Who doesn’t love coming home to a house that smells like chocolate chip cookies? Or fresh herbs like lavender? You can even recreate your favorite scent memories like the beloved white tea-cedar-vanilla scent made famous by The Westin Hotel and Resorts in your own home.

Have you (or someone you know) sworn off getting a flu shot because it didn’t work? Sometimes, flu shots aren’t 100 percent effective, but they are considered the best method of flu prevention, lowering your risk of getting sick between 40 and 60 percent. Why aren’t flu shots completely reliable? Here are three possible reasons.

Does it seem like everyone around you is mumbling? Do you often ask people to repeat themselves? Is it difficult to keep up with group conversations? Can you hear well on the phone? Do people complain that your TV is too loud? If you said yes to these questions, you may be a candidate for a hearing aid.

You may have noticed how big the olive oil section of your supermarket has become. Olive oil consumption almost doubled from 1990 to 2021 and brands are offering olive oil at different price points and styles to keep up with the demand.

Its popularity as a cooking oil began taking off in the 1980s after studies linked it to health benefits. It’s also a well-known as a staple of the Mediterranean diet -- one of the healthiest eating styles.

Why sexual health is so important

What is sexual health?

Sexual health encompasses a combination of both physical and psychological factors that allow for capable and confident participation in an enjoyable sex life. Though some may think it is only about the presence or absence of sexually transmitted diseases, men's sexual health is multifaceted by definition. It includes libido, penile health, erectile function and ejaculation, reproductive health, and performance and satisfaction.

Our interest in plant-based diets goes way back. Buddhism’s beginnings in the 5th Century BCE extolled the benefits of a vegetarian diet. In Ancient Greece, the philosopher Pythagoras advocated for a plant-based diet, proselytizing about the immorality of slaughtering animals and its health benefits.

All about hearing health

Fifteen percent of Americans suffer from some kind of hearing loss, the risk of which increases with age and has been linked to dementia, diabetes and heart health. Not hearing well can have a broad detrimental impact on overall health. People suffering from auditory loss not only struggle to hear, but they can also experience health issues including vertigo, communication difficulties, increased emotional and mental health issues and a decline in social skills and self-esteem.

Understanding Menopause 

Menopause is the biological process marking the natural decline of reproductive hormones that ends a woman’s menstrual cycles and prime fertility years for having children. It signals the time when the ovaries lose follicular function, which is the ability to release eggs. 

Spring has sprung, and I have sprung into action. Okay, that was a weak pun — forgive me, I’m excited. This is my favorite season because it means I can get out of the stuffy gym and get into the fresh air. You probably already know that regular exercise is crucial for our overall health and wellness.

When you think of summer, do you picture vacations, barbecues, outdoor fun and sunshine? I know I do.

Sunshine, in particular, has many benefits for our physical and mental health. Among other things, the sun enables our bodies to produce vitamin D (which improves the strength and overall health of our bones and helps our immune system fight off infections) and promotes good mental health by naturally boosting serotonin levels. For humans, the sun is a crucial part of maintaining our health and wellness.