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Showing posts from September, 2020

How to Master the Inbox Zero Method for Less Stress

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Tech and mental health experts reveal the stress-reducing, sanity-saving benefits of the inbox zero method. Plus: a complete guide on how to achieve a consistently clear inbox. Have you ever opened up your email only to immediately feel a sense of dread wash over you? Same—every day, in fact. That’s the reality of living in the digital world, a place where you’re expected to be just an email away at any given moment, regardless of time differences, day of the week, and other pressing priorities on your to-do list. And, if not addressed, constantly chasing after your inbox can lead to lead to burnout. Enter: the inbox zero method. First, What’s Wrong with a Crowded Inbox? To begin, know that you’re not alone if the sheer volume of your emails overwhelms you. Many people find crowded inboxes to be incredibly stressful, not to mention majorly time-consuming. And we’re not just saying that to console you—there’s research to back it up. According to Adobe’s annual Email Usage Study, on

9 of the Best Foods to Boost Your Brain Health

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Sure, you’ve heard of food for thought. But Chelsey Amer, MS, RDN, CDN, goes beyond the popular idiom by sharing a list of the best foods for brain health. When it comes to brain health, we’ll take any advantage we can get, right? After all, your brain is arguably the important organ in your body! Not only does your brain control your thoughts, feelings, memory, and intelligence, but also physical movements, including your beating heart and breathing through your lungs. For these reasons and more, keeping your brain healthy is essential, to say the least. But unfortunately, there’s no amount of brain teaser puzzles you can complete to overcome a nutrient-deficient diet. That’s where your food choices come in. 9 Best Foods to Boost Brain Health To support brain health through nutrition, add some of these brain-healthy foods to your diet. 1. Salmon + Fatty Fish Your brain is about 60 percent fat. So healthy fats, including omega-3 fatty acids, are among the best foods for brain h

Win 1 of 3 Bundles of Natural Laundry Supplies

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My Green Fills products are tough on grime but gentle on Mother Earth. Enter to win free eco-conscious laundry products delivered right to your door. Don’t Wait to Enter: As soon as you sign on, you will learn more ways to up your chances of winning!  First Prize: Refillable Laundry Soaps (50+ loads) and Softener Rinse (50+ loads), Enzymatic Stain Eraser, Stain Stick, Dryer Angel (made by women rescued from sex trafficking). ($79 Value)  Second Prize: Refillable Laundry Soaps (50+ loads) and Softener Rinse (50+ loads), Stain Stick ($49 Value)  3rd Prize: Refillable Laundry Soaps (50+ loads)  ($18.00 Value)  Don’t Miss Your Chance to Win My Green Fills Laundry Products that Clean with Nature Products use revolutionary eco-chemistry to deliver better results than toxic chemical cleaners. With zero harsh chemicals or artificial fragrances, the products are hypoallergenic and safe. Refillable jugs and recyclable packaging drastically reduce plastic waste in the environmen

IV Vitamin Therapy – Is It Worth The Needle Stick?

We need to talk about the trend of IV vitamin therapy being dripped into people at trendy IV vitamin lounges and clinics, because this is becoming a thing. IV therapy lounges are popping up all over the place, catering to people who want to improve their energy, nurse their hangovers, help their cancer, and detox… Read more The post IV Vitamin Therapy – Is It Worth The Needle Stick? appeared first on Abby Langer Nutrition. Original source: https://abbylangernutrition.com/diet-review-iv-vitamin-lounges-peddling-health-or-straight-bs-and-really-big-needles/

75 Hard is The Challenge You Don’t Want to Accept.

75 Hard is an extreme challenge. Extremes are popular right now, along with ‘challenges’ by celebrities and quacks that promise life ‘transformations’ through tough-love. I can see how people would go for these sorts of things; we all like a challenge, especially right now when we’re sort of bored and need to mix shit up. And… Read more The post 75 Hard is The Challenge You Don’t Want to Accept. appeared first on Abby Langer Nutrition. Original source: https://abbylangernutrition.com/75-hard-is-the-challenge-you-dont-want-to-accept/

What Are Free Radicals and Why Are They Bad?

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Carrie Gabriel, MS, RDN, investigates exactly why free radicals are bad for your health. Plus: three ways to reduce them in the body to support long-term wellness. While our bodies do a pretty good job of dealing with everyday sources of pollution and other toxins, pesky free radicals can steadily contribute to long-term side effects. But what are they exactly, and what do they do to the body? Here’s everything you need to know about how to protect yourself from free radical damage. What Are Free Radicals? Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage the cells in your body. They often occur as a result of normal metabolic processes, as well as environmental stressors. The body loses its ability to combat their effects as we age. This results in more free radicals, cell damage, and oxidative stress. (Oxidative stress is an imbalance between their production and the body’s ability to neutralize/detoxify resulting damage.) Exposure and resulting damage leads to degenerative

Does Makeup Age Your Skin? Derms Clue Us In

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Can wearing makeup age your skin? Read on for the risks and remedies, according to dermatologists. There’s an age-old debate about premature aging. While makeup is designed to make skin look its brightest and best, is it possible that its very formulation can lead to the appearance of aging skin? As much as we hope that isn’t the case, we figured it’d be best to ask derms to find out the truth. Keep reading to learn whether your makeup (and makeup habits) could inadvertently sabotage your complexion. So, does makeup age your skin? According to board-certified dermatologist Michele Green, MD, makeup itself doesn’t age your skin. However, certain ingredients in makeup can certainly work against your skin’s natural aging process. Among others, these ingredients include: parabens dimethicone talc propylene All of these ingredients have the potential to build up on your skin, which can effectively trap oils and sweat beneath them. The result? Breakouts, irritation, and congestio

Here Are The Worst Nutrition Trends (So Far) Of 2020.

