Sep 02

Memory begins to decline in your 30s: How to keep your brain sharp

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Taking care of our mind and body is crucial for living a happy and fulfilling life. So, on this International Mind-Body Wellness Day, let’s commit to prioritising our health and making self-care a daily habit. It happens to adults of all ages at one point or another: You leave work after a busy day and forget where you parked your car. Or you get up to grab an item from another room and can’t remember what it was once you get there. Is it the start of memory troubles? Could Alzheimer’s disease be looming in the future? Memory does naturally start to decline earlier than we think — when people are in their 30s — but such incidents are common and illustrate perfectly normal forgetting, said Dr. Richard Restak, a clinical professor of neurology and rehabilitation medicine at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences. “These are things that people needlessly worry about,” Restak, author of the book “The Complete Guide to Memory: The Science of Strengthening Your Mind,” told. In the case of the person unable to remember why they came into a room, “it sounds like a serious matter, but most of the time the person is […]
Sep 01

Does It Matter What Order You Complete Exercises In a Workout?

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The order of your moves actually changes how effective your workout is. Here, the rules you need to follow.   You already know that the order of certain things matters-cleanser before serum, socks before shoes, toaster before avocado mash. Well, when you’re working out in the gym, order matters too. Plain and simple, the workout order of your exercise movements is actually one of the defining factors in how effective your workout regimen is, according to strength and conditioning specialist Alena Luciani, M.S., C.S.C.S., founder of Training2xl. Full stop. If you remember one thing, make it this: Do more technical, harder, full-body movements before the smaller-muscle-focused accessory work, says Chelsea Axe, D.C., C.S.C.S., fitness expert at DrAxe.com. However, there’s no universally “right” order. “Asking for ‘the best exercise order’ would be like asking a chess master what the best move in chess is-it’s going to vary,” says Dariusz Stankiewicz, C.S.C.S., cofounder of Body Evolved, a physical therapy and strength coaching studio in New York City. Touché. That said, it can be daunting to plan your own workout routine if have no idea where to start. These seven rules of exercise order can help.   1. Should you do strength or […]
Aug 31

How to Be Active Safely in Warm Weather

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Ample sunshine, longer days and warmer temperatures provide more opportunities for the whole family to get outside and get active in the spring and summer.  Try walking, swimming, biking, skating, jumping rope, building a backyard obstacle course or organizing a neighborhood soccer game.  Even gardening, pushing a stroller or walking the dog counts.  Learn the American Heart Association’s Recommendations for Physical Activity in Adults and the recommendations in children. But when the temperature goes up, being active outdoors can be more challenging.  It’s easier to become overheated when the sun is beaming down all day.  The warm months also bring humidity to many parts of the country. With humidity, your sweat doesn’t evaporate as quickly, so your body has a harder time releasing heat.    Be smart when working out Keep in mind these six tips when it’s warm outside:   Timing is key.  Try to avoid exercising outside in the early afternoon. It’s usually hottest between noon and 3 p.m. Hydrate.  Drink water before, during and after physical activity, even if you don’t feel thirsty.  Bring a bottle of water with you, or plan water stops along your route. Dress for success.  Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothes.  Moisture-wicking fabric also can be […]
Aug 30

Should you stretch before exercise? Or after? These tips on stretching could be beneficial

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Stretching can help make you more flexible, improve range of motion in your joints — and feel good. Resistance training can be an effective form of stretching too   For many people of a certain age, high school gym class began with reaching for their toes. Then, over the years, we were told it was better to stretch after exercise. It turns out, both those things can be true, but the differing advice has created some confusion. Stretching can help make you more flexible, improve range of motion in your joints — and feel good. David Behm, who researches human kinetics at Memorial University of Newfoundland in St. John’s, Canada, offers this advice on when to stretch and how to do it safely:   Warm up first It’s almost always good to stretch, but it’s better if you warm up first, said Behm, author of “The Science and Physiology of Flexibility and Stretching.” He recommends a light aerobic activity such as jogging, walking or cycling for five or 10 minutes. Follow that with some static stretching, the traditional way of reaching and holding a position (think back to that gym class). You can then do activity-specific dynamic stretching, in which […]
Aug 29

How to Prevent Injuries When Working Out at Home, According to Experts

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When it comes to strength training, injuries can happen — even in the comfort of your own living room. Without the heavy-lifting equipment of a gym or the intensity of a fitness studio, it’s easy to develop a false sense of security. But as with all exercise, strength training at home can still be intense, and it’s important to know how to keep yourself safe. In order to avoid strength-training injuries at home, you should first understand proper form and safety protocol. To help you ease into safe home training, we spoke to certified coaches about the best tips and tricks to keep in mind. Read on for their advice to avoid injury and build muscle safely — wherever your training takes place.   Preventing Injuries From At-Home Workouts   To keep yourself safe while training at home, here are a few things experts recommend:   Clear Out Space: There’s a reason gyms don’t typically have much on the floor besides workout equipment: clutter can be dangerous. And during home workouts, falling over a coffee table or tripping over your dog’s toy are very real concerns. Save yourself the stress (and potential body aches) by moving furniture and other items […]
Aug 28

