man walking in golden leaves

Fall Fitness and Health

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Autumn – a season of crisp air, colorful foliage, and a palpable transition from the long days of summer. As we bid farewell to summer, it’s crucial to recalibrate our fitness and health routines to align with the season’s unique characteristics.

Understanding the Fall Season

The fall season ushers in a host of physical and psychological changes. With temperatures dropping and the days shortening, our bodies and minds naturally adapt. One might argue that autumn provides an excellent backdrop for health and fitness, and here’s why: The moderate climate is ideal for outdoor workouts, and the allure of fall’s scenic beauty can serve as a motivating factor to get out and move.

Fall Fitness: Embracing the Outdoors

There’s nothing like the sensation of cool autumn air on your face as you jog through a path blanketed with rust-colored leaves. Activities like running, hiking, and cycling not only benefit from the fall’s cooler temperatures, which can increase endurance and calorie burn, but also provide an ever-changing landscape that can boost mental wellness.

However, as we make the most of outdoor exercises, it’s essential to consider some fall-specific nuances. The attire you choose should ideally incorporate layers to adjust to the fluctuating temperatures. With daylight saving coming into play, ensuring visibility during dusk workouts becomes paramount. And a crucial safety note – those beautiful fallen leaves can be slippery, so always be mindful of the terrain.

Fall Nutrition: Savoring the Season’s Bounty

The harvest season offers a plethora of nutritional wonders. Pumpkins, squashes, apples, root vegetables, and various nuts and seeds are ripe for the picking. Embracing these seasonal foods is not only a treat for the palate but also benefits our health. They are often fresher, packed with nutrients, and align with our body’s natural fall tendencies.

And as the holiday season approaches, a word on indulgence – it’s all about balance. Warm, hearty soups, apple and nut salads, and even a homemade healthy pumpkin spice latte can all find a place in your autumn menu. Enjoy the festivities, but be mindful of portion sizes and aim for a balanced plate.

Mental Health: Addressing the Fall Blues

While the season is abundant in beauty, it can sometimes bring about feelings of melancholy, often referred to as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Recognizing this is the first step. Strategies like light therapy, engaging in physical activity, and maintaining social connections can help navigate these feelings. Also, practices like mindfulness and meditation, especially when done amidst nature, can provide solace and connection during these times.

Other Health Considerations

With fall also comes the onset of flu season. Focusing on immune-boosting foods such as leafy greens, nuts and seeds, oily fish and citrus fruits can prepare the body to fend off illnesses. For those susceptible to allergies, being aware of triggers, especially with fallen leaves and specific pollens, is crucial. Lastly, as the air becomes drier, adapting your skincare routine to maintain hydration and protect from the elements is a must.

Transitioning to Winter

As the last leaves fall and temperatures dip further, it’s a reminder that winter is around the corner. Reflect on your fall achievements, and consider how you can transition your routines to remain active and healthy in the colder months.

In conclusion, each season offers its own set of challenges and opportunities. Embracing the beauty and unique aspects of autumn can lead to a fulfilling and healthful season. Celebrate the transition, stay active, eat wholesomely, and keep your spirits high as you navigate through the enchanting months of fall.

girl sipping green smoothie through a straw next to a bowl of green fruits and vegetables

Supercharge Your Immune System Naturally: Easy Tips for a Stronger Defense

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Hey there, health-conscious folks! It’s time to give your immune system the love and support it deserves. Our immune system is like a shield that protects us from pesky illnesses, and while there’s no secret potion for invincibility, we can strengthen our defenses naturally. In this article, we’ll dive into simple and casual tips to boost your immune system and enhance your overall well-being. Get ready to unleash your body’s superhero powers!

 

Chow Down on Immune-Boosting Foods

Fueling your body with the right nutrients is key to superhero-level immunity. Load up on fruits and veggies like citrus fruits, berries, leafy greens, and bell peppers. Spice things up with turmeric, ginger, and garlic for their immune-enhancing properties. Don’t forget to include lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats like avocados and nuts. Your taste buds and immune system will thank you for this delicious and nutritious feast!

