Stress Management + Original Articles

Stress can stir up an emotional appetite that can lead to overeating. The best solution is to find something other than food to take the edge off. If you eat in response to stress, you are not responding to real hunger but instead to a coping mechanism—comfort food. A study reported in Physiology Behavior found that 73 percent of participants reported eating more sweets and fewer meal-type foods, such as meat, seafood, fruits, and vegetables, during periods of stress.

Bringing a pet into your home is a big commitment, but it can come with serious rewards including a potential reduction of your pain. Pet owners love their companions for a variety of reasons. But can having a pet relieve your chronic pain? In fact, studies have found that, yes, pets can help relieve many of the symptoms associated with chronic pain conditions and help patients live better lives.

Contrary to popular belief, it's not weak for men to show emotions. As a matter of fact, research found that the more "macho" a man is, the less likely he is to be healthy. Diet and exercise aren't the only parts of overall health. Here's how to sharpen your mental and emotional skills. Lack of emotion has long been considered a sign of strength. The most masculine—or macho—men don't reveal or discuss their feelings and are admired for their toughness. Real men don't ask for directions, don't go to the doctor, and rarely (if ever) shed a tear.

Work-related stress due to underemployment or workplace competition is taking a toll on men. Don't ignore the symptoms associated with this kind of stress. Here's how to deal with a high-demand job or a non-challenging work environment. Not all stress is bad. In fact, some level of stress at the workplace is normal—even productive. Feeling stressed means you care and that can actually be motivating. Too much stress, however, can be counterproductive and have a negative impact on your emotional and physical well-being.

The ups and downs associated with relationships don't pertain only to emotions. In fact, your partnership, good or bad, can have a real effect on your body. When you and your partner or significant other are happy together, your stress level plummets, and your heart thanks you for it. Conversely, a toxic relationship puts considerable stress and unhappiness on a couple, and their hearts can show the strain, experts say.

Although the act of men expressing their anger is typically accepted as normal, the truth is that venting one's anger in an unhealthy manner can be a burden on your relationships. We've all felt it before. Your blood begins to boil; your fists clench; and your brow furrows. Anger is a powerful and natural reaction that can range from being irritated to feeling enraged. Anger is often associated with men. A study conducted by researchers at Southwest Missouri State University (SMSU) suggest that, while anger is part of both male and female experiences, men will express their anger "outwardly and directly.

Several studies have shown that lack of sleep has a profound effect on your mental well-being and that, for some people, chronic insomnia increases the risk of developing a psychological disorder such as depression or anxiety. You know how you feel after a restless or sleepless night—grouchy, stressed out, and just plain awful! The longer you go without a good night's sleep, the worse you feel. Here's what you can do to get your sleep habits—and your mood—back on track.

Taking a hot bath every evening is a natural way to decrease stress and anxiety, and ease yourself into a good night's sleep. Here's how to make this pre-bedtime ritual work for you. Taking a hot bath every evening is a natural way to decrease stress and anxiety, and ease yourself into a good night's sleep. Here's how to make this pre-bedtime ritual work for you. Timing is Everything Figure out how much sleep you need and what time you need to go to bed to get that amount.

Some doctors say it's a real condition, some say it's not. Here's a breakdown of both sides. People are talking about adrenal fatigue. The symptoms are vague and mimic those of many conditions. Many doctors aren't convinced it's a real medical problem, but a growing number of health professionals say adrenal fatigue is among the most commonly undiagnosed conditions today.

This drugstore staple is often overlooked in our search for the best health and beauty aids. But there are some good reasons to add this affordable compound to your shopping cart. This drugstore staple is often overlooked in our search for the best health and beauty aids. But there are some good reasons to add this affordable compound to your shopping cart. Epsom Salt—or magnesium sulfate—is a pure mineral compound and essential electrolyte that many of us need more of in our diet.

While clenched fists and gritted teeth may seem like the anger response of a toddler, new research suggests this reaction can set you at ease. While clenched fists and gritted teeth may seem like the anger response of a toddler, new research suggests this reaction can set you at ease. In a study published in the Journal of Consumer Research that was conducted at National University of Singapore and the University of Chicago, participants were better able to withstand physical pain when clenching their muscles—squeezing their fists, clenching their teeth, or scrunching facial muscles.

Among the many popular types of yoga offered at studios and gyms, one style might make you break a sweat in a super-hot room, while another might be mellow and cool. Do you know what you're getting into when you sign up for a yoga class? Among the many popular styles offered in gyms and studios these days, one might make you break a sweat in a super-hot room, while another might be mellow and cool. The word yoga means to yoke or unify the mind, bod,y and spirit.

