Mar 09

Fitness Isn’t Just Physical: The Importance Of Exercising Your Brain

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Each day without even thinking about it, we walk, lift, bend and breathe. I don’t know about you, but when I feel out of shape, I change what I feed myself and focus on exercise. Whole-body fitness includes exercising our minds. Without strong brains, we face cognitive decline. Lately, I run from meeting to meeting, finding my energy dipping and creativity not as heightened as I would like. Although I schedule myself “thinking time,” it is often over-booked by more meetings. I needed a change and took a day to focus on myself — after all, we are called human BEINGS, not human DOINGS. This brain break helped me come back to my work revived, energized, more focused, alert and happier. Exercising the brain not only strengthens neural pathways but also builds new ones. Neural pathways are where our memories live. The goal is to strengthen pathways with good habits, thoughts and actions. Have you ever heard of neuroplasticity? Neuroplasticity means our brains have this amazing ability to modify connections and literally rewire themselves. Holistic means to be focused on how separate parts of something are intimately connected together and do not truly function when they are apart. Therefore, to […]
Mar 06

9 ways to stay healthy when you have an erratic schedule

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Healthy eating and an ever-changing work schedule hardly go hand-in-hand. Most days, we eat without paying attention, hurry out of the house without saying bye to family members, and struggle to sit at the table without peering into our smartphone. We’re all guilty of not living mindfully when we have a laundry list of chores to get through on a daily basis. With commitments at work, social engagements and the darn traffic, staying healthy can seem like an insurmountable feat. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Here are some tips vetted by doctors, holistic health experts and entrepreneurs for staying healthy despite a crazy schedule. We’ve divided this into three categories—mind, body and food—so you can find the tips that work best for you.   HEALTH TIPS FOR YOUR MIND   -Unplug Allow yourself some time without the beeping of all your devices—and this includes your Kindle too. Enjoy an hour of the day without gadgets, and you’ll find yourself unwinding. You’ll have time to reflect on your day, spend time with your pets or even have a face-to-face conversation with a family member. Resist the urge to look at your phone before bedtime if you have trouble […]
Mar 03

4 Signs You Need Rest—And How To Heal For A Stronger Mind And Body

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Even when you know the negative effects of working too hard for too long without a break, it can be difficult to break a cycle of overworking and learn to make space to rest. Sometimes this can be related to just trying to do too much, but if your lack of rest is related to something like trying to cope with trauma by over-”doing” to the point of burnout, a bigger mindset shift may be needed. Whether or not you’re healing something on a deeper level, a lack of recovery time can make it harder for the mind and body to recharge, leading to disruptions in your physical and mental functioning. Here, experts talk about how to spot the signs the body sends us and what to do to promote healing now and build long-term resilience.   How the mind and body work together Holocaust survivor, New York Times bestselling author, National Jewish Book Award winner, and psychologist who specializes in trauma, Edith Eva Eger, Ph, is the author of The Ballerina of Auschwitz, a young adult memoir in which she shares her experience of surviving in the camp and then coming home wracked with grief and guilt but realizing […]
Feb 27

8 emotional wellness tips to bounce back when things get tough

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Emotional wellness is not the absence of stress but the ability to fight it when things don’t go your way. Check out tips that can make you emotionally stronger. It is safe to say that a world without problems does not exist. As we navigate our way from one challenge to the next, do you often wonder if there was a tool that could help you get through it all? That’s emotional wellness for you. It’s your protective shield that does not let you get bogged down or panic because of what’s happening around you. It helps you understand your emotions and express how you are feeling in healthy ways. Does getting this sense of ease and calm seem unimaginable at this point when you are inundated with worries and problems? Here are some easy and simple tips to get your emotional wellness on point.   What is emotional wellness? Emotional wellness is all about how well you can handle whatever life throws at you without losing your balance. Does that mean you are always happy? No, it’s about understanding and managing your emotions—whether it’s stress, sadness, or anger. “When you’re emotionally well, you can cope with challenges, express your […]
Feb 23

Exercise is good for your body and your mind, study says

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The benefits of exercise are widely known: it helps you live longer and lowers risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. A new study published Wednesday in The Lancet Psychiatry journal suggests that when done in moderation, it leads to better mental health as well. The researchers analyzed responses from 1.2 million adults in the United States taken from a US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey given in 2011, 2013 and 2015. The average number of days of poor mental health per person in the past month was around 3.4, according to the study. Those who reported exercising had about 1.5, or 43%, fewer days of “bad self-reported mental health” in the past month compared to those who did not exercise. Poor mental health was reported in the study as stress, depression and trouble with emotions. “I think in comparison to all other treatments, when a patient successfully exercises at the right dose, there is a sense of self-efficacy and confidence that the patient develops that is absolutely also a remarkably positive thing,” said Dr. Madhukar Trivedi, Director of the Center for Depression Research and Clinical Care at the Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute at UT Southwestern Medical […]
Feb 18

