fitness
6 Ways to Build Lasting Healthy Habits
Starting on a path toward healthy habits is often easier than maintaining them long term. This year, you can avoid a major pitfall of healthy resolutions and build healthy habits that stick by working small, positive steps into your daily life.
(Family Features) Starting on a path toward healthy habits is often easier than maintaining them long term. This year, you can avoid a major pitfall of healthy resolutions and build healthy habits that stick by working small, positive steps into your daily life.
In fact, healthy habits are the first suggested treatment strategy for people whose blood pressure and cholesterol levels are creeping higher than normal, according to an American Heart Association scientific statement.
“The current guidelines for managing high blood pressure and cholesterol recognize that otherwise healthy individuals with mildly or moderately elevated levels of these cardiovascular risk factors should actively attempt to reduce these risks, and increasing physical activity is a great place to start,” said Bethany Barone Gibbs, Ph.D., chair of the statement writing group and chair of the department of epidemiology and biostatistics at West Virginia University School of Public Health.
These six ideas from the American Heart Association’s Healthy for Good Habit Coach can help.
Bust Common Habit-Building Myths
You may be surprised to learn the truth about creating and sticking to healthy habits. One myth is getting healthy means doing things you don’t like. Research shows positive emotions make habits stick, so set your intentions on something you enjoy. Another misconception is big results require big changes, which may lead to overly ambitious habits. However, the simpler the routine is, the more likely it is to become habit.
Work with Your “Brain Loops”
Your brain creates “loops” for habits made up of three things: a cue, a routine and a reward. Each time the loop is repeated, it becomes more routine and may become automatic. Knowing this, you can design cues for developing new, healthy habits, such as setting walking shoes by the bed to start a walking habit. The routine is putting on the shoes and walking around the block, and the reward is the pleasant sensations and brighter mood from a morning stroll.
Create Cues That Work for You
Most successful health habits begin with a cue. The cue can be external in your environment or internal in terms of your mindset. The more consistent the cue, the more likely it is to trigger the habit. Hacking your brain’s reminder system can help you remember your cue. Some examples of visual cues are placing a sticky note where you’ll see it often, keeping a water bottle on your desk or refrigerating fresh veggies at eye level.
Build a Routine That Supports Your Goals
Positive and consistent habits are important to achieve your personal goals. Small habits done consistently can add up to big results. To create a new healthy habit, think through the steps that could lead to your desired outcome. Ask yourself whether you want to do it, if it’s easy and if it’s high impact. It’s important to choose habits that make a difference and move you closer to your goals.
For example, if one of your goals is improving your heart health, a meaningful habit might be to move more. Increasing physical activity can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol along with many other health benefits, Gibbs said.
“Every little bit of activity is better than none,” she said. “Even small initial increases of 5-10 minutes a day can yield health benefits.”
Use Rewards to Make Habits Stick
Start by choosing a habit you enjoy that’s rewarding by itself. If you’re more of a dancer than runner, increase your physical activity with an upbeat dance class. You might also look for a more enjoyable version of a new habit, such as getting more fruits and veggies by sipping on a delicious smoothie.
Understand Resets are Part of the Process
New habits are experiments. If they don’t stick, you haven’t failed. Instead, you’ve learned what doesn’t work, which is useful. Get curious and ask yourself which part of the habit didn’t work for you. Maybe the cue was ineffective. Maybe the steps of the routine were too ambitious and you need to split them into smaller, easier steps. If you realize you don’t enjoy the habit, stop doing it and try something else.
Find more inspiration and ideas to jumpstart healthy habits this year at heart.org/habits.
Photos courtesy of Getty Images
SOURCE:
American Heart Association
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Lifestyle
Brooke Shields Advocates for Health at Age 50+
Brooke Shields
- Brooke Shields convenes other celebrities, influencers and patient advocates over 50 to discuss the power of aging and how to protect their health
- Shields directs a short film, encouraging adults 50 years of age and older to talk to their doctor or pharmacist about their risk for shingles — a disease that affects about 1 million people annually in the US — and about vaccination
- The partnership is part of GSK’s national THRIVE@50+ campaign
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — GSK plc (LSE/NYSE: GSK) is partnering with Brooke Shields, as part of its THRIVE@50+ campaign, to encourage people 50 and older to embrace and protect the power they’ve found in aging by asking their doctor or pharmacist about their risk for shingles and about vaccination.
Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www2.multivu.com/gsk/9290451-en-brooke-shields-gsk-shingles-risk-adults-50-and-older
Shields exemplifies what it means to thrive at any age, including now, at her current age of 59. The actress, TV personality, model and entrepreneur now adds fierce health advocate to her resume. Like so many others her age, at a time when Shields was stepping into a new, unapologetic power, she also learned that with age comes the important lesson of protecting one’s health from vulnerabilities like shingles. In fact, 99% of people over the age of 50 are at risk for developing shingles, although not everyone will.1
Brooke Shields said: “For so long, we’ve been conditioned to fear aging, but the reality is that age is power. As I’ve gotten older, my life experiences have really solidified who I am and what I stand for, and when I talked to other women who were a part of this campaign, it’s clear that I’m not the only one who feels this way. The unfair twist is that just as we’ve reached this time of our lives where we feel like the best version of ourselves, we’re also experiencing new health risks. When I learned that people over 50 are at an increased risk for shingles, I couldn’t help myself from starting the conversation. This matters because our power is worth protecting.”
Part of Shields’ partnership with GSK’s THRIVE@50+ campaign involved her directing and producing videos with other influential women who are thriving in their 50s and beyond, including football mom Donna Kelce, actress Gina Torres, reality TV star Susan Noles and former shingles patients, among others, each sharing their own unique stories and radiating the power they’ve come into with age. World-renowned fashion and lifestyle photographer Pamela Hanson joined the group to capture that power in her iconic portrait style.
Leah Smith, PharmD, GSK medical educator, said: “Shingles can be an isolating experience that can also really take a toll on one’s quality of life. And it’s not as uncommon as you might think — every year, there are about one million cases of shingles in the US alone. Age is the most important risk factor for shingles, so anyone over 50 should consider asking their doctor or pharmacist about shingles and about vaccination.”
GSK’s goal with their THRIVE@50+ campaign is to create a cultural movement around healthy aging, grounded in the genuine and authentic experiences that bring the community together.
About THRIVE@50+
THRIVE@50+ is a national public health initiative from GSK to educate people 50 and older about their risk for shingles, due to the natural aging of the immune system, and the impact the disease can have on everyday life. We encourage people 50 and older to understand how they can help prevent shingles, like asking their doctor or pharmacist about their risk of shingles and about vaccination, so they can stay ahead of this health challenge and continue to thrive.
About shingles
Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox.1 By age 50, VZV is present in most adults2 and may reactivate with advancing age.3 As people age, the strength of the immune system’s response to infection wanes, increasing the risk of developing shingles.1
Shingles typically presents as a rash, with painful blisters across the chest, abdomen or face.3 The pain is often described as aching, burning, stabbing or shock-like.4
Following the rash, a person may experience post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), a long-lasting nerve pain that can last weeks or months and occasionally persists for several years.4 PHN is the most common complication of shingles, occurring in 5–30% of all shingles cases, from findings in various studies.5
About GSK
GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology, and talent to get ahead of disease together. Find out more at gsk.com.
Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements
GSK cautions investors that any forward-looking statements or projections made by GSK, including those made in this announcement, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Such factors include, but are not limited to, those described under Item 3.D “Risk factors” in GSK’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for 2023, and GSK’s Q2 Results for 2024.
Registered in England & Wales:
No. 3888792
Registered Office:
79 New Oxford Street
London
WC1A 1DG
References:
- CDC. Shingles (Herpes Zoster): Clinical Overview. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/hcp/clinical-overview/
- Johnson RW, et al. Herpes zoster epidemiology, management, and disease and economic burden in Europe: a multidisciplinary perspective. Ther Adv Vaccines. 2015;3(4):109-120.
- Mueller NH, et al. Varicella zoster virus infection: clinical features, molecular pathogenesis of disease and latency. Neurologic Clinics. 2008;26;675-697.
- Cheng J, Rosenquist RW. Herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia. Fundamentals of Pain Medicine. 2018:221-5.
