Habit formation is the process by which a behavior, through regular repetition, becomes habitual. Every habit has three components: (1) A Trigger for an automatic behavior to start. (2) A Routine, the behavior itself. 3) A Reward how our, brain learns to remember this pattern for the future. The worse habit many have as we age is being sedentary. Sedentary is defined as a period of inactivity for more than two hours at a time. According to a study by the…
Let’s see if you can get through January without using any of the phrases below. Not regarding your health, the food you eat, the exercise you promised to do. I have never done it that way before. I am not ready for that, yet. I am doing OK without changing anything. I have tried it all before. I think it will cost too much. I don’t think this plan will work. I’ll be OK without changing. Now if you can…
Over this past year of blogging, I have been reminded of my best three hacks to help you become your best health advocate. Put your pillow in the dryer on hi for 20 minutes every day, whenever you are sick, and during allergy seasons. Then once a week while you do your sheets. All the virus and bacteria are living happy all day in your pillow and will return “home” to nose while you sleep. Germ free sleeping = a…
Being your own best healthcare advocate means being aware of important signs and symptoms of anything serious. To follow are the TOP 5! 1.Slurred Speech. Every 40 seconds someone has a stroke in the US. 87% are life threatening. Call 911 immediately. DO NOT drive friend or loved on to hospital, when things worsen on the drive the ER staff have much less that they can do. 2.Mole Changes that include asymmetry, change in color, size (larger than pencil eraser)…
Over the next month, ya know you will be indulging in all the special sugary treats. Here are some facts and fixes from American Diabetic Association on how to handle the sugar satiation in a healthy manner. Understanding that your body will be “normalized” into having to deal with HIGH insulin levels. Insulin is the hormones that allows your body to use/regulate glucose ( sugar) for energy. After glucose levels rise, messages are sent to your pancreas to release insulin….
The dangers of sitting are crystal clear. Sedentary Life Style = increased risk of heart disease, cancer, brain shrinkage(!) back pain and poor posture. Best Health = Move 5 minutes of every 30 minutes you are awake. “An active brain has neurons firing to form new connections, that equal brain reserve and back up cells to avoid plaques and neuron tangles” according to Dr. Budson Chief of Neurology at VA/Harvard Healthcare system. Keep your brain active even while seated: Expand…
Step it up, physical movement helps prevent illnesses that can lead to memory loss by releasing protein ( FDA recommended 50 grams a day) needed by the brain for healthy nerve cells. Park at the end of the lot and walk into stores. Walk the store once and then go get what you came in for! Try Mediterranean diet research has shown a 20 decrease in memory problems, due to lots of fruits, vegetables, and fish and the use of…
Step it up, physical exercise helps prevent illnesses that can lead to memory loss by releasing proteins needed by the brain for healthy functioning cells. Try a Mediterranean diet that has shown a decrease in memory problems, as it is primarily fruits, vegetables, and fish and uses good extra virgin olive oil. Remember lo-fat protein is the brain’s fuel= 50 grams a day for adults. Measure for success! Engage your brain with new, different mentally challenging activities each day to…
The following are the 4 horsemen of memory loss development. Each in itself is a sign but together they need immediate attention. This research at Johns Hopkins reveals that experts don’t know how to prevent Alzheimer disease. Recently, some evidence showed that detecting the disease early can lead to better treatment options. A. Personality shifts B. Clumsiness C. Confusion D. Inability to recognize sarcasm E. All the above When you recognize any of these personality challenges happening in someone you know, a professional (neurologist) should…