Tag: Health

Beauty /

Benefits of Drinking Vegan Protein Powder: Naked Nutrition Protein Shake

Drinking vegan protein powder such as the Naked Strawberry Banana Protein Shake can offer several benefits, particularly for those following a plant-based diet or looking to incorporate more plant-based nutrition into their regimen. Here are some potential benefits:

Allergy-Friendly: Vegan protein powders are typically free from common allergens such as dairy, soy, and gluten, making them suitable for people with allergies or intolerances.

Digestive Health: Plant-based proteins often contain fiber, which can aid in digestion and promote gut health. They are generally easier to digest for people who are lactose intolerant.

Nutrient-Rich: Vegan protein powders often include additional nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and healthy fats that are naturally present in plants.

Sustainable: Plant-based proteins tend to have a lower environmental impact than animal-based proteins, as they require fewer resources and produce less greenhouse gas emissions.

Weight Management: High in protein and often low in calories, vegan protein powders can help with weight management by promoting a feeling of fullness and supporting muscle maintenance during weight loss.

Muscle Recovery and Growth: Like other protein sources, vegan protein powders can aid in muscle recovery and growth after exercise by providing the necessary amino acids.

Heart Health: Plant-based proteins can support heart health by being low in saturated fats and cholesterol, potentially reducing the risk of heart disease.

Variety of Protein Sources: Vegan protein powders can be made from a variety of sources such as peas, hemp, rice, chia seeds, and pumpkin seeds, allowing for a diverse range of amino acid profiles and flavors.

Ethical Considerations: For those concerned about animal welfare, vegan protein powders like Naked Shake provide a cruelty-free alternative to animal-based protein supplements.

It’s important to choose a high-quality vegan protein powder that is free from artificial additives and fillers. As with any dietary supplement, it’s a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional or nutritionist to ensure it aligns with your individual health needs and goals.

Photo Credit:  Naked Nutrition

Birmingham /

Rival HBCUs Compete to Increase Blood Donations Ahead of 83rd Annual Magic City Classic #MCC23

The Alabama A&M University Bulldogs and Alabama State University Hornets are teaming up with the American Red Cross and kicking off their historic rivalry to see who can recruit the most blood donors during the sixth annual Magic City Classic Blood Drive, Oct. 23-24 at Alabama A&M in Huntsville, AL, and Oct. 24-25 at Alabama State in Montgomery, AL. All presenting donors will receive one free ticket to the Magic City Classic football game, and a commemorative T-shirt, while supplies last.

This epic battle takes place days before the two rival football teams clash on the gridiron for the 83rd annual Magic City Classic football game on Saturday, Oct. 28 at Legion Field in Birmingham, AL, where the blood drive winner will be announced. Bragging rights are at stake for the school with the most blood donations collected.

Last year, Alabama State earned major bragging rights after collecting nearly 185 lifesaving blood donations and winning both the Magic City Classic Blood Drive and Magic City Classic football game. This year, it’s anyone’s game.

Since its inception in 2017, the Magic City Classic Blood Drive has collected nearly 700 units of lifesaving blood for patients. (A blood drive was not held in October 2020 due to COVID restrictions on on-campus activities and events.)  Yet, the philanthropic legacies of promoting blood donation at Alabama A&M and Alabama State began years before the first Magic City Classic Blood Drive.

“HBCUs have long served as incubators of excellence, with a culture of school spirit and healthy competition that makes positive impacts in our communities,” said Dr. Yvette Miller, executive medical officer for the American Red Cross. “Blood drives like the Magic City Classic encourage a collaborative spirit that serve students in their collegiate and future professional endeavors, while also serving a patient population that depends on chronic blood transfusions today.”

