Active Social Life Could Cause Sleepiness

A recent study shows that extroverts may be more prone to tiredness than introverts. Researchers at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research found that consistent social activity among outgoing people could cause excess fatigue and lack of alertness.

The study looked at 48 healthy adults between the ages 18 and 39. Participants were prescreened using a standard personality test and were classified as either extroverted or introverted. After eight hours of normal sleep, all were asked to remain awake for a total of 36 hours, 12 of which involved some form of social exposure. Half the group was asked to take part in “socially enriched” activities, such as playing cards, board games, puzzles, watching movies or group discussions. The other group members were given an activity to do, by themselves in an isolated room. After the activities they were asked to stay awake for  22 more hours.

Throughout these activities, participants’ wakefulness and alertness were measured. Researchers found there were no significant differences when extroverts and introverts slept for a normal eight hours. But when their alertness was tested during their hours of sleep deprivation, the introverts in the socially involved group, were more alert than the extroverts in that same group. And those extroverts who were socially active had more fatigue than the extroverts who were in the isolated group.

Study authors believe the combination of an outgoing personality along with an active social life could lead to rapid fatigue in certain areas of the brain that regulate attention and alertness. So high levels of activity with some people could be associated with the need for more sleep. However, investigators believe some people have a resistance to sleep loss that could be rooted in their genetic makeup. For instance, introverts may have a higher level of different chemicals and hormones in the brain that gives them an ability to stay awake and functional, even with a lack of sleep. (Source: CNN Health)

Researchers say that this development could help employers better apply their employees’ time and resources for improved productivity.

3 Foods for Better Skin

Eating certain foods can actually benefit your skin as well as your digestive system, according to an article on Health.com. From fighting the effects of aging to simply keeping your skin soft, try these options for glowing skin and a healthier body.

To Eat

Adding these foods to your diet can help improve your skin with long-lasting benefits from the inside out.

• Vitamin C has been shown to help prevent the effects of aging by fighting free radicals, and strawberries carry an extra-large dose. Toss one cup strawberries (fresh or frozen) into a blender with one cup low-fat yogurt and 1 1/2 Tbs honey. Set aside 1/4 cup, and drink the rest for a great breakfast, snack or dessert!

• Olive oil doesn’t just provide helpful antioxidants. It also reduces inflammation, which is one of the leading causes of old-looking skin. Cook with extra-virgin olive oil instead of canola or vegetable oil to incorporate these benefits into your diet. As a healthy snack or appetizer, sprinkle some herbs into a plate of olive oil and dip pieces of whole-grain bread into it.

• Green tea is commonly known for its burst of antioxidants, which can fight inflammation and improve the body’s general health. Drink several cups a day for the greatest antioxidant boost, and help those antioxidants stay in your body longer by adding a squeeze of citrus juice.

To Apply

Apply these same foods directly to your skin and see results almost immediately.

• Take that leftover strawberry smoothie and spread it onto your face. You may want to stand over a sink, because it might be drippy, but leave it there for about 8 minutes and rinse. The strawberries help brighten your face, and the honey in the smoothie provides moisture.

• Olive oil can smooth and soften the skin, especially in dry areas. At night, smooth it onto rough spots like knees and elbows, and wake up with supple, radiant skin. You can also dab some onto your lips for a tasty dose of moisture.

• After making a cup of green tea, save the damp tea bag and refrigerate it. Place chilled tea bags over your eyelids for 10-15 minutes to reduce puffiness. Green tea contains tannis, which behaves like an astringent when applied to the skin.

Be sure to test these foods for potential allergic reactions on a small section of your skin before using them on a larger surface.

A simple trip to the grocery store can help rejuvenate your skin and fuel your body. Try these three foods to benefit your body from the inside out.

Food Could Trigger Allergies

Nearly 1/3 of people with pollen allergies have an associated oral allergy, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology. This means that eating certain foods can produce the same results as if you spent the day outside breathing pollen.

What to Avoid

The immune system triggers sneezing, runny nose and watery eyes to flush out the intruding pollen proteins. However, if you eat a food containing a similar protein, the body might think it’s close enough and take an extra precaution by trying to flush it out as well. Here’s what to avoid.

• Grass allergies – People who suffer from a grass allergy may also react to melons, oranges, celery, tomatoes and peaches.

• Ragweed allergies – Several foods can trigger symptoms in those suffering from ragweed allergies. These include zucchini, chamomile tea, honeydew, cantaloupe, watermelon, sunflower seeds and tomatoes.

• Latex rubber allergies – People who react to latex rubber allergies may also react to kiwi, papaya, chestnut, bananas and avocados.

• Birch pollen allergies – Those allergic to birch pollen may also suffer allergies from consuming parsley, cherries, carrots, celery, almonds, hazelnuts, peaches, kiwi, plums, apples, peaches and pears.

How to Reduce the Effect

If you don’t want to give up the nutritious value of eating these foods, you can reduce the effect through cooking, peeling or canning. Cooking and canning alters the proteins, and peeling eliminates the largest source of the proteins.

Read more: WebMD