health Archives - Page 2 of 10

Strategies for a Tech-Healthy Life

Technology has helped increase opportunity, connection, entertainment, and even wellness. We can access these things and more with the click of a button or swipe of a finger. However, navigating life in a hyper-digital world can come with challenges. According to the American Psychological Association, “nearly one-fifth of Americans (18 percent) identify the use of technology as a very or somewhat significant source of stress.” Creating a more tech-healthy balance in life starts with learning how to use it thoughtfully and responsibly. Know When to Turn it Off A key strategy in creating healthier habits with technology is knowing when to use it and when to put it down or turn it off. Start by creating boundaries with phones and devices while driving. Keep your phone out of reach and limit notifications to minimize distractions whenever you’re behind the wheel. [...]

Tags: DigitalDetox, DigitalWellness, health, HealthyTechHabits, MindfulTechUse, ScreenTimeBalance, TechHealth, Unplug, wellness|

Exercise: Back 2 the Basics

Regular exercise can positively influence almost every body system, from managing weight to lowering disease risk. However, navigating the plethora of information about physical activity and exercise can be challenging. We’re returning to the basics to understand the main components of exercise, the current recommendations, and the steps to get started. Aerobic Exercise Aerobic exercise is “any activity that uses large muscle groups, can be maintained continuously and is rhythmic in nature” (World Journal of Cardiology1). These activities require oxygen to produce energy, hence the name aerobic. You might also know them as cardio exercises. Aerobic exercise improves heart health, circulation, endurance, and respiratory health. It can help manage blood sugar, blood pressure, and mental health. Activity examples include running, walking, hiking, cycling, and swimming. Strength Exercise Anaerobic exercise is “intense physical activity of very short duration, fueled by the [...]

Tags: activity, AerobicExercise, exercise, GettingStarted, goals, health, StrengthExercise, wellness|

The Science of Recovery: How to Optimize Your Rest Days

Whether your goal in exercise is to get stronger, improve endurance, break a personal record, increase function, manage weight, or feel your best, you’ll need to make rest and recovery part of your plan. Proper recovery allows time for your body to adapt, reach its goals, and keep your regimen more consistent. Whenever this necessary component gets overlooked, it increases the risk of injury and hinders muscle growth and overall progress. Even if you’re not an avid exerciser, you may be familiar with how massage, stretching, and foam rolling can help ease sore muscles, as well as ice and cold therapy can help reduce inflammation. Your rest and recovery shouldn’t stop there. We’ve compiled several more ways to optimize your rest days. Proper Nutrition & Hydration Protein is essential for muscle repair and growth, and carbohydrates are stored in muscle [...]

Tags: Active Rest, exercise, habits, health, hydration, lifestyle, Prioritize Sleep, Proper Nutrition, wellness|

Men’s Health Awareness – Strategies for Healthy Aging

June is Men's Health Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the health challenges men face and encouraging them to take proactive steps towards maintaining their well-being. Men’s health encompasses a wide range of issues, including physical fitness, mental health, and preventative care. This month offers an opportunity to highlight the importance of regular health check-ups, a balanced lifestyle, and the need for mental and emotional support. Overcoming stigmas and taking proactive measures can ensure age related problems are dealt with in a productive manner. Understanding Men’s Health Issues Men have a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, and sudden death than women. They are less likely to seek and get treatment for emotional conditions such as major depression, even though studies tell us over 30% of men suffer depression in their lifetime. Men are also more likely to [...]

Tags: Aging, Emotional Wellbeing, health, mens health, mental health, preventive care, wellbeing, wellness|

Dining Out Mindfully: Tips for Making Healthy Choices at Restaurants

Dining out at restaurants often goes hand in hand with times of celebration, social connection, and enjoyment. While dining out is an exciting part of life, it can easily disrupt healthy eating habits. We’ve compiled several ways to dine out mindfully and keep your nutrition goals in focus. Plan Ahead If you will be dining out for a meal, plan for it. Adjust your day for healthier or lighter meals before and after. Incorporate physical activity into your day, or add a few more minutes to your exercise session. If you know where you’ll be eating beforehand, consider looking up the menu to familiarize yourself with the options available. Whenever you plan for it, you can make adaptations to help you keep your goals on track rather than feeling guilty for enjoying a meal out. Don’t Arrive Too Hungry Skipping a [...]