Depression: 6 Tips for Eating Well When Cooking Feels Impossible

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If you’re feeling down, preparing a meal can feel like a major task. Experts share their best tips for making meal prep easier and choosing foods that will help lift your energy and mood.   For people with depression, fueling their body with high-quality nutrition can literally help change their life for the better, according to a slew of studies. Not surprisingly, research shows people who consistently eat healthy foods by, say, following the Mediterranean diet (which is centered on plant-based foods, olive oil, and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids from fish) often have better mental health than people whose diet is centered on red meat and processed foods high in saturated fats, sodium, and added sugars. But nourishing your body when you have depression can be easier said than done, especially if your mood or energy is low to prepare even one meal, or if you don’t have an appetite at all. When you’re struggling with depression, it’s not uncommon to have no initiative to shop for food, prepare a meal, or clean up afterward, says Amy Gorin, a plant-based registered dietitian nutritionist in Stamford, Connecticut. “Some of the primary symptoms of depression — loss of motivation, poor concentration, difficulty […]
Aug 27

5 Exercises That Can Keep Your Brain Sharp

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Physical activity can boost memory, improve thinking, even lower dementia risks — and it’s not too late to start   We’ve known for some time that what’s good for your heart is good for your brain. This is especially true when it comes to exercise. Studies show that regular physical activity can help lower the risk of dementia, and recent research offers some clues about why. A 2022 study published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia found that older adults who remain active have higher levels of brain proteins that enhance connections between neurons, which in turn improves their memory and boosts cognition. This protective impact was found in everyone, even in people showing signs of dementia. One reason may be that physical activity promotes healthy synapses, the small pockets of space between neurons that allow them to communicate. “They are really where the magic happens when it comes to cognition,” explains study coauthor Kaitlin Casaletto, an assistant professor of neuropsychology at the University of California, San Francisco Memory and Aging Center. The good news, she stresses, is that the brains of participants — who on average were in their 70s — were able to reap the benefits of exercise even into […]
Aug 26

Workout Motivation: Do’s and Don’ts To Help You Actually Stick to Your New Exercise Routine

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Expect a few bumps in the road, work out for the right reasons and give yourself some credit   So, you’ve resolved to start exercising, and it’s going great … at first. You have more energy. Your thinking is clearer. You’re seeing results. Then, you start to slide. Your new workout clothes sit in the gym bag. And they’re starting to smell. When that app on your phone tells you it’s time for a walk, you dismiss it. Again. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week, plus strength-building exercises twice per week. But data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say that less than 25% of adults meet those standards. And researchers estimate that half of people who begin an exercise program will drop out within six months. Whether you’re hoping to improve your heart health, drop a few pounds or just feel more energetic throughout the day, getting moving is a great first step. But it can be hard to keep up with an exercise plan after the original luster wears off. It’s time for a new perspective on your exercise […]
Aug 25

Healthy ageing: Lifestyle tips for women over 50

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“You do not need to make major dietary adjustments. Small efforts may give considerable benefits, said Dr Archana Batra, dietitian nutritionist, physiotherapist and certified diabetes educator Remember when you could eat as much pizza and ice cream as you pleased? While you may miss that time, it is essential to note that as you approach 50, the body’s metabolism slows down, and there is a decrease in oestrogen, among other hormonal changes, said Dr Archana Batra, dietitian nutritionist, physiotherapist and certified diabetes educator. So, what do women in their 50s need to do for healthy living and ageing? “If you want to live a healthy lifestyle, you must exercise and eat properly. As we age, the necessity to eat healthily becomes increasingly critical,” added Dr Batra. She further said that while there are various other recommendations, they may differ according to a person’s age, exercise level, and other health conditions. “But there are some universal guidelines that are appropriate for most people over the age of 50, and you should keep them in mind to stay fit.   Keep your bones safe With age, the bones deteriorate due to reduced mobility and mineral loss. To prevent this deterioration and even […]
Aug 24

8 fitness tips to keep in mind in 2024

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The month of January is when we make health and fitness resolutions that tend to fizzle out after a few weeks or months. Staying motivated and making lasting changes requires more than just a fleeting resolution. For this reason, we reached out to leading health experts and nutritionists to learn more about the most simple ways to stay on track this year. Here’s what they had to say:   Start small and sustainable Don’t overwhelm yourself with big fitness goals. Start with achievable goals and gradually increase difficulty as you get fitter. “In 2024, set realistic fitness goals. Set achievable and measurable goals that align with your abilities, lifestyle, and commitment level. For instance, if your goal is to lose weight, start with 1-2 pounds a week. If you have never strength trained, begin strength training two times a week. If 10,000 steps daily are impossible to achieve, start at 6,000 and level up gradually. Establish achievable, short-term goals, celebrate your progress, and be flexible in adapting your goals as needed. Avoid the all-in or all-out approach with regard to your fitness and enjoy the journey,” says fitness trainer Nyela Kapadia.   Make it fun Exercise shouldn’t feel like a […]
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