Exercise

Upbeat music can improve your workout. This, according to researchers at the University of British Columbia. A group of 24 participants completed three 20-second sprints, with a two-minute rest in between, under three different conditions. During one workout, participants listened to motivational music, or music with a fast tempo; in…

Exercise improves self-esteem and mood of patients in psychiatric care facilities. This, according to researchers at the University of Vermont. Researchers built a gym in the university medical center’s inpatient psychiatry unit and introduced 60-minute exercise regimens into each patient’s treatment plan. The team surveyed patients on their mood, self-esteem,…

Past research has shown that physical activity has a direct effect on our mental health. A new study, however, says the reverse: that our mental wellbeing directly influences our physical activity.   Researchers from the University of Jyvaskyla in Finland conducted questionnaires and interviews to analyze the effects of mental…

Pregnant women in their first trimester are more active earlier in the day. This, from researchers at Washington University in St. Louis. This study followed 39 women who wore wristwatches that tracked their daily activity for two weeks prior to conception, and again when they found out they were pregnant,…

Most kids and teens aren’t getting enough physical activity.Read: Back to Basics, Child Therapy Researchers from the University of Jyvaskyla and LIKES Research Center for Physical Activity and Health analyzed activity levels in different age groups. They discovered that children and adolescents are becoming increasingly less active. The team says…

Yoga has been scientifically-proven to reduce stress, improve mood, and alleviate symptoms of anxiety. A new study from Washington State University says it can also boost body positivity. Researchers studied 376 people who attended a yoga exercise class for 16 weeks. Over this 16-week period, the participants answered questionnaires designed…

Inspiratory Muscle Strength Training, or IMST, is exercising the muscles you use to breathe in. And according to researchers from the University of Colorado at Boulder, it could improve your physical and mental health. This practice involves breathing in vigorously through a hand-held device. The team found that engaging in…

Cognitive decline is a major concern for older adults. But those who continue to socialize and challenge their brains don’t have to worry as much. Researchers from the University of Alberta analyzed data from 882 older adults to identify factors for maintaining a healthy mind in old age. They found…

Our body clock is what controls when we’re most alert, and when we’re most tired. Research has found that we can control our body clocks and level of alertness by working out at specific times of the day. Normally, melatonin levels begin to increase at night and decrease in the…