We all love a good summer celebration—especially the 4th of July. Grilled favorites, cold drinks, sweet treats, late-night fireworks... it’s a time to unwind, connect, and indulge a little. But if you’ve ever woken up on July 5th feeling bloated, burned, or sluggish, you know that too much of a good thing can come with a cost. The good news? You don’t have to choose between enjoying yourself and supporting your health. A few thoughtful swaps and simple habits can help you fee

We’ve all heard the toll stress can take, but did you know that how you respond to stress matters just as much as how much stress you face? Chronic activation of the stress response (think cortisol spikes, racing thoughts, tense muscles) isn’t just exhausting, it’s been linked to inflammation, anxiety, poor sleep, a weakened immune system, and even accelerated aging. The good news: with targeted strategies, you can retrain your body and nervous system to stay resilient—even w

If you’ve worked hard to lose weight, whether through lifestyle changes, semaglutide (like Ozempic or Wegovy), or a combination of both, you might now be wondering: How do I keep the weight off for good? This is a common and deeply important question. Because no matter how the weight comes off, keeping it off requires a long-term, personalized approach. Whether you’re transitioning off semaglutide or have never used weight loss medication, this guide will help you build a str

In recent years, headlines have warned us of a hidden yet growing health threat: microplastics. These tiny particles are everywhere — in our oceans, in our soil, in the food we eat, and even in the air we breathe. Disturbingly, they’re also turning up inside our bodies. From the deepest trenches of the ocean to the highest peaks of Mount Everest, scientists have found plastic particles scattered across the planet. And now, they’ve found them in human blood, stool, and even or

This summer is gearing up to be hotter than ever, and for many of us, heat waves come with an unfortunate side effect. No, we’re not talking about pit stains or sunburns—we’re talking about summer bloat. If you’ve noticed your favorite jeans fitting tighter or your swimsuit feeling just a bit too snug, you’re not alone. Bloating during the hotter months is a real phenomenon, and it’s often linked to a combination of environmental stressors, lifestyle changes, and biological s

If you’ve ever wondered whether your daily cup of coffee is helping or hurting your health, you’re not alone. Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world, and one of the most studied. Some people swear it keeps them sharp, energized, and even healthier. Others avoid it like the plague, citing anxiety, insomnia, or digestive upset. So who’s right? A new study presented at the American Society for Nutrition found that women who consumed the most caffeine, p

Navigating adolescence can be challenging—for both teens and their families. At The Johnson Center for Health, the Teen Health Program is...

We all have that one song—or maybe a whole playlist—that instantly transports us back to a specific moment in time. Whether it’s the soundtrack of your teenage years or a tune tied to a cherished memory, nostalgic music has a unique power to stir emotions and influence brain activity. But the effects of nostalgic music go far beyond just making us feel good in the moment—it can actually play an important role in supporting our mental health and emotional resilience. Recent re

If you’ve been hearing a lot about GLP-1 lately—from headlines about diabetes drugs like Ozempic to new strategies for weight loss—you’re not alone. GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is a hormone that plays a powerful role in regulating blood sugar, curbing appetite, and reducing fat storage. It's no surprise that boosting GLP-1 levels is becoming a hot topic in metabolic health. But did you know that your gut microbiome may hold the key to naturally increasing GLP-1 and improv

Summer’s back—and so is that half-used bottle of sunscreen rolling around in your beach bag. But before you slather it on, ask yourself: Is it still doing its job? With rising UV indexes and earlier heatwaves in 2025, your sunscreen’s strength matters more than ever. Unfortunately, many products break down long before their expiration date, especially if they’ve been exposed to heat, light, or frequent use. Whether you're hitting the beach or just walking the dog, using expir