Everybody feels sad once in a while. Depression, on the other hand, is a complex condition characterized by profound sadness, lethargy, feelings of worthlessness, and a loss of interest in social activities. About 15 million people in the U.S. are diagnosed with clinical depression each year.

"There's a need to look at sleep on the same level of importance as diet and exercise. All three are equally important for good health."
              Carl Hunt, M.D., director of the National Center on Sleep Disorders Research

In our hardworking, multi-tasking society, consistently getting a solid night's sleep can be a challenge. Most people will experience short-term insomnia (inability to fall asleep) from time to time. There are a variety of things that can disrupt, disturb or diminish one's sleep and sleep quality, ranging from stress (work, family, relationships) and noise to medication or alcohol use. 

Understanding the importance of sleep and the factors that can both hurt and help one's ability to get a good night's sleep are critical. Consistent, quality sleep is vital to overall health and wellness. There is a considerable body of evidence that lack of sleep can affect and contribute to a variety of negative health consequences, from weight gain and heart risk to diabetes and depression.

Your mind works a lot like a computer. Your brain puts information it judges to be important into "files." When you remember something, you pull up a file. Memory doesn't always work perfectly. As people grow older, it may take longer to retrieve those files. Some adults joke about having a "senior moment."

It's normal to forget things once in awhile. We've all forgotten a name, where we put our keys, or if we locked the front door. But forgetting how to use the telephone or find your way home may be signs of a more serious problem. These include Alzheimer's disease or other types of dementia, stroke, depression, head injuries, thyroid problems, or reactions to certain medicines. If you're worried about your forgetfulness, see your doctor.

National Institute on Aging

The skin is the largest organ of the body and yet most of us don't do enough to maintain our skin’s health. Americans spend millions on body products every month, but are they buying the right ones?

How much do you really know about what your skin needs, what type of skin you have, what kind of soaps and lotions are the best for your skin? What about those products that promise younger-looking, wrinkle-free skin, do they work?

One of your skin’s functions is to eliminate a portion of the body's waste products through sweating. If toxins escape through the skin they disrupt the skin's health integrity. This is one of the key factors behind many skin disorders including acne and possibly eczema and psoriasis.

Hair loss can start with a few extra hairs in the sink or in your comb. Later, it can progress to a bare scalp.

Baldness typically refers to excessive hair loss from your scalp and can be the result of heredity, certain medications or an underlying medical condition. Anyone — men, women and children — can experience hair loss.

Some people prefer to let their baldness run its course untreated and unhidden. Others may cover it up with hairstyles, makeup, hats or scarves. And still others choose one of the medications and surgical procedures that are available to treat hair loss. Before pursuing any treatment option, talk with your doctor about the cause of and best possible treatments for your hair loss.

You use your mouth to speak, eat, kiss and smile, among other tasks. The key to keeping everything working well is good oral health. Having healthy teeth and gums isn't a given, though. Preventing tooth decay and other oral health problems takes effort. Start on the path toward good oral health by understanding what's behind your smile — your teeth, gums, tongue and salivary glands.

If you are overweight, you are not alone. Sixty-six percent of adults in the U.S. are overweight or obese. Achieving a healthy weight can help you control your cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar. It might also help you prevent weight-related diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and some cancers.

Eating too much or not being physically active enough will make you overweight. To maintain your weight, the calories you eat must equal the energy you burn. To lose weight, you must use more calories than you eat. A weight-control strategy might include:

• Choosing low-fat, low-calorie foods
• Eating smaller portions
• Drinking water instead of sugary drinks
• Being physically active

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases