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The Sports Injury Women Are More Likely to Get
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When You’re Most Likely to Get Hurt at the Beach
Rip tides aren’t the only thing you have to worry about at the beach this summer: People standing in knee-deep water suffer the majority of serious injuries inflicted by waves, according to an ongoing study conducted by Beebe Medical Center and the Delaware Sea Grant College Program.
For the study, researchers analyzed injuries at select Delaware beaches over the past three summers. So far, researchers have tallied a total of 1,121 injuries requiring emergency medical treatment. Though the most frequently recorded injuries include dislocated shoulders, broken collarbones, and ankle and knee sprains, some beach-goers have also experienced blunt organ trauma, paralysis, and even death.
Researchers began the study after noticing that beach injuries came in clusters. On most days, no one came in with any wave-related problems; but on others, five to 10 injured beach-goers would seek treatment. The most ever recorded in a single day during the course of the study was 25.
Why are some days more dangerous than others? Researchers haven’t reached a definitive conclusion yet, but Paul Cowan, a doctor of osteopathic medicine and Beebe chief of emergency medicine says his team tends to see more injuries on the days following large tropical storms. “These are [typically] very pleasant weather days, but there is a lot of energy in the surf,” he says.
Another factor: Beachgoers may think they’ll be safe if they stick close to shore on rougher days, but this area between the dry sand and the spot where waves are breaking—an area the researchers call the ‘surf zone’—is actually pretty dangerous.
To keep your day of fun in the sun injury-free, Cowan recommends keeping your eyes on the waves. “Turning your back to the waves is as dangerous as closing your eyes and dashing across several lanes of traffic on a highway,” he says. And if you plan on swimming in the ocean, make sure to choose a beach with lifeguards. The extra pair of eyes can help save you from ending up in a very scary situation.
photo: iStockphoto/Thinkstock
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The Night You’re Most Likely to Have Sleep Trouble
Need to catch up on sleep? Don’t plan to do it on Sunday night. Compared to other nights of the week, people have the most difficulty falling asleep on Sundays, according to new findings from the market research company Toluna Omnibus.
In the survey, more than 3,000 adults across the country weighed in on how long it takes them to fall asleep each evening. The results: Two out of five people said they have the most trouble drifting off on Sunday nights. Among them, 70 percent said they toss and turn up to 30 minutes longer on Sundays. What’s more, of the people who didn’t report having trouble falling asleep on Sunday nights, a quarter said they still worry they will have difficulty.
So what makes it so hard to get rest on the night when you really need it to start your workweek on the right note? Study author Michael Breus, PhD, a sleep expert and a clinical psychologist, says the answer is two-fold: First, you tend to change your typical routine on weekends. And when you hit the sack after midnight on Friday and Saturday, your body isn’t quite ready for bed when you try to tuck in earlier on Sunday.
Stress is another big reason you might struggle to snooze on Sundays. When your Monday-morning to-do list is top of mind, it can be tough to relax and drift off to sleep.
While Breus says sleep is important every night of the week to support your health and productivity, getting seven to nine hours of sleep on Sunday nights is absolutely vital—it helps you fully recharge and establish a sound sleep schedule for the workweek to come.
Need help sleeping soundly on Sundays (or any night, for that matter)? Follow these tips to get the shuteye you need.
photo: Wavebreak Media/Thinkstock
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The Time You’re Most Likely to Binge
When you’re tempted to dive face-first into a bag of chips could be tied to your body’s circadian rhythm: Cravings for sweet, salty, and starchy foods peak in the evening, when hunger levels are also at their highest, according to a new study in the journal Obesity.
Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston kept 12 healthy people in a controlled lab environment to track how circadian rhythms impact food behaviors. What they found? Regardless of what time the subjects woke up or when they’d had their last meal, their desire for sweet, salty, and starchy foods peaked around 8 p.m., as did their feelings of hunger. The takeaway? Our body’s internal clock has a pre-scheduled effect on our appetite, and it wants us to eat more in the evening.
While it’s not clear why this happens, the researchers have a theory. “From an evolutionary perspective, it sort of makes sense,” says senior study author Steven Shea, PhD, director of the Center for Research on Occupational and Environmental Toxicology at Oregon Health & Science University. When evolving humans faced periods of famine, those who could easily store their food as fat had a better chance of survival. As it turns out, our bodies are more likely to store food as fat when we stuff our faces in the p.m. instead of the a.m. In fact, previous research has shown that people who eat their largest meal in the morning lose more weight than people who save it for the end of the day—even if their overall calorie intake is the same, says Shea.
These days, binging late at night is no longer a handy survival mechanism–it’s just unhealthy. Luckily, your circadian rhythms don’t have to have the last word on when you’re tempted to eat. Pam Peeke, MD, author of The Hunger Fix, suggests ways to beat back a powerful craving—or prevent it from happening at all.
Go to bed earlier
The study indicates that people are staying up later, when your hunger levels are at their peak. You may not be able to help being a night owl, depending on your work schedule, but whenever you can, try nipping this problem in the bud by going to bed earlier. That way you’ll be asleep when your food cravings are at their strongest. Plus, research shows that just getting enough shuteye also helps you make healthier food choices throughout the day and lowers your risk of obesity.
Don’t eat in front of the tube
When you plop yourself in front of the latest episode of Game of Thrones, don’t let a bag of chips keep you company. You’ll be so focused on what’s happening on the screen, you may lose track of how much you’re shoveling into your mouth. “Put yourself on red alert that this is the time when major overeating takes place,” says Peeke. Instead of snacking while you watch, save TV for after dinner. Let it be your reward for polishing off a healthy meal.
Pop a stick of mint gum
This trick does triple-duty to curb cravings: Chewing gum keeps your mouth busy, it tastes good, and it signals to your brain that you’re content. Just the act of chewing sends blood rushing to your hypothalamus, says Peeke, which causes your brain to release the feel-good chemical serotonin. Suddenly, demolishing a candy bar doesn’t feel quite as necessary for your mental health. Sugar-free peppermint gum is best: According to research out of Wheeling Jesuit University, just the smell of peppermint can make you feel less hungry and consume fewer calories.
If you have to indulge, eat a small portion of a high-quality snack
You’re not a robot. It’s okay to give into the occasional craving now and then, says Peeke. Just limit your snack to 150 calories, and make it count. Instead of opting for the crappy chocolate bar at the checkout counter, try nibbling on a small piece of organic chocolate. It’s more likely to contain high-powered antioxidants, and the strong chocolate-y taste will satisfy your sweet tooth, says Peeke. The same rule applies to any of your no-go foods: When you have to indulge, go ahead and treat yourself. Just go for high-quality and stick to small serving sizes.
photo: iStockphoto/Thinkstock
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