Pat Carpenter

There are certain activities that can reduce stress which are very tangible, including exercise, eating healthier and developing and nurturing friendships. But many individuals in Austin, Dallas, Houston and elsewhere in Texas also find that looking within themselves can help them manage the difficult times.

At its core, spirituality can give individual lives context.

Heavy drinking may lead to more than alcoholism, according to recent studies. A report appearing online, to be published later in a print version of The International Journal of Cancer, revealed that women who drink an average of more than two alcoholic beverages a day double their chances of being diagnosed with endometrial cancer, compared with those who drink less.

Let's face it: life can be a stressful existence. But it's life, after all, so learning to manage the levels of stress we all seem to be subject to is the goal. For people living in big Texas cities such as Houston, Dallas and Austin, the stress of life can be even greater than for people living in other areas, making it even more important to take steps to manage stress in effective ways.

More and more insurance companies are offering discounts on health and fitness club memberships in the Dallas and Houston areas and throughout Texas, so it may be a good time to join a health club to stay in shape and continue to improve upon your overall health. But be careful. If your health club cuts corners when it comes to safety, sanitation and staff training, you may actually be jeopardizing your health by working out there.

Growing waistlines equal growing health care costs. At least that's how it seems regarding health and health insurance. A famous documentary has already shown the short-term impact of too many super-sized meals. But did you know that there's another price you're paying now - in health insurance dollars - for our nation's weight problem?

Health insurance rates have been rising, with double-digit increases in each of the past three years.