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Tag: physical activity

  • Being Physically Active Is Good For You

    There you have it folks. It’s written in big bold letters. Move. Moving your body is vital to keeping it in tip top shape. And that’s not only referencing physique, it’s also referring to your health. Moving is an important part of life for both adults and kids. It improves brain health, helps you to manage your weight, strengthens your bones and muscles, reduces your risk of functional limitations and reduces your risk to certain diseases. 

    Improves Brain Health 

         There are multitudes of hormones and chemicals that your brain needs to function well. Exercising helps keep these hormones and chemicals in check.

    • Insulin: Insulin is a peptide hormone and is important for your brain because it regulates cognitive functions. Neurodegenerative disorders may be one of the effects of insulin resistance. Dementia states may also be a result of damaged cognitive systems due to insulin resistance. Moving your body and keeping active can help reduce insulin resistance. Therefore, get active. 

    Weight Management

         Consuming more calories, through eating and drinking, than you can burn, causes weight gain. Of course, even while being active, you will gain weight as long as you consume more calories than the calories burned throughout the day along with physical activity. That is why you have to get active while also watching the calories you consume. 

    • Maintaining weight: You can maintain your weight with at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity a week. You can split it up to 30 minutes everyday for five days a week. There are a plethora of things you can do to get active. Go on a walk with someone, go jogging, hiking, biking, teach yourself a dance, play a sport. Moving can be fun. 

    Strengthens Bones and Muscles

          None of us get younger with each passing day. Our age only continues to climb, but the strength in our muscles and bones decline. 

    Reduces Your Risk of Functional Limitations

         Think about all the things you are able to do now. And then think about getting older and not being able to do any of the simple daily tasks you could. Imagine not being able to climb the stairs at 70. Imagine not being able to go for a walk without aches and pains. If we make it to old age without any serious illnesses, shouldn’t we try to keep our bodies as mobile as possible? Quality of life would be so much better than achy and creaky joints. 

     Reduces Your Risk to Certain Diseases

         Getting moving keeps you healthy. It’s a known fact. Being healthy plays a part in preventing diseases. That is also a known fact. Moving even reduces the risk of getting certain types of cancers. Even thinking about cancer fills every fiber of my being with dread. Moving is a simple preventative measure that might keep you from facing certain diseases. 

     Move

         In the gentlest manner, in the kindest manner, in the manner which I wish with all my might for each and everyone of us to be the healthiest we can, to be the kindest we can to each other, I ask that you take care of yourself. Love yourself, respect others, and move. 

  • Stretch, It’s Good For You

      Our bodies, when young, in most cases, are kind of really great. With minimal aches and pains, we can get up and out of bed easily (though reluctantly), sit and stand without assistance, and we can get through the day without assistance needed physically. But, that can change. 

    Bodies Grow Weary

         Like with most things, with time, we will wear out. We will grow old and tired and sore because our vessels can only hold us up for so long. In time, our joints will begin to ache, and we will begin to lose our ability to perform daily tasks. We won’t ever be as nimble as we were in our youth, but there are things that we can do to prevent us from losing too much of our abilities to do things. We can stretch to maintain muscle health and flexibility. These are important factors to preventing aches and pains and preserving independence. 

    Our Bodies as we Age

         As we age, we lose flexibility in our muscles and tendons as they shorten and stiffen and stop functioning properly. Our range of motion will decrease and pain will increase. Even bending down to tie our shoes will become difficult and maybe put our backs out of commission for days. Muscle cramps and pain and damage, strains, joint pain and falling are some of the things we’ll be at risk for if we don’t take care of our bodies now, but we most certainly can take care of our bodies now. We can stretch. Stretching helps maintain flexibility which then increases our range of motion. For example, the distance from fingers to shoelaces is not only a far distance away, it also requires multiple muscle groups to be put to work. Stretching allows for our backs to bend and knees to fold and fingers to tie our shoelaces. 

    Now What?

         So, what do we do with this information? We take it with a grain of salt and then we go stretch. Start gentle with easy repetitive motions like marching in place. Then we start stretching our muscles, holding positions that stretch out calves, hamstrings, hip flexors, quadriceps, shoulders, neck and lower back. Just don’t push it into pain because your muscles will tighten and your stretching then will become counterproductive. 

    To Conclude

         Do things to try to keep your bodies as healthy as possible, because while we can’t deny the fact that sometimes, we get really unlucky, but what if we do get that lucky? What if we do get to grow old? We wouldn’t want to be in pain. Now remember, I’m a random person on the internet, you’ve got a brain, try your best out there, and good luck.

