MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'health benefits'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:00:22 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4975869&cid=t_104010_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fmore-employers-are-dropping-healthcare-insurance-coverage%2F2011.06.26 McKinsey Quarterly has reported its survey concluding there will be a radical restructuring of employer-sponsored health benefits (ESI) as a result of President Obama’s following the 2010 passage of the Affordable Care Act. Healthcare insurance rates have already skyrocketed as a result of anticipating the conditions of Obama care. President Obama has been powerless to do anything about the increases. Thirty percent (30%) of companies providing ESI to their employees will drop healthcare insurance coverage once Obama care takes effect in 2014. The survey included 1300 employers providing ESI across industries, geographies, and employer sizes. Other surveys have found that as we get closer to 2014, President Obama’s Healthcare Reform Act will provoke a much greater number of employers t... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4975869 Sun, 26 Jun 2011 21:00:51 +0100 4975869 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4893969&cid=t_104010_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FNINJaOvIXWQ%2F Conclusion It should quickly become apparent that your mind is improving, and you will feel calmer, happier, and more relaxed. It is also likely that you will experience improvements in other areas that I have not even mentioned in this article. For variety, you may soon wish to discover different methods of meditation. There is almost a limitless amount of different techniques to experiment with. With a little experience you can probably develop your own unique techniques, specifically tailored for yourself. Enjoy! Jon Rhodes is a clinical hypnotherapist, musician, author, and meditator. He is owner and operator of the Meditation Den. If you want some help meditating, then please click here for details of our collection of Meditation Mp3s. Don’t Forget to Follow PickTheBrain on Twit... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4893969 Thu, 02 Jun 2011 06:27:25 +0100 4893969 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4876421&cid=t_104010_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F05%2F28%2Fhelping-others-is-good-for-your-health-an-interview-with-stephen-g-post-phd%2F Mahatma Gandhi once said that “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” I have benefited from that advice, for sure, especially in the months that I was crawling out of a very severe depression. An expert on the perks that come with helping others is bestselling author Stephen G. Post, author of The Hidden Gifts of Helping: How the Power of Giving, Compassion, and Hope Can Get us Through Hard Times (Jossey-Bass, 2011). He is Professor of Preventive Medicine, Heard of the Division of Medicine in Society, and Director of the Center for Medical Humanities, Compassionate Care and Bioethics at Stony Brook University. Visit him on his website at www.stephengpost.com/hiddengifts. I have the privilege of conducting an exclusive interview with him for... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4876421 Sat, 28 May 2011 10:07:20 +0100 4876421 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4742661&cid=t_104010_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2F5SdEWHIw0Mw%2F My two-year-old daughter doesn’t balk at all the water I give her to drink. But when I told my 7-year-old son to drink a glass of water, he said, “But I’m not thirsty. Can I have root beer instead?” Suddenly I got a flashback to my early years. There was never a dull moment with my family growing up, but I didn’t learn the importance of drinking water. Water just tasted bad to me, and I chose not to drink it. I didn’t have a clue that I was depriving myself of the most important factor for enjoying good health: drinking plenty of water. What turned me around was something I learned in my late 20s while watching a show on television. An object lesson was used to teach the importance of drinking water. In essence, if you washed your dirty dishes with orange soda, they wouldn’t ... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4742661 Sat, 23 Apr 2011 07:38:50 +0100 4742661 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4696977&cid=t_104010_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FpfrilgNNta4%2F I’m not a meditation teacher. I’m not even a very enthusiastic meditator. I’ve averaged about 20 minutes once a week for the past couple of years, and any serious meditator will tell you that’s not enough to really benefit you. Except it seems like it is, because I’ve noticed some benefits that I can’t attribute to anything else. I’m sure I’d get far more benefit if I meditated more regularly (I’m experimenting quietly with doing that). But here’s what I’ve gained even from a rather hit-and-miss practice. Well-known benefits of meditation Everyone who knows much about meditation knows that it helps to decrease negative thoughts and increase positive ones. It trains you to pay attention. It lowers blood pressure, reduces irre... