27 Uncommon Ways To Lose Belly Fat Faster

Today I am sharing with you some uncommon fat burning tricks. Apply them and you can get faster results and enjoy your journey to a healthy life.

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The States Where People Get the Most (and Least) Sleep

New York may be the city that never sleeps, but at the state level, Hawaiians get the least amount of shut-eye. (South Dakotans sleep the most for those keeping track at home.) This data comes from a recent CDC report, which found one in three Americans isn’t getting the recommended seven hours of sleep per night. In Hawaii, it’s nearly one in two.

The data looks at the percentage of people in each state that clock seven hours of zzzs, so we don’t know how many hours of shut-eye Californians or Floridians get on average. To see where your state falls in the rankings, check out the graphic below—the darker, the more sleep. And click the button below to see the listing from one to 50.

The United States of Sleep Photo: Dom Smith/STAT


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3 Rules and 3 Lessons to Lose Weight Once and for All

There are numerous weight loss options out there, given that it's a billion dollar industry! Diet trends are created with new scientific research, documented by before and after photos, passed down by generations, and promoted by famous celebs. We are willing to do just about anything to fit into our favorite pair of skinny jeans, so we tend to listen to whatever diet is trending at the time.

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This Moving Video Proves the Power of "Fake It 'Til You Make It"

Fake it 'til you make it isn't the best advice if you're a surgeon, but it can be worth following when it comes to our social lives. Cristen from Stuff Mom Never Told You reads an empowering letter from a fan who was born with a facial anomaly. We're so inspired by this woman, who goes out and has a great time with her friends, despite her own anxieties and the fact that people always stare. It's a great reminder that confidence isn't about having everything 100 percent figured out. It's about being brave enough to ignore some of your worries and get out there to live the life you deserve.



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Losing Weight by Reviving the Adrenal Cortex

Losing weight is one of the most popular searches on Google. There are many modern outlooks on how to lose weight effectively without any side effects. The major reason for gaining weight in today's world is the trash we feed ourselves. The intake of junk food disrupts our natural cycles including the adrenal rhythm. A disrupted adrenal rhythm is responsible for weight gain and many other maladies.

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What Tampon Commercials Would Look Like If Men Had Periods

Most tampon commercials show carefree women frolicking on the beach or twirling in a field like Maria in The Sound of Music (you can do anything on your period!). They talk about superior levels of absorption, but avoid saying the words vagina, blood, or menstruation. If men needed to use tampons, you can bet they’d be marketed very differently, as this hilarious commercial parody shows. The ad jokes that manpons (yes, that’s male tampons) give you super-charged performance on your period, thanks to a formula designed by NASA scientists.

But the video isn’t just for laughs. At the end is a call to action to help the more than one billion women worldwide who don’t have access to a toilet on their period.



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The Surprising New Reason You Should Buy Organic Milk and Meat

Ah, buying organic. Sure, it comes with sticker shock, but you tell yourself you're worth it. (You are!) A new study confirms another major health benefit beyond avoiding growth hormones and antibiotics: Organic milk and meat have 50 percent more omega-3 fatty acids (a.k.a. healthy fats) than the conventional kind. The jump in omega-3s is thanks in large part to organic cows' grass-heavy diet, says nutritionist Tara Coleman.

These fatty acids are a big deal because they can lower your risk of heart disease, autoimmune disease, and depression. But many Americans aren't getting enough—we could stand to add 200 milligrams of omega-3s to our daily diet, Richard P. Bazinet, M.D. told the New York Times.

One serving of organic beef or two glasses of organic milk clock in at about 50 milligrams. But there are other ways to get your fix of omega-3s, especially if organic groceries aren't in your budget. "The quantities found in a serving of organic milk and meats are still much lower than the amount found in a serving of other food sources like salmon," says Gina Hassick, R.D. The USDA suggests seafood, fish oil pills, nuts, and soy as the top sources of omega-3s.

If those options don't sound appetizing, organic beef and dairy could be a good alternative.



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Top 10 Ways to Improve Patient Safety Now

Patient care and precautions can go a long way in making things safe for those admitted to hospitals for medical treatment. The doctors along with medical staff need to be aware of these precautions as they should be committed to help the patients recover effectively and fast.

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The Reasons for Variation in Weight Loss Among Different People

Foods have varying impacts to different persons. We can be eating the same food, similar quantities and of the same quality but research has it that the amount of weight we will be gaining from the foods will be absolutely different.

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A 30-Minute Yoga Workout to Get Your Heart Racing

When your days are packed with work deadlines, dinners, and, let's be honest, Netflix and chilling, squeezing in a full-on yoga session sounds dreamy—yet impossible. But no matter how busy we are, we all have 30 minutes to spare, right?

Simply cue up this short video led by Grokker certified yoga instructor Beth Stuart. The invigorating vinyasa flow incorporates cardio, strength, and interval training, so you'll get your sweat and your stretch on in less time than it takes to watch The Bachelor. Grab a towel (you will sweat), make your way to the mat, and press play.

Interested in more short and effective home workouts? Find thousands more on Grokker, the one-stop online resource for wellness. Grokker sifts through thousands of videos on the web, constantly filtering and aggregating the best cooking, yoga, and fitness videos available so you don't have to.



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Weight Loss - Three Ways To Track Your Results

As you kick-start your workout and eating program, one thing that will be important for you to be doing on a regular basis is tracking your results. If you aren't assessing progress, it's hard to stay motivated and feel confident what you are doing is indeed paying off. Fortunately, there are a number of different ways to monitor your progress. This allows you to pick and choose which method will work best for you. To help you make that decision, let's go through a few of the best methods you can use to track your results...

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This Captivating Instagram Will Change the Way You Think About Mental Health

5 Worst Foods For Weight Loss

Is learning about the worst foods for weight loss effective in losing weight? Take the easy road and learn what food you should avoid to achieve weight loss success.

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Ridiculous Ways to Battle Belly Fat Without Dieting

Is it possible to battle belly fat without dieting? Gain insights on how to shed unwanted pounds around the midsection without a trendy diet.

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5 Ways Rapid Weight Loss Means More Money For You

Being overweight can be very damaging both to health and one's financial status. See how weight loss means more money for you, while at the same time be more useful to your company and the country.

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Why Your Belly Fat Diet Plan Isn't Working

A belly fat diet plan can be tough and you can be tempted to go for unhealthy quick fix solutions. If you are trying to shift your unwanted belly fat naturally, what will stop you from reaching your goals?

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Laser Hair Removal: The Best Way To Great Skin

Have you ever felt embarrassed about unwanted hair on your face or body? Or do you just want to feel clean and beautiful without having to worry about the last time you waxed or shaved? A number of Americans are now opting for laser hair removal - an easy and efficient way to get rid of unwanted hair almost permanently.

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Gain Insights To Mindful Eating To Lose Weight Faster

Does mindful eating help you to lose weight faster? Learn how to focus on the good choices you eat to live a healthier more fit lifestyle.

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The Key to Making New Friends Isn't What You Think

Making friends as an adult is hard, especially when people go around saying #NoNewFriends. And when you ask two people how they became pals, they often say, “We just clicked.” What does that even mean?!

