The health benefits of positive thinking
Researchers continue to explore the effects of positive thinking and optimism on health. Health benefits that positive thinking may provide include:
- Increased life span
- Lower rates of depression
- Lower levels of distress
- Greater resistance to the common cold
- Better psychological and physical well-being
- Better cardiovascular health and reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease
- Better coping skills during hardships and times of stress
It’s unclear why people who engage in positive thinking experience these health benefits. One theory is that having a positive outlook enables you to cope better with stressful situations, which reduces the harmful health effects of stress on your body.
It’s also thought that positive and optimistic people tend to live healthier lifestyles — they get more physical activity, follow a healthier diet, and don’t smoke or drink alcohol in excess.
Source: Mayo Clinic
diet
🍎 Health Hack ~Give Some Love to Chickpeas
Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are featured in an array of dishes throughout the world, including in Africa, India, the Middle East, and Europe. Chickpeas are rich in fiber, folate (vitamin B9), manganese, and other minerals. Several studies have found that eating chickpeas may improve cholesterol levels and reduce blood sugar.
Instead of munching on these processed snacks, you can easily make your own: Just spread a can of drained, rinsed chickpeas on a baking sheet, drizzle with a little olive oil, and sprinkle with your favorite spices, such as garlic powder, oregano, chili powder, or curry powder. Stir to coat and bake at 375 F for 15 to 30 minutes, depending on how crispy you want them.
🍎 Health Hack ~ Leg Cramps Be Gone
Tips for Avoiding Leg Cramps
Most cramps will go away on their own within a few seconds to minutes. Stretching or massaging the muscle will help it relax. Heat is soothing to tense muscles. Apply a heating pad or warm wet washcloth to help loosen up the muscle.
To avoid leg cramps in the future, drink plenty of fluids before and during exercise. Muscles need fluid to contract and relax properly. Prevent tightness by warming up your leg muscles before you work out with some walking in place or a slow jog. After each workout, stretch out your leg muscles for a few minutes. Do another set of stretches before bed if you tend to get cramps while you sleep. For cramps that are especially severe, frequent, or disruptive to sleep, a prescription muscle relaxant like cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), metaxalone (Skelaxin), or methocarbamol (Robaxin) may help.
🍎 Health Hack: Fill Your Cup Until It Overflows
Optimistic People Live Longer
Plenty of research suggests optimistic people have a reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, and declines in lung capacity and function. Optimism is also associated with a lower risk of early death from cancer and infection. And now a new study links optimism to living a longer life.
What does this new research on optimism tell us?
The study in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that people who had higher levels of optimism had a longer life span.
🍎 Health Hack ~ 3rd of 3 Daily Habits To Keep Your Brain Healthy
Healthy Habit #3 ~ Eat on Schedule
The timing of our meals (along with the foods we choose to eat, of course) that can keep your brain in tiptop shape. . . . Keeping your body on a routine can greatly benefit your brain. . . . While the foods you eat and workout plans you follow may differ . . . the one thing every person should do to optimize brain health is to maintain a steady ritual.
🍎 Health Hack ~ 2nd of 3 Daily Habits To Keep Your Brain Healthy
Healthy Habit #2 – Exercise Regularly
Timing your exercise habits is a great way to get your body (and brain) into a healthy routine. However, there’s no need to time your workouts down to the very minute you hit the treadmill. For Ruhoy, following a steady workout routine is pretty simple. “If you’re a morning person, exercise in the morning. If you’re an evening person, exercise in the evening,” she says. In terms of what kind of exercise is most beneficial for brain health, Ruhoy believes it’s a personal decision and there’s no one exercise plan that’s better for our brains, as long as you work out at the same time every day.
🍎 Health Hack ~1st of 3 Daily Habits To Keep Your Brain Healthy
Healthy Habit #1 ~ Go To Bed at the Same Time
I’m always preaching sleep hygiene: Going to bed at the same time each night and waking up at the same time each morning,” Ruhoy says. . . . Even the process of getting ready for bed is crucial for maintaining a healthy sleep routine. She notes, “Getting in preparation for sleep is super important because that tells the body that it’s almost time for sleep.” We know our schedules can become hectic . . . but keeping your bedtime as stable as possible might be the No. 1 life hack for a healthy brain. . . . While our brain sleeps is when it replenishes and restores itself,” Ruhoy states. So if you’re going to follow any routine, sleep should be your No. 1 priority.
🍎 Health Hack ~ Watercress A Super Power Food
Watercress
You’re more likely to find this member of the cabbage family as a garnish instead of the star it is, at least nutritionally speaking. It’s packed with phytonutrients and antioxidants, both of which help prevent disease and slow aging.
One of these is beta-carotene, a type of carotenoid. These compounds help prevent eye diseases and some cancers. Your body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A.
Watercress also has fiber and vitamin K. Just 2 cups of it give you about a third of the vitamin C adults need each day. And cruciferous vegetables have sulfur-based compounds known as glucosinolates that help your body fight off infection and cancer.
Like all cruciferous veggies, watercress helps detox, Moss says. It’s especially good for cleansing the liver.
🍎 Health Hack ~ Pumpkin Seeds Are a Healthy Choice
Pumpkin seeds . . . are one of the healthiest seeds to add to your daily diet,” Moss says. She recommends them hulled, eaten raw or gently toasted. They’re a rich source of magnesium and zinc, two minerals many people don’t get enough of. Magnesium helps relax the body and relieve everything from tight muscles to anxiety to headaches to constipation. Zinc is a key player for your immune system, and it boosts testosterone (which can help improve your libido).
🍎 Health Hack ~ Tips for Healthy Eating Out
Tips for Eating Out
- Choose foods that are steamed, broiled, baked, roasted, poached, or lightly sautéed or stir-fried.
- Ask for food without butter, gravy, or sauces.
- Ask for salad dressing on the side and use only some of it.
- Pick drinks without added sugar, such as water, milk, and unsweetened tea or coffee. Order regular coffee or tea instead of high-calorie specialty drinks.
- Trim visible fat from meats and remove skin from poultry.
- Share your meal or take half home for later.
- Choose fruit or another healthy option for dessert.