- Kawai K, Gebremeskel BG, Acosta CJ. Systematic review of incidence and complications of herpes zoster: towards a global perspective. BMJ Open. 2014;4:e004833. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2014-0048
SOURCE GSK
Our Lifestyle section on STM Daily News is a hub of inspiration and practical information, offering a range of articles that touch on various aspects of daily life. From tips on family finances to guides for maintaining health and wellness, we strive to empower our readers with knowledge and resources to enhance their lifestyles. Whether you’re seeking outdoor activity ideas, fashion trends, or travel recommendations, our lifestyle section has got you covered. Visit us today at https://stmdailynews.com/category/lifestyle/ and embark on a journey of discovery and self-improvement.
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Entertainment
Altitude Trampoline Park Announces Exclusive Partnership With Intelliplay
Premier Family-Friendly Entertainment Launches State-of-the-Art Technology Feature, Intellibands, in Two Parks With Additional Roll-Outs Coming Soon
DALLAS /PRNewswire/ — Altitude Trampoline Park, the leading family-friendly entertainment franchise, announced today its exclusive partnership with Intelliplay, Inc., a brand that is revolutionizing the indoor family entertainment industry with a patented smart wristband and gamification platform. This partnership will introduce Intellibands to Altitude Trampoline Park locations, offering cutting-edge technology designed to elevate the park experience for guests and improve overall park management for operators.
The Intelliplay system, featuring the Intelliband, aims to increase satisfaction for both guests and franchisees. Intellibands are advanced rubber wristbands equipped with radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. Key benefits of this technology include immediate identification of guests with expired jump time, gathering precise location and tracking data, increasing guest engagement through leaderboards and other gamified elements, and providing a convenient method to make purchases that grow overall revenue.
Replacing standard paper wristbands, Altitude staff will now perform check-ins through Intelliplay, scanning the Intelliband to link it to each guest’s ticket. This process ensures guests’ Intelliband lights up appropriately, allowing for seamless entry into the park. Staff can also monitor guest locations in real-time through a park map view.
Guests can look forward to several exciting features, including leaderboards. These allow kids to compete and earn points, making each visit to Altitude more engaging. Additionally, parents receive text notifications when their child’s time is about to expire, with a simple process to extend the time via phone. Intellibands also alert staff and parents if a child attempts to leave the facility, further ensuring safety and security in the park.
“We’re thrilled to introduce Intellibands to our parks. Altitude has been a trailblazer in the family entertainment industry, but this partnership with Intelliplay allows us to enhance our system by creating a new cornerstone for innovative technology, indoor activity, and fun that makes visits to our parks even more appealing and convenient,” said Mike Rotondo, CEO of Altitude Trampoline Park. “We are committed to continually improving the guest experience and look forward to seeing the positive impact Intellibands will have at our parks.”
The first Altitude Trampoline Park to officially roll-out this technology will be in Mason, Ohio, followed by Richardson, Texas. Prior to the official launch in Mason, Altitude tested this technology among customers and received great initial feedback. Customers found the wristband to be very secure and comfortable to wear, and overall felt the wristbands made for a better experience.
Altitude Trampoline Park is owned by Indoor Active Brands, a platform company that focuses on indoor entertainment concepts. This year, Indoor Active Brands launched its latest brand, The Pickle Pad, an indoor pickleball playground featuring a chef-inspired restaurant and bar – Crave Social Eatery, as well as yard and social games for all ages. Established by NRD Capital, Indoor Active Brands utilizes industry experience in the family entertainment and restaurant industries to support and assist its franchisees.
The brand is actively seeking qualified candidates to help grow its footprint throughout the U.S. in Kansas City, MO, Raleigh-Durham, NC, Denver, CO, among others. To learn more about franchise opportunities and upcoming store openings, contact Mike Stout at Mike.Stout@ATPHQ.COM or visit www.altitudefranchise.com.
About Altitude Trampoline Park
Altitude Trampoline Park is a premier indoor adventure park offering cutting edge trampolines, games, programs, and celebrations for all ages. Altitude is the home for active family fun! The brands successful $10 Endless Jumps pass, is where members get the max. Guests can, infact, Jump Happy! with unlimited use of trampolines, soft play, basketball, dodgeball, interactive games and more providing a great way for families to stay together and play together all year long. Nearing 100 locations worldwide, Altitude parks are centrally located and easily accessible, making it the convenient, budget friendly choice for families in 2024. More information can be found at altitudetrampolinepark.com.
SOURCE Altitude Trampoline Park
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Senior Pickleball Report
Ludica Health Launches a Pickleball-Themed Game for Falls Prevention Week 2024!
Ludica Health launched a pickleball-themed video game on LudoFit! during Falls Prevention Awareness Week to help older adults improve balance and coordination from home.
As a passionate pickleball enthusiast, I’m always thrilled to see innovative ways to promote the sport, especially when it helps improve the lives of our older adults. That’s why I’m particularly excited about Ludica Health’s recent announcement during Falls Prevention Awareness Week (September 23-27, 2024). The company has just launched a new pickleball-themed video game on its interactive exercise app, LudoFit! This game not only captures the fun of pickleball but also aims to reduce fall risks among older adults.
The Importance of Falls Prevention
Falls pose a significant threat to older adults, with the CDC reporting that about one in four Americans aged 65 and older falls each year. This alarming statistic underscores the importance of effective fall prevention strategies. LudoFit’s innovative approach is a breath of fresh air, as it combines entertainment with the critical elements of strength, balance, coordination, and reaction time—factors essential in reducing fall risk.
A Game-Changer in Home Exercise
The newly launched pickleball-themed game transports players to a virtual court where they can enjoy the exhilarating dynamics of this beloved sport right from the comfort of their home. “Pickleball perfectly aligns with LudoFit’s mission,” said Mark Evin, Founder and CEO of Ludica Health. This game allows older adults to engage in physical activity while sidestepping and swinging their arms for forehand and backhand shots, resembling a real pickleball match!
What excites me even more is that LudoFit adapts to all ability levels. Everyone, regardless of fitness or mobility, can participate and benefit from this engaging experience. It’s an inspiring step forward in promoting physical activity among older adults who may not have been able to access traditional exercise venues.
Transforming Exercise into Play
I’ve seen firsthand how much of a barrier balance issues can be for seniors wanting to try pickleball. That’s what makes this game such a fantastic opportunity—users can experience the thrill of pickleball without the fear of falling on the court. As Kim Cozart, a 63-year-old user remarked, “I’ve wanted to try pickleball, but with my balance issues, I don’t want to fall. This game gives me an opportunity to play pickleball without actually having to be on the court.”
User Impact
LudoFit’s pickleball game has already garnered positive responses from users who appreciate its fun and safe approach to exercise. Dr. Samim Hasham, 64, described the experience, saying, “This game is great. It keeps your attention. You feel really good. You feel active.” This kind of feedback highlights the need for engaging and accessible exercise options for our older population.
Mike Studer, a Doctor of Physical Therapy, reinforced the training benefits of the game, noting it helps users improve agility and reaction times without feeling like they’re doing tedious exercises. This playful approach to training is sure to make a huge difference in fall prevention efforts.
Join the Movement!
LudoFit is available through a monthly subscription of just $15, making it an affordable option for many seniors looking to stay active. You can check it out at https://ludo.fit. The combination of pickleball fun with serious health benefits makes this game a must-try for seniors, caregivers, and families alike.
As a devoted advocate for pickleball, I can’t help but celebrate initiatives like this that bring the joy of our beloved sport to a broader audience while improving health outcomes. Kudos to Ludica Health for creating such an impactful game that not only entertains but also focuses on making a real difference in people’s lives. Let’s embrace this new way to stay active and engaged in pickleball!
For more information about Ludica Health and its innovative health and wellness solutions, visit
www.ludicahealth.com, or follow them on X and LinkedIn.
SOURCE Ludica Health Inc.
Get the latest updates and information on the rapidly growing sport of pickleball, specifically designed for the senior community aged 50+. Check out Sleeve’s Senior Pickleball Report on YouTube to stay informed and up-to-date with the ever-changing world of pickleball. Join the community and stay ahead of the game. https://stmdailynews.com/sleeves-senior-pickleball-report/
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