Luckily science has a more concrete answer. One of the keys to making new friends is being vulnerable. We think people will be impressed by our amazing accomplishments and hobbies, but as this video from The School of Life explains, we tend to get close with others when we really open up. That often means sharing your insecurities without worrying how the other person will react. It’s a scary prospect, but you could end up with a new bestie.



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Ditch Cardio For Faster Fat Loss

Many people don't realize that cardio is not necessary in order to experience fat loss. There are plenty of people who train hard and have lean bodies who never do any cardiovascular activities.

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Top Tips to Find Out How Many Calories Needed to Lose Weight

It's not enough to just diet and exercise to lose weight; you also need to find out if you are consuming sufficient calories to lose weight. You have to either increase your exercise time or reduce your calories if you are consuming too many calories.

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Top Natural Healthy Fat - Foods Good For Weight Loss

The balanced diet and healthy foods contain healthy fats in abundance. It is healthy for you; it maintains weight and helps in weight loss with the proper burning of calories.

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A Guide To Choosing The Right Pediatrician

You may be enjoying the stage of being pregnant or you may have already welcomed a new little life into this world. Whichever way, this time is a very exciting one but there are a number of responsibilities that need to be taken care of. Besides selecting the name and baby-proofing the house, it is also very important to choose a good pediatrician for your child so that his or her medical needs are taken care of properly.

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9 Healthy Smoothie Bowl Recipes You'll Want to Dive Into

Heath And Fitness

Health connotes a state in which the body is free of injury or illness. Fitness, on the other hand, is synonymous with health, and it alludes to the quality of being able to accomplish a particular role or task.

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Trendiest Short Hairstyles for Black Women

This year, trendy hairstyles for black women have gone to short hairstyles and If you are a little bored with your long locks, then maybe a cooler natural hairstyle is a better fit for you. It doesn't matter if you have got straight hair or the curly kind; there is always a perfect choice for you when donning that Halle Berry mark of crowning glory. Not so convinced? Read on and be amazed!

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What Makes A Hospital The Best Hospital?

What makes one hospital better than another? Is it just the doctors on board? Is it the facilities or is it the prices? Tough question! Well, when it comes to patient decisions, there are a number of things that are considered. A patient will look for specialty treatment and obviously the prices. But to ensure that your hospital provides them with the best services is up to you.

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The Unexpected Thing That Happened When I Didn't Drink for 30 Days

This isn’t a preachy list of the miraculous health benefits of giving up alcohol. I won’t tell you that I sprang out of bed every morning with endless energy, ready to crush my workouts and tackle my to-do lists.

I won’t tell you that I lost weight, saved a bunch of money, or woke up with an instantly clear complexion, radiating an alcohol-free glow.

The truth is, I didn’t experience any major physical changes when I gave up drinking for 30 days in January. But I did learn something huge about myself—something that completely changed the way I view a glass of wine or bottle of beer.

Rosé-Colored Glasses

Why did I want to stop drinking? For one, Dry January is officially a trend in the wellness world, and as a health editor, I was curious. The other big reason: I’d never actually tried not to drink.

I had my first sip of alcohol back in high school (tequila from a friend’s parents’ liquor cabinet, naturally). Since then it’s played a pretty constant role in my life. From casual parties to college fraternity ragers, the ritual of having a few drinks became as ingrained as going to class or out for a run.

Alcohol eased the awkwardness of my freshman year of college, when I knew no one. It helped push me past my inherent shyness to meet new people. I was always into books and school, so drinking was also a way to prove there was more to me than good grades and studying.

It's not about losing weight or saving money. Wine tasting in Italy. Worth it. Moving to New York City after graduation only strengthened my relationship with booze. The most popular (and convenient) way to socialize is over drinks: Whether it’s a first date, networking meeting, or catching up with a friend, chances are it’ll happen at a bar.

Plus, as the stresses of the “real world” sank in, drinking provided freedom and distraction from my tiny cubicle and shared 500-square-foot apartment. It seemed to be the solution for everything: Bad day at work? Break open a bottle of wine. Feeling lonely? Head to the bar with friends. Rough breakup? Wine to the rescue. Bored? Wine wins again.

In addition to working out, wine had become my escape. And I liked it—a lot. (Apparently, I’m not the only one: A recent study showed that millennials drink an average of 3.1 glasses of wine in one sitting.)

But I don’t believe I ever had a problem. Sure, there were the natural consequences—hangovers, headaches, and regrettable texts—but I never got arrested, injured, or ruined any relationships, so I never really had a reason to stop drinking. So I didn’t—until now.

Sobering Up

As I kicked off Dry January, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The first few days were easy. After a booze-filled holiday season, forgoing drinks for the first week of 2016 was no big deal.

But about a week in, something strange happened. I started to think more. I became more aware of my feelings. I really listened to my thoughts—thoughts that were no longer dulled by drinking.

Unable to pour myself a glass of wine when I got home and let the stress of the day fade away, I reflected more on my life. I thought back on my five years in New York, more than I ever had in the past. I thought about how I missed my family and the sunshine back home in Florida. I thought about my relationships—romantic and platonic, past and present. I thought hard about my job, the progress I’d made in my career, and looming deadlines at work.

Rather than turn to the bottle and push those thoughts aside until the next morning, I actually worked through them.

Rather than turn to the bottle and push those thoughts aside until the next morning, I actually worked through them. I started reading and writing at night rather than zoning out in front of the TV with a glass of wine. Instead of grabbing drinks with a friend to catch up, we had a sober heart-to-heart over lunch. Instead of splitting a bottle of wine at dinner, my boyfriend and I talked more about our lives and the future.

The time off from alcohol (and the accompanying hangovers) also spurred me to be more productive. I finally started a blog to showcase my photography and writing. I made more healthy meals at home since I wasn’t going out to dinner as often, sharpening my cooking skills in the process. I was generally more creative and thoughtful at work, if not propelled by tons of newfound energy.

Reality Sets In

It's not about losing weight or saving money.

Then there were some not-so-great consequences. I realized a few hard truths—about friends who weren’t supportive of my alcohol-free month and about the type of person I’d been during some particularly boozy periods of my life. And without the distraction of drinking, I had to contemplate whether I was truly happy living in New York.

In the end I came to view my near-nightly glasses of wine as my own personal soma—the drug imagined in the dystopian novel Brave New World, which provides an instant, pleasurable escape from the stress, worries, and weight of reality.

The thing is, reality is always there—whether you like it or not. I think a lot of us in our 20s turn to alcohol (or drugs or food or exercise) to eclipse our feelings to some extent.

If you don’t take the time to sit with yourself, soberly and silently, every so often, you risk losing touch with your true thoughts, passions, desires—and even your fears.

In some ways, that’s OK. I love going out as much as the next 20-something, and I truly believe in the benefits of grabbing drinks with friends at the end of a stressful week. It’s fun going to bars and meeting people you’d never think you had anything in common with—people you may not have met if not for your shared affection for IPAs.

But my monthlong break taught me something even more valuable: If you don’t take the time to sit with yourself, soberly and silently, every so often, you risk losing touch with your true thoughts, passions, desires—and even your fears. And getting to know yourself on this deeper level is one of the most important things you can do.

At the end of the month, I went to a friend's wedding. I had wine, of course. But I stopped before the sauvignon blanc seeped too deeply into my system. I wanted to remember every magical moment, and I did. There’s no substitute for celebrating marriage with a sip of champagne, but there’s also no substitute for seeing, feeling, and remembering everything clearly, without the haze of alcohol.



