Chronic unemployment can put marriage vows to the test. With less money coming in, many families have been forced to cut back, borrow money and drain their savings. The stress takes its toll on couples, causing many to seek counseling. There are steps couples can take to help them get through their financial crisis. First…

Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) may improve sleep and reduce daytime PTSD symptoms among military veterans. A study published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research compared Prazosin (a treatment for sleep disturbance) versus a CBT sleep intervention against a placebo control. Fifty veterans were randomly assigned to either the Prazosin group, the CBT group or the…

For women who are overweight or obese, losing 10% of their weight might reduce overall risk of cancer. Lowering weight lowers levels of inflammation in the body, and for some women, losing even 5% might do the trick. Inflammation is linked to heart disease, cancer, and other chronic diseases. Obesity drives inflammation and is a…

As we go through life, we’re almost always learning something new. Sometimes we’re developing an underused ability or talent; sometimes we’re toning down an overused one. In our process of becoming, we are always developing and fine tuning our many qualities. In this process, it’s natural to find ourselves out of balance. Although being out…

Anxiety is stressful to our bodies and minds, and pharmaceuticals  are generally prescribed for treatment. Kava, a plant related to black pepper, is a natural remedy for anxiety, and has a long history in the South Pacific as a social and recreational drug. Kava works quickly to relieve anxiety, often after one or two doses….

While major disasters grab the headlines, the majority of life’s calamities are self-inflicted. We know that failures are inevitable; we can either fear them or learn from them. If we recognize as many as possible of the needless stresses in our lives, we can combat them and experience a rising tide of resilience. Albert Ellis,…

We are naturally vibrant and happy to be alive, but there are times when we can feel run down or worn out. When we’re worn out and run down, we don’t receive what we need from the universe. Rather than indicating that we’re lazy or unfit, feeling run down means that we need to recharge…

Would you like to add years to your life? Jogging can add an additional 6.2 years for men, and 5.6 years for women. Researchers in Denmark compared 1,116 men and 762 women who jogged to many more non-joggers of both sexes. The study began in 1976, and includes data on 20,000 adults between 20 and…

An ongoing study indicates that if your partner won’t attend couples therapy with you, you should go alone. The study is focusing on an educational course that teaches relationship skills. Over 300 couples have participated so far, being randomly put into one of three groups. In one group, both members of the couple attend. In…

For many of us, adding more fruits and vegetables to our diets can be difficult, though doing so is one of the surest paths to better health. How can we make it easier? One tip is to invest in a transparent bowl and keep it within arm’s reach. Researchers tested college students by placing clear…