Embrace Quality Sleep like a Boss

Who knew that catching those Zzz’s could be so powerful? Quality sleep is like a secret weapon for your immune system. Aim for 7-9 hours of shut-eye each night to let your body repair and recharge. Establish a relaxing bedtime routine, make your sleep sanctuary cozy, and ditch those late-night caffeine and screen time habits. Your immune system will be recharged and ready to take on the world.

Keep Stress at Bay

No time for stress when you’re on a mission to boost immunity! Stress weakens our defenses, so it’s time to kick it to the curb. Unleash your inner Zen master with meditation, deep breathing exercises, or some good ol’ yoga. Find your happy place by journaling, going for a nature walk, or bonding with loved ones. Remember, taking care of your mental well-being is just as important as flexing those physical muscles.

Break a Sweat and be a Fitness Guru

Let’s get moving and grooving for an immune system that’s ready to rock! Regular exercise is like a superhero training program for your body. It improves blood circulation, reduces inflammation, and activates those immune-boosting cells. So, whether you’re a jogger, dancer, yogi, or power walker, aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week. Suit up and get ready to unleash your inner fitness guru!

Soak Up Some Vitamin D

Hello, sunshine! Basking in the sun is not just for good vibes; it’s also a fantastic source of immune-boosting vitamin D. Spend time outdoors to soak up those rays and let your body produce this superhero nutrient naturally. If the sun isn’t shining bright, don’t worry. Opt for vitamin D-rich foods like fatty fish, fortified dairy products, or consult a healthcare pro for supplements. Get that dose of D and let your immune system shine!

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

Don’t forget to drink up, my friends! Staying hydrated is like providing your immune system with a power boost. Keep that water bottle handy and sip throughout the day. Water flushes out toxins, aids digestion, and ensures nutrients are transported efficiently. So, raise that glass and make hydration your sidekick in the battle for a stronger immune system.

Gut Health is the Real MVP

Don’t underestimate the power of a healthy gut! Supporting your gut health can do wonders for your immune system. Add gut-friendly foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi to your diet. These heroes contain beneficial bacteria that keep your gut in tip-top shape, supporting immunity and overall wellness.

overhead view of a selection of healthy foods

Foods for Flexibility

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There are multiple facets to becoming more flexible, moving well and increasing range of motion. As well as doing work to strengthen the body and stretch it out, we also need to put the right stuff in there to make the machine operate at max performance – we need to eat right for flexibility. Below we have listed some good, nutritious eats to help you on your road to becoming more flexible…

PROTEIN

Protein is rich in amino acids which, in turn, are the building blocks of healthy muscle. Do yourselves a favor folks and be sure you’re eating enough protein everyday as it can help your health enormously. It is beneficial for flexibility to have the right body composition: as we all know, being overweight (having too much body fat) will impeded flexibility and free movement. Eating enough protein will help keep hunger pangs at bay and can help weight loss. The more muscle you have, the easier it is to burn fat. So how much protein should you eat per day? There are many different theories depending on your goals, but for the regular person of a healthy weight and not weightlifting as a sport or doing a lot of physical exercise, the following is a rough guideline: 0.36 to 0.6 grams per pound. This is 56-91 grams per day for the average male and 46-75 grams per day for the average female. See the following link for a detailed discussion on how much protein is right for you. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-much-protein-per-day. So which foods constitute healthy protein? Try organic eggs, organic meat, fish and seafood, milk, cheese and yogurt. Greek yogurt contains twice the amount of protein as regular! For vegetarians, hummus, peanut butter, beans, quinoa, chia seeds, buckwheat, pumpkin seeds and soy are all great sources. You can get protein from protein powders, shakes and protein bars, but beware of additives. As with all foods, the purer, the better.

LEAFY GREEN VEGETABLES

We all know that eating vegetables is great for health and wellbeing but if flexibility is your goal try chomping on more of the leafy green kinds, such as spinach, kale, seaweed, chard, watercress and collard greens. Why is this? Simply because these types have a high-water content and the ability to purge the acids that may make us inflexible from our bodies.

