Harnessing AI for Empowering Menopause Guidance: The Roon App

As a health journalist, I understand the challenge of navigating the overwhelming sea of information available about women's health online. In an era dominated by AI-driven search engines, distinguishing legitimate medical advice from dubious wellness claims can be a daunting task. It's a common reality that many women face, making this topic all the more critical. From menstruation to fertility and, indeed, menopause, there remains significant ambiguity surrounding women's health. Notably, over 1 million women in the U.S. experience menopause annually, yet studies suggest that a staggering 80 percent of them have limited understanding of this natural transition. Often, they never learned about menopause during their education or harbor negative perceptions about this life phase, which contributes to discomfort in discussing their concerns with healthcare providers. Introduce Roon, an innovative application that integrates AI technology with doctor-approved advice to provide women with reliable…

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Sensitive Stomach? These Gut-Friendly Drinks Make for a Perfect Mocktail

It's Friday night, you're staying in, and while youā€™d usually wind down with a makeshift margarita, youā€™ve resolved to leave the liquor behind. Drinking less is always a good idea, but itā€™s especially true if you have a sensitive stomach. Alcohol is a toxin, and it can cause inflammation in the digestive tract that can lead to uncomfortable symptoms, according to the MD Anderson Cancer Center. And sure, canned mocktails that are ready-to-go are great for many occasions, but if you enjoy the ritual of mixing up your own concoction, weā€™ve got you. With gut-healthy ingredients and tasty combinations, these gut-friendly recipes are ready to be shaken (or stirred) right at home. They bring all the flavor and fun and wonā€™t cost you a nagging hangover the next day. Best Gut-Friendly Mocktails 1. Turmeric Tonic Alcoholā€™s golden days might be long gone, but…

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Learning to Balance: How I Overcame Fitness Data Obsession

When I started training for my first half marathon nearly 18 years ago, I didnā€™t even own a simple Timex watch ($35). I followed handwritten, photocopied maps to navigate group training runs through hilly Atlanta neighborhoods and had zero insight into data like my heart rate, stride length, or pace.Fast forward nearly 20 years and more than 200 races later, and I now have 24/7 access to a dizzying array of metricsā€”heart rate variability, stress level, sleep stages, and moreā€”thanks to not one but two personal fitness trackers: a Garmin Fenix 6S ($700) and a Whoop band ($239). These are just two of dozens of devices designed to help consumers optimize and track wellness dataā€”but is this gamification of our health healthy? Yes and no, says Alissa Paladino, CPT, an Atlanta-based certified personal trainer.ā€œFitness trackers provide accountability and motivation and can give awareness…

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Science Says You Need a Pre-Workout Playlist. Here Are the 6 Best Songs to Get You in the Zone

More often than not, you probably have some form of music playing while you work out. Whether itā€™s your Spotify Wrapped on repeat, a playlist made by your instructor, or your own personalized mix of exercise hits, music is a game changer when it comes to exercise. But what if we told you it also helps improve your workouts? ā€œFrom a scientific perspective, music can elicit several emotions, from motivation to calmness,ā€ explains therapist Jessica Thomas, LMHC, founder and clinical director of MyMindset NYC Counseling Services. ā€œDepending on the type of music youā€™re listening to, you can train your brain to work harder at the gym, calm your heart rate down, energize you, and much more.ā€ More recently, there has been a surge in research surrounding the connection between mindset and music, particularly how the music you listen to before your exercise session…

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20 Non-Cheesy Valentineā€™s Day Gifts for Him That Heā€™ll Totally Love

Valentineā€™s Day is often dubbed a ā€œHallmark holiday,ā€ and while celebrating love is always a vibe, the cheesiness that tends to come with it? Not so much. Sure, giant teddy bears and heart-shaped everything have their fans, but if youā€”or the guy in your lifeā€”prefer to keep things low-key, there are tons of non-cheesy Valentineā€™s Day gifts for him that still let you say ā€œI love youā€ without being overly saccharine. Think thoughtful, not corny. Whether itā€™s a personalized keepsake, a practical upgrade (because his slippers are begging for retirement), or a fun gift you can enjoy together, there are plenty of options that strike the perfect balance. And yes, Iā€™ve included some of the classics like chocolate and jewelryā€”but with a modern twist that makes them feel fresh, not clichĆ©. Ahead are 20 Valentineā€™s Day gift ideas that are thoughtful but not…

