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10 Ways Naturism Is a Healthy Lifestyle

It seems naturism, or naked recreation, was much more appreciated at an earlier time in American history than it is today. Ben Franklin, for instance, enjoyed taking a bath of cold air in his birthday suit and often did so outdoors. Likewise, famed poet Walt Whitman enjoyed naked sunbathing and poetically promoted the joys of swimming in the buff. Perhaps President Theodore Roosevelt had been inspired by Whitman’s advice, for he was known to hike down to the Potomac River and jump in naked. But running around unclothed outside isn’t as popular as it used to be, and in most states, it is downright prohibited.

Interestingly enough, the pandemic seems to have opened naturist opportunities for many people, either through comfortably working from home or from personal expressions of liberation. It has also become a symbol of environmental concern. Nudist organizations and clubs across the U.S. and Europe have announced a spike in membership since 2020, and they claim there are many advantages to living a naturist lifestyle.

So let us get down to the bare facts of the matter as we explore these benefits…

Related: Top 10 Common Health Practices That Are Actually Hurting Us

10 Feeling Comfortable in Your Own Skin

When people visit a nude beach for the first time, they never know quite what to expect other than cool water, hot sand, and a general lack of attire that might make them blush. But one of the first things they’ll definitely notice upon arrival is that everyone will be smiling! The simple fact of the matter is that naked recreation is good for a person’s mental health. A naturist lifestyle is a fun, happy way of living, and a rather progressive psychologist at the University of London is trying to prove it.

In 2018, Dr. Keon West of Goldsmiths’ College, University of London, published results from three studies he conducted on naturist activities, trying to gauge the level of happiness such a lifestyle might bring. His first study was an online survey representing 850 Brits from diverse backgrounds and ethnicities. He not only concluded that people who regularly participated in group nudist activities were more satisfied with their lives and content with their bodies, but he also found that such overall satisfaction was increased the more frequently these activities occurred! It seems the more often people strip down together, the more comfortable they feel with themselves.

Two other studies were conducted at large public nudist events, where the participants were interviewed right before removing their clothes and right after the event while still naked. The results found that they were much more comfortable with their bodies and satisfied with their lives after experiencing group nudity than they were beforehand.

Researchers for decades have found that carrying around negative body issues can be a serious psychological problem, only to be compounded by the images of perfect physiques that deluge us in magazines and on social media. Dr. West suggests that naked group functions might be an affordable and convenient method of dispelling the personal burden of body dissatisfaction. However, he admits more research is needed on the subject.^[1]

This should certainly make for some very interesting research projects in the future.

9 A Wonderful Way to Stimulate Your Social Life!

A nudist lifestyle is a great way to make new friends. All over the country, there are naturist clubs, organizations, and hidden beaches, and many of them feature hiking groups, volleyball tournaments, and even cocktail parties—all in the buff! The American Association for Nude Recreation has been around in some form since 1931 after a judge in New York State acquitted a group of people arrested at a nudist club in a series of police raids. The AANR boasts affiliation with about 180 clubs and resorts across North America and has served more than 213,000 individual members.

Another advocate group with similar affiliation is The Naturist Society, which has been in existence since 1980 and whose quarterly publication (unofficially called N magazine) has a mailing list of over 20,000 current members! If you can’t find a clothing-free comrade through these two organizations, you’re really not trying hard enough.

Or perhaps you might want to just show up at a naked venue. You can always start with Black’s Beach in the La Jolla section of San Diego, California, when you’re in town. After hiking down a long, precarious trail, you’ll reach a stretch of uncluttered, pristine beach more than a mile long where nudity is tolerated, and upon arrival, you’ll agree it was worth the trek.

You’re allowed to romp around in your birthday suit, or however, beneath the 300-plus-foot-high, precipitous cliffs atop of which lies a popular glider port, and as you look around, you’ll notice that for the most part, people are in groups. You’ll see volleyball teams and horseshoe tournaments, friendly barbecues, and Frisbee dudes. No matter what people are doing—whether surfing, drinking, fishing, or birdwatching—it’s a safe bet they’re doing it as a group activity.

And that’s what makes it all so special. Anyone can hang out naked alone at home (yawn), but it’s much more fun to enjoy fellowship with like-minded people who help empower our desire to express ourselves nude. And at beaches like Black’s, groups of regulars are watchful for bad behavior such as lewd conduct, picture taking, or sexual aggression. They’re also protective of individuals (generally females) who might fall victim to such harassment. For most naturists, nude recreation is not a solo sport. We’re talking bosom buddies through and through.^[2]

8 Reap the Benefits of a Better Night’s Sleep

A true naturist understands the benefits of sleeping in the buff. You get a better night’s sleep when you cool down, and you drift off much quicker, so it’s definitely time to ditch that flannel nightgown or fleece pajama pants. And try to keep your bedroom around 65°F for best results. Not only is a better night’s slumber good for your mental health, but it’s also great for your physical well-being. For one thing, sound sleep is a prerequisite for healthy skin, and since naturists generally show off a lot of skin, it’s a full-circle win-win!

Sleeping naked in a cool room also helps keep your waist trim as you’re more likely to burn calories while in bed, and women who sleep nude rather than in their knickers—which can collect sweat—are less likely to suffer from yeast infections. Men also benefit down yonder as cooler testicles at night lead to a higher sperm count and concentration, meaning increased fertility levels. All this makes one wonder why a young couple would choose NOT to sleep nude together…

And while on the topic, when a couple slumbers together naked, it stimulates their relationship in ways other than purely sexual. The skin-to-skin contact releases in both of them oxytocin, a hormone that seems to have a bonding effect on couples. Research studies find that not only does oxytocin stimulate eye-to-eye contact between partners, but it also seems to be a factor in keeping them together. And that’s about as good as it gets.^[3]

7 Better Skin and Better Bones

The nudist lifestyle also has many benefits for your skin during the waking hours. Wearing clothes in hot weather can cause bacteria to accumulate in sweaty patches right up against your skin, often resulting in pimples, rashes, and breakouts. And harsh chemicals used to make textiles wrinkle-free or stain-resistant can also irritate the skin. Beyond that, restrictive clothes, especially underwear, often have bands and straps that dig into our bodies uncomfortably, after time leaving permanent creases. And some clothing can be downright itchy! Imagine having to wear a heavy woolen sweater to a summer pool party.

More importantly, nude sunbathing is a good source of vitamin D, which is essential for maintaining strong bones, teeth, and immunity. The human body processes the vitamin through exposure to sunlight much more efficiently than through diet or supplements—and without the risk of overdosing as our bodies also know when to stop making the stuff. As for how much of it our bodies can manufacture, however, it depends on the time of day, personal skin tone, geographic location, and whether or not sunblock is used. Sound confusing?