Asthma is a chronic medical condition that not only impacts your respiratory system, but can also affect your neurological health. Asthma is a chronic medical condition that not only impacts your respiratory system, but can also affect your neurological health. There are three ways asthma can affect your brain: When coping with stress and anxiety When asthma management becomes too stressful to handle.

There's been much talk about the possibility that wearing high heels could be connected with getting migraines, but is there scientific weight to this claim? Many women are willing to invest their entire paychecks and suffer a few blisters in order to walk in a much-coveted pair. There's been much talk recently about the possibility that wearing high heels could be connected with getting migraines—a debilitating headache that causes throbbing pain and sensitivity to sound and light.

Giving blood is straightforward, safe, and infinitely helpful to those in need. So if you want to join the effort, here are six steps you can take to ensure the process is as easy as possible. Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood, according to the American Red Cross. What's more, nearly 38,000 blood donations are needed every day. Needless to say, the demand for blood is high. But blood donations are very popular among many Americans.

After a stressful week, you may find your asthma acting up. And sometimes, dealing with asthma can become very stressful. So does asthma cause stress or is it the other way around? The answer is more complicated than you may think. After a stressful week, you may find your asthma acting up. And sometimes, dealing with asthma can become very stressful. So does asthma cause stress or is it the other way around? The answer is more complicated than you may think. The Link Between Stress and Asthma While asthma is recognized as a medical condition, emotions can trigger the symptoms or make them worse.

Antidepressants are the most commonly prescribed medication in the country, so mental health experts are trying to understand if, when, and how patients should cease taking them. Here, a guide to the transition to life without depression medication. Antidepressants are the most commonly prescribed medication in the country, so mental health experts are trying to understand if, when, and how patients should cease taking them. Unfortunately, despite the dramatic increase in use, there isn't a lot of information about life after antidepressants.

When faced with a 40-plus hour work week, bills to pay, and trekking the kids to-and-fro, how do you let loose? This summer, make it a point to relieve your stress by utilizing the great outdoors. When faced with a 40-plus hour work week, bills to pay, and trekking the kids to-and-fro, how do you let loose? This summer, make it a point to relieve your stress by utilizing the great outdoors. Exercise has long been touted as an excellent and natural way to manage stress.

You're a smart person. So why, when you're under the most stress, does it seem your brain shuts down and your intelligence disappears? You're a smart person. So why, when you're under the most stress, does it seem your brain shuts down and your intelligence disappears? You know stress causes numerous physical problems and even serious disease. But did you know that prolonged or extreme stress might also impair your mental faculties, leaving you feeling.

Is it possible that your pain is caused by the way you walk and sit? If so, the Alexander Technique might be for you. Most of us move without giving it much thought. We balance, walk, sit, dance and work the way we always have. But what if we discovered we'd been doing it wrong and could improve our health and wellbeing by relearning to move properly? That's the concept behind the Alexander Technique, which teaches that changing your moving habits could decrease pain and improve your posture, outlook and productivity.

Depression is one of the most common complications in people with chronic illness, occurring in up to one-third of chronically ill patients. Learn how to manage your symptoms with these tips. Depression is one of the most common complications in people with chronic illness, occurring in up to one-third of chronically ill patients. Older adults are particularly at risk for both chronic illness and depression due to isolation and loss of functional ability.

Taking care of your health is the single most important way to extend your life. And even though, in general, men tend to have a lousy track record, there are simple ways you can turn that around. 24% less likely than women to have visited a doctor in the past. According to the Agency for Health Care Quality and Research (AHRQ), men are: 24% less likely than women to have visited a doctor in the past. 22 % more likely to have neglected their cholesterol tests.

Not all bacteria are bad: They can positively contribute to the digestive process. But too much good bacteria can also be unhealthy. That's why, when your bacteria balance gets out of whack, you can develop dysbiosis. Discover the symptoms, causes, and treatments for this condition. Your digestive system is a complex mechanism made up of hollow organs that begins in your mouth and continues to your esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine (also called the colon), rectum, and anus. When you eat, food is not in a form that your body can use as nourishment.

Can diet, stress-reduction, and change of lifestyle be our only hope to remedy IBS or can charcoal capsules be the next cure? Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects more than 55 million Americans-mostly women-and can cause a vast array of symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhea, constipation, and excessive gas. One potential IBS remedy that's gained some recent attention is charcoal.

According to a new study, women who experience high stress on their jobs have an increased risk for heart attack or other forms of heart disease. According to a new study, women who experience high stress on their jobs have an increased risk for heart attack or other forms of heart disease. The findings, based on data from 17,415 healthy middle-aged women participating in the Women's Health Study,...

