Did you know your body sweats just as much in cold weather as it does in warm? 

You probably don’t notice it as much because sweat evaporates faster when it’s cold. The air is also more dry because the cold climate has less humidity, and that can easily lead to dehydration. In the winter, air is typically more dry because the cold climate has less humidity, and that can easily lead to dehydration.

Research shows that feeling anxious can cause you to sweat more and dehydrate more easily. Also, dehydration can lead to physical ailments like headaches, fatigue, and weakness.

If you start to feel the symptoms of dehydration (such as dry mouth or low energy), you may want to replenish with electrolytes. Electrolytes are essential minerals such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium. They help with bodily functions including balancing blood pH and blood pressure, helping fix tissue damage, regulating nerve and muscle function.

Fresh juices containing ingredients like beets, cherries, spinach, or kale are naturally full of electrolytes. Try coconut water as it is full of potassium, calcium, sodium, and magnesium. 

So just because it’s cold outside, don’t let your guard down on staying hydrated!

Using a safer budget-friendly sunscreen

Most people seem to think that sun-screen is only for the warmer, summer months. You know at the beach, playing ball and the rest. But the sun still shines in winter and, if you participate in outdoor snowy sports, the glare from the sun is so much greater than one would think. Plus, many people head to warmer climes to escape the snow and they need to take care of skin
protection as well. There’s never a time you shouldn’t be concerned about sun damage.
Painful sunburns can happen anywhere and at anytime.

So for on-the-go UVA/UVB protection, I grab Sun Shades Sport SPF 50 Sunscreen. Sun Shades Sport features dermatologist-recommended avobenzone and an exclusive natural blend of vitamins and antioxidants. This sunscreen helps protect skin against signs of premature aging and environmental damage for 80 water-resistant minutes and sprays on evenly for protection without feeling sticky or tacky on your skin.

Water-resistant, it protects against harmful UVA and UVB sun rays with quick and complete spray-on coverage.

  • SPF 50
  • Sprays onto the skin in a complete, uniform layer 
  • Feels natural and clean on your skin 

Using a safer alternative that is budget-friendly is what matters most to me

Play Like A Child 

What comes to mind when you think of exercise?

  • Working out with weights?
  • Getting on the treadmill machine?
  • Riding that new Peloton you got for Christmas

Studies show that when we step beyond the indoor workouts and step outside into nature’s playground, our serotonin levels rise! So as you plan your exercise schedule, be sure you work in activities that take you outside:

  • Hiking 
  • Walking
  • Running 

When we breathe in that air, when we let the sun shine on our faces, we are waking up our senses. Something truly amazing happens when we allow ourselves to play:

More of our bodies wake up! 

Be sure you get out and walk today!

A new me.

This is one of the most dependable tools for losing weight and getting healthier that I have been around!

– Real food

– Easy plan…just eat often and pick from the long Yes List

– Fits all preferences including Paleo, Vegetarian, etc.

– Tons of others on the same path

– Tons of encouragment

– Tons of accountability, but make it even more so by buddy-ing up with a friend.

– Tons of awesome prizes

– Only $10 plus tax sign up fee

– Six weeks to a new HEALTHIER you

Link to sign up via Eventbrite.

Tinnitus: Ringing In The Ears 

It can be so annoying, but it’s not a disease. It’s a symptom of other potential problems.

  • Age Related Hearing Loss This usually happens in the 60’s but happened to me early (way too many concerts!)
  • Excess Earwax (I have eustachian tubes that are at an unusual angle and typically have to get the cleaned out by an ENT every 2 or 3 years.
  • Certain meds, like aspirin, NSAIDs, diuretics and antidepressants can trigger ringing or make it louder
  • Ear & Sinus Infections create extra pressure that triggers tinnitus.
  • TMJ ( the chiropractor can be a huge help here.)
  • High Blood Pressure and Hardening of the Arteries add to it because the blood vessels near our ears become less flexible, creating a louder noise.
  • Fibromyalgia and Lyme Disease can trigger as well.

You can always visit your ENT but before you do, try using an electronic device to suppress the noise such as a White noise machines. These devices, which produce a sound similar to static, or environmental sounds such as falling rain or ocean waves, are often an effective treatment.

Sunday thoughts

There is absolutely nothing more calming than an early morning walk on the beach.

How did you take care of yourself this week?

No doubt throughout the week, you took care of family members, coworkers, and everybody but yourself. In reality, it’s not that we don’t want that massage or facial. The challenge for most of us is the lack of a routine that focuses and benefits ourselves.

So if booking massage just isn’t a reality for you, why not….

  • Take 45 minutes and curl up in a comfy chair with a great book
  • Listen to a podcast on having a positive mindset while you’re getting ready in the mornings
  • Treat yourself to a pedicure or go out for a long walk

Just changing your environment can be incredibly therapeutic so take some time TODAY to take care of YOU!

Thought for Sunday

Worry less, dance more: Life’s a dance. The music will never be perfect, but don’t let that stop us from enjoying the rhythm!

Did you know prolonged sitting…

If you sit for more than 11 hours a day, there’s a 50% chance you’ll die years earlier. 

‘Exercise does not offset health risks,’ say AHA

Sedentary behavior can raise the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other conditions, even among people who are physically active. This is according to a new scientific statement from the American Heart Association.

Read more about these health risks in Medical News Today here.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF GARDENING AND PLANTING 

For many of us, gardening means we get to experience the joy of the dirt between our fingers, watching colorful flowers bloom and enjoying the taste of amazing homegrown vegetables!

The benefits go further, because gardening:

  • Promotes Weight Loss — Gardeners tend to weigh 11 to 16 pounds less and are up to 62% less likely to be obese compared to their non-gardening counterparts. In addition to eating more vegetables and fruits, gardeners are also more active.
  • Gives a Boost to the Immune System — Soil is loaded with microorganisms, including beneficial bacteria, which have been shown to help support a robust immune system. A healthy immune system can help fight sickness and infection.
  • Improves Fine Motor Skills — Gardening keeps those hand muscles strong and coordinated to handle fine motor skills is to garden.
  • Improves Self Esteem and Brain Power — Gardening is also good activity for the brain and has been shown to protect brain health. In fact, one study found it decreased the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by up to 50%.
  • Relieves Stress and Boosts Mood — The stress-relief benefits of gardening appear to stem from the its unique combination of exposure to sunlight, time in nature, and beautifying the environment.
  • Improves Blood Pressure and Reduces Risk of Heart Disease — One study from Stockholm found that gardening regularly may cut the risk of both heart attack and stroke by up to 27% and death from all causes by up to 30% among those 60 and older.

Gardening is yet another component of an overall healthy lifestyle that has surprising benefits, including increasing life satisfaction. It gets you outside and in touch with nature as you move your body—a perfect recipe for improved mental and physical health.

I know I can’t wait to see my fruits and vegetables, sending up shoots.