5 Things That Lead to Greater Happiness

June 3, 2020Health, Health Promotion, Lifestyle, Wellnessgoal setting, happiness, health, lifestyle, lifestyle health, nutrition, physical health, sleep health, stress health, Well-being, wellnessashleyhealth101

A happy, healthy life is something to aspire to. There are a few things that can help to achieve one.

The first thing to keep on the radar is that happiness and health are interrelated as this article from Healthline elaborates on. Therefore, working on either area as an overarching aim will also influence the other. Pretty neat!

Furthermore, setting specific, clear goals that contribute to each area will help ensure attainability.

The simple act of placing focus on the things that provide positive emotion can also play a role in achieving a greater sense of happiness. Pursuing things that are enjoyable, positive thinking and visualization techniques, and having a sense of purpose are all supportive of finding this focus.

Lowering stress levels can have compelling results that can range from boosting the mood to reducing inflammation in the body. Interconnected with this is getting sufficient and good quality sleep. This includes both nightly sleep and other facets of rest such as naps or meditation.

Bursts of physical activity will release endorphins which will then trigger a cascade of biological functions in the body and lead to more uplifting feelings. Much of this is associated with hormonal related activity in the body which is significant to mental health. The great news is it doesn’t necessarily need to be higher-level athletic activity. Although keeping up a motivating fitness regime is fantastic in many ways, even daily walking will get the “happy” hormone cascade going within the body.

Finally, a focus on good, quality nutrition could one of the best things to help achieve a happier, healthier life. Even business-focused magazines such as Forbes have highlighted the connections between maintaining a healthy diet and positive mental well-being! Although a specific, individualized dietary structure is a rather specialized area, the focus on a rich variety of vegetables and fruits is the one theme that is salient across all nutritional research.

To recap, 5 things that lead to greater happiness are:

Set specific, clear goals

Do things that lead to positive emotion

Lower stress & Sleep well

Stay physically active

Eat well

It is important for overall happiness to strike a balance and not scrutinize over various ebbs and flows, for example, the occasional pleasure food that isn’t necessarily 100% nutritionally optimized, a missed fitness day, or other monkey wrenches that may come into the mix of a good, healthy routine.

Photo by Caju Gomes on Unsplash

Sources:

Arab, A., Mehrabani, S., Moradi, S., & Amani, R. (2019, Jan). The association between diet and mood: A systematic review of current literature. Psychiatry research, 271, 428–437.

Blaszczak-Boxe, A. (2016, Jul 14). Eating More Fruits & Veggies May Make You Happier. LiveScience. Retrieved from https://www.livescience.com/55407-eating-more-fruits-veggies-linked-with-life-satisfaction.html.

Bradt, G. (2015, May 27). The Secret of Happiness Revealed by Harvard Study. Forbes. Retreived from https://www.forbes.com/sites/georgebradt/2015/05/27/the-secret-of-happiness-revealed-by-harvard-study/#25a4c2e26786.

Bridges, F. (2019, Jan 26). Healthy Food Makes You Happy: Research Shows A Healthy Diet Improves Your Mental Health. Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/francesbridges/2019/01/26/food-makes-you-happy-a-healthy-diet-improves-mental-health/#5ae265f326f8.

Coyle, D. (2017, Aug 27). How Being Happier Makes You Healthier. Healthline. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/happiness-and-health.

Głąbska, D., Guzek, D., Groele, B., & Gutkowska, K. (2020, Jan 1). Fruit and Vegetable Intake and Mental Health in Adults: A Systematic Review. Nutrients, 12(1), 115.

Grohol, J.M. (2018, Jul 8). The Connection Between Mental & Physical Health. PsychCentral. Retrieved from https://psychcentral.com/blog/the-connection-between-mental-physical-health/.

Harvard Medical School (n.d.). The Happiness-Health Connection. Harvard Health Publishing. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/the-happiness-health-connection.

Mead, E. (2019, Nov 21). 6 Benefits of Happiness According to the Research. PositivePsychology.com. Retrieved from https://positivepsychology.com/benefits-of-happiness/.

Siahpush, M, Spittal M, Singh, G.J. (2008, Sep-Oct). Happiness and Life Satisfaction Prospectively Predict Self-Rated Health, Physical Health, and the Presence of Limiting, Long-Term Health Conditions. American Journal of Health Promotion, 23(1), 18-26.

Veenhoven, R. (2019, Aug 14). Will Healthy Eating Make You Happier? Research Synthesis Using an Online Findings Archive. Applied Research in Quality of Life.

How to Boost Your Health as a Busy Working Mom

May 14, 2020Health, Health Promotion, Lifestyle, Well-being, Wellnesshappiness, health, health and wellness, lifestyle, mental health, productivity, stress, success, tips, Well-being, wellnessashleyhealth101

Do you struggle as a busy working mom? It may seem hard to maintain balance and keep health a priority.

According to the Pew Research Center, mothers are spending more time in the labor force, as compared to prior generations, and many of them report feeling a lot of pressure to find an appropriate balance between their roles as a professional and a parent (2019).

This study summary, published in the Journal of Happiness Studies, honed in on psychological factors related to working mothers. The researchers concluded that the mother’s sense of well-being dropped when feelings of inadequacy, pressures, or less social connectedness were present (2017).

Some of these feelings could easily arise when a sense of balance is challenged and schedules feel hectic or erratic. Furthermore, this could lead to overwhelm and be emotional taxing which can increase adverse stress levels. Also, it could inadvertently put positive self-care and health on the back-burner.