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This Cool Container Will Prevent You From Killing Your Plants

Boskke Cube

Have you ever killed a plant? We have, and there's nothing like the sorry sting of unintentionally murdering something you paid for—ya killed it, ya killed it real good. Anyway, we've finally found a way around the whole situation while still keeping our Insta game strong: the Boskke Cube. Fill the futuristic-looking planter with water, and let its self-regulating ceramic disk give the roots exactly the amount of water they need, saving you from constantly wondering what more your plants could want from you. Don't you give them everything? Haven't you tried to make them happy? Well, now they don't need you (until the well runs dry, which should be once a month). It's better this way. No one dies. Enjoy the green!



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4 Steps to Get Back on Track When Something Terrible Happens

From a major heartbreak or loss of a loved one to a serious illness, accident, or professional setback, life can lob you some serious curveballs.

Certain factors, like your home life and strength of your IRL social network, can help determine how quickly you'll bounce back. But what also matters is what you do in the days, weeks, and months following a traumatic event. These actions set the tone for how quickly and effectively you steer yourself back from disaster.

If you’ve found yourself smacked in the face by reality, hang on. With this expert-backed advice, you can begin to get back on the right track, even when you feel like everything is falling apart.

4 Steps to Reset

It's like hitting a reset button, for your life.

1. Get your feet on the ground.

When your world gets rocked, your trust in the world around you, other people, and sometimes even yourself is thrown into question, says psychiatrist and trauma specialist Sudhir Gadh, M.D. As a result, you may feel less stable, more afraid, and see your day-to-day realities as far more threatening than they truly are.

“When we’re hurt—emotionally or physically—we naturally want to find a corner to hide in and despair over how or why something awful has happened to us,” Gadh says.“But indulging this impulse can inflame rumination, self-blame, and fear.”

Shame and guilt also play a huge role in propelling people toward isolation—or, in many cases, secrecy, adds Paul D. Hokemeyer, Ph.D., a certified clinical trauma professional. “They feel they need to handle what happened on their own or don't want to burden others,” he explains.

But reestablishing a sense of security through social support is key to getting back on your feet. Reach out to loved ones and other people you trust, opting for in-person conversations rather than virtual ones when possible, Gadh says. Physical proximity, interpersonal touch, and eye contact foster a stronger sense of connectedness than text messages and emails, while compassionate contact has been shown to lower blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol levels.

That said, if the trauma affects your ability to function despite discussing it with a trusted circle, consider consulting with a doc about medication, Gadh says. Meds are like crutches, he adds: “There’s no shame in using them—they’re temporary, supportive, and they accelerate healing.”

Joyful memories and feelings help buffer you from sinking too deeply into despair’s depths.

2. Pursue positivity.

Engaging in pleasant activities that bring about positive emotions is a big part of self-care and support, says Barbara O. Rothbaum, Ph.D., director of Emory University’s Trauma and Anxiety Recovery program and author of Reclaiming Your Life From a Traumatic Experience: a Prolonged Exposure Treatment Program (Treatments That Work). Joyful memories and feelings help buffer you from sinking too deeply into despair’s depths, research shows.

A few ways to cultivate positivity: Surround yourself with friends, kiss your romantic partner, or simply stream a funny movie with a pal. You may even want to say yes to a social event you’re inclined to dip out of and challenge yourself to seek out stimulating conversation. Whatever you do, participate. Research shows the more you remain present in a situation, the more likely it is to make you feel better.

Also try self-soothing techniques like mindfulness, loving-kindness mediation, and self-compassion, which have been clinically proven to help recenter you, stat.

That isn’t to say you should avoid negative feelings altogether; rather, you should seek joy in order to strip unsettling memories of their power to convince you that all hope is lost.

It's like a reset button for your life.

3. Confront your feelings.

We have to make sense of—and find meaning in—setbacks in order to keep them from imprisoning us, Gadh says. This means facing the shame, guilt, anger, sadness, helplessness, and other difficult feelings without stewing in victimhood or getting trapped by rage and resentment. If you don’t feel safe doing this with a close friend, partner, or family member, it’s wise to seek the assistance of someone versed in trauma recovery.

Particularly helpful in this regard is a protocol called “prolonged exposure therapy,” Rothbaum says. This involves narrating a traumatic event in the present tense, discussing emotions affiliated with it, and, with a therapist’s aid, identifying unhelpful thoughts (such as "I’ll never find love again," "No one can be trusted," or "I’m a total failure") and swapping them with resilient ones (such as "I can find someone who loves me," "Many people can be trusted," or "I am not a failure because I can learn and grow from mistakes").

To improve the odds of doing this effectively, it’s crucial to keep drinking to a minimum and avoid recreational drugs or compulsive behaviors (from gambling and sex to shopping and even overexercise), Gadh says. Though these outlets offer illusory respites from difficult-to-face emotions, “they don’t help us to reframe and resolve our recent experiences so that they fit into the narrative arc of our lives.”

Plus, the stress substances and risky behaviors bring can cause further suffering, he adds, especially if they propel you into dangerous situations where you could encounter further adversity.

4. Get back out there.

Though you may wish to avoid people, places, and things that trigger memories of a recent life upheaval—or remind you of the ways you believe you have failed—one of the biggest mistakes people make is not getting back in the game, Rothbaum says.

One of the biggest mistakes people make is not getting back in the game.

Do it sooner than later, she suggests. Returning to a daily routine helps ready you to resume your life, encouraging you to move past post-trauma difficulties, forge new memories, and regain a sense of mastery over yourself and the world.

Granted, there are some caveats. For example, if you’re injured, don’t force yourself back into your previous exercise routine until you’ve gotten medical clearance. “The point of exposure is not to eliminate fear of real danger,” Rothbaum says, “but to become comfortable again with people, places, and situations that are objectively safe and important for the person in living her life.”

Some examples: Learning to take public transportation or ride in a car again after an accident, dating after a devastating breakup, or taking your time to get intimate with a new lover after you’ve been assaulted. Or perhaps it's learning to trust new acquaintances if a close friend betrayed you or applying and interviewing for jobs after being laid off, fired, or quitting because of a physical or mental health concern.

The Takeaway

It's like a reset button for your life.

People aren’t made of Teflon, says Gadh, so don’t expect to bounce back from major life setbacks overnight. Experiences (both good and bad) alter us. Scrap judgments about what you’re experiencing or whether you’re making enough progress in a finite amount of time, Rothbaum says.

And remember: “Everyone has resiliency somewhere inside them. It's evolutionarily wired into us,” Hokemeyer says. Rekindling that inherent ability—which requires you to seek support, face your biggest fears, and challenge unhelpful thoughts and beliefs about yourself and the world around you—is what getting “back on track” truly means.



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7 Healthy Salad Dressings You Can Whip up in No Time

Exercise and Meditation Can Reduce Depression Symptoms

If you're suffering from depression—or even just occasional negative thoughts—combining meditation and exercise can help, according to findings from a recent study.1 After meditating and working out for two hours per week, depressed students reduced their symptoms by 40 percent. Students who were healthy to begin with saw a benefit too: They thought less about negative situations. The study was pretty small (only 52 students)—nowhere near the size needed to extrapolate—but the findings are exciting, especially considering that hundreds of free meditation and fitness apps are just a click away.

