Got to Lose the Love Handles
That is, focus on your middle. Research in the Journal of the American College of Cardiologyhas linked excess belly fat to higher blood pressure and unhealthy blood lipid levels. If you’re carrying extra fat around your middle, it’s time to slim down. Eating fewer calories and exercising more can make a big difference.
healthy diet
Health Hack ~ Pass the Guacamole
Including an avocado in your daily diet is a delicious way to increase your intake of healthy fats and potentially reduce risk of heart disease. . . . Curious how to include an avocado per day into your diet? 136 grams of avocado is the equivalent of two thirds of a cup of guacamole, two slices of generously slathered avocado toast, or an entire batch of avocado chocolate truffles. You can get your daily dose all in one go, or spread it throughout your day. A few slices of avocado with your eggs in the morning, a side of guacamole and crudité with your lunch, and avocado-chocolate mousse for dessert . Who knew that heart health could be so delicious?
🍎 Health Hack ~ It’s Never Too Late to Get in Shape
Maintain good physical health. This point is so basic it’s often overlooked. Our physical health affects our emotional health much more than we realize. Make sure to eat well, exercise and get plenty of sleep. As Virgil said: “The greatest wealth is health.”
Health Hack ~ Attitude Influences Health
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
🍎 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.
