Nishtha Jain, Psychology Undergraduate at Christ University, Bangalore, expresses the opinion that each airport should create a mental health care unit for the wellbeing of both passengers and staff.

The air travel industry is growing day by day. Airports across the world serve a variety of people and airport authorities need to plan well in order to cater to the demands of both passengers and staff. There are numerous issues faced at airports and dealing with them solely at a physical level is no longer sufficient. It is time that airports considered this.

With factors like unpredictable waiting lines for baggage check in and security checks, baggage weight and size limits, baggage damage and misplacement, the high cost of air travel and flight-related issues, air travel continues to be a significant source of stress for travellers. Various factors like rude or confused passengers, inadequate training and supervision, staff shortages, improper working hours and a lack of resources are the major sources of stress for staff.

With a history full of airport accidents, bombing, terrorist attacks and thefts, safety was and continues to be a major concern for all. So far, airports have been able to provide a satisfactory level of physical security. However, there is little or no provision to provide psychological safety.

Huge, crowded, confusing airports become a source of stress for first-time travellers, individuals travelling alone or for those who travel very rarely. Especially for international travellers who are not familiar with the local language, it becomes difficult for them to figure their way out in case they get lost and need help. Therefore, at any airport, it is important that staff are respectful and sensitive to passengers from different ethnicities and demographics.

Having international standards regarding an airports layout and instruction method (i.e. symbols and signboards) will provide ease of navigation and help avoid undue confusion faced by travellers. Psychologists can work with designers and architects to determine the appropriate positioning and layout of signboards such that they easily catch the attention of passengers and can be comprehended effectively. Clean, silent and organised airports give a sense of relaxation to both passengers and staff. They can prove to be especially useful in emergencies by making it easy to guide and evacuate people.

The ground staff form the airport workforce and are a crucial element. An airports layout affects various aspects of their work, for example efficiency, accuracy, communication and work satisfaction. Poor working conditions such as a noisy, dirty, disorganised work environment negatively affect the quality of work completed.

For staff working at check-in counters, it is important that their work desk and seating arrangement are adequately designed and comfortable enough to work efficiently without getting distracted. Workplace design plays a crucial role for ATC as well. Their interactions are likely to be affected by the proximity between workers. Good proximity between ATC staff can help them work together effectively, and controls for the ATC and ground staff can be designed by psychologists using various psychology concepts to ease understanding and use. Ensuring comfort is crucial, as it will help them sustain attention and concentrate on their work.

Airports can become very stressful for passengers not used to travelling regularly

However, focusing on the physical environment alone is not sufficient. Following the Tenerife Airport disaster in 1977, psychological aspects began to be considered in training and work procedures. With 80 per cent of accidents occurring due to human factors, it is essential that airport authorities and airlines pay attention to the human factors that affect an airports environment. This makes CRM a necessity.

CRM stands for crew resource management and involves training in areas like decision making, leadership, situational awareness, cooperation and communication. It is essential that CRM training be done together for the ground staff and the flight crew to ensure better coordination. Staff should not be just trained in CRM, but the importance of CRM should be explained to them so that they can effectively make use of those skills. This can be done by helping them understand the significance of their jobs by providing examples of crashes that occurred due to poor management. Emphasising how the ground staff can effectively work to curb accidents will motivate workers to do their job well and avoid errors.

Psychological factors like working hours, lifestyle patterns, stress, personal problems, substance abuse, unrealistic goals and organisational pressure all impact ground staff and need to be taken into account.

These factors are especially relevant for aviation maintenance technicians (AMTs). An aircrafts safety largely lies in the hands of AMTs. Small mistakes during maintenance checks can have a huge impact on the aircraft during flight. Proper maintenance not only enhances the overall safety of the airport but also helps reduce the extra costs incurred due to accidents.

It is essential for ground staff to learn to communicate empathetically. Passengers approach staff when they are a position of need and require help. Paying attention to the demographic details of passengers is important. It will help them modify their manner of communication and ensure that what they say is clearly understood by the passenger. Working to ensure safety alone is not enough. It is essential to emphasise the comfort of the passenger along with safety. Helping staff build patience along with this understanding will help them deal with passengers as individuals rather than just considering it as their job.

For ATC and AMTs, smooth communication comprising of clear instruction can help avoid misunderstandings and mishaps. Specifically for AMTs, when handing over tasks during shift changes, it is essential that precise instructions are given and checklists are signed off only after proper completion.

Psychologists can help design specific modules to teach and encourage teamwork among the staff and develop good communication skills. It is important to teach assertiveness to workers, especially at lower levels so that they can point out faults in the system (technical, human and organisational) and ensure that organisations work to fix them. Removing communication barriers will help create an effective work culture wherein two-way communication occurs between various levels of authority in the system, thus leading to a culture that facilitates cooperation and mutual respect.

Staying up to date in the field of technical terms is not enough. Aviation psychologists can implement education cycles for staff and airport designers in order to help them become aware of human factors and modify their working patterns accordingly. Psychologists can provide training for staff to make them sensitive towards others needs, develop basic knowledge about emotional states and how to deal with them, along with developing a positive attitude towards work. Developing a positive work attitude can help combat complacency and focus on gaining knowledge and expertise.

An organised work place can help airport staff remain calm and efficient

AMTs who work under physically strenuous conditions like poor lighting, confined spaces, extreme temperatures, slippery floors and humidity are more likely to face fatigue. They even tend to face work-related injuries. Moreover, their work tends to be boring and repetitive which results in complacency. Fatigue results in poor quality work by causing distraction and lack of adherence to norms as workers reach a stage where they want to finish tasks as fast as possible and therefore do not pay attention to details. Accumulation of such factors often leads to errors and mishaps.

Thus, working hours and patterns should be designed such that the staff gets adequate rest periods and are not overstressed. I
t is of specific importance for night-shift workers as their work routine goes against the normal circadian cycle. Disturbing the sleep cycle can result in various physical and mental health problems like insomnia, fatigue, poor concentration and personal problems. Night-shift workers should sometimes be given daytime duties to help them maintain a balance.

Healthcare workers and psychologists can provide regular training sessions for staff on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle and educate workers on how to effectively deal with stress. As they possess knowledge regarding learning styles and patterns, they can develop techniques that are easy to understand and implement.

Mental-health-based holidays can be introduced for all airline workers. Paid leave can provide staff adequate time to cope with mental exhaustion and mental health issues without facing additional financial stress. This can help avoid staff reaching a stage of burnout.

These days it has become mandatory for organisations to have an in-house psychologist to cater to workers mental health requirements. For ground staff, the airport is the workplace. Therefore, airports should take measures to provide psychological services for their staff.

Having a full-time team of aviation psychologists at every airport can be extremely useful. These psychologists can cater to the needs of both staff and passengers by identifying various factors affecting them and determining ways to optimise them.

For the staff, in-house psychologists can provide counselling services to help them deal with every-day stressors effectively. They can guide them on how to deal with personal life and relationship problems as well. It is crucial to address these areas as personal life problems that are likely to impact staff work performance.

Moreover, airports can take various measures to ensure the good health of workers and staff. Nutritious meals should be made available for workers along with other basic amenities. Having relaxation spaces will help provide staff with long working hours the ability to take proper breaks before they return to their duties. Adequate supervision and a good organisational environment are also necessary.

For passengers, psychologists can help them deal with the mental impact of jet lag, cater to the fatigue faced as a result of long-haul or delayed flights and help deal with flying anxiety. They can be especially helpful when reassuring passengers and staff in emergencies.

Therefore, in addition to first-aid centres, a mental-health care unit should be created at airports. There is a need to accept human limitations and work on human capabilities instead. Regular and quality training needs to be provided to staff in order to deal with the various factors mentioned. Aviation psychologists can build modules that cover these aspects in the aviation context and thus need to be included in the training and designing of teams.

Adequate ways of dealing with various human factors will automatically reduce the stress and problems faced by the ground staff, technicians and ATC. This, in turn, will help enhance the quality of service provided by the airport. Attrition of the workforce can be prevented by ensuring the good health of the staff along with quality work conditions. Overall, building a positive environment at airports will be useful for all.

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Preventing psychological impacts on airport staff and passengers - International Airport Review

DUBLIN, Dec. 19, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Plant-based Protein Market - Global Outlook and Forecast 2020-2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Global Plant-Based Protein Market is Expected to Grow at a CAGR of Over 8% During the Forecast Period 2019-2025.

Key Market Insights

The growing health consciousness trend among people is expected to influence the global plant-based protein market. Millennial, especially, is highly interested in pursuing a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, they are one of the major consumers of healthy products, including plant-based variants. Consumers are increasingly adopting these products as they offer the same taste, flavor, and nutritional value as natural sources provide. Hence, a gradual shift of consumers from animal-based products to vegan products is likely to boost the market.

