Little Choices, Huge Health P... Health Article

HEALTH HEAD SCRATCHERS

Sleep in or wake up early?

Even if you don't particularly want to get the worm, "we have found that light in the morning increases cortisol after awakening. This may be useful to synchronize a lot of body functions," says Angela Clow, a psychology researcher at the University of Westminster in England. Light later in the day doesn't appear to have the same effect, so your body may not be the efficient machine it could be.

Hug or kiss?

Squeeze your squeeze. "Women who hug their spouse more often have less of a stress response and better cardiovascular function," says psychologist Karen Grewen, Ph.D., a researcher at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. These same benefits were not evident among frequent smoochers.

Echinacea or zinc?

Echinacea. "It's questionable whether echinacea can prevent a cold, but studies show that it works better than a placebo at shortening the duration of one," says Victoria Maizes, M.D., executive director of the Program in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson. Zinc is also good, though. It helps inhibit viral replication and has also been shown to reduce the duration of cold symptoms.

COSMETIC CONUNDRUMS

Over-the-counter or prescription acne medicine?

If your pimples are chronic or cystic or cause scarring, see a dermatologist, who can prescribe topical or oral medication, says Robin Ashinoff, M.D., chief of dermatologic and laser surgery at New York University School of Medicine in New York City. Otherwise, apply an OTC salicylic acid spot gel or cleanser and wait. "If they're not gone in six to eight weeks, make an appointment with a dermatologist," Dr. Ashinoff suggests.

Bath or shower?

More power to the shower! "Showers are quicker, so your skin dries out less," says Rosemarie Ingleton, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City. In fact, if you use warm (not scalding) water and moisturizing soaps—Dr. Ingleton recommends Aveeno Body Wash or Dove— you can get clean and hydrated. Besides, it's less fun to sing in the bath.