Three ways to bring about a little calm to the chaos and, therefore, recenter focus on balance and good health could include the following;

Establish an iterative routine – Routines can help to keep various facets on the priority list. They are great when they are realistic. However, chances are pretty high that, as a busy working mom, there will be the need to incorporate a little flexibility. Therefore, planning various buffer time or blocking off a few extra time slots in the calendar can help to plan for unexpected interruptions.

Create a personal wellness zone – This is a tactic used in workplace wellness and some may be the lucky ones with access to these companies that provide wellness zones. However, others may be working from home or amid of work-related travel. Therefore, a little creativity to set up a tailored wellness zone may be necessary. This could include designating a place for meditation, finding a quiet area for napping, or structuring a space for a workout.

Leave time to wind down – Sleep is one of the most significant factors in human health. Yet, it can be easily disrupted as a person’s anxiety levels increase. Similar to elevated and adverse stress levels, inadequate sleep can wreak havoc on the human body and lead to feeling pretty crumby. Also, depending on the age of children, there may be uncontrollable disruptions. Emphasizing good quality sleep when possible can be well-worth the priority. Finding ways to wind down can help ensure that sleep and times of rest are both adequate and more relevant in quality.

Other tips and tricks to find greater balance and boost health include the following:

Prioritize family communication
Carefully delegate tasks and to do’s
Spend time in nature
Leave time for creative thought
Use a journal
Incorporate mindfulness approaches

Finally, this Thrive Global article, 21 Productivity Hacks for Working Moms, provided a pretty fantastic list of suggestions to help simplify while also getting a lot of things done.

Sense of accomplishment from and contributions made to work can be significant intrinsic motivators as well. Finding a good balance between this role and other responsibilities, such as that of a parent, can be supportive of good overall health and well-being.

Photo credit(s): Sue Zeng on Unsplash

Ashley L Arnold, MBA, MPH is a lifestyle health educator and coach who supports clients to channel authority over their health, well-being, and overall vitality. Offering health education approaches and 1-on-1 coaching modules, she gets them out of excess weeds of information and inconsistent practices that don’t get desired results. Through helping people focus on the right applications paired with appropriate consideration for bio-individual facets, they become stronger, more confident self-advocates for their health. Bottom line, they will surpass challenges, embrace healthful living with ease, and, best of all, feel a greater sense of empowerment and more energy!

In need of formalized support to make healthful lifestyle changes? Contact me through my business site.

Stress and Well-being are Top of Mind in 2020 {ironically, April is Stress Awareness Month}

April 7, 2020Health, Lifestyle, Well-being, Wellnesshealth and wellness, lifestyle, motivation, Perspective, stress health, workshopashleyhealth101

Are you concerned about your stress and well-being?

Stress and the sense of worry have catapulted. The various unexpected circumstances and interruptions this year (2020) have led to significant changes in many people’s lives including daily routines.

All of this sheds further light on stress health. Times that are riddled with unexpected circumstances can present a great opportunity as well.

It is not uncommon for people, in their busy day-to-day, to put stress health on the back burner. Yet, excess elevated stress levels that are not appropriately dealt with can cause a cascade of other health-related impairments.

…furthermore, making it more challenging to stay healthy.

This includes interference to our immune health, sleep, physical health, mood, and emotional well-being. More details can be found from sources such as The American Institute of Stress.

An important concept to understand is that not all stress is bad. Stressors can help to build resilience and, in a sense, make us stronger. The New York Times recently published a nice write-up on this facet.

Finding ways to focus on how you respond to stressors in the day-to-day can be well worth the while. Often, it is just about getting started… pressing that imaginary “begin” button.

Developing a healthy relationship with stress can catalyze improvements in health and well-being as a whole.

If you are one of those people who have put stress health on the back burner OR need a simple format to get started, I have something for you.

In my service business, I have unlocked a 3-day workshop focused on a “keep it simple” approach to addressing stress in your daily lives.

Visit our News and Updates section to learn more.

Photo credit(s): Hello I’m Nik 🎞 on Unsplash

In need of formalized support to make healthful lifestyle changes? Contact me through my business site.

5 Ways Good Wellness Helps to Optimize Your Productivity

February 13, 2020Health, Lifestyle, Well-being, Wellnessgoals, habits, happiness, health, Healthy, lifestyle, lifestyle health, motivation, productivity, stress health, success, tips, Well-being, wellnessashleyhealth101

There are some compelling connections between good wellness and your overall productivity.

Whether you are a business owner, employee, freelancer, or stay-at-home parent, taking these associations into account may be of significant help to reap certain rewards. Honing in on good wellness in support of personal productivity can be great for the following:

Help you to get things done
Contribute to meaningful progress towards your goals
Ultimately, lead to a more flawless journey from point A to B when it comes to your Achievements, Desired Outcomes, and other areas of Success

Implementers of workplace wellness offerings have been rather keen on this for years. Studies on these programs have observed improvements in various productivity measures across the workforce population that were enrolled. Also, positive changes were shown in both people considered healthy and sick, such as those with at least one chronic health condition.

As an individual, a proactive approach to wellness is certainly an area to consider for both personal health outcomes and productivity-related results.

Poorer health may interfere with the ability to function well. Furthermore, it can result in certain limitations. Although not all health conditions are within our immediate control, engaging in wellness programs and activities can help to prevent certain impairments in our health and well-being.

