When’s the last time you slept like a baby? If you’re like most people, getting a good night’s sleep can be a struggle. In fact, according to statistics, between 10% and 30% of adults struggle with chronic insomnia. And, almost half of all Americans reported feeling sleepy during the day three to seven days a week. (1)
Drowsiness can lead to everyday blunders like forgetfulness and falling asleep at work, and also accidents as fatal as car crashes and work-related accidents. Disrupted sleep is even linked to a higher risk of death! Continue reading
“The parents of a 2-year-old boy from Staten Island, N.Y., learned the hard way just how dangerous exercise equipment can be. In September, the boy’s skin was pulled off his hand when he touched the belt on a treadmill.
Another 2-year-old boy, from Johnson City, Tenn., severed three fingers when his hand became caught in the front wheel of an exercise bike in May 1995.
And the hair of a 3-year-old girl from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was pulled from her scalp when it was caught in part of a manual exercise bike in December 1996.” (1)
That’s the opener of a 1998 Los Angeles Times article entitled, “Fitness Equipment That Helps Grown-Ups Can Hurt Kids,” by Tomoko Hosaka. Although that article was published 23 years ago, tragic accidents like the ones mentioned above are still taking place all over the country. Just months ago, a small child was killed in a tragic accident involving a Peloton treadmill. (2)
According to one study, about 12,000 children each year are taken to the emergency room because of a fitness-equipment-related accident. (3) And now more than ever because of the continuing pandemic and gym closures, people are buying fitness equipment to use in their homes. Continue reading
Do you start your day with a cup of coffee? If you’re like most Americans, you probably do. In fact, according to last year’s statistics, 64% of American adults drink coffee every day. (1) Many people even say that they aren’t ready for the day until they’ve had their trusty cup of joe.
Coffee gives you a morning caffeine boost that can help you start your day right – even if you’ve woken up on the wrong side of the bed. But besides giving you the energy you need to get through the morning – turns out, coffee also has a ton of other health benefits. Continue reading
Diet is one of the easiest ways you can take steps today to prevent osteoarthritis and other joint problems in your future. There are a ton of foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals that work to prevent the breakdown of cartilage and protect your joints.
Adding these five foods to your diet can help keep your joints happy and prevent the progression of osteoarthritis. And, these five foods are delicious additions that are easy to incorporate into your snacks and meals. Continue reading
Let’s flashback to the 2008 Beijing Olympics – Usain Bolt, the fastest man of all time, took the world by storm as he crossed the finish line first again and again. In 2008, the charismatic Jamaican sprinter won three gold medals in the 100-meter, 200-meter, and 4×100-meter. That year Bolt also broke the world record for the 100-meter race, clocking in at and incredible 9.69 seconds.
You might remember his spectacular finishes as he left competitors in the dust and crossed the finish line first again and again. He left spectators in awe with his speed and grace. You might think that such an incredible athlete must have a spotless diet as well. But, not exactly. Do you know what Usain Bolt ate during the 2008 Olympics?
And not just a couple, not just every once in a while, and not just on cheat day. Usain Bolt “reportedly ate 100 chicken nuggets a day while out competing in China as well as French fries and apple pies.” (1)
Obviously, eating 100 chicken nuggets a day isn’t the healthiest diet. But, if you are using the amount of energy an Olympic sprinter uses, well, it might work. And since he won 3 gold medals, we can’t really criticize his diet, right? Continue reading
Squeezing a daily workout into your busy schedule can be difficult. Between running errands, spending time with the family, and running kids to and from their different activities, most days you’re lucky if you can manage to fit 30 minutes of exercise into your schedule.
Recently, there’s been a lot of hype about 7-minute workouts. They are high-intensity, quick workouts without any equipment. And in just 7 minutes, you can be finished with your workout of the day.
But do they really work? Let’s look at the facts. Continue reading
Every 19 minutes, an older adult dies from a fall, according to US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (1) Every 11 seconds, an older adult is taken to the emergency room because of a fall.
But, falling is avoidable. And, according to one recent study, avoiding falls can be as easy (and fun) as…dancing! Continue reading
A few months ago, with all the lock downs, you invested in a brand-new elliptical or treadmill, so that you could keep working on your fitness goals – even when it seemed like the world around you was falling to pieces.
You know very well that investing in a piece of exercise equipment is no cheap endeavor, and now that you’ve used your new treadmill for a few months, you’re worried about keeping it in top-notch condition.
Maintaining your fitness equipment can seem like a daunting task, especially if you’ve never owned a treadmill or elliptical before. But, it’s not as hard as you think, and with these simple tips, your fitness equipment will last you a very long time.
Every time you exercise, your sweat, germs and other bacteria from your hands and body get all over your floor, equipment, and the surfaces of your room. Getting rid of these bacteria can help prevent the spread of germs and keep you and your family safe and healthy.
Dr. George Nelson, an infectious disease doctor says, “bacteria can survive on hard surfaces for days and even months under the right (or in this case, wrong) conditions.” (1) That’s why it’s best to get rid of that bacteria as soon as possible. Continue reading
It’s almost spring, which means we’re about one-fourth of the way into the new year. A few months ago, you probably had lots of expectations and excitement for a fresh start and another opportunity to set goals and make progress in your physical fitness.
However, if you’re like most people, you’ve probably forgotten about most of your goals by now. According to some recent statistics, “less than 8% of people actually stick to their resolutions each year.” (1)
For some folks, the cold months of the year can be a haven for depression.
Year after year, more and more people are reporting mental health problems. Anxiety, depression, and eating disorders are just a few of the many mental health illnesses that plague people young and old across the country.
New statistics show that this year, “the number of people looking for help with anxiety and depression has skyrocketed.” From January to September, there’s been a 93% increase in the number of people that have taken anxiety screens, and a 62% increase in the total number of depression screens. (1)
Now, more than ever before, depression and anxiety are problems that can affect every aspect of your daily life. Continue reading