Any seasoned naturist, however, knows how to best “mine” vitamin D while sunbathing. And the first and foremost rule is that the more skin exposed, the better the yield (plus, it’s a lot more fun that way). Noontime is best when the sun is directly overhead, and this solar bounty is much more efficiently received by our bodies the closer to the equator one might reside. Lighter-skinned sunbathers manufacture more of the vitamin faster than darker-skinned individuals whose melanin gets in the way, so some people may need to lay out a bit longer than others. And while sunblock is always recommended for prolonged exposure, to better harvest vitamin D, one might allow himself to turn pink first before applying the stuff, which should take perhaps 15 to 20 minutes.^[4]

From our skin down to our bones, a naturist lifestyle is a healthy and comfortable choice.

6 Everyone Is on Equal Ground When They’re Naked

One of the most satisfyingly pleasant feelings brought on by partaking in naturist activities with others is not at all physical. It’s an emotional sense of being equal with everyone else—cuz everyone’s starkers! The outfits we pick out each morning to wear are costumes, or shells, carefully selected to represent ourselves to others. There are businessmen who wear fancy suits boasting opulence and chefs with white aprons announcing their trade. There are first responders in uniforms which command respect and admiration and workers in orange vests that betray a life of manual labor. The clothes we wear seem to be our badge of social strata in which we walk, and often we find it hard to look another person in their eyes if their outfit outranks ours on a societal level.

But throw a naked garden party, and problem solved! When people meet unclothed for the first time, they truly see one another as human individuals without the pretense of costume. You could be shaking hands with an artist or an attorney, a plumber or a preacher. And what a genuine handshake!—just two individuals, naked and vulnerable, offering greetings from equal ground without presumption or duplicity! You might have just made the acquaintance of a grocer or an airline pilot, and either way, it’s all good.

The Japanese have a term called “hadaka no tsukiai,” which means “naked relationship” (sometimes called “skinship”), but this by no means implies sexual intimacy. It is an ancient practice of bathing together publicly in onsens, or bathhouses, on equal terms while wearing neither a stitch nor an ounce of pretense. Communal bathing has gone on for hundreds of years in Japan—and many other parts of the world—while hot springs across the U.S. are increasingly becoming intolerant of nudity, either only allowing it after dark or totally banning it altogether. This is a trend Americans might want to reconsider as “skinship” seems to be a pretty cool way to make a new friend.^[5]

5 Swimsuits Are for Suckers!

Nothing feels better than plunging into a lake or a pool buck naked. The coolness of the water all over your body sans the restrictive swimsuit is pure bliss to the point you wonder why everyone doesn’t swim that way. For those who have never tried it, just imagine going to your favorite beach au naturel and emerging from the water without sand in your crotch from within a drenched suit that remains cold, wet, and itchy after the rest of you has dried. Imagine the luxurious freedom of bursting from the surf feeling fresh and invigorated, as the overhead sun tingles warmly on each and every curve of your body. You’d run the risk, however, of never wanting to wear a swimsuit again for life!

Swimming nude has even been recommended in a professional journal of the U.S. Public Health Service, at least regarding dealing with the swarms of sea lice that afflict Florida’s southern Atlantic coast each summer. The misnamed sea lice are actually jellyfish larvae that get caught between a swimmer’s skin and bathing suit, and once they start biting, they leave an eyesore of an itchy rash that can last for days. Nude swimmers never have a problem with sea lice; unfortunately, despite advocacy for ditching swimsuits by an official government journal, public nudity—with little exception—is a punishable offense in the state of Florida (and the other 49 too), with the possibility of felony charges. Thus, the sea lice issue will not be going away anytime soon.

Of course, there was a time in America when skinny dipping in the creek or some backwoods swim hole was about as normal and natural as apple pie, and nobody had to identify as a nudist or naturist to do so. It just felt right, especially on a hot summer day, and it made sense, too, as a hundred years back, not all households had indoor plumbing, which made bathing difficult. Funny how back then, the guys at the swim hole hadn’t a clue they were involved in felonious activity.^[6]

4 That Feeling of Becoming One with Nature

It’s common nowadays to feel estranged from Mother Nature, and there’s no better way to re-establish a strong connection to the natural world than through nudist recreation. It’s a beautiful sensation to have the warm sun and a light breeze accentuate your nudity as you traipse along a backwoods trail or open stretch of beach. And while people have been running around naked since Adam and Eve, the modern-day naturist movement as we know it with emphasis on “nature” was born within the German Empire of the mid-nineteenth century.

Lebensreform was the German term for various social movements which veered away from urbanization and longed for a more natural way of life. One example was the Freikörperkultur, or FKK, which was, and still is, a naturist way of life encouraging mental and physical balance by enjoying nature while naked. The lifestyle had grown quite widespread up until the Nazi Party of the twentieth century tried to quash the movement. Still, it had already spread to other countries in many different forms, and one of those countries was the U.S.

If you look through a comprehensive list of nudist camps and resorts throughout the States, you’ll notice two themes they all share. The first, of course, is naturism; the second is the concept of “nature” itself. While non-nudists could not imagine stepping outside without wearing clothes, a true naturist would explore the world in the buff if allowed! This is why naturist gatherings are always by the sea, on a lake, in the woods, or even up a mountain.

The Bare Mountain Retreat is just 30 minutes from Boise, Idaho, and during the summer, you can hike naked to the top of the mountain to enjoy a majestic, alpine vista not to be forgotten. And over in Colorado, just 20 miles from the city of Denver, lies the Mountain Air Ranch in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Visitors can enjoy 10 miles of private hiking trails through a pristine coniferous forest full of foxes, birds, and deer—and none of the aforementioned need to wear a stitch!^[7]

So, whether it be backpacking or birdwatching, gardening or glamping, if you’re going to be a naturist, you’re going to have to experience a lot of nature. Just watch out for the poison ivy.

3 A Great Way to Stay Active!

Naturists sure like to kick back and relax as they sunbathe on their favorite, comfy beach towel. But more often than not, they’re up off that towel and breaking a sweat…

A good way to kick off summer, for instance, is by taking a nude hike. June 21 has been designated Naked Hiking Day, a celebration that is practically becoming an official holiday in the naturist community. And while many participants choose to celebrate the day on private land, others get a bit more adventurous. There is no federal law against nudity, so many hikers choose to cavort clothing-free in national parks, believing themselves immune to law enforcement. Though, in all reality, they at least run the risk of disorderly conduct charges. It’s risky business either way you look at it, but the concept of safety in numbers pertains to naturists also. If interested, one might want to hit the Pacific Crest Trail or the Appalachian Trail, both of which seem to be rather popular for backpacking nudists on the first day of summer.