5 ways that good health and wellness can influence productivity include the following;

Improved mental clarity and focus. People who are in good or better health tend to comment that they also feel better mentally. Also, certain activities and habits, such as physical activity, meditation, getting sufficient sleep, and eating well can help out our internal biochemistry and the brain which can lead to better memory, executive functioning, and overall cognition.
Stress-reduction and reduced burnout. Wellness can also support people to learn coping mechanisms for when life puts on the pressure, especially considering that many people are juggling to maintain a good balance across priorities. The American Institute of Stress has been monitoring facets related to the onset of stress, including work-related factors. High-stress levels may lead to missed days at work, less focus while completing tasks, and a poorer outlook. Many health-related activities lead to reduced stress levels.
Greater levels of happiness. Although complex, research suggests that “happy workers” feel more satisfied and are more productive. The exact path leading to someone’s happiness includes several factors, however, people participating in various health related-activities and wellness programs report a greater sense of well-being including overall happiness and a favorable outlook on life. Furthermore, more engagement in healthy activities may also reduce loneliness.
Enhanced motivation and well-being. Health and wellness as a whole is a great area to plan, work for, track, and achieve goals. The function of this alone can encourage positive motivation which can have a bit of an amplification effect for other aspects of both productivity and positive well-being.
Fewer unplanned interruptions due to illness. Better immune health can serve as a catalyst to avoid the onset of illnesses or, at least, reduce the severity. Certain good health practices can help to take a proactive approach to protect and boost the immune system.

Habits such as nourishing the body through good food, taking breaks for physical activity and social time, leaving time for creativity or creative thought, and getting enough quality sleep are all areas that make up “good wellness”. A more comprehensive list of suggestions is included in a Thrive Global article focused on correlations between well-being and higher performance.

Photo credit(s): krisna iv on Unsplash

In need of formalized support to make healthful lifestyle changes? Contact me through my business site.

References:

American Institute of Stress, The (n.d.). Workplace Stress. Retrieved from https://www.stress.org/workplace-stress.

Gubler, T., Larkin, I., and Pierce, L. (2017, Dec 19). Doing Well by Making Well: The Impact of Corporate Wellness Programs on Employee Productivity. Management Science, 64(11), 4967-4987.

Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School (2020, Jan 29). 12 Ways to Keep Your Brain Young. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/12-ways-to-keep-your-brain-young.

Krause, W. (2017, May 7). Wellbeing is Correlated to Higher Performance. Thrive Global. Retrieved from https://medium.com/thrive-global/why-well-being-has-everything-to-do-with-productivity-bc89ecc09959.

Peiró, J. M., Kozusznik, M. W., Rodríguez-Molina, I., and Tordera, N. (2019). The Happy-Productive Worker Model and Beyond: Patterns of Wellbeing and Performance at Work. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(3), 479.

Raghupathi, W. and Raghupathi, V. (2018, Mar). An Empirical Study of Chronic Diseases in the United States: A Visual Analytics Approach to Public Health. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(3), 431.

Nichols, H. (2018, Jan 10). How to Boost Your Brain. Medical News Today. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320576.php#1.

A Wellness Journal for Your Best, Healthy Life

February 6, 2020Health, Healthy, Lifestyle, Well-being, Wellnessbusy lifestyle, goals, Gratitude, happy, health, Healthy, Joy, life hacks, lifestyle, lifestyle health, mental health, mindset, planning, productivity, stress, success, tips, wellnessashleyhealth101

A wellness journal can be important in achieving your goals.

The use of a journal can help to Clear the mind, allow for Self-reflection and Emotional expression, Provide accountability, Reduce stress, and improve overall Problem-solving. It can be supportive of personal growth and may lead to a greater sense of empowerment in one’s life.

It is also considered an inexpensive form of self-care!

Writing therapy with the use of a journal has been used in a range of scenarios related to overall health and wellness. Essentially what can make journaling supportive to health is when it is leveraged in a concerted way. More on this can be found through PositivePsychology.com under “writing therapy”. Also, a brief synopsis on the history of journal writing as a form of therapy is available from the Center for Journal Therapy.

In scientific studies, various associations between creative expression and health outcomes have been observed.

Self-reflection exercises, such as those that can be applied through the use of a journal, have been used to support people in overcoming grief or trauma. The rationale behind this is that expressive writing can help people to acknowledge traumatic events, organize thoughts, and, then, help them to make sense of things. Essentially, it is a way to learn from the experience and move forward. Experts in this area point out the need to find the right amount of time spent on journaling vs. over-reliance on the tool which could result in rumination.

Studies that have focused on people with chronic health conditions have shown improvements in overall well-being even if the act of journaling was only once a week. Furthermore, there has been some evidence to suggest the simple act of using a journal can boost the immune system and, therefore, benefit health overall. This could have been a bi-product resulting from stress reduction.

Improving immune health is especially relevant when health conditions have been diagnosed.

For general wellness and personal growth, journals can be used to create healthy habits. A few ways in which a journal is supportive for goal setting and forming habits include;

Definition and visualization of goals
Organization of information and supportive details
A catalyst to plan necessary steps and your time
Leverage of self-accountability and check-ins

Furthermore, the use of a journal can be a great way to notice patterns in your behavior and possible triggers that throw you off track.

When incorporating health and wellness into your journal, you can also use sections to monitor Food and Water intake, Sleep or fatigue, Exercise, Self-care, and factors or symptoms associated with a health condition.

Using a wellness journal is not only a good way to plan out your favorite healthy activities, but also to draft and track other personal goals, such as those related to Productivity, Altruism or Volunteerism, and/or Relationships.

