We found 101 results tagged with "healthy living"
21 Articles
21 Articles found
Five Green Things You Can Do Today
Green living may start a fresh way of thinking for you, and many aspects of it are simple to follow and can save you a little of your hard-earned money. Here are five ways to get started.
A Better Buzzkill: Natural Insect Repellents
Sometimes we need extra protection from mosquitos, ticks, and other critters and find ourselves turning to chemical insect repellents. Luckily, there are some natural alternatives for bug protection.
Quick Weekend Activities
If you feel that life is too busy, even on the weekends, try these activities.
The Importance of Sleep
Get insight into how sleep affects our health and how good sleep habits can provide just what you need to sleep like a baby once again.
Take a Bath to Feel Better
See how a warm bath (or a cold shower!) may help you feel better during cold and flu season.
10 Tips for a Healthy Holiday Season
Try slowing down a bit so you can stay sane and healthy. Easier said than done, you say? Here are tips for keeping your focus on what's important to you this holiday season.
10 Tips for the Healthier Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is all about the feast and celebrating the harvest. While the holiday may be widely associated with over-indulgence, there are 10 tips to make the day and the feast healthier.
Natural Dentistry
See how good nutrition promotes healthy smiles and learn how essential oils and herbal products can augment your dental routine.
Alternative Healing 101
Learn the difference between various alternative therapies—and maybe even find a match for what ails you!
How To... Make Your Own Baby Wipes
You can make your own baby wipes using items you probably already have on hand—baby wash, baby oil, pure clean water and fabric scraps or recycled paper napkins or paper towels.
The Body in Balance: Exploring Acupuncture
Take a closer look at this ancient, fascinating healing art—and learn why acupuncture is about so much
more than needles.
Healthy, Not a Health Nut
As a teenager, Kashi’s Dave Lamb did anything to get out of track and field. At 60, and 800 races later, he’s never felt better in his life. Here is inspiration for getting fit at any age.
Rest Easy: Your Guide to Better Sleep
Are you getting enough rest? Find out why sleep is so important to your overall sense of wellbeing and learn what you can do to improve your sleep habits.
Five Keys to Banishing Burnout
Feeling burned out? Why not try one of these five surefire tips for keeping your stress level healthy—and taking care of yourself first—so you can do the things that matter most to you?
The Pleasure Principle: Sticking with a Healthy Lifestyle
Finding the right exercise and foods for your body makes you feel great, which is the best motivation of all.
Winter Weather Can’t Stop Fun
Transform any winter day into an opportunity to get moving!
Take Time to Slow Down
Slow living is all about being more present in the moment.
Organic Farm Adventure
At a local farm, we learned all about sustainable farming, and we made some new friends too.
Natural Relaxation Remedies
Learning to relax is a gradual process, but it is one you can achieve with practice.
Aerobic Exercise: Stay Fit by Having Fun
Many aerobic activities not only improve overall health, but they can also be really fun.
Sleep Your Way to Better Health
Find out what’s keeping you awake, and follow these tips to get the zzz’s you need.
75 Challenges
75 Challenges found
Challenge
Exercise for your heart
When it comes to heart health, moving your body is always a good thing. But some forms of exercise are even more beneficial when done regularly. According to the American Heart Association, continuous activities that use the large muscle groups, like fast walking, hiking, aerobics, rowing, swimming...
Challenge
Raise your exercise willpower
You’ve probably read tips for sticking to an exercise regimen, or lists of ways to maintain self-control during the holidays. But is it possible to literally increase your will to succeed (and therefore your chances)? First, the good news: Studies show that willpower benefits from...
Challenge
Get a stress test
If your doctor suspects heart disease, chances are a stress test of some sort may be recommended. What does that mean? Most of the time, when cardiologists use the term, they mean an exercise stress test—controlled physical exertion that is monitored to see how it affects your heart rate...
Challenge
Embrace the cold
Chilly weather driving you indoors—and away from your workout? (And, perhaps, toward the dessert table or TV sofa?) Stand strong, and recharge your commitment to fitness by embracing winter weather! First, bundle up in appropriate clothing for an outing. Call a friend or family member. Meet...
Challenge
Check your vitamin D intake
Vitamin D has long been shown to help absorb calcium to build strong bones. Now experts are looking to confirm other benefits of vitamin D in the diet. Dairy products, fatty fish, and sunshine are three primary sources of vitamin D. During winter, we spend less time outdoors, so it’s...
Challenge
Make your resolution early
Each year, hundreds of thousands of people make New Year’s resolutions—and nearly as many fail to keep them. What can you do to improve your chances? Try making that resolution before January 1st. There is no scientific evidence to show it works, but we all know that taking action...
