One of the reasons yoga is so valuable for stress relief is that it incorporates dynamic, or moving, stretches. Moving stretches activate your range of motion, circulating blood and oxygen and delivering nutrients to tissues. This powerful combination is incredible for melting away muscle tension. What's more, Harvard University research has found that activities like yoga that combine deep breathing and active stretching can help reduce stress, tension, and inflammation in the body. Here are...

At last count, 121.5 million adults in the United States have cardiovascular disease. That's very nearly half of the population. Eating a heart-healthy diet can make a significant impact on those numbers, though. People who ate mostly fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and legumes and less red or processed meat and sugar-sweetened beverages had up to 20% lower risk of cardiovascular disease, per a 2020 study. In fact, consistent research backs the benefit...

Let’s talk about doing yoga at home. I don’t know about you, but for me the sheltering-in-place and social distancing we’re practicing because of the coronavirus pandemic makes me feel like we’ve dropped into an alternate reality. In some ways it feels like this global crisis is shining a spotlight on all of our cracks and fissures, both in society and within ourselves. But the general chaos of the world is why, to me, this whole situation is kind of an ideal time ...

If you think bacteria are synonymous with “germs,” think again. Probiotics, or the live “good” bacteria that hang out in your gut, are the buzziest new word on the block. In fact, about 4 million people used some form of probiotic products in 2012, according to survey data from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). But what exactly are probiotics, anyway? While it’s true that certain types of microorganisms can wreak havoc on your immune system, probiotics can actually help ...

Gluten - the protein found in grains like rye, wheat, and barley - gets a bad rap. But the truth is, gluten can be a healthy part of most diets.   While there isn't enough research to suggest that gluten-free diets offer meaningful health benefits, there are certain groups of people, like those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance, that should avoid gluten.  To help you figure out if you really need to cut gluten out of your diet, we spoke to two dietitians about the s...

Spring is a time for shedding layers, sporting the latest bright fashions — and, of course, spring cleaning. That can apply not only to reorganizing your closet, but to tossing some unhealthy winter habits you may have fallen into, such as not exercising due to Arctic temperatures. Don’t be too hard on yourself — we've been living through a pandemic! The key to getting in shape for spring (and staying that way) that is to keep it simple. It may be difficult to set a clear goal at a...

High-fructose corn syrup has been a scapegoat for American obesity for the past decade and a half, so you might be surprised to learn that natural sweeteners like sugar and honey both have more fructose than high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). Let’s break down the numbers here. Despite its misleading name, the most commonly used form of HFCS only has 42 percent fructose in comparison to table sugar’s 50 percent. Honey, the beloved natural sweetener, has 49 percent. Standar...

If you think marathon runners are incredible — but the idea of lacing up sneakers yourself makes you dread a workout like it's the Presidential Fitness Test in fourth grade — it's time to reframe that narrative. After all, with most gyms closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic and Zoom fatigue being completely real, getting out for some fresh air might be the perfect antidote for your housebound muscles (and mood). And since all you need for a great run are your sneakers and yourself...

To get fast results, take your sweat sesh al fresco. A study from California Pacific Orthopedic and Sports Medicine found that outdoor exercisers lost an average of 7.43 pounds and 6.17 percent of body fat in eight weeks. That's because outdoor workouts challenge your muscles with inclines, declines, and obstacles, explains Tina Vindum, founder of Outdoor Action Fitness in Marin County, California. You'll also improve your mood and boost self-esteem by performing outdoor exercises, ...

A strong lower body powers your stride and wards off injury. Incorporating resistance moves like squats into your strength-training routine is an essential—and easy—way to round out your training. Squats are a functional exercise that benefit your joint and muscle health, as well as your posture—all of which are important for improving your running form and speed, explains Noam Tamir, C.S.C.S., CEO and founder of TS Fitness in New York City. But the...