Stressed out? Order the salmon. Fish oil may reduce the effects of psychological strain on your heart, says a new study from Michigan Technological University. Read the full article in Men’s Health News.
psychology
Get a Running Start
Running usually elicits a love-it-or-hate-it response. Some women couldn’t imagine doing it unless they were chased, while others eagerly sign up for race after race. But since it’s one of the most efficient, accessible workouts, hitting the road (or treadmill or trail) could be your key to scoring a healthy heart and a lean body. Follow this easy guide–full of expert secrets and tips–to ensure you get the very most out of it. Read the full article in Women’s Health (pdf).
The Trouble With ‘I’ and ‘Me’
Shut up about yourself, already. People who use more first-person singular pronouns—“I” or “me”—appear more likely to be depressed and have troubled relationships, according to a new study in the Journal of Research in Personality. On the flip side, those who refer to “we” or “us” are less likely to report these issues. Read the full article in Men’s Health News.
The Unexpected Thing Making You Smarter
Sweaty palms could make you smart. In a new study in the journal eLife, rats that endured a single episode of mild stress (a few hours of physical restraint) produced new neurons in a brain region called the hippocampus. Two weeks later, rats with these bonus brain cells performed better on a rodent memory test (yes, there are such things). Read the full article in Men’s Health News.
Sweat Away Stress
Fitness Scoop! for April 2013: Exercise can relieve anxiety–but only if you use it wisely. Also, find out what to do immediately after strength-training to speed your recovery, learn how to make running feel easier, and check out eco-friendly workout gear. Read the full page in Women’s Health (pdf).
Look on the Bright Side
Optimism may ward off injuries; also, live longer through fitness, and burn calories with Latin dancing. Read the full page in Women’s Health (pdf).
When Your Feelings Turn Fatal
While your emotions may be invisible to the world’s most advanced medical technology, they still impact your health just as much as your flesh-and-blood organs do. Consider this article to be the kind of anatomy class your doctor never had in medical school. You’ll learn the connection between anger and back pain, loneliness and high blood pressure, anxiety and dementia—and how to snuff out the fuse on even your most explosive emotions. Read the full article in Men’s Health or on NBCNews.com.
Be a Better Athlete without Moving a Muscle
If you want to be a star athlete, it helps to have an arm like Andrew Luck, quick moves like Derrick Rose—and a brain like Michael Phelps. Studies show champions aren’t just physically superior; they’re psychologically stronger—and you can be too. Read the full article in Men’s Health News.
The Surprising New Secret to Heart Health
The hot new regimen for heart health isn’t kettlebells or high-intensity intervals. It’s strengthening what some researchers call your “optimism muscle.” Read the full article in Men’s Health News.