In my wellness practice, I leverage a symptoms journal approach that also incorporates factors related to well-being. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly participants will notice something they hadn’t before completing the journaling exercise. Recently, I added a simple journal tool for general health and wellness. It is conveniently named Live Your Best, Healthy Life!

Photo credit(s): Wellness Stock Shop

In need of formalized support to make healthful lifestyle changes? Contact me through my business site.

Sources:

Ackerman, C.E. (2019, Nov 20). Writing Therapy: Using a Pen and Paper to Enhance Personal Growth. PositivePsychology.com. Retrieved from https://positivepsychology.com/writing-therapy/.

Baikie, K.A. and Wilhelm, K. (2005, Sep). Emotional and Physical Health Benefits of Expressive Writing. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 11(5), 338-346.

Center for Journal Therapy (n.d.). A Brief History of Journal Writing. Retrieved from https://journaltherapy.com/get-training/short-program-journal-to-the-self/journal-to-the-self/journal-writing-history/.

Murray, B. (2002, Jun). Writing to Heal: By Helping People Manage and Learn from Negative Experiences, Writing Strengthens Their Immune Systems As Well As Their Minds. American Psychological Association, Monitor on Psychology, 33(6), 54.

O’Connor, M. (n.d.). Evidence of the Healing Power of Expressive Writing. The Foundation for Art and Healing, The UnLonely Project. Retrieved from https://artandhealing.org/evidence-of-the-healing-power-of-expressive-writing/.

Pennebaker, J. W. and Smyth, J.M. (2016). Opening Up by Writing it Down: How Expressive Writing Improves Health and Eases Emotional Pain, (3rd edition), New York, NY: The Guilford Press.

Smyth, J.M., Stone, A.A., Hurewitz, A., and Kaell, A. (1999, Apr 14). Effects of Writing About Stressful Experiences on Symptom Reduction in Patients with Asthma or Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Randomized Trial. Journal of American Medical Association, 281(14), 1304-09.

https://thehappyplanner.com/products/hp-cls-you-are-enough-journal

Time to reflect, write and create. The Happy Planner®️ Guided Journal with help you take a look into who you are, where you want to go and goals you want to achieve!

What Are Superfoods and How Can They Help You

January 30, 2020Health, nutrition, Wellness2020, adaptogens, brain health, digestive health, disease prevention, gut health, health, health and wellness, health consumer, health foods, hormone health, mental wellness, nervous system, nutrition, stress, stress health, superfoods, tips, Weight Loss, wellnessashleyhealth101

You may be hearing about “new superfoods” this year.

What does this mean and how can you fit this information into a realistic plan for health and wellness? (Hint, see below for 3 tried and true tips).

Essentially the term “superfood” is not necessarily one that is scientific but may still be relevant to consider with identifying food sources that are packed with nutrients.

“Superfood” is indicative of a food source and the compounds within it that have been linked to certain health benefits or the prevention of adverse health conditions. Many of these foods are derived from plant-based sources, although not all.

You will likely hear about the power of these foods concerning a range of health topics including, but not limited to the following:

weight loss
reversing or preventing cognitive impairments and our overall brain health
help in mental and emotional wellness, such as conditions like depression
overall health of the gut
stress reduction

The health benefits from these foods may include reducing excess inflammation and adverse oxidative stress which are two key factors involved in the discussion of chronic health conditions. This is also a key reason for the emphasis on these “superfoods” when it comes to your health outcomes.

It seems that each year there is a new list of hot topic food options that can apply to your health and wellness but may also be trendy and, therefore, will show up in restaurants or product offerings. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but something to be aware of as an empowered health consumer.

So, what are a few of these “2020 superfoods” that you may be hearing more about this year?

In somewhat of a continuation from recent years past, you will be hearing and learning more about fermented foods, seaweeds and algae, and seeds that are both edible and carry significant nutritional benefits. Furthermore, food sources that may aid in your digestive health such as those with prebiotics, fiber, or digestive bitters.

A term that you may hear and could be new to you is “nervines” which are adaptogenic herbs supportive of your nervous system or are “neuroprotective”. Nervines can also influence hormone regulation so can be important in many health-related conditions. Also, these food sources may be good to include in your health plan for approaches to stress.

One of my all-time favorite companies for herbs, spices, teas, and essential oils is Mountain Rose Herbs. They break down Understanding Nervines and Adaptogens in their blog. Furthermore, Healthline, a leading source for consumer information related to health and wellness, also provides an overview of Adaptogenic Herbs.

Then, of course, there are the tried and true options such as berries, avocados, beets, dark leafy greens and microgreens, mushrooms, and fatty fish like salmon or sardines. An important attribute to many of these foods is the rich pigments (i.e. color) of the food. In natural foods, color is often indicative of nutrients critical to human health.

So how can you make sense of the term “superfood” used in media and marketing?

According to the leading global consulting firm, Accenture, consumers are changing to be more health-conscious and aware. Also, the emphasis on personalized approaches to diet and nutrition is growing.

As a health and wellness professional myself, it is an exciting trend to observe. Yet, it is also one to monitor for quality and overall relevance of the information. As alluded to above, there is an intersect of science and marketing with the term “superfood”. However, there are certainly ways to remain clued in and empowered as a health consumer.

In closing, 3 simple, tried and true approaches to include superfoods in your health and wellness are:

Eat colorful foods in variety
Incorporate nutrient-dense foods into snacking
Include herbs and spices in food preparation and cooking

If you simply start with and focus on these 3 tactics, you will undoubtedly be at an advantage when it comes to living most healthful and well.