The rise of the vegan population is another key factor encouraging the growth of the market. Vegan diets contain antioxidants, fiber, and beneficial plant compounds. They are also rich in folate, potassium, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, and E. The vegan population is, thus, increasing due to the growing awareness of the benefits of vegan diets in lowering heart and other lifestyle-related diseases. Several sports professionals and athletes are adopting vegan diets, which are breaking the myth related to plant-based proteins.

Market Dynamics

Growth Enablers

Growth Restraints

Opportunities and Trends

Market Segmentation

This research report includes detailed segmentation by products, source, application, and geography.

Protein powder supplements are one of the effective ways to bolster the protein content. Several plant-based supplements contain 15-30 grams of protein that is equivalent to whey supplements. An increase in lactose intolerance, the growing awareness of plant-based cheese products, and the growth in the vegan population are propelling the growth of the plant-based protein powder market.

The demand for protein bars is not only growing among athletes, however, but the majority of the population also consumes them as an energy-boosting quick meal. The rise in the number of fitness clubs and weight management programs is boosting demand and is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period. Ready-to-drink (RTD) is popular among health-conscious people and millennials. The fast-paced and busy lifestyle is the primary factor accelerating the growth of RTD. However, the demand can also be contributed to the fact that these beverages can replace meals and take less time in consumption.

Soy-based protein is considered to be a complete diet as it contains essential amino acids that play an important role in muscle building and can be a useful supplement for weight loss. The rapidly growing vegan population in countries such as the UK and Portugal is driving the demand for soy nutrients. China, India, Japan, and South Korea are expected to support the growing demand with rising health awareness.

The sports nutrition segment dominates the market. The hike in demand for protein bars, energy drinks, and other supplements among athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and bodybuilders is driving the demand. The growing number of endorsements for plant-based products is likely to propel growth.

The additional nutrition segment is expected to accelerate its share due to the increasing awareness of additional nutritional supplements among consumers for maintaining a healthy diet. Driven by rising disposable income, increased urbanization, growing aging population, coupled with increasing health awareness, the demand for such supplements is increasing across the world.

Insights by Geography

In North America, consumers are adopting plant-based food diets on account of their health benefits and high nutritional values, and the trend is likely to increase during the forecast period. The US plant-based protein market is expected to grow as 39% of the consumers in the country are actively seeking vegan products in their diets. In Europe, the increasing preference for plant-based products is increasing because these supplements help in weight management and aid in reducing the risk of chronic diseases. The increased focus on animal safety and well-being are driving the demand for plant-based meat products. Similarly, APAC is a key region in driving the growth on account of the surge in the population, increased high disposable income, and high adoption of vegetarian diets.

With the growing urbanization, changing lifestyles, dietary changes, and rapidly expanding retail chains, the demand for vegan products in Latin America is expected to rise during the forecast period. The rising health awareness in Latin America is expected to drive the market for alternative non-dairy milk products as these products contain low-levels of lactose and saturated fat. In the MEA region, the growing health-conscious population is primarily driving the growth. Another major factor is the high prevalence of lactose intolerance among people, which is also encouraging consumers toward the consumption of lactose-free products.

Insights by Vendors

The global plant-based protein market is fragmented in nature, and vendors are competing based on product quality, new products, and competitive pricing. R&D teams need to continuously analyze trends and design, develop, and manufacture new product categories with distinctive features, size, taste, and shelf life. The competition is expected to intensify further during the forecast period with an increase in product innovations, milk production, technological innovations, and mergers and acquisitions. Moreover, the improving global economic conditions are likely to fuel the growth, thereby increasing attractiveness for new products launches.

Key Topics Covered

1 Research Methodology

2 Research Objectives

3 Research Process

4 Scope & Coverage4.1 Market Definition4.2 Base Year4.3 Scope of the Study4.4 Market Segments4.4.1 Market Segmentation by Products4.4.2 Market Segmentation by Source4.4.3 Market Segmentation by Application4.4.4 Market Segmentation by Geography

5 Report Assumptions & Caveats5.1 Key Caveats5.2 Currency Conversion5.3 Market Derivation

6 Market at a Glance

7 Introduction7.1 Overview7.2 Why Shift from Animal-based Diet?7.3 The Future of Protein Market

8 Market Dynamics8.1 Market Growth Enablers8.2 Market Growth Restraints8.3 Market Opportunities & Trends

9 Global Plant-Based Protein Market9.1 Market Overview9.2 Market Size & Forecast9.3 Five Forces Analysis

10 By Product Type10.1 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine10.2 Market Overview10.3 Powder Supplements10.4 Bar10.5 RTD10.6 Others

11 By Source11.1 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine11.2 Market Overview11.3 Soy11.4 Pea11.5 Rice11.6 Others

12 By Application12.1 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine12.2 Market Overview12.3 Sports Nutrition12.4 Additional Nutrition

13 By Distribution13.1 Market Overview

14 By Geography14.1 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine14.2 Overview

15 North America

16 Europe

17 APAC

18 Latin America

19 Middle East & Africa

20 Competitive Landscape20.1 Competition Overview20.2 Market Strategy, Promotion & Development20.2.1 Brand Image20.2.2 Online Presence20.2.3 Innovative Marketing Strategies

21 Key Company Profiles21.1 Glanbia Nutritionals21.1.1 Business Overview21.1.2 Major Product Offerings21.1.3 Key Strengths21.1.4 Key Strategies21.1.5 Key Opportunities21.2 Danone

22 Other Prominent Vendors22.1 Tone it Up22.1.1 Business Overview22.1.2 Major Product Offerings22.2 Orgain22.3 KOS22.4 Garden of Life22.5 Your Super22.6 Nuzest22.7 No Cow22.8 Kind22.9 GoMacro22.10 SimplyProtein22.11 Naked Nutrition22.12 Bulk Supplement22.13 PlantFusion22.14 Growing Naturals22.15 Sunwarrior

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/6r9a6d

Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing
focused, comprehensive and tailored research.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager press@researchandmarkets.com

For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900

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Global Plant-based Protein Market Forecasts, 2020-2025 - Rising Demand for Plant-Based Products in Sports Nutrition is a Key Opportunity - PRNewswire

If youre over 40 you DONT need to exercise more: Expert says working out smartly not harder is key to health in middle age

Exercising over the age of 40 sounds like a nightmare to some, but one man says its all about working smarter, not harder.

Survivor Australia runner-up and retired cricketer Lee Carseldine, 41, has said that a healthy lifestyle is still achievable for people over 40.

A healthy lifestyle actually isnt very hard to organise. People over 40 dont need to exercise more, they just need to exercise more smartly, Lee said.

Short workouts are actually better for you as you get older, which means exercise is more tolerable and easier to do.

The 41-year-old, who is an ambassador for Striiv, a fitness tracking device, shared his tips on how to keep active and eat healthily.

Exercise becomes boring and unsustainable when you dont change it up, according to Lee.

Dont exercise the same routine more than twice in any week and mix it up with boxing, cardio, running and fun outdoor activities, he said.

Mixing routines will also help keep a positive relationship with exercise.

Although taking your children to the gym is not recommended, it is important that they engage in physical activity as well.

We all know that kids imitate their parents and there is no better example to set them than seeing you exercise, Lee said.

Take them to the park with you while you go for a walk, or work out on their play equipment while they play.

Working your core is also crucial to keep flexibility and posture, something that will help in later life.

While some of us are scared to venture into the weights section at the gym, Lee said strengthening your body can help reduce unnecessary damage.

Weight training can help build bone density, helping with balance and this will lead to a reduction in the possibility of unnecessary falls at an older age, Lee explained.

Your 40s dont mean the end to exercise and exercise and lifestyle changes shouldnt be a daunting task.

Its never too late to start new routines and youll be surprised how much fun exercise can actually become, Lee said.

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Expert says a smart work out is key to mid life health - Stock Daily Dish

We can develop a healthier relationship with food and gain more control over what we eat.

Do you have struggles around eating? If you do, youre not alone. In the United States,millions of peoplewill fit the diagnosis for binge eating disorder at some point in their lifetime. Many more have less severe eating issuessuch as obsessing over calorie counting or feeling shame when they eat bad foodsthat wreak havoc on their health and happiness.

Often, people with problematic eating patterns are worried about their weight and attempt to lose weight by cycling through dieting regimens, which often backfire. Even if a dietdoesresult in weight loss, it can lead to an unhealthy preoccupation with food and eating.

According to Howard Farkas, a psychologist specializing in emotional eating and the author of a new book,8 Keys to End Emotional Eating, part of the problem lies in how our minds work against the goal of weight loss.

Our minds respond negatively to deprivation, says Farkas, and the self-denial that diets usually require is a recipe for failure. Restrictive eating, he says, pits willpower against our basic psychological need for personal autonomymeaning the desire to make our own choices regardless of outside pressures. When willpower fades, as its bound to do, the desire for autonomy tends to win out, causing people to turn to eating as a way of reasserting their personal control over their lives.