OILY FISH

Eat oily fish to up your intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids like omega-3s! Why eat these fats then? These are the essential fatty acids that the body needs for brain function and cell growth. In addition, they can reduce inflammation which can often contribute to inflexibility, lower blood pressure and keep your heart healthy. So, which fish class as “oily fish”? Eat any of these to boost flexibility: anchovies, sardines, herring, kippers, tuna, salmon, mackerel, eel, trout, silver warehou, mullet, trevally, sand whiting and snapper. Loads to choose from friends, so get cookin’!

GINGER

Ginger is good for flexibility because it stimulates the blood flow and reduces inflammation. How can you take in ginger? Try fine-grating it into stir-fried vegetables (green leafy ones are cool as we said above), drink ginger tea or it is delicious and nutritious in fresh juices. Try apple, pear, cucumber and a thumb-sized chunk of ginger through a juicer.

Also folks, you guessed it, drink plenty of water to keep the body hydrated. Water keeps muscles flexible, lessens post-exercise soreness and keeps joints lubricated via synovial fluid. How much water? Drink half your body weight in fluid ounces is a rough guideline.

 

5 Tips for Staying Hydrated This Winter

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It’s easier to remember that you need to drink water when you’re sweating outside during the heat of the summer. But, just because it’s not hot outside doesn’t mean your body doesn’t still need water.

As the weather cools off, your body might not send the same obvious cues that remind you to take a swig from your water bottle. In fact, we experience a 40 percent drop in thirst response in cool weather compared to hot weather.

So, if you’re not feeling as thirsty as you did a few months ago, it’s not your imagination. That doesn’t mean you get a free pass to skip out on drinking water, though.

Why Hydration Matters


Your body is made up of 60 percent water. We need water for every single function, from breathing and circulation to bone and joint mobility. So if you want to stay flexible, stay hydrated!

When you’re dehydrated, your cells don’t get the water they need to do their function. As a result, you might experience a range of uncomfortable symptoms, including headaches, insomnia, trouble concentrating, dizziness, fatigue, dry skin, and a lack of energy. If you’re an athlete, you can become more prone to injuries.

In short, hydration is what keeps your body functioning as it should. When you don’t get enough water, your body just can’t perform at optimal levels.

In general, men are recommended to have 15.5 cups of water per day, and women should have 11.5 cups of water. If you are active, you should have more to compensate for the loss of fluids you experience when you exercise.

How to Stay Hydrated in the Winter


If you can go a whole workday without taking a sip of water, you probably need some help remembering to hydrate. Here are some tips that can keep your body hydrated this winter

1. Carry water with you

Some people have an “out of sight, out of mind” mentality with water. However, carrying a water bottle with you can remind you to drink water throughout the day. Eventually, you’ll find yourself reaching for it mindlessly as you write an email or sit through a boring meeting.

2. Make it taste better

Water isn’t known for its great taste. If that’s why you never choose to drink it, it’s time to get creative. Add some flavor with fruit, like lemon or oranges, or a refreshing cucumber slice. These flavors will make it seem more like you’re drinking a fun, flavorful beverage.

3. Make some soup

Broth-based soups, like vegetable soup or minestrone, are excellent for helping you stay hydrated and warm. Make a big batch over the weekend that you can divide up for lunches all week long to give yourself a midday hydration break that’s also loaded with veggies.

4. Cut back on alcohol and caffeine

During the winter, people tend to rely more on coffee to wake up in the dark, early morning, and alcohol to wind down during the dark, early evening. However, these are both diuretics that can dehydrate you quickly. If you can’t avoid them altogether, at least add some balance by having a glass of water in between caffeinated or alcoholic drinks.

5. Enjoy winter fruits

Fruits are an excellent source of water. Get seasonal by indulging in winter fruits like clementines, grapefruit, and pears.

Stay Flexible with StretchSPOT

If your muscles are feeling tighter than usual, it could be due to dehydration. We can help you regain mobility and improve your flexibility, whether you’re an avid athlete, a weekend warrior, or an active person who wants to improve your mobility.

