Author: Sarah Treleaven

Filed under: Love & Relationships, Advice

We all have fears that affect the ways in which we interact with those around us. But sometimes those fears are so powerful that they prevent us from achieving true intimacy and trust with those we love. Psychologist and relationship counselor Dr. Brenda Shoshanna, author of the upcoming Fearless (The 7 Principles of Peace of Mind) explains how fear can ruin a relationship – and how you can take steps to get rid of the fear that gets in the way of living a full, satisfying life.

Q: How does fear change the way we behave?

A: Fear is a toxin that infiltrates every aspect of our lives. It lowers our immune system, clouds thought and creates all kinds of catastrophic expectations that will never take place. Our lives become constricted and [we’re] unable to live with joy, spontaneity, well being and ease.

Q: Where does fear come from?

Continue reading How Does Fear Affect Your Relationships?

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Filed under: Health, Fitness, Ask a Fitness Expert

Do you spend most of your day hunched over a keyboard? If so, you might find that you accumulate a lot of stress and strain in your wrists, hands, shoulders and back. We asked fitness expert Kathleen Trotter to provide some tips on how to counteractive the negative effect of working at a desk all day.

Q: What are some of the most common physical problems associated with sitting at a computer all day?

A: Sitting at a desk all day can cause numerous postural problems including rounding in the upper back, tightness in the chest, arm bones that sit too far forward in the shoulder socket, forward head position, and wrist and elbow pain and/or weakness. In the last few years, within the discourse of physical activity and health, people have become more aware of the negative relationship between sitting at a desk and posture, core and back health. I consistently get told by new clients that they want to improve their posture when they sit at their desk. They want to learn to use their core and upper back muscles properly so they don’t slouch.

Continue reading Sore From a Long Day at the Desk? Try These Exercises

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Filed under: Health, Healthy Eating

Most of us are trying our best to eat more healthfully, locally and naturally – occasional lapses with something aside – and it just seems like common sense that anything grown at home or on display at a farmers’ market is better for you than … Read more

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Filed under: Sex, Love & Relationships, Happiness

For many people, living with a partner before considering marriage just makes sense – it’s a test run to determine whether you can really live together peaceably, or whether you’ll actually send each other screaming in opposite directions. It might come as a big shock that he refuses to do the dishes or that she sometimes watches 12 straight hours of television. You can learn a lot about people when you’re dating, but when you have separate apartments you can still retreat to your own space to engage in whatever weird behaviour you want. This week, Sam Roberts at The New York Times looks at a study that explored whether couples who live together before they get married are more likely to stay married.

And what’s the verdict?

Continue reading Does Living Together First Make Marriage Last?

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Filed under: Health, Healthy Eating

March is national Nutrition Month, so you’re likely going to hear a lot about how Canadians eat – and how they can eat better. A recent Canadian Press story (More Canadians favour local food over imported, dietitians survey reveals by Judy Creighton) … Read more

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Filed under: Happiness, Health, Fitness, How to Be Happy

Some people think of exercise as something that pumps you up and boosts your adrenalin, but the results of a new study indicate that regular exercise can actually significantly reduce the symptoms of anxiety. According to a story over at … Read more

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Filed under: Love & Relationships, Advice, Happiness, How to Be Happy

Worried that you’ve become too picky to ever find someone that can make you happy? We asked Lori Gottlieb, author of Marry Him: The Case for Settling for Mr. Good Enough, to explain how being picky about the right things (instead of everything) can … Read more

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Filed under: Health, Fitness, Ask a Fitness Expert

There’s been a lot of talk about “the core” these days, thanks in part to the increasing popularity of yoga. But what is the core, why do we need to strengthen it and what are the best ways to work it? We asked fitness expert Kathleen Trotter to explain.

Q: What is the core?

A: There is a common misconception that the superficial “six pack” abdominals are what constitutes your “core.” In truth, the core spans the entire torso region and ends above the knee. The muscles that make up the core include the superficial abdominals (rectus abdominals) as well as the deep abdominals (transverse abdominals), external and internal obliques, back muscles (for example the multifitus muscles) and the muscles of the hips (for example your glutes and inner thighs). A well functioning core is able to use all these muscles to effectively and efficiently carry out movement.

Q: Why do we need to strengthen it?

Continue reading What is the Core and Why You Should Strengthen it

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Filed under: Health, Healthy Eating

We’re constantly being cautioned to slow down when we eat – not just to avoid an application of the Heimlich Maneuver, but also to take the time to enjoy and be more mindful of what we’re eating. But it’s also been said that eating more slowly can help you reduce the number of calories you’re eating. This week, The New York Times tackled this question (Really? The Claim: To Cut Calories, Eat Slowly by Anahad O’Connor).

So is it true that eating more slowly helps you cut calories?

Continue reading Can You Really Cut Calories By Eating More Slowly?

