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Stress. When life's demands get too intense, our bodies go into survival mode. Cortisol, the "stress hormone," is secreted, which causes an increase in appetite. And of course, we may reach for high-calorie comfort foods in times of stress as well. This combination is a perfect breeding ground for weight gain.

As the coronavirus pandemic stretches on, many people wonder when they can go back to their workplaces. The answers may depend on where a person lives and works, findings from antibody tests, and other factors.

Organic. This USDA Organic label really has some teeth. It means the animal your meat or dairy came from wasn’t given growth hormones or antibiotics, and there were no pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizers, or even genetically modified seeds in its food. Milking cows and other livestock must also graze on pasture for 4 months of the year or more. And it’s all checked by a USDA-certified agency.

Pregnancy is a wonderful and exciting time, but it can also be nerve-racking, especially for first-time mums. “As a midwife”, says Tracy Donegan of GentleBirth, “you’re always meeting parents who are nervous about the ‘uncontrollability’ of labour.” This led her to create an app that uses proven techniques and training to help alleviate fear, and prepare women for a positive birth experience. Irish Life Health customers now get a one-year subscription to GentleBirth, at no extra charge, so we spoke to Tracy to find out more.

Worst: Cobb Salad. It’s not the worst thing, but the word “salad” is a little misleading here, thanks to the hard-boiled egg, bacon, avocado, ham, cheese, and dressing (usually ranch). The calories add up fast. There is a salad down there, but it’s tough to get to it through all the tempting goodies.