Work Out Before You Pig Out
Taking a long walk before a fatty feast might lessen the possibility of heart attack. A small study found that men who exercised before eating a rich meal showed lower levels of post-meal blood fats, triglycerides, and better blood vessel flow as compared to those who walked straight to the buffet.
The Brain's Beanie Baby Center
By studying brain-damaged individuals who had exhibited abnormal hoarding behavior, researchers have identified an area in the brain's prefrontal cortex that appears to control the urge to acquire and retain objects. Damage to this area -- the right mesial prefrontal cortex -- apparently causes the near-universal interest in collecting to escalate out of control by releasing the primitive hoarding urge from its normal restraints.
Pick a Therapist with a Lighter Load
For those who plan to enter therapy in the New Year, one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a mental health professional may be how busy they are. Those who have a light or moderate number of psychotherapy patients tend to get significantly better results than those with a heavy caseload, a new national study finds.