Photo credit(s): Ella Olsson on Unsplash

In need of formalized support to make healthful lifestyle changes? Contact me through my business site.

Amazing Links Between Social Interaction and the Brain

January 23, 2020Health, Lifestyle, Wellnessbrain health, health, lifestyle health, social interaction, social relation, social relationships, wellnessashleyhealth101

Remaining socially active could be just what your brain needs.

Research has shown that social interaction influences health in several ways. When social dynamics are of an appropriate type and level, the favorable benefits possible include the following:

Engagement in behaviors that lead to good health
Boost to mental and emotional health
Reduction in stress levels
Improvements to internal health
Self-confidence
Outlook on life and happiness
Longevity
…and, you guessed it, brain health!

Multiple studies have demonstrated that positive, meaningful social relationships may have protective effects on human health.

A few attributes indicative of a favorable social relationship are those that encourage personal growth, provide emotional support, entail mutual respect and trust, and focus on positive attributes of one another.

So how exactly can social interaction influence the health of our brain???

Studies have demonstrated a relationship between social interaction and memory, cognition, and rates of neurodegeneration. The evidence observed thus far has led to further emphasis on these areas within research.

On the flip side, social isolation may be a contributing factor in the onset and development of degenerative conditions affecting brain health.

As Dr. Eugene Rubin points out in a Psychology Today article on social interaction and brain cells, “there are specific nerve cells in the brain that are directly influenced by social experiences” which plays a role in the neuroplasticity of the brain.

Neuroplasticity is essentially the brain’s ability to change and adapt over the course of a lifetime. It can apply to the better or the worse and is a critical component to brain functionality.

Also, other factors that social interaction influences, such as stress levels and emotional health, impact various internal mechanisms within the human body which could be affecting the brain. Excessive mental and emotional stress is thought to lead to inflammation, another key facet to consider in brain health.

The evidence to suggest that positive relationships, maintained over your lifetime, support overall health and well-being is compelling.

The various dynamics between social experiences and the brain are a hot topic within neuroscience which could lead to new approaches and treatments to a variety of health-related areas including overall wellness of the brain.

One of my favorite ideas to nurture the body, brain, and social relationships is walking book clubs. This approach provides social engagement, mental stimulation, and physical activity for a 3-in-1 healthful activity. It can also be impactful to integrate mental stimulating activity into any social experience.

Photo credit(s): Helena Lopes on Unsplash

In need of formalized support to make healthful lifestyle changes? Contact me through my business site.

References:

Cleveland Clinic (2020). Healthy Brains, 6 Pillars of Brain Health: Social Interaction. Retrieved from https://healthybrains.org/pillar-social/.

Cohen, S. (2004, Nov). Social Relationships and Health. American Psychologist, 59(8), 676-684.

Cohut, M. (2018, Jun 1). Research Confirms that Social Interaction Protects Memory. Medical News Today. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321976.php#1.

Davidson, R.J. and McEwen, B.S. (2012, Apr 15). Social Influences on Neuroplasticity: Stress and Interventions to Promote Well-being. Nature Neuroscience, 15(5), 689-695.

Donovan, N.J., et al (2016, Dec). Association of Higher Cortical Amyloid Burden with Loneliness in Cognitively Normal Adults. JAMA Psychiatry, 73(12), 1230-1237.

Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School (2010, Dec). The Health Benefits of Strong Relationships. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/the-health-benefits-of-strong-relationships.

Holt-Lunstad, J., Smith, T.B., and Layton, J.B. (2010, Jul 27). Social Relationships and Mortality Risk: A Meta-analytic Review. PLOS Medicine 7(7), e1000316.

Rohrer, J.M., Richter, D., Brummer, M., Wagner, G.G., and Schmukle, S.C. (2018, Aug 1). Successfully Striving for Happiness: Socially Engaged Pursuits Predict Increases in Life Satisfaction. Psychological Science, 29(8), 1291-1298.

Rubin, E. (2012, Jun 7). Social Interactions and Brain Cell Connections. Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/demystifying-psychiatry/201206/social-interactions-and-brain-cell-connections.

Umberson, D., & Montez, J. K. (2010, Mar 1). Social Relationships and Health: A Flashpoint for Health Policy. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 51 51(1) Suppl, S54–S66.

Umberson, D., & Montez, J. K. (2010, Nov 1). Social Relationships and Health. Journal of Health and Social Behavior. Retrieved from https://www.rwjf.org/en/library/research/2010/11/executive-summary/social-relationships-and-health.html.

Watt, R.G., et al (2014, May 30). Social Relationships and Health Related Behaviors Among Older Adults. BMC Public Health, 14(533).

Yang, Y.C., et al (2016, Jan 19). Social Relationships and Physiological Determinants of Longevity Across the Human Life Span. PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of American), 113(3), 578-583.

Prioritizing Your Health and Finances To Get The Most Out of Life

January 14, 2020Health, Lifestyle, Well-being, Wellnessdecision making, emotional health, financial health, financial wellness, health, lifestyle, mental health, stress, stress health, Well-being, wellnessashleyhealth101

Taking care of yourself, including both health and finances, is a sure-fire way to cultivate various positive aspects of your life. Financial health is a critical element within self-care. A positive stance for financial wellness can expand your abilities, contributions, and impact you have on others.

