3 Reasons Our Brains Are Amazing

We have not observed yet in the universe something as complex as the human brain. The brain is composed of 100 billions neurons, each neuron having from a thousand to ten thousands connections allowing it to interact in an incredibly rich network. The more scientists learn about the nervous system, the more they become amazed by it. Recently magnetic imagery has permitted breakthroughs in understanding the brain. Here are 3 of them. 1. Neuroplasticity: the brain never stops learning and evolving Up to 1990, the medical community thought that neurons stopped growing after childhood. Nowadays, we know that neurons keep on growing at...

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Go Easy On That Grande Latte!

The hard truth about Frappuccino, Mochas, and Lattes I am not usually a party pooper, but someone has to push the warning button. Those fancy tall coffee beverages that have invaded coffee shops are bad for your health. There, I said it. Now, here is why and what you should do about it. Let me first reassure coffee lovers. Drinking reasonable quantity of coffee is good for your health. In Harvard’s Dr. Frank Hu’s words, “There is certainly much more good news than bad news, in terms of coffee and health” (1). Therefore, the problem lies in what is added to the coffee. More of everything I enjoy reading and writing in coffee shops....

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Yoga to Better Manage Stress at Work

YOGA TO BETTER MANAGE STRESS AT WORKOne hour of Yoga session per week can bring marked improvements in feelings of clear-mindedness, composure, energy, and confidence. That’s what a study involving 48 employees (randomized into either a yoga or a wait-list control group) has showed. The employees who did practice one 60 minutes Yoga class per week did have, after 6 weeks of practice, a significant improvement in their well-being and their resilience to stress in the workplace.One session per week is something we should be able to fit in our schedule, right?Source : Hartfiel N, Havenhand J, Khalsa SB, Clarke G, Krayer A. The effectiveness of...

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Sleep Quality and Screens

The electronic glow from the TV, the computer screen, or the cell phone  affect the quality of sleep. It is advised to stop being exposed to screens at least one hour before going to bed. A survey involving 1508 participants aged 13 to 64 revealed that 95% of them were exposed to electronic glow in the last hour before they went to sleep: watching TV, checking emails on laptops, playing video games and texting on cell phones. 63% reported having poor sleep quality. Allison Harvey, a sleep specialist and professor at the University of California Berkeley, noted that exposure to light before sleep can disturb body rhythms and affect the...

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"Text Neck" A Condition on the Rise

 “A new condition dubbed "text neck" is on the rise due to the amount of time people spend hunched over their mobile phone and tablet computer screens, chiropractors have warned.” The Telegraph (British newspaper).  The affliction, caused by flexing the neck for extended periods of time, can be a forerunner of permanent arthritic damage if it goes without treatment. Cases of the repetitive strain injury are on the rise as smart phones and tablet computers such as the iPad become increasingly popular, experts said. In severe cases the muscles can eventually adapt to fit the flexed position, making it painful to straighten...

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Multivitamin

Modern diets often leave our body craving essential vitamins and minerals. Taking a multivitamin complement is good idea as you walk yourself to a healthier diet. Look for a multivitamins that offers a full spectrum of your daily essentials including minerals. Multivitamin should also include extra B vitamins, which are important to metabolize protein, fat and carbs to create energy. Look for a formula with bioflavonoids that will help combat damaging free radica...

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Train your Balance!

Rocker-boar type balance board comes with a fixed fulcrum The balance board is a fitness equipment that offers a fun way to train your balance. It also improves your motor coordination skills, and it strengthens your core. It also has shown to bring a feeling of relaxation after a session. It was originally created for skiers and then surfers so they can practice their skills in the off-season. It is now used in fitness training and in therapeutic setting (knee rehabilitation, children with developmental disorders, proprioceptive training). Athletes continue to use it to improve their performances. You can easily acquire a balance...

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