Tags: be present, dining out, drink wisely, health, healthy choices, nutrition, plan ahead, portions, smart choices, wellness|

5 Ways to Incorporate Mindful Moments into Your Day

Life can seem busier every day, making it easy to rush through our busy days on autopilot. Practicing mindfulness allows you to pay attention in the present moment purposefully and without judgment. Instead of quick reactions or thoughtless choices, mindfulness brings intentionality and focus to decision-making. If you’re not sure where to begin when it comes to practicing mindfulness or if you feel like you don’t have time in your day to think about one more thing, here are five easy ways to incorporate mindful moments into your day. Mindful Breaks Even on the busiest day, you can have a mindful break for a few moments. As responsibilities and stress pile up, our thoughts start racing as well. Mindful breaks bring our thoughts back to the present and quiet the chatter. Take a mindful break by practicing several rounds of [...]

Tags: #awareness, #presence, #reflection, health, mindful, mindful activities, mindful breaks, mindfulness, technology, wellness|

5 Benefits of Outdoor Workouts for Mind and Body

As the warmer, sunny weather rolls around, our motivation to move more tends to rise. We might feel more inclined to take a quick walk outside during our lunch break or hike with friends on the weekend. The weather can certainly impact our will to exercise, but did you know outdoor activity can benefit the mind and body? Let’s explore five reasons to get outside and get moving. Stress and Mental Health Management Research has shown that outdoor activity can help decrease feelings of anger and depression while improving mood (ACE Fitness1). Sunlight increases our body’s production of the hormone serotonin. Serotonin is known for being a mood booster and promotes feelings of calmness (Healthline2). Studies have also shown that the Vitamin D we get from time spent in the sunshine also helps to stabilize mood and lower depression risk [...]

Tags: budget, challenges, corporate wellness, exercise, health, mental health, outdoor activity, outdoor exercise, social, stress, wellness|

Food Reactions: Navigating Dietary Restrictions for Wellness

In the journey toward wellness, maintaining a healthy relationship with food is crucial. Part of this involves an awareness of chronic conditions caused by overindulgence, such as diabetes, heart disease, certain types of cancer and high blood pressure. For others, it can involve understanding why certain foods make you feel uncomfortable or ill after eating them. These uncomfortable symptoms are suggestive of three possible reactions: food allergies, sensitivities, and intolerances. These conditions can significantly affect you and your family’s quality of life, and careful navigation and intervention can reduce risks and improve overall health. Understand the Differences: Allergy, Sensitivity, and Intolerance To understand uncomfortable reactions a person can have with a particular food, it’s helpful to understand the way doctors and other nutritional professionals classify the reactions. Allergic reactions involve our body’s immune system and may be triggered by even [...]

Tags: allergic reactions, communication, digestive symptoms, emergency preparedness, Food allergies, food intolerances, food labeling, food sensitivities, health, immune system, management strategies, support groups, wellness|

The Connection Between Stress and Blood Pressure

Stress affects the body in many ways, including blood pressure management. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, when left unmanaged, can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, and more (American Heart Association1). Stress is acute or chronic, so each has a unique connection to blood pressure. Exploring these different connections will help us find healthier ways to manage stress and control our blood pressure. Times of Acute Stress Acute stress is typically emergent and temporary, such as slamming on your brakes in traffic to avoid an accident. Our body enters flight or fight mode to protect itself during an emergency. It naturally produces stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol to initiate specific body functions like increased heart rate, blood flow to muscles, and respiration. This reaction also temporarily raises blood pressure as a result. Responses like these are [...]

Tags: acute stress, blood pressure, health, hypertension, nutrition, physical activity, relaxation techniques, sleep quality, social support, stress management, wellness|

Butterflies in Your Stomach – A Great Example of the Gut-Brain Connection!

Have you ever felt "butterflies in your stomach" before a significant event or during moments of stress? This sensation is not just a metaphor but a vivid illustration of how closely our gut and brain communicate, influencing our overall health and well-being. The notion that gut health and well-being are connected is not new. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, famously stated, "All disease begins in the gut", over 2000 years ago. Throughout history and across various cultures, dietary practices have long been devised with a focus on promoting overall health. Your Brain and Belly talk in several ways. Your brain and gut have bidirectional communication through several different mechanisms including: Direct nerve connections. The vagus nerve, a key player in the autonomic (“fight or flight”) nervous system connects directly to nerves lining the intestinal walls. These nerves are sometime called [...]

Tags: #balanceddiet, #brainhealth, #GutBrainConnection, #GutHealth, #ManageStress, #PhysicalActivity, #Prebiotics, health, microbiome, probiotics, wellness|