stress

The Importance of Active Recovery Rest Days To Get The Most Out Of Your Workout

The Importance of Active Recovery Rest Days To Get The Most Out Of Your Workout

Getting fitter isn't just about working harder in the gym—it's also about doing the right things the rest of the time.

As hard as you might crush a workout, the real labour happens on the days you don't sweat. When you exercise, your muscles undergo microtrauma. Afterward, what are known as satellite cells fuse to the damaged areas to repair the muscle fibres. But this process can happen only when you're at rest. If you keep exercising, your muscles never get a chance to repair themselves, and your progress will plateau and eventually decline. So taking time off is essential. But if your usual rest day is a date with your couch, cancel those plans pronto, and use these expert tactics to strengthen your recovery.

Signs That You Are Exhausted, Not Just Tired

Signs That You Are Exhausted, Not Just Tired

If you stifle yawns in 2 p.m. meetings and find yourself passed out cold during the previews on movie nights, you probably already know you’re run down. But there’s a big difference between being pooped out and being exhausted — and the signs aren’t as obvious as just feeling tired. It’s important to know the difference, because exhaustion can be downright dangerous.

5 Signs Your Hormones Are Out Of Balance

5 Signs Your Hormones Are Out Of Balance

Do you feel like something is just not right? You’re not sick.  You’re not in physical pain. But something just isn’t quite letting you feel 100%. It could be your hormones!

If you’re eating more, sleeping less, and feeling frazzled and stressed out are your default emotions, even when things are going pretty good for you. It’s likely you’ve got a hormone imbalance. 

How To Keep Going When It Hurts

How To Keep Going When It Hurts

Picture the scene. You’re 3 miles (4.8km) into your 10 mile (16km) long run in the pouring rain, when you feel an overwhelming compulsion to stop. There’s an ache in your knee, your back suddenly feels sore and more than anything in the world, you just want to stop and walk home. Well the first thing to do is take comfort in the fact that all runners have experienced something similar. When your training gets tough, for whatever reason, it can be a huge mental battle to keep going, but the good news is, you can win it.

Which Came First - IBS or Anxiety and Depression?

Which Came First - IBS or Anxiety and Depression?

Your irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been a mystery since you first experienced symptoms. Beyond the discomfort of the symptoms, dealing with the condition is frustrating. Much of the frustration comes from a lack of certainty surrounding the condition.

What Can Cause High Blood Pressure?

What Can Cause High Blood Pressure?

Every time your heart beats, it pushes blood, nutrients, and oxygen through your arteries to reach the rest of your body. But when you have high blood pressure, it's a sign that your heart is having to work too hard to pump that blood where it needs to go. The result: Damaged arteries, a worn-out heart, and an increased risk of heart disease—which is to blame for the deaths of one in three women every year. Here's what causes high blood pressure, and how you can fight whatever might be throwing your heart into overdrive.

It Isn't Too Late To Combat Christmas Stress

It Isn't Too Late To Combat Christmas Stress

Christmas can be a very stressful time of year.  For many the Christmas holiday period is a mass of complex social interactions with family or relatives, some of whom you may rather not see. 

Healthy Weight Loss Vs Quick Results

Healthy Weight Loss Vs Quick Results

From diet programs to detox teas, so many products promise instant gratification when it comes to transforming your body. But is it actually possible to lose a substantial amount of weight in a healthy way. For many people who lose a large amount of weight rapidly, unsuccessfully keep it off. In fact, most people, upon returning back to ‘normal’ diet, gain back more than they initially drop.

Can Diet Pills Effect Your Menstrual Cycle?

Can Diet Pills Effect Your Menstrual Cycle?

Many women experience an irregular menstrual cycle sometime in their lives. This may last for a short time or may be a lifelong feature of their cycles. Causes include polyps, breastfeeding, chemotherapy, stress and drug use. Diet pills fall in this last category, and often knock menstrual cycles off kilter. If you suspect your attempt to lose weight might be causing irregular periods, consult your doctor.

4 Ways to Avoid Putting on Weight at Work

4 Ways to Avoid Putting on Weight at Work

It's not that we're oblivious to the notion of work resulting in extra pounds - it's just we'd prefer they were deposited in our bank accounts rather than around our waist. Almost half of employees say they’ve put on weight at work, with women more likely than men to pile on the pounds.