Functional Fitness: How It Can Improve Daily Life

Functional Fitness: How It Can Improve Daily Life Regular exercise comes with a wide range of physical and mental benefits. It lowers the risk of health conditions, enhances sports performance, increases endurance, and improves mental health, but did you know it can also help improve your daily life? Exercise should also benefit your everyday activities. According to Mayo Clinic1, “Functional fitness exercises train your muscles to work together and prepare them for daily tasks by simulating common movements you might do at home, at work or in sports.” These functional exercises benefit any age and promote quality of life now and in the future. The Benefits of Functional Fitness We use muscles each day for tasks like picking things up off the floor, standing up from a chair, carrying groceries, pushing a door open, walking up and down stairs, and [...]

Goodnight Sleep Tight with Good Sleep Hygiene

  Sleep influences almost every aspect of our health, yet we’re constantly searching for ways to get enough restful sleep. Our environment and habits affect the amount and quality of daily sleep we get. Sleep hygiene is a buzzword that is gaining traction among wellness terms. Let's look at what it is, its benefits, and how we can practice it for a good night of rest. What is it? According to the Sleep Foundation, “Strong sleep hygiene means having both a bedroom environment and daily routines that promote consistent, uninterrupted sleep.” It involves preparing ourselves and our space for a restful sleep. What are the benefits? When we create good sleep habits, we can get more quality sleep. Our bodies need adequate sleep for better health. It can boost our immune system, help with weight management, and even lower the [...]

Healthy Habits: Disrupted Routines

Disrupted Routines Some research suggests that 40% or more of our day is based on habit. That means 40% of the decisions you make and actions you take are most likely being done subconsciously based on your normal routine. But what happens when your routine and habits are disrupted? With the recent outbreak of COVID-19 in the United States and worldwide, everyone’s lives are anything but “routine.” Many people have transitioned to working from home full-time, exercise facilities are closed, and grocery stores are having a difficult time restocking shelve to meet public demands. While many of these factors are out of our control, now is the time to adapt and form new habits and new routines that will help you through these difficult times. Start by asking yourself what you can and cannot control. Then focus on ways you [...]