(Family Features) While traveling more, losing weight and quitting bad habits are annually among some of the most popular New Year’s resolutions, the turn of the calendar does represent a perfect opportunity to better yourself in multiple ways.

(Family Features) For many, traveling offers an opportunity to disconnect from the everyday and experience new places and cultures. With the beginning of a new decade, it is the perfect time to start deciding your next travel adventures.

Four facts to know about one type of rare cancer, soft tissue sarcomas

(Family Features) There are many emotional benefits to owning a dog, such as companionship and unconditional love, but a pet can also positively affect his or her owners’ physical health, too.

(Family Features) Losing weight is a highly personal journey as a wide range of factors can affect a person’s ability to do so. There’s no one approach to weight loss; rather, the best approach is the one that fits your life and body best.

(Family Features) Reading plays an obvious role in academic performance, but it’s also an essential life skill. Literacy and effective communication go hand-in-hand, and inspiring a child to embrace reading and writing can help open a world of opportunity.

(Family Features) From planning your next getaway to managing your vacation budget, there are myriad apps you can use to make your trip a seamless, more enjoyable experience.

(Family Features) If you’re among the millions of Californians who will hit the road for the holidays, you’ll want to make sure your car is road-trip ready.

(Family Features) When it comes to economics, many teens’ mouths write checks their knowledge can’t cash.

(Family Features) The holidays can be a stressful time. From family events or planning your own gathering to finding the perfect gift for your loved ones, it seems like there is never enough time.

Tips for coping with a food-centric season

(Family Features) While there’s plenty to be said for taking the proverbial road less traveled, fellow tourists can provide a wealth of knowledge to help shape a vacation filled with lifelong memories.

(Family Features) Finding the perfect gift for someone who already has it all may be easier when you stop thinking in terms of “things.” A gift that creates an unforgettable experience, like a trip to a special destination, may be more meaningful than a trinket under the tree.

(Family Features) Chances are good that at some point during the holiday season, you’ll welcome guests into your home. Whether you lease or own your home, creating a cozy, festive setting for holiday gatherings can actually be quite simple, especially if you take on the project one room at a time.

Gift ideas for everyone on your list

(Family Features) Entertainment seekers have an almost overwhelming number of options available today when it comes to viewing television shows and movies. The rise in alternative entertainment options, such as streaming video services, has only increased the amount of choices.

(Family Features) The holiday season is filled with traditions, seasonal meals and festivities. With busy calendars, it can be easy to get caught up with a long to-do list when the true joy of the season is in creating meaningful memories with loved ones, including pets.

(Family Features) The holidays signal a time for family gatherings, traditions and the spirit of giving. Make this holiday season even more meaningful by giving gifts that help children in need around the globe.

(Family Features) Monthly subscription fees for streaming video services can really add up. That’s why television, film and music stars – such as The Pussycat Dolls lead singer Nicole Sherzinger, Terrance Howard (“Hustle & Flow,” “Empire”), Chris Noth (“Sex and the City,” “Law & Orde…

(Family Features) While the impact of winter weather varies across the country, nearly all Americans are affected in some capacity each year as temperatures drop, from freezing rain to severe blizzards. One of the key dangers when severe weather strikes is the potential loss of heat, power a…

(Family Features) Any time can be the right time to enjoy memorable moments with family members, but the holidays present a special opportunity to have meaningful conversations and interactions with loved ones.

(Family Features) It’s important today to find ways to connect with others to help deepen your understanding of those around you. In a time when differences seem to dominate today’s culture, it can help to find similarities, draw connections and bridge worlds.

(Family Features) Holidays are filled with traditions, but when someone you used to share those moments with has died, managing grief during the holiday season can be particularly challenging.

(Family Features) If you’re among the millions of people in the United States who suffer from a chronic illness, you may use “sharps” to manage your medical condition at home or on the go. For example, many people with diabetes self-inject at least two insulin shots every day, and conditions…

(Family Features) Winter is the season for family gatherings, snow days and breaks from school and work, but all this time indoors can lead to a serious case of cabin fever for both children and adults. Before you face another chorus of “I’m bored,” consider these simple activities you and y…

(Family Features) Do you get short of breath doing daily activities? Feel like you’re unable to take deep breaths? Are you constantly coughing or wheezing? If you said yes to any of these questions, you may be experiencing symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a serious, …

(Family Features) From housing and business policies to overarching economic health, pets are making a profound impact on the lives of their owners. In its first Annual Report, Mars Petcare’s BETTER CITIES FOR PETS program highlights seven emerging trends as cities are working to make pets f…