The researchers say the effectiveness of this combo has a lot to do with attention. Many people who suffer from depression have trouble drawing their focus away from negative thoughts. Exercise has been shown to help your brain grow new cells, and meditation helps you focus. "If you do two activities that elicit the relaxation response, help you focus on the present, get you out of a negative mindset, and reduce the amount of stress hormones pumping through your body, you will rewire your brain and feel happier," says Ronit Levy, Psy.D., clinical director of the Bucks County Anxiety Center.

This strategy may not work for everyone, though. There's a big difference between negative thoughts and painful feelings, which many depressed people experience, says Jeffery Rubin, Ph.D., a psychotherapist and meditation teacher.

The participants in this study were also willing to meditate and exercise, but depression has been associated with a lower motivation to work out, says Sherry Pagoto, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist. "We know that exercise is beneficial," she says. "But the million dollar question is how to inspire people to do it regularly."

And it's important to note: While this study champions exercise and meditation, it never says they should replace therapy or medication.

Works Cited

  1. MAP training: combining meditation and aerobic exercise reduces depression and rumination while enhancing synchronized brain activity. Alderman BL, Olson RL, Brush CJ. Translational psychiatry, 2016, Feb.;6():2158-3188.


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The Best Selected Beauty Tips for Teenage Girls

Young girls at present are more interested in discovering beauty tips for teenage girls since this generation is greatly involved in beauty and skin care. Also, there are many things that a teenage body goes through and it is most important that young ladies know even the basic beauty tips for girls so they know how to deal with the zits, oil, and make-up frenzies.

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Walking to Find Great Finds

Exercise can be tedious at times but not when you are shopping. So have fun doing what you love.

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8 Diet Habits That Will Trim Your Waistline

People all but tell you what a fat slob you are and that you need to thin down a lot. They also give you unasked for advice on what to eat and what to avoid eating, how much to exercise and when. But there are times when despite all your best and honest efforts, things just don't work for you. At such times, ditch all the advice and try some of these diet habits that could turn the tide for you

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Exercise and Weight Loss Go Hand in Hand - Some Useful Tips

It is a fact that exercise and weight loss go hand in hand. You can't expect to lose weight just by dieting; you need to do some exercise to complement your diet.

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Perfume: Do Some People Use Perfume To Deceive Others?

If one was going out for the evening, there is a strong chance that they will end up using perfume. And while this could mean that they were going on a date, this might not be the case.

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If You're Bored, Don't Eat!

In order to effectively lose weight you need to develop strong self-control when it comes to everything dealing with nutrition. That means not only at meals but also particularly with those deceptive snacks and drinks. These specific moments when it's often overlooked as to how much we are actually putting into our bodies. Think about the last time you were watching TV, reading a book, or using the computer. Did you happen to have any food or drinks while you were partaking in one of these activities? If so, this is a really dangerous habit to have and one that needs to be adjusted for you to have weight loss success.

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The Anatomy of a Medical Archive

What does a medical archive look like? Will it have the information I need, when I need it? By reviewing how a medical archive is constructed, these and many other questions are answered. Understanding the components and their interrelationships will help determine the value and urgency of creating an archive for patient medical records.

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Looking for the System of Record

If you are like most medical professionals, your medical software and related databases are growing in number and complexity. The databases are becoming dramatically larger in size. You have probably changed software at least once in the last decade. All this and you have not designated one database as THE System of Record.

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The Worst Skin Care Advice Dermatologists Have Ever Heard

6 Signs Body Positivity Is Winning the Culture Wars

It’s finally happening. You guys, it’s finally happening! The body-positive revolution is happening, and it will be televised... and tweeted, Periscoped, and Instagrammed. I’m usually not this chipper about the state of body acceptance and weight stigma in the world, but too many first steps have been made this year for this whole body-diversity trend we’re seeing to be a fad.

None of the things I’m gonna celebrate here adds up to much individually. But together? Together they’re a sign that, as model Ashley Graham said in her TEDx talk called Plus Size? More Like My Size, "This is the generation of body diversity. The current is changing." Take a look at the evidence:

1. Ashley Graham and Ronda Rousey on the COVER of the SI Swimsuit Issue

It was a big deal when curvy model Ashley Graham made it into the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue in 2015 in a mere advertisement. One year later? Homegirl is on the damn cover—and she’s owning it. There are three different covers this year, the other two featuring kick-ass UFC bantamweight champ Ronda Rousey and straight-size Brigitte-Bardot-esque model Hailey Clauson.

The ads don’t disappoint this year, either: Online swimwear shop Swimsuits For All is running three full pages featuring not one, not two, but three diverse visions of beauty all wearing the same gold swimsuit: the gray-haired 56-year-old Nicola Griffin, the aforementioned Ashley Graham, and British model/activist Philomena Kwao. That’s Don Draper-level ad work.

2. Bye-Bye “Bikini Body”

When I first heard that Women’s Health banned the phrases “bikini body” and “drop two sizes” from the cover of the magazine, I was a bit cynical about the change. I worked at women’s magazines for years, and WH is hardly the first to do a reader survey to find out what’s working (or not), or take steps toward being more inclusive and body positive.

But despite the fact that readers were still buying the old, more-aggro version of the magazine in droves, new(ish) editor in chief Amy Keller Laird is doing more than nixing a couple of old-fashioned, outdated cover lines. She’s introducing some DNA-level changes to the magazine’s attitude and tone, as evidenced by the #GuiltFreeFitness campaign and support of working moms with #PaidLeavePays. Magazine editors often have their own individual pet peeves when it comes to words used on the cover and in copy, and I’ve got a hunch long-time Women’s Health-er Keller Laird has been itching to make these changes for a while. Good on her for making it happen.

3. This Target Australia Lingerie Ad

‘Cause all girls deserve pretty, comfy underwear. Now if only Target U.S. would advertise their undies this way! (Actually, a little bird told me they may be about to. So, keep your eyes peeled.)

4-6. New Barbies, Unretouched Beauty Ads, and the 2016 Pirelli Calendar

As tempting as it may be to sit back after these strides and rest on our confident, feminist laurels, we can’t. The real hero behind each and every one of these positive steps isn’t a manufacturer, or a magazine editor, or an ad agency, it’s you. So my bottom line is: GO, YOU. Because these brands are all responding to the demands you have made, via your spending dollars and vocal feedback. Let's keep going! When you see something you don't like, quit buying/watching/reading and, this is key, tweet the editors or write on the brand's Facebook wall to tell them why. You can, and will make even more change happen.

Sunny Sea Gold is Greatist’s body image columnist and the author of Food: The Good Girl’s Drug—How to Stop Using Food to Control Your Feelings (Berkley Books, 2011). A health journalist by trade and a mom of two little girls, she’s also an advocate and educator focused on reducing the rates of childhood obesity and eating disorders by building Body-Positive Families. Reach out to her at @SunnySeaGold.



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4 Keys to Fat Loss More Helpful Than "Eat Less and Move More"

Diet and exercise get all of the attention when it comes to fat loss. While they both do play a major role in the process, it's not quite as simple as "eat less and move more." So many people repeat this mantra with full conviction—after all, it can work for a while. However, in general, it's outdated, and there's so much more to fat loss than that.

