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…
When Your Child Is Afraid To See The Doctor
Many kids are anxious about going to the doctor, and a routine visit can turn into a major meltdown. A big part of that fear is that kids don’t know what to expect. They’re afraid of shots (who isn’t?), and their imagination runs wild thinking everything is going to hurt. According to child psychologists, parents…
Learn MoreSupporting A Loved One With Mental Illness
A Mental Health Month is coming up, and while we’ve come a long way in how we view mental illness, there is still much work to be done. Having a friend or family member with a mental illness like anxiety, depression, bipolar, schizophrenia, or PTSD can be challenging. Separating the person from the illness and…
Learn MoreIs Your Teen Depressed?
Teens go through so many intense changes all at once that it can be a bit overwhelming. Without a strong support system and a healthy outlet for their stress, they can quickly slip into a depressive state. Recognizing Teen Depression Most teenagers are moody and predictable, which makes it difficult for parents to tell whether…
Learn MoreSnoring: Just a Nuisance or a Sign of Something Serious?
Snoring is a common problem. About 90 million men and women of all ages suffer from this very annoying condition. Many people don’t know that snoring can be a sign of a more serious condition known as obstructive sleep apnea. The word “apnea” is literally translated “without breath.” When you sleep, the muscles at the…
Learn MoreGetting Enough Zinc On A Vegetarian Diet
One thing that concerns people who are considering a vegetarian diet is a nutritional deficiency. They worry that they won’t get enough vitamins and minerals such as zinc. The Standard American Diet contains lots of zinc from animal sources like meat and dairy. A vegetarian diet, on the other hand, commonly has lots of fiber…
Learn MoreIntermittent Fasting: Is it Right For You?
Intermittent fasting is all the rage in the fitness industry. However, it’s just a fancy term for a certain kind of dieting where you eat all your meals within a time-restricted window. For example, you can fast for 16 hours and eat normally for the remaining 8 hours. The proponents of Intermittent Fasting claim that…
Learn MoreRaising Fit Kids & Teens
Raising Fit Kids & Teens Physical activity is such an important part of a child’s development. Sadly, less than 25% of American children get the recommended 60 minutes of moderate to intense physical activity a day. Most kids and teens have too much screen time and too little physical activity. As a result, one-third of…
Learn MoreSuffer From Sinus Infections? Here’s What You Can Do
Do You Suffer from Sinus Infections? Here’s what You Can Do Sinus infections can be very uncomfortable. They can make your eyes, nose, cheeks and forehead feel swollen for several days or even weeks. But first things first; what exactly are the sinuses? Well, they are small cavities in the skull that are connected to…
Learn MoreShould You Workout When You’re Sick?
So, your workout has been going great and you’ve not skipped a day in a while. In fact, you’re killing it! But then you catch a cold or stomach bug and get sick, and can’t decide whether to work out or take a break to give your body a chance to heal. On one hand,…
Learn MoreBuild Brain Power by Harnessing the Power of Neuroplasticity
Human brains are moldable. They are constantly breaking and forming new neural connections between brain cells, and can shrink or expand as you learn new things. Just a few years ago, this was thought to be impossible. This isn’t just another cool fact that’s good to know. Knowing how your brain works can actually help…
Learn MoreAre You Paying Attention to Your Mental Health?
Hi there, my name is Lynell LaMountain, and it’s my privilege to work with an awesome production team and amazing people as one of the co-hosts of the award-winning television show, Lifestyle Magazine. Look, life can get pretty stressful at times; we all get stressed, overwhelmed and even burned out. Life can stack up on…
Learn MoreAutopilot Mornings for Smooth Sailing Days
The right morning routine can make the rest of your day smooth sailing and stress free. Having a morning ritual is one of the easiest ways to improve your mornings, especially if you’re not a morning person. In fact, health experts overwhelmingly recommend having a structured start to your morning because it sets the tone…
Learn More