Author: healthtost
With Michigan State So, what should you know about sleep? Kimberly Fenn is a professor in the department of psychology in the College of Social Sciences at Michigan State University. Here, he breaks down common misconceptions about sleep and shares the steps we can take to succeed better quality sleep: Q: What is REM and is it the deepest stage of sleep? A: Rapid eye movement, or REM, is the phase of sleep characterized by 90-minute cycles that is often assumed to be the deepest stage of sleep, but is not. It is certainly the most familiar state of…
A face mask set sounds like a cute add-on until you realize it’s one of the easiest ways to get consistent results without overthinking your routine. A mask can definitely help. But most skin problems are not single-issue problems. You can be dry and congested at the same time. You can be boring and sensitive. You may be breaking out and still be dehydrated. That’s why a face mask set can work better than buying a random mask and hoping for the best. The right kit gives you options and allows you to treat your skin based on what it…
The LGBTQIA+ community is sometimes affectionately referred to as the “Alphabet Mafia.” In part, I think this term comes from the sheer range of language and terms used by people in the community to describe their sexual and romantic orientations and identities. For many people in the community, finding the right word for how they experience the world is really important.That said, the sheer number of labels can feel daunting, even for those of us who work in this space or identify within the community. It’s okay not to know every term, especially when definitions change over time and new…
Samantha O’Donovan is its founder Rewoven Matrescencea gentle space to navigate the becoming of motherhood. Drawing on her background as a pediatric therapist and her own lived experience of the womb, Sammy combines evidence-based care with deep emotional and physical support. Her work is rooted in the belief that mothers deserve to be held, guided and truly seen, not just in the early postpartum period, but throughout the evolving journey. Through Rewoven Matrescenceis helping to redefine maternity care by offering a more connected, compassionate and holistic approach to supporting women and families. Here, she talks to The Natural Parent…
Deciding to become a health coach is a significant investment of your time, energy and financial resources. It is important that the training you receive truly prepares you for the realities of work. Whether you’re looking for health coaching jobs in a clinical setting or planning to start a private practice, the quality of your education matters. To help you navigate this landscape, we’ve outlined the key questions to ask before committing to a health coaching program. Is the Program Accredited and Nationally Recognized? Credibility is the currency of the wellness world. When looking for a health coaching certification, your…
A landmark study led by researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and published in Molecular Psychiatryhas identified a significant association between prenatal prescription of commonly used medications and risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children. Analyzing 6.14 million maternal-child health records from the Epic Cosmos database—representing nearly a third of all US births between 2014 and 2023—the team found that prescription drugs known to inhibit the cholesterol synthesis pathway were consistently associated with higher rates of ASD at birth. While previous studies grouped drugs based on their indications, the UNMC team grouped prescription drugs based on…
In most modern high schools, PE is a full-on take-off course — something you have to take when you’re not playing a sport and have to fulfill a health/gym-related elective. Participants often sit in the stands and chat or half-heartedly play some basketball. There was a time in this country when PE was taken more seriously, however, and it reached its absolute peak at La Sierra High School in Carmichael, California.During the 1950s and 1960s, La Sierra boasted arguably the most rigorous PE program in the country, if not the world. The so-called “La Sierra System” was born at a…
In a world of endless notifications, relentless multitasking and constant information overload, the ability to focus is slipping from our fingertips, which is why scientists are now beginning to explore what we consume and how we consume it, including the role of simple rituals like making tea in restoring mental clarity. The research suggests human attention spans have shrunk dramatically over the past two decadeswith a widely cited Microsoft study putting it at just eight seconds today, down from 12 seconds in 2000. That’s shorter than the attention span of a goldfish. Meanwhile, chronic stress and cognitive overload are now…
Earth Day is scheduled for April 22, 2026, this year. This is an annual event created to raise awareness of environmental issues and encourage people to do what they can to protect the planet. A trend that is attracting a lot of attention this year is “logging”. This activity combines exercise with litter picking. It’s simple, active, and fun, so it makes sense that people interested in wellness, fresh air, and doing something good would be curious about it. Earth Day Activities: What Is Plogging and Where Did It Come From? Earth Day activities don’t have to be complicated, and…
Menopause is a major transition in a woman’s life, bringing hormonal changes that can affect everything from metabolism and muscle mass to mood and digestion. And while we can’t stop the aging process, we can box take control of how we fuel our bodies. I personally started noticing how food was affecting my mood, energy, and even my sleep around my 40s. Fast forward to my 60s, and I now notice that food is clearly a factor in how I got through menopause and how my body functions on a daily basis! Proper nutrition can help manage weight gain, balance…