Right now, there’s a huge movement toward awakening. A lot of people are moving from identifying solely with their body to experiencing themselves as something much greater. When we start to wake up, we naturally develop a strong desire to know ourselves in a deep, intimate way. That’s what consciousness is—a desire to know all of oneself. Alongside this desire to know ourselves, a matching desire to create unbelievably deep, intimate relationships with others emerges as well....

First things first, the best way to prevent illness is to be proactive. Whether this is the first time you’re hearing about the CDC’s recommended protocol for prevention of illness or you’ve almost memorized it, repetition is the mother of all skill, so let’s talk about the basics for a minute: Acupuncture is an effective alternative medicine that boasts a 5,000-year history treating a variety of disease conditions and has recently shown to have an effect on physiological activities, specifically immune function....

So, what exactly are the benefits of avocados? Here’s a look at what the fruit (yep, it’s a fruit!) can do for your gut, skin, and overall health. Beta-sitosterol is a phytosterol that is similar in structure to cholesterol and leads to lower levels of cholesterol in the body via the hepatobiliary system (through excretion). Avocados contain wonderfully healthy fats: monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Both MUFAs and PUFAs work to lower LDL levels (bad cholesterol)2 in the blood....

But what if fasting doesn’t help you lose weight and actually makes you gain weight? Consider whether any of these seven factors might be at play: You might have some not-so-obvious culprits slipping in that are breaking your fast. For some people, even a little bit of sweetener or cream in their coffee can knock them out of their fast. Not sure what counts? Here’s exactly what breaks a fast. One research review that examined the effects of intermittent fasting on weight loss found that individuals on an alternate day fasting plan typically did not overeat during eating periods, which resulted in mild to moderate weight loss....

When I became pregnant with our first child, a baby boy, it was a topic that quickly surfaced as something that needed deep attention and discussion. My husband was also concerned that our son might be teased for looking different from most other boys his age. However, what many people might not know, is that this surgery has actually been consistently declining in the U.S. In 2010, it was actually just 58 percent....

According to Melissa Nieves, LND, R.D., MPH, of Healthy Meals Supreme, vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid) is necessary for the synthesis of collagen. Specifically, certain enzymes depend on vitamin C to properly stabilize and cross-link collagen molecules2. The nutrient also supports collagen gene expression, which prompts collagen synthesis. And since vitamin C benefits collagen production both internally and topically2, you can enjoy the vitamin C in hibiscus by drinking or applying it....

Even if you live an active lifestyle outside of work, meeting your fitness goals and moving your body often, sitting for prolonged periods can have significant effects on your physical and mental well-being. Research shows that too much sitting can compromise your metabolic health and increase your risk of premature mortality1. And if you’re sitting in the wrong chair, it can lead to acute or chronic back pain. To better understand what to look for in a comfortable and supportive office chair, we spoke with physical therapists and evaluated a ton of options....