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4696977 Mon, 11 Apr 2011 04:41:38 +0100 4696977 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4684260&cid=t_104010_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FR4kmVtI45Ts%2F By Michael F. CannonIt's not an easy period for major media organizations, what with all this creative destruction revamping that sector of the economy.  So the Washington Post Co. couldn't help but be pleased when it received a $570,000 bailout from ObamaCare's Early Retiree Reinsurance Program.  That program allows the Obama administration to run up the national debt another $5 billion by doling out cash to corporations that provide retiree health benefits.   The CBS Corporation received more than $720,000.  General Electric, a part owner of NBC Universal, Inc., cleared nearly $37 million. Since The Washington Post, CBS News, NBC News, and MSNBC have now received subsidies (the latter two indirectly) from this very controversial law, their reporters should disclose that fact to thei... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4684260 Thu, 07 Apr 2011 18:05:21 +0100 4684260 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3933077&cid=t_104010_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F30wBufdzMh0%2F By Michael F. CannonAs I blogged earlier, yesterday the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research & Educational Trust released their survey of employer-sponsored health benefits in 2010. For most of this survey’s history, it included a very useful graph of the average growth rate of employer-sponsored insurance premiums.  Here’s the graph from their 2007 survey: (The grey and light-green lines represent year-to-year growth in overall inflation and wages, respectively.) Unfortunately, 2007 was the last year that KFF/HRET included that graph in their annual survey.  Had they included that graph this year, it would have shown an even more heartening moderation of premium growth: A lot of things can drive premium growth.  I discussed a couple of them in my last post... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3933077 Fri, 03 Sep 2010 19:20:13 +0100 3933077 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3933089&cid=t_104010_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fprevention-magazines-inaccurate-coffee-cures-story%2F2010.09.03 The September issue of Prevention magazine inaccurately headlines the story ”4 Ways Coffee Cures.” There’s no solid proof that coffee cures anything — unless some of you cure bacon with java, which I don’t want to know about. What the story (below) did was to try to present a cute little graphic summary of observational studies that show a statistical association between increasing coffee consumption and fewer early deaths, fewer deaths from heart attack, fewer cases of dementia, and fewer cases of type 2 diabetes. But such observational studies (they actually never cite the source — I’m just giving them the benefit of the doubt that they’re citing observational studies) CAN’T establish cause and effect, therefore it’s inaccura... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3933089 Fri, 03 Sep 2010 18:00:50 +0100 3933089 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3933080&cid=t_104010_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FynRut6Tk9w8%2F By Michael F. CannonEvery year, the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research & Educational Trust produce the leading survey of employee health benefits.  Yesterday, KFF and HRET issued their survey of health benefits in 2010 with a news release that begins: Family Health Premiums Rise 3 Percent to $13,770 in 2010… Premiums rose by just 3 percent?  Great news!  Last year, KFF/HRET guesstimated that the average cost of family coverage could hit $14,539 in 2010.  Working families saved hundreds of dollars! Not so fast, says KFF/HRET.  The main reason premiums rose less than expected is that “businesses have been shifting more of the costs of health insurance to workers through … deductibles and other cost-sharing,” said KFF president and CEO Drew Altma... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3933080 Fri, 03 Sep 2010 16:35:21 +0100 3933080 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3718364&cid=t_104010_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fgovernment-healthcare-site-launches%2F Today a new government site launched, Healthcare.gov, aiming to inform the public about what their best (and cheapest) options for insurance are, and what changes will take place under the new healthcare bill. Sounds like a good idea to us. It might piss off insurance companies, but it seems like a step in the right direction for the American public. Not only does it make information more accessible, but you can even follow the site on Twitter @HealthCareGov for up-to-date information about insurance and health care. We doubt their tweets will make you LOL as much