Healthy Lives - FMOLHS

Feeling fatigued and can’t seem to shake it? Most issues with being fatigued are linked to problems that can be easily fixed. Look at these five areas of your life to help explain your tiredness. Diet.  Caffeine or sugar can seem like a quick fix when you need an energy boost, but they actually make things worse. After blood sugar levels spike, they crash, making you more fatigued than you were before. A better solution is to eat a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables and lean protein and to steer clear from crash diets.  Water intake.  Research shows that even mild dehydration affects your mood and it makes you feel more tired. Drinking just a little less water than you normally do can cause fatigue to occur. Be sure to track your water intake to ensure you’re getting the appropriate amounts. Sleep.  You should get 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night, but millions of Americans have trouble doing this. If you’re one of them, avoid caffeine, alcohol and large meals in the hours befo

Certain health conditions, your diet, age and family history can affect your cholesterol levels. While you can’t change your age or family history, you can change your lifestyle to improve your cholesterol profile. Focus on fats.  But not the bad ones! Avoid saturated fats, which increase unhealthy LDL levels, and steer clear of trans fats, which both raise LDL and lower protective HDL. Instead, substitute these with unsaturated fats, like those found in fish, nuts and vegetable oils.  Choose whole grains.  Whole-grain breads, pasta and cereal help prevent a blood sugar roller coaster and make you feel full longer. Many of these foods contain fiber, which help to lower LDL levels.  Make other healthy choices.  Maintaining a healthy diet is always beneficial. Start small, like substituting fruits and vegetables during times when you want to reach for a bag of potato chips. Especially try to make healthier dairy substitutions, like fat-free milk instead of whole milk or low-fat y

Stretching is a great way to improve your flexibility and avoid muscle soreness after a workout. Using these tips can ensure you’re stretching safely and protecting your muscles and joints at the same time. Warm up first.  Muscles stretch more easily when they’re warm. To warm up, you can walk in place for give minutes or even dance to a few songs. Moist heat packs or a warm shower are other great ways to warm up quickly.  Avoid pain.  Stretch only to the point of mild tension, never to the point of pain. If a stretch hurts, stop immediately! Check the instructions and start from the beginning.  Pay attention to posture and good form.  Posture counts whether you’re sitting, standing, or moving. Good form while stretching can translate to good form while you’re lifting weights, which means you have a lesser chance of injury.  Focus on the muscle being stretched.  You’ll notice that one side of your body often is tighter than the other. Work on balancing this over time.  Breathe

Regular exercise is one of the most important things you can do to improve your health. It’s also a proven way to increase your energy and boost your mood! The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week (for example, half an hour, five days a week), including two to three strength training sessions per week. Aerobic activity: The most convenient and affordable form of aerobic activity is walking. Studies have shown that brisk walking for at least half an hour, five times a week, has nearly the same health benefits as more vigorous exercise. How fast is “brisk”? Health experts say that a brisk walk is about 100 steps per minute, or about 3-4 miles per hour.  Strength training: Weight lifting doesn’t have to involve heavy barbells. Lifting light weights can provide adequate resistance, but you can also use the strength training machines at the gym. Allow at least 48 hours between these muscle-building workouts to give y