Credit: iStock/Bongkarn Thanyakij Have you ever gotten sick during one of the busiest, most stressful periods of your life? You might think it’s terrible luck that you don’t feel well when you can least afford to. But maybe it is not a cruel coincidence. Maybe being busy and frazzled is exact reason you’re under the … Continue reading Why Do We Get Sick When We’re Stressed Out?
Stress
Why Do Your Hands Get Cold When You’re Stressed?
Credit: iStock/pepifoto You’re about to speak in front of a crowd or maybe waiting for something that matters more than you’d like to admit. Without warning, your hands grow cold. It feels small, almost trivial, but it is one of the clearest expressions of your body reorganizing itself. Your body interprets stress as a potential … Continue reading Why Do Your Hands Get Cold When You’re Stressed?
What Your A1c Doesn’t Tell You
Credit: iStock/Md Saiful Islam Khan Imagine you’ve got diabetes and are at the doctor’s office. You leave your appointment reassured; your A1c is “good,” neatly packaged into a single number that suggests control, stability and safety. It feels definitive. But physiology rarely speaks in averages. A1c measures how much glucose has been sticking to the … Continue reading What Your A1c Doesn’t Tell You
Laughing as Medicine: Why a Giggle a Day Might Be Good for You
Credit: iStock/FG Trade Latin We’ve all heard the saying “Laughter is the best medicine,” but what does science say? It turns out that laughing isn’t just pleasant, it can be genuinely beneficial for your mind and body throughout your life. Let’s start with stress. Chronic stress is everywhere in modern life, contributing to anxiety, fatigue … Continue reading Laughing as Medicine: Why a Giggle a Day Might Be Good for You
From Cortisol to Calm: The Physiology of Calm Breathing
Credit: Amin Mohajeri “Take a deep breath.” You’ve probably heard that advice—before a big exam, a tough conversation or when you’re feeling overwhelmed. And if you’ve ever noticed that it actually helps, you’re not imagining it. Your body has a built-in system for finding calm, and breathing is the key that unlocks it. When stress … Continue reading From Cortisol to Calm: The Physiology of Calm Breathing
Dreams, Challenges and Resilience: A Journey Through Grad School
Credit: iStock/Huseyin Bastanci I have always dreamed of earning a doctoral degree in science. I still remember a moment from 15 years ago, chatting with my friend and sharing my aspiration for getting a PhD. Unaware of what the future would hold, I was always mapping each step that would bring me closer to making … Continue reading Dreams, Challenges and Resilience: A Journey Through Grad School
The Top 10 Most-read I Spy Physiology Posts of 2024
Credit: iStock/gustavofrazao It’s been another “ph-un” filled year of physiology on the I Spy Physiology blog! We’ve featured posts ranging from marijuana research and bone cancer in children to how many steps do we really need to take per day and if alkaline water lives up to the hype. To complement our Women’s Health Research … Continue reading The Top 10 Most-read I Spy Physiology Posts of 2024
How Your Body Reacts to Being Stressed Out
Credit: iStock Have you ever felt the weight of an upcoming deadline? Are family or relationship issues a constant worry? If this describes you, know that you’re not alone. According to the American Psychological Association’s “Stress in America” survey, 67% of adults in the U.S. said their stress level has increased during the coronavirus pandemic. … Continue reading How Your Body Reacts to Being Stressed Out
Holiday Time: Not So Good for the Heart
Credit: iStock With the holiday season coming up, you may be rejoicing about much-needed time off from school or work. For many of us, the winter holidays mean great food and an opportunity to see friends and family. For many researchers, however, the period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day represents a spike in cardiac … Continue reading Holiday Time: Not So Good for the Heart
Floating: How Sensory Deprivation Can Improve Wellness
Credit: iStock What would you say if I told you closing yourself in a dark, enclosed space where you can float in saltwater isolation is good for you? You might wonder if I was serious. As more spas and wellness centers advertise sensory deprivation tanks, people may be skeptical about the supposed health benefits. Fear … Continue reading Floating: How Sensory Deprivation Can Improve Wellness