Book an appointment with StretchSPOT to get started.

Your Overeating Survival Guide

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Overeating can happen to anyone, especially as we get closer to the holiday season. Going to family dinner parties, enjoying a company potluck, or just sitting on the couch watching holiday movies can all lead to overindulgence.

It might seem like a good idea at the time to have “just one more” helping of mashed potatoes and stuffing, but your body will soon start to remind you that overeating is not in your best interest. You might get physical symptoms like bloating, fatigue, nausea, headaches, stomach cramps, and indigestion.

Not to worry. We’re here with a helpful survival guide that will get you feeling like yourself again after you’ve gone a little overboard.

7 Tips to Help Feel Better After Overeating

In many ways, getting through the symptoms of overeating is simply a matter of time. Eventually, the food will digest, and you’ll start to feel more like yourself.

There are a few things you can do in the meantime, though, to feel better. Here are our seven favorite tips.

Don’t engage in negative self-talk

First things first. Don’t use this time to criticize yourself for overeating. It happens to everyone! It’s just a mistake, and you’re going to do better next time. So instead of stressing about the past, focus on what you can do now to feel better in the near future.

Resist the urge to nap

Taking a nice, long nap might sound good immediately after a heavy meal, but that can lead to even more issues like heartburn and indigestion. That’s because your body is still going to digest your food as you sleep. It’s better to wait an hour or two for your food to settle before you lie down for a nap.

Sit up straight

If you can’t nap, you might as well flop on the couch, right? Not so fast. It’s better to keep your body upright to encourage digestion. Stand up, walk around, or just sit straight in your chair as you chat with your friends.

Go for a walk

Taking a short stroll around the neighborhood is an excellent way to encourage digestion and help yourself feel better. Don’t focus on speed or calorie burn here. Simply enjoy the feeling of moving your body.

Do some gentle stretching

Twist stretches are excellent for moving food through the digestive system. Sit on the floor with your legs extended. Bend your left leg and bring it over your right thigh, placing your foot flat on the floor.

Keep your back straight, and place your left arm behind you for support. Now, take a deep inhale and raise your right arm. As you exhale, gently twist to the left, trying to look over your left shoulder as your right arm comes to rest on the outside of your left leg. Stay here for three breaths before gently releasing and doing it on the other side.

If you’re at a work dinner party or some other function where you can’t easily spread out on the floor, you can do this move from your chair. Keep your legs flat on the floor. Then gently twist your body to the left. Hold for a few breaths, then do the same thing on the right side.

Sip some tea

Stick with herbal teas, especially mint and ginger, as these are good for helping with digestion. The natural sweetness can also serve as a healthy form of dessert.

Stay hydrated

Even though you feel full, you still need to hydrate, especially if your meal was full of sodium. Sip on water the rest of the day and evening. Add some lemon to further aid digestion.

Improve Your Health and Mobility with StretchSPOT

If you’re looking for ways to get healthy this season, try stretching! At StretchSPOT, we’re here to help you gain mobility and flexibility through stretching. Our flexibility technicians can help you improve your overall flexibility and target specific problem areas.

Book your appointment to get started!

overhead shot of ginger, turmeric and vitamin pills on a blue background

Supplements for Healthy Joints

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There are tons of ways to help yourself maintain flexibility and balance in life! Exercising, eating the right foods, getting enough rest, stretching out, and practicing meditation are all good methods if flexibility is your goal. Another way to help your body is with vitamins. Below are three supplements we think will help you on your quest towards a more flexible life.

TURMERIC
Turmeric is an ancient spice used for thousands of years in Eastern medicine. It is an attractive plant having a pink flower but it actually the bright orange root that is used medicinally. The powder we see used in cooking, and now in vitamins, is the ground root of the plant. Recently, we in the West have woken up to the wonderful health benefits of this spice. Why is this? What’s so wonderful about turmeric? With regards to joint health, turmeric is awesome because of its anti-inflammatory properties. The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin which has the ability to block out an enzyme that causes inflammation in the body. Great news for those suffering from arthritis! It is now believed that inflammation plays a massive part in many diseases prevalent in the Western world including cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s. 