as some Twitter buds, but they’ll probably help save you money and get better health care. Post from: BlissTree Government Healthcare Site Launches (Source: Breastfeeding 1-2-3) Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3718364 Thu, 01 Jul 2010 22:36:22 +0100 3718364 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3679736&cid=t_104010_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F06%2F21%2Fjournal-of-the-american-medical-association-2010-vol-303-no-20-2%2F This article considers the case of Mr Q, a 42-year-old man who has consistently sought ways to preserve his health and is at a crossroads in his discussions with his doctor about the health effects of his regular, limited alcohol intake. An NHS Athens password is required to access this article online, alternatively contact the Library for a copy of the article. Filed under: Current Awareness, E-Journals, Journals, Ooops Missed Category! Tagged: Alcohol, Coronary Heart Disease, Health Benefits (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3679736 Mon, 21 Jun 2010 06:59:22 +0100 3679736 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3621959&cid=t_104010_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FRecoveryIsSexycom%2F%7E3%2FHpBKrixmcew%2F Surprising health benefits of dark chocolate promoted to healthcare professionals – alternate to antioxidants in alcohol. Doctors, dietitians and nutritionists are being promoted the health benefits of dark chocolate in the new Switch to Dark campaign. A Switch To Dark campaign highlighting the health benefits of consuming small portions of dark chocolate has been launched in leading healthcare publications, which include the Australian Doctor and Medical Observer; the Dietitians Association of Australia as well as the "prescriber’s bible", MIMS. Emerging evidence suggests that dark chocolate is a surprisingly rich source of antioxidants which may contribute to some health benefits. "The evidence is there, that dark chocolate is a good alternative to milk choc... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3621959 Tue, 01 Jun 2010 15:50:00 +0100 3621959 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3603591&cid=t_104010_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Forganic-food-is-it-better-for-you%2F2010.05.27 In 1952 Martin Gardner, who just passed away this week at the age of 95, wrote about organic farming in his book Fads and Fallacies in the Name of Science. He characterized it as a food fad without scientific justification. Now, 58 years later, the science has not changed much at all. A recent review of the literature of the last 50 years shows that there is no evidence for health benefits from eating an organic diet. The only exception to this was evidence for a lower risk of eczema in children eating organic dairy products. But with so many potential correlations to look for, this can just be noise in the data. Another important conclusion of this systematic review is the paucity of good research into organic food –- they identified only 12 relevant trials. So while there is a lack of ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3603591 Thu, 27 May 2010 12:00:08 +0100 3603591 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3595554&cid=t_104010_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fweight-gain-in-the-wrong-places-daily-health-quiz%2F How much do you really know about your health? You may think you know all the ins and outs of staying well, but our daily Health Smarts Quiz will test your knowledge on the spot. Answer our question, below, and check back tomorrow for the correct answer and your next pop quiz. Today’s Question: It is more dangerous to carry weight on your body in certain places than others? A build-up of fat in one particular part of your body will make you more likely to develop health problems. Which part of your body is the riskiest place to have a build-up of fat? #MicroPollDiv_257236 { width: 250px; margin: 0px auto; } Answer to our last health quiz: We’ve heard that those who take birth control aren’t supposed to smoke, but is there actually a risk? According to Our Bodies, Oursel... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3595554 Mon, 24 May 2010 21:46:38 +0100 3595554 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3508245&cid=t_104010_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F04%2F27%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-april-27-2010%2F You know what I love most about this crazy roller coaster ride we call life? I appreciate the opportunity it gives us each and every day to do better and be better. And through challenges, heartbreaks and rock bottom moments, we pick ourselves up, keep growing and learn more in this ongoing classroom of life. We just need to be fully conscious and open our eyes and hearts to take advantage of it. Take this week’s round-up of top posts, for example. Scroll down and you’ll discover new movements and programs changing our world, ways to become a better person, how to get clear on your fears and take control of your own destiny. Not a bad list for the beginning of the week. Puppies Behind Bars: Helping Inmates and Veterans Alike (Forensic Focus) – Dogs provide a wealth of phy... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3508245 Tue, 27 Apr 2010 10:59:16 +0100 3508245 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3453956&cid=t_104010_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F04%2F09%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-april-9-2010%2F Happy Friday! Hope everyone has an exciting weekend planned, even if “exciting” means sleeping in and vegging out in front of the TV. I don’t know about you, but I love this early spring weather, when the sun’s out, large clunky sweaters get stored away and tank tops and flip flops finally show their face. However, for some the warm weather brings up other things like spring cleaning, getting organized, taxes (ack!), a reminder of what we haven’t accomplished from our 2009 New Year’s Resolution, or our body image issues. In regards to the latter, ever notice that the two most busiest times at the gym are after New Year’s and spring? What’s great is that I’m noticing a new trend, one that has to do with self-acceptance regardless of size... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3453956 Fri, 09 Apr 2010 12:51:17 +0100 3453956 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2908581&cid=t_104010_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FF4OyERJiqJM%2F If the goal is to improve health, then the answer is clearly no. Ironically, even though universal coverage is presumably about helping the sick, the Democrats’ pursuit of universal coverage demonstrates not how much, but how little they care about their neighbors’ health. Economists Helen Levy and David Meltzer explain, in a book published by the Urban Institute, “There is no evidence at this time that money aimed at improving health would be better spent on expanding insurance coverage than on…other possibilities,” such as clinics, hypertension screening, nutrition campaigns, or even education.  In the Annual Review of Public Health, they explain further: The central question of how health insurance affects health, for whom it matters, and how much, remains largely unanswered ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2908581 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:47:15 +0100 2908581 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2691564&cid=t_104010_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FLmpGi1vsvDg%2F How many times have we heard about omega-3 fatty acids? All the time, right? It gets so that when you hear about how great they are, you kind of ignore the information. But several research studies not only talk about the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids for prevention of heart disease, they also talk about how beneficial they are in treating it. That’s huge. One study says that omegas “help in therapy for a number of conditions, such as atrial fibrillation, heart attack, atherosclerosis and heart failure.” When you think about the damage done to your body during heart disease, this news is truly fabulous. It means that it’s never too late to be better heart healthy. Image: sxc.hu. Post from: Blisstree Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Cardiac Trea... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2691564 Wed, 12 Aug 2009 11:21:13 +0100 2691564 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2591545&cid=t_104010_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FwDevFXt4NgI%2F With the economy and healthcare system in the state it is right now, many workers are sticking with jobs that offer health insurance. I can say that this has always been the case for me. I had jobs I absolutely despised, but with Type 1 diabetes I have needed health insurance since I was very young. So if I didn’t like a job or worked under poor conditions, I had to either stay there or stick it out until I could find something else. Now, with the economy, it’s hard to find something else. So many workers are simply sticking with a job for the health benefits alone. So many employers off poor health insurance, that if you’ve got a job with decent benefits you’re more apt to stay. What do you think? Have you stayed with a job just because of its health benefits? Ima... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2591545 Fri, 10 Jul 2009 21:52:23 +0100 2591545 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2570386&cid=t_104010_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FMwC1DQQHSZY%2F Economists have advanced many theories of taxation. But as usual, the one that seems to explain the policies of the Obama administration best is what I call the Mikulski Principle, the theory most clearly enunciated in 1990 by Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D, Md.): Let’s go and get it from those who’ve got it. Just take a look at the myriad taxes proposed or publicly floated by President Obama and his aides and allies: Raise the top income tax rates from their current 33 percent and 35 percent rates to 36 percent and 39.6 percent in 2011 Limit itemized deductions for people paying high rates Increase capital gains and dividend taxes by 33 percent for people paying high income tax rates Impose a value-added tax (VAT) on all goods and services Raise the Social Security tax by lifting the ca... