Blog Posts by The Editors of Prevention

You probably know you don't look your best when you're under serious stress (ever catch the reflection of your furrowed brow in a window on a bad day?). Now science reveals all the ways the stress hormone cortisol literally gets under your skin, leading to dryness and other signs of aging. Use the following strategies to correct the top 5 stress symptoms and your complexion will look calm, cool, and collected-even if you're not.

Best anti-aging products that really work

1. Dryness
"Chronic stress increases the hormone cortisol, which damages skin's ability to hold on to water," says Peter Elias, MD, a professor of dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco. The resulting moisture loss also diminishes luminosity, explains David Goldberg, MD, a clinical professor of dermatology and director of laser research at Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

Correct It: Look for hypoallergenic, fragrance-free products. "Their lower pH prevents further dryness and inflammation," says

Don't go out with wet hair. Cover your mouth when you cough. These classic "mom" cold and flu tips were recently put to the scientific test. The verdict: Most won't keep us safe from viruses, though a few do have merit, says Rachel Vreeman, MD, an assistant professor of pediatrics at Indiana University School of Medicine. And Mom did get a couple of things right. Here, experts set the record straight on which motherly advice is worth taking.

1. You'll get sick if you go out in the cold with wet hair.
Truth: Exposure to viruses-not skipping the blow-dryer-causes cold and flu.
"Scientists have studied this really well," says Dr. Vreeman. "They've put cold viruses in the noses of two groups of people. One group was then exposed to cold/wet conditions, and people who were chilled were no more likely to get sick than those who weren't." Being outdoors can make your nose run (cold weather dilates blood vessels), but it doesn't make you more susceptible to viruses.

Worst habits that make

Nancy G. Brinker, founder of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Prevention's guest blogger for October, on how her organization is pushing for early detection:


At Susan G. Komen, we believe women should have access to the early detection screening tools that may save their lives. In most cases when we talk about early detection screening tools, we are referring to access to a screening mammogram. Yet for women with dense breasts-that is, breasts that have a higher level of tissue compared to fat-traditional mammography alone may not be effective in detecting tumors. This is because tissues and tumors both show up as white on a mammogram, and when you have a lot of dense breast tissue, an abnormality can be hard to spot, even to trained eyes.

6 habits that can save your life

Dense breasts are fairly typical in premenopausal women. If you have dense breasts--and one-third or more of women over age 40 do--pay attention. More than 50 studies have been published highlighting that women with

Do you get worked up over a mixed message from your boss or freak out over every bump or bruise? Follow these tips to stress less:

1. Imagine the best-case scenario
Visualize yourself dealing with a problem head-on-and resolving it successfully, says Rallie McAllister, MD, MPH. If you don't know or can't fathom what the best-case scenario is, it becomes that much more difficult to achieve, she says.

As new worries or challenges pop up, seek out a silver lining. "Whenever a new situation arises, immediately ask yourself, What's good about this?" says Dr. McAllister. Anxious about a biopsy result from the doctor? Tell yourself that you're being proactive about your health, and no matter what happens, you're better off finding out now instead of in 6 months or a year.

10 silent body clues you're stressed

2. Give yourself a pep talk
A little self-encouragement may be all you need to snap out of a bout of worry. Sometimes we're our own worst enemies, Dr, McAllister says. To make nice

It's October and that means everyone is thinking pink. Prevention asked Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker, founder and CEO of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, to share her deeply personal story of how one of the county's most powerful health advocacy programs began.

Suzy died August 4, 1980.

She was thirty-six years old. Her children were ten and six. Mommy was with her. I was on my way, but Daddy met me at the airport, his eyes rimmed in red, his mouth drawn down to a tight line of self-control.

"She's gone," he said. There was a shock wave of agony, relief, guilt, and sorrow. Then a strange state of white noise settled in my head. With a numb efficiency, Mommy and I ordered flowers and discussed appropriate readings with the rabbi. We agreed that Suzy personified Solomon's good woman in the Song of Songs.

I am a rose of Sharon, I am a lily of the valleys.

The casket was to be closed during Suzy's funeral, but there was a private viewing for the family before the service. The absolute

Brown spots, gray hair, and wrinkles? Predictable. When it comes to signs of aging, most women are well-versed in the usual suspects. But some unexpected factors could be making you look older than you realize.

14 surprising signs you'll live longer than you think


1. Under-eye Circles

Crows-feet get a bad rap, but under-eye circles are equally as aging. Losing volume under the skin is a natural part of getting older, says Carolyn Jacob, MD, a cosmetic surgeon and dermatologist in Chicago-this can cause deep depressions under the thin layer of skin. In addition, certain women naturally have extra pigment under the eyes, while others have prominent blood vessels that are showing through the skin as purple.

Turn back the clock: A few makeup tricks can help. Carmindy, the makeup artist behind TLC's "What Not to Wear", says to start with a very thin veil of foundation (a sheer spray works well)-thick layers or powder will settle into the depressions. Then, instead of a heavy concealer,

Having a low-energy day? Sometimes the problem is lack of sleep, but even if you're well rested, certain diet or exercise habits or other lifestyle choices can bring on a slump. And surprisingly little things-like the size of your Starbucks order-can hurt or help your energy levels. Make some of these tweaks to recharge your batteries and power through your day.

5 clues you're sleep deprived


1. Have bran for breakfast
Eating a morning meal rich in fiber may make you more alert during the day. A Cardiff University study found that subjects who ate a high-fiber cereal in the morning showed a 10% reduction in fatigue, lower incidence of depression, and better cognitive skills. One theory: Fiber helps slow down the absorption of food in the stomach, which keeps your blood sugar levels steady to sustain energy levels for a longer period of time.

9 morning meals that jump-start your brain


2. Order a small latte-and sip it slowly
Experts say it's best not to rely too heavily on caffeine,

Your emotional well-being isn't just about your genes or the kind of home you were raised in. It turns out that some pretty interesting factors-backed by science-play a role in how joyful you feel:

You were a smiley student

Adults with the biggest grins in their college yearbook pictures were up to 5 times less likely to be divorced decades later than those who looked less happy, according to a new DePauw University study. A smiler's positive disposition may attract other happy people or rub off on a spouse.

10 surprising habits that protect your teeth


You have a sister

People with at least one female sibling report better social support, more optimism, and better coping abilities, according to a study presented at the British Psychological Society's annual conference. Sisters appear to encourage communication and cohesion in families.


You're not glued to the TV

The happiest people spend 30% less time parked in front of the tube, according to a University of Maryland study that