Four students enrolled in the Red Cross HBCU Ambassador Leadership Program, sponsored by Delta Airlines, are also helping to add a little “magic” to the rivalry blood drives. Alexis Powell, a junior at Alabama A&M majoring in Biology (pre-med), Taniya Rainge, a senior at Alabama A&M double majoring in Biology and Computer Science, Alvin Jacobs, a junior at Alabama State majoring in Finance and Karsten Threatt, a senior linebacker on the Alabama State football team, majoring in physical education – are all helping their campuses gear up for the two-day competition by encouraging their peers, faculty, staff and local community to schedule an appointment to give blood in support of patients with sickle cell disease.

Quotes from HBCU Ambassadors at each school:

  • “I wish people knew the pain that patients with sickle cell disease have to endure every single day, and that one blood donation can help save their lives,” said Karsten Threat. “Many say they’re afraid of needles but for a patient with sickle cell who suffers with pain every day, a quick pinch is worth it.”

  • “Knowing that I can do my part to raise more awareness about the importance of blood donation is what compelled me to become a Red Cross HBCU Ambassador,” said Alexis Powell, a fifth-generation Alabama A&M student from Birmingham who spent much of her childhood visiting the campus. “I think some students are afraid to give blood because they are not familiar with the cause. I wish more people knew that one blood donation can help save up to three lives…and make someone’s life a little easier.”

To schedule an appointment to give at the Magic City Classic Blood Drive, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Alabama A&M University: 

October 23 – 24, 2023

11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

4900 Meridian ST. N.

Huntsville, AL 35811

Alabama State University: 

October 24-25, 2023

11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

915 Jackson ST.

Montgomery, AL 36104

Beauty /

Tommy Bahama Announces Partnership With Smart Home Fragrance Brand Pura

Iconic island lifestyle brand Tommy Bahama announces today, a partnership with innovative smart home fragrance company, Pura. Two of Tommy Bahama’s signature home fragrance scents, “Maui Mango” and “Signature Island Blend,” are now compatible with the Pura device, to bring Tommy Bahama home in a smart system now available at www.tommybahama.com and at select Tommy Bahama stores nationwide.

The Pura diffuser gives users the freedom of controlling scent intensity, swapping between two fragrances of choice, and setting custom scent schedules—all within the Pura app. Each Pura device discreetly plugs into the wall, allowing for premium scent diffusion while adding a sleek touch to home decor. The device also has a colorful smart night light feature which, when combined with the scent experience, lets users personalize their home ambiance. Pura fragrances are pet and kid friendly.

“Pura’s device affords you the opportunity to wake up and fall asleep to our island scent,” says Chrisann Furciato, Tommy Bahama’s SVP of Licensing. “We are extremely excited about this partnership and transcending our guests to “Live the Island Life” through our fragrant scents within their home.”

“We are thrilled to partner with Tommy Bahama to bring their signature fragrances to life,” says Pura Co-Founder Richie Stapler. “These recognizable scents can transport you to the islands from the comfort of your own home.”

The fragrances are as follows:

Signature Island Blend: Notes of Maui pineapple, island mandarin, cilantro, tropical mango, luscious papaya, sea jasmine, driftwood, cedar, island musk.

Maui Mango: Notes of sweet island mango, juicy tangerine, and blood orange blended with Hawaiian pineapple.

The Pura Tommy Bahama box set retails for $85 on www.tommybahama.com and in select Tommy Bahama stores; and includes the two fragrances and a Pura device.   The same fragrances sell separately, for $16 each, at www.TryPura.com.

Birmingham /

WAFF48 Lifestyle Segment: National Hot Breakfast Month Blueberry Brie Melt

February was National Hot Breakfast Month.  Nationwide, food retailers were encouraging everyone to start their day with a warm meal.  I couldn’t agree more because there are so many benefits to eating a hot breakfast.  Number one, breakfast foods help fuel the body and provide a sharper focus while boosting the metabolism.

In support of this initiative, I hosted a lifestyle segment live from my kitchen!  It was a lot of fun because I was able to inspire the local Huntsville audience with a delicious meal.

Julian’s Recipe Blueberry & Brie Melt

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups blueberries
  • 2 tsp lemon zest
  • 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 8 Julian’s Recipe Wafels
  • 4 ounces of brie cheese, thinly sliced

 

Directions:

Combine the blueberries, lemon zest and sugar in a medium saucepan.

Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to simmer for about 5 minutes until the mixture has thickened.

Place the butter in a grill pan over medium-high heat. Then place your wafels into the pan.

Add 4-5 slices of brie cheese on top followed by a generous scoop of the blueberry compote.

Add the second wafel on top and then flip! Allow 2-3 minutes per side or until golden.

Serve while hot and enjoy!

Click on the link to watch the segment:  WAFF48

Beauty /

Stress Relief for Challenging Times and How Essential Oils Can Help You Find Inner Calm

We are all searching for ways to deal with the stress brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether that’s it’s meditating, eating immune-boosting foods or Zoom chatting with friends, just doing something for stress relief is essential for your mental and physical well-being.

Now there’s one more way to help de-stress in this trying time – with the power of essential oils.

Vitality Extracts have diffusers, car diffusers, roll-on bottles, essential oil jewelry and a line for kids.

Vitality Extracts crafts the finest essential oils that are pure, safe and free of chemicals making them the perfect aromatherapy oils for optimal natural healing. Each of its oils is tested to ensure it’s 100% contaminant free! While the company is unwavering in its commitment to provide products that are beneficial for its customers, it’s equally committed to protecting its workers and the planet as a whole. The company’s collection of products is sourced from generational farms around the world, helping preserve and protect a vanishing way of life. Farmers and the artisans who lovingly create Vitality Extracts are paid a fair wage and work in an environment guided by ethical practices.

Along with essential oils for migraine relief, stress relief, energy and more, Vitality Extracts makes stunning diffuser bracelets from natural stones, each as beautiful to look at as it is good for your soul! With all the stress in the world now, be good to yourself – and the planet and find some grounding with Vitality Extracts.

Top Picks for Stress Relief:

Immunity – a powerful way to help support the proper function of your immune and respiratory systems. In addition, it can help purify the air and disinfect surfaces to provide a cleaner environment for you and your family, while reducing anxiety and helping with mental focus.

Inner Peace – a lovely combination of oils that gives a spiritual calm even when you’re most stressed. This refreshing combination of citrus oils helps to restore energy, relieve tension and boost the immune and circulatory systems.

Breathe Easy – designed to increase the lung’s capacity to breathe and clear the sinuses. It can also help purify the air in the room and ease congestion and sinus pressure, reduce inflammation and promote a healthy immune and circulatory system.

Diffuser Jewelry – Pyrite, rose quartz and African turquoise are just some of the beautiful and beneficial stones in this collection. Each bracelet or necklace features natural stones paired with lava beads to soak up the oils and provide long-lasting benefits in a beautiful package.

About Vitality Extracts:  Vitality Extracts was created by a group of health and wellness enthusiasts who firmly believe in the natural healing of essential oils. The company crafts products of the utmost quality and offers them at affordable prices to ensure everyone can enjoy the benefits of better health. The company is so confident its products exceed expectations it offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee!

Beauty /

ESSENCE LAUNCHES NEW DIGITAL SERIES FOCUSED ON THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON BLACK AMERICA

ESSENCE Communications Inc., the leading media, technology, and commerce company serving Black women, today announced a new digital series focused on providing Black women and communities with the tools and information needed to address issues arising from the COVID-19 global pandemic. The series, ESSENCE Wellness House: A Virtual Summit, Episode One: Taking Care in the Wake of a Global Pandemic, will include live online experiences that promote physical, mental, emotional, occupational, financial and entrepreneurial well-being during this unprecedented time.  ESSENCE Wellness House series will be powered by Quantasy.

ESSENCE Wellness House: A Virtual Summit will kick off with the first-ever virtual ESSENCE Wellness House on Tuesday, March 31st, and Wednesday, April 1st from 9:00 A.M.–4:30 P.M. (ET).  The ESSENCE Wellness House will be streamed live on ESSENCE Studios via Essence.com and will offer resources for physical, emotional and financial wellness.  The free, two-day virtual summit will convene some of the top wellness practitioners, medical professionals, and leading experts and influencers. All participants waived their honorariums in lieu of a charitable contribution that ESSENCE will make to the partnership effort between National Action Network (NAN) and World Central Kitchen to deliver thousands of hot and cold meals daily to those in need.

