PROTIME-FITNESS HOLISTIC HEALTH AND WELLNESS

  HOW TO KEEP YOUR BRAIN YOUNG AND HEALTHY Your brain’s real age isn’t written in stone—it can be shaped by how you live every day. That’s the takeaway from new University of Florida research, which found that habits like optimism, quality sleep, stress management, and strong social connections don’t just make you feel better—they can keep your brain years younger than your actual age. In some cases, researchers saw brains looking up to eight years younger in folks who adopted the proper habits, even among those struggling with chronic pain. So, what’s your brain’s age? It might be older or younger than your birth certificate, say if you care about staying sharp as you age (and let’s be real, who doesn’t?), your day-to-day choices matter—a lot. The University of Florida team used advanced MRI scans to track 128 adults, most living with chronic pain. By pairing scans with machine learning, they were able to estimate each person’s “brain age” and spot the difference between that numb...

KETTLEBELL SWING: A PROVEN EXERCISE FOR POWER AND ENDURANCE   There aren’t many exercises that hit as many benefits in as little time as the kettlebell swing. It’s not just gym folklore, either — peer-reviewed research confirms that this simple, powerful movement delivers results that put it in a league of its own. Let’s start with your heart: swings aren’t just for strength junkies. Researchers have found that a hard-hitting kettlebell swing session can get your heart pounding and lungs working just as much as a treadmill run, with the bonus of sculpting muscle at the same time ( The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research ). It’s probably the most efficient way to double-dip your cardio and resistance training goals. From a strength standpoint, the kettlebell swing is all about the posterior chain — those powerhouse muscles up your back, from your hamstrings and glutes on up to your lower back. EMG studies show that swings activate your hips and back in a big way, but wit...

  ROAD RAGE: AVOIDANCE AND MANAGEMENT Road rage isn’t just someone yelling at a steering wheel—it’s a real pattern of aggressive driving that can quickly turn dangerous. As traffic gets worse and commutes drag on, understanding what really sparks road rage and how to steer clear of it matters more than ever. Why People Lose Their Cool in Traffic It’s easy to think road rage is just about bad drivers or heavy traffic, but it’s not that simple. Studies show it’s a tangled mess of personality, stress, and sometimes even deeper issues. People who are quick to anger or act on impulse tend to lose their patience faster behind the wheel. Layer on everyday frustrations—being late, crowded streets, that driver who just cut you off—and it’s a recipe for trouble. Researchers have even linked this all to underlying psychological tendencies (see Aggression and Violent Behavior; Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology). Most road rage doesn’t explode out of nowhere. It usually starts smal...

CANCER: PREVENTION IS KEY   We all know someone touched by cancer — maybe a friend, a family member, or even ourselves. But here's some good news: taking charge of your health today can make a real difference in cancer risk down the road. Over the past few decades, scientists have dug deep into the ways everyday choices can help prevent cancer, showing that even modest lifestyle tweaks add up. It's not just a one-size-fits-all message like “quit smoking” or “wear sunscreen.” Prevention now leans on specific, evidence-backed shifts. Maintaining a healthy weight, eating a vibrant mix of fruits and vegetables, cutting back on alcohol, and carving out time for regular movement? These aren't just vague guidelines. Study after study confirms they lower your risk of some of the most common and deadliest cancers. And don’t overlook stress: regular exercise and mindful habits, whether it’s yoga, meditation, or simply unplugging for a walk, help manage stress, which may play a role i...

  New Airflow Device Stops Indoor Germs in Their Tracks A team of UBC Okanagan engineers may have found a new way to stop germs before they spread indoors. Their “jet-sink” airflow device traps airborne pathogens nearly as soon as they leave someone’s mouth—cutting down exposure far more than typical ventilation systems ever could. Most people don’t think much about the air they share—until winter rolls in and every cough starts sounding like a threat. With colds and flu on the rise every season, the quest for cleaner indoor air matters more than ever. Enter UBCO’s Dr. Sunny Li, Dr. Mojtaba Zabihi, and Dr. Joshua Brinkerhoff. They’re working on a more innovative approach to indoor air quality, tackling a longstanding problem: most buildings aren’t designed to keep airborne germs at bay. Why Old Ventilation Isn’t Enough Most ventilation systems move air through big spaces. A few get fancy by blowing clean air directly at people, like those little airplane vents above your seat. But ...

RUNNING'S HEALTH BENEFITS AND HOW TO GET STARTED   Running isn’t just another workout trend—it’s one of the simplest, most thoroughly studied ways to change your life. You don’t need fancy equipment or a complicated routine. The research is in: just a bit of running, even once a week or less than an hour total, slashes your risk of dying from all causes, trims your chances of heart trouble or cancer, and helps you live longer. It doesn’t matter if you’re racking up marathon-level miles or just getting out the door for a jog around the block—the payoff starts early and builds from there. And here’s some good news for beginners: those benefits aren’t reserved for people crushing daily workouts. When researchers examined individuals who transitioned from virtually no activity to running even short intervals, the changes were substantial. Lower blood pressure, stronger hearts, healthier cholesterol levels, and less body fat—even at just a few weekly outings. So you don’t need perfectio...

GUT HEALTH: UNDERSTANDING PREBIOTICS AND PROBIOTICS   Gut health is having a moment—and for good reason. Science now shows that the mix of microbes in your digestive system isn’t just about avoiding stomach aches: it shapes everything from immunity to energy levels to how steady your mood feels day-to-day. More and more research points to the gut microbiota—the “ecosystem” of bacteria and other organisms that live in your gut—as a key player in all this. When your gut is in balance, you’re more likely to feel your best. One of the easiest ways to nudge your gut toward health? Prebiotics and probiotics. These two aren’t just wellness buzzwords; they’re backed by stacks of clinical evidence—and they work even better together. So, what’s the difference between prebiotics and probiotics? Prebiotics are special fibers and plant compounds—the stuff you find in foods like garlic, onions, bananas, and whole grains—that feed the friendly bacteria in your digestive tract. Think of them as fe...