HEALTH

WELLNESS--The gender gap in running the U.S. government has taken a huge leap towards closure with the 2018 Midterms. More women and women of color joined the forces that are part of our governing structure than any other time in history.

WELLNESS--There are many stereotypes surrounding depression, from being unable to get out of bed to crying at all hours of the day. But those living with the condition will tell you that the illness comes in many forms, and often looks far different than what we’ve learned over the years from movies and the media.

WELLNESS--A few weeks ago, some friends and I planned to meet up for drinks. One person was cagey about what time she was available to hang out that evening, and another said nothing at all — and then didn’t join. 

WELLNESS--What makes California the very picture of healthy living? It’s neither sunshine nor silicone implants.

Our health secret is actually immigration.

While the President and others falsely blame immigrants for being sources of disease (including smallpox, which was eradicated in 1980), Californians have long known that immigrants make us healthier. (Photo above: Joe Weider, one of the famous brothers who immigrated from Canada and got Americans interested in bodybuilding, stands next to the future governor of California.) 

WELLNESS--So, you’ve vowed to be healthier this year. That typically means less fast food, and more exercise. But what are you doing for your mental health?

WELLNESS--For most people, stomach aches are a regular part of life. But beyond the acute, temporary discomfort that we’ve all experienced, there are also several forms of abdominal pain that can be a sign of a serious health issue and shouldn’t be ignored.

WELLNESS--Doctors stress that you need to stay on top of immunizations for your health ― even as an adult.

We may not like hearing it, but it’s true: Adults aren’t off the hook when it comes to vaccines.

WELLNESS--It's January 1st, which means everyone has a fresh opportunity to tackle their latest resolutions and improve their lives in some way, whether it be eating healthier, running more frequently, or finally cracking open Mark Twain's three-volume autobiography. Unfortunately, research shows it's unlikely most will actually stick to those personal pledges.

WELLNESS--Take a moment to imagine yourself in the lowest mental state you could possibly be. Removing yourself from your bedsheets to move your body feels about as excruciating as climbing Mount Everest barefoot. Or maybe out of nowhere your heart starts thumping so fast that your breath hitches in your throat and your lungs can’t get air.

WELLNESS--Thinking about indulging in some holiday cookies or hot cocoa? Holiday weight gain can be a source of anxiety for many people. All during a time that theoretically should be centered on joy and the sweeter things (literal and figurative) in your life.

WELLNESS--It’s safe to say that this past year has felt extremely brutal for many people. Nothing reflects that more than some of the subjects they discussed in therapy.

WELLNESS--Gummy vitamins taste like candy, making them more enjoyable to consume than vitamins in tablet or pill form. So it’s no surprise that gummy products now account for $1 billion of the $41 billion supplement market in the United States, a more than 25 percent increase from 2015, according to IBISWorld, a research company.

But are they equally effective?

WELLNESS--Does this sound like a familiar scenario? You’re standing at the front of the conference room, running through a presentation for your bosses and co-workers. It’s an important meeting and the stakes are high. Your heart is racing and your palms start to sweat. You wipe them on your pants and continue, but you’re embarrassed by how clammy they are, especially as they cause you to fumble with your notes, almost dropping them.

WELLNESS--It’s no secret that scrolling through endless images and announcements of engagements, vacations, new babies and job promotions can make you feel like you’re not accomplishing anything. But it’s pretty much impossible to log off forever and never look back.

WELLNESS--Recently, Lena Dunham opened up about getting sober for six months on podcast after quitting anti-anxiety medication.

WELLNESS--It’s no surprise that Americans are on a slippery slope when it comes to healthcare.

WELLNESS--If you experience anxiety, just flipping on the news these days can be enough to make you feel incredibly anxious for a brief period of time (or even for the rest of the day, let’s be real). Other times, overwhelming, anxious feelings can come on suddenly and without provocation.

WELLNESS--Fewer things are more frustrating than an out-of-whack sleep cycle.

WELLNESS--Aging can be scary, especially when it comes to the onset of dementia.

WELLNESS--If you’re stuck in life, it’s probably because you’re waiting for the big bang. The breakthrough moment in which all your fears dissolve and you’re overcome with clarity. The work that needs to happen happens effortlessly. Your personal transformation rips you from complacency, and you wake up to an entirely new existence. 

WELLNESS--Dr. Christine Blasey Ford testified last week about an alleged sexual assault by Brett Kavanaugh when the two were in high school in the 1980s. And as if describing her trauma in front of the entire world wasn’t enough, she also had to endure people questioning her experience with anxiety.