Health | 100 Tips

15 Thoughts Every Person Has During a Massage

Photo: Getty Images

Massages are in-cred-ible. They are the perfect service to help you relax, recharge, and even fix some lingering health issues. But, they can be funny too. We’ve all been there—navigating the waters while a stranger massages your naked body can be awkward. And, our minds tend to wander.

We crowd-sourced the most hilarious (and most common!) thoughts every person has had during a massage because you’re not alone. Trust us.

1. I have to disrobe and get into this bed quickly just in case the masseuse comes back in here mid-jean tug. There is nothing more mortifying than a person watching you shimmy a bunch and peel off your skinny jeans. Really, there isn’t. Try to think of one.

2. Now that I’m under the sheet, how do I let them know I’m ready? Do I say anything? Has it been too long? If I don’t tell the masseuse that I’m ready to go will he/she forget about me and force me to lay here forever? I wonder if I can order Seamless to this spa.

3. OK the masseuse is back. Good thing I didn’t yell out that I was ready. Or have to explain that Seamless delivery guy.

4. This person’s hands are so soft. I wonder if I can ever make my hands this soft? It would probably mean I’d have to take up massaging as a profession which would be unfortunate for the industry because I’m terrible at giving massages.

5. Ahhh, finally relaxing. This is the most blissful experience I’ve ever had.

6. The heated bed is splendid. But, now I’m sweating. Is is embarrassing that I’m starting to perspire during this process? I wonder if everyone starts to sweat, or if this is a me-specific situation.

7. It feels so good that the masseuse is massaging my hands. But it’s kind of also like we’re holding hands now. Is this too intimate? Is it strange that I’m starting to think this is intimate? I need to turn off my brain.

8. Here comes the “flip over” situation. I’m totally naked and now starting to feel like maybe people don’t get completely nude for this. Here we go. I’m flipping over naked. Yup, that’s the front of me naked… and this is the back.

9. *flips over while cringing*

10. What is this delicious smell? The oil smells like rainbows and sunshine. I would buy an entire bathtub full of this stuff. Maybe if I did fill up my bathtub with this fragrant massage oil (and sit in it for the rest of my life) my hands would be as soft as this masseuse’s hands.

11. Is this supposed to hurt? I can’t tell if this is the “good” kind of pain or just, you know, pain. I bet this is going to do wonders for my back.

12. I hope the masseuse didn’t notice I just dozed off for a while. And my body totally twitched when I woke up.

13. Thankfully I didn’t let loose any other bodily functions while I snoozed. I think…

14. I hope this person is not a serial killer because they could relax me and kill me right now—and I wouldn’t know the difference. OK, now I really need to turn off my brain.

15. Is it over already? I never, ever want to leave. Nope. Not getting up. I wonder if I can work remotely while I lie here for the rest of my life. :)

This post originally appeared on MIMIchatter.com.

from Health News / Tips & Trends / Celebrity Health http://ift.tt/1IBFLm5

Safe to Use Blood Thinner Before Major Cancer Surgery, Study Finds

TUESDAY, Dec. 29, 2015 (HealthDay News)– Blood-thinning drugs can safely be given to certain patients before major cancer surgery, a new study suggests.

Operations increase risk for blood clots in the legs, which can dislodge and travel to the lungs, a potentially fatal complication called pulmonary embolism.

Blood thinners such as heparin are commonly given to patients after surgery, but there is little data on their safety and effectiveness when administered before major cancer operations, say researchers from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Based on the results, published online recently in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, the New York City cancer center has begun giving blood thinners to certain patients before major cancer surgery.

“This research has been a practice-changing study for our institution,” study co-author Dr. Vivian Strong, an associate attending surgeon, said in a journal news release.

“Our study results demonstrate to other institutions that you can use preoperative [blood thinners] safely, so I think that it has very broad-reaching, practice-changing implications,” she added.

In this study, researchers compared more than 2,000 patients given blood thinners before major cancer surgery with nearly 5,000 who did not receive blood thinners before major surgery.

The results showed that one dose of blood-thinning medication before surgery reduced the risk of blood clots and did not increase the risk of major bleeding or blood transfusion, the researchers said.

More information

The U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute has more about pulmonary embolism.

from Health News / Tips & Trends / Celebrity Health http://ift.tt/1NOvOk7

Thyroid Cancer Survivors: Good Prognosis, Gloomy Outlook?

TUESDAY, Dec. 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Thyroid cancer survivors report lower quality of life than people who survive deadlier cancers, a new study finds.

