I have put together a list of 20 random health facts, sourced from the far corners of the world wide web, to ignite your curiosity about the amazing human body.

Health Facts You Probably Don't know

Laughing 100 times is equivalent to 15 minutes of exercise on a stationary bike

There are more bacteria in your mouth than there are people in the world.

You burn more calories sleeping than you do watching television.

Right-handed people live, on average, nine years longer than left-handed people.

You are about 1cm taller in the morning than in the evening

During your lifetime, you will eat about 30,000kg of food – that’s the weight of about six African elephants.

In some parts of the world (one being Malaysia), parents protect their babies from disease by bathing them in beer

Extreme music – such as heavy metal – can positively influence those experiencing anger.

It's not just coughs and sneezes that spread diseases. One single bacteria cell can multiply to become more than eight million cells in less than 24 hours.

Joining clubs after retirement could extend your life. Bring on knitting and book club!

When you sneeze your body is getting rid of infected cells and an average sneeze will spread over 100,000 virus cells up to nine metres. On average, adults catch two to three colds each year. School-age children can have 12 or more colds in a year.

It is believed that the main purpose of eyebrows is to keep sweat out of the eyes.

Smokers reduce their life span expectancy by 11 minutes per cigarette.

Of the 206 bones in the average human adult's body, 106 are in the hands and feet. (54 in the hands and 52 in the feet)

Feeling down? Eating spinach, elk, oysters and crab have been proven to positively impact on your mood.

Doctors who work at Australian Antarctic stations are required to have their appendix removed prior to leaving.

Motorists who talk on cell phones are more impaired than drunk drivers with blood-alcohol levels exceeding .08

Banging your head against a wall burns 150 calories an hour. Not that we recommend this!

Ever wondered why there are mirrors in front of the cardio section at gym? Watching yourself run in a mirror can make a treadmill workout go by faster and feel easier.

When we touch something, we send messages to our brain at 200 km/h.

Answering the 20 questions you never knew you needed to know.

Health Facts

20 random health facts you probably don't know - Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences

<ol><li>Stock the fridge</li><li>Have a food gift strategy</li><li>Don’t skip breakfast</li><li>Start with a drink ... of water, that is</li><li>Be smart about appetizers</li><li>Survey the buffet</li><li>Eat your veggies first at your meal</li><li>Make some simple swaps</li><li>Take a walk between dinner and dessert</li></ol>

These are the 9 Tips on Healthy Eating for the Holidays

It’s true that the holiday season and tempting treats go hand in hand, but you probably won’t be faced with them every day. If you have plenty of healthy ingredients—vegetables, whole grains, beans, and fruit—you’ll have an easier time making your meals extra-healthy. That will help offset those gingerbread cookies or that slice of pumpkin pie.

1. Stock the fridge

You don’t have to immediately eat all the cookies, breads, and chocolates that friends and neighbors deliver during the holiday season. Many goodies freeze well, so you can enjoy them over the next few months rather than the next few days:<ul><li>If possible, divide the treats into individual portions so that you only defrost as many servings as you need.</li></ul>

2. Have a food gift strategy

It’s a common practice to skip early meals on a big day of eating, fasting in advance of the dinner ahead. But this approach has a high probability of backfiring; people often end up overeating later. Instead, opt for a sensible morning meal—say, oatmeal, yogurt, and a piece of fruit—and if your celebration is in the evening, eat a light lunch midday. The last thing you want is to show up to dinner starving.

3. Don’t skip breakfast

Your brain sometimes has trouble distinguishing thirst from hunger, so at parties and holiday dinners, sip a glass of water before you have a cocktail or eat anything. And if you do drink alcohol, stick to one or two, sipping a glass of seltzer between each one. That will keep you hydrated and slow your intake. Or try a spritzer: Mix half red or white wine and half seltzer or club soda in a glass. Add a slice of lime and you have a festive drink with half the calories and alcohol.

