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How to stay Healthy as the weather gets Colder

It’s that time of year again when we welcome back crisp mornings, short days, and colourful leaves. Winter is the favourite season for many, but for others, well, it’s not so straightforward! If you have been allergic to winter in the past, how about trying to think of the season as a fresh start for some healthy habits? Stow away the bikini and flip flops and embrace all the benefits that this time of year has to offer, from seasonal produce to walks in the cold, crisp weather. And, you can even challenge yourself to celebrate Christmas like a health pro, by enjoying the foods but not over-indulging!

Here are some of our best tips on how to enjoy your healthiest winter yet!

Get your flu shot

This is a no-brainer, and it’s not too late yet! We are all vulnerable to getting pesky and hard to shake viruses at this time of year, and you don’t want to spend a whole week cooped up at home, suffering from aches and pains, headache and endless sneezes. The best way to protect yourself from getting the flu is by heading off to your local pharmacy or GP for your annual shot. And no, getting the jab will not give you the flu; only protect you from getting it!

Think beyond Jack-O-Lanterns

Halloween may have passed, but that doesn’t mean you should forget pumpkins for another year! The pulp of this autumn staple is packed with vitamins A and C, and its tasty seeds (which you can toast) contain a substance that can actually help lower your cholesterol. With all the potential health benefits of pumpkin, it would be a shame to limit them to just a spooky decoration! Why not find a recipe to make a pumpkin pie, bake them into muffins, or add them to soups, stews, or a salad? Your winter body will thank you.

Give the Common Cold the Old Heave Ho!

We all dread getting a lingering cold at Christmas; it can leave you feeling really miserable and stuffed up. Regularly washing your hands will lower your risk of contracting this illness; it is the single best thing you can do to prevent viruses. It is also important to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day, your immune system will thank you for it! The foods you eat can also help prevent cold. Stick to plenty of fruits and vegetables to pack in those vitamins and minerals, and save all those festive sweet treats for special occasions.

Get Outside and Workout!

Now, we know that it’s all too easy to curl up and hibernate indoors until the weather gets warmer again! But we implore you to stay moving – did you know that spending time outdoors increases your vitamin D levels, which is crucial for maintaining your good mood throughout the winter? Join a team sport, or take in the changing scenery on a bike ride, run or hike. You could even consider getting outdoors to rake leaves, or replanting your garden to give it that Christmassy feel – it all burns calories, after all!

Buy In-Season Veggies

Now is the perfect time of year to take advantage of the nutritional powerhouses that are available in the form of Beets, Broccoli and Brussel Sprouts at this time of year. And we haven’t even mentioned Kale, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower and Squash! An abundance of tasty and versatile vegetables makes it easy to reap the health benefits of a plant-based diet, such as diabetes prevention, and control of blood pressure and heart health.

Give Back

It’s a time of year when giving back and being grateful for what we have is naturally awakened in us, as another year draws to a close. But, did you know that adopting an “attitude of gratitude”, and volunteering, are actually really good for your mental health? Giving takes many forms, big and small, so the opportunities are endless. Give your co-workers a sweet surprise by baking some sweet treats for the office, volunteer to collect some coins for your favourite charity, or make plans to volunteer for a few hours at your local homeless shelter; the need for extra hands is always great at this time of year.

 

Dr Seth Rankin is the Founder of London Doctors Clinic

talkhealth Blog

4 Ways to Stay Healthy

One of the things you will want to do is remain as healthy as possible. This can allow you to get more out of life and enjoy the good things it has to offer. Another reason to work towards the best health possible is that doing so will set a good example for your children. There’s no doubt your kids are watching some of the things you do each day and practicing good health habits is ideal.

Here are some top ways to stay healthy:

Get off drugs

Being healthy as naturally as possible is a great place to start. It’s no secret the fewer drugs you introduce into your body, the better you will feel and the better for your long-term health, as well.

For instance, it can be easy to get addicted to painkillers if you deal with an enormous amount of pain during an injury or another sickness. However, taking drugs that you can live without is one of the best ways to remain healthier.

It’s a good idea to consider places such as Georgia Drug Detox if you need to work with professionals in this area to assist you in eliminating your need for drugs. This is sure to improve your health in the long and short run when you do so.

Choosing the right foods

It’s no secret that eating nutritious and healthy foods can be the key to living a longer and healthier life. The foods you consume on a daily basis will determine your overall health.

It’s important to work to keep your weight under control and avoid the possibility of being obese. The most efficient way to make this happen will rest in counting calories and trying to stay in the right calorie range for your weight and height.