About 98 percent of thyroid cancer patients survive five years and more than 95 percent survive a decade, leading some to call it a “good cancer.”

Moreover, thyroid cancer, which is on the rise, could soon account for 10 percent of all cancer survivors in the United States, researchers from the University of Chicago Medical Center said.

The study included nearly 1,200 thyroid cancer survivors, average age 48, from across the United States and Canada. They were given a questionnaire that assessed their physical, psychological, social and spiritual well-being. The survivors reported an average of 5.5 out of 10 on a quality-of-life scale. This was lower than the average of 6.75 among survivors of colon, breast and other types of cancer that require more intensive treatment and have worse prognoses, the study found.

Thyroid cancer survivors have a high rate of disease recurrence and require lifetime cancer surveillance, which could help explain their lower quality-of-life scores, the researchers said.

“I think we all have this fear of cancer that has been ingrained in our society. So, no matter what the prognosis is, we’re just terrified that we have a cancer. I think this shows that,” study co-author Dr. Raymon Grogan, an assistant professor of surgery, said in a university news release.

Younger, female and less educated thyroid cancer survivors tended to have the lowest quality-of-life scores. Many had participated in survivor groups, the researchers noted.

After five years, however, the researchers found that quality-of-life scores gradually increased.

The study was published recently in the journal Thyroid.

Grogan wants to continue following the study participants and develop a tool to help doctors assess the mental health of thyroid cancer survivors.

More information

The U.S. National Cancer Institute has more about thyroid cancer.

from Health News / Tips & Trends / Celebrity Health http://ift.tt/1QY2T0G

Here’s Why You Really Need to Stop Worrying About Pooping at Work

Photo: Getty Images

I get bathroom stage fright when I try to go number two at work. Is it bad to hold it until I get home?

Sorry, but it is. Putting off a trip to the bathroom can lead to a buildup of gas and dry, hard stool, which can cause bloating and cramps. And it may become difficult, even painful, to pass the stool later on. (In other words, you’ll get constipated.) Unless you can arrive home quickly, you should move your bowels when you have the urge.

You’re not alone in feeling self-conscious about doing your business in public, but remember that most people don’t think twice about the smells and sounds others make in the bathroom. (News flash: That’s what it’s there for!) Take some deep breaths to relax and, if possible, let the faucet run while you go to help you feel less bashful.

If you really can’t stop stressing about pooing at the office, I would encourage you to start waking up earlier to have your breakfast and coffee—then sit on the toilet for a bit. That way, you’ll be able to get into the routine of going in the privacy of your own home.

Health’s medical editor, Roshini Rajapaksa, MD, is associate professor of medicine at the NYU School of Medicine and co-founder of Tula Skincare.

from Health News / Tips & Trends / Celebrity Health http://ift.tt/1JHkouk

5 Body-Positive Resolutions You Should Make in 2016

Photo: Getty Images

2015 was the year for body-positivity. Between celebrities taking a stance against body-shamers, athletes inspiring confidence, plus-size models scoring major deals, and everyday people using social media to share their stories, so many women spoke up for body love.

And now, it’s your turn.

With 2016 just a few days away, you’re probably thinking about your New Year’s resolution. While we’re all for making a plan to slim down, get fit, or eat better, we hope you’ll remember to cultivate love and respect for your body along the way.

We spoke with Ben Michaelis, PhD, clinical psychologist and author of Your Next Big Thing: 10 Small Steps to Get Moving and Get Happy ($13; amazon.com) and Marisa Moore, RDN, an Atlanta-based nutritionist, for tips on how to make 2016 the year you stop hating your body. Here, the body-love resolutions you should make.

Practice positive self-talk

Resolve to speak nicely not only about your body but also about your self-worth. We can be overly critical of ourselves, which only emphasizes small failures. It takes practice, but you can turn negative emotions into positive ones. “Focus on specific qualities you have that are unique and that help set you apart,” says Michaelis.

When you find yourself letting negative thoughts about your body enter your mind, turn instead to your recent accomplishments. Did you just run your fastest mile? Did you give a successful presentation at work? “These types of specific reminders can help you counter the global negative self-statements,” says Michaelis.

Exercise because you love and want to take care of your body, not because you hate it

If your only exercise goal is to lose weight, it might be hard to follow a routine. Instead, recognize that working out is good for your entire well-being—from your mental health to your physical state—and losing weight will just become a positive side effect.

