Energy Boosters: Natural Ways to Fight Fatigue and Feel Your Best

Our demanding schedules can take a toll on our daily energy levels. We’ve all hit the afternoon slump or had days where we feel sluggish. Before reaching for an energy drink or another cup of caffeine, consider these natural ways to help fight fatigue and feel your best. Eat Mindfully Eating more mindfully and paying attention to what, when, and how much food you are eating can help boost your energy levels throughout the day. Consider your food choices and incorporate nutrient-dense options. Eat the rainbow by integrating fruits and veggies of different colors. This approach fills your daily diet with a variety of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Limit the intake of processed foods and excess caffeine, which have little nutritional content and typically cause a crash in energy afterward. Think about the timing and portion sizes of your meal [...]

The Power of Group Fitness: How Exercising with Others Keeps You Motivated

Regular exercise is one of the best things we can do for our health, but staying motivated and turning it into a life-long habit is often challenging for most of us. Research has shown that group fitness or having a workout buddy can help you stay on track. Let’s explore the benefits we can experience when we exercise with others. More Than Exercise A workout buddy brings more than just motivation for activity. A research study highlighted by the Journal of Osteopathic Medicine1 found that “participation in regular group fitness classes led to a statistically significant decrease in perceived stress and an increase in physical, mental, and emotional QOL (quality of life) compared with exercising regularly on one's own or not engaging in regular exercise.” Exercising with others fosters conversation, encouragement, and teamwork toward a common goal, which can help [...]

Why Staying Hydrated is More Important Than You Think

We’ve all heard the advice: “Drink more water!” But have you ever stopped to wonder why it matters so much? Turns out, water does way more than just quench your thirst. From helping you feel more energized to improving your mood and focus, staying hydrated plays a huge role in how you feel every single day. Let’s break down why hydration is so important and how to make it part of your daily routine. What Does Water Actually Do for Your Body? Believe it or not, your body is made up of about 60% water. That’s a lot! And every single cell in your body needs water to work properly. Here are just a few of the thing’s water helps with: Keeps your body temperature in check (so you don’t overheat) Delivers nutrients and oxygen to your cells Helps get [...]

Be Alert: 8 Healthy Habits for Everyday Safety

Your overall health and well-being are influenced by practicing safe habits each day. We want to highlight several choices that can make a significant impact as we recognize National Safety Month. Consider these eight healthy habits for your everyday safety. Stretch Stretching isn’t just for increasing flexibility. It can ease muscle tension, enhance range of motion, improve circulation, and even benefit your posture. Whether stretching after a strenuous workout or during a long day in front of your computer, it can lower your risk of injury by improving how your body moves. Stay Hydrated Maintain hydration all day, especially before, during, and after activity. Hydration is necessary for proper muscle movement, joint health, and cognitive function. It also helps the body regulate temperature, which is vital for preventing heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses. Test Your Alarms Testing your smoke [...]

Family Fitness in the Sun: Outdoor Activities to Get Everyone Moving

Summer is just around the corner, and what better way to get moving than including the whole family in fun outdoor activities? We often give up on our exercise routine because it gets boring, or we feel guilty for time spent away from our families. Outdoor activities can turn exercise into enjoyable and motivating movement. Grab your loved ones and find an activity that everyone can look forward to. Try These Outdoor Ideas Plant and tend to a garden. Teach the skills of digging, planting, weeding, and watering as you incorporate the activity of gardening with your family. It can even bring an interest in adding more fruit and vegetables to your meals. Caring for a garden can bring continued movement all season long. Go on a hike. Enjoy nature by going for a hike. Whether traveling to a scenic [...]

Foods for Restful Nights: Certain Foods Can Help or Hurt Our Sleep

Getting a good night's sleep is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Sleep is not a passive process; during sleep our body revitalizes physically and mentally. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report that proper sleep reduces the risk of chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and clinical depression. Proper sleep is essential for optimal daytime functioning. The doctors at the CDC advise that most adults should get between 7 and 9 hours of sound, uninterrupted sleep each night. The most common symptom of poor sleep is daytime fatigue and poor energy. The National Sleep Foundation reports that nearly a quarter of all US adults experience sleep difficulties that impair their daytime energy, motivation and concentration. While many factors affect sleep including sleep environment (light, temperature, sounds), individual stress levels, [...]

Build Healthy Routines with Healthy Habit Formation

Healthy lifestyle routines lower the risk of various health conditions, diseases, and all-cause mortality (National Library of Medicine1). However, it is challenging to create healthy habits that last. It might feel frustrating when you don’t see results immediately or have difficulty navigating a busy schedule. Too often, we give up before healthy habits become part of our lifestyle. The good news is that creating lasting healthy habits isn’t impossible. Follow the tips below to build personalized healthy routines by forming healthy habits that endure despite our ever-changing schedules and lives. Keep Your Goals SMART Creating a habit can be challenging if you don’t have a specific plan or direction that you are aiming for. Often, we set broad goals and then feel defeated when we don’t see progress. Setting SMART goals can set you up for better success. S – [...]

Tips for Healthy Eating on the Go

Spring is finally here. April is an exciting time to get outside, plan summer vacations, and enjoy the sunshine. When life gets busy, it can be challenging to keep up with your health. Learning to eat healthily on the go will help you fuel and protect your body throughout the year. This month we will discuss strategies for healthy eating on the go, provide examples of nutrient-dense snacks, and learn how to make healthier choices when eating out. Planning: The Key to Success The best way to set yourself up for success with food is to plan. Plan or not, you need to eat! If you know you are going to be out of the house all day, be sure to plan for meals and snacks. Planning meals in advance will reduce the need for fast-food stops or sugary vending [...]

Understanding the Importance of Preventive Care

It is easy to put off going to the doctor until you feel sick or think something may be wrong. However, keeping up with preventive care allows you to maintain current health and discover any issues before they become significant conditions or emergencies. Preventive care is key to preserving your health and wellness as you age. What is Preventive Care? Preventive care consists of routine visits and screenings with your doctor to create health baselines and monitor for changes or conditions. This regularly scheduled care will help assess and manage risk factors and can even prevent disease. Participating in preventive care increases the chances of diagnosing conditions before they become a problem requiring extensive treatment or care. According to News Medical Life Sciences, “current estimates indicate that nearly 80% of chronic medical conditions could be prevented by healthy lifestyle behaviors, [...]

5 Nutrition Myths Busted

March is National Nutrition Month, making it the perfect time to clear up some common nutrition myths. While these misconceptions often spread quickly, understanding the truth can help you make better dietary choices. These myths might make for fun conversation, but don’t be fooled, as science tells a different story. Myth #1: Carbohydrates are Bad for Your Health Carbohydrates have been unfairly demonized in recent years, largely due to the popularity of low-carb and ketogenic diets. It is true that simple sugars and refined carbohydrates, such as white bread, candy, sugary cereals, fruit juices and soda pop can contribute to weight gain and blood sugar spikes. However, complex carbohydrates like fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains play a vital role in proper energy balance, digestion, and overall healthy aging. Myth #2: Eating Cholesterol Raises Bad Cholesterol Levels For years, dietary [...]