(Family Features) Una caminata no solo es buena para el cuerpo, sino también para el alma. La actividad física, como caminar, es una de las mejores formas de reducir el estrés y mejorar su estado de ánimo. Sin embargo, los informes revelan que las tasas de caminatas están disminuyendo constantemente en los Estados Unidos.
Mejore su salud caminando
En promedio, uno de cada cuatro adultos estadounidenses permanece sentado durante más de ocho horas al día, según la investigación de los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC). Esto puede tener consecuencias negativas para la salud física y mental. El ejercicio regular mejora el estado de ánimo, aumenta la energía e incluso puede ayudarle a dormir mejor. Estar activo es una de las mejores maneras de mantener la mente y el cuerpo sanos.
Tome esta recomendación de la American Heart Association (la Asociación Americana del Corazón), que ha trabajado durante décadas para promover políticas y estrategias que faciliten que las comunidades estén y se mantengan activas. Un ejemplo es el Día Nacional para Caminar, que lo estableció la organización para incentivar a las personas a moverse más a lo largo del día. para que puedan pensar, dormir, vivir y sentirse mejor.
De hecho, moverse más puede beneficiar a su cuerpo y a su mente de numerosas maneras, como por ejemplo las siguientes:
Reducir el riesgo de sufrir enfermedades. Realizar la cantidad recomendada de actividad física (al menos 150 minutos de actividad moderada, 75 minutos de actividad intensa o una combinación de esas actividades por semana) está relacionado con un menor riesgo de sufrir enfermedades, tener huesos y músculos más fuertes, una mejor salud mental y función cognitiva, y menor riesgo de depresión, según el Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de los EE. UU.
Estar más al sol. El ejercicio al aire libre es un manera fácil de mantenerse en movimiento y estar al sol, lo que puede mejorar el estado de ánimo, aumentar la inmunidad y ayudarle a obtener un poco de vitamina D. Pasar tiempo al aire libre es una opción que no tiene costo y se ha demostrado que reduce el estrés, promueve el sentido de pertenencia y mejora el estado de ánimo.
Mejorar la función cognitiva y mental. La actividad física mantiene la mente alerta ahora y en el futuro. Los estudios muestran que niveles más altos de condición física están relacionados con una mejor atención, aprendizaje, memoria de trabajo y resolución de problemas. Es más, un estudio publicado en el “British Journal of Sports Medicine” demuestra que las personas que realizan la cantidad recomendada de actividad física tienen menos probabilidades de desarrollar depresión.
Vivir una vida más larga. La esperanza de vida saludable puede verse afectada positivamente por el aumento de la actividad. Según una investigación publicada en el “American Journal of Epidemiology”, cambiar solo 30 minutos de estar sentado por actividad física de baja intensidad reducía el riesgo de muerte en un 17 %.
Manténgase en movimiento para reducir el estrés y mejorar su salud. Amplía la información en heart.org/movemore.
Inspírese para mantenerse en movimiento
Un poco de creatividad puede ser de gran ayuda para que su caminata sea más divertida. Es posible que piense que caminar es una actividad en solitario, pero hacerlo con compañía la hace aún más placentera. Pida a compañeros de trabajo, amigos o familiares que le acompañen.
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Una caminata es una excusa perfecta para tomar un descanso después de un largo día sentado en el escritorio. Si trabaja de forma remota, realice una conferencia telefónica mientras se mueve o considere que la caminata es su recompensa por completar un proyecto.
Utilice su caminata como una oportunidad para escuchar un nuevo audiolibro sin culpa o cree una lista de reproducción con su música favorita para salir a caminar.
Experimente con recorridos alternativas. Intente tomar nuevas rutas para hacer sus caminatas más interesantes. Esto también le ayuda a evitar que se aburra si va por el mismo camino de siempre.