Nude volleyball seems like such a fun and carefree way to spend time at the beach, but as the summer winds down at the White Thorn Lodge in western Pennsylvania, the game is taken very seriously. The annual Superbowl of Naked Volleyball is always held on the weekend following Labor Day, with more than 90 different teams participating. This is a major event with over 1,500 contenders and spectators arriving each year. And though non-nudist players are welcome to compete, on the actual court, everyone must be naked except for footwear. The competition has become so popular that in 2009, ESPN hosted a team, which included a senior writer who penned an article of the festival for their magazine. And yes, just like the other players, the ESPN teammates were required to leave their outfits behind when they stepped onto the court.^[8]

There’s naked surfing, naked horseshoes, naked tennis, and even, if you look hard enough, naked skiing. And after partaking in all that arduous activity, you’d probably be mighty grateful for the opportunity to lay back down upon your favorite, comfy beach towel…

2 A Great Way to Get into Politics…

…or at least protests. Take GoTopless Day, for instance. Each year on the Sunday closest to Women’s Equality Day, which falls on August 26 (the anniversary of the enactment of the 19th Amendment), women march with their breasts exposed in cities across America. This is all in honor of gender equality, the logic being that the denial of voting rights prior to 1920 and the intolerance of women going topless in public are gender-based decisions and therefore biased. These nipple-friendly protests are held in cities such as New York, Venice Beach, and Denver, to name a few, though COVID-19 seems to have shut several down like it has everything else. But not to worry, guys, you’re welcome to march too. Though, ironically, many of the men that do often wear brassieres. Go figure!

Or maybe a naked bike ride might fulfill both your naturist and activist needs at once. Since founder Conrad Schmidt conceived the World Naked Bike Ride in 2003, it has grown immensely in popularity across the world, and each year participants strip down, don a helmet (hopefully), and “Bare as You Dare” on bikes and the occasional skateboard. The original theme of the first event was to protest war, but that morphed early on into a statement against oil dependency plus a celebration of the human body.

These festive bike rides are currently held annually in 70 cities representing 20 countries, but the theme has narrowed in to focus on cyclist advocacy for the most part. The WNBR has been held in dozens of cities across the United States on various dates. Though many communities have strict laws against indecent exposure, there have been relatively few arrests made. As long as the bikers keep on moving, most people turn a blind eye (figuratively) to the events.

And if naked protests are becoming your favorite pastime at this point, you should definitely move to San Francisco. People in that city have been known to rally in the buff over issues such as sex-worker rights, police brutality, and even the 2008 Olympic torch controversy. Hell—there are actually naked protests over the nudity ban the city had to pass in 2012 (mainly due to all that naked protesting). But really…if the cold winds whipping across the Bay Area can’t even get San Franciscans to keep on their clothes, how effective can the stupid ban be?^[9]

1 Leafless Longevity

Have you ever wondered why there are so many older folks at nudist camps? Many different arguments suggest membership prices are just too high for a younger crowd or that a lack of interactive internet advertising, which Generations Y and Z are used to, turn them away. Another theory is that the larger proportion of older nudists represents a generation of flower-child persuasions that often stripped at concerts and protests, and old habits die hard. But studies also suggest that naturists live longer than the random “textilist,” a term for someone who insists on wearing clothes. So cast away that figurative fig leaf and stock up on Ensure because the odds are you’re going to be around for a while if you live naked…

Other than while bathing, some people are never really nude for longer than a minute or two while changing. In his 2014 book entitled A Short Guide to a Long Life, Dr. David B. Agus suggests that this is not a good thing. Instead, a person should take the time to examine themselves naked in a mirror at least once a week or more, as blotches and rashes that would otherwise go unseen can be indicators of medical issues, such as skin cancer, that we need to jump on.

Nude recreation with others in a group setting further safeguards us against ignoring the warning signs that our body might be trying to show us. And when we’re back home alone looking in that mirror, it’s also a good idea to take note of areas of our bodies that could use improvement and jump on those issues too. Just be sure to reward yourself with compliments as you watch your waist get smaller or your complexion clears up over time, for a healthy sense of being comfortable in your skin keeps you longer in your skin.

Furthermore, Dr. Len Kravitz, professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico, once stated in a lecture in 2015 that longevity is dependent on minimizing stress, proper exercise, a good social life, and fun activities that provide laughter. All that sounds an awful lot like a regular day at a nudist resort! But does a naturist lifestyle really lend longevity or just leisure?

Benjamin Franklin, with his naked cold-air baths, lived to be 84, which was pretty ancient in his day. And how about actress Helen Mirren, who readily admits to enjoying nude recreation, and who, at 76, is still healthy, vital, and beautiful. But the proof of the pudding might be Christiane Lecocq (no snickering!), founder of the French Naturist Foundation, who died at the age of 103 in 2015.^[10]

So…while you might encounter a large group of old folks at your local nudist club, what you probably won’t see are walkers, wheelchairs, and oxygen tanks. You’ll be seeing healthy, happy, active people enjoying life, laughter, and longevity—and all while working an all-over tan.

February 5, 2022
Weight Loss Tips| 6 Popular And Effective Ways to Do Intermittent Fasting

Organizing to kick-start out your fat decline journey? Then give intermittent fasting a try. Intermittent fasting is an taking in pattern that cycles concerning durations of fasting and taking in. It doesn’t specify which meals you really should consume but relatively when you should really try to eat them.Also Read – Omicron Variant: How Too much Ingestion of Immunity Dietary supplements Can Influence Your Body Organs

There are a quantity of intermittent fasting designs and variants of them but the following 6 are the most well known and most commonly practised. Mukul Nagpaul, Founder of Pmftraining and Match India Movement Ambassador shares the most well-known and powerful ways to do intermittent fasting. Also Examine – Having difficulties With Stress, Anxiety And Melancholy? You May be at Chance of Contracting Covid-19: Examine

With this prepare, you rapid for a comprehensive 16 hours with an feeding on window of 8 hrs each and every day. Veteran fasters advocate that you begin your fast right after meal, close to 8 0r 9 pm, and crack your quickly the next day all over midday or 1 pm. You can see why this helps make the ideal feeling. You will be significantly less possible to get hungry immediately after a superior diner, when 7 or 8 hours will be taken up by sleep. Breaking your quick by noon or 1 pm the subsequent working day will come to feel like you are having a late breakfast or brunch. You also have space for a gentle meal or snack in the late afternoon, finish your fasting window with a nutritious meal and repeat the course of action. Also Go through – Wintertime Healthcare Tips: This Is Why You Must Consume Amla During Winters Watch Video clip

Fluids like drinking water, unsweetened espresso, tea or natural tea are authorized through fasting hours and in actuality, are hugely
proposed to maintain your human body hydrated. If you are a newbie, this approach may possibly appear to be overpowering. If you do decide on it, however, you can commence with a shorter fasting window of 10 or 12 several hours and slowly and gradually build up to the comprehensive 16 hours.

20:4 fasting is occasionally referred to as the Warrior Eating plan. It was 1 of the earliest eating plans to include intermittent fasting. Designed popular by Ori Hofmekler, a physical fitness pro, this diet entails having a person substantial food in the evening. This large food will take position in a four hour ingesting window.

During the other 20 several hours of the working day, only little amounts of raw veggies and fruits can be eaten. The food items selections for this eating plan ought to be healthier – identical to these on the Paleo diet regime. They should really be unprocessed wholefoods that comprise no synthetic elements.

