Health and Wellness
How Does Caffeine Affect the Body?
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.
What Meal Should be the Biggest of the Day?
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.
What is Intuitive Eating?
When you eat intuitively, you listen to your body. You trust it to let you know when you are full and satisfied. You also reject the new fad diet of the month. Here are the benefits and risks.
Sugar Linked to Increased Risk of Anxiety in Children and Teens
A new study sheds light on the association between high sugar intake and increased risk of anxiety in adolescents. Here are some things to know.
What a Singer's Canceled Tour Taught Me About My Chronic People-Pleasing
If Colter Wall can prioritize his mental health over thousands, then I can prioritize my mental health over disappointing a couple people.
How I’ve Celebrated St. Patrick’s Day Without Drinking
Mental health advocate and contributing writer Monica Drake shares why she decided not to drink this St. Patrick's Day. Here's how she plans to celebrate the Irish holiday without alcohol this year.
The Hidden Costs of Convenience: Ultra-processed Meats and Colorectal Cancer
Processed meats like hot dogs, bacon, sausages and deli meats are considered Group 1 carcinogens, a classification that links these foods to cancer.
Alcohol-Free Ways to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day
Trying to steer clear of the shots-and-pints crowd on St. Paddy’s Day? We’ve got some non-alcoholic ways to say cheers to the holiday.
5 Common Household Poisons to Avoid
Sources of poison in a household aren’t hard to find – they are used in many everyday activities around the home and garden. Here's what you need to know about the risks of poisons found in the home.
How Daylight Saving Time Can Affect Your Body
It might seem as simple as updating a few clocks in your home, but Daylight Saving Time may take a toll on some people’s overall health.

Is Walking Enough Exercise for Seniors?
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.
When Do You Need an Electrolyte Drink?
Homemade electrolyte drinks and mixing electrolyte packets with water is trendy on social media. But how often do we really need dedicated electrolyte drinks?
How Food Can Impact Mental Health
Eating a healthy and well-rounded diet can improve mental health and make mental health obstacles easier to deal with. On the other hand, a poor diet can be a catalyst for poor mental health and can make it more difficult to manage mental health struggles.
How to Dress a Salad Like a Pro
A great salad isn’t just about fresh greens and tasty toppings ─ it’s about how you dress it. Too much dressing, uneven coating, soggy leaves or flavor pooling at the bottom can turn even the best ingredients into a disappointing bowl.
Signs of Low Self-Esteem in Teens and How to Build it Back Up
It's not always easy for parents to get their teenagers to open up to them about how they are feeling. But if you feel like your child's self-esteem is low, here are some tips and conversation starters.
Why This Winter Has Affected My Mental Health More Than Usual
This year, winter has hit me harder than most. The second the clock struck midnight on 2026, it felt like my mental health took a nosedive.
Finding New Purpose in Life as We Age
It’s important for older adults to seek meaningful ways to stay engaged for their mental health. These research-backed ideas can help seniors find purpose.
Is Valentine’s Day Good for Our Mental Health?
Positive relationships have big health benefits. On the other hand, Valentine's Day can invoke feelings of loneliness. Here's how to enjoy the day without putting too much pressure or expectations on it.
Smashed Shrimp Gyoza Bites
These crispy shrimp dumplings strike that sweet spot between comfort food and mindful eating.
Foods to Avoid During Your Period
You may feel like diving into a gallon of chocolate ice cream, but there are certain foods you should avoid during your period.
‘Alcohol is Not Your Friend:’ BCBSM Medical Director of Behavioral Health Digs into His Passion for Advocating Against Alcohol Abuse
Dr. William T. Beecroft has advocated against alcohol abuse for much of his 40-plus-year health care career. Here, he reflects and shares some candid thoughts.
The Needle-Hater’s Guide to Donating Blood
Does your fear of needles keep you from donating blood? Check out these ways to combat your fear and save lives in the process.
Common Preservatives Linked to Higher Rates of Cancer, Study Finds
Several preservatives commonly found in processed foods are associated with a higher risk of cancer. Let’s take a look at this new study and how you can focus on a healthy diet.
How Family Meals Can Reduce Loneliness
Family meals are a way to build connection and reduce feelings of loneliness. Here is a look at what research says about how family meals can help kids with their mental and physical health.
Why I Feel Depressed After the End of a Favorite TV Series, Like ‘Stranger Things’
The ending was pretty satisfying but left me feeling sad. Here's why and here are ways I cope with the ending of a favorite show.
Why Procrastination Makes You Feel Worse
Let’s explore procrastination, its effects and how you can put an end to it.
Feeling Drained? Your Social Battery May Be Low. Here's How to Manage It
While not a scientific concept, the social battery is a metaphor for the amount of mental and emotional energy a person has for events and socializing.
Self-Checks to Do at Home
Breast self-exams, temperature checks and even measuring heart rate are all things that can be indicators of how healthy a person is.
Why Binge Drinking Even Once a Week is Bad
If you make a habit out of binge drinking, you could expose yourself to these specific short and long-term health problems.
Morning Habits to Beat the Winter Blues
Lifestyle habits can help reduce symptoms of the winter blues and SAD. Here are some morning habits to consider to help manage and beat the winter blues.
