Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2020 i Women's Health

Follow the ups and downs on Insta @ayakanai. “Motherhood helped me find the pool again.” My father loves to tell a story about when I was first put into a pool as an infant: I had zero fear and instantly swam under-water. Picture the baby on the Nirvana Nevermind album cover—that’s how quickly I took to it. Over time, swimming became my main sport, and I competed regionally through middle school. It helped that I was tall and broad-shouldered; I was built to be a swimmer. But as I got older, I spent less and less time in the pool. That’s changed now that I’m a mom. My 2-year-old daughter, Rei, is taking swimming lessons at a YMCA in New York City, and joining her has been like revisiting my…

“Your heart rate doesn’t lie” is the truth that inspired iFit’s new ActivePulse treadmill software, which uses your mid-run heart rate to auto-adjust the incline and speed as you work—the first of its kind. The goal? To help you sweat at the ideal intensity for your current sitch. Since your heart rate can vary based on heat, hydration, stress, and other factors, using it to inform your workout means you won’t go too hard…or soft. The tech is available on at-home Nordic-Track and Proform treadmills and will roll out to rowers and bikes later on. All you need is the machine, a Bluetooth-enabled HR monitor, and an iFit subscription—what a world, huh?!…

Nut butters have had their fun. Now there’s a cooler spread ready to be drizzled on all of your fave foods: tahini, a creamy (also Middle Eastern and Mediterranean) ingredient in hummus. Made from roasted sesame seeds, tahini is packed with healthy fat and nutrients. There’s selenium, an antioxidant that may strengthen your immune system; copper, which aids in iron absorption; and phosphorous to keep your bones strong. And these are just a few perks backed by research. The nutty, slightly bitter taste and Goldilocks-perfect consistency make it an ideal dairy- and gluten-free swap when you’re cooking or baking, so the options are endless. Find tahini at grocers like Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s, and opt for organic if possible. Then play magician with these delish and nutrish ideas. FOR…

1. YOUR RUNNING SHOES If you’re jogging outside, especially on trails or through grass, your sneaks are definitely picking up particles that can trigger allergies. Leave them outside your door if you can, or wipe ’em down post-run. 2. YOUR AIR FILTER It protects you from allergens—but not when you’re changing it. The switcheroo can stir up dust mites, dirt, and pollen in high concentrations. Wear a mask and gloves whenever you wash or replace it. 3. YOUR PHONE Anything you use daily, particularly outside, slowly builds a layer of dander. And since your phone touches your face, it can lead to bloodshot eyes, coughs, and sneezes. Clean it once a day with a disinfecting wipe. 4. YOUR HAIR Your hair collects pollen when you’re outside, more so if you…

You DIY your nail art and home decor, but STI tests? Yep, now you can do those yourself too. Nurx, MyLab Box, and LetsGetChecked offer at-home STI kits that can keep your checkup on the DL (available in select states). While they’re a game changer for people with limited doc access (say, in rural areas), you may still need to see an MD for treatment or to talk through any confusing results (e.g., you’re negative but still have symptoms). Source: Lauren Streicher, MD, clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, and founder and medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Menopause and the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Health…

BEFORE If you’re running the meeting, set a super-specific agenda, with time blocks for every task. Assigning your to-dos to particular times will help you stay focused and worry-free, plus serve as a visual motivator to get back on track if the meeting strays. DURING Take notes, yes, but go further: Keep a running list of which new tasks you can handle now, which you can put on the back burner for a bit, and which you may need to pass on to someone else. You’ll save some stress by triaging new duties right away. AFTER Enjoy a 10-minute microbreak, during which you go on a walk outside (nature is calming, duh) or start up a nonwork-related convo. The intentional recess tells your brain the meeting is over so you…

RISE AND SWEAT “On Mondays and Wednesdays I get up at 5 a.m. and work out for an hour. I have the same trainer as Michael [Anthony Gilkes], and we do a lot of weight training. I’m very into leg exercises, like lunges and step-ups, because when your legs are strong, everything else comes together. But I hit my core and arms as well.” GRAB A BITE “For breakfast, I usually eat eggs with veggies and turkey bacon. Sometimes I’ll drink coffee, but I don’t rely on it for energy.” CLEAN UP “My go-to products are a loofah and Olay Cleansing & Brightening Body Wash with vitamins B3 and C. If I wash my hair, I use Cantu shampoo and conditioner, and I brush my teeth in the shower to…