Transforming a key offline experience to an online platform, the virtual ESSENCE Wellness House furthers ESSENCE’s 50-year commitment to supporting Black women’s health and livelihood. The summit’s robust digital experiences will include meditation, wellness tips, cooking workshops, fitness workouts, storytime for children, virtual dance parties and more. Highlights of the virtual ESSENCE Wellness House include:

  • Morning Meditations led by Faith Hunter
  • Uplifting inspirational messages by Iyanla Vanzant, Michael Beckwith, and Pastor A.R. Bernard
  • Get the facts about COVID-19 and boosting your immunity with Dr. Patrice Harris, MD., M.A., and Dr. Lauren Powell
  • Get tips on how to stay mentally sane with Charlamagne Tha God and advice on how to handle your loved ones with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford and Dr. Sherry Blake
  • Learn how to manage your money with Tiffany Aliche “The Budgetnista”
  • Discover hassle-free food recipes with Gina Neely
  • Get tips on fun DIY projects for your kids with Rosalynn Daniels
  • Get your body moving with Brukwine dance moves and body-sculpting workouts with ShaNay Norvell
  • And the bonus of a children’s storytime reading by LeVar Burton

“As we come together to safely get through the COVID-19 crisis, it is critical that we do not allow social distancing to morph into social disconnection,” said Richelieu Dennis, founder, and chair of Essence Ventures, the parent company of Essence Communications, Inc.  “So, ESSENCE is leveraging its platform and resources for the continued creation, convening and empowerment of the community.  We know that health disparities in our community have widened with the increase in economic inequality and that more prevalent underlying health conditions can increase the incidences of severe and potentially fatal cases of COVID-19.  We also know that necessary measures taken to reduce the spread of the virus, such as social distancing and business closures, are likely to have a more significant economic impact on our communities and small businesses.  So, more than ever, access to empowering information and opportunities is vital, and the health of Black women, their families, and our communities depends on it.”

Uncategorized /

Online Discounts From Unique Beauty and Wellness Brands: Self-Care

With so much uncertainty in the world right now, people need a way to cope with the stress and take their minds off the quarantine reality.

For me, I like to dabble in retail therapy when I’m stressed but as we all know, that’s a little difficult right now. Self-care of the body, mind, and spirit is crucial at all times, particularly through the next few weeks.   

Brands For Consideration:

Dionis Goat Milk Skincare: Receive FREE shipping on all hand soap purchases, use code FREESHIPMARCH

Offering FREE SHIPPING on their rich and creamy Goat Milk Hand Soap. The concentrated formula deeply cleans and moisturizes your hands without leaving them dry. Dionis Goat Milk Skincare products are made in the U.S.A. They’re free from cruelty, parabens, gluten, and sulfates.

Mer-Sea & Co. GET 10% OFF orders over $125. Code: SAVE10

Mer-Sea & Co brings the world to you through all of their beach wraps, candles, travel wraps, and sweaters. Whether you’re looking for a travel wrap or comfortable sweater to keep you warm and cozy on your flight (or WFH day), or you’re dreaming of the sea while lighting one of their hand-poured soy wax candles at home, they have something for you.

UNICO Nutrition – Stacks: Take $8.00 off any stack with code WINTER8.

Get faster results and save money with UNICO Nutrition’s optimized workout supplement bundles. Grab their top-selling Total Spectrum Stack for total body transformation, or the popular Daily Diva Stack for peak athletic performance.  UNICO Nutrition is a boutique wellness and sports nutrition company that makes premium meal replacement shakes, greens supplements, pre-workout drinks, vitamins, collagen, weight-loss supplements and more.