To overcome this pattern, says Farkas, requires something different than dieting: an end to emotional eating. After years of working with people who have disordered eating, he believes that understanding how our brains and bodies work, and honoring our desire for autonomy around eating, are the keys to developing healthier eating habits. Here are a few of his recommendations to improve your relationship with eating and food.

People sometimes eat to relieve emotional discomfort in their lives, says Farkas, and these people tend to have certain things in common. Through his work as a therapist, hes learned to identify four common patterns of emotional overeaters:

Each emotional pattern requires suppression in order to keep social relationships and opportunities safe. But suppression requires personal control, and the tension eventually becomes too much. As a result, many binge eaters find that giving up control around eating lets off steam and reasserts their sense of autonomyat least in the moment, even if that relief is followed by guilt or a sense of failure.

Overeaters also tend to have all-or-none thinkingmeaning they judge things in their lives as either all good or all bad. This kind of thinking can affect their eating habits, too. Often, they restrict their eating only to good food and eschew their own desires, not trusting their bodys cues about what they want to eat.

They think about food as either good or badnot based on how it tastes, but in categorical terms that refer to how likely it is to cause weight gain, how unhealthy it is, and even as a moral judgment that reflects on themselves if they eat it, writes Farkas. The problem with this way of thinking is that it ignores the underlying emotional tensions, which he believes will continue to plague us until we deal with them.

Many of us equate control with restraint. But, says Farkas, its better to aim for a different type of controlautonomy. To be autonomous means having the capacity and freedom for self-governance, and its the opposite of feeling externally controlled.

How can you increase your autonomy around eating? By allowing all foods back into your lifeeliminating their cachet as the forbidden fruitwhile learning to choose what you want, when you want it, rather than fighting your bodys cues. To make this easier, he suggests things like staying ahead of your hunger by adding small snacks between meals, taking smaller portions of food initially with the understanding that you can give yourself more later if you need it, and eating more consciously, allowing yourself to fully savor your food while paying attention to when eating more doesnt bring more pleasure.

If youre mindful of how much it would take to satisfy your hunger or desire for whatever youre eating, you can maximize your pleasure while keeping the amount you eat to a minimum, he writes.

While it may seem contradictory to the goal of changing your behavior, practicingacceptanceis an important part of making any healthy habit stick. That doesnt mean resigning yourself to never feeling in charge of your eating; but it does mean accepting yourself, as you are, so that you can be a good coach to yourself as you tackle new behaviors.

Changing habits can be difficulttwo steps forward, one step back. Understanding that can help you to stay on track with your goals and prevent backsliding into a what the hell, I may as well give up attitude at the first slipup. Interestingly, when we accept our feelings and urges, they have less power over us, Farkas writes. So, learning to be patient with the process and acknowledge urges we have to overeat or binge is an important part of becoming more autonomous.

While weight loss may be the goal of many people on a diet, Farkas says that this is the wrong focus, especially when measuring progress. Too many factors affect whether or not we lose weight, and diets often dont work in the long term.

Instead, he suggests, its best to give up on monitoring your weight religiously and focus instead on behavioral changes that are more likely to be sustainable. For example, you can start experimenting with smaller portions of food and paying attention to your feelings of satiety, or going out to lunch at work less often, or walking or biking to work rather than driving. Aiming for behavioral changes that can be measuredinstead of numbers on a scalehelps to keep the focus on building a healthy lifestyle, which (perhaps counterintuitively) will likely result in weight loss eventually.

These are just some of Farkass wise insights. His book contains many more keys to understanding and helping with emotional eatingincluding how to boost your coping skills around stress, how to use reasoning when you feel overwhelmed with emotion, and more. Filled with useful tips and compassionate expertise, this book could help anyone to become more conscious around their eating, whether youre experiencing issues or not. For those who suffer most, it could mean the end of emotional eating and painful dieting, and hope for a better relationship to food and life.

This article first appeared on the Greater Good,the online magazine of The Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley.

Originally posted here:
How to break free of emotional eating - Ladders

These days, we take our healthy lifestyle with us everywhere we go: in our ears, on our wrists and inside our phones. But with so many options, how do you know youve found the right fit and how do you know where your money would be best spent?

Spend a few minutes to make sure youre using the best tools and understand the ways you can be supported in achieving your goals.

We know that even a few minutes of physical activity is good for us. Wearable tech makes it easier to keep track of how youre moving, whether youre getting your heart rate up, and what more you could be doing.

Dedicated fitness devices such as Fitbit and Garmin Vivoactive take out some of the manual input, syncing automatically with tracking apps.

If you like something fancier, smart watches have loads of features and there are so many options you can afford to be choosy. For hardcore adventure, check out the Garmin Fenix series. Serious athletes can opt for a performance tracker and vest, complete with inbuilt GPS. If a brisk walk with your dog is more your style, a luxurious Fossil watch might suit.

Todays best smartwatch models can perform lots of tricks, like searching the internet with your voice, tracking your location with GPS or even monitoring your heart rate to protect your overall health. Photograph: Halfpoint Images/Getty Images.

Eating a healthy, balanced diet is vital to a long life. Fresh vegetables, wholegrains, nuts and lean meats will all support a strong body.

Look into biomarkers: anything that can indicate something about your health. Measuring these markers can help you to better understand your body and recognise when things seem out of balance. Talk to your doctor about starting with a full blood test to look at cholesterol, vitamin counts and organ function.

You can also measure some of these markers on your own, and use online personal test and dashboard apps such as InsideTracker or i-screen. Otherwise, pharmacies often have free blood pressure checks, while your wearable or smart watch probably has a heart rate tracker built in.

As an added bonus, a healthy diet is also better for the environment, which is good for everyone.

Getting a massage, going to the physio or getting a chiro treatment shouldnt just be reserved for when youre injured. Treat yourself to these preventative therapies regularly for overall body and mind health.

The great news is, if you have health insurance, you may be able to get a rebate for all these services. Health insurance covers more than just hospital visits. These days, you can enjoy all kinds of preventative healthcare, such as dental, optical, physio and massage.

Just as you expect your devices, apps and fitness gear to work for you, so should your health fund. There are two types of health funds: those run to benefit investors and shareholders, and those run to benefit members. Look for options that put people before profits, and make sure you know how to choose the right fit.

Health funds that are not-for-profit or part of a not-for-profit group are designed to give back to members. There are funds for different occupations, regional areas and community groups, and you can find yours through websites such as the Members Health Fund Alliance.

Regularly assess and review your fund to make sure its focus is to give back to members thats you. Youll usually find it means extra money in your pocket.

Whatever your healthy lifestyle choices, theres an app to help you stay focused. Most apps sync with wearables, but if thats not for you, they also have manual options.

If youre just starting out, apps such as Couch to 5K can ease you into a healthier lifestyle and encourage you along the way. MyFitnessPal is a simple way to monitor food intake, while Sleep Cycle will let you know if youre getting quality sleep.

For a more complete program, opt for an app that covers exercise regimes, food and mental wellbeing. Apple Health allows you to collate and organise all your data (including third party) in one place, around activity, mindfulness, sleep and nutrition. Strava is a popular choice for runners and cyclists, or check out Centr, which has the added bonus of Chris Thor Hemsworth. The be.come project is holistic, with a focus on loving how you feel.

If youre into weightlifting, Strong will keep you motivated, while Yoga Studio is ideal for those of us who like a good stretch. And if you want something a little different, Zombies, Run! will help you stay fit while you outrun the apocalypse.

Podcasts are rapidly becoming a favourite way to get information, so its no surprise there are lots for fitness. The Dumbbells is a funny series hosted by health-loving comedians, while Sparta Chicks focuses on practical empowerment.

Work, Play, Love is all about balancing the realities of life with being your best self. If youre interested in biohacking and pushing your body to the limits, you might enjoy Bulletproof Radio or diving into the latest in cutting-edge medical research with Rhonda Patrick of Found my Fitness or Peter Attia MD of The Drive.

And if youre just looking for great entertainment while you work out, these podcasts will have you hooked.

Staying healthy isnt just about exercising well and eating right. You have to keep your mind nourished, too.

Guided meditation and mindfulness apps, such as these by Andrew Johnson, will bring you back to emotional balance. Making time for friends and family can improve your sense of wellbeing. And make sure youre getting a good rest, so youre ready to tackle tomorrow with gusto.

To learn more about Members Health and the funds that put people before profits, go to membershealth.com.au.

More:
Hack your health: a guide to tracking yourself to a happier, healthier you - The Guardian

Sharad shares his inspirational story
Sharad shares his story at the Seattle Super Saturday - April 25th, 2015.

By: Heather Dalton - Healthy Lifestyle Coach

See original here:
Sharad shares his inspirational story - Video

(CBS Local) Healthy habits such as exercising for at least 30 minutes a day or drinking in moderation can help you stave off diseases for an extra decade, according to new research.

