I sit at my computer all day at work. How will that affect my health? And, what can I do about it?
There’s something called sitting disease. Dr. James A. Levine of the Mayo Clinic found there was a 50% risk of death and a 125% chance of events associated with cardiovascular disease from sitting at a desk all day.To combat this risk, stand while talking on the phone or eating lunch. Stand every chance you get. There are desks that raise so you can stand while working. Walk laps with your colleagues rather than gathering in a conference room for meetings. For every 30 minutes you sit, get up and stretch. Take a dance break or do a little yoga. Find reasons to keep moving. Try using a timer to be sure you get up and move.
How long should you stretch after working out?
This depends upon your training, your sports focus, and how warmed up you already are. Sit down with a fitness professional and look at your own physical limitations. Some areas need more warming up and cooling down, especially after injury or with physical limitation. Walking is great for a warm-up and cool down. You know your body better than anyone else.
Gretchen Reynolds of the New York Times wrote a great piece called “The Right Way to Stretch Before Exercise.” That gives great tips.
Can you have sex on your period?
Yes. Doctors recommend it. If you are comfortable with it, don’t worry about taking a break from sex. Don’t be concerned if you see dark red or brown clumps after sex because it’s just old blood leaving your body. Your estrogen and testosterone rise by day three, so you may feel more aroused and sensitive. Your flow may serve as lubricant. Talk to your partner.
You can also put in a tampon and focus on other parts of the body, like clitoral stimulation. Just be sure you use protection. Your period doesn't protect you from STDs.
If you have a personal health question that you want answered, Pam and Michelle encourage you to send them in to AskHER@radiomd.com.