There are a fair amount of psycho- and sociological factors and, often, stigmas around making financial decisions that can be rather entangled. Regardless, mental, physical, and financial health are inextricably linked. Therefore, it’s worth placing focus on this area as part of a proactive approach to leading an overall healthful life.

Financial worry can set off a cascade of challenges.

In many people, it can lead to chronic stress which, furthermore, can impair sleep, lead to greater levels of anxiety or states of depression, may influence self-esteem, and could trigger less healthful behaviors. Furthermore, psychological distress and negative emotions may indirectly contribute to increased inflammation in the body, higher blood pressure, and the onset of other chronic health conditions.

Financial stress could even inhibit seeking out appropriate care in the first place. According to the American Psychological Association, the cost of health care is a leading concern and cause for stress (2019).

Essentially, financial stress can be disruptive in nature. However, there are facets that can help the mental-emotional relationship to finances. Like any other aspect of life and goal-setting, expectations should be realistic. It may also be beneficial to take self-inventory for how you make decisions.

One review of five studies suggested that “affective decision-makers” may be more likely to avoid making decisions related to financial matters. This was due, in part, to the perception that decisions related to finances are very analytical in nature. Affective thinking has lent towards having a distinct sense of feeling or emotion present when making decisions. Affective decision-makers may have considered financial decisions “cold” in nature and, therefore, less relatable. Furthermore, the complexities of financial products and instruments could have been intimidating (Park and Sela, 2017).

It is not to assume that affective thinking is inefficient and absolutely leads to a less proactive approach to finances, but it could be important to understand where you fall on the spectrum in case this is a mediating factor.

Ignoring your finances can create more money problems and increase the resulting stress. Acknowledging and accepting any negative feelings you may have about dealing with your money is a critical step.

Other areas that studies have shown to be influential include the following:

one’s social environment and/or level of emotional support
relationships and social standings within communities
previous experiences with financial stressors

According to Gallup-Sharecare, five essential elements of well-being include:

sense of purpose, including within a career path
social relationships
financial security
relationship to community
physical health

Furthermore, they have defined “financial” as managing your economic life to reduce stress and increase security.

Like with any big challenge, breaking out small, actionable steps and a clear timeline can be beneficial. Working with appropriate professionals, including both those with financial expertise and emotional health resources (or therapeutic options), can help to refine your perspective and address any blocks in the mindset.

As experts will point out, this area is complex and laced with emotional drivers. There is also a difference between knowing what to do and understanding how to do it.

Not all support options have to cost an arm and a leg.

Many cities and towns have finance-related programs through their city/public affairs divisions or library systems. Meanwhile, a hack to mental health is seeing a psychologist in training who will be under supervision but have more nominal fees.

Although exact financial circumstances will vary from person to person. Taking steps to ensure financial behaviors are healthful can help to reduce mental fog from financial stress and, therefore, lead to a greater level of productivity. It can help you move forward and feel more positive about what’s to come in life.

Photo credit(s): Fabian Blank on Unsplash

In need of formalized support to make healthful lifestyle changes? Contact me through my business site.

References:

American Psychological Association (Nov, 2019). Stress in America 2019. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2019/stress-america-2019.pdf.

American Psychological Association (2015, Feb 4). Stress in America, Paying with our Health. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2014/stress-report.pdf.

Connolly, M. and Slade, M. (2019, May 7). The United States of Stress 2019, Special Report. Everyday Health. Retrieved from https://www.everydayhealth.com/wellness/united-states-of-stress/.

Gallup-Sharecare Well-being Index (2017). State of American Well-being, 2017 State Well-being Rankings. Retrieved from https://wellbeingindex.sharecare.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Gallup-Sharecare-State-of-American-Well-Being_2017-State-Rankings_FINAL.pdf.

Park, J.J. and Sela, A. (2018, Aug). Not My Type: Why Affective Decision Makers Are Reluctant to Make Financial Decisions. Journal of Consumer Research, 45(2), 298-319.

Sturgeon, J.A., et al. (2016). The Psychosocial Context of Financial Stress: Implications for Inflammation and Psychological Health. Psychosomatic Medicine, 78(2), 134-143.

3 Simple Ways to Improve both Mental and Physical Health (plus bonus tips)

January 7, 2020Fitness, Health, Health Promotion, Healthy, Lifestyle, Well-being, Wellnesshealth, life hacks, lifestyle, mental health, mind-body connection, mind-body medicine, mindset, physical health, success, Well-being, wellnessashleyhealth101

“Mental health and physical health have a bi-directional and complex relationship” (Bhugra, Kar, and Lawton-Smith, 2014).

Essentially what that alludes to is how our thought patterns, feelings, and attitudes can influence certain things in the physical realm, such as biological factors and outcomes, just as what we do physically can influence our mental state. The landscape for this topic is further entangled by various social factors. Studies on the neuroscience involved with the tight connections between mental and physical health are emerging and the findings have been compelling.

In a nutshell, the intricate dance between mental and physical health plays a significant role in our overall health and sense of well-being. While it’s easy to get caught up with visuals and images of fit, tone bodies as a representation of good health. It is also important to keep the health of our mind in check which also takes consistent “exercise”.

The good news is that there are ways to manage both mental and physical health in tandem throughout the year.

Pick a physical activity plan right for you with a focus on consistent daily movement and conditioning.

Movement improves circulation and, respectively, blood flow to the brain. There is also a co-dependent relationship between physical activity and stress levels. Appropriate daily movement can help reduce adverse stress levels which can lead to better mental clarity and focus. Furthermore, exercise can also serve as a moving meditation allowing for concentration on the patterns of movement. Each of these factors, physical activity and stress levels, influences how we sleep which is incredibly relevant for cognition and certain biochemical facets related to the health of our brain.

Bottom line: stay physically active for both mental and physical health.

Bonus tip: Lift weights to reduce anxiety! Not only is weight-bearing exercise fantastic for your physique, including internal components such as bone health, but it can also be great for mental health as well.

Check-in on your mental patterns and habits.

Destructive mental habits, such as repetitive self-pity or ruminating, can essentially hijack positive motivations. When this occurs, it may prevent taking relevant action when doing so is needed the most. It can also influence our health-related behaviors and outcomes, as well as relationships with others.

Working to re-prioritize mental tendencies and maladaptive behaviors to, then, focus on the proactive practice of more healthful patterns can enhance emotional well-being. Furthermore, studies have suggested, for example, that exercises for mindfulness can be a helpful antidote to negative mental tendencies such as rumination.

Bottom line: clearing negative, adverse mental patterns can positively influence a sense of well-being and lead to a greater sense of motivation which is critical when it comes to taking care of both mental and physical aspects of health.

Bonus tip: Identifying and repositioning mental habits is also an area where a mentor or appropriate supportive professional can help with identify realistic and actionable steps for change, then support for staying on track.

Pay attention to breathing patterns and consider targeted approaches.

Appropriate breathing patterns are important during exercise and they can also play a role within the day to day through the activation of the relaxation response. Targeted breathing patterns, such as mechanisms of deep breathing, are also thought to help improve blood flow, relax muscles, support metabolism, regulate the immune system, and reduce stress levels. Incorporating targeted approaches to breathwork has not only been shown to support various mental related conditions, such as anxiety or depression, but it has also been influential in chronic medical conditions that may be impairing physical health. Furthermore, the practice of yoga has been touted for its emphasis on breathing and physical conditioning.

Bottom line: breathing techniques can be supportive of both mental and physical health, particularly due to the reduction of adverse, elevated stress levels.

Bonus tip: Harvard Health provides a simple, implementable approach HERE.

Final thoughts

Winding down through methods such as spending time in nature or taking a “digital detox” can also be influential to both mental and physical health. Also, general wellness, including nutrition, is supportive.

In closing, the focus of mind-body connections is emerging in emphasis. Although certain principles have been around in sort of old-world wisdom for centuries, new research in areas such as neuroscience is further confirming the various connecting facets.

A solid, “whole-health” approach is to exercise both the mind and body.

Photo credit(s): Jacob Postuma on Unsplash

In need of formalized support to make healthful lifestyle changes? Contact me through my business site.

Sources:

Bhugra, D., Kar, A., and Lawton-Smith, S. (2014, Jun). Integration of Mental and Physical Health Services: Lessons. Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Mental Health 1(1), 15-21.

Cherry, K. (2019, Sep 30). Reasons to Do a Digital Detox? Verywell Mind. Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/why-and-how-to-do-a-digital-detox-4771321.

Chopra Center, The. (2018, Oct 24). How Breathwork Benefits the Mind, Body, and Spirit. Retrieved from https://chopra.com/articles/how-breathwork-benefits-the-mind-body-and-spirit.

Connor, P. J., Herring, M. P., and Caravalho, A. (2010, May 7). Mental Health Benefits of Strength Training in Adults. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 4(5), 377-396.

Gordon, B. R., McDowell, C. P., Lyons, M., and Herring, M.P. (2017, Dec). The Effects of Resistance Exercise Training on Anxiety: A Meta-analysis and Meta-regression Analysis of Randomized Control Trials. Sports Medicine, 47(12), 2521-2532.

Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley. (n.d.). Mindfulness|Defined. Retrieved from https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/topic/mindfulness/definition.

Harvard Health (2018, Apr 13). Relaxation Techniques: Breath Control Helps Quell Errant Stress Response. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/relaxation-techniques-breath-control-helps-quell-errant-stress-response.

Kleckner, I. R., et al. (2017, Apr 24). Evidence for a large-scale brain system supporting allostasis and interoception in humans. Nature Human Behaviour, 1 (0069).

Madell, R. (2016, Mar 14). Exercise as Stress Relief. Healthline. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/heart-disease/exercise-stress-relief#1.

Palma, Z. (2019, Aug 12). What is Breathwork and Does It Work? Parsley Health Articles. Retrieved from https://www.parsleyhealth.com/blog/breathwork-does-it-work.

Rupprecht S., Walach H. (2016). Mindfulness at Work: How Mindfulness Training May Change the Way We Work. In: Wiencke M., Cacace M., Fischer S. (eds) Healthy at Work, (311-327). Switzerland: Springer International Publishing.

Sartini-Cprek, N. (2017, Apr 12). The Mind-Body Connection: How Mental and Physical Wellness Are Linked. Good Therapy Blog. Retrieved from https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mind-body-connection-how-mental-physical-wellness-are-linked-0412174.

Semeco, A. (2017, Feb 10). The Top 10 Benefits of Regular Exercise. Healthline. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-benefits-of-exercise.

Sultanoff, B. A. (2002). Breath Work. In: Shannon, S. (eds) Handbook of Complementary and Alternative Therapies in Mental Health, (209-227). Elsevier, Inc.

Vago, D. R. (2014, Jan). Mapping Modalities of Self-Awareness in Mindfulness Practice: A Potential Mechanism for Clarifying Habits of Mind. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 1307(1), 28-42.