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Filed under: Advice, Happiness, Health

Naps have a bit of a bad reputation; they’re usually associated with small children and the hungover. But a new study suggests that daily naps might actually refresh your brain and boost your ability to learn. In fact, the findings suggest that the … Read more

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Filed under: Sex, Love & Relationships, Advice, Health

We’ve been hearing a lot about sex addiction over the past few years – most recently, and unavoidably, with the whole Tiger Woods multiple mistresses debacle. This latest round of Tiger news has triggered a lot of talk about what sex addiction … Read more

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Filed under: Love & Relationships, Happiness, Health

If you’ve ever had your heart broken, you’re familiar with that crushing pressure that sits in your chest (and sometimes moves to the pit of your stomach) and lingers for weeks to remind you of the love you just lost. But while we tend to think that … Read more

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Filed under: Happiness, How to Be Happy

Most of us tend to place vacations on a pedestal – they seem like a semi-annual answer to all of our problems. If I can just make it to the next vacation, if I can just have a chance to wade into the ocean or fulfill a lifelong dream to walk up the … Read more

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Filed under: Sex, Happiness

Pornography has traditionally been considered the domain of men — they’re the ones who consume most of the magazines and videos, and they’re also very powerfully turned on by visual stimulus. But is it possible that sexy movies and images could have … Read more

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Filed under: Love & Relationships, Happiness, How to Be Happy

Have you had trouble over the years deciphering the signs that point to the dude you’re dating being a dud? Well, Anne Milford and Jennifer Gauvain have written the book for you: How Not to Marry the Wrong Guy: Is He “the One” or Should You Run? A Guide to Living Happily Ever After.

Milford and Gauvain talked to hundreds of women who settled for unfulfilling relationships. Last week, just in time for a Valentine’s Day breakup, the two authors outlined some of the book’s key highlights over at The Daily Beast (“How Not to Marry the Wrong Man“).

So, why do you date the wrong men?

Continue reading How Not to Marry the Wrong Guy: Five Reasons You Stay With a Dud

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Filed under: Happiness, Health

Over the last several years, we’ve been bombarded with information about how to make our hearts healthier – and most of the tips focus on lifestyle elements, such as eating right, exercising regularly and getting enough sleep. But did you know that being happier can also make your heart healthier? According to a recent study reported by Reuters (Happiness Makes for a Healthy Heart by Kate Kelland), people who are happier and more enthusiastic are less likely to develop heart disease than those who tend to be glum.

So how can being happier and more positive cut heart health risks?

Continue reading Happier People Have Healthier Hearts

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Filed under: Advice, Health, Breast Cancer

For over a decade, there have been rumours of a connection between the wearing of bras and the prevalence of breast cancer. Some of the rumours allege that women who wear bras are 100 times more likely to develop breast cancer than those who forgo bras. Underwire has also been blamed as a culprit, with allegations that the wire prevents lymphatic drainage and traps potentially fatal toxins in the breast tissue. Some sites have even alleged that the connection between bras and cancer is much stronger than the connection between smoking and cancer.

While most of us are wise enough to be dubious about many of the things we read online, some of the information has come from seemingly credible sources. This week, The New York Times article “Q&A: Bras and Cancer” asked Dr. Ted Gansler, director of medical content for the American Cancer Society to respond to the rumour.

So, is there a connection between bras and breast cancer?

Continue reading Do Bras Cause Breast Cancer?

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Filed under: Health, Fitness

Need help butting out plus some extra incentive to hit the treadmill? Well, it turns out that exercise might be a good way to combat those nicotine cravings when you’re trying to quit smoking — and it’s also a good way to avoid those dreaded extra pounds that a lot of new non-smokers pile on, as they regain a healthy appetite and use food as a substitute for cigarettes. According to researchers at the University of Western Ontario’s new Exercise and Health Psychology Laboratory (as reported by Science Daily in “Sweating out the Cravings”), working out may be your best defense against cravings.

Continue reading Can Exercise Help You Quit Smoking?

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Filed under: Sex, Love & Relationships

The value and types of alleged aphrodisiacs have been much debated — most recently in The New York Times story, ‘A Viagra Alternative to Serve by Candlelight,’ by Sarah Kershaw. Wondering what you should feed your Valentine to bring out his or her … Read more

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Filed under: Love & Relationships, Advice, How to Be Happy

Trying to recover from a broken heart and feel like Valentine’s is getting you down? Maybe it’s time to apply some Buddhist wisdom. We asked Susan Piver, author of The Wisdom of a Broken Heart: An Uncommon Guide to Healing, Insight and Love, to explain how embracing both Buddhism and a broken heart can teach you how to really love.

Q: Why did you decide to write this book?

A: There are two reasons. One, it definitely started with my own experience of heartbreak. It was a while ago, but I’ve never forgotten it because it was so intense. Everyone’s had relationships that have ended and made them sad, but occasionally one ends and it absolutely shatters you. I had that experience, and I’ve seen friends have that experience, and I was astonished by the power of a broken heart. Our society gives it short shrift, especially for women. The other reason is that I started studying Buddhism and I found, to my surprise, that Buddhism had a tremendous amount to say on this topic of heartbreak and love. As a student and now a teacher, I wanted to share it.

Continue reading Can Buddhism Help Heal Your Broken Heart?

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