 Image credit: Pixabay from Pexels Research has found that regular sauna or hot tub bathing can indeed bring about some similar health benefits to that of low to moderate intensity aerobic exercise, such as walking, jogging and cycling. On first glance, comparing a hot bath or sauna to a jog might seem illogical – after all, the former tends to be seen as relaxing and the latter tiring – but they are more similar than you may think.
The Conversation looked into the surprising benefits that a bath or sauna can bring you.
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 Image credit: Pixabay from Pexels Exercise is vital to our bodies to help us maintain our health and fitness levels. Pretty much every adult knows that movement is the best thing for our bodies, and lack of movement can result in some pretty bad scenarios for our bodies.
"There's no wrong or right with fitness. It's whatever you enjoy and whatever you can keep up and keep doing." Joe Wicks But exercise doesn't just mean hitting the gym. There is more to movement than lifting weights or pounding the treadmill. There are many more beneficial ways to improve your physical and mental health through movement. So as an adult, what can you do to get that all-important exercise in without forcing yourself to do something you don't enjoy? Join a sports team Both rugby and football are national pastimes and perfect ways to raise that heart rate and work out a sweat. There are nearly 7,000 registered rugby clubs alone in the UK, and you can quickly join a team and start playing at your level. You never know. If you find you enjoy the game, you can work your way through the club and become more involved in the decision for the team, social events, or even choosing online Rugby team kit designs, which can be a great way to find new support circles and friend groups. If rugby or football isn't your cup of tea, then there are over 150,000 registered sports clubs in the UK for you to choose from. Go Hiking As opposed to just walking, hiking offers many health benefits for everyone. There are many benefits of walking, and while this is a natural place to start, making a move to hiking can help you increase your activity levels and stamina and improve your overall health. Walking is an excellent fat burner. All you need to do is make sure you walk at a pace that raises your heart rate and leaves you slightly out of breath. When you elevate this to hiking, you can offer your body many more benefits. Noto ly will you be able to marvel at the beauty of nature around you, but you can move across different terrains, change gradients as you move up and down hills and mountains and give your body a boosted workout. Dance it out Dancing uses multiple muscle groups and can be as vigorous or relaxed as you choose. There are numerous dance styles you can choose to learn, and classes across the country range from beginner to advanced. From Zumba to ballet, salsa or ballroom, you can still get moving, have fun and avoid the gym if you so wish. The best part is you can choose to be trained to improve your skill and technique on a more intense level or enjoy dancing on a more relaxed schedule. Dancing is fun, energetic and social, meaning you can further boost your dopamine levels by getting extra mental health support from those around you in class. Whatever type of movement you choose to do, remember that there is no point in doing it if it makes you unhappy. The more you enjoy what you do, the better the chances of committing and making it part of your schedule in the future.  Image credit: Cottonbro from Pexels If you can't imagine your life without social media, you've probably fallen victim to the strong power that social networking sites have over the public. Chances are that you've also experienced some of the negative effects of social media on people.
Unfortunately, the bad effects of social media are all too real for a lot of us. Let's look at the negative impacts of social media on real people, which happen every day. MakeUseOf.com have a list of negative effects that Social Media has on anyone that uses any of those platforms.  Image credit: Engin Akyurt from Pexels Any decision or activity you take that has a modest or even significant impact on your life is considered part of your lifestyle. Your attitude and ideals are reflected in your decisions and behaviours.
Changes to your lifestyle can mean that you can finally take real control of your wellness and move forward in your life in a positive way. Read on to find out what some of these lifestyle changes are and how you can make the necessary – and important – changes. Go to the Doctor when you need to Are you one of those people who avoids seeing a doctor when they notice a strange bump, lump, or rash? Do you wait until you're so sick you can barely move before scheduling a doctor's appointment and then wait months before scheduling regular screenings or tests? Make a promise to yourself this year that you will go to the doctor when necessary. Don't waste weeks googling your symptoms and getting terrible diagnoses that make you feel even worse, and don't keep showing up to work sneezing all over the place when you should have gotten a medical certificate and stayed home. When you're sick, see a doctor, get better, and get on with your life. In fact, make a promise to yourself that you will make all the important appointments you need to, whether it's for your health, your finances, or you need to speak to Carbon Law Partners for any legal help. Getting things done and not worrying about them means less stress and more progress. Eat more fruit and vegetables We know it's not the most exciting goal to have, but eating more fruits and vegetables could change your life. Fruits and vegetables contain a variety of nutrients that are important for our health, as well as fiber to keep your digestive system happy. However, most people do not consume nearly enough fruits and vegetables on a daily basis, which is why they are not as healthy as they could be, and their wellness always needs some help. Most adults should eat five to six servings of vegetables and two servings of fruit per day, but if you're not getting that much, start with one extra serving per day and work your way up. Snack on a piece of fruit or a vegetable, or find a way to incorporate vegetables into your breakfast, for example. It will become a lot easier that way rather than trying to add it all to your dinner and finding it's too much. Take ten minutes Although ten minutes is a small portion of your day (only 0.7 percent of your 24 hours, in fact), scheduling ten minutes of 'you time' each day can have numerous health benefits. We all have mental health issues, just as we all have physical health issues. Taking a few minutes each day to relax your mind can improve your resilience and reduce stress, which is good for your entire body. You could try mindfulness or meditation techniques, do something creative like drawing or playing music, or simply sit quietly with a cup of tea; there is no one right way to care for your mental health. Prioritise sleep Sleep can sometimes be overlooked in a world of constant communication, long work days, and hectic schedules. Sleep, however, should be a priority; not only will feeling rested help you complete everything you have to do, whether it relates to your work, your family, or your life in general, but getting enough sleep is associated with numerous health benefits such as less stress, a lower risk of heart disease, and a better functioning immune system. Everyone is different, but adults should aim for eight hours of sleep per night on average.  Image credit: Stevepb from Pixabay During winter, it is common to come down with common illnesses. From Seasonal affective disorder to colds and flu, not to mention COVID 19, there is plenty to worry about when it comes to not getting ill this winter. Vitamins and supplements have been taken for years to combat different ailments, but how can you support yourself holistically during winter? Things have come much further from the chewy multivitamins consumed sweet-like and force-fed to children when they are ill. There are thousands of vitamins out there, but in this post, you will learn what the best vitamins are to support your health during winter.
