food remnants, bacteria, like E.coli, can grow – and your family will blame your cooking for giving them food poisoning – instead of blaming whomever was on clean-up duty.

Exercise and be happy!

26 Monday Dec 2016

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If you take antidepressants and want to make them more effective, exercise. Scientists from UT Southwestern Medical Center found that being active every day was as effective as taking a second antidepressant. That’s because being active prompts the body and brain to release more natural antidepressant chemicals, like serotonin and dopamine.

Got water in your ears?

23 Friday Dec 2016

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DON’T use a cotton swab or blow dryer to dry them out! Dr. Steven Rauch, an ear, nose and throat doctor at Harvard Medical School, says digging too deep with a cotton swab could damage your eardrum… And blasting hot air could melt the wax, and plug up your hearing. Instead, he recommends rubbing alcohol. That’s because the tube-like canals in our ears are lined with oily skin that causes water drops to bead up – just like on a freshly-waxed car. And if you break the surface tension with alcohol, the water will run right out.
So, soak a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol, lie with the affected ear facing up, and squeeze a couple drops into your ear…
Then, sit up, and tip your ear toward the floor, so the liquid can drain out.
If that doesn’t work, visit an ear, nose and throat doctor. You can find one in your area at www.ENTnet.org.

Are you a pescatarian?

22 Thursday Dec 2016

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That’s someone who’s predominantly vegetarian, except they eat fish. If so, your risk of colon and rectal cancers are 43% lower. In fact, according to the American Medical Association, pescatarians have a much lower cancer risk than even vegans! So what’s the big difference? The fish, of course. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish have an anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer effect.

Here’s the trick to getting motivated for exercise:

21 Wednesday Dec 2016

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Decide what you’re going to do before you lace up your sneakers – or pull into the gym parking lot. That’s according to New York Times columnist Charles Duhigg, author of “The Power Of Habit.” He says self-determination can override a lack of motivation. So tell yourself as you’re lacing up your shoes – “Today I’m running 3 miles.” Or as you drive to the gym, “I’ll start on the elliptical, then move to free weights.” Having a plan makes us feel in control. In psychology circles it’s known as “the internal locus of control.” It’s the feeling of being in charge of your life – versus feeling that outside forces are determining your course. And when we feel in control, we’re more likely to follow through.

You’ve got good instincts!

20 Tuesday Dec 2016

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You know that urge you have to hold your breath when a car goes by, spewing exhaust? It’s a good instinct. Because when car exhaust reacts with sunlight, it creates ozone, which can cause breathing problems. And if we regularly breathe in exhaust, from rush hour traffic or jogging on a busy road, it can raise our risk for heart disease. So follow your instincts and hold your breath until the truck passes – and roll up your car windows during rush hour.

The thing that ruins our diet is daily snacking.

19 Monday Dec 2016

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On any given day, our snacking contributes to over 30% of the calories we take in – totaling over 900 calories, on average. But there may be a simple solution… Drink black tea. The antioxidants in tea keep blood sugar stable. And when our blood sugar levels remain steady, our hunger hormones don’t spike, so we’re less likely to snack! Black tea also stabilizes our stress hormones – so we’re less likely to soothe our stress with food. To get the best results, drink 3 cups of black tea a day.