Challenge
De-stress each day
All of us suffer stress at various times in our lives. Thankfully, for most of us, life’s stressors come and go. Whatever’s going on in your life, there are small things you can do anytime, anyplace to relieve tension. Today, challenge yourself to start following these steps on a daily...
Challenge
Help someone quit smoking
By now, most of us are well aware that smoking poses major health risks. We also know that attempts to change loved ones’ habits often meet with mixed results. Is there a way to show you care and support loved ones in their efforts to halt this harmful habit? Yes—as long as you follow...
Challenge
Pay attention to oral health
Too often, our gums and teeth get short shrift while we focus on other mind and body systems. Yet recent science points to a potential link between oral bacteria on teeth and gums and risk of cardiovascular disease, especially when combined with other risk factors. That every part of our bodies is...
Challenge
Discard outdated drugs responsibly
When was the last time you cleaned out your medicine cabinet? Out-of-date medications are a danger to people of all ages—they lose potency with time and represent an identified overdose hazard—yet many of us hang on to these vials. Furthermore, flushing them down the sink or toilet can...
Challenge
For 40-somethings: Befriend fiber, calcium, and...
What are the top nutrients for women in their 40s? Fiber, calcium (and its absorption-encouraging pal, vitamin D), and potassium are crucial, primarily for their ability to help you cope with a slowing metabolism, blood pressure and cholesterol disease factors, and bone health. High-fiber cereal...
Challenge
Take your current BMI with a grain of salt
BMI, or Body Mass Index, is calculated using a person’s weight and height to estimate body fat
levels. But it does not measure fat directly, so some question its accuracy, especially when it comes to
statistical outliers (extremely muscular athletes with higher than expected weights are one...
Challenge
Wake up to Ayurveda
Ayurvedic medicine, a traditional approach to health practiced on the Indian subcontinent for centuries, has a unique approach to starting the day, focusing on rituals that, practitioners believe, balance and prepare the body for the challenges of the day. Today, challenge yourself to find out if...
Challenge
Accept the President's fitness challenge
President Obama and especially First Lady Michelle Obama have made our nation’s fitness and health a priority. The President’s Challenge is a program that encourages all Americans to make being active part of their everyday lives. Today, challenge yourself to explore the...
Challenge
Tap into water
It’s a fact: Tap water in the U.S. is safe and regularly tested. In an era when both adults and kids are often too busy to consume recommended amounts of water, calorie- and sugar-laden juice and soda is everywhere, and plastic bottles are filling our landfills, the humble tap represents a...
Challenge
Beware of bristles
It sounds like a good idea: the abrasive action of a firm-bristle toothbrush scrubbing away at tartar and plaque. Think again. Dentists generally prefer softer-bristle toothbrushes for most people, citing gum recession and wearing down of tooth enamel as dangers of overbrushing or using a too-firm...
Challenge
See the dentist
Whatever the reason — fear, scheduling, a move — many of us allow the ideal six months between dental check-ups to stretch to longer intervals. (Some people even require more frequent cleanings.) Dental care is a cornerstone of good overall healthcare. Today, challenge yourself to make a...
Challenge
Train toward time
For some people, working out daily creates a frequent, renewable motivator. For others, it presents yet another chance to fail (and, later, give up entirely). If you fall in the latter group, try setting a weekly workout goal in minutes instead. Today, challenge yourself to enjoy the first...
Challenge
Wear sunscreen in winter
Many people retire their sunscreen for the season as soon as the sun sets on summer. Think again: Although UVB rays — those that cause sunburns and skin cancer — aren’t as strong during winter, UVA rays stay the same, contributing to both aging and skin cancer. Today, challenge...
Challenge
Focus on flu prevention
H1N1, or so-called “swine” flu, is on many people’s minds as we enter the winter cold and flu season. Healthcare workers are reminding us that observing good hygiene standards is important as we try to reduce our chances of contracting H1N1 — or any viral or bacterial...
Challenge
Share a Kashi challenge
Share one of your Kashi pledges with a friend in the next 24 hours. It will reinforce your own commitment. As a bonus, it could also help them start — or stay — on their own path to living their best life.
Challenge
Try a new breathing technique
For some people, breathing is a tool for achieving a relaxed and clear state of mind, as well as raising energy and increasing alertness. There are lots breathing exercises to choose from which have been designed for a range of physical and spiritual goals. Vocalists, pregnant women, yoga...