SoapCreek Company: Free Shipping on All Orders of $50.00 or More

As a certified organic company, SoapCreek Company is dedicated to making the world better, one bar at a time.  Each bar of soap is handcrafted in the U.S.A and has generous amounts of additives sourced both locally and worldwide.  Their motive is to create the very finest natural body care products. Each batch of soap is meticulously mixed by hand then lovingly shaped into a unique artistic design. SoapCreek products are not only pleasing to the eye but are brimming over with completely natural essential nutrients and luscious moisturizing agents.

SmileNV: Free Shipping on All Orders

SmileNV has been producing whitening gels for dental professionals for over a decade now.  Until the launch of SmileNV, the patented formula was only available to buy through your dentist but now, the next generation of teeth whitening can be delivered straight to your door.  SmileNV is the only at home dentist-approved whitening gel powered by CP+, SmileNV’s patented formula. This whitening gel is twice as effective when compared to a whitening gel that doesn’t contain CP+ and takes a lot less time and you get much faster results.

Beauty /

2019 ESSENCE FESTIVAL TRANSFORMS INTO PLATFORM ADVANCING GLOBAL BLACK CULTURE, ECONOMIC OWNERSHIP & INCLUSION

The ESSENCE Festival® presented by Coca-Cola, the world’s largest cultural, entertainment and empowerment experience, is marking its 25th anniversary July 4-7, 2019 in New Orleans, LA.  The Festival, the only experience of its kind, is also the largest celebration of global Black culture and continues to reach new heights with a focus on economic inclusion, cultural ownership, and community development. Now attracting more than 500,000 attendees each weekend, the ESSENCE Festival surpasses every national music, entertainment, and cultural festival based on average daily attendance and is planning its most extensive programming to date.

With a daily line-up of diverse, can’t-miss enrichment and entertainment programming, the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center will be a safe space where hundreds of thousands of multigenerational attendees gather to be informed, inspired and empowered.  Offering new and elevated experiences, each activation will serve the unmet needs of Black women across the globe and bring the pages of the magazine and online content to life as never before across arts, entertainment, music, beauty, fashion, technology, film, food, wellness, advocacy, entrepreneurship, and economic empowerment.

“For 25 years, the ESSENCE Festival has embodied the power and purpose of our culture – bringing a total of more than $4 billion in economic impact to the City of New Orleans and state of Louisiana and most importantly, serving as a sacred ground for millions of Black women to engage each other in community, sisterhood, service, family, love, laughter, joy, hope, and empowerment,” said Michelle Ebanks, CEO of ESSENCE Communications.  “Today, the Festival is a full celebration of that culture – what we have achieved, how we honor each other, and where we’re going from here. For us, as a 100% Black-owned company, that includes building from the Festival’s foundation of music, entertainment, and empowerment to also now reclaiming our economics and facilitating more opportunities for ownership of and in the culture that we create, innovate and evolve.”

Ebanks continued, “ESSENCE is home, and we know that home is where the heart is.  It is where we go to be restored and sustained.  No matter where we travel in the world, there’s no place like it.  So, the ESSENCE Festival is also a much-anticipated homecoming for Black artists to be uplifted and replenished, for our brightest minds to convene around solutions to critical issues impacting our communities, and for our most creative, bold and passionate selves to be celebrated and renewed. ESSENCE is that place, and today we say “Welcome home.”

In addition to an epic ‘homecoming’ musical line-up of more than 80 performers at the Louisiana Superdome – including Mary J. Blige, Nas, Missy Elliott, H.E.R., Big Freedia, Davido, Frankie Beverly, Jermaine Dupri, MC Lyte, Pharrell Williams, Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky & Mike (RBRM), Sheila E., Teddy Riley, Teyana Taylor, Timbaland, and more – a 25th anniversary celebration of 1994’s most culturally impactful and transformative albums that redefined pop culture will be curated and performed by the original artists.  These include Mary J. Blige’s My Life, Nas’ Illmatic, Brandy’s Brandy, Method Man’s Tical, Scarface’sDiary, Big Daddy Kane’s Daddy’s Home, Da Brat’s Funkdafied, Slick Rick’s Behind Bars and Brownstone’s From the Bottom Up.

