Tag: Mind & Body

Study Finds Both Smoking and Drinking Raise Risk of Late Stillbirth

Women who both smoke and drink after the first 12 weeks of pregnancy have nearly three times the risk for late stillbirth, according to a new study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and published online on Aug. 23. Researchers in the Prenatal Alcohol in SIDS and Stillbirth (PASS) Network found that smoking…


8 Secrets for Health and Healing

As an acupuncturist, I spent the better part of two decades working with clients. I always felt fortunate to have a parade of lovely and interesting people come to me for help. I was also fortunate because I learned something from every single client I saw. As a writer, I’ve been able to share some…


The Optimal Amount of Chaos

For a while, I’ve been tracking 12 daily habits with an app. The impact on my life has been significant. So positive, in fact, that you know what my greatest temptation has been? Wanting to track 12 more habits. I love the sense of order in my day and the satisfaction of marking each habit…


The Power of Progress

We recently snuck away for a long weekend to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (UP), which is one of our favorite spots to unwind and reset. It’s one of those places where you can set an “I will have limited access to email” out-of-office reply message and mean it. When we go to the UP, we like…


‘I Think I Can’: The Importance of Self-Discipline, Habit, and Perseverance

Self-discipline, which walks hand-in-hand with perseverance, is a key ingredient in the formula leading to success and happiness. In his book “A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy,” William B. Irvine again and again examines the advantages bestowed by self-control. His chapter titled “Self-Denial” addresses the benefits the ancient Stoics…


Antibacterial Agents From Nature

Probiotics, green tea, and honey are examples of “ancientbiotics”—natural compounds that have been used for centuries to address the overgrowth of opportunistic bacteria. These traditional medicines have also been scientifically validated as having antibacterial properties that are valued to this day. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been declared one of the top 10 global public health…


When 2 Drugs Don’t Like Each Other

J.T. is a 66-year-old man with heart disease who requires blood thinners to reduce the chance of having another stroke. The last stroke was luckily a mild one, but he was found to have significant plaque buildup in his cardiac vessels. J.T. is a very bright, successful, hard-working man and wants to stay as healthy…


Moving the Body to Ease the Mind

We exercise for a variety of reasons. Some want a healthier heart. Others work out as a way to build strength, endurance, and coordination. Still, others are motivated by image, and a desire to sculpt a fitter-looking figure. All of these pursuits have a physical goal. But for some people, exercise is more of a…


Anemia Cases Are on the Rise in the United States

How often do you think about anemia? I rarely do, personally. That’s probably because I’m a 40-year-old man and am not at particularly high risk. My wife, on the other hand, has relatively low iron and keeps an eye on her iron intake. Perhaps surprisingly, she’s not alone. New data show that a growing number…


Habits That Can Reduce Your Risk of Dementia

People make choices every day that affect whether or not they will develop dementia in the years to come—and how fast it progresses if it does show up. Dementia is a progressive disease that can eventually cause deterioration of brain function—such as your ability to form thoughts and recall memories. It can also dramatically alter…