I'm going to share with you the four things that I emphasize with my clients to make sure they continue to make progress. I'll also give you some troubleshooting questions to ask yourself if your fat loss progress has stalled.

1. Get sufficient sleep.

I know what you're thinking—"More sleep talk? Borrrrrring!" I understand. Sleep isn't an exciting topic. However, if you're serious about optimizing your health and/or losing fat, there are some things about sleep that you must know.

If my client's fat loss stalls, I don't start analyzing her food intake or increasing her exercise frequency or intensity. Instead, I look at her sleep quality and quantity, and her chronic stress level. Really. It's that important.

We are a chronically sleep-deprived, over-stressed society. Each of these things can cause health problems and hinder fat loss. Combine them, and it's a double-whammy.

Have you noticed that when you are exhausted you feel hungrier than usual? This is not your imagination. Not getting enough sleep affects leptin and ghrelin, which are (to oversimplify) your hunger hormones.

A sleep deficit will make you hungrier and more impulsive, and you'll have a strong craving for high-carbohydrate foods. This makes avoiding the muffins at the coffee shop or turning down the douughnuts at the office a nearly impossible feat. Being chronically sleep-deprived can also mean elevated cortisol and insulin resistance. This doesn't bode well for fat loss, much less your overall health.

If this isn't enough reason to turn in a bit earlier, let me remind you that adequate sleep is also imperative for cognitive function, maintaining a sunny disposition, and having a steady supply of energy so that you can keep up with your kids on the playground, run around with your dog, lift heavier weights, and all the other active things you love to do.

Ask yourself:

  • Am I averaging at least seven hours of sleep per night?
  • If not, am I willing to make concessions to ensure I get a little more shut-eye? (For example: Can you record your favorite show rather than stay up to watch it? Can you turn your phone off earlier to avoid the temptation to stay up perusing social media?)
Keys to Lose Fat That Aren't Diet and Exercise

2. Don't try to out-train your diet.

Back when I was the reigning Cardio Queen, I felt like I could never get enough food. I used to love a particular 90-minute, high-intensity cardio kickboxing class. It was a blast, the music was awesome, and all of my friends went. The problem was that it revved up my appetite so much that I would race home to eat… and eat… and eat.

It took me many years to realize that high-intensity, steady-state exercise is not the best approach for me—it turns me into a bottomless pit. It was far too easy for me to "out-eat" my training, which meant I was forever spinning my wheels.

We always recommend applying the Minimum Effective Dose to your training. Meaning, while we appreciate that you love exercise, it's important that you do just enough to elicit the desired results while keeping your hormones happy and your appetite in check.

For most women, this typically means two or three heavy strength-training days, one or two short-duration HIIT (high-intensity interval training) sessions, and no more than a couple of moderate-intensity, steady-state cardio sessions per week.

Getting too aggressive with exercise and doing an obscene amount of cardio, spending hours in the weight room each day, or doing two-a-day training sessions can lead to a voracious appetite—which is probably not in line with your goals.

Ask yourself:

  • Is any type of exercise that I'm doing increasing my appetite to the point that it may be sabotaging, instead of supporting, my goals?
  • What kind of exercise can I do instead to see how that makes me feel? (Example: Instead of running for 45 minutes, how about trying 15 minutes of intervals? Instead of that 60-minute Spin class, how about breaking it up into two 30-minute moderate-intensity cardio sessions throughout the week?)
Eat foods that make you feel satisfied.

3. Eat foods that make you feel satisfied.

When people think of fat loss, most think it means eating the same boring foods, Groundhog Day-style. Dry chicken breast, soggy broccoli, egg whites, oats, and protein powder, day in and day out.

This can work, sure. There's nothing nutritionally wrong with it. But I can promise you one thing: It won't work for long, unless you actually love to eat like this and truly feel satisfied. A person can only tolerate so much bland, crappy food that she doesn't even like before she frantically waves the white flag and dives into a pile of junk food, never to return to her George Foreman grill again.

The key to sticking with your nutrition approach is to ensure that you love what you're eating. You have to enjoy your food in order to be satisfied. If you choke down a meal that you hate, the likelihood that you'll be foraging through your pantry afterward for something to please your palate is extremely high.

Thanks to the Internet, there are millions of recipes right at your fingertips. While it may take you 20 minutes to bake a week's worth of bland chicken breasts, it would only take you an additional few minutes to whip up a tasty sauce for them, try a new seasoning blend, or another way of cooking them. You can bake, broil, roast, slow cook, grill, steam, or sauté your food into a tastebud explosion with just a tiny bit more effort. Trust me, it's worth it.

Ask yourself:

  • Am I currently eating foods I can't stand but eat them anyway because I feel like I'm "supposed" to?
  • What can I do to those foods, or what can I substitute, to enjoy my eating experience?
  • Can I spare an extra 10 to 20 minutes per day to improve the taste of my food? (Hint: The answer is yes.)

4. Choose the right amount of cardio.

Cardio is a funny thing. For a while, it's all many women wanted to do. Thankfully, things are evolving, and a growing number of women have embraced the empowering feeling of slinging some heavy iron. The only downside to that is that cardio has started to get lambasted. Cardio, like most other things, can be a wonderful tool when used correctly.

Is cardio necessary for everyone who wants to get leaner? Not really. But if you find that you're a bit stuck, incorporating a couple of sessions per week could help.

Moderate-intensity, steady-state cardio is a way to burn calories, sure. More importantly, it improves work capacity, which can mean improved training. It can also aid in recovery from your strength workouts.

This is not a pass for a cardio free-for-all. Whatever form of cardio you choose, please make sure you're doing the type that keeps stress low and your hunger under control.

Ask yourself:

  • What kind of cardio do I enjoy most? Brisk walking, biking, riding the elliptical?
  • Can I spare 20 minutes twice a week to incorporate some low/moderate-intensity cardio?
  • How did that cardio make me feel? Do I feel in control of my appetite? Do I feel energized? If the answer to those questions is yes, stick with it for a few weeks and see what changes you notice.

As you can see, when it comes to fat loss, there is more to the equation than simply restricting food intake and doing more exercise. If you find yourself stuck and not making any progress, take a look at these four things and see if making a few changes can help push things forward.

One last but important note: Once you make a change, stick with it for a few weeks, and then evaluate your progress.

This article originally appeared on Girls Gone Strong and was reposted with the author's permission. Jen Comas is a personal trainer, certified through NASM and USAW as a Level One Olympic Weight Lifting coach, and a Vinyasa yoga practitioner and instructor. You can read more about Comas on her website.



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Do Brain Games Actually Work?

With just 10 minutes of gaming three or four days per week, you could stave off dementia, memory loss, and achieve “full potential in every aspect of life.” Sound too good to be true? It is. These were the claims that popular gaming app Luminosity made—and the ones that cost it big.

In January the FTC settled with Lumo Labs, the maker of Luminosity, for a cool $2 million for deceptive advertising. “Lumosity simply did not have the science to back up its ads,” Jessica Rich, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, said in a press release at the time.

Luminosity was the fall guy, but it’s tough to blame the app. Brain training isn't science fiction future—it’s big business today. One report puts the brain health industry at $6 billion by 2020. And with an aging America, it’s no surprise that a wonder-drug game for your brain sounds so appealing.

What the Science Says

“The battle is that the marketing can get ahead of the science,” says Paul Reber, Ph.D., professor and director of the Brain, Behavior, and Cognition Program at Northwestern University. “And the science is a messier process.”