1) Vitamin D The first and most critical supplement to take during the winter is Vitamin D. Vitamin D is vital to the body as it regulates the amount of calcium and phosphorus, contributing to a normal and healthy immune system. Usually, we get this naturally in summer when our body absorbs sunlight; however, this is much more difficult to attain in winter. This is because we are inside more due to the cold, the days are shorter and working from home is becoming more and more frequent. This means sometimes we don’t have sunlight touching our skin for days! That’s why it is important that we take vitamin D supplements during winter. If you are on a budget, grab any old Vitamin D tablets, but buy a Vitamin D spray for better absorption. The spray is absorbed through the lining of your mouth and provides a more instant boost of Vitamin D to the body. It will help fight diseases, reduce depression, and boosts your metabolism. What’s not to love? 2) Vitamin B12 Those outside of the vegan community often overlook the next vitamin on the list. Vitamin B12 helps to convert glucose into usable energy in the body, meaning added B12 gives the body more energy. This is especially important during winter, as we can feel sluggish due to the lack of fresh air. This vitamin will be essential if you struggle with seasonal depression, as it will give you more energy to help beat the winter blues. This vitamin will also boost your immune system too, as it gives you more energy to fight off infections and any colds and illnesses that come your way. Regardless of what activity you are doing, from making sure you have your van fleet insurance or exercising in the park, you will need B12 to get you through. You can also get this naturally through red meats, and leafy greens, so don’t forget to up your intake of these during winter! 3) Iron The final vitamin you should be taking religiously during winter is iron. Iron is essential during winter as it can help you regulate your body temperature. Lack of iron can also cause many problems, from brittle nails to headaches and, in more extreme cases, fainting. It is best to take iron supplements in liquid form, especially if you are vegetarian, as it absorbs more easily into your bloodstream. Take one when you’re feeling cold, and maybe that’s the root of the problem.  Image credit: Burst from Pexels Even as Covid-19 restrictions are easing, the effects of the pandemic are still extensive, and many people are still particularly vulnerable to the virus. Even so, the need to stay fit and healthy is vital, especially when combatting a virus that attacks the immune system. Thankfully, you don’t necessarily have to resort to a crowded gym to keep fit during the pandemic, as there are many ways you can exercise outside or at home to avoid the spread of coronavirus.
Some ways you can keep fit during the Covid-19 pandemic include: Going for Walks Walking is one of the easiest forms of exercise, it’s free to do, and it’s the perfect exercise for keeping fit during the pandemic. It experienced a huge increase in popularity after the outbreak of Covid-19, and it is easy to see why. Going for walks provides a safe way to exercise alongside other people, and the natural views you encounter when walking can be stunning. It is also great for your mental health. Another way to socially distance while walking includes walking in place (or on a treadmill) in front of the television, either playing your favorite TV show or movie or going for the more daring option and playing ‘treadmill walking scenery videos’ in front of you, to give the impression of walking in nature! Zoom Fitness Classes If you need some direction and someone to motivate you when you exercise, consider taking fitness classes through Zoom. Different instructors offer different types of classes; you have the option of a private session or a group class, and you can also choose different styles of exercise, such as yoga classes on Zoom. The opportunities are endless! Bike Rides While walking and yoga are often relaxing stress-free ways to exercise, biking is a more exhilarating option for those who enjoy more of an adrenaline rush when they exercise. If you wanted to incorporate this into your daily routine, you could even cycle to work or school, both helping save the planet by lowering fuel emissions from your car, and keeping fit while doing it. Don’t forget to weather protect your bike from rusting and wear during the winter weather; there are multiple ways to do this, such as keeping a plastic bag over it to protect it from the rain, or storing it under shelter if possible, or even powder coating your bike for extra protection. Fitness Video Games If you’re looking for a more entertaining form of exercise during the pandemic, you might be interested in the host of videogames available that are designed specifically for keeping fit. From consoles as timeless as the Wii to newer models like the Nintendo Switch, there are countless games to choose from, like Ring Fit Adventure on the Nintendo Switch, where you can do stamina exercises and running exercises. A popular option is Just Dance, a game available on most consoles today, including Xbox, Playstation, and the Wii, where you can keep fit by dancing to popular music. While the coronavirus pandemic has undoubtedly affected the world in numerous negative ways, it doesn’t mean that we can’t find innovative ways to keep fit and stay healthy and happy in these uncertain times.  Image credit: Guerita from Pexels Winter is on its way, and there are only a few Fridays left until Christmas. As the year draws to a close, it is important for us to not forget our healthy eating goals and indulge too much in the foods we crave.