Verplanken, B. and Fisher, N. (2014, Oct). Habitual Worrying and Benefits of Mindfulness. Mindfulness, 5, 566–573.

Verplanken, B., Friborg, O., Wang, C. E., Trafimow, D., & Woolf, K. (2007). Mental habits: Metacognitive reflection on negative self-thinking. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92(3), 526–541.

US Department of Health and Human Services|National Institutes of Health. (n.d.). Why Should Scientists Study Neuroscience? Retrieved from https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/neuro/conditioninfo/study.

Health-life balance: I traveled weekly for work, this is what happened…

December 19, 2019Health, Lifestyle, Wellnessbusy lifestyle, health, Healthy, life hacks, lifestyle, travel, wellnessashleyhealth101

This year, I ended up traveling at least once a week every week (sometimes multiple times per week) from August through November. Holy cow. I clocked some miles. No, I wasn’t traveling globally or off jet-setting for leisure… I was working my tail off at the regional level. (Traveling salesman and consultants… I see you)!

Admittedly, this has never been a life I have had aspirations for. In fact, I’m kind of a homebody who has created my own systems to keep myself healthful, well, and productive. However, for a short time, it wasn’t terrible. I got to walk around new cities and towns, see places that I would have never had otherwise, and it was the ultimate test of my balance in health and life!

So what happened?!?

Well, I had some pretty early mornings, but thankfully, those days wrapped up by at least 3 p.m. Some days I needed to travel back a few hours while other times I stayed the night. Luckily most of my to-from travel times were under 3 hours with only a couple that crept up towards the 8-hour mark.

This meant I might miss my “normal” workouts. So, I definitely had to improvise my fitness regime. Integrating short bursts of physical activity and exercises or stretches for mobility was imperative. Otherwise, I would shrivel into my travel seat in stiffness and pain. Keeping myself accountable for this sort of movement kept me more mentally together as well.

It also influenced my meals. Now, I am already known to pack a pretty fantastic lunch box (or bag). I’ve been a bit of a mobile professional for close to 10 years now and it seems that, wherever I go, I hear something along the lines of… “wow, that looks healthy”. However, in this case, I didn’t always have my kitchen. In fact, sometimes I didn’t even have a mini-fridge and had to improvise with the hotel ice machine and in-room canister!

Therefore, my list of go-to’s included protein or complete meal powders, overnight oats, salads in a jar, banana chips, raw carrots, mini tomatoes, tuna in packs, dark chocolate, nuts, and boiled eggs in a travel carrier, such as this one by Coleman from the local farm and fleet store. (Doesn’t everyone have those… just kidding! There are plenty available on the web and I have since discovered that REI has a six-count egg carrier).

Occasionally, for a treat, I would pick up something like Amy’s Kitchen gluten- and dairy-free vegetable lasagna which isn’t my absolute favorite for all the ingredients but does come in a nice microwavable tray that is not plastic (hallelujah).

I also learned an important hack for hotels. For those of you in my holistic wellness camp, you probably already know where I’m going with this. Hotels and synthetic fragrance have some sort of dead-locked marriage arrangement that is toxic in more ways than one.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t always the one footing the bill for my lodging so I sometimes had to rely on accommodations someone else set up. I was absolutely terrified that my overnight stays were going to throw my health into a negative tailspin.

However, I read somewhere that you can call them ahead of time and ask if there are any changes that housekeeping can take to reduce fragrance. To my surprise, not a single guest representative was surprised when I called and didn’t know what to do. Now, some places undoubtedly did better than others, but it was clear to me that they tried. In most cases, it was the laundry and, therefore, if trying this out, definitely point that out or, like me, travel with your own pillow, blanket, and bath cloth.

Also, some hotels have started implementing more options for hypo-allergenic. In fact, certain major hotel chains have started some sort of hypoallergenic room, such as those who have partnered with Pure Room. I’ve noticed there still isn’t complete awareness for fragrance, but it’s nice to have some emphasis placed on this. Other companies seem to be making small shifts. One place even had hard surface floors, no cruddy carpet. If I could still do a back hamstring, I might have done one when I saw this!

Obviously, I made time to take in some good natural detoxifying food and activity after returning from my trips. I also stocked up on nourishing herbal and Ayurvedic teas. These are my personal preferences, but I knew to sustain the back and forth travel, I would need to take care of myself so I wasn’t run ragged and catching any little bug out there.

So to synthesize, healthful tips when taking your life and work on the road include:

Plan for varied physical activity. Invest in easy to travel options, such as resistant bands. Many places have some sort of pool, so don’t forget your swimsuit. There are also a fair number of jogging trails for when weather permits.
Figure out your best go-to travel snacks that are both healthful and satiating for you.
Contact hotels and lodging providers in advance to discuss things such as the use of fragrance or allergen prevention.
Be open to experiences, no matter how small. There are so many sights and interesting caveats where ever you go including unique insight from the people you will meet. I was in some of the wealthiest communities and, on the flip side, poorest. However, all of them had something relevant to offer.

A few snapshots from my travels.

Fun Fact: I got to know the staff at the local rental car agency VERY well. They love to talk about good places to eat! Also, don’t shy away from insightful conversations, they definitely have some. Car rental agencies seem to have a hodge-podge of people from all walks of life with no shortage of pleasant discussions. They also work their tails off and keep an organized clown show rockin’ and rollin’, so I found myself pretty grateful for them.

Featured image by Erol Ahmed on Unsplash

In need of formalized support to make healthful lifestyle changes? Contact me through my business site.