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Cutting-edge information and tips for creating health in all areas of life – wellness, nutrition, fitness, attitude, and relationships

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April 18, 2024

How (and Why) Exercise Brightens Mood

With everything that’s happening in the world today and living lives of constant and never-ending activity, it seems our stress and anxiety levels reach new highs each day. Taking care of our mental well-being is crucial.  Controlling our mood is a must, too. Otherwise, it will quickly control us, plunging us into overwhelm and depression.  Of the many tools and rituals for reducing stress and finding calm, exercise is among the best. Physical activity improves mood.  Research has proven time and again its many positive impacts. Why does exercise boost your mood? Exercise causes the brain to release a neurotransmitter called endorphins. Endorphins interact with receptors inside the brain, reducing pain and triggering positive feelings throughout the body.  Have you ever heard someone refer to a “runner’s high”? It’s the euphoric state runners often feel at some point during their run.  The euphoria comes from all the endorphins released during a strenuous workout.  Once the runner slows down, that wash of chemicals courses through their bodies, making them feel extremely happy, content, and satisfied.  But, is pounding the pavement for endless miles the only way to enjoy exercise-induced euphoria? Absolutely not! Although it’s called the runner’s high, this euphoric experience accompanies many other physical activities. Other neurotransmitters are released during exercise besides endorphins. Two other neurotransmitters released by physical activity are serotonin and dopamine, critical players in mood regulation.  Serotonin is nicknamed “the feel-good” hormone because it makes a person feel satisfied and happy, which is why it helps regulate…

With everything that’s happening in the world today and living lives of constant and never-ending activity, it seems our stress and anxiety levels reach new highs each day. Taking care of our mental well-being is crucial.  Controlling our mood is a must, too. Otherwise, it will quickly control us, plunging us into overwhelm and depression. …

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Walking is amazing. Not only does it relax the nervous system by reducing stress, but it also lowers blood pressure and strengthens the heart. And It’s Easy! Many people who are at risk for stroke and heart disease are overweight and find it hard to exercise. However, walking is a low-impact exercise that almost anyone…

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It’s hard to let anger and bitterness go. It isn’t easy getting over someone who has hurt you. Feelings of resentment and distrust linger and burden the heart, filling one’s life with negativity. And forgiving them seems almost impossible.  A study published by Springer Link revealed that “Bearing grudges is associated with a history of pain disorders,…

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You jump out of bed in the morning, ready to tackle your day. You’re on fire and intend to attack whatever you’ve been putting off. Or you’ve finally mustered up the courage to start that new project or business and are excited. You shower, dress, meditate, and drink your favorite morning beverage, and just as…

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Vision changes are not uncommon, especially with age, but you may be at risk for certain eye diseases and be unaware of them. These conditions can deteriorate your vision, not only increasing your chances of vision loss and blindness but also putting you at risk for more health problems, including falls and fractures, injuries, poor…

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Someone said, “Procrastination is the grave in which opportunity is buried.” When the end comes, some people look back over their lives, and all they see is a graveyard of regrets, largely due to procrastination and putting things off until tomorrow. Don’t let that be you. Here are seven ways to get busy living your…

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According to Psychology Today, people procrastinate – delaying what they know should be done – for many reasons. It cites three in particular: 1) Because we don’t think we’ll enjoy doing them, 2) We don’t think we’ll do them well, or 3) The task at hand is too complex; it’s estimated that 20 percent of…

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It’s not too late to turn things around and salvage this year. Maybe you’ve lost motivation or have procrastinated on starting your life-changing goals. If so, so what? It’s no big deal. Get up and get going because life does not wait!  Many of us put things off. And if that sounds like you, don’t…

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released these startling statistics on the flu on February 16, 2204, in which it estimates that the United States has had at least 24 million illnesses, 260,000 hospitalizations, and 16,000 deaths from flu this season.    A strong defense against the flu is a strong immune system. But boosting our…

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It isn’t sexy, glamorous, or cool, and even though many people think it’s boring, it works and works great! What is it? Walking. Dr. Thomas Frieden, former Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, says, “{walking is} the closest thing we have to a wonder drug.”   Wow. That’s a pretty strong statement. Here’s…

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Life is messy and unpredictable sometimes. We don’t make the best decisions, or things spiral out of our control, or we suffer the unfortunate consequences of other people’s choices.  How we react to certain triggers and situations and show up in life either fills our life with more or less hope, joy, or misery. To…

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5 Ways To Stop The Negative Effects Of Social Media According to DemandSage.com, nearly 5 billion people use social media worldwide, which is more than half of the world’s population (61%). Experts predict that number will rise to 5.17 billion by 2024. It’s probably no surprise that Facebook leads the field with 3.05 billion users. The typical social media…

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