Salty food makes us thirsty, short-term.

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , ,

But in the long run, it makes us LESS thirsty, and more hungry! That’s according to Vanderbilt University. In fact, within 24 hours of a high-salt meal, our thirst drops drastically, because sodium produces urea, which increases water retention. And study participants on a high-salt diet drank less water, and complained more often of hunger, compared to those on lower-salt diets. The reason? Because the body uses a lot of energy to produce urea, which then makes us crave extra calories to compensate. So, if you’re feeling hungrier than usual, cut back on salt and drink more water.

Follow me on Facebook

How can you motivate yourself to workout when your willpower is at an all-time low?

Tags

, , , , , , , , , ,

Change the way you think. Holly Rilinger is a master trainer for FlyWheel and Nike. And here’s her advice: It’s all about shifting your mindset. If you normally tell yourself “I don’t have enough time to work out,” try this, instead: “It’s not important enough to me to work out.” Rilinger says when you mentally disagree with that comment - and you will - it’ll boost your motivation. And you’ll be more likely to hit the gym.

Follow me on Facebook

A genuine smile can trigger a huge mood boost.

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Researchers at Loma Linda University had people watch a FUNNY 20-minute video or a neutral documentary. Those who saw the funny video performed better on memory tests. But you don’t even have to laugh out loud… because a genuine smile produces mood-boosting dopamine and endorphins. So the next time you need to perform well on a task - watch a video that makes you laugh or smile. As long as your smile is authentic - you’ll get the mood-boosting benefits.

Follow me on Facebook

Did you have a cup of tea with breakfast or an iced tea at lunch?

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Excellent. Because just one glass of tea, hot or iced, can improve your heart health. That’s according to the journal Clinical Nutrition. Researchers found that when people drank just one glass of tea, their blood flow was 6.5 times higher than before they drank the tea. And better blood flow is key to reducing conditions like Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. It’s down to the flavonoid compounds in tea, which widen blood vessels, improving circulation and lowering blood pressure.

Follow me on Facebook

Help for late night charley horses and leg cramps.

Tags

, , , , , , , , ,

Do you frequently wake up with a charley horse – or cramp – in your calf in the middle of the night? Next time it happens, try relaxing your leg, and pinching the fleshy area between your nose and upper lip with your thumb and index finger for 30 seconds. According to acupressure practitioners, that’s called an “acu-pinch.” And activating that area boosts circulation in your lower extremities, which can get you past the charley horse faster.

Follow me on Facebook 

When’s the last time you smiled at your dog?

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , ,

Well, they love your smile! Researchers from the University of Helsinki say it gives your dog an extra shot of the feel-good hormone oxytocin. And that not only makes your dog happier - it makes them trust you more! And when you and your dog are both pumping out oxytocin, it increases your bond so you feel closer. So, go ahead and smile and laugh with your dog. They can read your happy expression and it makes them happy, too.

Follow me on Facebook

Our friends are good for our BRAIN.

Tags

, , , , , , , , ,

In a study involving former prisoners of war, brain scans revealed that those locked in solitary confinement had neurological damage comparable to suffering a concussion! While those who had social interactions had less brain damage. It’s because loneliness boosts inflammation in the brain and interferes with our ability to remember facts and solve problems. So give your friends a call, or maybe Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime with them, or even do a social distancing get-together (weather permitting).

Follow me on Facebook

Want to cut your risk of Type 2 diabetes and heart disease?

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , ,

Stand up for TWO of the hours you usually spend sitting. Researchers at the University of Queensland found 2 extra hours of standing reduces blood sugar levels by 2%, and drops triglycerides by 11%. That can help you avoid blood sugar dips and spikes, and boost your heart health.

Follow me on Facebook

So you slammed your shin into the coffee table…

Tags

, , , , , , , , ,

How can you avoid getting a bruise? Grab a black tea bag, soak it in warm water - not boiling - then hold it against the spot for 5 minutes. The tannins in the tea will soak into your skin and constrict the blood vessels, reducing swelling and inflammation. And if you DO get a bruise anyway, it’ll be less visible and heal faster than if you hadn’t used this black tea trick.

Follow me on Facebook 

If you’re having trouble sleeping…

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , ,

…an exercise created by the U.S. Navy during World War II will have you asleep in 120 seconds. Do this: Totally relax your face, drop your shoulders, and let your arms and legs go limp. Then, clear your mind by picturing yourself lying under an empty blue sky, snuggling in a black velvet hammock in a dark room, or repeating “don’t think, don’t think” for 10 seconds. It has a 96% success rate after 6-weeks of practice. If you don’t remember those steps, just Google “how to fall asleep in 120 seconds.” The technique is widely-written about, and you’ll be able to find it easily. 

Follow me on Facebook 

This is a free demo result from the Wayback Machine Downloader. It is not a complete website.