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2570386 Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:02:26 +0100 2570386 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2517280&cid=t_104010_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FvWYrm_uv3v0%2F So many of us don’t get enough sleep. And we need it. Research shows that sleep helps boost immunity, maintain weight, and even contributes to heart health. Just an additional hour tremendously. But how much do you need? It varies as we age. MSN Health offers from recomendations: • Toddlers 12-14 hrs • Preschoolers 11-13 hrs • School-age children 10-11 hrs • Adolescents 9-10 hrs • Adults 7-9 hrs With busy lives, it seems that the first thing that falls by the wayside is sleep. We cut into our nightly zzz’s just to get more done. Where do you rate on this scale? Image: sxc.hu. Share and Enjoy: Post from: Blisstree How Many Hours of Sleep Do You Need? (Source: A Hearty Life) A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2517280 Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:15:52 +0100 2517280 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2452704&cid=t_104010_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F06%2F04%2Fthe-love-and-compassion-behind-state-of-mind-water%2F Midweek Mental Greening “Refresh Your Mind and Body with State of Mind Water” We all know water is good for us; it’s common sense. Without water we’d dehydrate and eventually die. And, given that every part of our bodies needs water, it’s also common sense that our brains need water. If I’m not mistaken, something like 80% of the brain is made of water. Plus, a balanced diet that consists of plenty of – but not too much – water is necessary for good mental health. So, yeah – drink your water. Yet, when it comes to the concept and driving force behind State of Mind Water, it’s not so much that water is essential for our physical and mental health; rather, it’s more about the idea that you might actually help spread the same “Love” and “Compas... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2452704 Thu, 04 Jun 2009 20:02:04 +0100 2452704 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2441821&cid=t_104010_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FYWtde3g8adM%2F It used to be that when you worked for a company, you were “set.” If you packed in, say, 30 years on a job, you were rewarded later in life by having the burden of finding health insurance and making extra money lifted by the company. You received health benefits in retirement and also a pension. Even before this poor economy, companies were changing the way they dealt with retirees. They began to look at retiree benefits as a burden and not an obligation. Now, GM, which is victim to this economy, may cut retiree medical benefits “with immediate effect at the insistence of the U.S. Treasury because of GM’s “difficult financial situation.” Even more cuts for retiree benefits could be made in the next two years. Do you think this is the right course of a... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2441821 Wed, 27 May 2009 21:20:44 +0100 2441821 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2441822&cid=t_104010_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FbfOhiD-uDo8%2F When did health benefits get to be such a dirty couple of words? It used to be that employers would eagerly provide health and insurance coverage for their employees. Then, people actually started using it and getting sick. Then, costs went up. The more people that got sick, the more companies had to kick in. Now, Congress is trying to encourage “wellness” over health benefits. Wellness means getting in shape and preventing illness. Senator Tom Harkin is one of the leaders in the health reform debate, and “recently proposed giving tax incentives to companies that offer comprehensive wellness programs to their employees.” What do you think about this? Is it a better plan than simply providing health benefits? Image: sxc.hu. Share and Enjoy: ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2441822 Wed, 27 May 2009 21:16:17 +0100 2441822 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2398861&cid=t_104010_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2Fhu4DXt90l50%2F Does prayer make you healthier? There are arguments on both sides of this, of course, but I certainly believe so. One source says, “The person who prays has an outlet for stress and anxiety. Blood pressure can improve. Recovery after surgery is shown to significantly improve in those who find comfort in religious faith.” Today is the National Day of Prayer. If you’re someone who doesn’t really understand how to pray, or what you should pray for, there are some excellent information on the National Day of Prayer website. I think you might be surprised at the