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ClassPass Wants You to Meet ā€˜The Oneā€™ This Valentineā€™s Day With New Workout Series

As Valentineā€™s Day approaches, the quest for love takes many forms, and this year, ClassPass is taking a refreshing approach to matchmaking. Instead of the usual dinner dates or heart-shaped gifts, why not break a sweat and meet someone special while engaging in a fitness activity? This innovative idea is part of their nationwide ā€˜Sweat Your Heart Outā€™ series, designed to combine fitness with the excitement of singles events. Scheduled for February 12 and 13, 2024, the ā€˜Sweat Your Heart Outā€™ classes will take place in cities across the U.S., held in various venues such as gyms, workout studios, and even indoor golf clubs. This unique fitness-focused dating concept welcomes all participants, whether single and ready to mingle or simply looking to foster new friendships. The aim is to turn fitness, sports, and exercise into a social experience where connections can flourish. As…

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Embrace the Chickpea: A Nutritional Powerhouse Worth Your Attention

Chickpeas have become synonymous with plant-based and vegetarian diets, largely driven by initiatives like ā€œveganuary,ā€ a month-long plant-based eating challenge originating in the UK and gaining traction worldwide. However, it's time to recognize that leaving chickpeas solely for vegan diets or only acknowledging them during efforts to reduce meat consumption is a disservice to this remarkable legume. Chickpeas are not only a delicious addition to any dish but are also a fiber and protein powerhouse beneficial for anyone looking to enhance their meal rotation. Dallas-based dietitian Stephanie Wells, MS, RD, LD, ACSM-CPT, emphasizes their nutrient density, saying, "As a legume, chickpeas are incredibly nutrient-dense." Their versatility means you can enjoy them as crispy snacks, in savory sauces, or blended into creamy dips. If you're not sure where to begin, letā€™s dive into a comprehensive overview of chickpeas, including their nutritional benefits, how they…

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The 4 Best Stretches for Your Hip Abductors, According to a Personal Trainer

Letā€™s talk about your hip abductorsā€”those sneaky muscles on the sides of your hips that you probably ignore until theyā€™re tight, sore, or messing with your mobility. Whether youā€™re a gym rat, a runner, or just someone who spends way too much time glued to a chair (hey, no judgment), your hip abductors deserve some TLC. Theyā€™re the muscles that help you move your legs out to the side and stabilize your pelvis, which is kind of a big deal for everything from walking to crushing leg day. When these muscles get tight, you might feel it as stiffness in your hips, pain in your lower back, or even strain in your knees. Basically, tight hip abductors donā€™t just make you uncomfortableā€”they can mess up your movement. Thatā€™s where stretching comes in. The right stretches can loosen up those muscles, improve your hip…

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Understanding Muscle Contractions: Concentric, Eccentric, and Isometric Explained

Resistance trainingā€”whether it be with dumbbells, barbells, or just your body weightā€”seems clearcut. You lift things up. You put them down. Repeat. But take a closer look at your body under a microscope, and youā€™ll see that your working muscles are actually contracting in completely different ways depending on the phase of the exercise youā€™re inā€”and if youā€™re even moving at all. The key players: concentric, eccentric, and isometric muscle contractions. Most exercises and everyday actions (think: walking, picking up and holding your groceries) involve a mixture of contraction types. However, some movements favor one type of contraction over the others. You can even tweak an exercise to emphasize one flavorā€”and that comes with a unique slew of fitness benefits. So whatā€™s the difference between these three types of muscle contractions, and is it really worth factoring into your training plan? Read on…

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How to Support Yourself or Someone Else Whoā€™s Been Affected by the LA Fires

Los Angeles, California has been reeling from the devastating impact of multiple wildfires since the morning of January 7th, with many areas still burning more than a week later. As of Tuesday, January 21, the two deadliest fires, Palisades (currently at 23,713 acres) and Eaton (currently at 14,021 acres), are 63% and 89% contained, respectively. According to NBC News, the fires have claimed the lives of 27 people and destroyed over 12,000 structures. While containment efforts are underway, the sheer scale of devastation has left many without shelter and deeply affected the mental health of many LA-area residents.Santa Monica resident, Vanessa Powell, recalls the terrifying moment she received her evacuation notice. ā€œEverything felt so apocalyptic. Winds were beyond anything Iā€™d ever seen, neighbors were spraying water on their homes with hoses, there was no power, cars were driving in the opposite direction, and…

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