The study, published last week in the British Medical Journal, found that those who led a healthy lifestyle are more likely to be free of illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and type 2 diabetes.

A healthy lifestyle was defined by those with at least four of the following five factors:

Based on data from about 110,000 people, researchers from The Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health then determined how long people could live free of cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes from the age of 50.

We observed that adherence to a low-risk lifestyle was associated with a longer life expectancy at age 50 free of major chronic diseases of approximately 7.6 years in men and 10 years in women compared with participants with no low-risk lifestyle factors, the researchers concluded.

On average, the results showed that women leading a healthy lifestyle could enjoy 34.4 years free from those diseases, compared to 23.7 years for women who had none of the five healthy lifestyle behaviors.

Men who adopted at least four of the five healthy living factors could expect a further 31.1 years free from disease, in contrast to just 23.5 years for men who did not follow any of the healthy lifestyle factors.

Given the high cost of chronic disease treatment, public policies to promote a healthy lifestyle by improving food and physical environments would help to reduce health care costs and improve quality of life, said senior author Frank Hu, Fredrick J. Stare Professor of Nutrition and Epidemiology and chair, Department of Nutrition.

Read the original here:
5 Healthy Habits In Middle Age Could Help You Live 10 Years Longer, Harvard Study Finds - CBS Boston

The global market for gluten-free food products is growing at 9.1% per year. According to industry estimates, the market is predicted to reach 29.12bn by 2025.

It is understood that such impressive market growth is, in part, linked to the perception that gluten-free products are healthier than their gluten-containing counterparts. Advocacy of gluten-free diets by celebrities and health influencers may also be a contributing factor.

This begs the question: from a nutritional profile standpoint, are gluten-free products healthier? Fresh research from Irish non-government organisation (NGO) SafeFood suggests a number of misconceptions about gluten-free products exist, particularly related to health.

The island of Ireland (IOI) boasts a strong gluten-free market. In the UK, the gluten-free market was valued at 438m in 2016 up 36% from 2015. And in the Republic of Ireland (ROI), the market was estimated to be worth 66m in 2017 similarly up by 36% year-on-year.

SafeFoods research focused on products and consumers in both Northern Ireland and the ROI. The NGO surveyed nutritional information displayed on 67 gluten-free snack foods available for sale in four retailers: Dunnes Stores, Tesco, SuperValu, and Aldi.

Gluten-free snack foods included nut products, savoury snacks, cereal and baked products, and confectionery.

SafeFood also commissioned a survey of 2,018 consumers on the IOI between January and March 2019 to gather data on attitudes, behaviours, and perceptions of gluten-free diets.

Gluten is a mixture of proteins gliadins and glutelins that is found in wheat, barley, rye, oats, triticale, kamut, and spelt.

As SafeFood notes in its report, gluten is used for many different technological purposes in the processing of food, such as:

The product survey revealed that 75% of all gluten-free snack products analysed were high in fat, 69% were high in sugar, and their calorie levels were deemed similar to that of a standard chocolate bar.

Consumer survey results found that one in five people (23%) buy gluten-free foods. Yet, 92% of those people did not have a gluten-related disorder, nor had been diagnosed with coeliac disease.

A misperception of the health benefits of gluten-free products was also observed, with more than one in five respondents (23%) deeming gluten-free products to be lower in fat than gluten counterparts.

Twenty-one percent thought gluten-free products were lower in sugar, and 19% believed a gluten-free diet to be a healthy way to lose weight.

SafeFood stressed that for people with gluten-related ailments, avoiding gluten is non-negotiable.

For those people who have a diagnosis of coeliac disease or those with a gluten-related disorder, avoiding gluten in their daily diet is an absolute must, said SafeFood dietician Joana Da Silva.

Addressing all consumers, the NGO noted a number of recommendations, including not to assume that gluten-free products are healthy by default. SafeFood also urged consumers to read the front and back-of-pack nutrition information on product labels to identify options lower in fat and sugar.

The British Nutrition Foundation (BNF), which similarly acknowledged the rise in the number of people avoiding gluten as part of a healthy lifestyle, stressed that a gluten-free diet is only vital for people with gluten-related disorders, such as coeliac disease.

However, for people without a medical reason to avoid glucose, there is no consistent evidence that eating a gluten-free diet will provide any health benefit, BNF assistant nutrition scientist Alex White told FoodNavigator.

Where unnecessary to do so, cutting out gluten can potentially have adverse effects, he continued. Gluten-containing foods like wholegrain products provide many nutrientssuch as fibre and some vitamins and minerals, which may not be equally abundant in gluten-free foods and products.

A diet rich in fibre contributes for example to the maintenance of a healthy gut microbiota. In addition, products that are gluten-free can still be high in saturated fat, sugars and salt.

Both SafeFood and BNF highlighted that above all, a healthy diet is key. Select snacks that are naturally lower in fat, sugar and salt, and are a better source of fibre, such as fruit and vegetables, rather than heavily processed snack foods, advised SafeFood.

BNFs White told this publication that regardless of the dietary pattern chosen, a healthy, varied and balanced diet should be followed, based on wholegrains and fruit and vegetables, some good quality protein such as oily fish, pulses, eggs and lean meat.

The assistant nutrition scientist also recommended limiting intake of sugar and salt, and replacing foods high in saturated fat with some foods rich in unsaturated fat.

Continued here:
Unveiling gluten-free misperceptions: 'Don't assume gluten-free products are healthy by default' - FoodNavigator.com

Texas Has a Serious Food Insecurity Problem, but Texans Have Solutions

By Isobella Harkrider

When H-E-B opened its MacGregor grocery store in Houston in December, it changed lives.

The storefront is a new beginning for area residents who previously had limited access to supermarkets and now have more food options after a nearby Kroger closed in 2017. The residents of the historically predominantly African American neighborhood can now purchase their fresh produce and other grocery needs with ease. Unfortunately, simple grocery shopping for healthy food in 2020 shouldnt be such a difficulty, or a wait, but it is in Texas.

Food desert is a term that has grown in popularity over the years, for areas where theres a grocery store shortage, or when a grocery store shuts down and causes limited access to nutritious food, which affects the health of the community, especially for those without an automobile.

Feeding Texas CEO Celia Cole weighs in, Texas has the greatest number of people living in low-income and low-access (LILA) areas at 5 million and ranks sixth in the nation for the highest percentage of its population living in LILA areas at 20 percent.

Sadly, one in seven Texans experiences food insecurity, according to Feeding Texas, a nonprofit formerly known as the Texas Food Bank Network. Texas is also one of 15 states with higher food insecurity than the national average.

In reference to the grand opening of MacGregor market, Scott Packard, Houston Health Department Chief Communications Officer told Reform Austin, we consider the H-E-B MacGregor grocery store to be a great success. The reaction from the community seems to be overwhelmingly positive. Many people in this community have transportation barriers that make it very challenging, sometimes impossible, to make it to a grocery store many miles from home.

When asked about other recent changes to communities in Houston without access to grocery stores, Packard said, our department has conducted a few recent community assessments in the Kashmere Gardens and Fifth Ward communities. These communities also experience challenges with access and proximity to healthy food options. Its difficult to predict where food deserts will become better or worse. To predict forward, we would have to analyze trends in community developmental patterns, housing cost, displacement, wages and other social-economic factors.

An estimated 724,750 food-insecure individuals live in the Greater Houston area, according to the key findings from a 2019 research report from the Kinder Institute for Urban Research on food insecurities. Potential remedies arising from the research include, funders, government policies, the mindset of altruism and backbone organizations that require them to adopt to policies, processes and mindsets that encourage collaborations, promoting flexibility of operations and adopting more behavioral metrics while eschewing competitive actions.

Packard said that addressing food deserts takes a collaborative approach between the public and private sectors, and there are companies in Houston doing great work like building gardens in communities that dont have access to fresh produce.

Today the phrase food desert is well-known because it describes a big public health issue. Usually the closest food source is what influences an individuals or familys food choices, and limited access to nutritious food causes concern for health issues and illnesses, with the greatest negative health effects happening to the elderly and children. In Texas, 14.3% of children live in food-insecure homes.

Regarding the importance of healthy eating habits for children especially, as what children eat when they are young can become a foundation for their eating habits throughout their life, the Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller told Reform Austin, Texas agriculture is fundamental when promoting local foods.

The goal is to not only provide locally sourced and healthy meals for school lunches but to pass those healthy lifestyle changes along to students for each meal they choose, Miller said. I want all Texans to make health conscious decisions that will sustain local economies and build a healthier future for the great state of Texas.

What we eat and the access to healthy foods can greatly affect our lifespan, Shelby Massey, Government Relations Director for the American Heart Association, told Reform Austin, When people lack access to healthy, affordable food, they are at a higher risk of developing chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Texas and in the United States, but is eighty percent preventable by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Access to healthy, affordable food close to where a person lives greatly impacts their ability to make healthy choices.

Packard pointed out an economic effect.

