Wellness

September 15, 2015

Hit the Reset Button This Month!

As summer vacations wrap up and kids head back to school; we settle back into a more regular routine.  Over the years many of my clients have come to me asking for tips on how to get back on track with their healthy habits.  My suggestion…. Hit the reset button and focus on a few simple habits.

Reset button

Here are four most common healthy habits you might want to hit “reset” on this fall.

  1. Lack of Exercise– There is nothing wrong with reducing your regular workout routine for some relaxing vacation time but as we head into the fall, setting aside specific time for you and your family to be active is important. Set an example for your family and show them that even with your own busy schedule you make time for physical activity each week. We have plenty of fitness activities for all ages at the Sportsplex this fall- See our Fall Brochure for details.
  2. Dinning Out- While travelling and socializing we often find ourselves eating out more frequently in the summer months or indulging in meals we wouldn’t normally eat as often. The fall is a great time to focus on preparing your own healthy meals at home as much as possible.  Need help? Ask Doreen our onsite Dietitian for tips on preparing healthy meals for your family.
  3. Sweet Treats- We all love to grab an ice cream on a hot day or have s’mores by the campfire but try limiting your sweet treats to once a week!
  4. Alcoholic Drinks- Cold beer on a patio, frozen cocktails at the cottage, champagne & OJ with brunch …they add up! Cheers to a great summer, but try limiting your alcoholic drinks to the recommended standards.  I often suggest clients take a break from weekday drinks and save having a cocktail or beer for on the weekends while relaxing.

The secret to success when improving your healthy habits is making small changes each week and avoiding the “all or nothing” approach.

December 11, 2014

Sleep Well… Every Night!

Beautiful woman sleeping in bed peacefully at home in bedroom  Do you have problems falling asleep at night? During the hectic holiday season, getting enough restful sleep is essential. Rather than reaching for sleep aids try just 5 minutes of stretching before bed. Focusing on breath while stretching allows your body to relax and sheds unnecessary muscle tension.  You may also find that you sleep better though the night!

 

  1. Lay on your back. Take a deep breath out and draw your knees into our chest. Hold for three deep breaths, and release your knees. Repeat this a few times.

Back Stretch.gif

  1. Sit crossed legged. Rotate your torso to one side, and take a deep breath out. Roll your body down, aiming your forehead to your one knee. Stop once you feel a gentle stretch and hold for three slow breaths. Repeat towards the opposite side.

 

  1. Lay on your stomach with your forearms and hands on the ground beside you. Take a deep breath out, push from your forearms and arch your back. Hold for one breath and lower. Repeat three times.

Cobra pose

 

Practicing good “sleep hygiene” is important for getting a restful sleep every night. In addition to doing some light stretches and deep breathing, there are a few things that you can do to improve your sleep:

 

  • Avoiding stimulants like caffeine, alcohol and nicotine in the hours before bed.
  • Use the bedroom only for sleeping—watch tv, use the computer and do other activities in other rooms as much as possible. Avoid using the bedroom to do work-related activities.
  • Establish a pre-bedtime routine: try to do the same few things before you go to bed, such as a quick tidying of a room, preparing lunch for the next day, reading a book, or doing some journaling. The routine creates an association in the brain between those activities and sleeping.
  • Maintain a consistent schedule: as much as possible go to sleep and wake up at the same times each day. This will set your internal clock so that your body can learn when to start making hormones that make you feel sleepy.
  • Keep the bedroom cool and dark. Your body has a set temperature that is slightly lower when you sleep, and if your room is too hot your body has trouble getting to that point, and can make sleep difficult. A dark room helps the body to send sleep signals as well.

 

Sleep well!