Whether you are running your own business and need the energy for working at home, taking on a new compliance training course, or managing your family - fueling the body the right way is important for everyone. When the festive season comes around it is all too easy to dip a finger in every pie, literally, but today we want to give you some healthier food options that will fuel a healthier and happier body. These recipes are simple and will keep you healthy and strong all season long. Spicy chicken tacos These simple and spicy tacos will be the best option for a family get together or even a small family dinner on a Friday night. Full of veggies and flavour, this is a healthy alternative to your Friday night takeaway. Ingredients:
What could be better than a bit of buffalo chicken? Even when you are on a diet it doesn’t mean you have to miss out on big flavour. This spicy topped salad is a great way to enjoy the flavours you love with less fat. Ingredients:
Meatballs are a staple food for many households, but meatballs doesn’t always have to mean spaghetti. These easy courgette meatball boats are medicine you need for a carb loaded weekend. Ingredients:
This easy leash steak recipe will give you everything you need from a comfort meal but also many amazing greens to fuel your day. Ingredients:
Vegetable tortellini This veggie packed meal can be eaten as a simple lunch time meal prep or can be a great family meal midweek. The great thing about this is you can mix and match the veggies you add depending on what you have in the house. Ingredients:
Ginger shot Some of the foods you eat or drinks you enjoy will not be a full meal, and this homemade ginger shot will give you a boost every morning and will boost your metabolism ready for a healthy day of eating. Ingredients:
Chicken Parmesan doesn’t always have to be a fatty meal. This simple and less fatty version is much healthier and can be easily made during the week. Ingredients:
It's also important to stay healthy in the Winter months through exercise. You can check out this guide to staying fit during the holidays, which helps you fit exercise into your busy schedule!  Image credit: Erika Wittlieb from Pixabay Moving into a new home means having to complete a lot of tasks, from cleaning both your old and new properties to getting all of your things moved. Before you move into your new home, whether bought or rented, it's also a good idea to check a few things to ensure it's a healthy environment. Whether you're moving in alone or with your family, you need the property to be safe. There are a few things that you might want to check before you move into a new home to make sure it's a safe and healthy place to live. Ensure Safety Checks Have Been Carried Out There are certain safety checks that should be carried out to ensure a property is safe. If you're moving into a rented home, it's the landlord's job to check that things like the gas supply and any gas appliances, as well as the electrics, are safe to use. If you're buying a home, you might want to know if the previous owners have carried out any of these checks recently. If not, it could be time to do them. When buying a home, carrying out a survey will also help to pick up on any structural issues that could be dangerous. Carry Out Tests for Contaminants There are various contaminants in and around a home that could pose a danger to you and your family. You might want to carry out meth testing if you're unsure about what previous activity might have taken place in the property. It's a good idea to check if there is any asbestos on the property as anything containing asbestos has a risk of shedding. Another thing that you might want to look for is radon gas. Radon is naturally occurring but can build up in your home and lead to health problems, such as lung cancer.  Image credit: Christelle Prieur from Pixabay Check Safety Devices (Such as Smoke Alarms)
The safety devices in your home should all be working well. If they're already present in the home, you need to make sure they're working properly. If you're moving into a new home that doesn't have things like smoke alarms or carbon monoxide detectors, you should install them before you move in. You can then feel assured that you'll know if anything is wrong, whether there's a fire or a carbon monoxide leak. It's important to check these devices regularly too. Control Moisture and Look Out for Mold Too much moisture in your home can result in damp and mold. Before you move into a new home, consider how you can control moisture levels and whether the property is designed well to help you do that. You might need to look for any cracks in walls or near windows and doors to prevent air and moisture from getting in. Make sure you direct downspouts away from the property and ensure there is good ventilation to help moisture escape. Before moving into your new home, check these important things to ensure your home is healthy for your family.  Image credit: Carolina Heza from Unsplash The throbbing, pulsating sensation that is felt during a migraine is unbearable. Anyone who suffers with migraines knows this feeling too well, usually felt on one side of the head, it is often accompanied by nausea, sensitivity to light, sound or movement. Migraines can last for hours to days and the pain can be so intense that it interferes with your daily activities.