“Messier” means there's currently no clear answer. Brain training, at least in the form of playing Angry Bird-esque games, is bogus.1 What those games do, Reber says, is make you better at playing those games. This phenomenon, called a practice effect, is one scientists have known about for a long time. You’ve also observed this your whole life: Playing piano made you better at playing piano, riding a bike better at riding a bike, and so on.

Brain training, at least in the form of playing Angry Bird-esque games, is bogus.

But what if, for example, you went from riding your own bike to riding a friend's bike? Or playing a game with birds to playing a game with ducks? “If we change one aspect of the task and you still get marginally better, we call that a near transfer effect,” says Jason Moser, Ph.D., associate professor at Michigan State University.

And that occurrence leads to an even more fascinating question, one Luminosity claimed to have answered: Can practicing one thing improve you at something else entirely? Can you train yourself to be smarter? Researchers call this far transfer—and it’s the holy grail of brain training.

Does Brain Training Really Work? Until 2008, the general consensus was no. But then came a study with startling results. Researchers at the University of Michigan tested participants’ fluid intelligence—the ability to do things like think abstractly, draw comparisons, or discern relationships.

Then one group got some cognitive training in the form of games (a version of these games was later marketed by Luminosity). Later everybody took a different version of that initial reasoning test.2 The results were head turning. Not only did the gaming group perform better, but researchers thought the gain might be significant enough that participants would notice a change in their daily life.

Since then other studies have attempted to replicate these results, all with varying levels of success.3 And in 2013 researchers conducted a review of 23 different brain-game studies and drew a skeptical conclusion: There was no magic bullet. No brain fountain of youth. No mental elixir on your iPhone. “It's an area that has caused an immense amount of controversy,” Reber says.

What's more, scientists are also critical of the long-term effects of these brain games. In other words, even if there is a small positive gain today, unless you keep playing these games daily, there's no indication you'll still be reaping the benefits in a decade.

But for an optimist like Reber, there’s something to this cognitive game play; we simply don’t have enough info yet. Others, like Moser, remain more cautious. As he puts it, if you have a very specific and precise brain game, you might see a specific and precise positive gain. “But people saying, 'Practice a game and life will get better'? That’s a stretch,” Moser says.

The Takeaway

Do Brain Games Really Work?

It’s not all doom and gloom. Even if you’re stuck with the brain you’ve got, there are still plenty of ways to stay cerebrally cutting edge.

“The idea is to be cognitively active—however you do it,” Reber says. Replace any passive activity, like zoning out in front of the TV, with something more active (playing an instrument, reading a book, participating in aerobic exercise), and you’ll probably have a happier brain. Cognitive vigor, especially in old age, is usually the result of a “healthy, engaged lifestyle,” researchers write.

And if you still love your Luminosity app—or any other video game for that matter—there’s probably no harm in playing it. As Reber puts it, "If you find [the game] enjoyable and rewarding, and if it replaces nothing, then there might be some merit to it."

Works Cited

  1. Is working memory training effective? A meta-analytic review. Melby-Lervåg M, Hulme C. Developmental psychology, 2012, May.;49(2):1939-0599.
  2. Improving fluid intelligence with training on working memory. Jaeggi SM, Buschkuehl M, Jonides J. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2008, Apr.;105(19):1091-6490.
  3. No evidence of intelligence improvement after working memory training: a randomized, placebo-controlled study. Redick TS, Shipstead Z, Harrison TL. Journal of experimental psychology. General, 2012, Jun.;142(2):1939-2222.


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Pam Anderson Reveals the Dark Side of Our Quest for Wellness

When Pam Anderson rose to fame in the early 90s, we were hooked on Atkins, Tae Bo, and getting six-pack abs. Today it’s green juice, SoulCycle, and fixating on our well-being. The change in mindset over two decades seems like progress: We’re thinking about what’s good for us, not just losing weight. But Connected, a futuristic short film staring Anderson, brings to light the potential dark side of our endless quest for personal wellness. (A quick aside: As you can see from the screengrab above, there's a quick, NSFW scene where Anderson is clad only in her underwear.)

We watch her drink a kale smoothie, pop supplements, spin at a boutique gym, and go on a wellness retreat. And we can’t help but think, “We’ve done those things!” (Pam Anderson—well, her character—is like us!) But all of this work bettering herself isn’t enough. She says she wants to change everything and get more connected to herself and others. But will she ever get there? Will any of us really get there? And if we don’t, can we be happy? This film is quite the thinker, and even though it clocks in at 10 minutes (much longer than our typical bite-size Internet snack), it’s worth watching the whole thing. Plus, we’re pretty sure you’ll be hooked 'til the end.



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These Curvy Swimsuit Models Share Some Relatable Advice

With three curvy cover stars (size-16 body-image activist Ashley Graham, badass boxer Ronda Rousey, and body-positive runway model Hailey Clauson) and even a 56 year old killing it in a bikini, this year's Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue (finally) makes a bold statement that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes.

In this video from Bustle, three plus-size models, who appear in a multi-page ad in the swimsuit issue, share the advice they'd give to their teenage selves. (Spoiler: It's full of self-love.) We could all use more role models like these, and you don't need to be a teen to follow their lead. Just look in the mirror and repeat after Graham: "I love you. You are bold, you are brilliant, and you are beautiful."



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Types of Hospital Beds Available at Online Medical Supply Stores

These days, the majority of the top hospitals buy goods from reputable online medical supply stores. In this article, we will be discussing about the kinds of hospital beds they can purchase from these stores.

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Important Things You Need to Know About Naturopathic Doctors

More and more people are beginning to cross over to naturopathic medicine and hire doctors who perform these services. The great thing about naturopathic care is that it's available for the entire family. Some naturopathic doctors offer OB/GYN services, as well as allergy testing and treatment. Enclosed are Some facts worth knowing about naturopathic doctors if you are considering seeing seeing one.

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See What Happens to Your Body on No Sleep

We’ve all had nights where no matter what we try—counting back from 100, meditating, drinking tea—we just can’t fall asleep. The next day we feel like a zombie shuffling through dense fog. This video from BuzzFeed details exactly what's happening to your body when you don’t catch any zzzs. One sleepless night impairs movement and focus the same as when you’re drunk. Missing two consecutive nights messes with your speech, so you start to stumble on words and forget what you were talking about.



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63 Must-Read Food, Fitness, and Happiness Blogs for 2016

There's a dizzying number of blogs out there, all tempting us to procrastinate at work. But it's hard to know which sites are truly trustworthy, entertaining, informative, and Pinnable. So we went ahead and scoured the blogosphere to narrow it down to these standouts. They're keeping it real (no #fitspo here), using science to back up claims, always staying positive and inspiring, and delivering content we can't stop reading and sharing.

We went after blogs that address interesting and timely issues and feature useful, upbeat (but never in an annoying way) posts that reflect Greatist's mission of making healthy living a little bit easier and a lot more fun. We then looked at a variety of factors, including frequency of posts, comments and engagement with readers, number of social media followers, and design quality to narrow down the list to these rock stars. For more, check out last year's list, and tweet @Greatist to let us know who we should consider for next year!

Note: Blogs are arranged in no particular order. The first entry in each section is no better than the last entry.