Some top healthy food options include all types of fruits and vegetables. These can improve your overall health and provide you with the right amount of nourishment each day. According to information from Fruit & Veggies – More Matters, only 33% of the adults are meeting the recommendation for fruit consumption.

Don’t forget to rely on the right sources to get the protein your body needs, as well. Some of your best options include chicken, tuna, and lean meat.

Stay active

Keeping your body moving and getting strong is the key to enjoying the best health possible. This can be done by engaging in a variety of exercises that can work to strengthen your heart rate and work to lower your blood pressure.

Some of the top activities you can enjoy that will allow you to get optimal results in include walking, jogging, strength training and many various cardio type exercises. Be sure to check with your doctor to ensure you’re healthy enough to begin an exercise program to work towards better health.

Enjoy meditation

Taking time to stop and breath is one thing you may do on a daily basis. However, enjoying a session of meditation can be the key to getting more out of life and working to drastically improve your health.

Enjoying this quiet time can be the key to renewing your spirit and your mind. This is essential to have the good health your body craves on a routine basis. Be sure to enrol in classes to assist you in learning the many techniques to allow you to get the results you want.

The key to having the health you want and need will largely rest on the things you do each day. This will add up and assist in a better well-being with continual use. Set the example your kids want to see by getting started today for a life you will love living!

 

talkhealth Blog

Neurotoxin pipeline advances, stay wary of counterfeits

As the neurotoxin market is set for expansion, so, too, expands the market of counterfeit products. One expert reviews the innovative options coming up through the pipeline and cautions colleagues about the risks associated with counterfeit products.. Learn more
Modern medicine – Dermatology Times

The Fight To Stay Sober: Why You May Not Want To Battle Your Addiction On Your Own

Addiction – no matter what it is that you are addicted to – can be a very hard thing to beat on your own. There are many factors that play into why it is such a tough road for people to travel on their own. Knowing why it is best to stay at an in-patient facility and then make use of various types of assistance once you are released from there is crucial to your recovery. This way you will be less likely to try to recover “your own way,” which has proven time and time again to be a bad route to go as it generally leads to terrible relapses.

Getting Through The Withdrawal Symptoms

man-standing-viewThe exact withdrawal symptoms that you are going to experience will vary depending on the type of substance that you are addicted to. It could be anything from irritation and insomnia to night sweats and uncontrollable diarrhea. Either way, most people would agree that it is not a pleasant experience to go through, especially on your own.

This is why it is so important to make sure that you are checking into somewhere like this Atlanta detox center in order to get through the detoxification process. Within one of these facilities, you will be monitored by heathcare professionals. They may even be able to give you some medication that can help control the severity of the detox symptoms. Most importantly, while going through detox there, you will not have the ability to slip up and look for more illegal substances in order to end the uncomfortable feeling of detox, as you are in a controlled environment.

Look Into A Dual-Diagnosis

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, a dual diagnosis is needed in order to successfully treat the addiction and any mental health issues that may be present. It can be hard to know whether the addiction came first and that caused a mental health issue, or if there was a mental health issue that someone tried dealing with through the use of addictive substances. Either way, anyone that does have a mental health disorder will need to receive proper treatment for that in order to increase his or her odds of a successful recovery.

Handling Temptations

Once you have been released from the substance abuse rehabilitation facility, you will need to be extra cautious to make sure that you are avoiding as many temptations as possible. Even if you were taking illegal drugs, you may want to avoid anything that can be an addictive thing, such as alcohol. Avoid social drinking gatherings or work related function where alcohol is served.

You will also need to steer clear of any friends or family that you used to purchase from or use with. Otherwise, you might find that you are going to be triggered and will have to start the rehabilitation process all over again.

Long Term Plans

From the beginning of your treatment program, you will be asked to create a plan for your future. This plan should include things that you are going to do to stay on a sober path. Examples of such things would be attending support meetings, taking your medication, attending church, staying in contact with a sponsor, and making new supportive friends. You will also want to think about how you can change your life at home in order to make things a little easier for you. This way, for the beginning part of your recovery, you may not have to deal with as much stress that you may be incapable of dealing with so early into the recovery process.

As long as you are committed to the process and you are willing to put in the work that it takes, you will be able to get sober and stay sober for the rest of your life. You finally have a chance to take control of your life once again. You just have to take that first step.

talkhealth Blog

Blog content: Sensitive Skin Beauty and Lifestyle : should I stay or should I go….?

For anyone reading my posts over the past year, you will notice that in general my eczema had stayed pretty calm. Heck I’d say I’ve had it pretty easy! With a few cracked lip moments my skin is 90% of the way to where I wanted. I’m so fortunate. However that leaves me in quite … Continue reading
My Eczema Tales