Simple steps to ensure a healthy living. This was found on WebMD, simplified here:
Healthy Habit No. 1: Eat Breakfast Every Morning
Breakfast eaters are champions of good health. Research shows people who have a morning meal tend to take in more vitamins and minerals, and less fat and cholesterol. The result is often a leaner body, lower cholesterol count, and less chance of overeating.
Healthy Habit No. 2: Add Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids to Your Diet
The AHA recommends a serving of fish two times per week.
Besides being a good source of protein and a food relatively low in the bad type of dietary fat called saturated fat, fish has omega-3 fatty acids -- which have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease.
Healthy Habit No. 3: Get Enough Sleep
This may sound like common sense, but according to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), more than two-thirds of older adults suffer from sleep problems and many American adults don't get the minimum amount of shuteye needed to stay alert.
Healthy Habit No. 4: Make Social Connections
Volunteer. Go to church. Join a club. Whatever you do, do it with people. Communal activities are good for your physical and mental health, according to a study published in the March/April 2004 issue of the American Journal of Health Behavior.
Healthy Habit No. 5: Exercise for Better Health
We already know that physical activity has a bounty of benefits, which makes it so puzzling why so many people just don't do it. According to the CDC, more than 60% of Americans do not get regular exercise.
Healthy Habit No. 6: Practice Good Dental Hygiene
Flossing your teeth every day could add 6.4 years to your life, according to Michael Roizen, MD, author of RealAge. In his book, Roizen lists flossing as one of the most important daily activities -- along with exercise and quitting smoking -- that could extend life span.
Healthy Habit No. 7: Take Up a Hobby
Since they are relaxing activities, hobbies are usually enjoyable. Some people find joy in craftwork, bird watching, sports, going to flea markets, walking in the park, or playing cards. The joy may help people live healthier and recover better from illness. For one thing, taking part in hobbies can burn calories, more so than just sitting in front of the TV.
Healthy Habit No. 8: Protect Your Skin
Our skin starts to age as soon as we are born and, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), the best way to protect it and look younger is to stay out of the sun. The sun has harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays that can cause wrinkles, dryness, and age spots. Overexposure can cause sunburn, skin texture changes, dilated blood vessels, and skin cancers.
Healthy Habit No. 9: Snack the Healthy Way
The ADA recommends five or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day as part of a healthy diet. These plant foods can do many things to boost good health.
Healthy Habit No. 10: Drink Water
The body needs water to keep properly hydrated and individuals vary widely in how much water they need. Joints need it to stay in motion, and vital organs such as the heart, brain, kidney, and liver need it to work properly.
Healthy Habit No. 11: Drink Tea
"Decaffeinated tea is better," says Fleming, noting that the caffeinated variety can be dehydrating, and sugary drinks can lead to weight gain. There is some evidence that tea may help in improving memory, and preventing cavities, cancer, and heart disease. Fleming says, though, that the overall research is still inconclusive.
Healthy Habit No. 12: Take a Daily Walk
We already mentioned the merits of exercise in habit No. 5. Now, here's a tip on how to incorporate physical activity into your daily life: WALK. We're not talking about taking the time out of your busy schedule to work out -- that's important, too -- but infusing life- and limb-saving movement into your waking hours.
Healthy Habit No. 13: Massage
Ok, we may have added this healthy habit ourselves but there are so many positive benefits from massage to help you live a healthy life. With a monthly or even weekly massage you can give yourself relief from all the tension that hangs on you like a wet blanket. Take time out for yourself on a regular basis and you'll notice a happier way of life!
Showing posts with label healthy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label healthy. Show all posts
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Sunday, August 1, 2010
The Lymphatic System and Why it is Important
I found this article on the naturalnews.com website and found it to be very educational. The lymphatic system is largley affected by massage. Read on to learn about what it is, how it works and what you can do to keep it healthy.
The lymphatic system is one of the most overlooked systems in the body, despite the fact it plays a central role in your overall health. Keeping your lymphatic system in top shape is an important aspect in maintaining a healthy life.
What is the lymphatic system?
The lymphatic system is a network of vessels that runs through your entire body. Lymph nodes are strategically located throughout the system for optimal performance, and are clustered in areas like the underarms, abdomen and neck.
What does the lymphatic system do?
Your lymphatic system performs the vital function of cleansing the fluid that surrounds the cells in your body by removing impurities and waste products. This process not only protects your body from toxins, but also allows cells in the body to function at their best.
What happens when the lymphatic system can't function properly?
An unhealthy lymphatic system can have a serious impact on your health. Poor lymph function is associated with fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, aches and pains, bloating and poor digestion. Studies have shown that an unhealthy lymph system can contribute to cellulite, fat deposits and obesity as well.
How can you keep your lymphatic system healthy?
Drink plenty of water. The lymphatic system depends on a constant supply of fluid, so it's very important to drink at least eight glasses of water a day to keep it functioning at its best. Purified or filtered water is the best choice.
Choose healthy foods. Preservatives, artificial sweeteners, refined grains, excess sugar, chemicals and processed foods all put strain on the lymphatic system. Choose foods that are organic, whole and natural as much as possible.