Si hay algo más que puede incentivarle a mantenerse en movimiento es sin dudas una mascota. Su mascota puede ayudarle a ponerse en forma. Quienes tienen un perro tienen más probabilidades de alcanzar sus objetivos de acondicionamiento físico respecto de aquellos que no lo tienen. De hecho, según el “Journal of Physical Activity & Health”, las personas que tienen perros tienen un 34 % más de probabilidades de caminar 150 minutos a la semana respecto de quienes no tienen un perro. Las mascotas también pueden ayudar a reducir el estrés, la presión arterial, el colesterol y el azúcar en sangre y a aumentar su felicidad y bienestar general.
Loving-kindness, the feeling cultivated in metta meditation, is very different from romantic love. Anna Sunderland Engels
What loving-kindness meditation is and how to practice it in the new year
Jeremy David Engels, Penn State A popular New Year’s resolution is to take up meditation – specifically mindfulness meditation. This is a healthy choice. Regular mindfulness practice has been linked to many positive health benefits, including reduced stress and anxiety, better sleep and quicker healing after injury and illness. Mindfulness can help us to be present in a distracted world and to feel more at home in our bodies, and in our lives. There are many different types of meditation. Some mindfulness practices ask meditators simply to sit with whatever thoughts, sensations or emotions arise without immediately reacting to them. Such meditations cultivate focus, while granting more freedom in how we respond to whatever events life throws at us. Other meditations ask practitioners to deliberately focus on one emotion – for example, gratitude or love – to deepen the experience of that emotion. The purpose behind this type of meditation is to bring more gratitude, or more love, into one’s life. The more people meditate on love, the easier it is to experience this emotion even when not meditating. One such meditation is known as “metta,” or loving-kindness. As a scholar of communication and mindfulness, as well as a longtime meditation teacher, I have both studied and practiced metta. Here is what loving-kindness means and how to try it out for yourself:
Unbounded, universal love
Loving-kindness, or metta, is the type of love which is practiced by Buddhists around the world. Like many forms of meditation today, there are both secular and religious forms of the practice. One does not need to be a Buddhist to practice loving-kindness. It is for anyone and everyone who wants to live more lovingly. Loving-kindness, the feeling cultivated in metta meditation, is very different from romantic love. In the ancient Pali language, the word “metta” has two root meanings: The first is “gentle,” in the sense of a gentle spring rain that falls on young plants, nourishing them without discrimination. The second is “friend.” Metta is limitless and unbounded love; it is gentle presence and universal friendliness. Metta practice is meant to grow people’s ability to be present for themselves and others without fail.A guided loving-kindness meditation practice. Metta is not reciprocal or conditional. It does not discriminate between us and them, rich and poor, educated and uneducated, popular or unpopular, worthy and unworthy. To practice metta is to give what I describe in my research as “the rarest and most precious gift” – a gift of love offered without any expectation of it being returned.
How to practice loving-kindness meditation
In the fifth century, a Sri Lankan monk, Buddhaghosa, composed an influential meditation text called the “Visuddhimagga,” or “The Path of Purification.” In this text, Buddhaghosa provides instructions for how to practice loving-kindness meditation. Contemporary teachers tend to adapt and modify his instructions. The practice of loving-kindness often involves quietly reciting to oneself several traditional phrases designed to evoke metta, and visualizing the beings who will receive that loving-kindness. Traditionally, the practice begins by sending loving kindness to ourselves. It is typical during this meditation to say:
May I be filled by loving-kindness
May I be safe from inner and outer dangers
May I be well in body and mind
May I be at ease and happy
After speaking these phrases, and feeling the emotions they evoke, next it’s common to direct loving-kindness toward someone – or something – else: It can be a beloved person, a dear friend, a pet, an animal, a favorite tree. The phrases become:
May you be filled by loving-kindness
May you be safe from inner and outer dangers
May you be well in body and mind
May you be at ease and happy
Next, this loving-kindness is directed to a wider circle of friends and loved ones: “May they …” The final step is to gradually expand the circle of well wishes: including the people in our community and town, people everywhere, animals and all living beings, and the whole Earth. This last round of recitation begins: “May we …” In this way, loving-kindness meditation practice opens the heart further and further into life, beginning with the meditator themselves.