The 25th Anniversary ESSENCE Festival will also span more than 10 venues across New Orleans and encompass several new and enhanced curated experiences, including (**indicates new for 2019):

 

**Global Black Economic Forum – Attendees connect with today’s most seasoned corporate moguls and inspiring entrepreneurs, focused on building economic empowerment and generational wealth, featuring the Black CEO Roundtable, The Billionaire’s Forum, Entrepreneur’s Summit, relationship-building opportunities, and more.

**Fashion House – With ongoing accusations of cultural appropriation and tone-deafness in news and social headlines around the world, many major and luxury fashion brands continue to face issues around their appreciation, understanding, and representation of people of color globally. In addition, the increasing awareness that free promotion from cultural giants in the Black community bestow a lucrative cultural significance to these brands, but with little economic inclusion, and as Black creatives struggle to create and maintain significant business, this conundrum presents the challenge of how do we exercise our creative and economic influence for the benefit of our community.  Focused on elevating the Black fashion community as well as the fashion experience for Black consumers, the Fashion House will provide the necessary tools for Black-owned brands to be successful and opportunities for major fashion brands to provide support, capital and partnerships for Black designers and consumers, as well as curate and showcase Black-owned brands via a shoppable designer trunk show and online Fashion House collaborations.

**Wellness House – The declining state of health and wellness in the Black community mandates that we do more – in more places, with more people – to educate and activate Black women and families around what it means to truly live well physically, mentally and emotionally.  At the Wellness House, attendees will engage in an enlightening and inspiring environment focused on self-care, including educational and motivational conversations with some of today’s leading health and wellness experts; an array of fitness and wellness activities and programming; cooking and nutrition classes; wholesome and delicious food and more with nationally-renown speakers, instructors, trainers, chefs, and special guests.

 

**ESSENCE Black Excellence Awards

The ESSENCE Black Excellence Awards will embrace the triumph of everyday leaders in our communities; honoring trailblazers across disciplines including the Arts, Education, Entrepreneurship, Fashion, Film, Food, Music, Social Justice, Sports, Technology, Wellness and more. This elegant celebration of local and global heroes will also spotlight the impact of corporations, government and Black-owned businesses working collectively for the advancement of all.

 

**ESSENCE Food & Wine Festival – Foodies indulge in a wide range of mouthwatering selections at ESSENCE’s official culinary experience, featuring ‘ESSENCE Eats’ pop-ups at multiple locations throughout New Orleans.

ESSENCE Music Festival – The Festival’s 3-night, evening concert series will present more than 80 of the world’s greatest artists and performers across five stages, featuring artist-led curations, tribute moments and one-of-a-kind, only-at-ESSENCE collaborations, as well as a new intimate venue series called After Dark.

Beauty Carnival – Beauty enthusiasts pamper themselves in an immersive beauty experience designed to meet their individual needs. From live tutorials to curated shopping destinations, beauty fans explore a vivid spectacle of global beauty.

ESSENCE Film & TV Festival – Fans’ all-access to exclusive previews and screenings, appearances and meet & greets with the industry’s most popular casts and performers, featuring the Screening Room, Center Stage, and Fan Zone.

Power Stage – Audiences take in a range of empowering conversations with today’s most influential voices, tackling key issues around politics, love, and family, activism, wealth and more.

E-Suite – With a membership pass, subscribers access an exclusive suite for entrepreneurs and senior-level women in business. From panel conversations to recruitment opportunities with our partners, E-Suite is the Festival’s top destination for executives and entrepreneurs.

ESSENCE Marketplace – With participation from nearly 300 entrepreneurs, the ESSENCE Marketplace will offer a specially curated, daily retail experience across multiple destinations throughout New Orleans during the four-day weekend. Attendees will indulge in bespoke culinary, craft and retail shopping environments that present unique, culturally diverse and authentic offerings from around the world.