Migraines are extremely different from other types of headaches. For some people, a warning symptom known as an aura occurs before or with the headache. An aura may have visual disturbances (like seeing light spots and “floaters”), light sensitivity, motion sickness, and difficulty speaking. Medications can help ease the symptoms of migraines, and in some cases, prevent migraines all-together. Medicating isn’t the end all be all to living with migraines though. The proper medications, with self-help routines, IV therapy, and lifestyle changes, can help obtain relief from migraines. Debilitating Pain Headaches are no comparison to migraines. There is nothing worse than feeling an unclenching pain in your mind, causing you to be unable to do even the most basic tasks. Most migraines last about 4 hours. When they are not treated, they can last for days. In fact, The World Health Organization listed them as one of the ten most disabling medical illnesses. What Triggers Migraines? There are a lot of different factors that can trigger migraines. These can include a lack of sleep, stress, dehydration, smells, foods, and hormone changes. Sometimes it is easy to pinpoint what caused a migraine, while other times it may take a few years to understand. A random trigger might occur one day and never occur again. There are many options of pain and preventative medication for people, but some people fail to obtain relief. Learning the Symptoms Migraines can start as early as childhood and may progress through different stages: prodrome, aura, attack and post-drome. 1. Prodrome One or two days before a migraine, you may notice these symptoms:
For some people, aura might occur before or during migraines. Symptoms of migraine aura include:
A migraine usually lasts from 4 to 72 hours if untreated. Symptoms that may occur during a migraine:
After a migraine attack phase, a person may experience mood changes between exhaustion and confusion, to happiness and euphoria. A dull headache may linger. Eventually, you feel back to normal in a few hours. Not everyone who experiences migraines goes through all of the phases, just like not everyone will experience the same symptoms. How to Find Migraine Relief Living with constant migraine fear and symptoms is not something any individual should have to go through. A treatment plan can help manage your symptoms and stop a migraine from happening in the first place. With all the over-the-counter pain and preventative medicines, doctors may also suggest lifestyle changes that can help ease migraine pain. A proactive combination of migraine relief may include include:
IV Therapy for Migraines: How It Helps The access to different wellness modalities has increased over the past 10 years. Intravenous therapy is one of those wellness options that has become more accessible for everyday use. IV therapy can help aid in migraine relief in a few different ways. Studies have shown that IV therapy can help with migraines and headaches because of the ingredients, electrolytes, and general hydration used. This treatment is extremely easy and reliable because all the water and nutrients are going directly into the bloodstream. This means faster relief than taking oral medications. Nutrients such as electrolytes, vitamin B12, and magnesium all pose possible benefits to reducing and preventing migraines. All beneficial to migraines and so many other health issues.
If you experience migraines, you are probably already seeking guidance from a healthcare provider. OTC medications and lifestyle changes may drastically reduce the occurrence of migraines as well as some other complementary modalities. Please consult your doctor before making any changes, and ask if IV therapy is something you can add to your migraine treatment plan. This article was originally published at iveeapp.com.  Image credit: Bruno/ Germany from Pixabay Buying toothpaste can be a bit of a nightmare because there are so many options available. Most people just pick a brand they like the look of and stick with it, without really thinking about whether it’s the best option or not. The price of toothpaste ranges a lot, but are the expensive ones really any better or is it just fancy packaging? Some people assume that there is no difference, but that isn’t actually the case. In fact, if you want to take care of your family’s dental health, you need to start paying attention to the toothpaste you buy. Here are some of the key things to look out for.
Ignore Packaging And Buzzwords Toothpaste packets always have lots of fancy pictures and buzzwords to make it look like they’re better than the other options. Often, they’ll say things like ‘7 in 1’ toothpaste and list all sorts of benefits. But if you consider these things, they’re often a stretch and it just amounts to cleaning your teeth and gums. For example, eliminating bacteria and preventing bad breath are basically the same thing because the bad breath is caused by bacteria. So, ignore all of that stuff and look closer at what is actually in it and what the benefits are. Check The Ingredients When you are comparing different brands, always look at the ingredients in the toothpaste. The main thing you should be looking for is fluoride because that is what will clean and protect your teeth, especially if your family has a sweet tooth. There are a lot of herbal brands that market themselves as natural alternatives that are better for you, but they don’t contain any fluoride, so avoid these. Ideally, look for toothpaste that has between 1400 and 1500 parts per million. Consider Your Specific Needs When picking a toothpaste, you should consider your specific needs. Do you have a lot of problems with staining? Do you have very sensitive teeth? Different formulations can deal with these specific dental problems, so take this into account when making your decision. If you buy from a specialist dental supplies company instead of the supermarket, you can get a bigger range of medicated toothpaste to help with your dental issues. If you are using the wrong toothpaste for your teeth, you are more likely to experience dental problems in the future. Ask Your Dentist Often, people don’t really know what kind of toothpaste they need and they end up making the wrong choice. For example, whitening toothpaste can be quite abrasive, so if you use this when you have sensitive teeth, you will only make the problem worse. If you don’t really know what you should be looking for, ask your dentist for some advice. They will be able to recommend the right type of toothpaste for your teeth and they will also have a better idea of which brands are good and which ones aren’t. If you just pick the cheapest toothpaste every time, you could be causing yourself more problems. So, consider all of these factors and be prepared to pay a bit more for the good stuff.  Image credit: Meghan Holmes from Unsplash.com Arguably, the only thing more important than working out correctly, is recovering correctly. Immediate or short-term recovery is the most common form of recovery. This short duration of time allows the body to rebuild muscle fibers, making them stronger than they were before. Sleep is another crucial component of correct recovery. Athletes who are sleep deprived are at risk for losing aerobic endurance levels as well as decreased production of human growth hormones (HGH) — a hormone that is active during tissue repair. Workout recovery supplements also serve their own important role in the recovery process.