Women simultaneously give their best as professionals, mothers, wives, friends, sisters, daughters, and more. They work inside and outside the home and somehow finds time for everyone...except the one person who is most important: Herself. What if Superwoman were overweight, depressed, anxious, and crabby? What if she was forgetful, distracted, and downright unhappy? Would we still consider her a superhero? That's what millions of women worldwide experience when they try to do it all; simultaneously giving their best as professionals, mothers, wives, friends, sisters, daughters, and more.

Every once in a while, allergy symptoms can be overwhelmingly intolerable. But can it be so intolerable that thoughts of suicide emerge? The latest research explains this possible link. There may be times when you feel so overwhelmed by allergy symptoms that you simply can't tolerate them for another minute. But have you ever felt so desperate that you thought about suicide? The latest research shows that a small link exists between severe allergies and suicide.

You can minimize a bipolar episode and maintain some control over your life with a bit of planning and being aware of your environment. Here are a few suggestions for managing your bipolar triggers. Bipolar disorder is characterized by alternating extremes in mood, energy, activity levels, and ability to function day-to-day. Living with this disease can leave you feeling helpless at times. While bipolar disorder is not curable, it is treatable and manageable.

How safe is your neighborhood? If the answer is, "Not very," then you could be at an increased risk for asthma complications. How safe is your neighborhood? If the answer is, "Not very," then you could be at an increased risk for asthma complications. While violence and asthma may sound like an unlikely connection, a new study reveals that people who live in inner cities and are exposed to violence are much more likely to be hospitalized for asthma than their counterparts.

You may not realize that something as mundane as a car accident could put you at major risk for this disorder. Typically, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with soldiers who have returned from combat; however, new information has found that the most common cause of PTSD is car accidents. Car accidents are also the most frequent kind of trauma experienced by American men and the second most frequent trauma experienced by American women.

If you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), you’ll be glad to know there’s an easy, effective way to relieve symptoms: light therapy. If you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), you'll be glad to know there's an easy, effective way to relieve symptoms: light therapy. SAD generally strikes in the fall when the days start getting shorter and it's more prevalent in northern regions of the country.

Joint pain may seem to naturally result from purely physical ailments such as arthritis, but there's significant evidence that joint pain can be caused or exacerbated by mental distress. Although it may seem that joint pain should naturally result from purely physical ailments such as arthritis or other conditions, there's significant evidence that joint pain can be caused or exacerbated by mental distress. Specifically, anxiety disorders have been targeted as the culprit in many cases of joint pain, both anecdotally by arthritis sufferers and by scientists officially studying the phenomenon.

The main problem may be that parents don't recognize the symptoms of stress in their kids. According to the APA's Stress in America report (Jan. 2010), more than two-thirds (69 percent) of parents of teens and tweens say that their stress has slight or no impact on their children. But the kids disagree: only 14 percent of them say their parent's stress doesn't affect them.

Here are tips to help your child identify stress and strategies to cope with it. Try adopting them yourself--they work for adults. If your child is stressed, you probably are, too. Chronic stress that isn't managed can lead to mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. Here are some tips to help your child identify stress and strategies to cope with it. Try adopting them yourself-they work for adults.

Although the procedure may sound complex, the intended results are not. NFT seeks to teach a brain with a particular abnormality how to behave normally. Picture the scene from TV. A patient suffering from some mental malady is holed up in a windowless office, electrodes placed strategically about her head, while a screen records responses to various stimuli. It's fiction, but the premise is anchored in scientific accuracy.

Facing the upcoming holiday celebrations and the inevitable food frenzy can be difficult if you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Facing the upcoming holiday celebrations and the inevitable food frenzy they provoke can be difficult if you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Irritable bowel syndrome is a common disorder that affects the large intestine (or colon)-and more than 20 percent of U.

Stress is inevitable and, although it generally gets a bad rap, sometimes stress can actually be a good thing. Search on the word "stress" on Amazon.com and you'll get a list of more than 31,000 book titles. Most describe the serious health risks of too much stress, or offer recommendations about how to successfully manage stress. The plethora of books, articles, and self-proclaimed experts on stress management speaks to how pervasive stress is in our society.

Exhibiting defensive qualities is usually viewed as negative, but this may not always be the case for men. Typically, defensiveness-a trait characterized as rejecting, repressing, or contradicting information that's perceived as threatening-is viewed as a negative quality, and in a lot of ways it is; for men, however, this may not be the case. You've seen it: the coworker contradicting or becoming uptight about constructive criticism, or the friend that flips the switch from friendly to antagonistic once you crack a joke.

Identifying causes for post nasal drip is the only way to find the best treatment. Though it can be difficult to decipher, consider these possible culprits. Post nasal drip is a common condition that happens when mucus from the back of your nose thickens and drips down into your throat. When this occurs, it can make you cough and try to clear your throat. This can sometimes be accompanied by bad breath and sinus pressure.

