Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
Photo by Vladislav Muslakov on Unsplash It’s interesting how some people can fully remember their dreams at the night, but for others, it’s just fragments that linger in their minds in the morning. It may be a challenge for some to get a good nights’ …
Photo by Jacob Townsend on Unsplash A recent study published in the journal Michigan Pediatrics found that American teenagers sleep patterns are getting increasingly worse over the past two decades. Researchers who analyzed the University of Michigan’s annual Monitoring the Future national surveys of youth …
Happiness is probably one of the hardest things to define. Feeling happy is definitely subjective – what makes me happy may not put a smile on your face. But research shows that feeling mentally happy can have a bolster of positive effects on the body.
Research suggests that genetics may play a big role in our normal level of subjective well-being, so some of us may start out at a disadvantage. On top of that, between unexpected tragedies and daily habitual stress, environmental factors can bring down mood and dry up our thirst for living. Life is a roller coaster, so being able to manage the emotional ups and downs is important for both body and mind.
If you have a good sense of well-being, it’s easier to maintain good habits; Exercising, eating a balanced diet and getting enough sleep are all important. People who have an optimistic mindset may be more likely to engage in healthy behaviors because they perceive them as helpful. Some researchers speculate that positive mental states do have a direct effect on the body, perhaps by reducing damaging physical processes.
You might be thinking: “Maybe I would be happier if I had more money.” There’s that old cliché “money doesn’t buy happiness” — but is it true? A 2010 study in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that emotional well-being rises with income up to a point, which seems to be a household income of $75,000. Day-to-day happiness did not increase after that. In that case, money does buy you happiness if a large part of said happiness is taken away by the stresses of living paycheck-to-paycheck or otherwise poor living.
But what about right now — what can we do to make ourselves feel more positive immediately? If you’re seeking to increase your own sense of happiness, try mindfulness techniques. Mindfulness means being present and in the moment, and observing in a nonjudgmental way, Susan Albers, a psychologist at the Cleveland Clinic, told CNN in 2010.
A variety of smartphone apps are also available that claim to help you monitor and enhance your moods.
If you’re from a big city, live off of a busy road or just have a noisy family, falling asleep may be a struggle for you every night, which leads to more struggles the next morning. But, with Sleep Bug, your device can be transformed into the perfect device for sleeping – with sounds like waves at the beach, the sound of wind through a garden or animals in the middle of the jungle, this app will have you feeling relaxed and ready for sleep in no time at all. It even comes with a custom timer so it will turn off on its own while you’re already on your second dream. That should help people to fall asleep.
If you’re like most people who google their symptoms at the first sign of a cough to find out whether or not you should head to the doctor, this is the app for you. iTriage was developed by two ER doctors and asks you specific questions about how you are feeling and your symptoms to come up with a plan of action, so you’ll know whether you may just need some more rest or if you should head to your primary doctor.*
Now this app isn’t free but it’s worth sharing! Talkspace can help keep your wellness and mental health in check as it aims to make therapy more affordable by connecting users with licensed therapists at the touch of a button. This app connects you with people who can help – from a bad breakup to issues with weight loss.*
*Though these apps were intended to help you on your journey to better health, wellness and fitness, they should not be used as a substitute for licensed and certified professionals. Please speak with your primary physician about your health. Do not disregard any symptoms or illnesses you have.
Photo by Malvestida Magazine on Unsplash Are you having trouble falling or staying asleep at night? Your diet could be to blame. We all know caffeine before bed is bad news for your sleep quality, but there are some other major culprits in your diet …
Photo by Leon Biss on Unsplash The morning is a hectic time for most of us. Getting the kids off to school on time, answering those urgent emails, and rushing to work tend to take priority over your morning health routine, but there are some …
If you’ve noticed that your sleeping habits have been off along with your diet lately, it’s important to note that there is an interesting correlation between the two. Research has found that sleep, particularly too little of it, directly impacts your appetite and what types of food you crave. Hormones like melatonin, serotonin, and dopamine all influence motivation, mood, sleep, and cravings. It plays an important role in regulating all of these hormones. Here are a few of the most common unhealthy habits to avoid –
The American Cancer Association found higher incidences of cancer in individuals who consistently slept six hours or less or more than nine hours nightly. New research recently reported that people who get at least 7 ½ hours per night live longer. A good night’s sleep always starts with a decent bed. When your sleep is insufficient, your cortisol and hunger hormones both surge, causing a corresponding increase in insulin. You also experience decreases in leptin, melatonin, growth hormone, testosterone, and serotonin, all of which lead to weight gain. Follow these tips like avoiding electronics and eating or drinking too much before bed, and you’ll likely experience much better sleep!
Late-night meals and snacks prevent your body from cooling down while you rest, and they also raise your insulin level. As a result, less cell-boosting melatonin and growth hormones are released while you snooze. Stop eating about 3 hours before bed.
Waking up to go to the bathroom interrupts your natural sleep patterns. If you turn the light on when you go, you also run the risk of suppressing melatonin production. Stop drinking all liquids at least 2 hours before bedtime, and use a red night light in the bathroom, if a night light is needed.
A late-night workout, especially a cardio session, raises your body temperature significantly, preventing the release of melatonin. It can also interfere with your ability to fall asleep, since it usually increases noradrenaline, dopamine, and cortisol, all of which stimulate brain activity. Make the morning your workout time – it will help you avoid problems from working out at night, and it will give you more energy throughout the day, too!
Too much time in front of any kind of a screen close to bedtime can interfere with a good night’s rest. These activities increase the stimulating hormones noradrenaline and dopamine, which can hamper your ability to fall asleep. Take time to “power off” and focus on mind-calming activities like meditation, reading, or journaling before sleep. These habits make your serotonin dominant and improve your quality of rest.
How To Sleep Your Way to a Healthier Weight!
Source: http://healthyliving.msn.com/health-wellness/sleep/are-these-sleep-mistakes-making-you-fat?pageart=2