Health News
- Holiday Stress Can Make Former Smokers Relapse; Here Are Ways To Keep That From Happening
People often smoke when they are stressed, and despite the famous holiday song that claims "It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year," the season often brings stress that makes many former smokers relapse. Smoking doesn't really relieve stress,...
- Walking 101
By Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom College credit for walking? That?s what the University of Georgia offers as one of its fitness classes for students. Whether this is a good sign or bad sign for our nation?s fitness is debatable. Most of us are very familiar...
- Surprise: Healthy Living Is Not Easy!
By Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom Somewhere lost in all the messaging about healthy living is the one about effort level. You know, how much effort it takes to make and sustain a health-promoting change. Many people view healthy, fit people as somehow just magically...
- Fitness 3 Ways
By Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom When you think of ?exercise? or ?fitness? what comes to mind? A sweaty workout, leaving you exhausted? Think again! An active lifestyle comes in many forms. What?s known as ?activity of daily living? is the foundation of a healthy...
- Naps May Reduce Stress
A recent study shows midday naps may have a positive impact on the heart, especially for working men. The Harvard School of Public Health and the University of Athens Medical School ran a six-year study on more than 23,000 Greek adults, the results of...
Health News
Simple Stress Relief: Just Breathe!
By Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom
We live in a pumped up, stressed out world. And while we often see recommendations for stress-relieving activities that take ?only 20 minutes a day? (or longer) most of us just can?t make time to do this daily.
I?m a glass-half-full person ? all about what you can do, not what you don?t have time to do (good-bye perfect world!). Trying to fit in daily stress reduction often just creates more stress.
One of my favorite de-stressors takes just two minutes. It?s my version of deep breathing. While this doesn?t compare to a one-hour yoga class, it can give you a quick pick-me-up and a great sense of well being.
Stand up (if you have some privacy), or just stay seated at your desk. Sit up straight and take a very deep breath ? slowly ? in through your nose, filling your lungs, and then exhale slowly through your mouth. Repeat for a total of 10 times. The key is to do this slowly and to be mindful of the moment ? think about your breathing in and out.
This is one baby step that definitely supports healthy living. Let me know if it works for you!
- Holiday Stress Can Make Former Smokers Relapse; Here Are Ways To Keep That From Happening
People often smoke when they are stressed, and despite the famous holiday song that claims "It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year," the season often brings stress that makes many former smokers relapse. Smoking doesn't really relieve stress,...
- Walking 101
By Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom College credit for walking? That?s what the University of Georgia offers as one of its fitness classes for students. Whether this is a good sign or bad sign for our nation?s fitness is debatable. Most of us are very familiar...
- Surprise: Healthy Living Is Not Easy!
By Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom Somewhere lost in all the messaging about healthy living is the one about effort level. You know, how much effort it takes to make and sustain a health-promoting change. Many people view healthy, fit people as somehow just magically...
- Fitness 3 Ways
By Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom When you think of ?exercise? or ?fitness? what comes to mind? A sweaty workout, leaving you exhausted? Think again! An active lifestyle comes in many forms. What?s known as ?activity of daily living? is the foundation of a healthy...
- Naps May Reduce Stress
A recent study shows midday naps may have a positive impact on the heart, especially for working men. The Harvard School of Public Health and the University of Athens Medical School ran a six-year study on more than 23,000 Greek adults, the results of...