Challenge
Wash up anywhere
We all know the importance of washing our hands. But what to do when you’re nowhere near a sink? Natural hand sanitizers made from essential oils are effective at killing germs and they’re ready whenever and wherever you need them. They smell wonderful too.
This winter, challenge yourself to...
Challenge
Learn the burn
How many calories do different activities burn? If you’re like us, you’ll be surprised! Some of your favorites may be more beneficial than you think, whereas the ones you dread may be less effective than you’d imagine. Plus, you should learn about “invisible” work like heavy cleaning. Turns out...
Challenge
Check out your BMI
Do you know your current Body Mass Index? Does it matter? BMI is one useful tool in assessing your body’s overall health – but make sure you know the whole picture. Muscular athletes, seniors, and others with nonstandard ratios of muscle to fat may find that they need to adjust their results to...
Challenge
Eat less HFCS
In a year, the average American eats close to their body weight in high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and refined sugar. Yikes! The easiest way to avoid this highly processed, nutrition-lacking ingredient? Steer clear of highly processed foods, period. And read labels. Better yet, add your own...
Challenge
When it comes to healthcare, think prevention
There’s no question: US healthcare costs are skyrocketing – and we’re getting less for our dollar. National healthcare systems like those in Canada, France, and, indeed, much of Europe, cost about half what we spend in the US’s privatized system – and their citizens live longer, too. Short of real...
Challenge
Polish your act
Did you know that furniture polish could be dangerous to your health? In 2006, US Poison Control Centers reported 214,091 incidents involving exposure to household cleaning products – and more than half involved children under age 5! Thankfully, you have a greener, safer option for keeping your...
Challenge
Rethink movement
When it comes to exercise, what really moves you? We’re serious. Remember: working out isn’t just about gym membership. Gardening, dog-walking, dancing in your living room – all hold the potential for rejuvenation and calorie burning. Today, challenge yourself to redefine your idea of exercise to...
Challenge
Swing it
Your average playground swing is ripe with fitness potential: for your abs, your sense of wellbeing, your coordination, and your feeling of youth. Today, go to a playground and challenge yourself to swing your way to a sense of wellbeing, relish the rush of wind in your face, and aim higher than...
Challenge
Baby yourself
After giving birth, many women feel immense pressure to regain their pre-pregnancy shape. Our message: There’s plenty of time for that – after getting acquainted with your baby and your new self. Today, challenge yourself to set future fitness goals and give yourself some much needed breathing room...
Challenge
Take advantage of technology
Imagine it: A flat screen integrated into your fridge that offers tips on eating cleanly, or smart tips folded into relevant text messages. Possible? Yes, but currently only in prototype form. Product designers are conceiving new technologies for delivering information about healthy eating as we...
Challenge
Think small
Often, we’re so busy aiming high – and big – that we forget how motivating it can be to set smaller, more realistic goals. Instead of cycling for an hour, try 15 minutes. Or, climb one set of stairs instead of three. Setting more doable goals not only increases chances of success, it is more likely...
Challenge
Preach the principles of Parkour
Developed by French urban warriors, Parkour is the art of using your body to help you overcome obstacles wherever you are. Parkour aficionados leap over walls, scale fences, run freely through the streets, and generally use their bodies as efficiently – and primally – as they can. Borrowing some of...
Challenge
Go it together
Exercise is healthy. Social interaction? Ditto. Exercising in groups? A double dose of goodness, according to several recent studies. Specifically, exercising with others may have psychological benefits, like preventing postpartum depression and helping manage post-cancer grief. Today, challenge...
Challenge
Cook with a friend
Covet a pal’s luscious lasagna or divine dahl? Invite her over for dinner – hers, that is. She can teach you how to make the dish step by step – and you can return the favor. Today, challenge yourself to invite a friend over to make a feast. Make cooking a special bonding ritual.
Challenge
Take an exercise vacation
Everyone knows that exercise is good for you. But so is giving yourself a break once in a while – and feeling good about it. Today, challenge yourself to embrace leisure and skip your workout – without self-recrimination.
Challenge
Tighten your belt…for real
In lean economic times we tend to fall back on comfortable – and sometimes unhealthy – habits to soothe ourselves. Too much reliance on high-fat, low-nutrient comfort foods, for instance, can offer a fleeting sense of reward. Today, challenge yourself to evaluate any less-than=healthy habits you...
Challenge
Think hydrate over hibernate
Winter weather can be as drying as heat, so remember to get the water you need to replace what you’ve lost. As a general rule, experts say adults need about eight 8-oz. glasses a day. Average exercisers need 1.5 to 2.5 glasses more. Today, challenge yourself to rehydrate with nature’s best drink at...
