Feb

1

There are still six more weeks of winter, so you know the cold season is in full swing. People pull all kinds of tricks out of their cold-fighting arsenals: some use vitamins, others use teas, and a few even head into hibernation until spring.

You may not realize that the best protection against catching the common cold may be as simple as changing one little habit: washing your hands.

Sound simple? Sure; but unfortunately, many people don’t wash their hands as often as they should. This means that germs that cause the common cold gather on all kinds of public surfaces that you use during the day. Touching your mouth, nose, or eyes after coming in contact with these surfaces can transmit these germs right into your body. Then it’s up to your immune system to try to fight them off.

Regular, proper hand washing with soap and water kills these germs and prevents colds and other illnesses from spreading. And it’s so easy! Just use warm water to lather your hands with soap for 15 to 20 seconds. Then rinse your hands thoroughly under warm running water. Don’t forget to use a paper towel to turn off the faucet and open the door—you don’t want to pick up any new germs.

Give your immune system a break this cold season. Washing your hands frequently throughout the day is your best bet at keeping those sniffly, sneezy, coughy germs at bay.

Dec

12

As winter sets in and those long sunny days leave us, you might start craving carbs. Relax, this is natural. It relates to the drop in stored serotonin levels in our brain. As the levels fall, the body cries out for more (seretonin is the “feel good” chemical in you brain). Eating carbohydrates raise our levels of tryptophan, which increases our serotonin levels. The result is feeling more calm, having better sleeping habits and craving less carbs.

The trick now is to eat the right carbs. That chocolate chip cookie you’re eyeing up isn’t quite what I’m talking about. You need the low-glycemic index, complex carbohydrates that also have nutritional value, such as whole grains, raw fruits & vegetables, raw nuts, seeds and beans. These are the comfort foods that will give you the results you’re looking for.

So until those sunny days return, stock up on the good crabs to feel great all winter long!

Dec

10

Whether it’s bottled, purified or straight from your tap, water improves your mental and physical performance, increases your energy, keeps your skin healthy and glowing, helps you lose weight, reduces headaches, and aids in digestion. It’s readily available to nearly everyone in the modern world, and it’s free.

So that brings up the question, why don’t people drink more of it?

About 20% of Americans drink no water, and 42% drink two glasses or less daily. Inadequate water intake causes a decrease in total blood volume, constriction of blood vessels and an increase in blood pressure. Water flushes toxins out of vital organs, carries nutrients to your cells and provides a moist environment for ear, nose and throat tissues. Many people who don’t drink enough incur excess body fat (reduced ability to metabolize or burn fat), poor muscle tone and size, decreased digestive efficiency and organ function, and experience joint and muscle soreness. Most of these ailments listed are treated by expensive medication or elaborate health practices, when all that is needed is a short walk to the fridge.

So how much should the average person drink? The schools of thought vary, but on average the typical adult needs almost 100 ounces of water daily. About one-third of this usually comes from the water from the food we eat. This means that most people should drink at least eight eight-ounce glasses of water daily. Note that varying factors, including your health, body weight, how active you are and where you live, will adjust the actual amount.

When should you pour yourself a glass? Well, don’t wait until you’re thirsty to have a drink – you’re already dehydrated if you feel thirsty. First thing in the morning is a great time because you wake up naturally dehydrated and can help flush out all the toxins that have stored up in your body during the night. Your kidneys will thank you for that. Drinking a glass right before bed has shown to eliminate the urge for a midnight snack (or at least the hunger pangs that cause this). In fact, many people who experience hunger are actually just dehydrated.

So if you’re thinking of dieting, desiring better skin, or trying to feel better in general, pour yourself a glass of one of the cheapest easiest solutions you can, water.

 

 


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