Health and Wellness

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.

Person Holding Coffee Cup Having Headache
Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Caucasian woman dressed in green with shamrock glasses for st patrick's day laughing
Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

White alarm clock in the morning. Young man sleeps in the background.
Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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?

Gorgeous young female tennis player drinking energy drink
Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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. 

Health and Wellness

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.

Man holding his dog
Health and Wellness

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.

Mother and young daughter making greeting cards for Valentine's Day
Health and Wellness

Smashed Shrimp Gyoza Bites

These crispy shrimp dumplings strike that sweet spot between comfort food and mindful eating.

Health and Wellness

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.

Shot of a woman looking at something on her laptop while eating chocolate from a jar
Health and Wellness

‘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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Fear of Needles?
Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

Why Procrastination Makes You Feel Worse

Let’s explore procrastination, its effects and how you can put an end to it.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Senior African Male Measuring Arterial Blood Pressure Having Hypertension Indoor
Health and Wellness

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.

A woman drinks a glass of wine while looking at a smart device.
Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Millennial man organizing his book collections
Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Woman talks with a nutritionist about colon broom
Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

Is Creatine a Safe Supplement?

What is creatine and is it safe to take? Here are a few things to know.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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?

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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?

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Monica Drake and her fiance dressed up for Halloween
Health and Wellness

Managing the Body Changes of Menopause

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

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

A good book can do the world of good
Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Interstitium
Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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?

Health and Wellness

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. 

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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 and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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?

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

Health and Wellness

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.

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