This is part 2 of a 2-part series on yoga and stress.
In part 1 of this series, I discussed how adopting a yoga practice as part of your routine can help you manage stress and bring a sense of well-being to your life. Here, I will focus in more detail on how various yoga poses, or asana, can help you cultivate balance and flexibility, both on and off the mat.
This is part 1 of a 2-part series on yoga and stress.
Stress, in its myriad forms, is an inescapable fact of life. There’s not a person alive who isn’t challenged by it at some time — and perhaps often! — whether it stems from your relationships, work, mounting bills or simply having too much on your “To Do” list.
Exactly how you respond to stress — either engaging it with a fiery passion or retreating from it with a whimper — can determine how it affects you. The goal is to find a healthy and productive balance between the two that allows you to manage and enjoy life. Adopting a yoga practice as part of your routine is an extremely effective tool in helping you do just that. (more…)
As a cardiologist specializing in prevention of heart attack and stroke, you can imagine I try to practice what I preach. Some of this is easy and comes naturally to me. I was always athletic and competed in track and field while in college, which is one of the things that drew me to the study of medicine. But, like most people, I still have to work at maintaining certain healthy lifestyle choices. (more…)
St. Patrick’s Day, Easter and Passover may be more familiar March celebrations, but this month also marks National Nutrition Month, an education and information campaign started by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 40 years ago. During March, the Academy shares its philosophy with the nation, encouraging everyone to “Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day.”
As dietitians, our role is to help raise awareness about the importance of good nutrition in promoting overall health and preventing disease. National Nutrition Month isn’t about finding a diet and sticking with it—it’s about learning how to make better food choices and small changes in your day-to-day life that have big consequences on your overall health. Learning how to eat healthier and getting more physically active help you take control of your life.
We are here to answer your questions and motivate you to make a change! Need some pointers? Here are 5 ways you can start:
In March we also get to say goodbye to winter and hello to sunshine and warmer weather. Get out there and explore your neighborhood, whether you’re walking, running or biking.
You don’t need to have an acre of land to start your very own garden. Any window or balcony will allow enough light for some life to grow. Such herbs as basil, parsley and cilantro are easy to care for, and cherry tomatoes or peppers grow great in New York. Check your nearby home and garden store for seeds or baby plants.
Sometimes cookbooks are just not helpful enough when you need to visualize a recipe. I recommend taking a cooking class at a local restaurant or community center. For the tech-savvy, online cooking demonstration videos are usually helpful (hint, try YouTube). Never be shy to ask a friend or family member for help either—they can come over for dinner and help you prepare a meal!
Adding variety to our life is key to eating healthier. For instance, you may have thought you disliked Brussels sprouts your whole life, but give them a try again—you just might be surprised. Try preparing the vegetable in different ways until you find a dish you find appealing.
Although eating healthy is about becoming a better you, having a buddy to provide words of encouragement can be the best change. Ask your family to be involved or call a friend to set up a weekly date. You aren’t alone!
For more information about National Nutrition Month, please visit the campaign’s website.
This guest post was written by Simone Walters, MS, RD.
February is American Heart Month, and this year marks the 10th anniversary of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign, celebrated on February 1! So, why does heart disease need a whole month to itself? For starters, it is the number-one cause of death among men and women in the United States, affecting some 81 million people. Everyone should care about heart disease, because if you do not have it, someone you know probably does. (more…)
Guest post by H. Marie Williams
We have arrived at the most exciting time of the football season: Bowl games, playoffs and, ultimately, the Super Bowl. With all the attention these games draw, fans and fitness enthusiasts alike marvel at how well-conditioned and skilled the players are. Getting to that level of performance requires dedication, hard work, skill and excellent programming. (more…)