It’s no scientific breakthrough that music can impact our brain mental state. But research shows that music can significantly improve mood, stress, cognitive performance, and even endurance and power when applied correctly. How exactly does music benefit the brain and body? Most evidence points to the fact that it boosts mood, which has other downstream effects. Here's a summary of what we know.

Maintaining a thriving sex drive with age has always been a challenge, and the distractions of the 21st century haven't made it any easier to create and maintain intimate moments with our partners. But research shows that a healthy sex life is important for wellness and aging—those who have regular, partnered sex have different levels of stress, inflammation, and even blood pressure than those who don't. And if you find it hard to feel 'turned on' on a daily or weekly basis, there are ...

When we think of supplements for strength and muscle building, modern options like creatine monohydrate, whey protein, or BCAAs likely come to mind. But research continuously shows that ashwagandha, an herbal supplement with ancient roots, deserves equal attention from today's performance and strength building communities. 

If you’ve ever taken a yoga class, you probably noticed the calming atmosphere the moment you stepped into the studio. The scent of incense in the air, the serene background music playing as you set up your mat, and the heated room make you feel warm and relaxed and help start the 'unwinding' process before you even start moving.  Yoga is a mind-body practice that improves flexibility and builds strength through the combination of physical poses, controlled breathing, and meditation or ...

As competitive fitness athletes, our drive to perform at our best runs deep. We choose to do the same workouts, in groups, at the same time. We time ourselves, write our scores on a whiteboard, and compare them to our classmates'. As “exercise racers," we embrace this, so much so, that we're often poked fun at for it. But this competitiveness is why we love the sport so much. It pushes us to places we never thought we could reach and allows us to do things we could never have imagined ourselves ...

Sleeping through your alarm. Showing up unprepared to a presentation. Forgetting an important birthday. Getting stressed out just reading? I can relate. But by making my InsideTracker goal ‘Reduce Stress,’ tracking certain biomarkers, and making some lifestyle changes, I’ve been able to find relaxation, mindfulness, and balance in my fast-paced daily life. 

No one can deny that the feeling of fall can’t be beat. With temperatures finally going down and the prospect of apple picking right around the corner, it’s hard not to love the season. For some, though, the winding down of summer can also be a stressful time. Whether it be going back to school, the end of vacation, or changes at work as everyone returns from break and buckles down, fall introduces disruptions for most people that can throw off even the most resolute nutrition and wellness ...

Just breathe. Chances are, you've heard that advice before. Chances also are, you're not doing it correctly. Whether you're involved in competitive sports and looking to maximize your performance, or just looking to feel better and more focused throughout your workday, breathing properly can help. Joe DI, Director of Sport at Spartan Race, returns as our guest blogger for the third installment in a series of posts featuring his training expertise. This time, Joe discusses why breathing has ...