Mind and Body

Please Hold the Salt

Salt—sodium chloride—isn’t inherently bad. It enhances flavors and has important functions in binding, stabilizing, and preserving food.

Keep Calm and Nap On? The Pros and Cons of Naps

It’s afternoon, and your alertness has taken a nosedive. What you really want to do is find a quiet spot and take a nap. But should you?

Safe Passage: Tips for Older Travelers

For all its perks—sightseeing, visiting far-flung family—traveling comes with its share of challenges.

Choose the Healthier Fat

It’s wise to be finicky about fats. Choosing foods high in “good” fats—monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats—may benefit your heart. But giving in to “bad” fats—trans and saturated fats—could do your heart harm.

Use Melatonin Safely for Better Sleep

When the lights go out, your brain makes a hormone called melatonin. This signals to your body that it’s time for sleep. Soon, you’re drifting off to dreamland.

Tame Nighttime Leg Cramps

Among the many spoilers of a good night’s sleep, leg cramps in the calf or small muscles of the foot are all too common. They affect about half of people ages 60 and older.

The Relationship Between HIV and Other STIs

Talk openly with a health care provider about your risk for HIV and other STIs—and how to lower it.

How Good Was That Workout? 3 Ways to Tell

When it comes to reaping the rewards of exercise, “no pain, no gain” has worn out its welcome. You don’t have to push yourself until it hurts. But to lose weight, build strength, or gain health, it can help to gauge your efforts and progress.

Know the Signs and Symptoms of Shingles

If you’ve had chickenpox before, then you’re at risk of developing shingles. In fact, 1 out of 3 people in the United States will develop shingles at some point in their life.

Elder Abuse: Recognize the Signs

Elder abuse occurs when people ages 60 and older are mistreated by others. This can be by family members, caregivers, friends, and even strangers. Anyone can be a victim of abuse, but it is more likely to happen to those who have dementia or a disability, or who don’t have a strong social network.

The Best Proteins for Your Meatless Meals

The term meatless suggests going without. But choosing alternative protein sources for a meal or two per week isn’t really a sacrifice. In fact, setting aside chicken, pork, and beef can benefit your health.

Push Past a Weight-Loss Plateau

If you want to lose weight successfully, slow and steady progress is your best bet. Experts recommend aiming to lose 1 to 2 pounds per week for the first 6 months. Once you’ve made it that far, continuing to your final goal may seem like a snap.