How Somatic Exercises Work and Moves to Try for Your Mind and Body

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Working out doesn’t have to mean breaking a sweat. Do you ever feel your body craving intentional, slow movement instead of a HIIT sweat sesh? Somatic exercises are a great way to get that fill while calming your nervous system (like helping anxiety) and potentially healing some trauma at the same time. Fitness culture will tell you to go hard or go home when working out, however, intentional, mindful movement that doesn’t push physical or mental boundaries but listens and responds to an inner awareness of limits may be just as, if not more, transformative. Although additional studies are warranted, some research shows that somatic exercise may improve pain and even boost strength. And, best of all, you’re very unlikely to get injured in the process. Keep reading to learn more about somatic exercise, including some stretches you can try at home.   What are somatic exercises? “Somatic exercises or movements involve focusing on your inner experience as you move, expanding internal awareness,” explains Heidi Schauster, M.S., R.D., L.D.N., C.E.D.S.-S., S.E.P., owner of Nourishing Words Nutrition Therapy and Somatic Experiencing. “These exercises typically involve performing movement for the sake of movement, following what feels supportive in the individual’s body, versus […]
Feb 15

7 Things To Know About Increasing Your Body’s Energy Levels

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If you are feeling drained, you may wonder how to increase your energy levels. You can get plenty of sleep, eat energizing foods, and exercise regularly to feel more energized. It’s no wonder so many of us struggle with energy issues. We go, go, go from morning to night, running on little but grit and caffeine, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Making lifestyle changes can give you a boost of energy.   1. Get Plenty of Quality Sleep Most adults need 7-8 hours of sleep a night. If you are getting a full night’s sleep but waking up tired, you might not actually be getting restful sleep. You may want to talk to a healthcare provider about a potential underlying cause, like a sleep disorder. The most common sleep disorders are sleep apnea, insomnia, narcolepsy, and restless leg syndrome (RLS). Sleep apnea is a condition in which your breathing stops and starts while you sleep. Alcohol consumption has been shown to increase the risk of sleep apnea. A healthcare provider can refer you to a sleep center for diagnosis if they suspect sleep apnea. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. What is sleep apnea? Some sleep apnea […]
Feb 11

7 Quick Stretches for Stress Relief You Can Do Right Now

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From Child’s pose and Happy Baby to at-your-desk stretches, these postures will give you a minute to breathe and find calm. Take a quick second and lift your arms high above your head. That felt pretty good, right? For most of us, feeling at least some stress at some point during the day is probably inevitable — whether it’s thanks to too many emails in your inbox, too many appointments on your calendar, too many at-home chores to keep up with, or a problem you have to deal with, like a clogged sink or an illness or injury. And what ultimately helps us keep stress under control isn’t necessarily eliminating all of those potential stressors that might come up (because that’s probably not possible); it’s a matter of having the right tools and skills to manage it so it doesn’t overwhelm you. Stretching is just one of a number of tools you can use to manage stress. One of the reasons stretching is so effective for stress is that our (generally) more sedentary lifestyles promote stiffness, which exacerbates that stress in the first place, explains Jessica Matthews, an assistant professor of kinesiology and creator of the Master of Kinesiology in […]
Feb 08

6 simple steps to keep your mind sharp at any age

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Everyone has the occasional “senior moment.” Maybe you’ve gone into the kitchen and can’t remember why, or can’t recall a familiar name during a conversation. Memory lapses can occur at any age, but aging alone is generally not a cause of cognitive decline. When significant memory loss occurs among older people, it is generally not due to aging but to organic disorders, brain injury, or neurological illness. Studies have shown that you can help prevent cognitive decline and reduce the risk of dementia with some basic good health habits: staying physically active getting enough sleep not smoking having good social connections limiting alcohol to no more than one drink a day eating a Mediterranean style diet.   Memory and other cognitive changes can be frustrating, but the good news is that, thanks to decades of research, you can learn how to get your mind active. There are various strategies we can use to help maintain cognitive fitness. Here are several you might try.   1. Keep learning A higher level of education is associated with better mental functioning in old age. Experts think that advanced education may help keep memory strong by getting a person into the habit of being […]
Feb 05

Mindful eating and Yoga: Diet tips, exercises to support a healthy heart

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A heart-healthy lifestyle is achievable through the combination of mindful eating and Yoga. Here are diet and exercise tips by expert In today’s fast-paced world, maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle can be a challenge as stress, poor dietary choices and a lack of physical activity often take a toll on our cardiovascular health. However, experts believe that by combining two simple yet powerful practices—mindful eating and Yoga—you can adopt a holistic approach to support a healthy heart.   Understanding the Importance of Heart Health Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar, Founder of Akshar Yoga Kendraa, shared, “Before we delve into mindful eating and Yoga, it is essential to recognise why heart health is crucial. Your heart is a hardworking muscle that pumps blood and oxygen throughout your body. It is responsible for keeping you alive and well. However, several factors, such as a poor diet, sedentary lifestyle and stress, can put your heart at risk.”   Mindful Eating: What Is It? Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar revealed, “Mindful eating is a practice that encourages you to pay full attention to the experience of eating, savoring each bite, and being fully present in the moment. It’s about more than just what you eat; it’s about how you […]
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