April Health News

Technology and its impact on dating abuse; the link between stress and acne; and an awesome summer fitness program

By Andrea Pyros

There’s a lot to love about e-mail, cell phones, and IM, but there’s one way that gadgets can cause more harm than good, and it’s in the area of dating. A new survey conducted by Teenage Research Unlimited (TRU) for Liz Claiborne shows that a large number of teens in relationships are being controlled and humiliated through cell phones and online. For instance, 30% of teens said they were text messaged up to 30 times an hour by their partner asking where they were and who they were with, and 25% said they’ve been called names, harassed or put down by their partners through cell phones or text messages. Alarmingly, 22% said they’ve been asked to engage in sex by cell phone or the Internet when they didn’t want to. If you or someone you care about is in a dating situation that does not feel right, there are things you can do. You can talk to a parent or other trusted adult, and there’s also a new tool at your disposal: loveisrespect.org, the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline. The National Domestic Violence Hotline partnered with Liz Claiborne to launch the site so teens or concerned parents can log on and receive assistance. (You can also call the toll-free number at 866-331-9474 for help.)

Stress Does Cause Acne. Argh!

Does it seem like your skin erupts when you’re cramming for finals? No surprise, because scientists at Wake Forest University have discovered that stress does in fact cause breakouts. The researchers followed 94 high school students and saw that during anxiety-causing times (such as major exams), the subjects were 23 percent more likely to break out. Since it’s almost impossible to eliminate stress from your life, what else can you do? Certainly, take care of your skin as best you can, meaning don’t go to sleep without washing your face, get as much sleep as possible (which will help your mood, too) and, of course, if you’re feeling very worried, talk to someone. If your acne is really stressing you out (har, har), it’s worth seeing a dermatologist, because she can help you get the right skin-care regime.

Tea for Your Teeth

Everyone knows green tea is good for you and tastes great, but now you can indulge in a tea boost while you wash up, too, with Crest Nature’s Expression toothpaste. Their Mint + Green Tea Extract not only helps fight cavities, tartar and dreaded bad breath, but the formula has a subtle, fresh flavor too. Pick up a tube for just three bucks at stores nationwide.

How to Have a Healthy and Fun Summer

If you are so over spending summer break lying in front of the TV, check out the awesome Julian Krinsky/Canyon Ranch Young Adult Summer Program, held at Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania. Starting in late June, the program offers two-, four- or six-week sessions to teens ages 13 to 17. During that time, you get to take part in more than 100 activities and workshops, including yoga, rock climbing, tai-chi, self-defense classes, beauty and image discussions and more, plus enjoy food prepared by the Canyon Ranch chefs (yummy, healthy spa-style eats). Oh, and you even get one-on-one sessions with physiologists who help come up with a cool fitness routine tailored specifically to you. Want to know more about this co-ed program? Visit www.jkcp.com/canyon.

Source: ym.com Health News - April 2007
Original link: April Health News