Challenge
Stress less
For many, holidays equal stress as we find ourselves in unusual or pressured circumstances. Engaging in stress-relieving exercise can help. Among other benefits, exercise is known to increase feel-good endorphins, encourage a meditative state of mind, and better your mood. Today, challenge yourself...
Challenge
Party time? Walk this way
Next time you get invited to a Saturday soiree or a Friday fete, try walking there. Sound outlandish? Pick a reasonable destination, of course. Walking is not only good for your cardiovascular health, it also offers a wealth of sensory pleasures, from enjoying the sounds and smells of nature to...
Challenge
Lose the shoes
When you take your shoes off before entering your house, you keep your carpets cleaner. Plus, you avoid tracking-in outside pollutants, which can potentially lower your indoor air quality.
This weekend, challenge yourself to set up a system for reducing the transfer of outdoor pollutants into...
Challenge
Take up fitness geography
When it comes to exercise, every region has its benefits and challenges. Finding out what your area has to offer – and what activities present obstacles – can help you develop a routine you can stick to. For example, in sunbelt states, outdoor activities are better saved for early mornings or after...
Challenge
Replenish and recharge yourself
Are you committed to whole living, but occasionally find your devotion flagging? Not to worry: Living up to your ideals takes practice – and, sometimes, even more than that. If your daily habits are sliding away from your goals, today challenge yourself to living yours best life by trying one of...
Challenge
Return to a simpler time
Sometimes, modern life and the technologies that support it are actually a step back when it comes to clean living. Here are some tips for living the old-fashioned way:
• Grow your own food
• Walk, bike, take the train or bus to work
• Set personal/family limits on TV, computer, and phone...
Challenge
Soak up some sun
Sun exposure contributes to our bodies’ daily production of vitamin D. In fact, it’s believed that we only need 10 minutes of sunlight everyday to meet our daily requirements. Today, challenge yourself to get outside for a few minutes and get your daily rays.
(While some people claim sunscreen...
Challenge
Indulge in body therapy
Most of us are familiar with Swedish massage. Yet there are many other types of touch therapies that serve to do more than just relax your body. Body therapy disciplines run the gamut from rejuvenating to repairing to relaxing. Shiatsu, hot stone, deep-tissue…the possibilities are numerous. This...
Challenge
Polish your pearly whites
Some studies link oral health to the body’s overall health. That’s because bacteria in our mouths can get into the bloodstream where they can potentially compromise our health. One way to fend off bacteria is to ensure that teeth are as healthy as possible by visiting your dentist twice a year...
Challenge
Go with glass
Some plastics contain known toxins, including phthalates and bisphenol-A, among others. We think it’s time to give glass another shot, especially the shatter-proof kind. A bonus – glass food containers work great in the microwave. Today, challenge yourself to take inventory of your plastic food...
Challenge
Sweat it
If you work out in a gym, chances are you leave before you’ve taken advantage of all the amenities, like the sauna or jacuzzi. The nice thing about them is that they help your muscles relax after exertion. The next time you’re at the gym, challenge yourself to make post-exercise-relaxation as...
Challenge
Explore alternative medicine
Are you thinking about exploring alternative medicine as a solution to a stubborn health problem? Thanks to the Internet there are a wealth of resources at your fingertips when you decide to take a more active role in your body’s health and well-being. In addition, learning about alternative...
Challenge
Identify your fitness weakness
If you find sticking with an exercise routine difficult, it’s a good idea to figure out why. Perhaps you feel self-conscious at the gym. Or maybe you lack fitness know-how. Today, think about what prevents you from staying active and make a plan for overcoming your weakness. _Always consult a...
Challenge
Turn off your TV
Besides leaving you free to take a walk, meditate, read, cook or socialize, a TV-free life means you save energy and feel like you did something truly rejuvenating. This week, join people across the country during “TV Turnoff Week” and challenge yourself to find other ways to entertain yourself in...
Challenge
Make a dog’s day
If you love dogs and want to keep active, why not spend some time volunteering at a local shelter or humane society? Many facilities have programs that enable you to take homeless dogs for a walk, which not only benefits them but keeps you moving too. Challenge yourself to take a dog – and yourself...
Challenge
Stroll at sunset
With the sun setting later, this is great way to end the day. You don’t need to go very far - just a stroll around the block is all it takes to get some light exercise and fresh air. If you invite a friend or two along you’ll get good conversation too. Challenge yourself to end dinner with a treat...
Challenge
Make time for you
Many of us spend our days rushing from activity to activity with precious few moments to really stop and enjoy small pleasures. Today, make an effort to break that cycle.