Oh 2020, you’re a fucking dumpster fire. And not just with covid, but with nutrition trends, too. It seems like things are getting more extreme, science is getting more twisted, and unqualified people are getting more bold in their nutrition advice. All recipe for my latest ‘worst trends’ post. Buckle up, here we go. Extreme fasting.… Read more The post Here Are The Worst Nutrition Trends (So Far) Of 2020. appeared first on Abby Langer Nutrition. Original source: https://abbylangernutrition.com/here-are-the-worst-nutrition-trends-of-2020/

8 Natural Remedies for Hot Flashes to Beat the Heat

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Gaby Vaca-Flores, RDN, CLE, shares natural remedies for hot flashes to help you keep your cool. Did you know that 75 percent of menopausal women experience hot flashes? If you can relate, you’ll want to keep reading to discover the best natural remedies for hot flashes. But first: the what and why behind this common symptom of menopause. What are hot flashes? By definition, hot flashes are an intense feeling of sudden warmth, mostly in the upper body. Hot flashes can cause sweating, blushing, and irritability. Also, they’re sometimes referred to as night sweats when they occur while sleeping. Fortunately, there are natural remedies for hot flashes that require only moderate lifestyle changes. Causes of Hot Flashes It’s understood that hormonal imbalance is the most common cause for hot flashes. However, there’s little research that pinpoints exactly how hormone changes link to these heated episodes. In any case, most research points to drops in estrogen levels as the leading c

16 Conversation Starters For More Meaningful Family Dinners

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Eating dinner together helps you feel more connected as a family. Here are some dinner conversation starters to make those meals memorable. Thank you to FMI Foundation for sponsoring this post! It seems like ages ago, but there was a time when “family dinner” wasn’t a given for every family, thanks to sports practices, school events, work meetings, and active social lives. For better or for worse, those hectic weeknights will return. But in the meantime, you’re probably eating dinner as a family (and at home) more than you ever have before. Though it can all feel a little Groundhog Day  (at least around here!), those meals help us feel connected in a socially distanced world. There’s no doubt that more time together around the table is a silver lining right now. Why family meals matter Regular family dinners have always been one of the best healthy habits , and there’s a large body of research (as in THOUSANDS of studies) that actually proves the perks for children. Compared to

5 Things That Get Better with Age in Your Personal Life

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There are significant benefits of aging (emotional intelligence and sexual satisfaction among them) that no one seems to talk about—until now. From fine wine and vintage tees to Brad Pitt, some things inevitably get better with age. And contrary to many misconceptions, you (yes, you! ) can age successfully over time as well. Keep reading if you’re curious about how to age well—and better yet, why you should embrace aging—throughout life’s later transitions. 5 Things That Get Better with Age Happiness, satisfaction, and self-determination are all essential for a healthy, happy life. And thankfully, they’re all things that get better with time. Here’s a roundup of the top benefits of aging that will keep you optimistic for years to come. 1. YOUR EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE Laura Carstensen, PhD, Director of the Stanford Center on Longevity, posits that older people experience several benefits of aging tied to emotional stability. First, she says that advanced age can breed compassion

Building Pandemic PODS for Kid’s Mental Health and Educational Future

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As schools try to make the best decisions for the upcoming school year, parents and grandparents are forging ahead with their own ideas on how best to educate their kids, keep them safe and preserve their emotional well-being with pandemic PODS. As the pandemic lingers on, families are finding ways to allow their children to socialize and learn with others by creating pandemic pods or bubbles. By setting up adhered to guidelines, children can safely play with friends and learn in a group setting, while parents and grandparents get support from the other members of the pod. The Institute for Natural Medicine checked in with a few families – each with their own setup – on creating pandemic pods. Related: Mental Health Care for Parents Under Pandemic Lockdown Pandemic PODS (Parent Organized Discovery Sites) typically bring together three to six families and employ a teacher, college student or other adult to assist in their education and childcare. As this idea takes hold, even some

Are You Having Fun Yet?