The lack of fruit and vegetables can manifest as chronic diseases in young children, families and the elderly. Managing diseases, prescribing medications and related sick days from work all affect the economic productivity of a community, he said.

From a well-being standpoint, we envision a community where people are free from the impacts of chronic diseases, it begins with creating an environment where making the healthy choice is feasible and easy to do for families in Texas.

Nourishing minds and bodies can also inspire advocacy in areas prone to food deserts.

This past fall, data in a report called the Community Health Needs Assessment, by the Parkland Health & Hospital System and the Dallas County Health Department identified the geographic areas and populations that experience the most significant health disparities and most unhealthy locations of the city.

The Dallas Morning News reported the next step is to tackle the issues of health disparities piece by piece, with a more specific focus on chronic illnesses and other ailments such as pediatric asthma, breast cancer and mental health.

On the topic of food deserts reflecting a communitys health, Feeding Texas Cole adds,Texans living in food deserts face significant barriers to healthy eating, including a lack of financial resources. This can lead to diet-related illnesses and poor health outcomes and drive up state health care costs.

Not every food desert will get a gorgeous 90,000-square-foot H-E-B for their grocery demands.

Large-format grocery stores can be extremely helpful in making food more accessible for folks, but they arent usually universally sufficient solutions for food access problems, said Shelley Parks, the senior public information specialist at the City of Austin.

For example, if the store isnt accessible for someone because they dont have reliable access to a vehicle or it isnt served by transit, we cant say weve solved their food access problem, she said.

There is where Parks said smaller, neighborhood-scale stores can be extremely helpful in serving these kinds of areas.

Austin has a history of inequality and disinvestment in neighborhoods historically populated by people of color, and the current food retail environment reflects that history. The City of Austin is working now to support grocery store expansion in underserved areas, but that work is also part of a broader portfolio of food access work, Parks said.

Understandably, grocery stores want to make a profit and serve as many people as they can. However deciding where or where not to open a store can help or drastically hurt a community. Several years ago when the City of Dallas offered $3 million to any store that would open a large full service grocery store in food desert areas that really could use it, the city received no takers.

In 2017, during Texas 85th Legislature, The Texas Grocery Access Investment Fund, HB 164, failed to pass, it would have provided funds to encourage companies to open grocery stores, mobile markets and farm stands in low- and moderate-income areas to increase access to healthier
foods.

When it comes to finding a solution to food deserts, Packard, of the Houston Health Department, said, Strategies that can make a difference in these areas include alleviating transportation barriers, improving food incentive programming, increasing culturally appropriate health options. These are ideas and best practices that should be integrated into a comprehensive approach to equitable food access.

Cole, of Feeding Texas, shared with Reform Austin that numerous solutions to get food into these deserts are being piloted and some of the more effective are coming from grassroots initiatives working directly with the communities they serve.

In Texas, food banks have adopted these primary approaches to improve access to healthy food and move the needle on healthy eating, Cole said.

These include Feeding Texas, which administers a state grant called Texans Feeding Texans that rescues surplus produce from Texas growers that would otherwise go to waste and distributes it to needy families.

Cole explained that food banks operate mobile markets that deliver healthy foods directly to people living in food deserts. Last year, Texas food banks distributed over 42 million pounds of produce to families in need.

Nowadays convenience stores and gas stations sell fresh fruit and vegetables, and when located in a lower-income area, these hubs can be a major force to provide more nutrients to people who live nearby.

For some areas where the option of a supermarket or walkable farmers markets is slim, its taking do-it-yourself nonprofits to fill a void. In southern Dallas, a local nonprofit, Feed Oak Cliff, in a neighborhood that lacks fresh groceries is providing healthy options, and it started with the founders own desire for more salad spots in her neighborhood. Previously she had driven twelve miles to get a salad. Imagine carrying and trekking your groceries back home on foot. How many bags could you carry for a mile? Imagine driving over ten miles or more just to get a simple fresh salad or fresh fruit that every Texan should be able to enjoy and be nourished from.

Back in the Bayou City, Packard provides a view of how a grocery store can become the heart of a neighborhood that needs it most.

This new H-E-B store is right there in the community, more accessible to more people. In terms of community health, a grocery store in a community has countless benefits. The anticipated benefits could range from improved quality of life, increased access to foods, increase social connectedness, and improvements in many other health indicators. A grocery store is a part of the fabric of a community, the benefits will be more pronounced three to five years down the line.

The rest is here:
Texas Has a Serious Food Insecurity Problem, but Texans Have Solutions - Reform Austin

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The sixth paragraph of the release should read:For additional information on Blue Aprons wellness recipes visit: http://www.blueapron.com/pages/wellness. (instead of http://www.blueapron.com/wellness.)

The corrected release reads:

BLUE APRON ANNOUNCES NEW COLLABORATION WITH AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION TO OFFER RECIPES FOR A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

Collaboration further expands Blue Aprons selection of recipes which include Vegetarian, Carb Conscious, Plant-Forward, Mediterranean, 500 Calories or Less, and Diabetes-Friendly offerings

Blue Apron (NYSE: APRN) today announced a new collaboration with the American Diabetes Association (ADA) as part of its commitment to meeting a wide variety of household preferences and addressing the growing number of consumers interested in healthy lifestyles. Blue Apron will introduce diabetes-friendly recipes that meet ADAs Nutrition Guidance by emphasizing fresh produce and lean protein while reducing added sugar, creating a wholesome selection of meals approved by the nutrition experts at the ADA. Beginning December 30, Blue Apron will feature at least two diabetes-friendly recipes every week on its Signature Two-Serving menu and recipes will be regularly incorporated on its Four-Serving Menu starting next year.

For many people living with diabetes, knowing what to eat is one of the most challenging and critical parts of their diabetes management, said Lauren Grosz, Executive Director, American Diabetes Association. We are excited for our new collaboration with Blue Apron and this exciting opportunity to show that diabetes-friendly meals can be exciting.

The new diabetes-friendly recipes include meals such as: Spicy Salmon & Orange Relish with Salsa Verde Couscous and Quinoa & Vegetable Fried Rice with Sunny Side-Up Eggs & Peanuts, available to order starting now through Blue Aprons website and mobile app.

We are pleased to collaborate with the ADA to offer new diabetes-friendly recipes that appeal to so many consumers, including over 30 million people living with diabetes in the U.S. and those interested in general health and wellness, said Linda Kozlowski, CEO, Blue Apron. This collaboration is one part of our commitment to offering diverse and delicious meals that suit a wide variety of lifestyles and health preferences without sacrificing flavor. Our recipes, whether diabetes-friendly, carb conscious, or plant-forward, are nutritious options you truly want to eat.

In addition to the new diabetes-friendly meals, Blue Apron expanded its Signature Two-Serving menu nationally to offer 11 recipes each week including a broader selection of recipes that cater to a healthy lifestyle and a variety of dietary preferences. The new recipes include labels such as Vegetarian, Carb Conscious, Plant-Forward, Mediterranean, and 500 Calories or Less", making it easier for customers to find and select recipes for a healthy lifestyle. At least half of the recipes Blue Apron offers each week on its Signature Two-Serving plan will feature one or more of these labels, as part of its ongoing commitment to delivering balance and discoverythrough a variety of ingredients, cuisines, preparation times, and meals that range from nutritious to more indulgent.

For additional information on Blue Aprons wellness recipes visit: http://www.blueapron.com/pages/wellness.

For additional information on the ADA visit: http://www.diabetes.org.

About Blue Apron:

Blue Aprons mission is to make incredible home cooking accessible to everyone. Launched in 2012, Blue Apron is reimagining the way that food is produced, distributed, and consumed, and as a result, building a better food system that benefits consumers, food producers, and the planet. The Company has developed an integrated ecosystem that enables the Company to work in a direct, coordinated manner with farmers and artisans to deliver high-quality products to customers nationwide at compelling values.

About American Diabetes Association:

Every day more than 4,000 people are newly diagnosed with diabetes in America. Nearly 115 million Americans have diabetes or prediabetes and are striving to manage their lives while living with the disease. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is the nations leading voluntary health organization fighting to bend the curve on the diabetes epidemic and help people living with diabetes thrive. For nearly 80 years the ADA has been driving discovery and research to treat, manage and prevent diabetes, while working relentlessly for a cure. We help people with diabetes thrive by fighting for their rights and developing programs, advocacy and education designed to improve their quality of life. Diabetes has brought us together. What we do next will make us Connected for Life. To learn more or to get involved, visit us at diabetes.org or call 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383). Join the fight with us on Facebook (American Diabetes Association), Twitter (@AmDiabetesAssn) and Instagram (@AmDiabetesAssn).

Visit link:
CORRECTING and REPLACING Blue Apron Announces New Collaboration with American Diabetes Association to Offer Recipes For a Healthy Lifestyle - Business...

