Blog Posts by Oprah.com

Photo: ThinkstockBy Jena Pincott

Mistake #1: Skipping Your Morning Joe

Too many cups of coffee make you feel as restless as a puppet and as highly strung. So the smart thing to do when you're stressed is to avoid the stuff completely, right? Not necessarily, finds a study at the U.K.'s University of Bristol. So long as you're female. When women collaborated with other women under nerve-racking conditions (like most stress studies, public speaking was involved), they performed better when they drank about three cups of caffeinated coffee (compared to decaf). They trusted their colleagues more, had more confidence in their performance and coped better overall. Meanwhile, coffee-drinking male groups performed worse under pressure. Stressed women often "tend and befriend," the researchers contend, while their male counterparts resort to "fight or flight." Caffeine appears to augment these behaviors--and, at least for women, that's a real perk.

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By Oprah.com

Photo: Oprah.comBy Nathalie Gorman

Your Bed Frame
If you've been thinking about replacing your bed but need a bit more cash, consider selling your current one--especially if it's the Ikea Edland. A frame from the Swedish vendor might not seem like a covetable item, but the Edland was dubbed the world's most popular bed by the cult home-design blog Apartment Therapy. It's certainly been featured in many a design magazine spread. Since it was discontinued recently, its desirability has increased, and you can expect to receive at least $150 when you sell yours.


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Photo: ThinkstockFramed Prints
Whether it's an old magazine cover or a rendering of sailboats gliding across a bay, almost any image in a frame will net you some cash on eBay. Assuming you're not waking up each day to a heretofore undiscovered print by Picasso, the going rate is about $30.

















Photo: ThinkstockTrunks
Your steamer trunk went with you to college. It was the coffee table in your first

Photo: Oprah.comPersonal trainer Ulrick Bien-Aimé had been working with harried corporate executives for years when he noticed something interesting: Many of his clients complained of feeling both physical and emotional stress in their lower back. "Stiffness in the body was the number one issue I heard during workouts," says Bien-Aimé. "When we're anxious or stressed, many of us don't breathe or contract our abdominal muscles properly, and tension builds up." To help clients release trapped energy, he made these four moves mandatory (hold each pose for 15 seconds).

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Start by lying on your back with your legs straight and your hands on your abdomen, about two inches below your navel. Inhale slowly through your nostrils and focus on pulling in your belly. Exhale gradually while pushing your abdomen toward your back.

Next, bring your knees to your chest while continuing to inhale and exhale. Remember not to hold your breath--whenever you extend or exert energy, you

Photo: ThinkstockBy Dr. Mehmet Oz

You're Exhausted
Roughly 53 percent of Americans say they're too worn out at the end of the day to fool around, according to a poll by Consumer Reports. To power up your sex life, consider powering down your gadgets. New research indicates that the backlight from the screens of electronics may be the reason you're not getting a good night's rest (the light tricks the brain by simulating daylight, making you less likely to fall asleep). A study by the Lighting Research Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute found that two hours of screen time before bed suppressed melatonin--the hormone responsible for regulating your sleep schedule--by about 23 percent.

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Chronic Conditions Are Taking a Toll
High blood pressure and diabetes can decrease blood flow in arteries, which may make it more difficult to get aroused. If you're unable to keep your blood pressure and blood sugar levels in check through diet and exercise,

Photo: ThinkstockBy Corrie Pikul

Happy Fruit
Oranges and papaya are high in vitamin B6 and folic acid, both of which have been found to be lacking in studies in patients who suffer from depression. 



Added perk: Many people swear that these fruits, with their pleasantly tangy scent and cheery orange hues, help wake up the senses.

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The Thinking Woman's Pick-Me-Up
Fish oil is famously high in polyunsaturated fatty acids that are essential to brain function and cardiovascular health. While there is an established link between people with depression and low levels of these omega-3 fatty acids, scientists are still trying to definitively prove that the reverse is also true. Some encouraging studies found that omega-3s have boosted the mood-elevating power of prescription antidepressants; in another large study, omega-3 supplements improved the symptoms of those diagnosed with depression but who do not suffer from anxiety (although this research was funded

Photo: ThinkstockBy Jenny Bailly

Unscented

What you think it means: Free of any fragrances.

What it really means: The product doesn't have a detectable odor--but may contain fragrances to mask its natural scent. If you're trying to avoid fragrance ingredients (which are the most common allergens found in skincare products), "fragrance-free" is a better label to look for--although it, too, can be tricky. "If the primary reason for including a fragrance is not related to scent--some fragrances, for example, can act as preservatives--then a product may still be labeled fragrance-free," says Baumann.

What to look for instead: If possible, test products labeled fragrance-free on your inner wrist and wait a day to see if you have any reaction. You can also scan ingredient lists for the most common fragrances that cause allergies: cinnamic alcohol, cinnamic aldehyde, eugenol, hydroxy-citronellal, geraniol, isoeugenol, and oak moss absolute.

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Photo: ThinkstockBy Lynn Andriani

The New Asian Green
As meatless mains become, well, mainstream, we're seeing more interesting vegetables in produce aisles. Komatsuna is one; it's a leafy green that's rich in vitamins and minerals. Like kale, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower, it has a lot of flavor and can punch up everything from soup to pasta. Earthbound Farm has just started selling a mix it calls Zen Blend, which includes komatsuna, baby spinach, baby kale, red pak choi and red mizuna. Eat it raw in salads; sauté it with garlic and olive oil and stir into pasta or serve as a side dish; or add a fistful to soup in the last five minutes of cooking.

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The Sneaky Baking Staple
You may have occasionally baked with applesauce before, but what you may not realize is that you can use any variety, smooth or chunky, in nearly any baked good, from pound cake to cranberry muffins to brownies. By replacing half of whatever fat the recipe calls for--such