Loving-kindness and mindful democracy
Clinical research shows that loving-kindness meditation has a positive effect on mental health, including lessening anxiety and depression, increasing life satisfaction and improving self-acceptance while reducing self-criticism. There is also evidence that loving-kindness meditation increases a sense of connection with other people. The benefits of loving-kindness meditation are not just for the individual. In my research, I show that there are also tremendous benefits for society as a whole. Indeed, the practice of democracy requires us to work together with friends, strangers and even purported “opponents.” This is difficult to do if our hearts are full of hatred and resentment. Each time meditators open their hearts in metta meditation, they prepare themselves to live more loving lives: for their own selves, and for all living beings. Jeremy David Engels, Liberal Arts Endowed Professor of Communication, Penn State This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
(Family Features) Resolving to commit to better self-care can happen any time of the year, but there’s something about the calendar flipping to a new year that signals a fresh start. It’s the perfect starting point for new habits and a new approach to protecting your overall wellness.
Self-care takes many forms. Maintaining a well-balanced diet and getting plenty of exercise are some ways to promote your physical health. So is taking good care of your body’s largest organ: your skin. When it comes to mental health, getting organized is a surprisingly effective way to manage stress and keep your goals on track so you feel a sense of accomplishment.
Start working toward a new year where your wellness is front and center with these ideas for simplifying and personalizing your journey. Look for more lifestyle advice and helpful wellness tips at eLivingtoday.com.
Prepare for Healthier Eating Habits
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Add Whole Grains with Ease and Convenience
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Put Your Best Foot Forward
If stepping up your fitness game is part of your plan for 2024, be sure to start on the right foot with the right footwear for the job. Runners in particular should be conscious of quality shoes. Look for ample cushion, comfortable ankle support, overall quality construction and a snug fit that gives your toes some wiggle room. Even slight variations can affect your comfort, so trying on different options is likely your best path toward finding the perfect fit.
Introduce Weights for Your Workout
Whether you’ve hit a plateau or you’re just bored with your workout, adding dumbbells can introduce a whole new dimension by helping build muscle and burn more fat. Rotating muscle groups lets you give your muscles a chance to recover between workouts. The options are nearly endless, so think about how you’ll use them, where you’ll store them, whether shape or color matters and how much you want to spend.
Make Skin Care a Personal Priority
Your skin tells an important story about your overall health. Protecting it from harsh elements and sun damage can help ensure your skin stays supple and strong, providing the barrier it’s meant to as it protects the rest of your body. Even seemingly minor irritations like dry skin can be problematic as scratching or cracking can lead to wounds and infection. Rely on a regular moisturizer and be conscious of applying sunscreen whenever you’ll be outdoors.
Plan for Success in the New Year
Give yourself a boost toward tackling this year’s goals by getting organized. A planner can help you keep important information at your fingertips while making it easy to keep tabs on appointments, deadlines and more. You can even track progress against new habits or journal your way toward a heathier diet. Some people prefer physical planners they can write in and update manually while others find a digital version in a smart device is more convenient.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock (father and daughter cooking) Photos courtesy of Unsplash (dumbbells, meal prep, planner, shoes, skin care products)
(Family Features) Getting your cholesterol checked, and talking with your doctor about steps to control high cholesterol, could save your life. If you, or someone you love, have experienced a heart attack or stroke, you know how life-changing those moments can be. What many don’t realize is high LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol often plays a silent role behind the scenes. Taking control of cholesterol numbers starts by knowing your LDL number and working with your doctor to put together an appropriate treatment plan. Your body produces all the cholesterol it needs to stay healthy. Cholesterol helps make new cells, some hormones and substances that aid in food digestion. However, having too much cholesterol can contribute to serious health risks. Knowing more about cholesterol and its role in your body and overall health can help you protect yourself from potential life-threatening conditions like heart attack or stroke – even if you’ve already had one. Learn more with this information from the American Heart Association’s “Lower Your LDL Cholesterol Now” initiative, nationally sponsored by Amgen, so you can take control of your heart health. Know Your Numbers Keeping tabs on your cholesterol