COSTA MESA, Calif., Dec. 17, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --New Coastal, the leading source for full-spectrum CBD-infused health and beauty products designed to ease suffering, promote well-being and combat the worldwide opioid crisis, has been named Official Wellness Provider of the Retired NFL Players Congress.

The historic and unprecedented partnership will benefit the more than 20,000 retired NFL athletes in the organization. With studies showing that CBD can help with pre and post-concussion symptoms, as well as PTSD, the partnership is a natural fit. The two organizations are dedicated to continued research in hopes of finding better, natural, solutions for veterans of the gridiron and veterans of our armed forces.

Ron Brown, the co-founder of New Coastal, was instrumental in the deal. An Olympic gold medalist and All-Pro NFL football player with over 20 years of business experience, Mr. Brown has a passion for causes aimed at treating PTSD and concussion syndromes. It's also apparent that he still values good teamwork.

"The Congress chose to work with New Coastal because they're putting together a team that can really make a difference," Mr. Brown said. "I love that New Coastal's products are extremely high-quality and that they're backed by unique CBD DNA scientific testing.

When you combine the proprietary formulas we've made with the help of the geneticists at Endocanna Health, with the doctors we're working with, like Dr. Patterson from Casa Colina and Dr. Martin at Loma Linda, I think it puts us in the position to offer the highest quality products out there both now and in the future. We'll continue to do more research, but I think we have a team that is pro bowl caliber."

For more information on New Coastal's mission, products and CBD DNA testing, visit http://www.newcoastal.shop.

About New Coastal: Founded in 2018, New Coastal is committed to providing premium CBD products that promote a healthy lifestyle and overall wellness. By offering best-in-class CBD-infused products for a fair and affordable price, Coastal is on a mission to ease pain and suffering, improve quality of life and help tackle the worldwide opioid crisis.

About Retired NFL Players Congress: Players Congress is an independent NFL alumni organization that supports retired NFL players and their families by creating business partnerships and community initiatives. For further information please send inquiry to info@retiredplayerscongress.com.

Contact: Fred Bloom

Phone: (949) 339-5500

Email: fbloom@newcoastalgroup.com

SOURCE newcoastal.shop

http://www.newcoastal.shop

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New Coastal, the Premier Source for CBD Products Promoting Health, Becomes Official Wellness Provider to Retired NFL Players Congress - PRNewswire

WeTheTrillions wants to make it easier for people - especially women - to eat healthier, with an ... [+] emphasis on fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based foods.

Its long been said that food is medicine, but the healthcare system doesnt always treat it as such. Despite the fact that we need to eat every day, multiple times a day, just to stay alive, medical schools in the U.S. provide on average only 19 hours of nutritional education throughout a doctors training.

As a result, your doctor may be able to prescribe you a medicine to treat high blood pressure, diabetes, or any number of other conditions, but they simply might not know how to advise you to try to prevent illness in the first place.

But some folks are trying to change that. WeTheTrillions is a public benefit corporation that is approaching nutritious food as not just part of a healthy lifestyle, but as one of the first to leverage technology and prescription-grade delivered meals as the frontlines of preventative healthcare to stop the epidemic of chronic conditions touching more than 60 percent of adults in the US. The company is named for the trillions of microbes in each of our gut biomes along with trillions of cells, which make up the central focus of the companys food-as-medicine because of the gut biomes role in well, virtually every part of our lives and bodies.

WeTheTrillions main product is ready-to-eat customized meal and snack options, and those who subscribe to their weekly meal plans also have access to health specialists to discuss and stay on top of their goals and concerns. They also provide software to clinicians so they can track progress and help patients reach tangible results through a customized food program. This could be for patients suffering from IBS, diabetes, anemia or any other female-related hormonal imbalances.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 50 percent of doctors recommendations to patients with chronic illnesses are not followed and this number goes up to more than 70 percent when it comes to lifestyle changes like dietary guidelines, says Lamiaa Bounahmidi, Founder and CEO of WeTheTrillions. Closing that gap is already making WeTheTrillions an appealing solution to hundreds of doctors across the US who see this as an immediate intervention to leverage theory and practice for preventative healthcare and help save trillions of dollars in healthcare bills - effectively staunching the leading public health crisis of the 21st century: chronic disease.

To know your eligibility for a WeTheTrillions program, you first start by filling out a 3-minute online intake quiz and then have a 20-min call with a health specialist to fully customize your plan and agree on clear target biomarkers levels to reach. The process is based on an aggregation of evidence-based randomized controlled trials to provide a fully science-driven approach beyond fad diets.

Notably, theyre also looking to set up machines in urban and rural food deserts that offer affordable options via subsidization through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and other government assistance programs. And all the food is 100% plant-based, a choice justified by medical evidence that currently points to a veggie-heavy diet for its abilities to fight heart disease, diabetes, and strokes as well as hormonal balance and gut health.

But their approach to food as preventative medicine is more specific and science-backed than simply offering healthy plant-based foods. While the meals are, theoretically, for anyone looking to eat well and improve their health, much of the emphasis is on using food to treat Polycystic ovary syndrome, menopause symptoms, fertility, and other issues pertaining to womens reproductive health. Even the general health issues WeTheTrillions seeks to address, like anemia, often disproportionately affect women, especially women of color.

Theres a reason to believe that this method of specifically targeting womens reproductive and general health could be an effective strategy in improving the overall health of society. Overwhelming evidence links maternal health to that of children, which together affect the overall health of society. A society with healthy women is more likely to have healthy children who will grow into healthy adults. WeTheTrillions emphasis on the health of female-sexed people is not exclusive, but it is strong and forward-thinking.

There are a plethora of premade or prepped meal kits on the market now, many of which are vegan, organic, and health-focused. Not all of them, however, can claim to have the medical emphasis of WeTheTrillions, with its specific issue-based meal plans and grand focus on making food accessible via work, school, physicians, and public assistance.In a way, its simplicity is inspiring: to improve the health of society at large, eat plants. The work of doctors, scientists, and public health experts boil down to some tasty vegetables on your plate customized to your unique health needs.

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WeTheTrillions Says The Future Of Public Health Is Female And Plant-Based - Forbes

Lets get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Supplied

To take a risk; is to venture into the unknown and the uncomfortable. It is often when we venture into this unfamiliar territory where we can grow, learn and expand ourselves as a person to be successful in life.

We all have different levels and definitions of risk as well as methods to determine if an activity is risky and, if well participate in it. When we take risks, they are considered as such because we are not certain what the outcome will be. In much of society today, we have become very risk adverse; and while this has had overarching large-scale social impacts, it has also affected our own individual decisions and behaviors.

Changing our behaviors to eat better and move more is a risk; and its one that many of us are very uncomfortable taking. There is fear and uncertainty in how we go about changing our behaviors; but also, in wondering if we even can. However, if we dont take the risk, if we dont dive into the uncomfortable and uncertain, what we do risk is far greater than simply being uncomfortable. What we risk is our health; something that none of us wants to lose.

Learning to eat better, to cook healthy, to grocery shop and to meal plan can be intimidating. Walking into a group exercise class, learning how to fit activity into our days, getting up early to go for a walk in the dark and cold can be scary. However, in taking a risk and learning to eat better and move more, the worst that can happen, is that it doesnt work out. This may leave us feeling defeated and frustrated, however; this is not failure.

If we dont reach our goals in changing our behaviours today, all we have done is given ourselves the knowledge of what may not work for us. This is not failure; its a learning experience. We cant be expected to know right away how to make changes in our lives, and how those changes will look. Eating well and being active is a skill that takes time to learn, just as with any other skill in life. Learning to type on keyboard, drive in the winter or read a book all take practice, time and risk. Learning to lead a healthy lifestyle is no different. By working towards small changes every day, we will transform our behaviours and habits. By continually showing up for ourselves and challenging our own boundaries of comfort, we are expanding our ability to succeed in making sustainable behaviour changes for a healthier lifestyle. This isnt to say that at moments we will not be uncomfortable, frustrated, or wondering what to do next. It is to say however, that we will not give up, that we deserve to live a healthy lifestyle and that our family and friends deserve to see us as a role model and an inspiration to make healthy choices of their own.

Our challenge this week is to risk it. To acknowledge our doubts, our fears and our uncertainties. To acknowledge that struggling, is not failing. While we might be afraid to take a risk, lets ask ourselves what could happen if we dont?

How will you take a risk today?

Excerpt from:
What will you risk? - Clinton News Record

Tomorrow is a new day. We often hear this phrase, offering us hope and optimism when things are gloomy.In my case, every second of every day is a new opportunity to remind myself how short life is. I assume you are having trouble deciding whether I am depressed or optimistic. The truth is that I am incredibly grateful to not only be alive, but to be living life to the fullest and appreciating it as it comes.

Being a diabetic for 24 years has taught me a lot. I hope I can share this knowledge with my grandchildren one day. The older I grow, the more I understand this complicated health issue and all the various factors that contribute to it.