The 36-hour quick strategy suggests you are going to be fasting for a whole day. Unlike the Try to eat-Halt-Try to eat strategy, you will not be ingesting a thing each and every calendar working day. If, for case in point, you end supper at 7 p.m. on working day one particular, you skip all your meals on day two. You will not consume your upcoming food until working day 3 at 7 a.m. This equals a 36-hour fast. There is some proof to recommend this type of fasting period of time can make a quicker consequence. It may possibly also be useful for diabetics.

It may also be far more problematic however due to the fact you’ll be heading for extended intervals with no foodstuff.

This system is the closest to a classic diet plan but extremely distinctive at the exact same time. The process necessitates you to consume typically for five times of the 7 days then limit your calorie consumption to 600 – 800 energy on the remaining two times.
You are not technically fasting on individuals two days but dividing 600 – 800 calories over three foods will signify you are dramatically restricting your foods consumption.

All over again, no super-restrictive calorie counting is needed. Any person can keep within the required variety by working with a simple calorie counting application, as well as concentrating on very low-calorie veggies and fruits on the two “fasting” days.

The genuine problem with this approach is dividing the minimal-calorie ingestion over your meals. It would necessarily mean consuming an regular of 200 for every food, which is quite small. Some fasters minimize out proteins and carbs on these times and fill up on veggies and fruits. Even so, with a small creative imagination, you can add extra selection and take in very properly on these two days.

The regulations of this prepare are very simple. It entails fasting for a full 24 hours once or two times a week. This means that if you begin fasting at 7 pm on Saturday, you take in nothing at all except liquids right until 7 pm on Sunday. You eat normally on the other days of the 7 days. This is an superb natural detox remedy for the system and presents the digestive program a significantly-desired relaxation. Nevertheless, it’s particularly demanding for even veteran fasters, enable on your own newcomers. For this purpose, you ought to not look at jumping in feet first with this approach. It’s much better to construct up steadily right up until you sense you are all set for these a obstacle.

This way of fasting implies that you quickly for a total 24 several hours just about every alternate day. Some variations of this IF diet program allow for you to try to eat up to 500 calories on a quick day. Other people only let you to have calorie cost-free beverages. This is not the very best selection for any newcomers to intermittent fasting. You go to bed emotion hungry various nights each 7 days.
This is difficult to sustain in the very long-time period.

January 17, 2022
Millennials Move Health and Wellness Market in New Ways

Plant-Forward Diet plans Fulfill Health and Sustainability Demands

Whilst some Millennials see vegetarian, vegan or plant-ahead meal plans as greater for their health, other individuals decide on those people diets because of their issue about the environmental impact of feeding on meat.

Additional than a single in 5 Millennials (22{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}) have adopted a vegetarian diet plan at some point in their lives, and 16{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} have tried using a vegan diet, according to YouGov investigate, but a significantly greater share, 45{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}, are adopting a flexitarian lifestyle, in which they are decreasing meat consumption but not slicing it out fully. A somewhat lesser share of Millennials, 18{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}, are turning to dairy-no cost having.

Sprouts Farmers Market place commissioned A person Poll to conduct customer exploration around New Year’s 2021 to discover out how shoppers had been thinking about plant-centered meals, finding that 54{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of Millennial respondents have been consuming a lot more plant-centered meals than meat, in distinction to the 47{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of individuals of all age teams who described themselves as flexitarians.

Although 58{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of study respondents documented emotion that all of their dietary wants could be achieved with plant-primarily based foods, 63{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of Millennials mentioned that a plant-centered food plan could satisfy their nutritional needs. Only 30{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of shoppers in the Boomer era and more mature felt the very same way.

This shift toward more plant-dependent meals and meat solutions will only increase, the retailer predicts. “The desire in plant-dependent foods and a flexitarian diet regime is obvious,” states Sprouts CEO Jack Sinclair. “Plant-based mostly products sales grew exponentially previous calendar year, indicating shoppers are craving revolutionary products to test at house.”

According to SPINS, the retail industry for plant-based meals and beverages is really worth $5.6 billion and developing at a pace of 29{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} per year, just about twice the 15{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} expansion rate of the overall food and beverage current market.

In its “State of Normal 2021” report, market researcher SPINS notes that plant-based all set-to-consume shelf-steady tea and espresso have been latest stars, escalating 76{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}, as compared with 12{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} advancement for the classification all round. Other superior performers were being shelf-stable jerky and meat snacks, up 53{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} in a group with 15{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} progress refrigerated creams and creamers, up 38{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} in a classification with 16{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} progress and refrigerated plant-based cheese, up 37{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} in the refrigerated cheese/plant-centered cheese category, which has 17{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} expansion.

Young People Say, ‘It’s Okay to Not Be OK’

Throughout the delayed pandemic Olympics in 2021, top rated-rated gymnast Simone Biles withdrew from the all-all over workforce levels of competition and a few of the four personal functions for which she competent, stating that she desired to emphasis on her perfectly-staying and mental overall health. Epitomizing more youthful Americans’ acceptance of mental health and fitness problems and of speaking openly about them, Biles gained an outpouring of aid from her Millennial and Gen Z peers — she was born on the cusp among generations — as well as all-time Olympic gold medal winner Michael Phelps, a Millennial who has been spreading his mantra “It’s Alright to not be OK” though speaking overtly about his very own wrestle with depression.

Healthscape’s “2020 Health care Trends Executive Brief” identified psychological well being openness as one particular of the best tendencies in Millennials’ interactions with wellbeing care. “Millennials have defeat the stigma linked with looking for qualified assist for mental well being that prior generations held,” the report observes. “They are not only a lot more likely to detect behavioral overall health difficulties, but also look for therapy.”

In a YPulse study of Millennials and Gen Zers, i.e., persons age 13 to 39 in 2020, 77{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} reported that maintaining their psychological well being had turn out to be far more important to them throughout the pandemic, with 59{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} reporting that they were being “going the added mile” to get care of their mental health and fitness.
In January 2020, even in advance of COVID-19 strike, 30{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of Millennials in a YouGov study reported that they had improved their diet regime to boost their psychological wellness.

Millennials fully grasp that greater slumber is tied to good psychological wellbeing, so the trend toward consuming specified foods and having supplements to make improvements to rest is intertwined with Millennials’ commitment to their mental wellbeing.

A CRN study taken in the midst of the pandemic found that melatonin, magnesium and CBD have been among the most well known health supplements taken for psychological and sleep well being, irrespective of the consumer’s age.

Among the the lesser-regarded ingredients for mind health and fitness, 3 in the nootropics group have observed double-digit development in usage by brands, according to SPINS. Use of Bacopa monnieri, an herb employed by Ayurvedic health care practitioners that is said to enrich brain function, grew 148{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} use of phosphatidylserine, an amino acid spinoff purported to help memory, mental alertness and cognitive functionality, rose 109{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} and use of DMAE, which is reported to support neurotransmitter production, grew 104{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}.

