Flu Activity Reaching Critical Levels, CDC Says

This year's flu season is officially an epidemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced, with 15 children dying as a result of the virus across the country. Tennessee is among the states hit hardest – the state has seen six children die as a result of the virus, and just one hospital in the state has seen 442 flu-stricken children.

The epidemic is spreading, the CDC says, with the number of states with a high amount of “influenza-like” activity increasing from 13 to 22 over the past week, and the number is likely to continue growing. This year's prominent strain is particularly severe, but it’s compounded by the fact that the flu vaccine does not offer protection against the H3N2 strain that is causing 90 percent of infections – though experts are still urging people to get vaccinated. “There may be some level of cross-protection,” Richard Besser, ABC News's Chief Health and Medical editor, told ABC News, ”but we won’t know until March or so until we look back.”

Psychology Hits the Gym

Ron Lynch, 61, of Leonard Springs, Florida, is a Southern boy at stomach. He grew up with a mom who loved to feed him and a heart that couldn’t turn her down. He learned early on that food is a sign of love.

“I started learning that food would help soothe me at least for a little while,” says Lynch, who recently retired from the commercial insurance industry.

But what was good for his soul wasn’t good for his body: Lynch has struggled with his weight most of his life, considers himself a food addict and has Type 2 diabetes. He’s tried plenty of exercise programs and diets – with little success.

That is, until about four years ago, when he went to Rosemarie “Bud” Seaman, an exercise physiologist, former Olympic swimmer and owner of Ultimate Fitness in Winter Park, Florida. The gym partners with a local psychotherapy practice to help clients address both the psychological and physical barriers to weight loss. [Read more: Psychology Hits the Gym.]

5 Foods to Fight the Winter Blues

As the cold weather settles in, many people find themselves experiencing the winter blues, writes U.S. News blogger Toby Amidor. Seasonal affective disorder, also known as SAD, affects 25 million Americans, many of them women. People who suffer from SAD may experience sadness, lack of interest in activities they usually enjoy, poor sleep, energy loss and feelings of worthlessness. They may also sleep too much or not sleep enough. If you get these feelings during the winter months, it’s important to speak with your physician.

If you’re just looking to keep your spirits high, turn to your kitchen. Research shows including these five foods in your diet can help boost mood:

Lentils

Researchers at Tufts University collected data from over 3,000 people between the ages of 15 and 39 and found that those with slight depression had lower concentrations of folate in their blood than those who had never been depressed. Adding high folate foods like lentils to your diet can help keep your body’s folate levels up. If you still aren’t sure you’re getting enough, speak with your physician, who can determine your folate levels by ordering a simple blood test.