There have been many different smartwatches that have become popular over the years. Whether that be Fitbits, Apple Watches, or even the new Whoop watches, the trend has continued. Some smartwatches can do almost all the things a phone can. Yet, one common feature with all of them is that they aim to track your health. The number of steps you take, the calories burnt, and your heart rate. However, do they cause more harm than good? Or are the benefits really that great? Advan

Yoga Class I have often wondered how beneficial complementary health treatments and alternative medicines really are. Are they are worth learning more about? How they can improve the health of everyday people like you and me? Perhaps you have thought about similar things. Yoga, a 5000 year-old Indian tradition, is classified as a complementary health approach with both research-backed and anecdotal reports of health benefits that are worth further exploration. Yoga is essenti

Pawan Krishna Murti Do you struggle with high blood sugar and diabetes, and are you seeking natural ways to manage it? In a world where more than 462 million people are living with type 2 diabetes ( T2D), the number is expected to rise to 643 million by 2030 ( 1,2). The need for simple, effective prevention strategies has never been greater. One of the earliest warning signs is insulin resistance, a condition where the body’s cells don’t respond properly to insulin, leading

Introduction The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of two cruciate ligaments in the knee, and plays a major role in overall stability. The ACL is located at the center of the knee and directly connects the femur (thigh bone) to the tibia (shin bone) (1). The responsibilities of the ACL are most relevant during physical activity, where the ligament acts as a static joint restraint, limiting motion of the joint to ensure proper alignment and maintain stability (2). Certa

By Sarah Bersey BSc (hons) Pg Dip The stress landscape: Over the past decade, self-reported excessive stress and anxiety among adults have shown marked increases across multiple countries and demographic groups. In the United States, the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found that 7.4% of adults aged 18 and older reported experiencing moderate or severe anxiety symptoms—a notable metric that was first systematically tracked in 2024 (SAMHSA, 2024). When stre

Image acquired from mdbonedocs.com Physical therapy is an essential branch of healthcare dedicated to improving a patient’s quality of life by restoring mobility, managing pain, and preventing further physical injury. According to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) , physical therapy is not merely a reactive treatment for injuries but more of a proactive solution for "prevention, wellness, fitness, and health promotion" across the entire lifespan (APTA, 2026). B

When thinking about the word inflammation, most of us think about 'acute inflammation', which is the response of our body to heal and defend itself, something that we notice and which lasts only for a short duration. For example, a swollen ankle, a sore throat, or redness around a wound. However, there is another type of inflammation that can last for months or even years and can go unnoticed without obvious symptoms. This is known as chronic low-grade inflammation. There are

From: https://www.socialworker.com/extras/social-work-month-project-2021/every-beating-heart-essential-i-want-social-workers-to-know/ If you’ve ever felt your heart pounding after exercise or during a scary movie, you have probably noticed the beats come faster than they would when you are relaxed. While temporary elevation of heart rate (the speed of those thumps) is normal in a lot of situations, constantly high heart rate can indicate serious issues. Learn how to check yo

To Lift or Not to Lift? Strength training, also known as resistance training, has historically been undervalued as a form of exercise for women due to outdated cultural stereotypes surrounding femininity. However, resistance training has since become widely recognized as one of the most beneficial activities for women of all ages and is particularly important in preventing age-related physical decline. Women naturally start losing muscle mass around age 30, which declines at

Photo credit: Wix In Sanskrit, Yoga means “to unite”. It refers to the integration of mind, body and spirt to unlock our higher potential. Yoga is no longer a practice confined to the east. It has become very popular and common throughout the world, with gyms, studios, spas, and holistic centers offering a plethora of yoga classes. Yoga and Ayurveda Yoga closely aligns with its sister science Ayurveda that literally means “the science of life”. Ayurveda focuses on diet, lif

Image Credit: Dreamstime.com What Is the 6-Minute Walk Test? The 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) is a simple assessment that measures how far a person can walk in six minutes. Rather than testing athletic ability, it evaluates functional capacity. In other words, how well the heart, lungs, muscles, and circulation work together during everyday activity. It is often used in clinical and rehabilitation settings to track physical endurance and overall health. For example, in pulmonol

Walking Toward Wellness: An Evidence-Based Examination of the Physical, Psychological, and Social Value of Daily Walking by Catherina Pascale Introduction Walking has long been considered one of the most accessible and universally adaptable forms of physical activity. It requires no specialized equipment, advanced skill, or membership in a formal fitness facility. Both public health organizations and academic researchers increasingly emphasize walking as a foundational practi

Graphic generated in canva Growing up in India, my grandma always used to say chew your food, sit down and eat, don’t drink cold water with your meals. When I was sick or under the weather, she would make a thin stew of split mung beans and rice (khichadi) that’s nourishing and easy on the digestion. 6 years ago, I stumbled upon Ayurveda, the ancient medicine system of India/ the sister science of yoga, and I realized how much of my upbringing was naturally influenced by its

Introduction Health doesn’t always have to mean changing everything about your life. Sometimes, it’s about winning back a few minutes—like those spent waiting for your coffee to brew. What if you used these moments for yourself? Recent research shows that micro-moments—short, intentional actions like stretching, mindful breathing, or simply being grateful—can transform mood, lower stress, and boost heart health, all in less than five minutes.​ Micro-Moments and Everyday Healt

Generally, when you visit your doctor for consultation, it is common to expect a brief discussion and check-up followed by a suggested treatment plan. Although this holds true, a physician with a good eye for detail can figure out internal illnesses just by looking at the visible signs in the body. Not all diseases are completely manifested internally; some conditions may manifest with external signs in the physical body that can come across as a telltale sign to your doctor.

Frozen shoulder is a condition characterized by shoulder pain and limited movement, often affecting women during perimenopause. The condition is linked to hormonal changes, particularly the decrease in estrogen, which plays a crucial role in musculoskeletal health. While frozen shoulder typically resolves within 3-4 years, treatments like physical therapy, pain medication, and surgery can help manage symptoms and improve mobility.

You don’t need a complicated wellness plan, a personal trainer, or a 5 a.m. routine to feel healthier. As a nurse, I’ve seen that it’s not the grand overhauls that transform people’s health, it’s the tiny habits practiced consistently, even on the busiest days. When life feels too hectic for “self-care,” that’s exactly when small steps matter most. Here are five realistic habits that fit into real life, and still make a difference. 1. Drink a glass of water before your coffe

Introduction As the global population ages, cognitive decline and dementia have become pressing public health concerns. By 2050, the number of older adults is projected to reach two billion worldwide, and with it the impact of age-related brain changes will grow. The causes of cognitive decline are complex, involving genetics, environmental exposures, and lifestyle choices. While we cannot control genetic risk, lifestyle modifications provide a meaningful way to preserve brai

Most people hit the gym to build muscle or lose some weight, but research shows the brain may be one of the biggest winners when we move our bodies. Far beyond burning calories, exercise sparks neurochemical and structural changes that shape how we think, feel, and remember. Reviews of recent studies demonstrate that both single exercise sessions and long-term physical activity directly impact brain function and plasticity. What’s happening in your brain? When you exercise, t

In America today, we know more people are living to an older age. We just heard that Robert Redford died, we will miss him, but we can celebrate that he lived to almost 90. Bobby Hart just died at the age of 86, Giorgio Armani was 91 when he died this month. These men died after living healthy lives. Our population is getting older. In the United States, the life expectancy in 2000 was 76.9 years and in 2024 it had risen to 79.2 years. So, how do we work to make sure those ye