4. Start with a drink ... of water, that is.

At cocktail parties, stick to three or so items (or six if the appetizers are doubling as dinner) to keep calories in check. Skip the fried foods and go for items like shrimp cocktail, vegetable-stuffed mushrooms, or hummus and veggies. Before holiday meals, go easy on the munchies.Do you really need to eat 5 ounces of cheese and then sit down to dinner? If you’re the host, you have more control over what’s being served, so try putting out something small and healthy—such as nuts, olives, or a crudités platter—for people to nibble on with drinks

5. Be smart about appetizers

Many holiday meals are served buffet style, with a variety of dishes on offer. The typical advice is to have a little taste of everything, but there’s some research that shows this can leave you feeling less satisfied. When you’re exposed to too many different flavors in a meal, you don’t feel as full as quickly, and you eat more. My tactic is to choose two or three favorite foods, especially those I don’t get to enjoy year-round. Food is so much a part of the season; this way the meal feels special and I don’t feel as though I’m missing out.

6. Survey the buffet

You’ll fill up on foods that are packed with vitamins and minerals and lower in calories, leaving less room for less unhealthy stuff. It doesn’t need to be boring, though. For instance, if dinner is at your house, try making the first course a festive seasonal salad, with goodies like pomegranate seeds, clementines, toasted nuts, and candied citrus peels mixed in with the leafy greens.

7. Eat your veggies first at your meal

There are all sorts of ways to insert healthier ingredients into your meal without sacrificing much by way of flavor. <ul><li>For example, use balsamic vinegar and olive oil instead of store-bought dressing, which is often high in sodium. </li><li>Yogurt can replace sour cream in creamy dips or on baked potatoes. Blend cauliflower into your mashed potatoes. Have stuffing or a roll and butter—but not both.</li></ul>

8. Make some simple swaps

For some families (mine included), this is a holiday tradition. It’s a nice way to bond with relatives and helps you sneak in some activity. But it also does more. It takes some time for the brain to recognize how much you’ve eaten. If you go straight from the meal to dessert, you may not realize how full you actually are—and you’ll probably enjoy dessert more if you aren’t completely stuffed.

9. Take a walk between dinner and dessert

You don’t want to make food the enemy, but it’s good to play a little dietary defense.

Healthy Tips

9 Tips on Healthy Eating for the Holidays

Research has shown that some sunscreen ingredients can seep through the skin into your bloodstream. Several spray sunscreens were recalled after benzene, a known carcinogen, was detected in them, and Hawaii has banned certain ingredients because of concerns that they may harm ocean reefs. While those issues raise real concerns, the risks are more theoretical than proven. Regular sunscreen use does prevent skin cancers and saves lives. It can lower the risk of melanoma by about 50 per cent.

Sunscreens are potentially harmful

Recent research has raised concerns about chemical sunscreens. The FDA scientists published studies showing that avobenzone, homosalate, octinoxate, octisalate, octocrylene, and oxybenzone get into the bloodstream. Absorption doesn’t mean these ingredients are unsafe, but the amounts absorbed were higher than the level the FDA says would exempt them from safety testing. However, definitive answers may be years away.

Some sunscreens are safer than others

The FDA, the American Academy of Dermatology, and independent researchers say that UV filters have been used for years by millions of people, and there have not been noticeable systemic effects. Research in animals suggests that oxybenzone might interfere with hormone production, which could affect fertility, puberty, and thyroid function. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents not use oxybenzone-containing sunscreens on children.

Only certain chemical sunscreens should be avoided 

Sunscreens with the minerals titanium dioxide and zinc oxide work by creating a physical barrier on your skin and are not absorbed into the skin. However, mineral sunscreens might not be as effective as products with chemical filters because it t takes a lot of titanium or zinc to create a product with a high SPF. The minerals also may clump up in the product, so they don’t get evenly dispersed on the skin. They can also wipe off more easily.

Opting for a Mineral Sunscreen Instead

Both spray and lotion can do a good job if used correctly. Sprays have the highest rated SPF level, but can be tricky to apply because the droplets can disperse into the air and make it easy to miss areas on your skin. Instead, spray sunscreen onto the palm of your hand then rub it in. Ensure you don't inhale the spray as the ingredients may irritate or even harm your lungs.

Sprays work better than lotion

Stashed ideas

Your Sunscreen Safety Questions, Answered

To be your happiest and healthiest self, I brought you a wide selection of health facts covering everything from fitness to food to hydration.Educate yourself with these top tips, and get all the information you need to stay fighting fit!