Day of Service/Girls United – The 2019 annual “Day of Service” – community reinvestment via projects around New Orleans focused on rehabilitation, beautification, and inspiration – will focus on ESSENCE Girls United, ESSENCE’s Gen Z platform and the mentoring initiative focused on helping this generation increase their academic potential, self-love and leadership skills. The day will culminate with ESSENCE Day in the Park – a community celebration at Louis Armstrong Park with music, food, and local vendors.

Weekend and single-night ticket packages for the evening Music Festival concert series are on sale now. For the first time ever, ESSENCE is introducing the 2019 Weekend VIP Power Pass, which provides access to a premium experience at all of the Festival’s ticketed events throughout the weekend, including the evening Music Festival, Fashion House, Beauty Carnival, ESSENCE Day in the Park, Wellness House and Power Stage, among other experiences to be announced.

For information about ticket sales, accommodations and the latest news about the ESSENCE Festival® visit Essence.com/festival.  Join the festival community: Follow us on Twitter @essencefest #EssenceFest and become a fan of Festival on Facebook.

Sponsors for the 25th-anniversary ESSENCE Festival® include Coca-Cola, AT&T, Ford, McDonald’s, State Farm and Walmart.  The ESSENCE Festival is produced by ESSENCE Communications Inc.

 

Lifestyle Tips /

How to Achieve a Healthy Lifestyle: #LivingYourBestLife

Throughout your life, you will have many ambitions. Perhaps you want a family one day and to get married, to land your dream job, or travel the world. Whatever you want to achieve in your future, a part of that should be getting a healthy lifestyle so that you are able to enjoy and celebrate all the great things to come. It can, however, be hard to know exactly what you need to do in order to be at the peak of your health, so this handy guide will help you out by giving you some ideas of how to be in the best condition of your life and look out for your health.

The right treatment

No matter how healthy you are, every now and again a trip to the doctors will be necessary for one reason or another, and this is not a bad thing as the medical professionals can help you to achieve this healthy lifestyle you want. However, doctors and nurses are not infallible and can make mistakes. If this happens, you need to make sure you get the right advice on how to get compensation for any negative effects caused by the negligence of the medical professionals who treated you. The Medical Negligence Experts are a great resource for this and can help you get justice if your health has been harmed.

Keeping strong

Exercise is always something sighted as being a must if you want to be healthy, and for good reason too. By doing some frequent physical activity, you can lengthen your lifespan and remain mobile for many years to come. One great exercise to do, especially if you struggle with high impact sports like running and cycling, is yoga. The health benefits of yoga are manifold, as frequent practice can improve your posture and protect your spine, build muscle mass making you stronger, while also having a positive effect on your mental health as well, as yoga has been proven to be a calming way of moving through stress and anxiety.

Eating right

A third way of achieving the healthy lifestyle you want is to change up what you eat on a day to day basis. To make sure you are making the right changes in your diet it is important you know what a healthy diet looks like.

Start with breakfast. Instead of sugary cereal, trying something such a porridge which releases energy slowly throughout the day. Adding antioxidant-rich cranberries and blueberries will help you keep energy levels up while fighting off illness. For lunches and dinners, the general rule is the more colorful, the better, and an easy way to do this is to build your own rainbow salad bowl. Fill the bowl with greens, such as spinach and lettuce, adding in shredded carrot, purple cabbage, and cherry tomatoes, adding in protein with some steamed chicken and some carbs with quinoa. Achieving a healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to be a chore once you know how to get started.

Collaborative Post

Lifestyle Tips /

High Anxiety 5 Things that Set Us off and What to Do

Anxiety is defined as a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. It’s future thinking in a negative way. While it’s normal to have concerns from time to time, chronic anxiety leads to loss of appetite, insomnia, compromised immunity and other diseases. Dr. Sanam Hafeez PsyD an NYC based licensed clinical psychologist, Teaching Faculty Member at the prestigious Columbia University Teacher’s College and the founder and Clinical Director of Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services, shares 5 common anxiety triggers and offers insights and tips for what we can do to get back into ease.