If you need another reason to convince you it’s important to manage stress, here’s one you might not expect: stress takes a toll on your teeth and gums and can cause long-term damage and subsequent oral health problems. If you need another reason to convince you it's important to manage stress, here's one you might not expect: stress takes a toll on your teeth and gums and can cause long-term damage and subsequent oral health problems. Stress is a normal part of life.

If you have a lot on your plate, stress and anxiety can creep in. But can it also worsen your asthma? The link between asthma and stress has long been recognized, and both psychological and physical causes of stress can affect your respiratory system. For instance, self-esteem issues, depression, anger, anxiety, illness, fatigue, and even side effects from medication can all affect your breathing and, in some cases, leave you wheezing.

A study of the effect of work environment on employee mental health found that a negative environment, defined in the study as poor team climate, was significantly associated with depressive disorders and antidepressant use. A study of the effect of work environment on employee mental health found that a negative environment, defined in the study as poor team climate, was significantly associated with depressive disorders and antidepressant use. Today's work environment is unquestionably stressful, and many employees-maybe even you-bring their fears, anxieties, and worries to work with them, where they tend to spread like wildfire.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, teaches patients strategies, and provides tools, for dealing with stress and unhealthy thoughts. Unlike traditional therapy, which can last for years, CBT is generally a short-term treatment. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, became a household word in the 1970s, thanks to the Bob Newhart show, a sitcom starring therapist and his loony cast of patients. Of course, in real life, there's nothing funny about mental illness. However, psychotherapy--especially Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-is effective for treating depression and other mental health disorders.

Is your city getting you down? Find out if where you live made our list. Feeling stressed? Overwhelmed? Depressed? Did you ever think that where you live could be making you miserable? According to experts, environmental factors can have a major impact on your mood. And if you live in a dangerous place or a city known for high stress levels, it's possible that your location could be dragging you down, too.

While stress typically starts out as mental and emotional stress, it quickly takes on a physical component, resulting in muscle tension in the body. For many Americans, this muscle tension is often felt as a stiff, uncomfortable and sometimes painful neck. Millions of Americans suffer from high levels of stress due to heavy demands at work, at school, in relationships and at home. While stress typically starts out as mental and emotional stress, it quickly takes on a physical component, resulting in muscle tension in the body.

A new study shows that enjoying a little dark chocolate on a regular basis may lower your stress level. Not only have studies shown that eating dark chocolate can lower the risk of heart disease, lower blood pressure, relieve pain, and protect from skin cancer, a new study reports that eating dark chocolate may actually reduce your level of stress. In the study conducted by researchers at the Nestle Research Center in Lausanne, Switzerland and published in the Journal of Proteome Research, researchers looked at the effects of eating 1.

Doctors and patients report that improving sleep habits can reduce the frequency and severity of migraine headaches. Migraines affect approximately 28 million people in the United States. They throb, they ache, and they can rob sufferers from their quality of life. There is a lot of research looking into how to help migraineurs—and sleep is turning out to be a major factor.

Men who feel stressed at work are at a greater risk of having a stroke. Every 45 seconds someone has a stroke in the United States, according to the American Heart Association. Furthermore, stroke is the third most common cause of death in the country. Studies show that high blood pressure is the most important risk factor for stroke with various lifestyles factors increasing this risk, such as obesity, lack of exercise, diet, drug use, alcohol, smoking and stress.

If your partner's stress makes you stressed, then fights and disagreements are probably in abundance. Here, learn how to better cope with your loved one's mood. Since bad moods and stress seem to be contagious, it's easy to be brought down by and enmeshed in your partner's negativity, says Debbie Mandel, the author of Addicted to Stress. Furthermore, she adds that men and women experience stress very differently, so it can be difficult to react and respond to your partner's stress in a way that disables it.

Stress affects millions of people in the US every year. If untreated, stress can cause serious health problems and speed-up the aging process. Health professionals encourage patients to integrate natural stress busters into their daily routine to reduce stress and improve their quality of life. Your shoulders tighten, your heart races, your mind spins, your palms sweat, your stomach twists, and you have difficulty sleeping. Unfortunately, this is far too familiar for far too many. If left unchecked, some serious health problems can occur. Studies show that prolonged or severe stress can weaken the immune system, strain the heart, damage memory cells in the brain, and deposit fat at the waist rather than the hips and buttocks, says Bruce S.

New study marks Wednesday as the most likely day for people to attempt suicide. It wasn't that long ago that Monday was considered the most likely day for people to attempt suicide. Now, a new study suggests that hump day, Wednesday, is the deadliest day for suicides. The study was conducted by researchers at the University of California, Riverside (UCR), and appears online in the journal Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology.