Eat your fruits and veggies. Fruits and vegetables supply the lymphatic system with important vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytonutrients. The chlorophyll in green vegetables is especially beneficial to the lymphatic system.
Get your essential fatty acids. Healthy fats are necessary for the proper function of the lymphatic system. Good sources of essential fatty acids include pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, walnuts, almonds and avocados.
Stay active. When your muscles move, they essentially massage the lymphatic system and promote the flow of fluid through your lymph vessels. Regular exercise like stretching, yoga, daily walks and strength training are all great ways to keep those lymph juices flowing.
Practice deep breathing. Like exercise, deep breathing promotes the movement of fluid through the lymphatic system while providing it with fresh oxygen.
Take echinacea, wild indigo and goldenseal. These herbs support immunity and help cleanse the lymphatic system. These should be used as part of a cleansing period lasting for about 2-4 weeks, one to three times per year.
Get a massage. Massage stimulates the lymph nodes and helps promote fluid movement in lymph vessels. Lymph drainage massage is especially supportive of the lymphatic system.
Relax in a sauna. A weekly hour in the sauna or steam bath can facilitate detoxification and take some pressure off the lymphatic system.
http://www.naturalnews.com/026500_lymph_lymphatic_system_health.html
The lymphatic system is one of the most overlooked systems in the body, despite the fact it plays a central role in your overall health. Keeping your lymphatic system in top shape is an important aspect in maintaining a healthy life.
What is the lymphatic system?
The lymphatic system is a network of vessels that runs through your entire body. Lymph nodes are strategically located throughout the system for optimal performance, and are clustered in areas like the underarms, abdomen and neck.
What does the lymphatic system do?
Your lymphatic system performs the vital function of cleansing the fluid that surrounds the cells in your body by removing impurities and waste products. This process not only protects your body from toxins, but also allows cells in the body to function at their best.
What happens when the lymphatic system can't function properly?
An unhealthy lymphatic system can have a serious impact on your health. Poor lymph function is associated with fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, aches and pains, bloating and poor digestion. Studies have shown that an unhealthy lymph system can contribute to cellulite, fat deposits and obesity as well.
How can you keep your lymphatic system healthy?
Drink plenty of water. The lymphatic system depends on a constant supply of fluid, so it's very important to drink at least eight glasses of water a day to keep it functioning at its best. Purified or filtered water is the best choice.
Choose healthy foods. Preservatives, artificial sweeteners, refined grains, excess sugar, chemicals and processed foods all put strain on the lymphatic system. Choose foods that are organic, whole and natural as much as possible.
Eat your fruits and veggies. Fruits and vegetables supply the lymphatic system with important vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytonutrients. The chlorophyll in green vegetables is especially beneficial to the lymphatic system.
Get your essential fatty acids. Healthy fats are necessary for the proper function of the lymphatic system. Good sources of essential fatty acids include pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, walnuts, almonds and avocados.
Stay active. When your muscles move, they essentially massage the lymphatic system and promote the flow of fluid through your lymph vessels. Regular exercise like stretching, yoga, daily walks and strength training are all great ways to keep those lymph juices flowing.
Practice deep breathing. Like exercise, deep breathing promotes the movement of fluid through the lymphatic system while providing it with fresh oxygen.
Take echinacea, wild indigo and goldenseal. These herbs support immunity and help cleanse the lymphatic system. These should be used as part of a cleansing period lasting for about 2-4 weeks, one to three times per year.
Get a massage. Massage stimulates the lymph nodes and helps promote fluid movement in lymph vessels. Lymph drainage massage is especially supportive of the lymphatic system.
Relax in a sauna. A weekly hour in the sauna or steam bath can facilitate detoxification and take some pressure off the lymphatic system.
http://www.naturalnews.com/026500_lymph_lymphatic_system_health.html
Friday, June 25, 2010
Find a few minutes to pamper yourself, you're worth it!
By now you have probably realized that both emotional and physical stress (for example, working too hard at the gym to perfect your summer beach body) can have many negative effects on your health and lifestyle. Don't let your muscle aches and pains stop you from getting out and enjoying the beautiful summer sunshine!
Whether you are looking for rehabilitation and wellness, stress-management, or perhaps to enhance a fitness routine, the therapists at Elements will create a custom-tailored massage session to tackle your individual needs and concerns. In the end you will feel relaxed, refreshed, and ready to conquer the day!
The massage team at Elements aims to provide an absolutely wonderful massage experience based on exceeding our clients’ expectations.
The Bottom-line: A healthy body is a happy body. For as little as $59, a 55-minute therapeutic massage session could be the first step towards a pain-free, stress-fee lifestyle!
Whether you are looking for rehabilitation and wellness, stress-management, or perhaps to enhance a fitness routine, the therapists at Elements will create a custom-tailored massage session to tackle your individual needs and concerns. In the end you will feel relaxed, refreshed, and ready to conquer the day!
The massage team at Elements aims to provide an absolutely wonderful massage experience based on exceeding our clients’ expectations.
The Bottom-line: A healthy body is a happy body. For as little as $59, a 55-minute therapeutic massage session could be the first step towards a pain-free, stress-fee lifestyle!
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