I was really hard on myself when I was younger—I picked at so many things: my weight, my hair, my skin. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized just how small those worries are—and I’ve learned to care much less. If I could tell little Nina one thing, it would be to sweat a lot, but not to sweat the small stuff. That point about sweating is a big deal to me because movement is so important for my mood. As much as I love working out while I’m doing it, I always tend to resist and procrastinate before-hand—I’m human! But once I’m done, the sense of accomplishment makes me feel confident. That’s why I use activity when I need a boost or am just having a bad day: I’ll…

There’s some unwritten rule in the universe dictating that the day you’re completely wiped from work by 4 p.m. will inevitably be the exact same one you have dinner plans you can’t cancel…again. Before you reach for a caffeine fix or try to find a spot for a quick snooze—choices that can mess with your sleep later—know that there’s a less disruptive (and faster!) alternative. A short circuit of high intensity interval training (HIIT) can give you a jolt similar to the one you’d get from coffee, by boosting blood flow throughout the body, says Heather Vellers, PhD, a clinical exercise physiologist and assistant professor at Texas Tech University. But what’s even more interesting is that turning these quick HIIT workouts into a daily ritual could reenergize your body’s smallest…

My legs feel as if they’re on fire when I run. No, not in the good, strong-and-fast-AF kind of way. Instead, I’m plagued by an itchy, pins-and-needles burning sensation in my legs and torso when I hit the pavement or treadmill. Sometimes a blotchy, raised rash comes with it, particularly in extreme temps. I’ve even had to make pit stops in coffee shop bathrooms mid-jog to splash cold water on my thighs and abdomen because the feeling has been so unbearable. It doesn’t happen on every single run, and sometimes when it does I can push through the discomfort. Other times? I slow to a walk and call it quits. I finally got fed up enough to do what any health reporter would: Google the problem and seek out a…

Cajun-Spiced Salmon With Cool Cucumber Salad TOTAL: 20 MIN SERVES: 4 4 5-oz pieces salmon1 Tbsp plus ¼ cup rice vinegar1 Tbsp no-salt-added Cajun seasoningKosher salt and pepper1 Tbsp grated fresh ginger2 tsp honey8 oz snap peas, halved6 radishes, thinly sliced2 Kirby cucumbers, thinly sliced¼ small sweet onion, thinly sliced¼ cup fresh mint, roughly chopped 1. Heat oven to 425°F. Place salmon a rimmed baking sheet. Brush with 1 Tbsp rice vinegar, sprinkle with Cajun seasoning and ¼ tsp salt, and roast until opaque throughout, 10 to 12 minutes. 2. Meanwhile, in a bowl, whisk together ginger, honey, remaining vinegar, and ¼ tsp each salt and pepper. Toss with vegetables and mint. Serve with salmon. Per serving: 331 cal, 16.5 g fat (4 g sat), 34 g protein, 322 mg…

THE TIME LIMIT If you know it’s in a person’s nature to complain just ’cause, set boundaries, says Orloff, who suggests saying outright you have only a few minutes to talk or text if you know she is a downer. If you’re in person, empathize, then make a gracious exit. THE LAUGH TRACK The next time you’re dealing with someone insensitive, “imagine a literal laugh track in your mind behind the mean comments,” says Eurich. “It jolts us out of going along with whatever they’re saying and taking that as reality.” THE DEACTIVATION You’re in a convo with a jerk, and you want to call them out—but in a kind way. Say “Ouch!” suggests Pacheco. The point is to show that what they said felt hurtful. “It offers the other…

Friday night drinks with your girlfriends, Saturday in the cycling studio, a quiet Sunday morning in bed with a big mug of coffee: Weekends are the look-forward-to times of adulthood. Case in point: the Instagram meme—one of many in this vein, btw—that reads “Better days are coming. They’re called Saturday and Sunday.” Yet all too often, these amazing days let you down. You yo-yo from one extreme (doing nothing because you’re so tired) to the other (stacking your sched and making yourself tired) and wind up zonked or regretful when the new week rolls around. The problem: You’re winging your weekends. “The work of thinking about what to do in order to relax can become a barrier to self-care,” says WH advisor Chloe Carmichael, PhD, a clinical psychologist in New…