Stress at work is linked to depression which can increase absenteeism and affect your income. Learn how to recognize the symptoms and how to reduce stress in your workplace. For millions of Americans work stress is an all-too common reality. And it's seemingly getting worse. Technology such as cell phones, emails, and text messaging increasingly causes job stress to spill over into our personal lives. In some cases, this leads to severe illnesses, including depression.

Sure a massage feels good (great, actually), but did you know it can have a host of health benefits, too? See what people are saying about this article on our Facebook page! If you've always thought massage was something only pampered spa clients indulge in, you might want to reconsider. Massage, aside from feeling wonderful, actually delivers a host of legitimate health benefits.

Stress is detrimental to most critical bodily functions--but it could be making your allergies flare as well. Have you ever noticed that after a bad day at work or at school, your allergy symptoms seem to get worse? Doctors have long recognized that this isn't a coincidence. Now, research is shedding more light than ever on the connection. In fact, the findings of an Ohio State University study reveal that when you experience even a small amount of stress, it can make your allergic reaction much stronger to your everyday triggers.

Feeling anxious? Regain a sense of calm with these easy tips. Anxiety can strike at any time, and some of us are more susceptible than others. Family issues, workplace worries, and the day-to-day obligations of our busy schedules can take a toll on how we feel, both physically and emotionally. To ease feelings of anxiety or tension, try these easy methods for stress reduction.

You have the power to change your attitude for the better. It's not easy to be around people who are downers. But if you're the type who sees the bad in everything, you might be hurting more than just your social life. Several studies have revealed that those who think positive actually live better and longer than those whose glass is perpetually half empty.

Money worries keeping you up at night? Follow these seven steps to help you relax and take control of your stress. It seems like there's more bad news about the economy every day. Stock values are plummeting, some people owe more money for their home than it's worth, and big banks are going under. So it's no wonder that almost everyone is worried about their bank...

Millions of Americans are affected by migraines. Here, a look at this common neurological disease, from symptoms to treatment. At some point in their lives, 12 to 28 percent of people will be experience migraines, according to the European Journal of Neurology. What's more, in any given year, this common neurological disease will affect 6 to 15 percent of adult men, 14 to 35 percent of adult women, and approximately 4 to 5 percent of children under 12.

Stress has been shown time and again to negatively impact the heart. Here’s how to find relief. With the economy in shambles, the environment on the verge, and a collective lifestyle whose pace seems to get faster by the minute, it's hard for even the most Zen among us to feel stress-free nowadays. And all this stress can have an adverse effect on the cardiovascular system.

What's the connection between stress and diabetes? Knowing can help you gain more control of your condition and reduce the long-term impact. When you have diabetes, stress is a double whammy. While the medical community is reluctant to say stress can cause diabetes, they believe it may play a role in its onset—plus, it can make the symptoms worse. Also, diabetes can increase stress in your life, as does any chronic illness.

Learn how these two conditions are connected and what you can do combat them. Although researchers aren't entirely sure what causes depression, it's believed that environment plays a role along with genetics. And it stands to reason that in an environment is causing repeated stress, a susceptible person may eventually begin feeling depressed.

When the going gets rough, how bad does it tax the heart? Recent research provides some interesting answers. Stress is a natural part of life. But there are moments when the pressures of keeping our families afloat, ourselves together, and our futures bright are so great that we feel as if we're living through times that try not only our souls but our hearts as well—quite literally.

Discover some of the most common reasons for a lagging libido. Remember when you were young and crazy in love, and the world revolved around your mate? Now think about your marriage or partnership today--notice any difference in your sex life? For many women, sex takes more of a back seat as time goes on. This can be due to family pressures, work stress, and physiological changes.

Have you hit the wall lately? If you can’t find energy to do routine tasks, have problems concentrating or keeping your temper in check, you could be suffering from fatigue. And you’re not alone. In a 2008 Stress in America Survey conducted by the American Psychological Association (APA), 53 percent of people reported feeling fatigue. Several factors can be to blame, including some medical conditions, a lifestyle issue such as chronic stress, being overwhelmed with work, or bad nighttime habits such as eating late or sleeping in a lumpy bed.

Depression has been linked to a higher likelihood of cardiovascular disease. Heart disease and depression share a circular relationship: In some cases, heart disease can bring about depression, with an estimated one in six heart-attack sufferers facing clinical depression after the event, which can increase their mortality rate to 17 percent.

Don't let stress take your breath away. If you've been under a lot of stress lately, you may feel your asthma symptoms kicking in with increased frequency. The fact is that challenges at work and home can be difficult to manage even without any health conditions to complicate things, but when you suffer from asthma, you can find yourself feeling even more overwhelmed and leaving you out of breath more easily.

If you’re thinking of moving, these cities might not be the best for your mood. Most depressed, saddest, or worst city in the country-labels that any city hardly covets; however, each year, numerous surveys and studies cast an unwanted spotlight on cities with the worst standards of living. Depending on which data you rely on and the focus of the reporting agency, the cities may vary.

