Life Blog
Cutting-edge information and tips for creating health in all areas of life – wellness, nutrition, fitness, attitude, and relationships
June 27, 2024
Is Stress Affecting Your Weight? How to Manage Your Mindset for Weight Loss
Globally, health experts agree that incidences of stress and obesity are rising. In the US, recent studies show that up to 1 in 5 adults often or always feel lonely, anxious, or depressed. Similarly, obesity is growing rampant, with two-thirds of all adults in the US qualifying as such. As it happens, the fact that these two issues are on the rise at the same time is no coincidence. Health experts have found that excess weight and heightened stress levels perpetuate a toxic cycle, where one encourages the development and progression of the other. This is concerning since the World Health Organization (WHO) notes that obesity-related complications are responsible for nearly three million deaths from around the world every year. With this in mind, it’s important to understand how stress and weight are connected and how to cultivate a positive weight-loss mindset. Where weight and stress meet Although stress is primarily mental and weight is physical, they are undeniably linked, where one’s symptoms manifest in the other. To start, when the body is stressed, it causes hormonal changes. Chief among these fluctuating hormones is cortisol, which regulates the body’s fight-or-flight mode. During this period, the metabolism naturally slows. High cortisol levels also cause slower production of the hormone leptin, which controls feelings of satiety and hunger. Without enough of this, appetites can increase and lead to weight gain. Stress can also demotivate a person from pursuing weight management methods like diet and exercise. Meanwhile, eating is a self-coping method for…
Don’t Let the Cold Weather Stop You!
Sure, cold weather might seem like the perfect excuse for trading an active outdoor lifestyle for a cozy indoor lifestyle of hot chocolate and marshmallows. It isn’t easy braving the cold when a crackling fire and your favorite blanket are beguiling you to stay in because, baby, it’s cold outside. Is it any wonder that…
Learn MoreReduce Your Grocery Bill without Compromising on Nutrition
Everyone knows what it’s like for money to be a little tight and having to cut back in certain areas. Unfortunately, it’s quite tricky to cut the grocery bill without compromising on nutrition. While opting for cheap, empty calories might seem like a good idea when facing a financial bind, it can lead to health…
Learn MoreHypersensitivity, Under Sensitivity and other Sensory Processing Issues
We’ve all felt it: the hair-prickling, teeth-gritting feeling of our skin brushing against something unpleasant, or the overpowering aroma of last night’s dinner at the bottom of the sink, or bits of sand or dirt underneath your feet as you step out of the shower. Or maybe you get a little squeamish listening to someone…
Learn MoreStill Sore From Your Last Workout? Take a Break or Keep Going?
So, you kicked off the New Year with a great resistance workout and left the gym beaming with pride, but now your muscles are so stiff and sore that it hurts to even walk. Should you give your body a break or grind through the pain and keep going, forcing your body to adjust to…
Learn MoreGetting Back on Track after a Period of Overindulgence
The holidays are a festive time of non-stop partying and feasting. We’re constantly surrounded by sweets, snacks and yummy gifts of food from our friends and family. And in the spirit of the season, we gratefully accept and overindulge in foods that we would normally refuse. However, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with enjoying the holidays…
Learn MoreLess Treadmill & More Weights!
When you’re new to fitness, weight lifting can seem daunting because it’s physically challenging and you must learn new exercises for each major muscle group; it’s not as easy as pushing “start” on the treadmill. Not to mention the horror stories of torn muscles and injured joints (which is only a concern if you’re performing…
Learn More5 Ways to Make Running Fun (Yes, Really)
Some people LOVE running. And some people only run if they’re being chased. Maybe you fall somewhere in between these two extremes and are considering running to improve your health. The idea of taking up running can be an exciting goal. But the actual act of running? Well, not so much for some people. In…
Learn MoreNo Time For The Gym? Just Keep Moving
When someone makes a decision to get fit, they usually join a gym. Unfortunately, gyms, fitness classes, and running are not for everyone. For starters, some people just don’t have the time, while others are nervous or self-conscious and would rather take some time to build their confidence before doing jump lunges in front of…
Learn MoreUnderstanding And Treating Migraines
1 in 7 people suffer from moderate to severe migraines. Pulsing, throbbing migraine pain can last anywhere from four hours to three days. As if that weren’t bad enough, migraines can cause extreme sensitivity to smell, sound, light, and additional symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. But Aren’t Migraines Just Bad Headaches? No, migraines are…
Learn MoreTo Vent or Not To Vent? Healthy Ways To Deal With Anger
Everyone likes to vent once-in-a-while when feeling angry or upset because it feels good and it’s a great way to reduce stress…or is it? Although venting sounds good in theory, psychologists claim it doesn’t make you feel any better but might actually make you feel worse! Although experts are uncertain why this happens, they do…
Learn More3 Steps To Jump Start Happiness
Everyone who is emotionally and mentally healthy wishes for a happy and fulfilling life, and to feel good about the future despite their current circumstances. Happiness is within reach; it just boils down to how willing we are to make any necessary changes in our lives to be truly happy. Although there can be many…
Learn MoreTears of Joy: 10 Natural Remedies Onions Provide
People have a love /hate relationship with onions. Let’s consider the humble onion. Onions come in many colors, white, red and yellow, and each is as healthy as the other. In fact, they are super healthy. Why? Well, according to Victoria Jarzabkowski, a nutritionist from the University of Texas, onions offer people abundant sources of…
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