Blog Posts by Healthy SELF, SELF Magazine

April Daniels Hussar, SELF magazine

Ever felt ravenous after a workout? We've been there. But a new study reveals that this isn't necessarily the only response -- in fact, the fitter you get, the less likely you are to crave food after exercise.

The study, published last month in the Journal of Applied Psychology, divided 30 young, fit volunteers into two groups. One group strenuously exercised on stationary bikes for an hour, the other group just sat quietly. The groups switched activities for a second session. Immediately afterward, both groups were shown pictures of different kinds of foods, from healthy salads to sugary treats, while MRIs scanned their brains for activity in the food-reward regions.

Surprisingly (at least to those of us who are ravenous after a workout!) it was the sitters' brains that lit up at the sight of juicy cheeseburgers and ice-cream sundaes, while the exercisers' did not; in fact, none of the food elicited much of a response at all for those coming off

Shannon Pandaliano, SELF magazine

Haven't found love on a dating website yet? It's not your fault!

Millions of Americans participate in online dating, for a variety of reasons: It's easy, it allows you to hide behind your computer while you search and it "introduces" you to far more people than you would meet at the gym or the bookstore. But if you've been on your share of online dates and haven't found anything close to a relationship, there's a good explanation for that.

Related: Yoga Moves for Flat Abs

"The Internet provides a convenient way to find other single people, and this can be a great thing for relationship-seekers who would not otherwise meet potential partners in the course of their daily lives," explains Benjamin Karney, Professor of Social Psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles, one of the authors of a recent research article about online dating. "But the promises that some sites make to find you an ideal lifelong mate are unlikely to be fulfilled,

April Daniels Hussar, SELF magazine

Think you eat a healthy diet? Even if you do, you might not be getting all of the important nutrients you need. According to a new CDC report, some groups, including women of childbearing age, may be low in certain key nutrients, like Vitamin D, iron, iodine and Vitamin B6 -- all important to your health and well-being.

To compile the report, CDC scientists measured levels of 58 biochemical indicators in the blood and urine of people who took part in the CDC's National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2003 through 2006. They found that, overall, only 10 percent of the U.S. population has a deficiency, but there are some troublesome areas, particularly for women and certain racial and ethnic groups.

"It can be difficult to meet every single nutrient need daily," says Marjorie Nolan, registered dietitian and spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. "As a general rule of thumb, if you are eating a variety of foods

April Daniels Hussar, SELF magazine

It's almost Earth Day! To celebrate, we've rounded up some of the very coolest new eco-friendly beauty, home and apparel products. Because even though this Sunday, April 22, will come and go, it's always easy (and chic) being green!

More from SELF:

5 Simple Steps to Cellulite-Free Skin

3 CrossFit Total-Body Workouts

50 Healthiest Snacks

6 Secrets to Firing Up Your Metabolism

SELF magazine

News flash: the urge to tweet can be even harder to resist than the urge to drink or smoke a cigarette, according to a new study from the University of Chicago! The super easy 140-character form of communication is so hard to resist because it is a fast, easy and accessible way to chat with the world, research indicates.

Related: Lose 2 Pounds a Week

And yes, tweeting is usually harmless - and fun! - but are there times when you should resist the urge to update? In some cases: yes. If you're constantly typing away on your phone, your real relationships may be getting shafted. If you and a pal are too busy Tweeting during happy hour to even talk with one another, then Twitter might be taking away time that should be spent nurturing real relationships.

Related: 20 Superfoods for Weight Loss

Sound familiar? Recognizing that you might pay a bit too much attention to updating your Twitter feed is the first step in building up your ability to resist the

April Daniels Hussar, SELF magazine

Recovering from Tax Day is a two-step fitness process. Yesterday included a sweaty interval-circuit workout to help release all pent-up aggressions. But today, it's time to recover, restore and renew with yoga.

Related: Lose 2 Pounds a Week

Anna Dioguardi, certified instructor at YogaWorks in New York City, put together a restorative yoga flow that will help relieve any lingering post-Tax Day stress. Best part... it's free!

To maximize the stress-busting benefits, hold each pose for 5 minutes. (Anna recommends using the Insight Timer app: set 5 minute intervals and allow the gentle chime to notify you to move into the next position.)

Related: 20 Superfoods for Weight Loss

Vipariti Kirani (Legs Up the Wall): Begin lying on the floor with a blanket under the hips. The upper body remains on the floor, hips against the wall and legs extended up the wall, making an L shape with your body. This particular restorative pose slows

April Daniels Hussar, SELF magazine

Many of us love the idea of volunteering, but just can't seem to find that extra hour in our week. Today, in honor of National Volunteer Week, we're taking the time to look at some of the great ways to give back, from helping girls develop self-respect (by running a 5K!) to assisting Michelle Obama to building homes around the world.

Related: Lose 2 Pounds a Week

Of course, volunteering isn't all about altruism -- it's good for you, too! SELF has reported that 92 percent of volunteers say it enriches their sense of purpose, 89 percent say it enhances well-being and 73 percent say it reduces stress, according to a UnitedHealthcare poll. Here are five causes that are good for you and the world around you:

1. Help Girls Develop Self-Respect and Healthy Lifestyles!
Girls on the Run is an awesome organization, dedicated to educating girls and preparing them for a lifetime of self-respect and making healthy choices. Not only will you have the opportunity

April Daniels Hussar, SELF magazine

Brad and Angie, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G. First comes love, then comes ... wait! That's not necessarily how it goes anymore, with a growing percentage of Americans delaying or forgoing marriage. A recent CDC report found that one out of every four babies in the U.S. is born to an unmarried, cohabiting couple.

In fact, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie long served as the poster couple for the new wave of lovebirds who are cohabiting and even having kids together without tying the knot -- until last Friday, when Brad Pitt confirmed that he'd finally put a ring on it.

So after seven years and six kids, why are Brad and Angelina finally making it official?

According to wedding expert Sharon Naylor, author of Bridesmaid on a Budget and over 35 additional wedding books, it's time to get married when ... you feel it is.

Related: Lose 2 Pounds a Week

"It's not when enough people push you to get married, not when you hit a certain age -- like 'I'll