48% OF WOMEN SAY “EFF THE ‘THREE-DATE RULE’” More women are having sex whenever it feels right, not when society gives the okay. If you’re unsure of the ideal timing for you, Fleming suggests playing out all the post-coital possibilities beforehand (e.g., if you never heard from them again, how would you feel?). 68% OF DATES DISCUSS CONSENT The ideal: 100%. But Fleming says we’re heading in the right direction. (Friendly reminder, especially for any dudes in the house: Consent is a verbal, enthusiastic “Yes!!!”) 60% OF BUMBLE DATES DISCUSS SEXUAL HEALTH AND STIS Yes, it’s important to know your partner’s STI status before doing the deed. A simple “When was your last test?” will get the discussion going.…

AT WORK… Imagine this: Stressed employees watch a video about how detrimental burnout is to well-being, while others view a clip about how workplace worry is beneficial. This test really happened: Yale researchers had colleagues watch a stress-is-good video and found they had lower blood pressure and higher job satisfaction than the ones who got info about the darker side of it all. IN BED… Fifty college students rated how well they’d slept the previous night, then got hooked up to machines they were told would measure brain waves. Researchers informed some they’d gotten crappy REM sleep, and others that they got a solid amount. Both groups were given a math problem. Spoiler: The students under the impression they’d had good sleep outperformed the others. IN THE KITCHEN… Two groups…

BE INTENTIONAL ABOUT YOUR DREAMS “I really believe in planning. I sit down every few months and think about my goals and each step needed to achieve them. And when you hack away the stuff that’s inessential, you can focus on the things that matter.” SEE THE REAL YOU “As a dancer, I spent many years looking at myself in the mirror, always criticizing what I saw and trying to be better. Now, when I look at my reflection, I focus on the things I’m most proud of.” GET COMFY TALKING ABOUT $$$ “Financial literacy is a core component of my self-care routine. That means feeling more assured and confident managing my money, which has been so important to me.”…

CARDIOLOGY Jennifer H. Mieres, MD Professor of cardiology, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell; senior vice president, Center for Equity of Care, Northwell Health DERMATOLOGY Mona Gohara, MD Associate clinical professor, department of dermatology, Yale School of Medicine Ellen Marmur, MD Founder, Marmur Medical Joshua Zeichner, MD Director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City FERTILITY Sheeva Talebian, MD Fertility specialist and reproductive endocrinologist, CCRM New York FITNESS Ben Bruno, CFSC Certified functional strength coach and private trainer Betina Gozo, CFSC Certified functional strength coach; NASM corrective exercise specialist; Nike master trainer; creator of Women’s Health Woman’s Guide to Strength Training Sohee Lee, MS, CSCS Evidence-based fitness coach and certified sports nutritionist; author of Eat. Lift. Thrive. Stacy T. Sims, PhD Exercise physiologist; nutrition…

PELVIC SIDE STRETCH Releases lower back, obliques, inner thighs Kneel with tailbone lengthened and core engaged; shift pelvis over left knee as you extend right leg out to side. Flex right foot, then extend right arm down inside of right leg. Bend left arm and lift elbow toward ceiling, hand on back of head, to expand through left side. Hold for 5 to 10 breaths; repeat on other side. ACTIVE TWIST Stretches rotator cuffs, chest Start on all fours, spine neutral and core engaged. Lift right arm to the side as you widen chest and look right, engaging muscles in right leg to stabilize pelvis. Hold for 5 to 10 breaths; repeat on other side. DYING WARRIOR Relieves IT bands, hamstrings, lower back From all fours, sink onto left hip,…

THE STEPS 1. Sit on bench grasping a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing forward, elbows at shoulder height and bent 90 degrees. 2. Brace core as you press weights straight overhead until arms are fully extended and next to ears. 3. Hold; reverse movement to return to start. WATCH FOR An Arched Back Use your shoulders, triceps, and core to do the lifting. Tighten abs and pinch shoulder blades together to save your back. WATCH FOR Weights Behind Head Dumbbells should stay slightly in front of your face at all times. If not, you risk damaging your neck and/or rotator cuff.…

There’s no downplaying the Big C…except when headlines are misleading. In December, a National Institutes of Health study that linked permanent hair dyes to an increased risk for breast cancer caused quite a stir, so here’s the fine print: While women who used perma dye in the past year were 9-plus percent more likely to develop breast cancer (the figure climbed to 60 percent for African American women who colored at least every five weeks, possibly because of differences in dye type and/or hair texture), those included in the study had sisters with the disease—meaning their genetic risk was higher. “The results are inconclusive,” says Stephanie Bernik, MD, chief of breast surgery at Mount Sinai West. If you have a family history of breast cancer, though, it can’t hurt to…