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15 Must-Follow Health and Happiness Blogs

Meaningful Use and Patient Centered Medical Home

A perfect hospital is a medical home where the patient is going to get complete attention and care. All hospitals and health care centers must maintain a comprehensive record of their patients, preferably in the electronic medium.

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Are You Vitamin D Deficient?

Soak up the sun while downing some dairy for a dose of vitamin D. The nutrient is key for healthy bone growth, and proper immune, nerve, and muscle function. But here’s the kicker: Most Americans are vitamin D deficient, which can lead to serious health risks, such as osteoperosis, heart disease, and high blood pressure.1 So what's the best way to avoid these problems and get enough D?

Far From The D-List: The Need-to-Know

Drink Vitamin D Fortified Milk for Health

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that the body needs for calcium absorption, cell growth, immune system function, and inflammation reduction. The major function of this important vitamin is to maintain normal levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood. Without enough vitamin D, bones can’t properly develop, leading to diseases like osteoporosis and rickets.

Vitamin D comes from three sources: sunlight, food, and supplements. The key to getting enough is finding a good mix of all three sources—it’s impossible to efficiently get enough from just one source. So how much is enough? The National Institute of Health recommends that adults between 19 and 50 years of age get 15 mcg (or 600 IUs) of vitamin D per day. That's equal to about one vitamin D-fortified six-ounce yogurt (80 IUs), two large eggs (82 IUs), or one 3-ounce serving of cooked salmon (447 IUs) combined! The problem is that vitamin D isn't naturally present in very many foods, which is why vitamin D-fortified products like cereal, orange juice, and milk are hitting the shelves left and right.

Without enough vitamin D, bones can’t properly develop, leading to diseases like osteoporosis and rickets.

If going au natural, keep in mind these vitamin D-rich foods: egg yolks, fish (specifically salmon, mackerel, bluefish, and canned tuna), and sun-ripened mushrooms. While sunlight is the most efficient way to get the full daily dose of vitamin D, don’t grab a beach towel and slide on those Ray-Bans just yet. One study suggests that oral supplements and dietary sources are the safest ways to increase vitamin D levels. That's because it's hard to measure the amount of sun exposure, and UV radiation can have some dangerous health effects.2

But be careful about popping those vitamin D pills! Getting too much vitamin D (typically from supplements) can cause a decrease in appetite, nausea, and even vomiting. (And no, that's not why the Gallon Challenge causes vomiting too.)

Originally published July 2012. Updated February 2016.

Works Cited

  1. Demographic differences and trends of vitamin D insufficiency in the US population, 1988-2004. Ginde AA, Liu MC, Camargo CA. Archives of internal medicine, 2009, Apr.;169(6):1538-3679. Prevalence and correlates of vitamin D deficiency in US adults. Forrest KY, Stuhldreher WL. Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.), 2011, May.;31(1):1879-0739.
  2. Estimated equivalency of vitamin D production from natural sun exposure versus oral vitamin D supplementation across seasons at two US latitudes. Terushkin V, Bender A, Psaty EL. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2010, Apr.;62(6):1097-6787. Intakes of calcium and vitamin D and breast cancer risk in women. Lin J, Manson JE, Lee IM. Archives of internal medicine, 2007, Jun.;167(10):0003-9926. Systematic review: Vitamin D and calcium supplementation in prevention of cardiovascular events. Wang L, Manson JE, Song Y. Annals of internal medicine, 2010, Mar.;152(5):1539-3704.


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6 Pros of Having Long Hair

Long hairstyles have a natural and appealing style factor that has made them extremely popular. With regular care and washing the long hair is still easy to maintain while also giving many more options in relation to hairstyles to match the difficult casual or formal occasion.

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Benefits Of Chiropractic: How It Helps You

Chiropractic care is becoming more and more popular in America and for a number of reasons. Whether you decide to get treated for a particular problem or you just want to improve your overall health, this form of treatment can help you in a number of ways.

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Why You Shouldn't Text Back Right Away (It's Science!)

Say you’ve matched with someone on Tinder. You both had to swipe right, so it's safe to say you find each other attractive or intriguing—or maybe one person’s hand slipped. Regardless, it gives you a boost of confidence when chatting with them. So when they send you a text, you reply almost immediately. (We all know how attached we are to our smartphones, so it’s silly to pretend you didn’t see their message.) Plus, we’re all big boys and girls here: No need for those petty, childish games where you wait 10 minutes or maybe an hour to text them back, right?

Actually, science would say you should wait, at least a little. Here's the basic explanation, care of a quick excerpt from Aziz Ansari’s book Modern Romance:

In recent years behavioral scientists have shed some light on why waiting techniques can be powerful. Let’s first look at the notion that texting back right away makes you less appealing. Psychologists have conducted hundreds of studies in which they reward lab animals in different ways under different conditions. One of the most intriguing findings is that “reward uncertainty”—in which, for instance, animals cannot predict whether pushing a lever will get them food—can dramatically increase their interest in getting a reward, while also enhancing their dopamine levels so that they basically feel coked up.

If a text back from someone is considered a “reward,” consider the fact that lab animals who get rewarded for pushing a lever every time will eventually slow down because they know that the next time they want a reward, it will be waiting for them. So basically, if you are the guy or girl who texts back immediately, you are taken for granted and ultimately lower your value as a reward. As a result, the person doesn’t feel as much of an urge to text you or, in the case of the lab animal, push the lever.

Texting is a medium that conditions our minds in a distinctive way, and we expect our exchanges to work differently with messages than they did with phone calls. Before everyone had a cell phone, people could usually wait a while—up to a few days, even—to call back before reaching the point where the other person would get concerned. Texting has habituated us to receiving a much quicker response… When we don’t get the quick response, our mind freaks out.

To learn why our brains are primed to fill the gaps between texts with the worst case scenario and how all of that pinging back and forth is like a gambling addiction, check out the full excerpt over on Nautilus.



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The 5 Biggest Regrets People Have Before They Die

Want to hear the strangest thing on earth?

Death is perhaps the most constructive fact of our existence. Being aware of death throughout your life can beget the healthiest attitude: one of perspective.

Countless people throughout history knew this too. The ancient Greeks used to “practice death every day,” and the Toltecs would use death as “fuel to live and to love.” The constant reminder ensured they would live more boldly, more kindly, and with less fear.

The Good News About Death

Here's how the morbid subject can actually benefit us: Our limited days on earth are the ultimate impetus to live with less fear and more intention.

The majority of the time, many of us live as if there will be no end to our days. We stay in unfulfilling careers. We remain in unhappy relationships. We will travel the world “one day.” We fail to tell people how much they matter to us. We hide our real truth, gifts, or talents from the world because we are scared of being judged and criticized.

Losing a parent when I was young made this much more real for me. I felt blessed to come to the realization of how precarious and precious life is while still in my younger years. But you don’t need a loss early in your life to take advantage of the wisdom that awaits you. Learn from people who know.

One of my favorite books is Bronnie Ware’s international bestseller The Top Five Regrets of the Dying. Ware was a hospice nurse in Australia for several years and cared for patients in the last few weeks of their lives. She writes with incredible clarity how similar regrets surfaced again and again.

Surprise, surprise: There was no mention of insufficient status; undelivered revenge; or sadness over not being the thinnest, prettiest, or most famous. These were the most common regrets. (Numbers one and five could make me weep.)