How can supplements help? Long stretches in the gym at high intensity may seem like the best way to get that summer bod, but too much time in the gym can actually halt your progress. Make sure to leave some time to recover and recuperate. Workout recovery supplements help your body with this process and re-energize your body before you step foot in the gym again. Many recently converted health nuts like to determine their progress based upon how sore they are post workout. NO BUENO. Sore muscles means it’s time to stop. Returning to the gym anything less than 90% fit is a one way ticket to injury. Thankfully these workout supplements help speed up the recovery process, getting you out of bed and back in the gym quicker. Botanic Choice Creatine Creatine is every gym nut’s best friend. It helps increase your muscles’ phosphocreatine stores. Phosphocreatine helps with the formation of ATP that gets broken down to produce energy. By increasing our phosphocreatine stores, we are able to produce more ATP, fueling muscles during high-octane workouts. L-Carnosine L-Carnosine is fantastic for improving muscle endurance by promoting healthy aging and cellular restoration. This supplement works by helping to reduce levels of hydrogen ions (H+) from our blood plasma. Too much H+ in blood plasma causes your body to drop in pH which can lead to other health complications. L-Carnosine acts as a buffer for bodily pH, which delays the onset of fatigue. Whey Protein Whey protein is a staple recovery method for the gym-goer young and old. It’s main ingredient, protein, is essential for repairing and rebuilding muscle. Whey protein is easy for the body to absorb and digest. It is best to consume immediately after a workout. BCAAs BCAAs is short for Branched Chain Amino Acids. This supplement is very popular amongst bodybuilders. BCAAs help increase muscle growth, decrease muscle soreness, reduce exercise fatigue, and prevent muscle wasting. So not only will this help increase muscle mass, it’ll help you get back in the gym quicker and longer. L-Glutamine Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the body. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins which are vital for muscle growth, development, and recovery. In addition to its muscular benefits, regularly supplementing Glutamine can help enhance your immune system. How do I know which ones are for me? It is difficult to pinpoint what exact supplements fit your gym regimen. If you are looking for supplements that contribute to muscle growth, BCAAs and Whey Protein are a good shot, though Whey is good for most fitness routines. If muscle longevity and endurance is more important to you, creatine or L-Carnosine may be helpful. Other recovery methods such as proper hydration, stretching (both before and after working out), and rest are also important for muscle growth and recovery. At the end of the day… The only one who knows their body the best is you. The best thing you can do to get the most out of your workout is to understand your limits. Most injuries occur when people try to go that extra mile and push through the pain. Listen, the pain is your body’s way of telling you, “Please can we stop doing this.” So listen most importantly, listen to your body…and your doctor. Always consult your physician before adding supplements to your wellness regime and even increasing fitness routine intensity. This article was originally published at iveeapp.com.  Image credit: Brooke Lark from Unsplash When searching for a new food, I often look for products from companies that specialise in the products you will be buying. If they have products you like there is a good chance they also have products that are good for your heart.
So you might ask, "Why should I buy heart healthy foods instead of a product that is only good for my heart?" Well let me tell you it is a lot better for your health. When you use food with a high fibre content, you will feel more full for longer periods of time. You get more of that feeling of satiety, the feeling you do not want to eat and thus you will be less likely to overeat. It is the same concept behind fibre. When people consume foods with a high fibre content, they do not eat as much of it. You feel full for longer periods and thus you do not over eat. The problem though is that not all foods contain fibre. So you end up not getting the full benefit of it. In addition, foods that do contain it, it has a limited processing life. So once it gets into your system, it is already done for. One good alternative is taking foods that are already good for your heart as opposed to products that claim to be good for your heart. There are some foods that have low levels of cholesterol. This means you get the full benefit without eating foods that give you the full effect of it, which could be detrimental and give you heart palpitations. A good example are fresh fruit juices. You can take those juices with a low fat or low calorie yogurt or shake. You are not eating your heart on a plate. This also includes whole wheat pasta and whole grain rice. It is best to soak and cook these foods. Another good example are supplements like omega 3. If you want to take fish oil, there are some fish oil supplements that are the equivalent in omega 3 to the amount you would get from eating a fatty fish. This makes it much easier to get the benefits of the supplement. However, it is important to remember that you will not get the same benefits from taking these supplements on a daily basis. These are high DHA and EPA foods that help maintain your good health. You are able to take more of these food supplements without overexercising.  Image credit: Thought Catalog When someone in your life is in the process of losing weight, what should you do? Should you draw attention to the weight loss and applaud the person, or should you de-emphasize it and avoid talking about it? The knee-jerk reaction is often to compliment and praise people for how great they look and for all their hard work. But is hearing those things truly helpful?
My Fitness Pal has blog post that has caused plenty of comments already...  Image credit: Andrey Zvyagintsev from Unsplash Winter can be a difficult time. Many experience what is known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD can cause symptoms like fatigue, depression, and social withdrawal in climates where there is a lack of sunlight. This wintertime stagnation makes us less active and more prone to weight gain and other negative side effects. However, detoxification can help refresh and reset your body just in time for spring.
The importance of resetting So what even is detoxing anyway? Detoxing is the process of removing harmful toxins that have entered the body by way of our environment, the foods we eat, or the fluids we drink. According to Dr. Mark Hyman, an American physician and New York Times best-selling author, we are constantly living in a sea of toxins and it is slowly destroying our bodies and brains. Although our body naturally detoxes through the liver and kidneys, some modalities can help support the natural process. 5 easy ways to detoxify and refresh Detoxing can seem like a big step for some people, but don’t fret. We aren’t here to put anybody on a liquid-only month-long diet. There are easy ways we can help our body detox without having to strain ourselves too hard. 1. Drink Mo’ H2O If you don’t already carry a Nalgene everywhere you go, start. The average person, male or female, should consume roughly 13.5 cups of water per day — or about three 32 oz Nalgenes. Staying properly hydrated will allow for water to transport waste products out of the body through urination, sweating, and breathing. IV detox therapy can also help keep your body hydrating while flushing your body of harmful toxins, while replenishing with vitamins and minerals. 2. Avoid processed foods and sugary beverages Consuming high amounts of processed foods and sugar can have detrimental effects to the organs that play a pivotal role in detoxification. For example, high consumption of sugary beverages can cause fatty liver, a condition that negatively impacts liver function. By consuming less junk food, we can protect our detoxification process. 3. Exercise! Exercise, quite literally, is one of the best things we can do for our body. Exercise by itself does not detox your body, but studies have shown that exercise helps keep those vital organs like the kidneys, liver, and lungs functioning optimally. 4. Eat more antioxidant rich foods Antioxidants protect your cells against damage caused by molecules called free radicals. At high levels, free radicals begin to hurt the body by attacking healthy cells. This can lead to a condition called oxidative stress. An antioxidant-rich diet can help reduce damage caused by free radicals, lowering the risk of diseases that can impact detoxification. 5. Limit alcohol Over 90% of alcohol is processed by your liver. Studies show that low-to-moderate alcohol consumption can be beneficial for heart health, however, excessive alcohol consumption can cause a wide range of health problems, including damaged liver function. Limiting alcohol drinking is a very beneficial way to keep the body’s detoxification support strong. How can we maintain this refreshed state? Sustaining your cleansed state for lack of a better term, may seem daunting at first. But in reality, it’s quite easy and even pretty fun. One of the best things to do is to maintain a healthy diet. As we said, antioxidants are essential for helping your body with its natural detoxification process. So eating foods rich in antioxidants such as:
Another way to maintain a detoxification is simply drinking water. Water helps toxins out of the body through urination, sweating, and breathing. It also promotes healthy organ function. And don’t forget to hydrate before and after working out. Leaving your body dehydrated after a workout can leave it vulnerable to harmful toxins. Takeaways Detoxifying habits can flush our organs of harmful toxins and reduce the impact of oxidative stress. Wintertime is prime time for your body to fall victim to bodily pollutants since our activity level is much more stagnant. So take advantage of natural benefits, they’ll keep your mood up during those dark winters and have you bursting at the seams with energy and youthfulness right in time for spring. There’s a reason why it’s called Spring Cleaning. This article was originally published at iveeapp.com.  Image credit: Diana Polekhina from Unsplash There are many diets that would work for you, but they aren't tailored exactly the way you are thinking. There are various dietary supplements and vitamins that would work wonders for improving your body and improving your body functions. This is a supplement that would give you amazing benefits and health that would make you look like a completely new person instead of someone who is emaciated and look unhealthy.
This is a dietary supplement that would give you the energy you need to do the work you are doing, as well as the body that would be healthy. The supplements were made with your best interests in mind and made from high quality ingredients that are safe and have no side effects. This supplement doesn't just help with your health, it would help improve your mood too, as well as help your brain function properly. This diet supplement is made out of vitamins and minerals that are safe as well as minerals. This supplement would be the best thing to use if you are thinking about using a diet to lose weight, but don't know what to use and want to get the maximum results from your diet. It is important to be aware that it is important to do a lot of research about the products you are considering using, so as not to fall in any traps. Always keep in mind that this diet plan wouldn't be the best thing to use if you are worried about being allergic to any of the ingredients included for the supplement. This dietary supplement would be the easiest product to use as well as to take, so as to not have any negative effects to the body. This supplement is the best thing to use if you are considering using any dietary supplement, but want to make sure that the supplement would work properly without any side effects. For this dietary supplement, there are many nutrients including amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that are included that are safe. They wouldn't hurt anyone and would work wonders for your health as well as your weight. There are many products that are designed by a lot of people and they have received many reviews on the internet, which are a great source of information about the products.  We’ve all been there: the morning starts off okay, but then one thing after another begins to go wrong, and after a certain point, it feels like there’s no way to turn the day around—you may as well cut your losses and just binge-watch TV on the couch. That’s a completely human and normal response, but the truth is, there are a lot of ways to help you hit the reset button and get back into the swing of things. So the next time you believe you’re just having a bad day and there’s nothing to be done about it, try one of these simple strategies. Ten minutes later, you’ll be ready to get back on the horse (or at least you’ll be ready to start considering riding again).