Don’t Go to Bed Just Yet: Ways to Make the Most of Your Winter Evenings
Here are some healthy ideas for how you make the most of your winter evenings.
Are New Year’s Resolutions Bad?
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.
Decluttering for the New Year
Clutter doesn't always refer to physical items. If your house and your life feel a little messy, it’s time to declutter for the New Year. Here are some tips.
How to Become a Morning Person: 6 Tips to Drive Success
Becoming a morning person can be a difficult adjustment, but tweaking your sleep habits and focusing on your diet and physical activity in the early part of the day can lead to real change.
Colon Broom Craze: The Health Effects of the Social Media Trend
Colon cleanses that use laxatives can lead to health problems when used incorrectly and without the expert advice of a health care professional. Here's what you need to know.
Practicing Body Neutrality During the Holiday Season
With body neutrality, you can let go of negative feelings about yourself and appreciate your body for what it can do. Learn more about body neutrality and how to practice it through the holiday season.
How to Feel Connected to a Support System After the Holidays
The post-holiday blues, or a feeling or sadness or let down now that the holidays are over, can contribute to losing touch with loved ones. Here are ways to feel connected to your system after the holidays.
Is it Safe to Take Ibuprofen Before Working Out?
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.
Getting Through the Holidays Without Family
Most people who spend the holidays alone feel lonelier than usual and may struggle to enjoy the festive time of year. Here are some tips on how to get through the holidays alone or without family.
3 Ways to Avoid Overeating During the Holidays
Holidays can mean overeating to the point of stretchy pants and undoing some waistband buttons. But they don’t have to.
Is Creatine a Safe Supplement?
What is creatine and is it safe to take? Here are a few things to know.
My Guide to Last-minute Gifts for Loved Ones with Anxiety or Depression
If you have loved ones with anxiety, depression or another mental health condition, here are some gift ideas – curated by someone who also struggles with her mental health.
The Financial Stress of the Holidays
Many Americans experience financial strain around the holidays. Here are some tips for adjusting expectations, talking to family and finding ways other than gifts to celebrate.
Anxious-Avoidant Attachment: What It Is and What to Know
Here is a look at attachment styles, particularly anxious-avoidant attachment style, known as avoidant attachment style.
How Long Should You Stay in a Sauna?
Saunas are experiencing a bump in popularity as a health and well-being trend. How long should you stay in one?
Tips for an Alcohol-Free Holiday Season
More than half of Americans drink more during the holiday season. For some, this increased alcohol intake results in hangovers or even missed work. For others, it interferes with their health goals and can have negative effects on physical and mental health.
Responsibility Fatigue: What It Is and How to Manage It
Taking on too many responsibilities without adequate rest can lead to fatigue. Let’s look at responsibility fatigue and a few ways to manage it.
Meal Planning for Kids with Type 1 Diabetes
When choosing meals for kids with type 1 diabetes, aim for a balanced mix of complex carbohydrates, proteins and fats. It’s also important to time meals and snacks in accordance with insulin doses.
How I Set Boundaries During the Holiday Season to Avoid Burnout
When the holiday season gets busy, I remind myself it's OK to skip the event, stay home and prioritize my mental health.
How to Treat Hormonal Acne
Many people think acne is just a teenage result of puberty, menstruation and a changing body. That’s not always the case.
Workouts That Work for Me as a College Student
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.
How to Wash Fruit
Making sure your produce is properly cleaned before you prepare it is essential in avoiding microbes that can make you sick. Here's how to wash fruits and vegetables of all kinds.
Social Media Can Put a Damper on Your Holiday Spirit
If scrolling and swiping makes you feel less than festive, don’t let social media put a damper on your holiday celebrations.
Does Celtic Salt Have Benefits?
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?
Low Progesterone Symptoms
This hormone is essential for menstruation, reproduction and overall health. Let’s look at what progesterone does, symptoms of low progesterone, causes and treatments.
Risk Factors for Premature Birth
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.
Dark Sky Parks in Michigan
Are you looking for an outdoor adventure under the night sky? Michigan is home to numerous dark sky parks perfect for stargazing and viewing the northern lights.
What Suicidal Ideations Feel Like to Me
Often, people who experience suicidal ideations aren’t who you’d expect, and the thoughts can happen to anyone.
Are Blue Light Glasses Effective?
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.
What are Lifetime Sports?
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: From Trend to Table
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.
How to Meal Prep for People Who Hate Cooking
For many people, cooking may seem like a burdensome chore, especially if you have a busy schedule. Preparing meals ahead of time allows you to enjoy nutritious, home-made dishes without the daily hassle of cooking.
Does Ice Help with Swelling?
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.
5 Best Yoga Stretches to Unwind Before Bed
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.
Should I Try Seaweed Snacks?
For centuries, seaweed has been an integral part of coastal diets, known for its unique flavor and rich nutrient value. In recent years, it’s emerged as a popular snack option in stores around the world.
How Horror Films Helped Me with My Anxiety
Contributor Monica Drake hated horror films growing up. But some time after receiving mental health treatment for the first time in her life, watching horror films and scary movies began to soothe her nerves instead of making her anxious.
