We all experience stress to some degree – it’s part of life and can actually be positive because it’s an inherent and essential physiological reaction that helps us react to danger or sense the heightened thrill of experiences.

If you have trouble sleeping, you’re not alone. Around 35% of adults have a sleep disorder. If you head to bed tired at night but can’t go to sleep — including not being able to fall asleep, restless sleep, waking up multiple times during the night, not being able to stay asleep as long as you’d like, and/or waking up early and not being able to fall back to sleep — you may be suffering from insomnia, the medical term for sleep deprivation.

Our bodies— from our skin, hair, muscles and bones to our hearts, brains, and other organs — need essential vitamins and minerals to function and thrive. We often don’t need much — just small or even trace amounts measured in milligrams and micrograms, but we need them because our body cannot make them or it needs another substance to help produce them.

What’s the best way to get your vitamins? From food. That’s the general consensus among researchers, scientists and doctors. Even so, there may be instances when you need to take a supplement.

Some medications can cause vitamin or mineral deficiencies, and certain illnesses, diseases and treatments may require a boost. Age and diet can also lead to a deficit, which food alone can’t fill.

If you have a vitamin or mineral deficiency, work with your doctor first to determine if you need a supplement and which supplement you should take.

At the masters last year, plantar fasciitis sidelined Tiger Woods. But plantar fasciitis isn’t just an athlete’s problem. It’s a common problem that can develop in anyone, anytime of the year. However, many people are more susceptible to it during the warmer months as they participant in outdoor activities like walking while wearing sandals and flip flops that lack support. Now’s a good time to learn how to prevent and control this common condition.

You’ve probably heard of microplastics — a term for small pieces of plastic less than 5 millimeters in size (5 mm is about the width of a pencil eraser). But they can be much smaller.

These particles, which can be nearly invisible to the eye and small enough to travel in the air, are a byproduct of consumer and industrial goods, from synthetic textiles like nylon and polyester to personal care products and car tires. They’re even in paint.

Plant-based proteins have been trending for at least a decade. Studies suggest foods such as chickpeas, beans, lentils, quinoa, tofu, tempeh, nuts and seeds can be healthier than animal-based proteins like red meats, eggs, fish and poultry in that they can:

The end of your life may seem far off in your 40s, even your 50s and 60s, but it’s never too soon to start healthy behaviors proven to add years to your life and your health span, the period of our life when we live mostly disease-free.

Extending your health span and lifespan requires a holistic approach encompassing diet, exercise, mental and social health, integrating positive behaviors and quitting those habits, which work against long life.

Here’s your guide for what you can do to extend your life in your 40s, 50s and 60s.

When it comes to health span – the period in our life where we live healthy – not everything is in our hands. First, no one lives forever – and most of us will die from or with a chronic condition. Genetics also play a big role in our longevity and risk for chronic conditions.

Here’s one doctor’s prescription for what patients can do to avoid burnout.

Healthcare can be a real headache that’s causing many Americans to avoid going to the doctor -- and that’s not healthy.

An MDVIP/Ipsos survey shows that 1 in 3 Americans are feeling burned out by their interactions with medical providers, and for good reason: