Archive for the ‘Lifestyle’ Category
The EWG does it again!
Wednesday, June 10th, 2015Check out this great new guide and app from the EWG!
5 (More) Ways to Enjoy Summer!
Thursday, May 29th, 2014Click here to read the entire May newsletter!
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New Study Shows Link Between Stress and Increased Mortality in Middle-Age.
Monday, May 19th, 2014Most likely, you need no convincing about the benefits of reducing stress, conflict and worry in your life. But in case you are not convinced, here is one more very good reason. This new Danish study shows a strong link between high levels of family and/or spousal conflict and a significant increase in mortality during middle-age. This is so important. Stress has been long understood to lead to certain types of disease or illness, but this new study suggests it also leads to higher mortality, generally, during middle age. Read more.
Stress linked to metabolic risk factors
Wednesday, May 7th, 2014Is it the box of cookies or the stress…or both? Read on to learn how stress plays a significant role in fat accumulation, blood glucose levels, insulin resistance and more…
Latest Huffington Post Blog
Sunday, May 4th, 2014Click here to read my latest Huffington Post blog! In honor of my 2nd anniversary of survival, it tells of the amazing journey I wouldn’t trade for the world.
4 Ways to Shut Down Stress and Power up Your Life!
Friday, March 28th, 2014Finding ways to manage stress and tension is critical to living a balanced, healthy life. The impacts of chronic or sustained stress are far reaching and can impact health in many ways. High levels of prolonged stress have been proven to increase infertility in women, suppress the immune system, and cause blood vessels to constrict leading to high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.
While practices like yoga, mindfulness and time management tips are more and more accessible, many of us still only give lip service to stress management. But you don’t have to wait for a weekend yoga class to reset your body’s physiological response to stress and chill out.
With just a few tools in your back pocket, you can bring stress reduction into your day no matter where you are or how much time you have. Even 5 minutes of deep breathing and/or meditation can create a change in hormone levels in the body and create a relaxation response. That is good news.
You can take it with you – With many apps out there, you are bound to find one you like to tune into when you have a few minutes at your desk, between meetings, or on the walk to the train. Click here to see some of the best mediation apps.
Turn your car into a mobile spa – Driving can be relaxing, but it can also feel like wasted time, or at worst get stressful with traffic jams and aggressive drivers. Try something different by keeping a meditation CD in the car, or tune into XM radio’s “Spa” station. You will be amazed how quickly the stress melts away and you will arrive at home or work feeling more refreshed.
Breathe! If you simply cannot find time to tune into an external source to guide you, you can use deep breathing techniques to effectively reduce stress anytime, anywhere. Take 10 deep belly breaths, holding to a count of 4 and exhaling slowly. Notice how you feel, and do it as often as you can throughout the day.
Get outside – With warmer weather finally here, find a reason to take a short walk. Even 10 minutes outside in the sun and fresh air can bring positive health benefits. Find a bench to stop and take a pause if you can (but no checking email!).
Be Well!
Longer days are here at last! What will you do with them?
Thursday, March 13th, 2014
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Keep your Heart Healthy and Happy
Friday, February 14th, 20145 Ways to a Happy, Healthy Heart
Eat more plant based foods. Increasing the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables we eat is good news for lowering the ‘highs’: high blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol, and high blood sugar. When enjoying a meal of animal based foods, be sure to include a big helping of greens, vegetables and/or fruits. They can help to reduce the artery-constricting effect of a meal high in animal fat.
Eat more potassium and less sodium. A 2008 study from Harvard Medical School showed that eating twice as much potassium as sodium can decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease in half. That’s big! How it works? The high potassium/low sodium diet has the effect of lowering blood pressure, which is a primary cause of heart related illness. Click here to see a list of potassium-rich foods!
Relax. Dr. Sears puts it well, “The brain and heart are energy-delivering teammates. When the brain is upset, so is the heart”. Stress levels (particularly among middle-aged women) are through the roof and the consequences to heart health, as well as to emotional well-being are serious. Chronic, relentless stress triggers the brain to release hormones that cause blood vessels to constrict, leading to high blood pressure. Make it a priority to carve out time to clear your mind and decompress in a way that works for you. Exercise, meditation. yoga, music, a walk in nature, or just the art of doing nothing. Once you find one fits, get busy being unavailable.
Move! Exercise and ‘active play’ is perhaps the single most important thing you can do for heart health. The heart is a muscle, and like others, it strengthens as we use it. Increasing blood flow through exercise triggers the release of the body’s own natural medicines, such as Nitric Oxide. This amazing natural medicine triggers blood vessels to widen, prevents blood from getting thick and ‘sticky’, and helps keep artery walls smooth and flexible. All that adds up to great heart health!
5 Healthy Habits to Start the New Year
Friday, February 14th, 2014
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5 Ways to Make Healthy Choices when Dining Out
Wednesday, January 22nd, 2014- Don’t go to the party hungry: Before you head out, eat a healthy snack. Crudites, a handful of nuts, or a protein-rich smoothie are all good choices. If you struggle with sweets, having a small piece of dark chocolate will help you resist the dessert tray later on .
- Use a small plate: This will help to keep portions small and avoid the urge to ‘super-size’ your meal.
- Choose wisely: Double up on healthy choices like fruit, vegetables, and salad. Choose fish and lean meats over fatty meats, fried foods or pasta.
- Take small bites and chew twice as long:. It can take up to 20 minutes for your brain to register that hunger has been satisfied. Take your time!
- Drink water: If you will be sipping on drinks all night, alternate with a glass of water to moderate alcohol consumption (and blood sugar levels) and stay hydrated. You’ll thank yourself in the morning!