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…
Why Everyone Should Run a 5K
More than 8 million people run 5Ks every year, making it the most popular race in America. If you’re not a runner, you’ve probably wondered what’s so special about a 5K. The K in 5K stands for kilometer; a 5K is basically a 3.18-mile run. It’s the perfect run for a beginner because it…
Learn MoreGet Your Energy Back After Being Ill
Here’s why you felt weak and crummy after that cold, flu, or stomach bug. It’s because your body worked extra hard to fight off the illness. It’s the job of your white blood cells to regenerate and repair the daily wear and tear of the muscles. But when you’re sick or get an infection, they…
Learn More4 Steps to Greater Health & Happiness
Are you really healthy if you’re in great physical condition but other parts of your life are filled with pain or discomfort? Sure, you might’ve passed those doctor-ordered medical tests with flying colors, and were deemed healthy. But if you’re feeling stressed out or are struggling with relationships and loneliness, although you might be healthy…
Learn MoreRecovering From a Stroke
A stroke occurs when a blood clot or fragmented blood vessel blocks blood flow to the brain. It’s the fifth leading cause of death in America, so it’s no wonder that most people know someone who’s had a stroke. Post-stroke recovery is a slow and uncertain process. It begins as soon as the patient is…
Learn MoreHigh Intensity Interval Training Will Change the Way You Exercise!
High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is one of the top five fitness trends in the world, according to the American College of Sports Medicine. It combines short bursts of intense activity with periods of less intense activity or rest. High intensity exercise raises your heart rate to above 90% and forces your body into an…
Learn MoreBoost Your Mood In Minutes
We’ve known for a while that exercise boosts mood. That’s why going for a walk at the end of a stressful day makes us feel better and happier. But, just how many minutes of physical activity does it take to improve mental wellbeing? Are we talking about an hour or two? Turns out, scientists have…
Learn MoreThe Five Best Ways To Protect Your Skin From The Sun
Summer is finally here! Lazy days at the beach, pool parties, and ball games. Summer is so much fun. So, go ahead and enjoy the outdoors ‘til your heart is content. Just remember to take care of your skin by giving it the nutrients and protection it needs. Sun Exposure: The Good News and Bad…
Learn MoreHow to Build a Stronger Core!
When most of us think about core strength, the first thing that comes to mind is abs. Having a flat tummy and six-pack are nice, but the benefits of core strength go far beyond aesthetics. Your core muscles help you stay upright. They affect every movement that requires stability and balance, including bending over to…
Learn MoreThree Things You Must Know About Metabolic Syndrome
Although many people have metabolic syndrome, few know much about it. The American Heart Association estimates that one in six Americans has it. Metabolic syndrome – formerly known as “Syndrome X” – isn’t a disease but a group of risk factors such as obesity, insulin resistance, high triglycerides, low levels of “good” cholesterol (HDL), and…
Learn MoreAlzheimer’s Can Affect Young People Too
While Alzheimer’s is most common in older adults, it sometimes affects young people in their 20s and 30s. This form of Alzheimer’s is known as early-onset Alzheimer’s. Experts aren’t really sure what triggers Alzheimer’s disease in young people. Some people have the three main genes for the disease, which can be identified through genetic tests….
Learn MoreDesk Job Causing Neck, Wrist and Back Pain?
Americans spend one billion dollars every week on work-related musculoskeletal injuries because many of us spend our workdays straining to accommodate our workstations when it should be the other way around. Having a workstation that isn’t suited for your body forces you to hold your wrists, neck, shoulders and back in strange positions for hours…
Learn MoreIs Chronic Constipation a Worry?
Let’s talk about poop. The average adult should expect to have between three to twenty-one bowel movements per week. Everyone is different, so the exact number of bathroom visits isn’t set in stone. Medically speaking, constipation is defined as having fewer than three bowel movements per week. While it isn’t unusual to get constipated from…
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