Speaking about mental health has always been taboo, in both Eastern cultures and, until recently, Western ones. Poor mental health is often associated with insanity, and is never really looked at as a normal part of life. The ups and downs we go through and the challenges we face all play a significant role in our overall wellbeing. This is simply a fact of life.

Why did I decide today to discuss the correlation between mental health and diabetes? A recent German study has shown that diabetes could lead to depression and vice versa, a fact that most people are likely unaware of. Depression takes many shapes and forms. A sleepless night that most of us may brush off as insignificant could, in reality, be one of a series of sleepless nights lasting months, if not years.

It is vital that all people with diabetes regularly monitor their mental well-being and, if necessary, pay a visit to a therapist who can help them lead a healthy lifestyle. There is no shame in seeking help.

What especially motivated me to write on this topic is the recent decision by the Saudi government to substantially invest in mental health institutions, campaign for more awareness and provide support in general for all those who need it. I think this marks a revolution in the health sector, a step toward a balanced life that takes into consideration not only physical health but mental and emotional wellbeing too.

Whether we have diabetes or not, we can all benefit from paying more attention to these contributing factors that determine the quality of our lives. We should take pride in our journeys and experiences regardless of the hardships. As the common saying goes: Diamonds are only created under pressure.

Like all other taboos, we must challenge this one. There is absolutely nothing wrong with acknowledging your symptoms as a first step and taking action as the next. The health sector in Saudi Arabia today is as advanced as anywhere in the world. In fact, people from all over the Arab world visit our top-notch doctors across the Kingdom. I believe this is something we should appreciate and take advantage of to the fullest.

I hope that by the end of this article, you are fully aware of the importance of your mental well-being. Take the steps necessary to reclaim your health and happiness today.

Nada Al-Tuwaijri is an adviser at the Saudi Media Ministry

Disclaimer: Views expressed by writers in this section are their own and do not necessarily reflect Arab News' point-of-view

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Removing the stigma on mental health - Arab News

A study suggests that those who start racking up more minutes of exercise are also likely to post lower blood pressure readings, get more sleep and eat more fruits and vegetables.Bill Keay / Postmedia files

Theres no doubt exercise is good for you. If anything, the benefits of regular physical activity arent stated enough, with improved longevity, vitality and quality of life all positive outcomes of being active. Another benefit to exercise that hasnt received the attention it deserves is its ability to spark individuals to adopt healthier habits.

Eating well, sleeping well, maintaining a healthy weight, refraining from smoking, drinking in moderation and reducing sedentary time are all habits worth embracing. When combined with regular exercise, the health benefits are even greater, including slowing down the physical and mental decline often associated with aging. Yet too few Canadians exercise regularly, and even fewer can lay claim to an impressive list of healthy lifestyle behaviours.

The idea that exercise is a gateway to positive lifestyle changes isnt new. Common sense suggests the fitter you are, the more likely you are to choose healthier foods, sleep better, move more and shed some of those unwanted pounds. This has been proved time and time again by novice exercisers who suddenly cant stop talking about the success of their new diet, the number of steps they take daily and the sleep stats logged on their new smartwatch.

But up until now, there has been very little hard data supporting the theory exercise is a catalyst for healthier behaviours, which is why an article posted in the BMJ Open Sport and Exercise Medicine open-access journal is sparking interest. The articles authors reviewed the lifestyle stats accumulated by 34,061 individuals who participated in the Vitality program, an interactive online wellness platform that incentivizes healthy choices like exercise, medical checkups, sleep, healthy food choices and stress-reducing activities. The more healthy choices members make, the more points they accumulate, which they can trade for discount coupons to participating retail outlets (grocery stores, fitness clubs) or add to the point total of their corporate team vying to outperform colleagues on other teams.

The researchers wanted to use the copious data collected by Vitality to determine whether earning physical activity points was followed by improvements in engagement with other health-promoting behaviour and health markers. They also wanted to see if there were differences in healthy uptakes between those who accumulated the greatest number of exercise minutes (150 or more) per week and those who accumulated the fewest (less than 59 minutes) over the same time period.

Turns out all but the already active exercisers in the Vitality program increased the number of minutes per week they were active. And while they were racking up all those exercise minutes, they were also eating more fruits and vegetables, getting more sleep, spending less time being sedentary, cutting back on alcohol, experiencing less stress and posting better health markers (such as lower blood pressure readings).

The improvements were greatest in those with the most to gain, those with low baseline physical activity levels, said the researchers.

One of the unique aspects of the data collected by Vitality is activity monitors were worn by participants, resulting in a more accurate representation of exercise minutes than self-reported stats. Also worth noting is all lifestyle changes occurred in real-world conditions, not in a lab, which makes them more relatable to the average Joe and Jill.

Our study extends previous findings that health behaviours such as physical activity, healthy eating and abstaining from alcohol and smoking tend to co-occur in individuals and the presence of one healthy behaviour is followed by other healthy behaviours, reported the research team.

Why does establishing an exercise routine result in other lifestyle improvements? No one knows for sure, but successfully introducing an exercise habit builds confidence, especially among those who have struggled to maintain a regular workout schedule. Mastery in one domain often reinforces the ability to master another, so once someone has achieved a previously elusive fitness goal, theyre motivated to take on another challenge, like cutting down on high-calorie foods.

The message to remember in these results is change begets change. Its also notable were capable of pursuing and achieving more than one goal at a time. Taking this new information into account, monitor several lifestyle markers as you boost your activity levels. Take note of your diet, sleeping habits, blood pressure, heart rate and time spent with your feet up. Chances are if you make a commitment to boost your exercise minutes, youll be motivated to complement your efforts by making other healthy changes. Use an activity monitor to keep track of your stats and an old-fashioned notebook to chart your progress, with the end goal being an improvement in the most important health marker of all: feeling better every day.

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Fitness: How much does exercise inspire other healthy habits? - The Crag and Canyon

Getting healthy andlosing weight should not be a short-term goal, it should be a part of your lifestyle. If you eat right, exercise regularly and maintain a healthy lifestyle then you are likely to stay away from diseases. If you are suffering from obesity or want to be healthy, the food you eat becomes very crucial. A balanced diet that includes various foodstuffs packed with proteins and vitamins makes for a healthy body. Here is one such recommendation - Chia seeds:

Chia seeds are known to be obtained from a plant that usually is grown in the desserts. It is known to belong to the mint family. The seeds of the plant are usually called Chia seeds. It is known to have many health benefits and uses. Here are Chia seeds health benefits and uses.

Chia seeds are known to be low in calories. If you are looking towards losing the extra pounds then you should consider making chia seeds a part of your diet. They are known to be a great supplement for weight loss. You will lose weight and stay healthy.

Chia seeds are known to have high fibre content. Having high fibre content helps in your digestion process. If you suffer from constipation or digestion issues, you should start consuming chia seeds. They are also known to help you in managing the blood sugar levels in your body.

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This is yet another chia seed health benefit. Chia seeds are known to behave anti-oxidant properties that help you to reduce the inflammation. If you suffer from common bacterial infections and want to stay away from the cold, then consuming Chia seeds will prove helpful. The anti-oxidant properties help to reduce and fight bacterial infections.

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Chia seeds are known to have higher protein content. That will help you build muscles and lose the extra weight and calories. Apart from that, they are also known to contain vitamins, potassium and other components that are essential for your body.

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You can consume chia seeds by sprinkling it to fruits and salads. You can also add these to pudding, it will add taste to the pudding and will be healthy. You can mix chia seeds with sugar and honey. Add a cup of milk and combine the ingredients well.

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Disclaimer: The content provided above is for information purposes. This is no way intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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5 health benefits of chia seeds you must be aware of - Republic World - Republic World

Dont you want to live as long and happy as you can? Have less medical bills. Wake up with more energy throughout the day. Dont worry about high cholesterol and blood pressure. These are all things that you can attain while living a healthy lifestyle. No one said it was easy. You have to be mentally strong and have will power made of steal. Thats why I decided to give you 15 motivating quotes for a healthy lifestyle.

1. The best feeling is when you know that no one thinks you can do something. Then you prove them all wrong.

2. Nothing worth having is ever easy to come by. The same goes for a healthy life. There may be some hard decisions and a lot of discipline, but when you get what you earn you will appreciate it so much more.

3. Some people may think youre crazy for giving up certain foods. Some people may think youre even crazier if you workout two or three times in a day. Soon enough they will be asking you how you managed to do it.

4. Worry about the big picture. That means a life long habit of training your body and eating well on a regular basis. Your body will take care of the rest.

5. Dont give up just because you think youre trying and you dont see the results that you want. You can push yourself to limits that you never thought possible, only if you really want something.

6. Everyone has will power, including you. If you make a decision to change something in your life then mean it. Go as furiously as you can towards that decision. Dont waver. That will give a chance for doubt to seep in.

7. When you hit obstacles in the road, more often then not you cant control it. What you can control is how you respond to that obstacle that made you fall. Its your decision how confidently you get back up and back on track. Only worry about what you can control.