29 Quick Health Facts

Laughing is good for the heart and can increase blood flow by 20 percent.

Your skin works hard. Not only is it the largest organ in the body, but it regulates your temperature and defends against disease and infection.

Always look on the bright side: being an optimist can help you live longer.

Exercise will give you more energy, even when you’re tired.

Sitting and sleeping are great in moderation, but too much can increase your chances of an early death.

A lack of exercise now causes as many deaths as smoking.

39% of adults in the world are overweight.

Between 2000 and 2015, the average global life expectancy increased by five years.

The US spends almost three times more on healthcare than any other country in the world, but ranks last in life expectancy among the 12 wealthiest industrialized countries.

Learning a new language or playing a musical instrument gives your brain a boost.

Feeling stressed? Read. Getting lost in a book can lower levels of cortisol, and other unhealthy stress hormones, by 68%.

Maintaining good relationships with your friends and family, reduces harmful levels of stress and boosts your immune system.

Drinking coffee can reduce the risk of depression, especially in women.

Smelling rosemary may increase alertness and improve memory so catch a whiff before a test or important meeting.

Swearing can make you feel better when you’re in pain.

Writing in a journal can make you a happier person!

Chewing gum makes you more alert, relieves stress and reduces anxiety levels.

Yoga can boost your cognitive function and lower stress.

Walking outside – or spending time in green space – can reduce negative thoughts and boost self-esteem.

Chocolate is good for your skin; its antioxidants improve blood flow and protect against UV damage

Almonds, avocados and arugula (the three ‘A’s) can boost your s*x drive and improve fertility.

Tea can lower risks of heart attack, certain cancers, type 2 Diabetes and Parkinson’s disease. Just make sure your tea isn’t too sweet!

Eating oatmeal provides a serotonin boost to calm the brain and improve your mood.

Women below the age of 50 need twice the amount of iron per day as men of the same age.

Although it only takes you a few minutes to eat a meal, it takes your body hours to completely digest the food.

An apple a day does keep the doctor away. Apples can reduce levels of bad cholesterol to keep your heart healthy.

The amino acid found in eggs can help improve your reflexes.

Extra virgin olive oil is the healthiest fat on the planet

Vitamin D is as important as calcium in determining bone health, and most people don’t get enough of it

Health Facts Probably you didn't know!!! 

How To Live a Healthy Lifestyle

What is a panic attack? Quoted from www.mayoclinic.org, a panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear that triggers severe physical reactions when there is no real danger or apparent cause. Panic attacks can be very frightening. When panic attacks occur, you might think you're losing control, having a heart attack or even dying.

Panic Attacks

<ul><li>Panic attacks can arise because there is a family with a history of panic attacks or panic disorder</li><li>Then, there has been a traumatic event, such as a major accident or sexual harassment </li><li>Besides that, there are big changes in life, such as being left by someone you love, getting divorced, or having a new child in your life.</li><li>Have a history of physical or sexual abuse in childhood</li><li>In addition, a big life stress also greatly affects the emergence of panic attack disorders</li><li>Also smoking or excessive caffeine intake</li></ul>

What Causes Panic Attack?

Panic attacks can be part of anxiety disorders, like PTSD, social anxiety disorder, OCD, and generalized anxiety disorder.The two main treatments for panic disorder are antidepressant medication and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Both have about a 40% response rate though someone who responds to one may not respond to the other. However antidepressant medications carry some side effects. Meanwhile CBT is more lasting with only a 20% relapse rate.

From my.clevelandclinic.org, you can take these actions to lower your odds of having a panic attack:<ul><li>Cut back on caffeine.</li><li>Exercise regularly.</li><li>Eat a healthy diet.</li><li>Manage stress.</li><li>Talk to your doctor before taking herbal supplements or over-the-counter medications. Certain substances can increase anxiety</li></ul>

How To Prevent Panic Attack?

So, that's all about 'Panic Attack Disorders', I hope you live a healthy life so you don't get a panic attack disorder. Remember to live healthy and enjoy you life.

20 random health facts you probably don't know - Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences

9 Tips on Healthy Eating for the Holidays

Your Sunscreen Safety Questions, Answered

How To Live a Healthy Lifestyle

What Causes Panic Attacks and How To Prevent Them?

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