This week, we’ve got all of this year’s best gifts in health and fitness.Give ’em to your greatist friends and family. (But hurry, cus it’s ya know, a week into December already). And ever heard of laughter therapy or wilderness therapy? We got the deets on some alternative therapies, and found out how some people are drawing, dancing, laughing, and maybe even hypnotizing themselves to better health.
Editor’s Picks This Week
8 Alternative Mental Health Therapies ExplainedNowadays people are sorting through emotions, conquering phobias, and facing childhood traumas without ever lying down on the proverbial therapist’s couch. Greatist sorts through popular alternative mental health therapies.
News: Feeling Nostalgic May Literally Warm Us Up Need a way to combat the cold? A new study says taking a hit of nostalgia (Pogs! Grandma’s photo album!) can literally warm us right up.
The 17 Most Amazing Fitness Vacations Fitting fitness into vacation time isn’t always easy. We’ve rounded up 17 action-packed getaways — from beach boot camps to surf and yoga retreats that will get you in shape at your own pace.
Healthier Ways to Bake Without Butter or Oil With the holidays coming up, we’re pumped to try out some killer new baking recipes. So we rounded up some of the best, healthiest baking fat swaps for lighter treats with all the flavor.
Health
83 Healthy Recipe Substitutions The top 83 healthy recipe switches to take any meal to the next level.
News: Smiley Face Tattoo Monitors Body Stress Temporary tattoos are in again — and this time, with the over-10 set! Researchers have invented a stick-on tat that can track internal pH levels and other metabolic pathways.
Inspiration From Around the Web #imagreatist The #imagreatist community is inspiring everyone to make healthier choices. From morning yoga to afternoon circuit workouts, here are some inspiring choices greatists have made this week.
Know Before You Go: Donating Blood Usually, we’re all about getting the blood pumping in the gym or on the trail. Here’s everything you need to know about donating blood so that first needle will come as no surprise.
News: New Report Names 10 Most Health-Conscious Cities Does the number of scheduled doctor’s appointments in a city determine how health-conscious it is? Learn what ZocDoc’s 10 Most Health-Conscious Cities of 2012 list really means.
The Greatist Table: 5 Healthy Root Vegetable Recipes from Around the Web Root vegetables like carrots, parsnips, turnips, and rutabaga may not be winning any beauty contests, but these local winter gems are full of vitamins and nutrients.
The Essential Holiday Gift Guide For Health Nuts The holidays are all about gift giving and receiving. Swap the old standbys (ahem, winter socks and ugly sweaters) for some fun and healthy gadgets, snacks, and cookbooks.
News: Ultrasound Technology Can Make Spinach Safer Snacking on super-healthy spinach is great for health, but this dark leafy green is especially susceptible to contamination by bacteria like E. coli. Last week, a University of Illinois professor invented a new, much more effective way of cleaning spinach.
11 Surprising Condom Facts for World Aids Day Today is World AIDS Day, and the start of AIDS awareness month. Time to brush up on sexual health. Find out how condoms are made and 11 facts you might not have known.
News: Cigarette Companies Forced to Say “We’re Sorry” to Public A recent ruling has forced cigarettes companies to admit they lied about the dangers of smoking cigarettes in a public media campaign. Read the details here.
Recipe: Healthier Onion Rings (Baked) Enjoy these “fried” treats without the guilt of the classic recipe.
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Grilled Cheese Say cheese! Find out everything you ever wanted to know about the grilled cheese sandwich, from its humble beginnings to how to make the perfect, healthier sandwich.
Happiness
News: How One Non-Profit Is Turning Vitamins into Social Good Vitamin Angels is trying to raise $200,000 to send essential micronutrients to children around the world. Find out more about the campaign and why it may be worth your while.
10 Unexpected Ways to Meditate Every DayHave trouble sitting still? Not all practices involve sitting in lotus position with eyes closed. Find your center with one of these alternative meditation styles.
News: Journaling About a Breakup Might Make it Harder to Move OnTeenage self, take note: Journaling after a break up might actually make things worse, a new study finds.
Lumawake: An iPhone Dock That Simulates the Sunrise Looking for a better, smarter night’s sleep? The Lumawake, a bedside iPhone dock, sleep tracker, and sunrise simulator promises a better rest. Read on for a preview of the device.
Post-Movember Motivation from Olympic Legend Mark Spitz Another successful Movember has come and gone, but some folks — like Olympic Legend Mark Spits — think you can still wear one loud and proud. Read on to find out.
Poster: Believe You Can and You’re Halfway There Pumped about a goal but dreading the journey? With the newest inspirational poster from Greatist, it’s easy to stay on track.
Fitness
13 Smart Ways to Boost Workout Intensity Looking for better results from exercise? Well look no further — these 13 techniques will add some sizzle and substantial results to any workout routine in need of a reboot.
We Did It: SLT Shred Yoga Last week the Greatist Team headed to SLT for a cardio and strength-inspired yoga class that literally kicked our butts.
The Essential Holiday Gift Guide for Fitness Buffs The holidays are all about gift giving and receiving. Swap the old standbys (generic gift certificates and hard-as-rock fruit cakes) for some fit-friendly gear to last all year long.
FitChickintheCity and How Fitness Communities Have Moved Online For Jess Underhill, running isn’t just physical exercise — it’s a way to stay sane. On her blog she offers bits of inspiration to help her thousands of followers fall in love with fitness.
News: Grab a Partner for a Better Workout A new study found exercising with a partner who’s just a little bit better than we are can motivate us to work out harder.
Is It Safe to Exercise in the Cold?Temperatures may be dropping, but our motivation shouldn’t freeze up, too. Read on for the need-to-know on exercising in the cold.
The “Egyptian Popeye” Has World’s Biggest Biceps Moustafa Ismail has 31 inch biceps that landed him a spot in the 2013 Guinness World Record. His arms sparked controversy over the legitimacy of his disproportionate, Popeye arms.