Next time you feel stressed, try one or two of these tips to find a healthier and happier you. Reducing stress is imperative to good health. "The amazing thing about de-stressing is that in moments, you can change the internal bio-chemical "climate" in your body from high cortisol to lowered levels of stress hormones," says clinical psychologist Penny B.

A few simple changes can make a big difference. It may not be dinner-table conversation, but sometimes what we eat at the dinner table can affect us in negative ways. If you've ever left a meal feeling bloated, or suffered from heartburn or pain, your digestive system may not be operating at top capacity.

Learn more about this undeniable connection. If you wake up before sunrise, down a cup of coffee, rush to work, spend all day in the office, eat a large dinner, then lay on the couch watching TV before bedtime, you're like most stressed Americans. And if you suffer from heartburn, your lifestyle is almost definitely a contributor.

Learn how fitness can have a positive effect on your mind. Although exercise may be the last thing you feel like doing when you're down in the dumps, research shows that it can definitely help. Exactly how exercise boosts your spirits isn't fully known, but there's evidence showing it increases neurotransmitters in the brain that regulate mood.

See how this disorder that affects 6 million Americans can be a burden to your heart. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, some 6 million Americans have been diagnosed with panic disorder, a condition in which one is frequently besieged by an inexplicable, intense bout of fear that manifests itself through a range of physical ailments and lasts anywhere from 15 seconds to an hour.

Stress and asthma...is there a connection? If you've been under a lot of stress lately, you may feel your asthma symptoms kicking in with increased frequency. The fact is that challenges at work and home can be difficult to manage even without any health conditions to complicate things, but when you suffer from asthma, you can find yourself feeling even more overwhelmed and leaving you out of breath more easily.

Learn how relaxation can help you better manage your condition. We can trace the belief in a mind-body wellness connection all the way back to ancient Greece. Today, the medical literature is mixed when it comes to the relationship between stress and illness. We know for sure that the underlying cause of Crohn's disease is biological-it's an inflammation of the digestive tract.

Some simple lifestyle changes can significantly improve your mood. If you're feeling down, it can be an effort just to get through the day. While major depression generally isn't something you can alleviate on your own, and you should speak to your doctor about any symptoms you're having, some simple lifestyle changes may be enough to banish a mild case of the blues: Exercise.

Find out why women are at such a high risk for heart disease. Though men are still perceived to comprise the majority of heart disease sufferers, as women age, their heart attack risk starts to equal that of men's. According to the American Heart Association, heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of death among older women, with about twice as many dying of cardiovascular disease than all the cancers combined.

Find out what you can do to prevent the number one killer of American women. Heart disease should be a concern for every American. According to The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both women and men in the United States. However, among all U.S. women who die each year, one in four dies of heart disease.

Sometimes escaping the daily grind doesn't require a tropical vacation. Being stressed is an awful feeling. It can toy with your mental state ("I'll never get my work done") and can affect your physical well-being: according to a recent study, being stressed can actually make you itchy. But the secret to stress management may lie in an activity that involves fundamental human actions: stretching, breathing, and relaxation.

Read on to find out how stress can be a burden on your body. In the movies, traumatic news is enough to trigger a heart attack. On TV shows, a dramatic mother tells her rebellious teen son that he's going to give her a heart attack. As it turns out, these situations may not be too far from the truth. Research shows a direct link between stress and an unhealthy heart.

If you're having trouble shedding extra pounds, the stresses of daily life could be the culprit. If you've ever polished off a pint of ice cream when you were under pressure or consumed a whole bag of chips when you were worried, it will come as no surprise that stress can lead to weight gain. And according to new research, stress puts people at increased risk for obesity because it not only prompts them to eat more, but also because it releases certain hormones that encourage the body to store fat.

These jam-packed metropolises may put you too close for comfort with your neighbor. They say three's a crowd...but what about 26,000? When it comes to population density (the number of people per square mile), some cities really push the envelope. And if you've ever walked the streets of these jam-packed locales, you've probably had first-hand experience with the squeeze of these tight spots.

Although the holidays are supposed to be a time of joy, they can also be a time of stress and depression. Find out how you can avoid the holiday blues. Many of us will attend or host a winter holiday party this season. We have to balance normal work and home demands with special holiday events and shopping for gifts. Festive lights, warm fires, and family gatherings are common during the holidays, but unfortunately so are stress, anxiety, and sometimes, depression.

Plagued by painful headaches? Find out how to pinpoint their source so you can prevent and treat them. Headaches often strike when you least expect them--and they can range in severity from dull throbs and intense aches to debilitating pain. In fact, they land someone in the emergency room every 10 seconds, according to the American Headache Society. As if that weren't frustrating enough, oftentimes the direct cause of a headache is unknown.

