Healthize.com

Running is great way to boost your health — and it doesn’t even require any special equipment! The exercise is especially beneficial to the heart and lungs, as it promotes healthy oxygen and blood flow.

Studies have linked running to reducing the risk of contracting a cold and even developing cancer. It also provides excellent stress relief and can soothe mild forms of depression as well.

(And it’s good for dogs, too!)

Photo via richard.heeks on Flickr.

Fitness, Health, Health Tips, Natural Remedies aerobics, blood flow, cardio, exercise, Fitness, heart, heart health, lung function, lungs, running

Representing over 5,000 years old of posing in seemingly impossible positions, yoga isn’t just fun to look at — it’s good for you, too.

Yoga can improve your flexibility, strength, and posture, and the breathing methods can actually increase lung capacity. The activity is also associated with better heart health (it reduces blood pressure and slows your heart rate), in addition to combating a number of different conditions, including asthma, back pain, and multiple sclerosis. Plus, yoga has been shown to boost concentration and instill a sense of calm.

And isn’t that worth standing on your head?

Photo via 75mondays on Flickr.

Fitness, Health, Health Tips, Natural Remedies asthma, back pain, exercise, Fitness, flexibility, heart disease, heart health, lungs, multiple sclerosis, posture, strength, yoga

Varicose veins are painful, unsightly, and sometimes require surgical intervention. They are most common in women and frequently brought on by pregnancy, however genetics and lifestyle factors are also relevant.

Veins pump blood back to the heart, which means that leg veins are tasked with pumping blood upward, against gravity. Veins have natural leaflet valves to keep the blood moving in the right direction; in varicose veins, however, problems with the leaflets allow some of the blood to flow backwards, resulting in discomfort.

Let’s take a look at some of the lifestyle changes you can make to prevent varicose veins:

Sit and stand with care. To promote better circulation, maintain good posture and avoid crossing your legs when seated. Your circulation suffers when you sit or stand for a long time, so take frequent breaks to stretch your legs.

Invest in compression hose. Compression hose and socks are available both over-the-counter and by a doctor’s prescription. They apply pressure to the lower legs to help your veins pump blood upward toward the heart.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Easier said than done, we know, but keeping your weight down and activity level up have been shown to decrease your risk of developing varicose veins. Doctors recommend low-impact exercises like swimming, cycling, and walking.

Fitness, Health, Health Tips, Women circulation, compression hose, compression stocks, exercise, Fitness, legs, varicose veins, varicose veins stockings

Hey fitness fans! If you’re looking for luscious rock hard abs, or just to reduce back pain with a stronger core, it doesn’t get any better (or faster) than 8 Minute Abs. You can watch this classic video right on YouTube (or even here on Healthize). So go ahead and get crunchin’!

Fitness, Health Tips, Videos 8 minute abs, abdominals, abs, back pain, core, exercise, Fitness

There are plenty of reasons to have sex, but improving your health usually isn’t one of them. But scientists have found that getting it on can benefit your body in a number of ways.

So, what can sex do for you?

• Sex reduces stress. Sex actually decreases your blood pressure, particularly in stressful situations like public speaking.
• Sex improves immunity. People who have sex at least once a week have higher levels of the antibody immunoglobulin A, which helps prevents colds and other types of infection.
• Sex works you out. Every 30 minutes you spend having sex adds up to at least 85 calories burned. And it’s more fun than the elliptical machine.
• Sex boosts heart health. Men who have sex at least twice a week are half as likely to suffer a fatal heart attack than those other unfortunate souls.
• Sex raises self esteem. Sex doesn’t just make you feel better; it makes you feel better about yourself.

That’s all for today — check out part two of this list tomorrow!

Fitness, Health, Health Tips burn calories, exercise, heart health, immunity, immunoglobulin a, self esteem, sex, stress