November 17, 2021
Stretching Tips: 8 Simple Ways to Fit Stretching Into Your Day When All You Want to Do Is Skip It

You could be a health and fitness/yoga specialist with the awareness, methods, time, occupation overall flexibility and all of the factors and Still pick to forgo stretching. Hi, it me.

So, I know that if I can forget about to extend, or just pick out to do other items alternatively (wanting at you, Netflix), then maybe you may, too?

Listed here are a several stretching suggestions for we can established ourselves up for far better results in creating it a even bigger precedence. I essentially use these myself. But I have to say, occasionally some of these guidelines get the job done much better than others. When that’s the case and a distinct tactic just isn’t operating any more, I’ve uncovered that switching it up and striving other people typically reboots the pattern.

1. Remind by yourself about all the pretty critical causes to stretch.

Like I stated above, there are tons of added benefits of stretching. Improving overall flexibility, prepping your system for a work out or to awesome down just after a person, assisting address muscle imbalances, minimizing muscle stiffness and achiness, and just serving to your overall body and mind chill out are just a handful of them. I know when I do make the time to stretch, my education classes truly feel significantly smoother, my physique feels less lethargic, and I really feel like I want to be extra active.

Guaranteed, there may possibly be debate in just the physical fitness environment about some of the facets of stretching— these kinds of as no matter if to stretch before or right after a work out and when to use dynamic or passive or static stretching—but we fairly significantly all concur that preserving our bodies cellular and adaptable is a great point. Reminding ourselves of this normally might help.

2. Put your stretching things in a high-targeted traffic spot.

Maintain a mat, yoga strap, block, foam roller, or one thing that will make you imagine about stretching somewhere wherever you will go by it on a everyday basis. This acts as a reminder that perhaps you could do or extend or two when you see it.

Does this stretching tip usually do the job? No, but it does sometimes. Trying to keep my yoga mat in my dwelling place labored for me in the early quarantine times, but I have to confess that my mat has been supplying me the side eye lately given that it really is not having as a lot as adore as it used to. Hey, we all have space for improvement—I could probably place it in a distinctive location as a new reminder (and combine it with a couple extra of these methods).

3. Develop smaller habits.

I necessarily mean actually tiny. Select 1 or two stretches that you know make you experience greater and do only people. Do this possibly after a working day. Possibly a few instances a day. The critical right here is to make it as quick as probable for you to suit it in so that it under no circumstances appears to be challenging. And then maybe include a further 1 after this results in being a routine, or when you commence to crave how a lot superior your human body feels following you do that extend.

4. Stack behavior.

Have a podcast or 3 that you pay attention to weekly? Maybe try out accomplishing some mobility moves or stretching though you listen. Or capture up on one of your streamed demonstrates and extend in the course of a person of the episodes. Possibly do some standing stretches when waiting for the espresso to brew or though brushing your tooth. Employing a behavior that presently exists is just about like the buddy technique for a new habit that you’re not rather acquainted with yet.

5. Prepare in advance.

I know for some of us setting up in advance feels overwhelming, so if that’s you, probably just skip ideal over this a single. But, if you are the sort of man or woman that needs items planned out for you, prepare stretching, put it in your calendar, set a reminder, make it significant. This can be especially beneficial if you’re by now undertaking pre-planned routines, like by a Peloton stack or a combo of other courses from on-line programming. Simply just tack on an further five-moment session to the close of your work out prior to you even get commenced.

October 11, 2021
4 Ways to Live a Healthy Lifestyle with Your Pet

MISSION, Kan., Sept. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — (Household Capabilities) Though each pet is special in appears to be like and needs, a responsibility shared by all pet moms and dads is to make certain their 4-legged friends stay in fantastic health and fitness. A pet’s health can reflect that of its proprietor, so dwelling along with your pet in a nutritious way can help you each prosper.

Take into account these suggestions to help you and your pet dog feel your best, and check out Nutro.com for a lot more information on encouraging a balanced life style for your pet.

Photographs courtesy of Adobe Inventory

Photos courtesy of Adobe Inventory

Pics courtesy of Adobe Inventory

Pics courtesy of Adobe Inventory

Maintain it Clean up
Fantastic grooming and cleanliness habits can support keep you and your furry close friend in very good overall health. Baths can assistance get rid of fleas, ticks and parasites that may well be in your dog’s fur, which shields him or her and your dwelling. Even so, washing a pet dog too often can lead to dry skin. Unique breeds of puppies involve distinct quantities of time amongst washings, so be positive to check with your veterinarian to see what is encouraged for your certain dog to maintain everyone satisfied and healthy.

Dig into A little something Healthy
A well-well balanced diet can be part of a healthy life style for both equally you and your animals. Out of all the methods to retain your animals healthful, viewing what they eat (and how a lot they take in) is just one of the most vital. Appear for canine foodstuff that are prosperous in nutrients and comprehensive of taste, like NUTRO Ultra Superfood Plates, which contain a trio of proteins from chicken, lamb and salmon and a medley of 15 superfoods, like brown rice, flaxseed, sunshine-ripened blueberries and far more. These elements are not only healthy for pet dogs, but humans as nicely, so opt for recipes and dishes that feature these ingredients for oneself, far too.

Get the Leash Instead of Your Car Keys 
Even if you live in a significant town, a hiking trail or pet park may well be just a limited distance away. Make time to head outside with your dog. This not only receives in some top quality bonding time with your pet, but also brings training into your working day. If you really don’t have more than enough time for a hike, take a number of minutes for a speedy stroll about the neighborhood or engage in fetch with your furry friend to get you both moving.

Don’t In excess of-Deal with
In some cases a take care of is deserved. Rewarding both equally you and your dog after a endeavor, in moderation, is a wholesome way to recognize a good motion and promote happiness. When deciding on the suitable address for your furry buddy, search for an choice that is not only delicious, but also assists support his or her health, like veterinarian-advisable GREENIES™ Dental Treats. The chewy texture of these tasty treats helps clean dogs’ teeth, combat plaque and tartar, maintain balanced gums and freshen breath with just just one handle per working day.

Shots courtesy of Adobe Inventory

Michael French
[email protected]
1-888-824-3337

editors.familyfeatures.com

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October 5, 2021
40 Ways to Stay Healthy After 40, Say Experts

Given how sick Americans seem, you might think disease is waiting for you on every doorknob, urinal, handshake and hamburger—one of life’s inevitabilities. But in actuality, many diseases can be prevented. Past data has shown up to 40 percent of the 900,000 deaths in America every year didn’t even need to happen.

While you can’t control everything, some of the most common culprits behind these health issues—including heart disease, cancer, chronic lower respiratory diseases, and stroke—can be halted simply by making some positive changes in your life.

To ensure you stay healthy for years to come, take some advice from the health experts who know best. From doctors to registered dietitians, these are the best ways to fight off disease. Read on to find out more—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You May Have Already Had COVID.