A: If you’ve gotta ask, you’re probably experiencing discharge, itchiness, and down-there discomfort. Well, I have some good news and some bad news, depending on whether you’re still with the guy in question. For starters, your BF’s yeast probably won’t cause an actual yeast infection, though the likelihood increases if he’s uncircumcised, since these organisms can hide under the foreskin. But you could be allergic to certain proteins in his semen—every guy has his own “cocktail”—in which case you need to use a condom every time you have sex, even if you’re on birth control. Still happening? Try a polyurethane condom to sidestep a possible latex allergy. If things still look or feel “off” a week later, get yourself to a gyno to rule out an STD, stat! Source: Katharine…

1. WHEN THEY SAY THEY COULD NEVER RUN A 10-K “You said that about X, too, didn’t you?” Bring up a feat, like nailing crow pose, that they didn’t expect to succeed in. Then offer to help. “So you’re not a runner yet. I’ll join you for some training runs. Brunch after?” 2. WHEN THEY BASH THEMSELVES AT WORK Let them vent (so you don’t dismiss ’em), then mention a past victory. Say: “I feel like you’re losing sight of all the other things you’ve accomplished because of this one sucky thing. Need me to remind you?” 3. WHEN THEY HARP ON A BREAKOUT Story time. “Remember that watermelon-size pimple I had on my chin last week? We’ve all been there.” Emphasize that insecurities are normal, but luckily, like blemishes,…

FOR THE VIEWS Seattle, WA Oh, the places you’ll go! Tons of waterside tracks—Mercer Island Loop, I-90 Trail, East Lake Sammamish Trail—will excite your heart rate and eyes. (The Pac NW is gorg.) Downtown, you’ll enjoy cyclist-specific traffic signals and bike shares with helmet rentals. FOR THE CONVENIENCE Minneapolis, MN It has the second-most bike lanes and trails per square mile of any major U.S. city. Check out the Midtown Greenway; it connects commuters to recreational trails, so you can ride pretty much anywhere: restaurants, shops, you name it. FOR THE FOOD Lancaster, PA Reward yourself with fresh ice cream as you ride by 43 miles of green pasture in Pennsylvania’s Amish Country. Lancaster Bicycle Club’s famed route starts at the Landis Valley Museum, with stops at Bird-in-Hand Bake Shop,…

Ever wish you could bottle the feeling you get after your first outdoor run in months? Awake, refreshed, energized. Turns out, that bottle actually exists…and it might smell like lemon. “In aromatherapy, I use citrus fragrances to surprise and awaken the spirit,” says Mindy Yang, fragrance expert and founder of NYC-based scent studio Perfumarie. “Zesty fruits, and herbs like peppermint and basil, are cheerful, refreshing, and invigorating.” It’s true, the scent of lemon can instantly boost your mood (and, according to research, even prompt the release of a neuro-transmitter associated with happiness and positivity). In addition to citrus, there are other outdoorsy fragrances that inspire you to soak up the fresh-air feels the season brings, Yang says. Think: juniper, green grass, and mint. Spring vibes start now with these products.…

If you find you’re clocking more time than usual in vagina-related vent seshes with your girlfriends and are nearing texting status with your gyno, you’re not alone. The most common diagnoses causing agonizing symptoms below the belt—that is, vaginitis infections—are creeping up across the board. Oh, and they’re coming back again and again…and again. The trifecta of conditions under this umbrella are bacterial vaginosis (BV), yeast infections, and trichomoniasis—and docs are seeing a rise in all three, says Natasha Johnson, MD, a gynecologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. The scary culprit behind the increase: Drug-resistant strains of the infection-causing bugs are becoming more prevalent. Any time you use antimicrobial meds (i.e., antibiotics), there’s a chance that some of the microbes will develop defenses against the drug and not…