Sure, your diet and exercise schedules can contribute to your weight. But who knew that your job could, too? Ever-improving technology has replaced manual labor at many American jobs, making sedentary lifestyles commonplace. A whopping 60 percent of the population is overweight or obese, and occupations that require little or no movement certainly haven't helped.

From war to human trafficking, these 10 spots are the most dangerous on the planet. Looking for exotic and exciting getaway? While the ten places on this list certainly meet those criteria, none of them will provide the kind of relaxing reprieve you had in mind. These locations are often war-ravaged and suffer from problems such as government corruption and human trafficking.

Do you find yourself speeding, honking, or constantly changing lanes? If so, you may have road rage. Read on to spot the top 10 signs. Consider this: Americans spend 100 hours a year commuting but take only 80 hours of vacation annually, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Is it any wonder that many of us have road rage? Even so, road rage isn't acceptable. Aggressive driving, which includes speeding, weaving in and out of traffic, and not paying full attention to the road, puts many people at risk.

We all feel a little bummed from time to time, but could your diet be the cause? Find out here. In our modern American society, anxiety, stress, and depression can play a large role with respect to work, relationships, and money. In fact, 33.9 percent of adults report having poor mental health, according to the Kaiser Family Health Foundation. Many people eat when they're depressed, but few realize that what they eat may be at the cause of their woes.

Your bellyaching over your bellyache may be caused by some of your favorite foods. Find out which foods are common offenders. Stomachaches, indigestion, gas, bellyache, agita, heartburn, upset stomach: Whatever you call it, digestive problems can be inconvenient and sometimes downright painful. Indigestion can be caused by a variety of reasons, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a physical condition in which stomach acid flows backward up into the esophagus.

From stress, suicide, and substance abuse to joint and back injuries, these jobs may be hazardous to your health. Most jobs come with some form of stress, but some are known to carry more physical and mental risks than others. While you probably rely on your job to pay your rent or mortgage and other bills, the stress and possible dangers could be doing you more harm than good.

Some drug side effects can be scarier than the diseases they're designed to treat. Before taking virtually any medication, you as the patient must ask yourself: will there be side effects, and if so, what will they be? Many side effects are minor, such as nausea or fatigue, but some can be serious or even life-threatening. Read on to discover nine of the most frightening medication-induced side effects.

Learn about the four classes of antidepressants, from their indications and efficacy to possible side effects. If you're among the 17 million Americans suffering from depression, a condition in which prolonged feelings of sadness and hopelessness interfere with the ability to function normally, you may be feeling overwhelmed by the alphabet soup of medications--SSRIs, SNRIs, NDRIs, TCAs, MAOIs--from which to choose.

When you've been wronged, can you forgive and forget, or do you need to exact revenge? Many of us love good revenge stories—tales in which victims ultimately become victors by wielding vengeance on all who've wronged them. But in real life, retribution isn't always all it's cracked up to be. In fact, according to experts, letting go of revenge fantasies may be one of the best things you can do for your health.

Irritable bowel syndrome affects up to 20 percent of the U.S. adult population, and the disorder has no known cause. Here, a look at IBS, from symptoms to treatment. Imagine not being able to make dinner plans with your friends or not eating your favorite foods for fear that it will send you running for the bathroom. For people who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), these scenarios may sound all too familiar.

Can't get a good night's sleep? One of these misconceptions may be undermining your efforts. Drinking alcohol makes you drowsy. Counting sheep makes you doze off. You can catch up on lost sleep over the weekend. When it comes to getting your Z's, it can be difficult separating fact from fiction. But according to experts, knowing the facts can help improve your sleep, reduce your disease risk, and boost your health.

Tutoring. Soccer practice. Student council. Piano lessons. Today's kids are master multitaskers. But are all these activities putting too much pressure on your child? Every parent wants his or her child to excel academically, athletically, socially--you name it. And it's only natural that we want our children to be given opportunities that we might not have had. But with all of the activities today's kids are juggling, some children may be taking on as many responsibilities as adults.

An addiction to your job could compromise your health. Find out whether you're workaholic, and get on the road to recovery. Lately, your spouse has been complaining about the long hours you're putting in at work. Maybe you really want that promotion, or perhaps you just don't trust anyone else to get the job done. Whatever the reason, you've been glued to your desk for weeks, and your personal relationships are starting to suffer.

Everyone worries from time to time, but too much worrying can affect your health. Here, 10 ways to stop stressing. Did you forget to turn off the lights? Weren't you supposed to call your friend? What ever happened to your high-school yearbook? For many of us, worrying just seems like a natural part of our daily lives. But experts warn that too much worrying can affect your emotional and physical health.