benefits of prayer, both on a spiritual and emotional level. Image: sxc.hu. Share and Enjoy: Post from: Blisstree National Day of Prayer (Source: A Hearty Life) A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2398861 Thu, 07 May 2009 10:15:30 +0100 2398861 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2380881&cid=t_104010_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F04%2F30%2Ftherapist-interview-felix-treitler-leaves-the-couch-behind%2F Midweek Mental Greening You might remember my post about Felix Treitler’s new spin on therapy a few weeks ago. If not, here’s a little refresher course: Felix Treitler is a Boston-based Certified Tennis Professional and Licensed Therapist who has combined his love of physical activity and helping others to create an interesting kind of therapy. This week, I was able to email with Treitler about this new kind of “sports therapy” (for which I learned there is a more appropriate name), how he came to combine his two passions to provide this therapy to clients, and the positive responses he’s received from both clients and mental health professionals thus far. Read on! Alicia Sparks: Before we dive into anything else, why don’t you explain the kind of therapy ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2380881 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 18:21:50 +0100 2380881 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2353955&cid=t_104010_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2Fz-myvW1TxG4%2F My wife and I just came back from an inspiring Goldman Prize Award ceremony, where seven grassroots environmental changemakers were recognized for their work and resiliency, and shared their passion and purpose with everyone attending the event. We did hear too from Al Gore, Tracy Chapman, Robert Redford, and the founder of the awards 20 years ago, Richard Goldman.  The BBC recently published an Op-Ed by Mr. Goldman on the story behind the Awards themselves: article Here. He explains how... - "One morning in 1989, as I sat with my daily breakfast and newspaper, I read about the most recent Nobel laureates and wondered if there was a comparable award for environmental work." - "We asked a staff member at our foundation to do some research and he found that nothing yet e... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2353955 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 04:27:08 +0100 2353955 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2256000&cid=t_104010_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F-R6xU_U7KBk%2F On the Diane Rehm Show last week, I predicted that all the lovey-dovey coalition-forming by the Church of Universal Coverage would fall apart as soon as people started talking about actual reforms instead of vague principles. Today, The New York Times reports: Two labor unions have pulled out of a broad coalition seeking agreement on major changes in the health care system. The action, by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and the Service Employees International Union, shows the seeds of discord behind the optimistic talk at a White House conference on health care this week. It also illustrates the difficulty of reaching agreement on two of the knottiest issues in the health care debate: whether to offer a new government-sponsored insurance option, and whether... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2256000 Mon, 09 Mar 2009 19:29:58 +0100 2256000 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2040326&cid=t_104010_134_f&fid=36049&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FDiabetesNotes%2F%7E3%2FIdqIEryPMNY%2F var iamInit = function() {try{initIamServingHandler(420,631,351899,"http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/Resources/Css/css2.css")}catch(ex){}}() Every once in a while you hear some odd medical news that just doesn’t seem to make sense on the surface. This news falls into that category: people with psoriasis may face of higher risk of obesity. Apparently high-levels of a fat hormone leptin are to blame. Leptin is the hormone that manages metabolism, weight, and could also put people at risk to develop diabetes. So there’s yet one more reason to lose weight! Tags: dangers in obesity, Diabetes, fat hormone, health benefits, leptin, losing weight, psoriasis, risk of obesity, treatmentShare This (Source: Diabetes Notes) Diabetes Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2040326 Tue, 16 Dec 2008 02:01:46 +0100 2040326 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1642630&cid=t_104010_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthbolt.net%2F2008%2F07%2F21%2Fmake-me-happy-sweet-chocolate-and-lower-my-blood-pressure%2F Image details: Health Food Junk Food served by picapp.com Is there just anything better than reading about the health benefits of steak, beer or chocolate? Methinks not. So here’s another gem for you: German researchers say that eating a square of dark chocolate every day can reduce your systolic blood pressure (the top number) by 3 points and your diastolic pressure by 2! And you don’t have to worry about breaking the diet bank, either. Each square only totals about 30 calories (calories full of bliss, I might add.) The trick? Natural compounds found in dark chocolate raise your levels of nitric oxide, a known blood-vessel relaxer. So…more chocolate in your life = better health? Man, what great news for a Monday, eh? Bon apetit! Tags: Chocolate for Health, Diet, Health, ... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1642630 Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:00:57 +0100 1642630 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1637743&cid=t_104010_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthbolt.net%2F2008%2F07%2F18%2Fpour-me-a-drink-cocktails-strengthen-bones%2F Image details: Thinkstock Single Image Set served by picapp.com Keeping with the topic of women’s health today (be sure you enter our awesome book contest in the post below!), word is that cocktails (yes I mean those dreamy little Friday Happy Hour mood-enhancers) can help strengthen bones. For real! Not only that, but according to The American Journal of Medicine, they also help reduce the risk of hip fracture by 20%. Of course, everything in moderation though, my friends. Having more than two alcoholic drinks per day makes you 39% more susceptible to hip fractures, a figure that most likely comes from falling while tipsy. So hey, while bellying up at the bar and grill tonight, make sure to tell everyone how that martini is really a health potion in disguise. Enjoy! Tags: Benefits o... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1637743 Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:58:30 +0100 1637743 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1552964&cid=t_104010_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthbolt.net%2F2008%2F06%2F28%2Fsexbolt-saturday-need-another-reason-to-have-sex-weve-got-a-bunch%2F Image details: Close-up of alphabets spelling the word Sex with red chili peppers on a tray served by picapp.com It’s Sexbolt Saturday again, my kittens, and we got a hold of an article that spells out 56 glorious reasons to meet up in the sheets. Now, those 56 reasons are fab, indeed, but some of them we’ve already shared with you here, here, and here. Because, you know, we like to give you lots of reasons to have sex. As if you needed some more. But if you’re mojo ain’t quite where you’d like it to be this weekend, give these a read (hell, have your honey read ‘em, too) and get ready for one sassy samba in the sack. Enjoy! And Happy Sexbolt Saturday! Tags: Health Benefits of Sex, Healthbolt, Reasons to Have Sex, Sex, Sexbolt SaturdayShare This (Source:... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1552964 Sat, 28 Jun 2008 11:30:38 +0100 1552964 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1499893&cid=t_104010_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthbolt.net%2F2008%2F06%2F06%2Fa-little-virgin-stops-ulcers-who-knew%2F Image details: Close-up of a bottle of olive oil served by picapp.com Got ulcers? Know someone who does? Grab a virgin. Olive oil, that is. Yep, the antioxidants found in extra-virgin olive oil (or EVOO if you’re an unfortunate Rachael Ray fan), may put the kibosh to stomach ulcers by squashing the H. pylori bacteria, which is a cause of ulcers. Says a study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, all you need is a couple teaspoons a day to get the benefits. Try preparing your chicken or fish with EVOO instead of veggie oil, or add some to your salad dressing for that extra boost. Long live the virgin!! Tags: Extra Virgin Olive Oil, H pylori, Health Benefits of Olive Oil, Healthbolt, UlcersShare This (Source: Healthbolt) Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1499893 Fri, 06 Jun 2008 20:09:28 +0100 1499893 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1497416&cid=t_104010_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthbolt.net%2F2008%2F06%2F05%2F4-good-reasons-to-love-lovin%2F What does love do for you, other than make you googly-eyed and smiley? Plenty. Image details: Love spelt in silver letters served by picapp.com As I prepare to celebrate my 10th wedding anniversary tomorrow, I was thrilled to come across a small article listing 4 fabulous “side-effects” to being in a loving relationship. 1) Lower stress hormones 2) More physical activity (of all kinds, ahem) 3) Less likely to smoke 4) Decrease in blood pressure Wow! Seems not only does love affect your emotional heart, it’s great for your physical ticker as well. Sounds like I have lots to celebrate! Grab your honey and celebrate being in love along with me, won’t you? Tags: Being in Love, Health Benefits of Love, Healthbolt, Heart Health, LoveShare This (Source: Healthbolt) Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1497416 Fri, 06 Jun 2008 02:47:22 +0100 1497416 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1488159&cid=t_104010_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthbolt.net%2F2008%2F06%2F02%2Ffabulous-news-shopping-sharpens-your-grey-matter%2F Guess what shoppers? Your habits are making both your brain and bod happy! Image details: Couple carrying shopping bags served by picapp.com If you think shopping belongs in the Summer Olympics (or Winter, for that matter), do we have the news for you! Seems that browsing and buying gives more than your credit card a workout - it’s good for the human body and mind, too! How so, you ask? We’re happy to share: * Conversing, haggling and all-around interacting with other folks forces you to think and act quickly * Comparison shopping strengthens the brain’s math and reasoning capacities * Positive visual stimulation keeps the brain engaged and feelings of happiness present * Walking from store to store, bending and stretching for items, and carrying all those packed-to-the-g... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1488159 Tue, 03 Jun 2008 01:56:44 +0100 1488159 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1433734&cid=t_104010_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthbolt.net%2F2008%2F05%2F09%2Ftea-to-fight-skin-cancer-indeed%2F Image details: Pouring a Cup of Tea served by picapp.com Need yet another reason to enjoy tea time? How about this… Researchers at Dartmouth University have found that drinking two or more cups of black or green tea every day can cut your risk of acquiring two of the most common types of skin cancer. Your risk for squamous cell is reduced by 65% and basal cell carcinoma by 80%! Not bad for a beverage, hey? So why the super powers? Tea is loaded with protective polyphenols which are said to contain a plethora of antioxidant properties. Bonus: polyphenols may also reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Bottom line: If you’re not yet a tea drinker, now might be a good time to get brewing. And if you are, good for you. Enjoy all the benefits this healthy beverage has to offer.... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1433734 Sat, 10 May 2008 03:57:18 +0100 1433734 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1423148&cid=t_104010_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthbolt.net%2F2008%2F05%2F05%2Flitter-box-healthy-heart-who-knew%2F Image details: Thinkstock Single Image Set served by picapp.com Great news for kitty lovers: Turns out your feline friends do more than keep your toes warm at night - they help keep your heart healthy, too. A recent study from the University of Minnesota found that owning a cat can slash your risk of dying from a heart attack by up to 40 percent. Evidently, having kitty around can help soothe away the harmful effects of stress and anxiety. Suddenly, dealing with the litter box doesn’t seem quite so vexing, now does it? Of course, it’s best to keep exercising and eating right, but if it’s been one of “those days”, spend some extra time with your furry pal and make your heart (and your pet) happy. Tags: Animals, Cats, Cats and Heart Health, Cats and Stress, Heal... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1423148 Tue, 06 May 2008 03:26:29 +0100 1423148 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1141006&cid=t_104010_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F214134403%2F You know the saying “you don’t know what you have till it’s gone”? Those words came to mind when I read the latest scientific find studying oatmeal’s benefits in regard to cholesterol. I love oatmeal!!! Being diabetic, I really don’t eat much of it and it has to be the low sugar, low carb stuff, which quite frankly… just isn’t the same. But being that the benefits of cholesterol reduction are proven to be even stronger than when the FDA first approved the correlation back in the 80’s, I am gonna start enjoying my oats again! The new findings suggest that there is many more healthful benefits that go along with the whole grains then what was first thought including… Reduce the risk for elevated blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, an... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1141006 Wed, 09 Jan 2008 19:23:48 +0100 1141006 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=644980&cid=t_104010_87_f&fid=34866&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecardioblog.com%2F2007%2F05%2F30%2Fthe-immediate-benefits-of-quitting-smoking%2F Filed under: Prevention, Smoking, Women Heart Health, Men Heart HealthWhen considering exercise, we know that we won't see significant changes in our fitness level for several weeks. Even so, we know that the minute we step onto that treadmill or take that first step out our door, we're improving our fitness levels. After all, you can't reach your goal if you never start. But what about bad habits? How quickly can we reverse the damage done by years of unhealthy living?Jonathon over at That's Fit recently wrote a post about what happens to your body when you quit smoking. Within minutes, your health starts to improve as your blood pressure drops. In as little as 8 hours, the carbon monoxide levels in your blood will drop by half and oxygen levels will normalize. Within two days, you'll hav... The Cardio Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=644980 Wed, 30 May 2007 04:00:00 +0100 644980