  1. Retirement

Once people hit 40, they feel as if the years are going quicker and the money is running out. They panic. They look at the math and it simply doesn’t add up to a life of abundance. They’re plagued with thoughts of an unknown future with medical expenses, costs for housing, food, and with every item added to the list, they get more and more anxious. “Some people go into denial because they feel such an intense of fear. While it’s normal to want to shift your thinking, avoidance only leads to more anxiety,” explains Dr. Hafeez. She suggests settling the mind with information and action. “The more you know about your retirement goals and create a plan of action, the more you can include other family members, shift finances and get clarity on what’s real. Information combined with action will give a sense of control.”

  1. Job Loss

Years ago, people would rebound faster from job loss. Within a month they would find another job often at a higher salary. Saving a bit of money as an “emergency fund” to keep up with expenses should there be a job loss was also a possibility. Times are very different now. These days people lose their job and it creates a complete upheaval in their lives. Finances are depleted and it could take months before getting another job and at times, people accept less money just to have a salary. “I have patients with good careers anxious that there will be a cutback and they’ll be let go without any idea what to do next. This scarcity mindset leads to anxiety. I always remind them to explore other income generating options of interest to them currently so they don’t feel as if their well-being is solely determined by their employer. Anxiety is rooted in fear and this fear is quite common, unfortunately,” says Dr. Hafeez.

  1. Health

When you’re anxious about your health, it dominates your mind. “The worst part about health-related anxiety is that it makes you feel worse and prolongs any kind of recovery,” warns Dr. Hafeez. A lot of people make the mistake of researching different conditions online and self-diagnose. They get overwhelmed with all the possibilities of what may be. “The best thing to do is take control of your health by staying current with doctor visits, exercise, eat healthily and focus your attention on optimal health,” she advises.

  1. Divorce

Marital strife is a common cause for anxiety. “It’s very common for people who are going through divorce to lose weight due to anxiety and stress. Night anxiety is also common which is when you can fall asleep, but then suddenly awaken out of a sound sleep feeling sad, panicked, unable to go back to sleep,” Dr. Hafeez says. “When anxiety interferes with one’s ability to eat and sleep, consulting with a therapist can be helpful. Divorce is a major life event that radically changes one’s life. Depression and anxiety are common,” she adds.

 

  1. Terrorism and other acts of violence.

We live in a very different world today. Unfortunately, every time we board an airplane, enter a shopping mall, go to a concert, the movies or send our kids to school, we get anxious. Terrorism is intended to make people fearful and anxious. What can we do? “Again, anxiety is triggered by a loss of control. It’s rooted in a feeling of possible danger without warning. So be vigilant. Observe your surroundings. Report anything that seems suspicious. Put an emergency plan in place with family and loved ones. When triggered by anxiety ask, what do I need to know here? What can I control in this situation? Then do what you must to feel better and prepared,” recommends Dr. Hafeez.

The common thread here is to first acknowledge the feeling of anxiety, then assess the source of it, then access information and make an action plan to make you feel more in control.

One last tip, Night anxiety is also common which is when you can fall asleep, but then suddenly awaken out of a sound sleep feeling sad, panicked, unable to go back to sleep,”

About the Doctor:

Dr. Sanam Hafeez PsyD is an NYC based licensed clinical psychologist, teaching faculty member at the prestigious Columbia University Teacher’s College and the founder and Clinical Director of Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services, P.C. a neuropsychological, developmental and educational center in Manhattan and Queens. 

Dr. Hafeez masterfully applies her years of experience connecting psychological implications to address some of today’s common issues such as body image, social media addiction, relationships, workplace stress, parenting and psychopathology (bipolar, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, etc…). In addition, Dr. Hafeez works with individuals who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), learning disabilities, attention and memory problems, and abuse. Dr. Hafeez often shares her credible expertise to various news outlets in New York City and frequently appears on CNN and Dr.Oz.

Connect with her via twitter @comprehendMind or www.comprehendthemind.com