The 5 Most Common Regrets

Here's what people regret the most at the end of their life.

1. I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.

"This was the most common regret of all," Ware writes. "When people realize that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled. Most people had not honored even a half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made."

2. I wish I hadn't worked so hard.

"All of the men I nursed deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a work existence."

3. I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings.

"Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming. Many developed illnesses relating to the bitterness and resentment they carried as a result."

4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.

"Often they would not truly realize the full benefits of old friends until their dying weeks, and it was not always possible to track them down. Many had become so caught up in their own lives that they had let golden friendships slip by over the years. There were many deep regrets about not giving friendships the time and effort that they deserved."

5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.

"This is a surprisingly common one. Many did not realize until the end that happiness is a choice. They had stayed stuck in old patterns and habits. The so-called 'comfort' of familiarity overflowed into their emotions, as well as their physical lives. Fear of change had them pretending to others, and to their selves, that they were content.”

Get Clear on What You Want

Here's what people regret the most at the end of their life.

Here's an exercise I perform with my clients, which you can do at home to figure out what you want to do, have, and be during your precious days on planet earth.

Take an hour to be quiet with yourself, a time without distractions when you will not be interrupted. Picture yourself in your elderly years. Attempt to see your life through the lens of your 80- or even 90-year-old self.

Start a conversation with this wiser, older version of you. Be blatantly honest. Ask yourself:

  • What do I really, really, really want?
  • Where am I holding back?
  • What will I congratulate myself for having the courage to do, right now?
  • What part of myself do I really need to honor and be true to (even if this goes against others' expectations of me)?
  • What really makes me feel happy and alive?
  • How can I make my happiness and my truth my number one priority?

It’s up to you to get the highest possible return on every day of your limited life. You can eradicate these potential regrets, starting now.

Whenever you think upon these questions, keep that older version of yourself in mind constantly. And every day, with every small action you take in the direction of your personal truth and happiness, he or she will be there, encouraging you. And he or she will be smiling.

Susie Moore is Greatist’s life coach columnist and a confidence coach in New York City. Sign up for her free weekly wellness tips on her website, and check back every Tuesday for her latest column!



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I Have It All—so Why Am I Not Happy?

I used to spend long nights wide awake, wandering around our huge house, wondering what I was missing in my life. I blamed myself for feeling this way. How could I be ungrateful when I had it all—a beautiful family, an amazing career in journalism and politics, a successful business, and even the perfect house (white picket fence included)?

I grew up with the conviction that my studies, my job, and my perfect future family would make me happy. I gave my all to becoming happy and successful. I made sure to be the best girlfriend, the best mom, and the best daughter I could be. I lived like a robot, trying hard to live up to my own and others’ expectations.

My story is not unique. We live in a world filled with demands and expectations—what’s right and wrong, good and bad, what will show success and not failure. There are many voices telling us what to wear, what to eat, how to exercise, whom to marry, and what we should achieve. Even our bodies are great targets for judgment. In our quest to fit in and do the right thing, we create stress, anxiety, exhaustion, and depression. Not feeling great, or even well, has become the norm for many.

Then I made an amazing discovery: I realized I had been living someone else’s life. Other people’s. Society’s. My family’s. Anyone's but my own.

What was missing in my life wasn’t another promotion, a higher salary, or a more perfect man. What was missing was me.

Today I no longer try to fit in or be perfect. I had lived so much life based on what other people expected that I didn’t even know what was true for me anymore.

Sound familiar? Here are five questions that I ask daily to create a life where I’m included—a life that's different, more joyful, and vibrant.

Create the Life You Really Want

How to start living the life YOU want.

1. Am I acknowledging myself?

Most people look for someone else to acknowledge them when they’re not acknowledging themselves. In the past, what I really longed for was to be seen. To be validated. Today I know that only I—no one else—can give myself a sense of worth. Acknowledging that opens up the magical place I knew as a little girl, the magical place where everything is possible, because everything I need is within me.

It also helps to actively choose to see what’s beautiful and amazing instead of what’s missing and wrong. When you wake up, see the sunlight streaming through the window, not the wallpaper that needs fixing. When the familiar voice in your head says there’s something wrong with you or that you’re not good enough, just say to yourself, "Stop!" Then tell yourself, "I’m brilliant, just the way I am." Be your own cheerleader.

2. What do I truly want to do?

Ask yourself: If I were to include myself and my desires in my choices, what would I choose? Do I want to travel the world? Do I want to live out in the suburbs or move into the city? Do I want to become a politician or a volunteer in Ghana? Only you know what is true for you. Start asking questions to access your knowing.

If I were to include myself and my desires in my choices, what would I choose?

Not sure whether to accept that job offer? Imagine being at that job. Being in that office or gym or classroom. Do you feel light or heavy? If you feel heavy within yourself, you know that job isn’t right for you or that something needs to change before it is. You don’t need to start practicing this technique with something as big as a career change. Start with small decisions—what movie to see, what to eat for dinner, whom to hang out with over the weekend.

3. Who says that's true?

We’re all spiritually, emotionally, and physically aware beings. We pick up stuff from the world around us—and the result is that many of our thoughts, feelings, and emotions aren’t our own. Instead we pick them up in different conversations, situations, and motivations from those around us.

If you find yourself buying into a point of view that doesn’t feel right, ask yourself: Is this point of view mine? Did I buy into it somewhere along the line? Am I choosing what’s true for me or what everyone else is choosing? In the movie Runaway Bride, there’s a breakfast scene in which Richard Gere asks Julia Roberts what kind of eggs she likes. Her response: “Whatever you're having.” With each of her three former fiancés, their favorite eggs had been her favorite eggs. Have you ever asked yourself what kind of eggs you really like?

4. What's not working in my life?

Cut out those things that aren't working—and add the things and the people that make you happy. Sign up for that yoga class you never seem to have time for. Set aside a night to have dinner with friends who make you smile. Paint your office. Join Toastmasters. Go out dancing. Book that trip you've always wanted to go on. Shake things up!

Most of us keep creating our lives more or less within our comfort zone. Repeating slightly different versions of past choices feels familiar and helps us predict the outcome. Even though this often means that we recreate undesirable and destructive situations, we imagine that stepping out of our comfort zone to try something new must be worse. What would you choose if you knew that was a lie?

5. What if there’s nothing wrong with me?

Instead of judging your body because you think it’s not thin enough to fit media-set expectations, try expressing your gratitude for its wisdom and its beauty, for all it’s done for you, for how it’s carried you through your life and still does.

Instead of judging yourself for being foolish, you might congratulate yourself for daring to choose something different, something you feel is right.

If you find yourself wanting to switch career paths—to leave that perfect job for a startup or one that pays less but will make you happier—instead of judging yourself for being foolish, you might congratulate yourself for daring to choose something different, something you feel is right.

The Bottom Line

Understanding how the different points of view around you become the filters through which you see and create your life opens a space where you can start looking at them and asking if they serve you. If they don’t, why keep them? They’re not you. You are.

If only you and your point of view creates your reality, then who are you? What can you create? What is possible for you? I invite you to take hold of your life and your future. Start living today for you! You’ll be amazed at what unfolds.

This is a guest post written by Lisa Henriksson, author of I Was Supposed to Be Happy. To learn more about Henriksson, visit her website.



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