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Getting additional tests done while you’re at the doctor isn’t the most fun thing in the world. What it is, though, is life-saving.

“Get preventative tests, as well as tests that show you what imbalances you may have internally that you may not even know about. These tests show information that traditional medical lab draws do not, like nutrient balance, metabolism rate, detailed hormonal pathways, gastrointestinal status for proper gut health, and heavy metal toxicity,” says Maggie Berghoff, FNP-C, a family nurse practitioner. “When you know this information, you can heal and rewire the body to perform at optimal function, preventing any disease or nagging symptoms. These tests are specialty functional medicine tests and include blood draws or at-home collections of stool, saliva, or hair. You can reach out to a functional medicine practitioner to have them ordered and interpreted.”

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There’s no better time than now to add probiotics into your life. The “good” bacteria—which you can get from fermented foods like kimchi, yogurt, kombucha, and sauerkraut or supplements—give your gut health a boost, better helping you digest food. The Cleveland Clinic says they can also help prevent or treat certain diseases, including inflammatory bowel diseases, like Crohn’s.

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When you were younger, you challenged your mind every day. As an adult, when’s the last time you did something that really got your brain working? According to Harvard Medical School, there’s some evidence that doing cognitively stimulating activities can help prevent Alzheimer’s disease. So grab that crossword puzzle or a new book on a subject you’ve always been curious about. It will do your mind good.

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If you can’t remember the last time you got your blood pressure, BMI, or cholesterol checked, it’s time to head to the doctor and fix that.

“We often see disease as complicated, but simply put, you will prevent 80{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of all illnesses by adhering to three goals: Have a blood pressure under 130, have a BMI of 25 or less, and keep your cholesterol under 200,” says Steven Lamm, MD, clinical professor of medicine and director of the Tisch Center for Men’s Health at NYU Langone Health. “These three base parameters will lead to a healthier overall lifestyle for anyone.”

Having people around you for love and support does more than make you feel great in the moment. It’s also incredibly important for your health and well-being down the line. “Having a good work-life balance and a good support system is one way to increase your chances of staying healthy after 40,” says Navya Mysore, MD, primary care at One Medical in New York City. “Spend more time with loved ones, like family and friends.” When you have all those positive people around you to go to, you’ll better cope with stress and keep your mood lifted.

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What your put in your body can greatly affect your ability to fight off disease. By making sure your diet is healthy and well-rounded, you’ll be setting yourself up for a long, happy life.

“Our Western diet, containing a high percentage of processed foods, can unbeknownst to people cause a pro-inflammatory environment in their bodies. Diets that are high in sugars and fats and low in fruits and vegetables can increase inflammation in the body and place one at risk for the development of cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and even cancers,” says Adam Kreitenberg, MD, board-certified rheumatologist with 1MD. “Focus on diets that are high in fruits and vegetables, nuts, berries, and fatty fish like salmon, which contains high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. Foods to avoid are sugary soft drinks, red meat, white flour, and fried or fatty foods.”

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We get it—it’s really tempting to park in that spot right in front of the grocery store. But by simply parking further away—and rethinking some of your other habits, too!—you’ll set yourself up for a healthier future.

“Any form of increased activity is beneficial. Even parking at the end of the parking lot and walking to the store, mall, or whatever destination helps,” says Michael Fenster, MD, board-certified cardiologist with 1MD. “A little each day really adds up. Recent research suggests as little as 10 minutes a day of activity can yield substantial benefits.”

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You know that bright yellow powder sitting on your spice rack? You might want to start incorporating it into more of your meals. Turmeric has been used for centuries for its natural anti-inflammatory properties, and the Mayo Clinic says it could have a positive effect on many different diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. If you start keeping your inflammation at bay now, you’ll stay healthier in the future.

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Weight-lifting is still primarily thought of as a man’s thing. Luckily, that stereotype is changing, and that’s a good thing: According to cardiologist Barbara Roberts, MD, it’s not only great for men, but also one of the best things women can do to stay healthy as they age.

“After the age of 40, the average woman loses about a half an inch of height per decade due mainly to osteoporosis. After age 70, height loss is even more rapid. That’s why it’s important for women to start weight lifting by age 40,” she says. “Weight training has been shown to increase bone density by putting stress on bones. A recent study published in the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness showed that even light weights—about 20{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of the maximum they could lift—were effective in increasing bone density in women, as long as they did at least 100 repetitions of the exercise in one hour.”

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Have your pants been fitting a little tighter lately? Take that as a sign to start putting a better focus on your health.

“A massive study of the impact of health habits on life expectancy, which included over 120,000 participants, 34 years of data for women, and 28 years of data for men—showed us how important our diet, physical activity, body weight, smoking, and alcohol consumption can be,” says Monique Tello, MD, MPH, internal medicine physician at Massachusetts General Hospital, instructor at Harvard Medical School, and author of Healthy Habits for Your Heart. “Healthy body weight, as defined as a normal body mass index (BMI), is between 18.5 and 24.9.”

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You’ve been told to eat your veggies since you were a kid, and now it’s really time to listen to that life-saving advice.

“Veggies and fruit are loaded with antioxidants that fight off free radicals in our bodies that contribute to diseases and illnesses. Doubling, or even tripling, up on your veggie intake will seriously help up your longevity, as well as boost your energy and mental cognition,” says Brigitte Zeitlin, RD, owner of BZ Nutrition in NYC. “Fruit and vegetables are also high in fiber, which will help to lower cholesterol, improve gut health, maintain a healthy weight, prevent diabetes, and fight inflammation. Aim to have 1 cup of berries at breakfast with oatmeal or plain Greek yogurt, a salad at lunch loaded with a variety of colorful veggies, and a vegetable stir-fry for dinner.”

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Instead of loading up on processed junk, clean out your pantry and fill your fridge with produce. “By eating a diet that’s focused on vegetables, healthy sources of protein, and whole grains rather than processed sugars, you can prevent many health problems,” says Nate Favini, MD, chief medical lead at Forward. That includes heart disease, diabetes, and different types of cancer.

RELATED: Dr. Fauci Warns of “Terrible” New Death Rate

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For many people, anti-inflammatory health coach Jenny Carr, author of Peace of Cake: The Secret to an Anti-Inflammatory Diet, says experiencing an increase in fatigue, hormonal imbalance, weight gain, brain fog, or subtle digestive disorders, among other symptoms, are due to one culprit: the build-up of inflammation in your body. Unfortunately, not addressing these issues could lead to something worse down the line. Chronic inflammation has been linked to many life-threatening problems.

“Over time these subtle low-lying symptoms can turn into major life-altering illnesses, such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, dementia, and more,” Carr says. “The key to living disease free after 40, or any age for that matter, is to melt away the inflammation. By doing so, you can begin to reverse symptoms in your body that impact you from living day to day life of your dreams.” Heal your gut, prevent disease, and slow aging with a book like The 14-Day Anti-Inflammatory Diet.