8. Its not about how fast youre moving. As long as youre moving towards your goals, you are making yourself better. Thats all that matters. Being healthy and strong is a lifelong journey, so you dont have to rush.

9. Look back at #6. Its all about your mindset. If you make a decision and stick by it, everything else will take care of itself.

10. Whatever your best is, give that effort in everything that you do. If you try your hardest then in the end there will be no regrets. You will be ultimately happy with the result.

11. You only get one body and one life on this earth. Respect yourself and love yourself enough to take the best care of yourself.

12. You are the only one who can change you. You are the only one who can make decisions for yourself. You are in full control so there is no excuses. Chase after the body, mind, and health that you want.

13. Nothing will happen if you stand by idly, or just wish for it. A healthy lifestyle requires work, and no one is going to do it for you. Climb your own ladder to success.

14. To reach a goal, first you have to figure out what you want. Picture yourself as the person you want to be and then go after it. Constantly have a clear picture in your mind. Think about it all the time until you reach it. Then guess what? Set another goal to make yourself even better.

15. You are mentally and physically stronger than you ever thought possible, but you wont ever figure that out until you put yourself in that situation. Pursue situations that challenge your mind and body.

If you havent already started making changes in your lifestyle to be more health conscious, I hope this motivated you to do so. Your body is counting on you. Just simple changes in your lifestyle can save you tons of money on doctor visits and medication. Its definitely worth the effort. If you want some advice on how to start living healthier check out the article, The Best Advice On Starting The Healthy Life. Share this with your friends on facebook if you know anyone who is trying to make some healthy changes. The beginning can be the hardest part. But NEVER quit!

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15 Motivating Quotes For A Healthy Lifestyle - SteadyStrength

Two years ago, Alex Timmons and his wife, Hannah, were feeling overwhelmed with their lives. At the time, Alex was running a tech startup in the San Francisco Bay Area, but his work didnt feel rewarding, and was deteriorating his health.

My work wasnt helping people; it was just helping influencers get rich, and the stress I put on myself to succeed led to countless sleepless nights and even a trip to the hospital, he told us.

Hannah, who was working a high-end marketing job, was dealing with chronic anxiety and struggling to quiet her negative self-talk.

They decided to reset their lives by attending a weeklong retreat at the Mountain Trek Fitness Retreat and Health Spa in Ainsworth Hot Springs, British Columbia. Alex said he and Hannah thought that the mountain setting would help them unwind, while the healthy eating and exercise components would help them find the balance they sought.

They werent just pleased with the experience they were amazed by it. That retreat changed their lives profoundly.

That week helped us recognize that extremes dont get us where we want to go, Alex said.

Mountain Trek Fitness Retreat and Health Spa can help couples balance their lives and get healthy.

When they returned to their lives in San Francisco, Alex and Hannah implemented the habits they learned at Mountain Trek. They felt like they could not only eat cleaner and sleep better but also keep their stresses and anxieties under control.

But Alex still wasnt satisfied with his job, as he didnt think his work helped anyone.

My job had no reason or value, he told us.

So, Alex and Hannah decided to drastically change their lives by becoming Co-Owners of Mountain Trek the place where their transformation started. They wanted to help others make the same health and lifestyle improvements.

As Alex knows from experience, a trip to Mountain Trek can make a lasting impact on guests.

When you come to our welness retreat, you go through a profound health reset, he said.

Guests come to Mountain Trek for a variety of reasons. Some want to disconnect from their lives at home, but many others have health concerns or anxiety.

Most guests (70%) are from the United States, while the other 30% come from Canada.

Our guests are mostly in their late 30s to their early 60s. Theyre usually well ahead in their careers, but that often comes at the cost of their health and well-being, Alex said.

The Mountain Trek program has five fundamental tenets: fitness, nutrition, stress management, sleep, and detoxification.

The fitness part of the experience includes daily mountain hikes of three to four hours. Guests can choose their level of difficulty, as well, so some guests might take part in a challenging hike one day and a less strenuous one the next.

Daily hikes help guests get active while connecting with nature.

Each day, four levels of hikes depart from the lodge. They are led by trained guides who know the area and who make the experience enjoyable. And guests are treated to views of some of the most scenic vistas in the world.

Hiking is such a critical part of the process because time in nature is proven to lower cortisol levels, which is the hormone that causes stress. Further, along with the healthy eating habits promoted at the retreat, guests see their muscle mass increase, and their weight decrease.

Were not a place for couples to come to sit by the lake and drink wine. Its for couples who understand a little hard work goes a long way. In addition to the daily hikes, sunrise yoga and evening fitness classes are on the schedule. Alex said.

In addition to adopting a fitness routine, Mountain Trek teaches guests how to change their eating habits. According to Alex, many people dont eat properly, consuming the wrong foods at the wrong times in the wrong proportions. Instead, they eat too much starchy, sugary, and processed foods, resulting in lower energy levels and expanding waistlines.

Our program follows a 12-hour cycle. We eat six meals from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. They are lower-carb, higher-protein meals that sustain and balance energy. We teach our guests to eat for fuel, not for fun, Alex said.

The retreat also doesnt allow guests to drink alcohol or caffeine. That can be a significant change in many peoples lives.

People really do go through a metabolic reset while at the retreat, said Alex.

But that doesnt mean the retreat deprives guests of anything tasty. For example, Chef Simon Vine recently cooked a delicious meal of rutabaga spaghetti with tempeh-almond meatballs and a tomato-cashew sauce as a healthier substitute to the traditional pasta dish. The chef also prepares snacks that help kickstart the metabolism of guests.

Eating healthy for a week or two is one thing, but Mountain Trek also provides guests with the skills to be mindful about cooking and eating at home. That is one of the key reasons that many guests decide to come to Mountain Trek with their spouses or partners; they want to have someone who can help them stick to these healthy-eating guidelines.

We educate you on how to implement a healthy lifestyle. So, if you come with a spouse or partner, you get to be each others support system when you return home, Alex said.

Though fitness and healthy eating are important parts of the Mountain Trek experience, they arent the only components. The retreat also focuses on ensuring that guests find a balance in each of the retreats other key elements; stress management, sleep, and detoxification.

For example, if youre not eating well, but youre sleeping enough, you still may not feel great. If youre eating and exercising regularly, but you never take a break from alcohol or caffeine, you likewise may not reach your full potential.

When you balance the five elements, they compound upon each other, Alex said.

During the program, guests see significant changes in themselves over a short time. Many people are overwhelmed by the lifestyle changes the retreat asks them to make, but, if they make those sacrifices, theyre satisfied with the results.

Mountain Trek guests enjoy healthy, delicious meals prepared by an in-house chef.

It takes effort to make it through the program, but people leave feeling like theyre 10 years younger. Theyre lighter and happier, Alex told us.

Mountain Trek offers such a life-changing experience for guests that they can often completely reset their lives at home, too. When guests incorporate those elements into their daily lives, they see dramatic changes. Alex said that the staff regularly receives calls from people who have maintained their lifestyle changes for years after the retreat.

Couples who complete Mountain Trek together can also forge new bonds on their journeys to healthier, happier futures, and the challenges required as part of the growth during the retreat often make them stronger.

When couples have these shared experiences, they deepen their relationship. Theyll push their limits and learn about themselves in those moments. They will strengthen their bond, Alex said.

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Mountain Trek Retreat Changes the Way Couples Think About Health - DatingNews

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I read Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loongs National Rally Speech 2017 with interest.

Diabetes mellitus and the associated problem of being overweight are indeed huge health problems for Singaporeans.

Diabetes leads to many complications, which extend beyond the kidneys, heart, and brain.

Half to three-quarters of diabetic patients have fatty liver disease, which has become the most common liver problem in many countries, including Singapore and the United States.

Even in China, where Hepatitis B is prevalent at 10 per cent, the occurrence of fatty liver disease in the general population there is estimated to be 20 per cent.

Patients with the disease are at risk of liver cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer. It is expected to be the major cause of liver problems in the next few decades.

Right now, there is no effective and safe medication for treating fatty liver disease.

Most of the clinical research on pharmacological agents that alter the course of fatty liver disease is still ongoing.

However, most studies have shown that weight loss and regular exercise are key, proven treatments for fatty liver disease. A loss of 5 per cent of ones body weight would lead to an improvement in liver function.

As PM Lee said, there is no single magic way to treat diabetes mellitus. Multiple angles of treatment are needed.

Encouraging people to have a healthy diet and do daily exercise for 30 to 60 minutes are the cornerstones of treating diabetes, as well as the associated problem of fatty liver disease.

It is time for all stakeholders including doctors, patients, food sellers, food manufacturers, and the associated government agencies such as the National Environment Agency and Active SG, as well as the Health Ministry to work together in laying out strategies to help people lead a healthy lifestyle.

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Time to work together on plans for a healthy lifestyle - TODAYonline