Shy people die younger?
Posted: Jul 11th 2007 5:03PM by Jonathon Morgan
Filed under: Emotional Health

Are you the life of the party, or the guy who hides in the corner by the food? Your confidence in these sorts of situations might seem like it wouldn't affect much beyond your social life, but a recent study finds that being shy could mean serious consequences for your health.

Conducted by Northwestern University, the 30-year study concluded that men who are antisocial are 50 percent more likely to die from a heart attack or stroke than their more outgoing counterparts.

There are a few possible reasons for this correlation, though the exact cause isn't entirely clear. Some speculate that it's merely because those who are shy are generally of lower social status, which is also known to cause poor health. Others, however, think the two are related -- noting that those who feel socially inferior could adopt unhealthy lifestyle choices as a result. Still others suggest that gregarious people are generally type "B" (easy-going) personalities -- the only personality type that isn't associated with an increased risk of serious disease.

While there are still questions left to be answered, the results do highlight the importance of social anxiety when assessing a person's overall health.

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Wii Fit Impressions
Posted Jul 11th 2007 11:10PM by Chris Buffa
Filed under: E3, E3 Hands On

Nintendo's Wii Sports achieved great success, with millions of gamers getting off their couches and playing tennis, boxing friends and knocking over bowling pins. Some people even launched websites dedicated to their favorite game, showcasing dramatic weight loss without hitting the gym. Nintendo's latest game, Wii Fit, builds off this concept, offering people a great way to get a workout in between sessions of Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Mario Galaxy.

It all begins with the Wii Balance Board (name not final), which comes packed with the game. Players kick off their shoes and step onto the wireless board, which synchs with the Wii and transmits useful data, such as the person's weight (it actually tells people they're obese) as well as their balancing skills, informing them which leg's the strongest.

In order to stay in shape, gamers complete a series of exercises designed to get the blood pumping. One drops them into a soccer goalie's cleats, tasking them with repelling incoming soccer balls with their heads. To do this, they tilt their bodies in the desired direction, watching as an on screen character adjusts to their movements. Successfully defending the goal proves difficult, not only because opposing players toss their shoes (hitting a shoe deducts points), but also because the game requires people to constantly shift their weight. In other words, they cannot tilt to the right and hold that pose. After tilting one way, they must return to the center of the board and then tilt in a new or the same direction.

Another game asks players to perform push-ups by assuming the position with their arms placed squarely on the board. Another challenges gamers to hula-hoop, twisting their bodies in conjunction with an on screen avatar, while another gets them dancing, stepping on and off the board to match up with the game's dance moves. They can also go skiing, do yoga and simple stretch exercises designed to strengthen muscles and improve balance.

In its early stages, Wii Fit is a lot of fun. Just don't ask Nintendo for lots of details. The publisher hasn't announced the final number of exercises and the price of the bundle. It may even change the design of the Balance Board. With that being said, we have faith in Nintendo, and can't wait for the game's 2008 release.