is an important step toward managing potentially serious risks to your heart, brain and overall health. LDL cholesterol, also known as “bad” cholesterol, can cause fatty buildup called plaque in your arteries. Nearly 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. has high LDL (bad) cholesterol, but many don’t know until it’s too late. Having too much LDL (bad) cholesterol can silently increase your risk for heart attack and stroke when it goes unchecked, but you have the power to change that. “A lot of people don’t realize they have high LDL (bad) cholesterol because it doesn’t have symptoms,” said Dr. Amit Khera, American Heart Association national volunteer expert and cardiologist. “That’s why I always encourage my patients to get their cholesterol checked and have honest conversations with their doctors. Knowing your LDL number is one of the most important things you can do to protect your heart.” Studies show an LDL at or below 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) is ideal for most adults. If you have a history of heart attack or stroke and are already on a cholesterol-lowering medication, your doctor may aim for your LDL to be 70 mg/dL or lower. Get Tested Don’t wait; schedule a cholesterol test as soon as possible. High cholesterol often has no symptoms, so it’s important to get your cholesterol checked even if you feel fine. In fact, the American Heart Association recommends all adults 20 and older have their LDL (bad) cholesterol checked every 4-6 years as long as risk remains low. If you have had a heart attack or stroke, talk to your doctor about the right frequency of testing. A blood test to measure your cholesterol numbers, called a “fasting” or “non-fasting lipid profile or panel,” assesses several types of fat in the blood. The test gives four results: total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol and triglycerides (blood fats). Talk to Your Doctor Your doctor is there to help you reach your health goals, including keeping your LDL (bad) cholesterol at a healthy number. Making decisions together is the best way to create a treatment plan you’ll be more likely to stick to. If you don’t understand something, ask for further clarification. Discuss your risk factors, including your personal and family medical history. Having a candid conversation about your lifestyle can also help pinpoint potential risk factors and areas you can work to reduce your risk and improve your health. If your LDL cholesterol number is high, your doctor may recommend treatment options. Together, you can review the benefits, risks and side effects to decide on the treatment plan that works best for you. Take Action Early The sooner you manage high LDL (bad) cholesterol, the more you can reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke. Proactively monitoring and taking steps to slow or reverse your numbers can halt or delay buildup in your arteries. In addition, treatment options can be more effective when a high LDL number is detected early. Learn more about the steps you can take to combat high LDL (bad) cholesterol at heart.org/LDL
Living with High LDL (Bad) Cholesterol
If your LDL (bad) cholesterol is elevated, lifestyle changes can help lower your overall risk of heart disease, but may not be enough to counteract individual risk factors such as genetics and family history. Check your LDL (bad) cholesterol number then talk to your doctor about next steps, including these changes to take back control of heart health. Eat a Heart-Healthy Diet From a dietary standpoint, the best way to lower your cholesterol is to follow a balanced diet, which is low in saturated fats, trans fats and cholesterol. Following a heart-healthy diet means limiting your intake of fatty meats and dairy products made with whole milk. Choose lean cuts of meat and skim, low-fat or fat-free dairy products instead. It also means limiting fried foods and cooking with healthy oils, such as liquid vegetable oils instead of butter or coconut oil, which are high in saturated fat and cholesterol. Be More Physically Active A sedentary lifestyle lowers HDL (good) cholesterol. Less HDL means there’s less good cholesterol to remove bad cholesterol from your arteries. At least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise a week is enough to lower both cholesterol and high blood pressure. Brisk walking, swimming, bicycling or even vigorous yard work can fit the bill. In addition, the American Heart Association recommends adding moderate- to high-intensity muscle-strengthening activity – such as resistance training or weightlifting – at least two days each week. Quit Smoking When a person with unhealthy cholesterol numbers also smokes or vapes, the risk of heart disease increases even more. Smoking also compounds other risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. By quitting, smokers can lower their triglycerides and increase their HDL cholesterol numbers. Quitting can also help reduce damage and improve how the arteries function. Lose Weight Living with excess weight or obesity tends to raise the chances of increasing LDL (bad) cholesterol and lowering good cholesterol. Weight loss of even 5-10% may help improve some cholesterol numbers and other heart disease risk factors. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock (patient with doctor) SOURCE:American Heart Association
