Rest Day Workout Ideas To Include In Your Recovery Routine

September 14, 2021 Karen A. Mulvey

Rest days or active recovery routines are an important part of your training. Without it you won’t see the gains that you might otherwise. More importantly, not taking rest days can take a serious toll on your health. You’ll get sick more often and won’t sleep well. It might sound counterproductive, but even the top athletes in the world take days off from training.

You don’t have to stay inactive on your rest days. Instead, try one of the exercises suggested above. Not only does active recovery improve your performance, it also prevents potential injuries. Just make sure you don’t push yourself too hard during your recovery days. For example, if you’re not a runner, jogging might not be the best recovery day activity. On the other hand, if you’re training for a marathon, a light jog might be just the thing you need. It all depends on your physical level and training.

Essential Stretches to Help Relieve Soreness From a Plane Flight

September 5, 2021 Jessica Lauren

Relieve Soreness With These Simple Stretches

Whether it’s your neck, shoulders, knees, or ankles that are stiff after a long flight, these stretches should help you loosen things up after a long day of travel.

While you’re probably not going to be able to do your normal yoga routine while you’re on a red-eye flight across the country, the good news is that you can stay relatively limber by doing these simple moves. Tension and stiffness are gone!

Now, if only it was possible to get rid of that annoying seat mate who keeps hogging the armrest!

Easy Ways To Develop Healthier Online Habits

June 24, 2021 Karen A. Mulvey

It’s never too late to start taking steps towards a healthier and more productive life. If you feel like your online habits are negatively impacting your health or work, take these easy-to-implement tips into consideration today.

You don’t have to change everything at once or all by yourself when it comes to your online health- just pick one of the healthy changes below and give it an honest try for two weeks. Consider enlisting an accountability partner to help you work through this challenge - you’re sure to see a difference if you give it some time!

Benefits of Taking Cold Showers In The Morning

June 23, 2021 Lisa Czachowski

As the weather starts to get warmer, many people start looking for ways to beat the heat. One way you can do this is by taking a cold shower in the morning. Studies show that taking a cold shower every morning will improve your mood and energy levels throughout the day.

By waking up with an invigorating ice-cold blast of water, you’ll be able to enjoy your workday better than before! Although it might seem daunting at first, after just one week of doing so you won't want anything else - guaranteed.

If you're considering giving it a try but think it might be too drastic or extreme, consider easing into this practice gradually by starting with just 5 minutes at first before working up to 10 or 15 minutes total per day over time.

Here’s another easy way to acclimate yourself to cold showers. Start by rinsing with warm water at the end of your shower, then gradually make it cooler until it’s cold. Rinse just your right leg with the cold water, starting on the outside of your ankle. This spot is the furthest from your heart so it will deliver less of a shock to your system.

Work your way gradually up your body, moving to your other leg and then your arms on both sides. Then, rinse your core with cold water. By the time you get to your core and your head, your body will be used to the frigid temperature.

You can also start by turning down the water temperature gradually during your normal shower time so it's not as shocking of an experience when you turn on the tap - although we recommend going all-out and embracing icy mornings!

How To Clean Your Yoga Mat

June 6, 2021 Karen A. Mulvey

A dirty yoga mat means that you’re using it, which is great. Of course, what’s not great if you keep it dirty. Just spending 5-10 minutes every day disinfecting the yoga mat can help improve your health and the mat’s lifespan. Of course, that’s so long as you follow the proper care instructions!

When it comes to giving your yoga mat a deep clean, you really don’t have to do it too often so long as you are consistently disinfecting. In general, you should give your mat a good scrub down at least once a month. This can remove whatever built up sweat and smells that accumulate on it. While it might not look like new, it’s a badge of honor to have a ‘broken-in’ yoga mat. That means you take your health and fitness goals seriously. Of course, don’t hold on to a mat that’s too worn down. Once it loses its stickiness or if there are just too many tears, it’s time to replace it. Disinfecting and cleaning your mat might seem like a hassle at first, but once you build up the habit it will become second nature to keep your workout gear clean.

The Dangers of Overtraining

June 5, 2021 Jessica Lauren

Even if you’re not going through the same intense workout schedule as a professional athlete, you can actually overtrain if your usual activity level suddenly jumps from inactive to very active. It’s important to listen to your body. If you’re noticing that you are getting sick a lot or not able to lift as much as a week ago, you should take some time off instead of pushing through.

Remember, recovery time is your friend and an important part of any workout plan. You should respect your rest days as much as you do your gym days. Of course, for best results you should also make sure to get enough sleep and eat a well balanced diet of whole grains, vegetables, lean protein, and healthy fats. If you’re just getting started with working out, you should see get a personal trainer to keep you on track.

Top Coloring Books For Adults Relaxation

May 29, 2021 Lisa Czachowski

Our world is a stressful place, and anything that you can do to lessen stress or anxiety is a welcome reprieve. While many people think of coloring as a kid’s activity, coloring can actually be a great stress reliever for adults. If you are looking to give this popular trend a try, then take a look at our top picks for some of the best adult coloring books out there. No matter what it is that you are interested in coloring, there are sure to be option on this list that you will love. Now go get relaxing.

Top Strategies for Staying Motivated During the Pandemic

May 9, 2021 Karen A. Mulvey

There are not many things that are easy to do during the COVID-19 pandemic, including keeping your motivation up. No matter what you are struggling to stay motivated with, it is frustrating to not hold the same amount of enthusiasm that you used to. Again, remember that you are not the only person who is suffering from this problem.

If you notice that you are consistently unmotivated, consider giving yourself a chance to relax, finding a fun hobby, or meeting with some friends on Zoom. Sometimes pushing yourself and setting goals for the day might be what you need. More than anything, do not forget to give yourself some grace, and accept that you are in difficult times.

Top Tricks To Exercise Your Brain

May 8, 2021 Shana Thompson

When you exercise your muscles you increase blood flow and oxygen which leads to an increased amount of endorphins being released that helps fight depression and anxiety.

Exercising your brain is just as important as, if not more than, exercising the rest of your body. The human mind needs to be exercised too!

There are many different types of exercises that can be performed on a daily basis in order to keep our minds sharp such as crosswords puzzles, Sudoku, or solving complex math problems.

In today's society, our brains are being pushed to the limit of their capabilities. With technology and social media constantly evolving it is easy to see why people feel as if they need a break from all the stimulation.

There are many different ways you can exercise your brain in order to improve and maintain your brain health. Consider the tips above to boost memory and get sharper over time!

Common Feelings That College Students Might Have During The Pandemic

April 9, 2021 Jessica Lauren

College students are often considered one of the most vulnerable populations during a pandemic. They have less knowledge and experience with medical treatments, and they might be away from their support systems.

It is all too easy to feel as though your health, particularly your mental health, is at risk during these difficult times. However, by paying attention to your own worries and following these health tips, you'll be better prepared to weather anything this unusual storm throws your way!