Posts

Whey protein can be a great option to include in your routine if you have higher protein needs. It has research-backed benefits for building muscle and promoting muscle recovery after exercise. “Whey protein is a fast-digesting protein that comes from milk. Because of its digestibility it is a popular protein source for protein supplements,” says Manny Prieto, RDN, CSCS, Director of Personal Training and Nutrition. Whey is great for helping to build muscle because it is high in leucine, the primary amino acid involved in muscle protein synthesis, and is a good source of other branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) needed for muscles....

If you have weak ankles or you’ve suffered from ankle injuries in the past, you don’t have to give up your favorite activities. Whether you’re running, getting in your 10,000 steps, or playing hoops, wearing shoes with the right support can help you feel comfortable and confident. Shoes that offer ankle support should be stable and supportive while still allowing your feet to move in a natural way. To help you find the best shoes for you, we researched and tested several options, evaluating for fit, comfortability, price, traction, shock absorption, and cushion....

Lightweight and portable fitness equipment can be a great way to get a gym-worthy home workout. “I’m a fan of simple. The simpler the equipment—easy to move around, easy to use—the better," says Tara Stiles, founder of Strala Yoga. “Having a few simple pieces of portable fitness equipment can help with remembering to get your movement time in, and can also make it easier to create and maintain a lasting well-being practice," Stiles adds....

Your face is constantly subjected to the elements—temperature changes, blustery winds, environmental pollutants, indoor heating—all of which leave it vulnerable to bacteria and harmful pathogens that contribute to rapid aging, breakouts, and more. Without proper hydration, your skin’s barrier is easily compromised. Lotions designed primarily for your body are more likely to clog pores on your face and lead to breakouts so its important to find a moisturizer designed for your face....

Comfort, support, and ease are essential when it comes to wearing a sports bra during any kind of movement. The task of stretching a sports bra over your head to get it on and off, especially after a sweaty workout, can be tiring and uncomfortable. Zip-front sports bras eliminate this hassle—which can be a deterrent to exercise for some. “Plus, they look great, and I am a huge believer in putting your best foot forward....

Whether you’re heading to the beach, exercising in the pool, or on the summer swim team, a reliable swimsuit is vital for the summer. The best swimsuits are comfortable, well-fitting, and won’t restrict your range of motion. What swimsuit you choose will largely depend on what type of swimming you plan to do. If you are a competitive swimmer, you will want to look for swimsuits that have a good range of motion and a snug fit so you can perform your best on race day....

A meta-analysis is a type of statistical analysis in which the results of multiple studies are combined and then analyzed. Researchers can perform this type of study when there have been a number of previous studies looking at the same question. A meta-analysis is essentially a study of past studies. It is used to get an integrated result. A researcher reviews previously published studies on a topic, then analyzes the various results to find general trends across the studies....

Therapy notes are information recorded by a mental health professional used to aid in documenting and evaluating conversations that take place during therapy. These are the notes that a therapist writes down as you talk during your therapy session. They are the therapist’s private thoughts, meant to help them document their impressions and develop a clearer picture of the problems and experiences you are dealing with. It’s normal to be curious about what your therapist is writing....

Planning ahead for a baby is one of the best gifts you can give to yourself and your baby. By actively pursuing good health and proper nutrition and removing potential harm from your life before conceiving, you can increase your chances of a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. Planning for a Healthy Pregnancy There are so many things that you might think do not really have any bearing on whether or not you and your partner have a healthy baby....

When you’re in charge of a household, it’s up to you to plan the budget and the meals … keep the calendar straight…vacuum the carpets … and keep life running smoothly. Not an easy task for anyone, especially when children are involved. For a parent with ADHD, the task can seem almost impossible. After all, folks with ADHD have challenges with every aspect of “managing a household,” from planning and scheduling to staying on task to providing a calm, predictable atmosphere for growing children....

The first thing you should know about overcoming depression is that it is possible. Your choices matter and can make an impact on the course of your illness. Fortunately, lots of research has been done on some of the lifestyle choices and treatment options that can potentially shorten a depressive episode or decrease the likelihood of a relapse. Depression is such a complicated illness and effects each individual differently. It makes sense then that there isn’t one silver bullet for recovery from depression....

If you have been exclusively pumping breast milk and decide it is now time to stop, several steps should be taken to ensure a smooth transition. First, give yourself a pat on the back for the effort and dedication you put into expressing your breast milk—either for your little one or a donor milk bank. Your hard work has been a gift and will impact the health and wellness of your baby throughout their entire life....

Shame is a powerful emotion that can cause people to feel defective, unacceptable, even damaged beyond repair. But how much do you know about shame? Read on to learn about the effect of shame on self-image and self-esteem as well as the behaviors it can cause in people with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Subscribe Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts Press Play for Advice On Dealing With Shame...

When most of us prepare for the arrival of our little ones, we are primarily focused on the birth itself. It’s understandable—delivering a baby is a big deal, and it makes sense to put a lot of thought and planning into getting the best possible outcome. But as you get ready for the big day, it’s helpful to educate yourself on what happens right after the baby arrives. If you are giving birth in a hospital, it’s a good idea to have some information about what your stay will be like—how long to expect to stay in the hospital before going home, what care will be given to you and your baby, what issues and challenges might arise, and more....

There are a variety of reasons for seeking out a therapist to work through infertility challenges. It may be that your reproductive endocrinologist recommends or requires you to see a counselor before certain treatments, like when deciding to use a sperm or egg donor. Egg and sperm donors themselves are required to see a mental health counselor before they are allowed to donate. For LGBTQ couples, counseling can help you consider your options for building a family and how different choices might affect your relationship....

Smoking damages the lungs in a variety of ways. One of the ways smoking harms the lungs is the damage it does to the tiny hair-like cilia that help keep your lungs free of pollutants. When you quit smoking, however, the cilia begin functioning once again, which can sometimes lead to increased coughing. Although coughing is not a common symptom of withdrawal from smoking cigarettes, some ex-smokers do develop a cough early on in smoking cessation for a short period of time....

Did you know that eating during labor is still a point of debate among healthcare providers, hospitals, and birthing centers? The main reason why so many institutions continue to enforce a “no eating” policy for pregnant people in labor is because of the possibility of aspiration while under anesthesia, which first became a concern in the 1940s. New studies about the topic, however, state that low-risk pregnant people may experience myriad benefits if able to drink and eat while in the process of birthing a baby....

As you step onto the bus with a bag of groceries in your arms, the man in the second row of seats sees your pregnant belly and hops up to offer you a space. You smile and take it. But while riding along, you begin to notice a strong B.O. smell. You glance discreetly around, wondering who on this bus might have forgotten to wear deodorant. But then you realize: it’s you....

Simple gifts are a great way to thank newborn intensive care unit (NICU) nurses for the care your baby received while in the hospital. It’s also thoughtful to recognize your baby’s NICU nurses during the holiday season or National Nurses Week. Though the work they do tirelessly day after day can literally be life-changing and life-saving, many nurses go unappreciated. Give the nurses in your life the thanks they deserve with one of these inexpensive gifts....

Whether your child refuses to go to bed or they insist on sleeping in your room, bedtime behavior problems are common. Without appropriate intervention, they can grow worse. Not only are bedtime behavior problems frustrating, but they also interfere with your child’s sleep. Missing even a little shut-eye can be a big problem for kids. Sleep deprivation has been linked to everything from increased academic issues to behavior problems. What can you do to solve bedtime woes?...