Get Your ZZZZZs

We’ve said it before. We’ll say it again. You (yes, you!) need 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night. The busier our lives get, it seems to be a badge of honor to espouse how little sleep we get.

Sleep patterns affect our weight and consequently, our health. When you get the right amount of sleep - that means more for most of us - your body is better equipped to be at a healthy weight. Sleep involves the production of two hormones: gherelin, which stimulates appetite; and leptin, which sends signals to the brain when we’re full or satisfied. When we don’t get enough sleep, our bodies tend to produce more gherelin, stimulating appetite; and less leptin, causing us to feel less satisfied after eating. Hence the reason we tend to crave sugary, high-calorie, nutrient-deficient foods when we’re tired.

Turns out your mother was right. Put down your laptop, turn off the TV and go to bed at a reasonable hour.

Just Say Yes

To make real changes in our lives - that is, changes that stick - we must make a shift in our thoughts.

If you're trying to become healthier; if you want to eat healthy and move more, begin to shift your focus away from all the things you can't do or shouldn't do. Instead think of the changes you're making as saying yes to life instead of constantly saying no to things like fast food and couch potatoism. If we constantly put certain foods and behaviors in a forbidden fruit category, then they will always hold a certain power over us.

Begin to say yes and enjoy the transformation.

How Green Can You Be?

What do you enjoy most about St. Patrick's Day? Irish music? Green beer? The ability to wear something that says "Kiss Me..." without getting funny looks? On this day when green is everywhere, use the occasion to think green when it comes to your diet.

How do we love thee, dark green leafy vegetables? Let us count the ways...

1. for the disease-fighting vitamin C contained in cabbage and bok choy.
2. for the muscle-boosting iron in broccoli and spinach.
3. for the vision-promoting vitamin A in arugula and romaine.
4. for the bone-building vitamin K in mustard greens and kale.
5. for the fact that they won't make us look like Popeye, but help us to feel as strong.

Happy St. Patrick's Day. Dress yourself in green - on the outside and inside.

 

Bring Yourself to the Table

Think about a time when you started something new - a new career or hobby. At some point, you probably witnessed someone else doing the same thing and were perhaps even inspired by them.

Now think about a time you almost started something, but never quite did. Maybe that someone who originally inspired you was the very thing that stopped you from following through. Feelings of fear and resistance oftentimes creep in when we're about to do something we've never done before. "I don't think I can do it like he did. I couldn't possibly be as good."

No matter what you're venturing into - a healthier way of living, a job or hobby - your experience is your own. What you bring to it is completely unique. Along the way, you will inevitably compare yourself to others. That's just what we do. Remind yourself that you're not supposed to be like everyone else.

Don't cheat the world out of experiencing you.