Chill Out to Get Variety KRISTEN KISH, ARLO GREY AUSTIN, TX Don’t stress about having every single item prepped for an entire week. That can be overwhelming and lead to less thoughtful, bland meals. Instead, pack the freezer with palate-pleasing, buildable options by making curries, pestos, and pasta sauces. Freeze them in small portions; then, when you’re ready, you have a plethora of options: Thaw and serve on rice, toss with noodles, or coat your fave greens and sprinkle with nuts or seeds. This makes for a more flexible dish with very little effort. Win-win! Focus on Just One Item CHEETIE KUMAR, GARLAND RALEIGH, NC All hail the onion: Having small portions of caramelized onions at the ready is a simple shortcut to quick but complex bites. Make a large…

BURPEES SQUAT THRUST Burpees put pressure on your lower back and knees, and you might get sloppy when you’re cranking ’em out like crazy. Instead, start in a plank, hop feet outside of hands, then jump back into a plank. KETTLEBELL SWING KETTLEBELL DEADLIFT Swings involve a lot of mechanics, and too often, people hyper-extend their backs, bringing pain. A deadlift zeroes in on the main movement—a hip hinge—while engaging the core and glutes too. SQUAT REVERSE LUNGE Squats require ankle and hip mobility, which you can’t rush. You might throw your weight on your toes (not heels) when zipping through, hurting your knees. A reverse lunge, performed slowly, will do the job. Sources: Tatiana Lampa, personal trainer and corrective exercise specialist; Mayo Clinic…

Overtraining—going too hard, too fast—hits your body, sure, but also puts your mind through the wringer. Turns out, physical fatigue affects the brain area involved in executive function (e.g., memory, task switching) and decision-making, leading you to make poorer, or more specifically, immediately gratifying decisions, per a new study in Current Biology. The theory: Overtraining creates a biological imbalance that “needs to be solved” as soon as possible, so you choose what feels best in the moment over something better for your long-term goals—like pasta when you’re trying to cut carbs or driving to a nearby café instead of walking—in an attempt to recalibrate. Take notice if you’re struggling during exercise, or feeling more irritable, impulsive, or exhausted mid-routine or when you’re at rest. Those are early indicators that you…

Everyone wants their packaged snacks to resemble whole foods, and the newest buzzy bars, now found in the refrigerated aisle, may fit the bill. These cold eats are made with real fruits and veggies and without preservatives that make their sibling snacks “shelf stable.” But keep in mind: “There’s a ‘health halo’ surrounding cold food because it seems natural and fresh, so people ignore the nutrition,” says Charlotte Martin, RDN, a dietitian in Baltimore. Forget the way something is kept (ice cream is cold!) and check its label. “When choosing a bar, focus on three things: protein, fiber, and sugar.” Make sure it has 5 to 10 grams of protein, a few grams of fiber, and under 10 grams of sugar. Phyter’s Sweet Potato + Coconut bar meets the rec…

An estimated two out of three people with thyroid symptoms wait over a year to get a diagnosis—a BFD, because the butterfly-shaped gland controls your metabolism and secretes hormones that can affect your period, mood, weight, energy, and more. Yet most folks don’t know how to keep tabs on their thyroid at home. Till now. Step 1 ▸ Standing in front of a mirror, locate your thyroid. It sits in the middle to lower region of your neck, below the cartilage of your voice box and above your collarbone. Step 2 ▸ Look for any bulges or unusual swelling. A lump or enlargement could be benign (like hypothyroidism) or a sign of something more serious (like cancer). All clear? Move on to step 3. Step 3 ▸ Tilt your head…

More sex may mean later menopause, per new U.K. research. In the study, women who had sex weekly were 28 percent less likely to go into menopause over the decade-long experiment, compared with women who had sex monthly. “Orgasms release hormones that keep your reproductive organs alert,” says Laura Berman, PhD. FWIW, researchers defined sex as intercourse (obvs), but also as oral and masturbation (bless). So consider this a great excuse to invest in a new vibrator: “Menopause symptoms are milder when you’re older,” Berman says. Hey, later is better. Source: Royal Society Open Science study…

Twice as many peeps with depression smoke cannabis than those without, per new research. Their motive? Feeling high, not low. But there’s no proof that weed can pull you out of a funk. And while you might sleep better or feel less anxious, it could also lower your motivation. A better natural fix: exercise. Research shows that working out releases endorphins and proteins that improve brain function and make you feel better. Sources: J. Michael Bostwick, MD, psychiatrist at the Mayo Clinic; Dustin Sulak, cannabis expert, founder of Healer.com; National Survey on Drug Use and Health…