'Happy 2nd Birthday' has seven refreshing breaks you could try today!  Image credit: Pyure Pancakes, waffles, French toast: there’s nothing better than comforting, carb-friendly breakfast foods. Whether you’re cooking up a weekend brunch for your family or looking for a quick, kid-friendly breakfast-for-dinner recipe, these 5 dishes use better-for-you ingredients like stevia and almond flour to make your favorite breakfasts guilt-free. Top off your pancakes or waffles with Pyure’s Harmless Hunny Alternative or Organic Maple Syrup Alternative to start your day on the right foot.
You can read more over at Pyure...  Image credit: Pyureorganic.com It’s not breaking news — sugar is bad for you.
It’s fattening, promotes tooth decay and puts you at risk for a myriad of diseases. What you may not know, however, is that sugar has been clinically proven to be addictive, producing symptoms typically associated with substance abuse, including cravings, tolerance and withdrawal. In fact, one study showed that given the choice, lab rats choose sugar over cocaine. You can find out just how to kick the sugar habit over at Pyure...  Photo by Kelly Lacy from Pexels You might not like to hear this, but your home can be an extremely unhealthy place. When this is the case, it's hard for you to stay as healthy as possible, seeing as there are so many things around your home that stand against you. Thankfully, you don't have to admit defeat and assume that your home will always be unhealthy. Additionally, you don't have to entirely change your lifestyle and make significant changes to your home to make it healthier.
Instead, all you need to do is follow these three tips: Improve the air ventilation Ventilating your home is essential if you want to remain healthy. You need to have continuous recycling of air in your property, getting rid of stale air and germs, and replacing it with fresh stuff. You can do this by opening your windows or utilizing an HVAC system. In all honesty, the best approach is a combination of the two! Good ventilation can remove so many germs and allergens from the air, but it's also essential for preventing issues like damp. This is where an HVAC system really helps as it can suck a lot of moisture from the air. So, it's well worth servicing your system to be sure you don't need an HVAC repair or two. Once the system is 100% working fine, you can use it to prevent damp, thus preventing mold. Ultimately, good ventilation makes the air easier to breathe, stopping issues like asthma or allergic reactions. Use an air purifier Similarly, you should have an air purifier in your home that gets rid of dust and other airborne allergens. Again, this will calm down symptoms of common health conditions in the home. If you suffer from allergies and often walk around the house with a stuffy nose, this is the simplest way of treating the problem. It should also make your home easier to clean, seeing as there'll be less dust around! Get rid of junk food The previous two tips have addressed your health pretty directly. They tackle some common issues in your home, mainly relating to allergies or breathing problems. However, one of the main issues in the home is that it makes you unhealthy by presenting you with lots of snacks to binge on. Before you know it, you've eaten so much candy and so many different treats. It's extremely easy to do, but there's a simple hack to stop this. All you need to do is get rid of junk food in your home. If the unhealthy snacks are no longer present, you can't eat them. Replace them with fruits, nuts, or anything else that's a lot healthier. You'll quickly find that the need to eat junk food is easier to avoid when there isn't any in the house. Therefore, you can take giant strides towards a better diet, which is a key element in living a healthy lifestyle. Try these tips and your home will be so much healthier than it previously was. The air will be cleaner, and so will your diet! Combine this with a regular exercise routine to achieve optimal health & wellbeing on a daily basis.  Image credit: Mariah Hewines from Unsplash How Does the Immune System Work? Being healthy is a top priority in our lives right now…and almost everyone’s best friend is their immune system. The immune system is a complex system of cells and molecules that protects our bodies from outside invaders like infections, bacteria, and viruses, called antigens. These antigens attach themselves to receptors on immune cells, which then triggers the immune system response. Then, the immune system stores the antigens’ DNA and makeup before creating, distributing, and storing white blood cells that fight these bacteria and viruses.