Challenge yourself to schedule 15-30 minutes for yourself sometime in the next 24 hours. Plan to wake up early if you have to...
Challenge
Tune-in to your internal clock
Sleeping is part of your body’s 24-hour biological cycle, also known as your circadian rhythm. When you get enough sleep, your body has time to do regular maintenance work. That’s why after a good night’s sleep you usually wake up feeling renewed, energized, and refreshed.
Tonight, challenge...
Challenge
Do a crossword puzzle
If you’ve never done a crossword puzzle before, they may seem pretty intimidating at first. But crosswords come in a range of difficulty levels, from beginner to advanced. If you don’t feel like you’re a “crossword person,” you might simply not have found your level yet.
Today, if you’ve never...
Challenge
Join a book club
Some of us are so busy that taking the time to read a book seems pretty daunting. But we all know how important reading is. This weekend, do some research and find a book club in your area. Libraries and locally-based bookstores are a good place to start. Then, make a commitment to read regularly by...
Challenge
Start a meditation practice
Some research shows meditation may be linked to decreased stress, anxiety, and depression. It may also help many medical conditions, including allergies, chronic pain, and heart disease. Not to mention how much relaxation and increased awareness it can bring! With all these benefits, it's a great...
Challenge
Join a hiking club
Ever wish you could get into the great outdoors more often, but you don’t have anyone to go with? Or maybe you’re bored by your usual hikes. There are lots of reasons that hiking clubs are a good idea. Meeting new people, seeing new places, having the opportunity to be regularly physically active…...
Challenge
Challenge your brain
Research suggests that as you age your brain benefits from intellectual tasks, just like your body benefits from physical exercise. Today, get your mind going by doing something stimulating. Try a crossword puzzle, play some cards, read a book, attend a lecture – anything that gets your mind active...
Challenge
Try a natural headache remedy
This challenge is for people who experience headaches. The next time you get a mild headache, try an alternative remedy such as an ice pack, warm bath, or breathing technique. If you find something that really works, share it with everyone here.
_If your headaches persist, they could be a sign of...
Challenge
Listen to music
According to some studies, music activates the brain’s pleasure centers, which in turn may help lower blood pressure, reduce pain, and improve sleep. Today, take a few minutes to enjoy your favorite tunes.
Challenge
Get a massage
Blissful massages feel amazing. But did you know they can also help to reduce stress and to promote healing in people with certain health conditions? Some studies have found massage can be helpful with anxiety, pain, self-esteem, and sports-related soreness. Today, make an appointment to get a...
Challenge
Get a fitness question answered
We all have at least one question about how we can live a more active lifestyle. And that question is oftentimes the first step in reaching our goals. This week, take the first step towards your goals. Make it a point to have at least one of your fitness questions answered. Take time to share what...
Challenge
Introduce some quiet into your life
When you have some time on a weekend, no matter how hard it seems, try to spend an entire day without using your cell phone, PDA, or the Internet. Block out all uninvited distractions and spend some time enjoying the quiet.
Challenge
Park in the farthest spot
Everywhere you drive today, park at the far end of the parking lot. It's a great way to sneak in a little extra walking into your day.
_Always consult a physician before starting any exercise...
Challenge
Laugh out loud
According to a study published in 2001, people with a good sense of humor had less coronary heart disease than those who were more serious. Reducing your stress load and laughing more not only gives you a more lighthearted outlook on life, it also gives you a more heart-healthy approach to life...
Challenge
Do a good deed
It feels good to contribute to making the world a better place. Sometime in the next 24 hours, do a good deed and spread a little happiness.
Challenge
Be well rested
Tonight, go to bed early with the intention of getting at least eight hours of sleep. When you're well rested, you're likely to be more energetic, relaxed, and happy too.
Challenge
Tell a joke
In the next 24 hours, make someone laugh. Or, at the very least, go see a funny movie. There’s a reason they say laughter is the best medicine.
Challenge
Share something you've been holding back
Sometimes it's difficult to share what's going on inside your head or heart. Today, make an extra effort to find a positive way to tell someone what you've been thinking or feeling. You might be surprised at how good it feels.
Challenge
Take a 30-minute walk
Walking has numerous health benefits, including strengthening your heart, bones, muscles, and joints. The best part is that regardless of your fitness level, most people can do it.
Today, challenge yourself to walk for 30 minutes. Because recent research has shown that exercise doesn't need to...
Challenge
Be good to yourself
In the next 24 hours, set aside 10 minutes for yourself. Take a hot bath, drink a cup of tea, or meditate. The point is to show yourself a little kindness. You'll appreciate it.
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