Stepping inside a sauna to soak up the heat might seem like a fairly modern invention, but humans have been using saunas for thousands of years. Early records show that the Central American Mayans used ‘sweat houses’ over 3,000 years ago to promote good health, while the Romans were fond of relaxing in warm enclosures for therapeutic purposes. These days, saunas are still popular, where they’re a staple of many gyms, fitness centres and spas. In Scandinavia, in particular, using a sauna is part of everyday life – in Finland alone you’ll find more saunas than cars. Indeed, with the Finnish boas ..read more

Daydreaming tends to have negative connotations. If you’ve got your head in the clouds, you might be labelled as wasting time or lazy. Yet, new research suggests that letting your mind wander could actually be a positive thing. © MinDof / Adobe Stock   A common phenomenon The fact is, everyone daydreams – and we do it quite a lot. Researchers reckon that we get lost in our thoughts around 30-50% of the time, which means that we might spend as much time daydreaming as we do sleeping. One large-scale study found that participants daydreamed approximately 47% of the time. Although excessive dayd ..read more

Meditation soothes the mind and the body, helping us to relax, switch off from daily stresses and focus on the here and now. But, knowing how to meditate correctly isn’t always easy, especially for the newcomer. If you find that meditation isn’t bringing you any health gains, you might be doing it all wrong. Here are some common meditation mistakes to avoid. © kieferpix / Adobe Stock Inconsistency In order to reap the benefits of meditation, you need to do it frequently. If you only meditate now and then, you can’t expect to gain any results. Ideally, you should aim to meditate daily, even if ..read more

An exercise bike is one of the most popular workout machines, where it’s a staple in any gym and frequently found in the home. The fact that it’s easy to use certainly adds to the appeal of an exercise bike. But, just because it’s a doddle, doesn’t mean to say that every user maximises the benefits of this low-impact, cardio-boosting equipment. If you want to reap the most rewards from a stationary bike, here are some essential tips to follow. © Somkiat / Adobe Stock Adjust the seat Before you jump on an exercise bike, adjust the seat to suit your height. Correct seat height lets you gain the ..read more

The rise of the digital era means that young people have access to smartphones and electronic devices from an ever-earlier age, but their reliance on this technology often comes at a price. © IdeaBug, Inc. / Adobe Stock   Studies show that youngsters devote over seven hours each day to staring at a screen, whether that be a TV screen, tablet or phone. This means that exercise often takes a back seat, where researchers claim that just one in every three children get adequate physical activity daily. So, how do you get kids off their screens and interested in exercise? It’s not always easy, but ..read more

Improving your fertility can make planning a family easier, and eating a healthy, well-balanced diet may be a good starting point. © karandaev / Adobe Stock A healthy diet gives your body the vital nutrients it needs, but it also regulates hormones involved with the menstrual cycle, and can improve the production of healthy sperm. Importantly, obesity has been shown to reduce fertility levels, so eating healthily can prevent you from putting on excess weight. Here are some top foods to put on your shopping list that may help to boost fertility.   Salmon As a valuable source of omega 3 fatty a ..read more

It’s common knowledge that we need sufficient exercise to stay fit and healthy, but is there any one time of day where you stand to gain more from your workout sessions? © LMproduction / Adobe Stock Whether it’s better to exercise in the morning or evening is a debate that continues to rage on, with plenty of advocates in both camps. Dwayne Johnson, AKA The Rock, is a big fan of morning exercise, while Usain Bolt prefers training in the evening. But, who’s right and who’s wrong? Personal considerations In actual fact, whether morning or evening exercise is better is largely down to what works ..read more

Iron is an essential nutrient needed to transport oxygen around the body and create red blood cells. You also need it for a healthy immune system, to regulate hormones and to produce energy. © Yaruniv-Studio / Adobe Stock The body isn’t able to make iron itself, so it needs to acquire this mineral from food. How much you need depends on your age, gender and current health, but typically adults require around 18 milligrams per day. Iron deficiency is pretty common, particularly among females of childbearing age, those who are pregnant and non-meat eaters. It can lead to anaemia, which can resu ..read more

Summer is the perfect time of year to show your nails off, but keeping them looking in tip-top condition isn’t always easy. While manicures and pedicures can help, you can do a lot to improve the appearance of your nails by following a healthy, balanced diet. Here are some of the best foods to consume if you hanker after strong and healthy nails, all-year-round. © alexngm / Adobe Stock Foods high in zinc If you want healthy nails, topping up your zinc levels is critical. Zinc helps cells to grow normally and healthily, and because cells regenerate quickly in nails, you need adequate supplies ..read more

Gym memberships don’t come cheap. At the lower end of the scale, you could pay around £20 per month to join a gym, while some swanky gyms in London charge members an eye-watering £575 monthly fee. © Vasyl / Adobe Stock Whatever you end up paying, you’ll want to get your money’s worth. Yet, with the average gym-goer shelling out £550 annually on membership and only going 13.5 times, this equates to a very costly £40 per visit. In order to ensure you get the most out of your gym membership and make every penny count, the following tips might come in handy.   Location matters Choose a gym that ..read more