Tag Archives: Healthy Lifestyle

Skin Benefits to Exercise

We have all heard that daily exercise is good for the heart, lungs and your overall stress levels.  And although the overall cardiovascular benefits of exercise are important, we often forget about how exercise affects your skin tone.  You might find that exercise can be the most thrifty skin care regimen in your arsenal.

  • Exercising increases your blood flow, which allows the blood to carry oxygen and beneficial nutrients to cells in your body, including your skin.  Blood flow also helps in carrying away free radicals from these working blood cells.  In laymen’s terms, think of it like detoxifying your skin from the inside out, as well as fighting off premature aging.
  • Stress levels have been known to decrease when exercising regularly, but on top of that reducing stress has been shown to improve acne and eczema.
  • Hydration can flush out any additional toxins and oils from your skin during exercise.
  • Sweat also purges your body of toxins and oils during exercise.
  • Exercise tones your muscles.  The stronger those muscles are underneath your skin the more toned and healthier your skin will appear.
  • Exercising regularly produces natural oils that will make your skin have a healthy glow, while also keeping your skin moisturized.  However, it is important to shower after working out to prevent breakouts.

*** If you plan on exercising outside, be sure to protect your skin with sunscreen.  ***

Naturally Flavored Waters

Soft drinks, energy drinks and juice. With the plethora of drink choices in front of us, it can be hard to consume the right amount of water daily and frankly it can sometimes feel like a chore. On top of that, we find ourselves consuming large amounts of sugary beverages daily. Infused water allows you to enjoy in the flavor of your favorite fruits/vegetables, while also extracting their beneficial nutrients. Infused waters can assist in curbing your appetite, building up your immunities, aiding in weight loss, helping to relieve day-to-day stress, and boosting your energy levels. And don’t forget the effects infused waters can have on your overall skin completion and hair health. I always use leftover vegetables and fruit which are perfect for throwing in my infused water, which also proves to be cost beneficial.

Points to keep in mind:

  • For best taste, allow the water to sit for 30-minutes before drinking
  • You can reuse the fruit/veggies/herbs in your infused water, however discard after 48-hours
  • Drink at room temperature

Here are a few of my favorite infused water mixtures:

Lime + Orange + Lemon = Great for immunity defense, regulating digestion and heartburn

Cucumber + Lemon + Lime = Great for appetite control, regulating digestion and hydration

Green tea + Mint + Lime = Great for regulating digestion, headaches and fat-burning

Cucumber + Kiwi + Strawberry = Great for regulating digestion and regulating blood sugar

Natural Ways to Feel Energized

We are busy people in a busy world.  Sometimes your body cannot keep up with the full nine-hours of work ahead, the long list of chores that need to be handled, the dinner that needs to be cooked, and kids that need to be run to their afternoon activities.  Remember, this is not a sprint, it’s a marathon and your body needs the energy required to run the marathon.  Here are four ways to increase your energy levels throughout the days.

Increase Your Exercise & Decrease Your Stress – You do not necessarily have to run 10 miles, five-days a week.  Get out and take a stroll around your neighborhood nightly.  Doing a daily 10-minute walk has been shown to increase energy levels and general mood after three-weeks.  Exercise also helps deal with stress and anger levels, which is one of the biggest zappers of energy.  Don’t have time to get a good exercise in?  Then take five-minutes and stretch yourself out.  Stretching is an excellent way to decrease stress.

Get A Full Night’s Sleep – I know you want to stay up and catch up on your DVR.  However, your body needs an average of seven-hours of sleep a night.  Decreased sleep levels equal a very cranky you.  I can assure you that your coworkers will thank you for getting a good night’s rest.  Sleep also restores brain energy, so you will be sharper come morning.

Don’t Skimp On Meals – Yes, breakfast is in fact the most important meal of the day.  People who eat breakfast report better moods and more elevated energy levels.  But don’t forget lunch and dinner.  Missing one meal a day can lead to increased fatigue by day’s end.  Even better, try a power snacking between meals.  Nuts, fruits, string-cheese, a hard-boiled egg or a spoonful of peanut butter can be a perfect afternoon pick-me-up.

Drink More Water –Dehydration can leave you feeling tired and fatigued.  It is important to keep your body hydrated.  Try drinking a glass of water upon waking up.