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This month Dr. Amy asks the question: “What do you do for fun?” She recants a patient’s reaction to the question and why having fun is so important to health. Dr. Amy’s daughter, who is a professional fun maker, offers suggestions on how to break away from working all the time and taking the time for some levity in your life. I was treating a patient recently who shared with me a host of complaints: digestive issues, sleep problems and pretty severe acne. She wanted a naturopathic perspective on finding balance and getting healthier. I listened carefully to her medical history, performed a physical exam and was trying to get a sense of how I could best help her with regard to diet, an exercise plan, specific supplements and angles on stress reduction. I asked, by the way, what do you do for fun? She stared at me and her eyes got wider and wider and she burst into tears.  I never know when a simple question might hit a nerve. Increasingly, when I ask that question, I either get a

Here’s Why Toxic Positivity Can Do More Harm Than Good

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Two psychologists break down the negative outcomes of toxic positivity. Many of us best try our best to stay as positive as possible 24/7 to overcome systemic issues, avoid burnout, and simply attempt to live their best lives. However, not allowing yourself to experience the ebbs and flows of life can lead to some pretty harmful effects. To help uncover what those are, we chatted with Connecticut-based psychologist Roseann Capanna-Hodge, EdD, LPC, BCN, and NYC-based psychologist Vivian Diller, PhD. Check out what they have to say about toxic positivity below. What is toxic positivity? According to Dr. Capanna-Hodge, toxic positivity is when a person thinks it’s not okay to not be okay. “A person may want to disconnect from uncomfortable feelings and over-focus on positive and possibly unrealistic outcomes,” she explains. While this might make someone feel better in the moment, it can lead to unmet goals and overall feelings of unfulfillment in the long run. In short, toxic positi

8 Artery-Smart Supplements

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We picked 8 supplements that have been clinically shown to enhance circulation and help maintain healthy arteries, veins, and capillaries. Numbness in hands or feet is a classic sign that your circulatory system needs attention.  Do You Have Poor Circulation? Some of the most common signs of sluggish circulation include: Numbness in hands or feet  Muscle cramping  Cold hands and feet  Pain your legs when walking  Muscle cramping Cold hands and feet Pain in your legs when walking Swelling in your legs and ankles Headaches and dizziness Brain fog Slow or delayed wound healing Low sex drive Fatigue Shortness of breath 8 Best Supplements for Circulation 1. Omega-7 Fatty Acids Palmitoleic acid is a purified and concentrated form of one specific omega-7. Initial human studies have found that palmitoleic acid helps lower unhealthy triglycerides, reduce harmful LDL cholesterol, and raise beneficial HDL cholesterol-all of which benefits circulation and heart health. Se

Food for the Soul

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Nutrition writer and wellness expert Leah Vanderveldt looks at the spiritual side of eating and wellness in her latest book, Magical Self-Care for Everyday Life. As the author of several forward-thinking cookbooks, including 2019’s The CBD Kitchen , Leah Vanderveldt has long known that nourishment extends significantly beyond the physical to the mental, emotional, and even the enchantingly spiritual. Her latest book— Magical Self-Care for Everyday Life: Create Your Own Personal Wellness Rituals Using the Tarot, Space-Clearing, Breathwork, High-Vibe Recipes, and More —sprinkles conscious and soulful eating with a bewitching blend of earthy and otherworldly self-care ingredients. “Magical self-care means connecting to your intuition to take care of yourself holistically,” she says. “It uses mystical and everyday tools and practices to get you in touch with your core self and inner wisdom. It’s about adding a little fun, mystery, and magic to your wellness routine.” Magical Self-Car

5 Easy Ways to Detox Your Body Naturally Every Day

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Gaby Vaca-Flores, RDN, CLE, shares the truth about detoxing, as well as five natural, easy ways to detox your body on a daily basis. As a dietitian, I urge you to remove the noise around the concept of detoxing. Instead, focus on simple ways to optimize healthy habits for an effective mind and body reset. In this article, we’re going to dive into what it means to detox. Plus, I’ll share effective daily detox tips to support your body’s natural processes of toxin removal. What is detoxing, Really? By definition, to detox means to filter the body from harmful toxins or substances. More recently, however, the term detox has taken a new identity. By now, I’m sure you’ve heard about detox diets, juice cleanses, and so on. Unfortunately, many detox products on the market are largely misleading. Why? Because these products gloss over an important fact: The human body is self-healing. Moreover, a healthy body can detox itself from toxins all on its own. Truth be told, it’s pretty amazin

Snack On!

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Charles Coristine, owner of LesserEvil, left his Wall Street job to buy this boutique snack company—and the world is a sweeter (and cleaner) place because of it. Charles Coristine  There was a time not so long ago when “snacking” was a dirty word. If you were someone who “ate healthy,” you eschewed all of those between-meal indulgences that were most likely fried in some unhealthy oil and/or loaded with sugar and preservatives. Unfortunately, sensible options were few and far between—and their flavor often left a lot to be desired. But then attitudes changed. Nutritional information became more available. “Grazing” became a viable dietary habit. And a wide panoply of healthy and tasty snacks inundated store shelves. So the question now becomes not which snacks are genuinely healthy, but which ones make the greatest contribution to personal and planetary welfare? Enter Charles Coristine and his LesserEvil brand. When Popcorn and Meditation Merge Coristine left behind a successf