Author: healthtost

Creating inclusive recovery spaces for lasting healing Recovery is a deeply personal journey and everyone deserves access to care in an environment where they feel safe, respected and supported. For many LGBTQ+ people, finding health care providers and recovery programs that offer affirming, non-judgmental care can be an important part of building trust and achieving long-term success. At Novus, we believe that recovery support should meet people where they are. Through our medication-assisted treatment (MAT) services and compassionate approach to care, we are committed to creating welcoming spaces where LGBTQ+ people can focus on healing, growth and recovery. Understanding the…

Perimenopause and inflammation are more connected than most people realize. If you’re in your late 30s or 40s and thinking, “Why does my body feel different lately?” – you can’t imagine it. As estrogen begins to fluctuate and gradually decline, inflammation in the body can increase. This shift can show up as hot flashes, sleep changes, mood swings, brain fog, or even changes in cholesterol and body composition. Many women respond by trying to “clean up” their diet, but sometimes the changes they make can backfire. Let’s talk perimenopause and inflammation in a practical way and look at 10 common…

New research reveals that the menstrual cycle can affect how the heart’s autonomic nervous system works, while strength, motivation and overall mood remain remarkably stable throughout the month. Study: Effect of the menstrual cycle on the autonomic nervous system, muscle strength, and mood states. Image credit: Pormezz/Shutterstock.com A recent one Scientific Reports The study investigated the effect of menstrual cycle phases on cardiac autonomic function, neuromuscular performance and psychological states in naturally menstruating women. Menstrual cycle and physiological functions The menstrual cycle (MC) is a recurring physiological process characterized by cyclic fluctuations in pituitary hormones, including follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and…

I haven’t touched a bar much since January. I’m in a season of centering my training/hypertrophy/mobility (I highly recommend having seasons in your training!). I work exclusively with dumbbells and my cable machine. I’m chasing the pump. I love it.My strength coach Matt Reynolds he continues to build my programming and one of the things he has incorporated into my hypertrophy workouts is muscle reps. I had never made them before, but after a few months of making them, I love them. They save time but are extremely effective. I can knock out a full upper body workout in about…

Juneteenth asks us to remember that freedom in America has never been simple. It was delayed, then denied, then fought and protected and passed by people who understood a harsh truth. A piece of paper means very little when your daily life is still shaped by violence and exclusion and the silent insistence of waiting your turn. This is why this celebration deserves more than a superficial celebration. Yes, we honor joy. We gather, feast and celebrate the freedom owed to our ancestors from the beginning. But we also need to tell the fuller story, especially now, when so many…

HHave you noticed how beauty conversations are evolving? While peptides once dominated the anti-aging conversation, skin care is now entering a new era: the longevity economy. The focus is no longer just on correcting the visible signs of aging after they appear. Instead, the industry is turning to regenerative skin care—a preventative approach that equips skin with the biological tools to stay radiant, resilient, and healthy over time. At the same time, artificial intelligence is reshaping the way we understand our skin. By decoding subtle signals in our skin, artificial intelligence enables a move away from generic routines towards truly…

What does a certified sex coach do?Sex coaches work with a wide range of clients and concerns.Common areas of focus include:Relationship CommunicationHelping customers:Express needs and wantsImprove communication skillsNavigate difficult conversationsCreate stronger emotional connectionsSexual ConfidenceMany customers seek support around:Body imageShame reductionBuilding trustSelf-explorationIntimacy and DesireA certified sex coach can help clients:Sexual EducationMany adults never receive comprehensive sex education.Sex coaches often provide accurate information about:Sexual healthAnatomyUprisingConsentRelationship dynamicsWhy certification mattersTechnically, anyone can call themselves a sex coach.However, professional certification provides something much more valuable:Competence.A quality certification program teaches professionals how to:Work ethicallySupport customers securelyUnderstand human sexualityNavigate complex relationship issuesRecognize professional boundariesCertification also helps build…

When I was pregnant, I tried every single one of them in both of my pregnancies. The ring test, the Chinese calendar, the heartbeat theory. All this. Both times, I was convinced I was having a girl. (Spoiler: I have two boys.) So take all of this with a huge grain of salt and enjoy it for what it is.That said, there is something deeply human about wanting to learn. Before ultrasounds and NIPT tests, this was all people had. (I wonder if the crops would fail or survive the winter. Good old days, baby!)Here’s a full rundown of the…

For a child diagnosed with neuroblastoma—the most common childhood cancer, which occurs when early nerve cells grow out of control—the path to a cure is not straightforward. Some types of neuroblastoma go away on their own, while others require aggressive intervention. Researchers have tried matching treatments to patients based on single-gene mutations with limited success. This is because patients’ outcomes depend on their entire molecular background containing millions or even billions of features, such as DNA and RNA from tissues and blood. It’s much more than a single gene – everything that happens in the patient’s cells matters.” …

I have been a marriage and family counselor for over fifty years. It was beyond embarrassing to help others but find my own love life in constant crisis. When people visit me on MenAlive, you’ll see my welcome video, “Confessions of a Divorced Marriage Counselor.” It took me a long time to take my own advice and ask for help. That’s the bad news. The good news is that I finally found a good therapist and found the right life partner. Carlin and I have been happily married for 46 years and more in love now than ever. The even…