Additionally, finding a workout that you love is key. You’re more likely to stick to an exercise regimen if it’s something that you actually enjoy, and if you view it as a time to better yourself rather than using it as a chore. If you like music, attend classes with great songs. Or if you like to be outdoors, try a running plan that allows you to hit the trails. If you are a social person, schedule group exercise classes with friends, says Dr. Michaelis. Your body can do amazing things, regardless of the way it looks, so you need to reward and take care of it.

Get rid of clothes that don’t fit

Empty your closet of clothes that you’ve accumulated throughout the years that no longer fit you and (if you need to) replace them with clothes that fit well. If you keep these constant reminders of a past self, you’re going to feel down on yourself whenever you see them. Instead, wear clothes that give you confidence.

Lose the scale

There are better ways to gauge your health—the number on the scale doesn’t tell the whole story. You might find that at a higher weight, you are stronger, faster, and more lean. Focus instead on the way that you feel and how you’re fueling your body.

Eat smart

“Calories are not the enemy,” says Moore. “It’s about being mindful and making the best choices for your body for the long term—not just during bikini season.” Focus on nutritious, quality foods rather than cutting calories. When thinking about your meals and snacks, opt for foods that that deliver plenty of nutrients to keep your body nourished. “Do right by your body by eating well to keep it healthy inside, versus employing tricks to get a (often temporary) physical appearance,” says Moore.

from Health News / Tips & Trends / Celebrity Health http://ift.tt/1ZzB0xq

Is the ‘No-Shampoo’ Trend a Healthy One?

By Dennis Thompson
HealthDay Reporter

TUESDAY, Dec. 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A new trend in beauty is based on the idea that less is more — at least when it comes to shampooing your hair.

Some people — including celebrity Kim Kardashian — have stopped shampooing their hair regularly, or even altogether, based on the belief that the detergents in shampoo strip hair of its healthy natural oils. This form of hair care has even been dubbed “no-poo.”

Kardashian recently revealed that she washes her hair only every five days.

But is this truly healthy for your hair and scalp?

That largely depends on the type of head you have, according to skin and hair experts.

“It’s not a one-size-fits-all situation,” said Dr. Angela Lamb, director of Westside Mount Sinai Dermatology in New York City. “It all depends on your hair type. There are some hair types that would tolerate it better than others.”

“No-poo” proponents clean their hair and scalp with products that contain no detergent, Lamb said. Alternatives run the gamut from a home-brewed concoction containing baking soda and apple cider vinegar to a variety of new manufactured products offered through salons that contain natural oils and non-detergent cleansers.

“There are a couple of salons in New York that are pushing it,” Lamb said. “Once I start hearing about it in my office, I know it has some type of following.”

Hair is made of protein, and at the root of every hair is an oil gland, Lamb said. The oil produced by this gland coats the hair and protects it from becoming brittle.

The thought behind the “no-poo” movement is that “by leaving the natural oils on the hair, the hair doesn’t need any styling products,” said Dr. Lisa Donofrio, an associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University School of Medicine. “If you don’t apply any styling products, then there is no need to wash your hair. No products, no need to wash them out.”

Hair products like gel, mousse or hair spray are one reason why people need to wash their hair regularly, Lamb said. “You don’t want to leave products in for a month,” she said. “Those are things you want to wash out, or the hair can become brittle and break.”

However, there are other reasons why people need to use a detergent shampoo on a regular basis, some health care experts contend.

For example, the scalp beneath the hair needs to be regularly cleaned of oil, dried sweat, dirt and dead skin cells, said Dr. Robert Dorin, a board-certified hair transplantation surgeon in New York City.

Those using “no-poo” products “aren’t really cleaning their scalp,” he said. “They’re not taking off the environmental impurities.”

People who don’t use detergent shampoo to clean the scalp run the risk of developing fungal and bacterial infections, Dorin said.

They also might suffer from irritation of the scalp, flaking and pimple-like lesions, Donofrio said.

Lamb added that regular shampooing also helps control and treat scalp problems, such as psoriasis, eczema and dandruff.

Still, there’s no hard-and-fast rule for how often to wash your hair with a detergent shampoo, the dermatologists agreed.

Lamb said that everyone is different, and the only way to know how often you should wash your hair is to experiment.

“You’re not putting your hair at risk by trying this,” she said. “Try it and see. Frankly, I have some patients who love it, and say their hair is the healthiest it’s ever been. And I have other patients who say their hair has too much build-up; their scalp is too oily; their scalp is itching.”

Donofrio agreed. “Bottom line: if you feel the need to join the no-shampoo movement, your hair will tell you if it works for you.”

More information

For more about hair problems, visit the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

from Health News / Tips & Trends / Celebrity Health http://ift.tt/1IBateU