Managing the Body Changes of Menopause
Both perimenopause and menopause can bring noticeable physical and mental changes, due to shifting hormone levels.
What Are the Benefits of Hugging?
From reducing anxiety to strengthening relationships and helping the immune system, this physical act of connection is more powerful than many people realize.
Why Do Some People Love Getting Scared?
What is it about getting scared that is fun or enjoyable for some people? Part of it has to do with the body's physiological response to fear. But other factors are at play, as well.
Probiotics for Women: Should You Be Taking Them?
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.
What is Dermaplaning and Is It Safe for Your Skin?
Dermaplaning, or shaving your face, is all the rage on social media. It can provide you with a smooth, exfoliated face by removing dead skin cells.
Here's What I Do to Become Less Dependent on My Phone
As someone who grew up in a world where cell phones always existed, it is hard for me to imagine a world in which I am not dependent on my smart phone.
How My Panic Attacks Actually Feel Scary
My panic attacks give me a sense of impending danger. Here's what I do to manage them.
Is It Possible to Improve My Attention Span?
Digital distractions may not be the sole reason for your diminished attention span, but they surely contribute. Here's what you can do to increase your concentration.
Could the Way You're Preparing Potatoes Increase Your Diabetes Risk?
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.
How to Talk to Children and Teens About Suicide
Deaths by suicide among Americans age 10 to 24 has increased by nearly 60% since 2007. While it is a challenging and painful topic to discuss, talking proactively to children and teens about suicide is a key part of prevention.
The Importance of Practicing Self-Care in College
College introduces a host of lifestyle and academic challenges for new students, especially those leaving home to live on campus for the first time. A self-care routine can help you maintain physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health
How to Help Kids Reach and Maintain a Healthy Weight
Let’s look at the causes of childhood obesity, preventable factors and ways to create healthy habits for children.
The Benefits of Indoor Walking Workouts
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.
How to Stop Scrolling and Start Studying: 5 Tips for Procrastination
Procrastination has a significant impact on mental health, stress and job/academic performance. Here are five steps to get started on your journey to staying productive.
Canker Sore vs. Cold Sore: What’s the Difference?
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.
How to Get Back into Reading
Americans are reading for fun less and less. Find your inner bookworm again with these tips for getting back into reading.
Does Plant Protein Lower Heart Disease Risk?
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.
Best Protein Sources for Kids
Kids are constantly growing, staying active and burning energy, so they need steady sources of protein to fuel their bodies and brains. Learn more about adding different kinds of protein sources to your child's diet.
Will a Saltwater Gargle Help a Sore Throat?
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.
Why I Stopped Apologizing for Needing a Full Night's Sleep
Being a mom to an 11-month-old, you would think I’d be used to not getting enough sleep. Still, no matter how many times I wake up to my baby’s cries in the middle of the night, I’m not used to it.
How to Care for Your Interstitium, Which May Be Your Newest Organ
A large network connecting tissues and fluid under your skin? Meet the interstitium.
Best Anti-Inflammatory Foods for Health
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.
Is Your Bag Causing Back Pain?
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.
Does Pilates Help You Lose Weight?
While Pilates may not burn as many calories as high intensity workouts, it is known for building lean muscle and boosting metabolism. Will those factors help you lose weight?
How I Combat Travel-related Anxiety
Taking a break from work and traveling somewhere else should be something to look forward to. I, however, usually dread going on vacation because I struggle with travel anxiety.
Microplastics and Nanoplastics are Everywhere. Here’s How You Can Limit Your Exposure.
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.
Fostering A Better Understanding of Disabilities for Youth
Children are impressionable. By modeling appropriate behaviors, they can better learn how to appropriately interact with and treat others. These can be meaningful qualities when interacting with members of the disabled community.
The Mind and Body Benefits of Eating Outside
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.
Health Benefits of Yoga
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.

The Benefits of Boredom
Games and social media apps, music streaming services and an endless supply of podcasts make it easy to avoid being bored. But do you ever have good ideas for a work or home project when you are in the shower or on a walk?
Post-weaning Depression: What I Didn’t Know About Quitting Breastfeeding
It had never crossed my mind that quitting breastfeeding could cause such a visceral reaction, so when I started experiencing these symptoms, I had no idea what was going on. I wanted to share my experience because it’s something nobody ever told me.
The Pressure of Social Media on Young Men
A trend known as "looksmaxxing" and the social media activity surrounding it can create unreasonable expectations and pressure to fit in with new male beauty standards.
Why You Should Eat More Flavonoids
A study found those who ate more flavonoids, a plant chemical in many fruits and vegetables, aged better than those who had a lower flavonoid intake. Let’s look at flavonoids, associated health outcomes and how to add more flavonoids to your diet.
Summer Activities for Kids with Learning Disabilities
For many families, summer is a time of relaxation and freedom from the rigid structure of the school year. But for children with learning disabilities, that freedom can lead to frustration or lost progress if not balanced with thoughtful structure and purposeful activities.


































































