Sure, eating a healthy diet is important in fighting off disease. One thing most people don’t realize is just as important, though, is reducing the things that don’t bring you joy and instead focusing on your happiness.

“Find ways to reduce stress in life. Delete the things that cause tension and stress and increase those things that bring happiness,” says Brian Greenberg, MD, board-certified allergist/immunologist with 1MD. “Spend as much time as possible doing the things you love and being with the people you love. Keep your big dreams alive and pursue them with vigor. Stay vital and useful.”

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As delicious as white flour, white bread, pastries, and white pasta are, it’s time to cut down on refined carbs once and for all. “It’s increasingly clear that refined carbs and sugars drive many chronic diseases. They cause us to gain weight, which leads to elevations in blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease,” Dr. Favini says. When you replace the refined junk with vegetables, fruit, and other wholesome options, you’ll feel better and be healthier.

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Cooking with oil is a given. How can you not when it makes everything taste better? When you do use it, just make sure you’re choosing the right kind. While trans fats and oils high in saturated fat like coconut, palm kernel, and cottonseed oil are no-gos, the Cleveland Clinic says using plant-based oils that contain monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats in moderation—like extra-virgin olive oil, avocado oil, flaxseed oil, and walnut oil—can help reduce heart disease.

RELATED: Warning Signs You’re Becoming Obese

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How often do you eat a meal without watching your favorite TV show? The next time you make yourself dinner, ditch the couch and remote and instead sit at the table. It’s a small change, but it can make a big difference in your well-being.

“More and more we’re learning that how we eat affects our health—not just what we eat,” Dr. Fenster says. “Another recent study demonstrated that people perceive food as tasting better—and lower their inflammatory markers—when they take a moment to appreciate their food with whatever means or ritual they prefer.”

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Most of the times, the things you need to do to prevent disease involve a lot of work. But sleeping does wonders for your body and it hardly requires any effort at all.

“Sleep affects our health in so many ways,” Zeitlin says. “There are two main ways it helps fight diseases. First, it’s how our body naturally combats stress and anxiety by reducing our levels of cortisol (the stress hormone), which contributes to inflammation. Second, getting enough sleep helps you maintain a healthy weight. People who are overweight or obese have added stress on their bodies, which puts them at greater risk for heart disease and diabetes. Aim to get at least 7 hours of sleep a night to help boost your long-term health.”

RELATED: How You Could Delay Dementia, According to Science

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One thing to keep in mind is that it’s easier to take the steps to stay healthy and disease-free now than it is trying to get better once you’re already sick. To stay feeling your best, Dr. Lamm says to prioritize your well-being sooner than later.

“Wellness is not the absence of illness. You should be actively managing your wellness, not just reacting to illness,” he says. “The keys to wellness are sleep, stress management, exercise, and nutrition. By managing these, you’ll achieve the base parameters of health.”

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Your teeth don’t seem like they would have a lot to do with your overall health, but they do. According to Harvard Medical School, those with gum disease have two to three times the risk of having heart issues, whether that’s a heart attack, stroke, or another life-threatening event. The thought is that gum disease increases inflammation in the body, leading to other health problems. Even though more research still needs to be done, it’s only going to benefit you in the long run to brush and floss every day.

RELATED: Subtle Signs You May Have Dementia, According to Science

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While it’s important to get in the recommended amount of exercise each week, Dr. Kreitenberg says that doesn’t always have to involve going to the gym. Your 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise can also be things you wouldn’t typically think of as exercise.

“An active lifestyle is crucial in maintaining proper health and wellbeing,” he says. “Examples of moderate intensity exercise include light biking, gardening, and brisk walking. Even light aerobic activity—such as casual walking—is better than a sedentary lifestyle. Physical exercise is important to maintain not only cardiovascular health, but also joint health. It’s important, however, to increase the intensity of your exercise over time to avoid injury.”

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This is certainly a doctor-approved recommendation to cheers to. If you don’t currently drink alcohol, Fenster says not to start now for health reasons. “But if you currently imbibe, 1 to 2 glasses per day appears to confer a wide range of health benefits,” he notes. The antioxidants in red wine could even help prevent coronary artery disease.

RELATED: Major Secrets Doctors Won’t Tell You

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Water isn’t just important for fueling your body and helping you stay energized throughout your day. It’s also key to eliminating inflammation that can cause multiple different health issues.

“Eliminating inflammation may sound like a simple solution, but knowing what steps to take in order to help your cells regenerate as you grow young instead of old—one of the benefits of anti-inflammatory living—can be confusing,” Carr says. “Start with water. Drink loads of it—up to a gallon per day for adults—as the fastest method to push inflammation from your body.”

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A glass of wine here and there is one thing. But if you find yourself getting buzzed on the regular, it’s time to put down the booze and reach for a glass of water instead.

“Stick to a moderate intake of alcohol, which—in past research—was measured as between 5 and 15 grams per day for women, and 5 to 30 grams per day for men,” Dr. Tello says. Generally, one drink contains about 14 grams of pure alcohol. That’s 12 ounces of regular beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits.”

RELATED: 5 Reasons You May Be Obese, Say Experts

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Stress comes from all different sources, and none of it’s good on your body. By taking a little extra time every day to focus on fighting it off, you’ll notice a change in the way you feel. Especially since letting it build up has been linked to everything from heart disease and cancer to depression and anxiety.

“Individuals that are able to manage their stress tend to be happier and healthier,” Kreitenberg says. “Stress not only affects one’s mood, but also can have profound health ramifications. Stress can lead to poor sleep, weight gain, heart disease and an impaired immune system. Steps one can take to reduce and better manage their stress includes: eating right, regular exercise, meditation, proper sleep and maintaining a positive outlook on life.

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With technology, these days you probably talk to your friends through text or messaging more than you actually do in person. Make it your goal to start being a little more extroverted and taking those conversations into real life.

“Talk to people,” Fenster says. “The Harvard Happiness study confirms that the single most important variable in determining the length of our lives and the quality of our health is the quality of our relationships with each other. A lot of Instagram likes is no substitute for a real human relationship. A loving relationship remains the best health investment.”

RELATED: Unhealthiest Habits to Quit Now, Say Experts

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Sugar isn’t always the enemy: fruit has plenty of it, but it’s a wholesome source. The white stuff you buy on store shelves, on the other hand, isn’t in the slightest.

“Eating too much sugar has been linked to almost every disease that your diet can play a role in, so keeping it in check is crucial for healthy living,” Zeitlin says. “Be mindful of how frequently you are indulging in those cookies, donuts, cupcakes, muffins, and other baked goods, plus the pastas, bagels, cold cereals, and candy. And ditch those sneaky sugars like juices, sodas, bottled dressings, and fat-free foods that are high in sugar to make up for the flavor.”