Innate vs Adaptive Immune System The immune system is actually made up of two subdivisions: the innate and adaptive immune systems. The innate system is more general. It provides a non-specific defense against germs and outside bacteria that enter through the skin or digestion. The adaptive immune system is more specific. It creates antibodies to fight specific germs and viruses that enter the body. This is the immune system that stores the DNA information of certain antigens to create specific antibodies to fight them off. Finding the Truths! This past year, we’ve been bombarded with quick fixes that claim to boost your immunity to the moon and back. There are a lot of myths going around on how to help boost your immune system. So, let’s take a dive into some of them: Myth One: Exercise has no effect and may even weaken the immune system. Truth: Exercise lowers blood pressure, helps keep body weight under control, and can protect you from diseases. It does this by lowering the levels of hormonal cortisol in your body. Therefore, exercising actually boosts your immune system. Myth Two: The more active your immune system is, the healthy you are. Truth: A hyperactive immune system is related to many different conditions like allergic reactions and underlying diseases such as diabetes and lupus. Myth Three: Stress doesn’t impact the immune system Truth: Stress produces a hormone called cortisol, which changes the way your white blood cells react to the viruses and bacteria that enter the body. Therefore, stress reduces the body’s ability to fight off diseases. Myth Four: Gargling salt water or vinegar will kill viruses Truth: Gargling salt water, vinegar, or other mixtures won’t kill anything, but it may soothe a sore throat. Myth Five: Being born with a good immune system will prevent you from getting sick. Truth: Besides the fact that the immune system, unfortunately, weakens with age, there is no certainty that you won’t get sick. What Can You Do To Boost Your Immunity? So, all in all, there are a lot of immunity myths floating around on the internet, but there are ways that never fail to boost your immune system:
Strong immunity is built through balanced, healthful decisions. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is your immune system. Taking care of your immune system takes time. Self-care isn’t just about the skin anymore. The inside of your body needs some love too. This article was originally published at iveeapp.com.  Image credit: Gabin Vallet from Unsplash If you want to achieve a healthy and toned body, it's important that you understand which exercises are effective and which aren't. Some exercises will actually help you lose weight and help the development of specific muscle groups. In case you're a bit confused about which exercises are good for which body fat levels, here are some of the top exercises that will help you get into shape.
1. Insanity: This is an extremely intense cardio exercise. However, it is proven to help you burn fat in a fast rate. This kind of exercise not only helps you lose the weight you want, but also helps you increase your metabolism. This particular exercise helps you to improve your cardiovascular fitness, increase your metabolism, and also reduce stress. 2. Sprinting: Sprinting is another great cardio exercise that helps you to lose weight in a speedy rate. Running for a short distance will also help your lungs become more efficient, reduce the risk of obesity and asthma, and will also increase your metabolism rate. It is also known to increase muscle mass. 3. Squats: This particular exercise helps you to lose weight with great intensity. You don't have to spend a lot of time to start seeing results. In case you want to increase your metabolism rate, you need to keep pushing yourself with this exercise. This exercise also works on your legs. They are the muscles that help you run longer, and you will also become more flexible. 4. Running Hills: This exercise has a great impact on your metabolism rate, and helps you burn fat at a phenomenal rate. Running up hills also helps you to develop your gluteus maximus. This is an area which many people neglect. They think that running doesn't work on this particular muscle group. Well, the fact is, this movement helps to develop glutes tremendously. Running up hills is another excellent cardio exercise, and helps you to lose weight in a faster manner. 5. Stairmaster: This particular exercise is said to work on the entire body. It helps you to develop muscle strength, and helps you develop heart muscle. The reason why it is considered as one of the great cardio exercises is because many people tend to gain weight slowly and gain heart muscle slowly. This exercise also gives you a good cardiovascular fitness. It helps you to lose weight in a faster rate, and also build muscles in a faster rate.  Image credit: Nathalie Spehner from Unsplash Bedtime routines, there are so many different hints and tips as well as the advice out there on how to get the best night's sleep. But what exactly do those top sleep experts really think about nighttime smartphone usage, napping, sleeping pills and other sleep-related matters? Fitbit asked several of those experts to share their thoughts...
 The rising rate of natural disasters over the last year has forced many to confront the unavoidable signs of climate change. Just recently, scientists released a study that revealed that “rapid and ambitious” changes to our global food system can significantly decrease greenhouse gasses. Simple changes to our diet are both necessary –– and impactful.
Making small changes to what you eat can make a big difference. Even just swapping one ingredient for another can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and conserve water. Incremental changes are the first steps to a big impact – if you’re looking for somewhere to start, try making one of these adjustments to go green with your eating habits. You can read all about how to make your diet more environmentally-friendly over at Pyure...  Image credit: Fransiskus Filbert Mangundap from Unsplash Whether it’s mental stress reactions like anxiety and panic or withdrawal and apathy, or physical stress reactions like increased heart rate and sweat levels, managing stress requires a trained sense of mindfulness. And while some stress is good, like a motivating work deadline, most stress can be taxing. Paired with the global pandemic and general uncertainties about the future, stress is ultimately unavoidable. But regardless of stress type, as Hans Selye pointed out, in order to live long, healthy lives, we need to monitor how we perceive, react to, and manage stress. Fitbit has the findings of a recent study to help keep us all at peace...
Whether it’s mental stress reactions like anxiety and panic or withdrawal and apathy, or physical stress reactions like increased heart rate and sweat levels, managing stress requires a trained sense of mindfulness.".  Image credit: Philip Veater from Unsplash In the world before we knew what the term 'lockdown' even meant, we all suffered from the usual 'burnt out' moments in life. Feeling depleted during your commute became a normal thing; heading from work to a networking thing and arranging dates with three lots of mates into a single weekend are now as much relics as phones with cords and going to HMV. But burnout in lockdown, anecdotally, at least, seems to be one issue arising from the coronavirus crisis.
Runner's World has a rundown of the signs that show you're dealing with yet another lockdown!... |
Author - ChrisAuthor, Editor, Creator of Learn Develop Live Archives
April 2022
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