Wellness & Fitness

A.J. Pike USVI - In the USVI it’s pretty close to being summer 24/7/365. And no doubt Virgin Islanders have indeed learned many lessons on dealing with the beating down heat of the Sun, but along with the hurricane season, the really hot-hot weather is just around the corner during the July through September months. And good ol’ Sol has a bad habit of really bearing down on the islands during the coming months - the temperature can really start to cook! So, let’s take

M.A. Dworkin USVI - A recent study by the Mayo Clinic proves, what many Virgin Islanders have known for a long time, that friendship isn’t just enriching, it’s crucial to living a longer, healthier life. Researchers monitored the health of nearly 17,000 adults for more than 17 years. They found that those lacking social connections were approximately 2 to 3 times more likely to die at a younger age than were their companions with more social connections. This ne

St. Croix Times Staff Quick question: Is the glass half empty or half full? Increasing evidence suggests that being an optimist or a pessimist affects your health. A recent study found that older adults with an optimistic disposition lived longer than pessimists. After accounting for factors such as age, sex, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and socioeconomic and marital status, those in the study who scored high on the optimism scale had a 29% lower ri

M.A. Dworkin St. Croix - The VI Breast Cancer Project was founded in 2016 and is dedicated to supporting cancer survivors through creative expression, community connection, and the healing power of the arts. It is easy to underestimate art as a healing force. We often think of medicines, nature and time as the great healers that have the ability to turn a sick being back into a healthy one. It’s hard to imagine a work of art performing that wizardry task. But the heali

A.J. Pike USVI - Puerto Rico has declared a State of Emergency due to an influenza epidemic that has produced more than 42,000 confirmed influenza cases, over 3,000 hospitalizations, and 128 influenza-associated deaths as of the end of January 2026. Almost 46 percent of the reported cases have involved children. In response, the V.I. Department of Health (VIDOH) is urging USVI residents to get vaccinated and to take all precautions due to frequent inter-island travel be

A.J. Pike Beans and Legumes - Rich in protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Helps control blood sugar. Supports digestive health. Promotes heart health. Antioxidant-rich. Leafy Greens - Nutrient-dense. Improves inflammation, immunity, and heart health. Contains antioxidants and other brain protective compounds. Helps slow aging. Nuts and Seeds - Pistachios, walnuts, almonds. Healthy fats, fiber, protein. Source of many vitamins and minerals. Antioxidant and anti-inflammat

M.A. Dworkin U.S.A. - According to a report released on January 13, 2026, by the American Cancer Society (ACS), the five-year relative survival rate for all cancers combined in the United States has reached 70% for the first time. The milestone signifies a major improvement in cancer outcomes, as the rate was roughly 50% in the mid-1970s. Seven in ten people diagnosed with cancer are now expected to live at least five years, a figure that has increased from 49% in the

M.A. Dworkin St. Croix - It’s easy to lose that healthy feeling when you get older. Gravity begins to take over and your energy level begins to slip down. If you don’t take care of yourself, your body slowly falls out of shape and your mind follows. You become aware you need a boost, but you’re not sure what is the proper way to provide one. Fitter Futures by Beeston Hill may just be the answer to kick-start your senior years back into the shape of your youthful days. T

M.A. Dworkin Washington - The Trump Administration is “turning the food pyramid upside down” with new guidelines for feeding programs that will emphasize eating plenty of proteins and healthy fats. The recommendations will directly impact daily meals served in America’s public schools, military bases, prisons and various federal facilities. “Today our government declares war on added sugar. Highly processed food loaded with additives - added sugar and excess salt - dama

M.A. Dworkin The Arctic - Actually, it’s easy-peasy to live to the ripe old age of 200 years, that is if you take a tip or two from the Bowhead Whales who live to two hundred-plus all the time in the Arctic. First off, you’ll probably have to buy yourself one of those triple-thermal suits and layer-up when you move to the arctic, where it gets down to ninety below. But most of all you have to become a master of your DNA repair like the Bowhead Whale. Yet, given all th