Do you see the glass as half-empty or half-full? Your answer could have major effects on your health. They're like night and day: Optimists manage to maintain a sunny outlook, even in the worst of times; pessimists assume the darkest possible outcomes, even when things are going their way. Which one are you? A growing body of research suggests that your answer could affect not only your attitude, but also your health, success, and longevity.

Most Americans aren't getting enough Z's. Learn how to get the sleep you need. Today, the average American gets about seven hours of sleep on weeknights and seven and a half hours of sleep on the weekends, according to the National Sleep Foundation. However, most experts recommend that adults get a minimum of eight hours' sleep a night.

For centuries, we have attempted to decode our dreams. Here, find out what experts say they could symbolize. Whether we're losing our teeth, falling from a tall building, or being chased by a vicious attacker, at some point, we all have dreams that may seem absurd. But according to many psychologists, the mental pictures we conjure while we're asleep can speak volumes about our waking hopes and fears.

If you've been diagnosed with sleep apnea, a good night's sleep may seem like a dream. Try these tips to get your Z's. While you were sleeping, you may have woken up hundreds of times without knowing it—if you have sleep apnea, that is. Experts put the number of Americans with sleep apnea between 12 and 18 million, including many who are untreated and undiagnosed.

The first weeks after your baby is born can be exhausting. Find out how to take care of your baby and yourself. It seems like there's so much to do when your newborn baby first comes home. You've got to learn how to care for the baby, handle sleep disruptions, and adjust to life with a bigger family. You want to make sure your baby is healthy and happy, but don't forget to look out for your own health and happiness.

With the proper treatment, asthma sufferers can live full and active lives. Here, a look at the condition by the numbers. Asthma is a chronic respiratory illness that can cause one's airway to constrict, get inflamed, and become lined with excessive amounts of mucus. These episodes, or attacks, may be triggered by a variety of factors such as exposure to dust or dander and even by exercise or stress.

For many, the holidays are a time to celebrate... For many, the holidays are a time to celebrate with family and friends. But for some, the season can bring on feelings of intense stress and sadness. In fact, an estimated 10 million Americans, or about 6 percent of the U.S. population, experience these feelings in their most extreme form--a condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

No matter how far away you live, these strategies can help you improve the time spent with an aging loved one. An estimated 6.9 million Americans are struggling to care for an aging parent or loved one who lives far away, according to Caring from a Distance (CFAD), an independent, nonprofit organization created by men and women who personally struggled with the anguish, stress, and frustration of long-distance care.

What's causing your psoriasis to flare up? Learn about the leading triggers--and how to prevent them. Unlike contagious diseases that you can catch from another person, experts believe that psoriasis is caused by a genetic vulnerability and triggered by a set of environmental factors. To reduce your risk of flare-ups, the National Psoriasis Foundation recommends steering clear of the following psoriasis triggers: Stress.

Follow these easy steps to minimize your risk of breakouts. Contrary to popular belief, blemishes aren't just for teenagers. In fact, acne affects an estimated 25 percent of adult men and 50 percent of adult women-some of whom never experienced acne during their adolescence. What's more, adult acne tends to be different than teen acne.

Crowded and bustling malls, repeated trips to the airport to... Crowded and bustling malls, repeated trips to the airport to fetch long-lost relatives, and the constant shuffling of cookies and turkey out of your oven can translate into one reaction—stress. So how do you stop from flying off the handle at this supposedly glorious time of year? Sometimes holiday festivities can become overwhelming.

Insomnia affects more than 70 million Americans. Find out more about what's keeping you awake at night. "To sleep, perchance to dream." Shakespeare's famed words sound so tranquil, but if you've ever read Hamlet, you know the story's about to take a bad turn. For many Americans, sleep is also a maddening prospect representing hours of tossing and turning with little to show for it other than the eventual fatigue, irritability, and exhaustion.

Can't get a good night's sleep? Follow these easy guidelines. If you can't seem to get a good night's sleep, you're not alone—more than 70 million Americans suffer from sleep problems, according to the National Institutes of Health. The good news is, many of these issues can be solved by simply changing your daily routine and creating a better sleep environment.

Many people successfully kick the habit, and you can too. Here, the top 10 benefits of smoke-free living. Although the health risks associated with smoking are irrefutable, many people have difficulty butting out. After all, nicotine is a powerful drug, and when smokers quit, they can experience withdrawal symptoms ranging from anger and irritability to headaches and insomnia.

Feeling stressed out? Regain your calm with these tips. Sometimes daily life can get the best of us, and our stress levels can zoom off the charts. With family issues, workplace worries, and day-to-day obligations, anxiety can take a toll on how we feel, both physically and emotionally. To ease feelings of anxiety or tension, try these methods of stress reduction: 1.