When you have resilience, you harness the inner strength that helps you rebound from a setback or challenge, such as a job loss, an illness, a disaster or a loved one’s death. If you lack resilience, you might dwell on problems, feel victimized, become overwhelmed or turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as substance abuse, eating disorders or risky behaviors. Resilience won’t make your problems go away — but resilience can give you the ability to see past them, find enjoyment in life and better handle stress. If you aren’t as resilient as you’d like to be, you can develop and learn skills to become more resilient. Resilience can help protect you from various mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. Resilience can also help offset factors that increase the risk of mental health conditions, such as being bullied or previous trauma. If you have an existing mental health condition, being resilient can improve your coping ability.
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Optimism Works ~ Optimists Handle the Tough Times Better
“Life inflicts the same setbacks and tragedies on the optimist as on the pessimist, but the optimist weathers them better (Martin Seligman).”
The research is clear on this amazing fact as noted researcher on learned optimism, Martin Seligman, points out. We are all going to have our share of setbacks, why not address life with an optimistic viewpoint. We’ll bounce back quicker, heal, and head toward a promising tomorrow.
Optimism Works ~ Hang Out With Optimists and Live Longer
A positive mindset is associated with better health and a lower chance of disease. A review of 15 studies with over 200,000 participants found a 35% lower chance of getting heart disease and a 14% lower chance of early death in people who were optimists. People who are optimistic also have better results following surgery, with fewer complications requiring hospital readmission. This may be related to the finding that optimists have better coping skillswhen dealing with stress and setbacks.
One of the best ways to crank up an optimistic attitude is to hang out with optimists. It’s true, we become like the folks we hang out with. If you want to see the world as a hope-filled, opportunities waiting for you place, hang out with similar folks. Don’t open the door to pessimistic, naysayers. You’ll feel a lot better.
Today’s Health Tip ~ Can Sitting Up too Straight Hurt Your Back?
“Your mom wasn’t totally wrong; hunching can certainly be bad for your back,” says Dr. Neel Anand, professor of orthopedic surgery and director of spine trauma at Cedars-Sinai Spine Center in Los Angeles, California. “But the opposite is true too. Sitting up straight for too long without a break can also cause strain. If you work in an office setting, make sure your chair is at a height where your knees are at a 90 degree angle, your feet can rest flat on the floor, and you have proper lower back support. Make sure to stand up, stretch, and take a quick walk several times a day to keep from getting stiff or causing injury.”
Today’s Health Tip ~ Stress & Heart Problems
A growing body of evidence suggests that psychological factors are — literally — heartfelt, and can contribute to cardiac risk. Stress from all sorts of challenging situations and events plays a significant role in cardiovascular symptoms and outcome, particularly heart attack risk. The same is true for depression, anxiety, anger, hostility, and social isolation. Acting alone, each of these factors heightens your chances of developing heart problems. But these issues often occur together, for example, psychological stress often leads to anxiety, depression can lead to social isolation, and so on.
Does reducing stress, or changing how you respond to it, actually reduce your chances of developing heart disease or having a heart attack? The answer isn’t entirely clear, but many studies suggest the answer is “yes.” There is much to learn about exactly how. Research indicates that constant stress contributes biologically to heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure and the formation of artery-clogging deposits. Other research finds that chronic stress may make it harder to sleep, eat well, quit smoking, and exercise.
Fortunately, you can learn healthier ways to respond to stress that may help your heart and improve your quality of life. These include relaxation exercises (deep breathing, guided imagery), physical activity (walking, yoga), and staying connected with friends, co-workers, family members.
Source: Harvard Medical School Newsletter: Healthbeat
Today’s Health Tip ~ Tips to Avoid High Blood Pressure
- Avoid sodium – One of the biggest links between high blood pressure and the food you eat is the amount of sodium it contains.
- Follow the DASH Diet – The DASH diet, which stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, as well as the Mediterranean diet, are both known to help reduce high blood pressure and promote heart health, especially when combined with other heart-healthy steps like reducing alcohol consumption, lowering stress levels and maintaining physical activity.
- Focus on whole foods Focusing on minimally processed whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, lean proteins and nuts or seeds will all support heart health.
- Aim for Two servings of dairy per day – Eating at least two daily servings of dairy is linked to a lower risk of high blood pressure and diabetes.
- Get regular exercise – Exercise has a direct, immediate impact on blood pressure. The increase in nitric oxide in one’s system from exercise causes vasodilation, which lowers blood pressure.
What if I took a spontaneous weekend trip?
What if I took a spontaneous weekend trip, what would I experience? My guess is I’d rekindle a childlike sense of adventure. I’ll toss my stuff in my backpack. I’ll purposely forget to take my laptop. I’ll leave early and leave all my worries in rearview mirror. They’ll wait for me. Getting away is important. It refreshes the spirit and body. It relieves us of the stress we’ve become so used to carrying we don’t even notice it. One caution, you’ll come back feeling so good, you may want to make it a habit. LOL.
Today’s Health Tip ~ What Does Being Physically Fit Mean?
Definition of Physical Fitness
Experts define physical fitness as “one’s ability to execute daily activities with optimal performance, endurance, and strength with the management of disease, fatigue, and stress and reduced sedentary behavior.” This description goes beyond being able to run quickly or lift heavy weights. . . .Being physically fit depends on how well a person fulfills each of the components of being healthy. When it comes to fitness, these components are:
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- cardiorespiratory fitness
- muscular strength
- muscular endurance
- body composition
- flexibility
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Today’s Health Tip ~ Are Hot Tubs Healthy?
Benefits of Using a Hot Tub
- Relieves stress.
- Manages muscles aches.
- Helps heart health.
- Lowers blood pressure.
- Improves sleep.
Healthy hot tubbing tips
Some hot tubs are breeding grounds for germs. Only use hot tubs that you know are regularly cleaned and well-maintained with the proper levels of chemicals. A hot tubbing ritual can be safe and healthy if you:
- Don’t let the water temperature exceed 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius). If you’re not sure, check the temperature with a tub thermometer or your finger. Enter slowly to avoid burns or shocking your body.
- Get out of the tub if you feel too hot, dizzy or get a headache. These could be signs that you’re dehydrated or your blood pressure is getting too low.
- Install barriers like locking gates around home hot tubs. Use a latching cover to keep it clean and help keep children safe.
- Limit your dip to 15 minutes or less, or you risk making muscle pain worse.
Heating up can be healthy
If you’re in good health, go ahead and enjoy a hot soak. But keep in mind that the health benefits are a bonus, not a replacement for medical care. “A hot tub isn’t going to solve any health problems, but it can feel great,” says Dr. Todorov. “And if you start to feel unwell or you just don’t like the heat, it’s a sign you should get out.”
A Better Life ~ Enjoy Life a Bit More
We have to-do lists and check lists We ask our digital assistants to remind us of what to do. We’re running 100 mph (160 Km/h) and getting no where fast. Why not move out of the fast lane, knowing life will still go on whether or not we complete a to-do list. One doesn’t have to be superman or superwoman to be happy Remove the cape, put the superhero suit in storage, and enjoy life a bit more.