“What’s your sign?” an aesthetician asked as she examined my skin during a facial. It caught me off guard: What could being a Leo have to do with my breakouts? “Ahhh, a fire sign,” she responded. “No wonder. Fire signs attract a lot of inflammation.” At first it sounded outlandish. Then I learned nearly one-third of Americans believe in astrology, according to the Pew Research Center. And although I turn to the astrology apps for life issues, I fall somewhere in between when it comes to my skin: more than happy to blame my sign for a sudden dime-size zit on my chin yet also completely skeptical that the stars are truly the culprit. But! While astrology isn’t testable in any scientific way (obvi), it can be a useful tool…

1. Daily Defense “My skin takes a beating from grimy city air. This primer both blurs pores and strengthens my skin’s protective barrier.” —Kristina Rodulfo, beauty director 2. Healing Helper “Housed in a recyclable bottle, this three-ingredient mist fights bacteria and inflammation; it’s the perfect post-sweat spritz!” —Chelsea Traber Burns, senior beauty editor 3. Streak-Free SPF “The reef-safe formula uses sugarcane-derived squalane—which mimics your skin’s natural moisture—so it’s super hydrating and offers SPF 30 protection sans white residue.” —CTB 4. Redness Reducer “Like a breath of fresh air for your face, this cleanser, powered by jojoba and sunflower oils and papaya, calms hot, flushed skin. Bonus: The bottle is upcycled, ocean-found plastic.” —KR 5. Conscious Conditioner “I save water and time with this one because there’s no rinsing required—ideal when I’m trying…

Boric Acid Suppositories This med, which is inserted directly into the vagina, was actually the first line of treatment for yeast infections until modern antifungals hit the market, says ob-gyn Leena Nathan, MD. And now a spate of direct-to-consumer companies are making it the comeback kid. It can also be useful for BV and trichomoniasis because boric acid penetrates bacteria’s protective biofilm, making the little guys more vulnerable to antibiotics. But for BV or trich, you should use these inserts only in concert with antibiotics prescribed by your doc. A note of caution: If ingested, boric acid is lethal, so store it properly to keep it away from kids and pets. (Yeah…yikes!) WHAT TO BUY If you want your boric acid suppositories fast and delivered to your door, new companies…

Yes, a scrambled, fried, or poached egg can start your day off strong, but this humble a.m. staple is actually an underrated all-star in lunches, dinners, and desserts as well. The WH Test Kitchen dished on some of the magical powers of this perfect protein so you can fill up on eggs any time of day. Let’s get cracking. Super Sauce Go beyond toast and top a bowl of spaghetti with a sunny-side-up egg (the runny yolk becomes a built-in pasta sauce!). Watch ’Em Whip “Bake” up an instantly fancy, three ingredient dessert: Beat whites with sugar into a shiny meringue that you can dollop on fruit, then toast in the oven. Top It Off Move aside, Parm. Grating a hard-boiled egg over roasted asparagus, blanched green beans, or a…

Picture this: You’re seated at a conference table when your office’s new exec strides in and begins a presentation. You’ve never seen her before, and you’re captivated. Her vibe? Commanding. Her energy? Infectious. (Your colleagues’ eyes are on her, not their phones or laptops.) You want to blurt out, “Teach me your ways!” On the flip side, if a teammate always brings an angsty’tude to meetings, chances are you’ll breathe in those blues too. Negative energy is equally contagious, in the cover-your-mouth-when-you-cough way. That’s because humans unconsciously mimic each other, seldom realizing how much, research shows. When you closely engage with someone, you can take on each other’s mannerisms, emotions, and physiological processes like hormone release, heart rate, and neural patterns, says neuroscientist Emiliana Simon-Thomas, PhD, science director at the…

You could eat an apple a day in the name of your health, orrrr you could have an orgasm: The two are comparable in the body-benefits department, though one is way more fun. Studies show sex can relieve headaches, improve sleep, lengthen life span, and bolster immunity. Beyond the physical bennies, regular sex can also boost your self-esteem, reduce anxiety, increase job satisfaction (for real!), and, of course, bring you closer to your partner. Yeah, that’s a lot. Thing is, when Women’s Health (hi) and Men’s Health surveyed 1,467 people of all sexual orientations and ages about what they do in bed (or the shower, or car…), about 60 percent of women said their desires are usually or always met during sex, compared with 72 percent of men. Worse, 24…