There’s no reason to pass up eating chocolate as dessert. You just need to choose the right kind. If you ditch sugar-packed milk chocolate and instead go for dark chocolate with at least 70 percent cacao, you’ll get some heart-helping antioxidants in every bite. An 11-year-long study of nearly 21,000 people published in the journal Heart found those who ate the most dark chocolate had lower rates of dying from cardiovascular disease than those who didn’t eat it at all.

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If you’re not currently hitting up the gym or an exercise class on a regular basis, start adding some sessions into your schedule. And don’t be afraid to switch things up. According to Favini, getting a mix of aerobic exercise, high-intensity interval training, and anaerobic exercise is a great way to fight off disease.

“Getting your exercise makes a huge difference. Regular exercise in your 40s continues to have benefits into your golden years, even if you aren’t still exercising when you hit 70,” he says. “Try to get 150 minutes per week of aerobic exercise or high-intensity interval training and spend at least one day’s effort on something that improves your strength, balance and flexibility, like yoga or Pilates.”

RELATED: Major Sign You May Have Alzheimer’s, Says Study

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If you’re struggling with eating healthy, there’s one main thing to keep in mind: Stick to mostly plants and you’ll be just fine.

“Research shows that a diet high in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and healthy protein and low in refined grains, added sugars, and red and processed meats is associated with a lower risk of both heart disease and cancer,” Tello says. “The American Cancer Society’s nutrition guidelines for cancer prevention and the American Heart Association’s nutrition guidelines for heart disease prevention are essentially the same. Eat mostly plants (meaning fruits and vegetables), aim for plant proteins (like beans, lentils, nuts, and seeds), and eat whole grains (like brown rice, quinoa, and corn) instead of refined grains.”

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If there’s one way to stay disease-free that every expert ever will agree on, it’s to avoid smoking. And if you already do smoke, quit immediately. No nicotine rush is worth risking your life for.

“Individuals that smoke die nearly 10 years earlier than non-smokers with nearly 7 million people worldwide dying from tobacco-related deaths yearly,” Kreitenberg says. “Smoking increases one’s risk for cardiovascular disease—such as heart attack and stroke—as well as chronic lung diseases, such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. It’s also a significant health risk for many types of cancer, including lung, bladder, and mouth and throat, among others. With regard to vaping, in my expert opinion, it’s also not recommended—we’re not clear on its long-term risks. We’re fortunate today to have many interventions to assist in smoking cessation, such as nicotine patches, medications, and support groups.”

In your 40s and beyond, it becomes increasingly important to know your family history and to provide your doctor with all the information you can. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), having a history of chronic disease in your family could increase your risk of developing it too, whether that’s cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis, or heart disease. If your doctor knows, they can not only watch out for any signs and symptoms, but also give you the tools you need to stay healthy and prevent them the best you can.

RELATED: Everyday Habits That Age Your Body, Say Experts

You know sugar is bad for you, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still have some sweet stuff here and there. The key is to make healthier swaps—especially when it comes to some of the top inflammatory foods that can wreak havoc on your body. Sugar included.

“Begin to swap out some of the top inflammatory foods for options that taste similar but don’t inflame,” Carr says. “For example, swapping out processed sugar for raw honey, unrefined coconut sugar, pure maple syrup, or raw agave are food swaps that not only taste great, but allow you to remove the number one most inflammatory food from your diet: processed sugar.” To make the right food choice every time, visit Eat This, Not That!

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Meditation isn’t some trend, or hippie hoo-haa. It’s been proven time and time again to be a simple way to expand your lifespan by fighting off disease in the future, not to mention make you feel like your best self right now.

“Meditation has been scientifically linked to lower levels of stress and higher levels of mental performance and happiness,” Favini says. “Staying healthy in your 40s and beyond typically requires balancing work and home life, family, friends, and financial stress. Having a regular meditation or mindfulness practice can be invaluable in staying on track with your health and may even help you realize more meaning in your day-to-day life.”

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Yep, you read that correctly. Spending more time in the bedroom has been shown to do your health some good. A study from the American Journal of Cardiology found an active sex life could help reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. That’s all the more reason to make sure you’re spending alone time with your partner as often as possible.

RELATED: 5 Ways To Stay Young Forever, Say Experts

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There’s a good chance you’re overdoing it on sodium, and that could seriously harm your health. The American Heart Association recommends adults stick to a maximum of 2,300 mg of sodium a day, yet most Americans eat more than 3,400 mg a day. Not just from using the salt-shaker—also from all the sodium that’s found in packaged foods and in restaurant dishes. In fact, a 2014 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found reducing sodium intake to the recommended levels could prevent 10 percent of the deaths caused by cardiovascular disease.

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You get plenty of body-boosting vitamins and nutrients when you eat by yourself, but when you meet up with friends, you’re also getting some feel-good hormones that fight off disease and benefit your mental health.

“Eat with friends. Community and connection are key to sustaining a long healthy life,” Zeitlin says. “Time with the people who make us laugh and feel good releases feel-good hormones like serotonin, which is crucial in combating inflammation by suppressing cortisol. So spend time with the people who make you laugh and feel good over a (vegetable-packed) meal!”

RELATED: Sure Signs You May Have Cancer Now, Says CDC

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There are many health problems you can avoid by ditching butter and fatty meat for good, from diabetes to heart disease. Especially when it comes to preventing dementia, where research shows your diet and lifestyle choices make all the difference.

“Dementia is a progressive, heartbreaking deterioration of brain functioning associated with aging. While there are different causes, the most common—Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia—are now thought to be closely related to, and greatly impacted by, diet and lifestyle factors,” Tello says. “The World Health Organization recommends avoiding toxic, inflammatory foods like processed grains (white flour, white rice), added sugar, sodium, and saturated fats like butter and fatty meat,” Tello says. “Instead, eating a plant-based diet is crucial. There is substantial research evidence showing that eating a diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and seafood is associated with a significantly lower risk of cognitive decline and dementia. This approach to eating is often referred to as the Mediterranean-style diet, but it can be adapted to any culture or cuisine.”

If you’re feeling healthy, you might not think there’s a reason to head to your annual physical. But after 40, it’s especially important to keep up with those appointments.

“Establishing care with a general practitioner or primary care physician is an integral part in maintaining yourself disease-free,” Kreitenberg says. “A general practitioner is the so-called quarterback or coordinator of your overall medical health. From vaccines to routine health maintenance—such as laboratory testing, guidance on nutrition, physical activity, and cancer screening—they’re trained to provide non-emergency care and help prevent a small issue from progressing to something more serious. I recommend all my patients, at the very least, have a physical with their general practitioner yearly.”

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Unfortunately, it’s not just smoking yourself that can get you in trouble—it’s also secondhand smoke. According to the American Lung Association, secondhand smoke causes more than 41,000 deaths every year—some from lung cancer, and others from heart disease. That’s why it’s crucial to steer clear the best you can—especially since even short-term exposure could increase your risk of having a heart attack. And to get through this pandemic at your healthiest, don’t miss these 35 Places You’re Most Likely to Catch COVID.

October 5, 2021