  • The World of Physical Activity is Vast!

    We have options in the world of exercise! We do not need to limit ourselves to just walking, running, and weight lifting. You can enjoy those exercises but it is important to know that we can get our exercise from other physical activities. Rock climbing, hiking, basketball, tennis, mixed martial arts, yoga, swimming and dancing are just a few activities that can be enjoyed outside of what is offered at a traditional gym. Feel free to add any and all of your favorite activities or activities you want to try out!

    Kickboxing

    I developed an interest for kickboxing as a child, the world of UFC seemed so brutal but intriguing at the same time. I didn’t actually try it out until I was 18 years old. I found a gym that offered a variety of mixed martial arts classes at a price that was college student budget friendly. I would recommend doing the same, especially if you have a budget to consider. Most of these gyms offer equipment but if you think you’ll stick with the sport, it’s recommended to invest in your own. 

    I tried out some of their  boxing, kickboxing and Brazilian jiu jitsu classes and decided that I enjoyed kickboxing the most. I enjoyed it more than boxing because it required you to use your lower body as well. I felt strong and tactical while performing the movements. I also felt safer in the sense that I would be able to stand up for myself in the face of danger. I will admit that it wasn’t easy at first! My body was not accustomed to this activity and I frequently ended up very sore but what matters the most was that I enjoyed it. You won’t know what physical activity you enjoy until you get to try it for yourself. Be bold and take your first steps into the world of physical activity!

  • 3 Things to Do on a Relaxed Day

    You finally got a day off work but have no idea what to do. Should you relax at home or embark on a more fun-filled activity outdoors?

    Here are ideas on what to do on your day off.

    Pamper Yourself

    Pamper yourself during your day off. You can do a spa day at home or book an appointment at a local spa.

    Take a bubble bath, get a massage, deep condition your hair – the list is endless. Doing this will leave you relaxed and bring back your work mojo back.

    Go Hiking

    If you like the outdoors, what better way to relax than reconnecting with nature?

    Trekking down the hills, feeling the quiet breeze in the woods, and absorbing all you see can restore your soul.

    You can challenge yourself to go hard on the hike if you don’t mind some muscle aches. But hiking doesn’t necessarily have to be exhausting to be fulfilling.

    You can feel accomplished and relaxed by strolling around a local state park.

    Road Trip

    Driving through the city is another of having a relaxed day away from home. A road trip is a great idea if it is too cold to walk around your neighborhood.

    You can stroll past rolling pastures or drive to the mountains. You can also head to a town you have wished to relocate to and check out the neighborhood.

    Make your favorite playlist as you drive, and let it take you away. You will feel relaxed and restored by the time you return home.

    Final Thoughts

    Achieving a work-life balance is good for your overall wellbeing. That’s why you should take time off to have fun and relax.

    These activities can help you forget the stress and anxiety you get from your workplace and personal life.

  • 3 Foods That Can Help with Beauty

    Every person complains about their appearance at some point – wrinkles, acne, puffy eyes, name them.

    When struggling with such problems, the first thing you think about is to visit a beauty counter for products. Yet, the solution could be in what you add to your grocery cart.

    Try these three beauty foods for a natural glow and radiance.

    Watermelon

    Your body cells need water to function well, and foods with high water content help keep you hydrated.

    Two cups of cubed watermelon are equal to a cupful of water. That means a watermelon can hydrate your body and help retain skin elasticity.

    But there is more to this tasty fruit. The vitamin C and beta-carotene in watermelon make it an excellent antioxidant that can eliminate free radicals in skin cells and reduce inflammation.

    Fatty Fish

    Your body naturally produces coenzyme Q10 or CoQ10. This vitamin-like substance facilitates cell growth and eliminates free radicals that damage the skin.

    Unfortunately, C0Q10 levels start to drop in your mid-30s. Stress and poor diet can also lower your CoQ10 levels.

    But you can find plenty of it in fatty cold-water fish such as tuna, salmon, and herring. These foods can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and smoothen skin texture.

    Green Tea

    If you want smoother skin and oral health, swap your daily cup of coffee for green tea. Green tea contains polyphenols, an antioxidant found in tea levels.

    Polyphenols help reduce the amount of sebum your body produces, which makes green tea a good option for treating acne.

    They also prevent gum disease, leaving you feeling beautiful inside out.

    More Beauty Tips

    A healthy diet helps care for the body inside out. But beauty comes from more than what you eat.

    Ensure you get enough sleep, use good sunscreen, exercise, and avoid smoking.