So, how can you get turmeric into your body?
Turmeric is poorly absorbed by the body and you would need to eat a huge amount of it to get the health benefits we described above. Not to worry, turmeric vitamin supplements are now readily available. Make sure capsules are of a high enough strength. You should be taking 500-1000mg of the active ingredient curcumin per day. One other thing to note is that black pepper increases the body’s absorption rate of this vitamin. Many turmeric supplements contain black pepper which helps with absorption. If not, try taking a whole black peppercorn with your tablets. For more information on the health benefits of turmeric click here.

TART CHERRIES
Tart cherries, or as they are sometimes known, sour cherries, have a multitude of health benefits. For joint health we are particularly interested in the fact that they contain anthocyanins and bioflavonoids which inhibit certain enzymes that cause bodily inflammation. They are believed to act in a similar way to aspirin or ibuprofen but with no side effects. In addition, tart cherries contain melatonin that promotes restful sleep. Often those with joint pain are continually woken by pains and don’t get enough sleep. This could be of benefit twofold.

How do you get this good stuff inside you?
Two 8oz glasses of Montmorency cherry juice per day will suffice. Alternatively, 2 tablespoons of concentrated juice will work. Don’t like juice or want to avoid the sugars? Tart cherry juice is available in a capsule form as well.

COLLAGEN
Collagen comes from the Greek word kola meaning glue, and in a real sense, collagen is the glue that holds our bodies together. Collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies but by age 21 our body’s supply begins to deplete.

So how can collagen help us in our quest for flexibility?
Having enough collagen ensures that joints, bones, tendons, cartilage as well as skin and hair can self-renew effectively. Collagen studies have shown that oral supplements of collagen can prevent and even reverse the effects of collagen loss and alleviate joint pain and injury associated with high-impact exercise. More great news for those suffering from arthritis! In a study over 120 days, healthy subjects who experienced joint pain saw significant improvements in joint function and flexibility as a result of taking collagen supplements. Click here for more in-depth details.

woman in blue top drinking water with headphones in

4 Ways Drinking Water Makes You More Flexible

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That’s right, drinking water makes you more flexible folks. FACT! Read below to see how and why…

1. Hydrated Muscles are Flexible Muscles
The human body is made up of 70% water, which means the muscles are also 70% water. When you’re dehydrated, muscles are dehydrated too and they will not extend and contract in the way they are meant to when fully hydrated. Dehydration makes them inflexible.

2. Hydration Increases Strength
Hydrated muscles are strong muscles. Strength is adversely affected by dehydration because if you don’t drink enough water your muscles will be deprived of electrolytes and cramp. You won’t have as much physical strength as you would if you were fully hydrated.

3. Proper Hydration Lessens Post-Exercise Soreness
Dehydration during exercise can exasperate muscle soreness after workouts. That’s right folks! You will feel the post-exercise burn way more if you exercise on dehydrated muscles. So why does this happen? Lack of water dramatically affects the flow of oxygen in the blood and the removal of waste products from your body resulting in delayed onset muscle soreness or DOMS which is the pain you often feel a day or two after working out.

4. Hydrated Joints are More Flexible
Joints are lubricated by synovial fluid, an oily, water-based fluid that manufactured by your body to keep your joints functioning properly. So, what happens if your body has a lack of water? That’s right, you guessed it, the fluid is depleted and joint stiffness is the result. And no one wants that, right?!

So, folks, there you have it! 4 ways drinking water makes you more flexible. If you want to stay flexible, stay hydrated! But how much water is enough we hear you cry? Half your body weight in fluid ounces per day is a good general guideline but you will need to take in more when exercising or when it is very hot.

girl doing side plank in a living room

Cost Effective and Convenient Daily Health Hacks

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By Jennifer McGregor

Do you avoid healthy habits because they seem like too much trouble or because they’re too expensive? Actually, living healthy doesn’t have to cost a lot of money or disrupt your busy schedule – self-care can be convenient and cost-effective. Here are a few ideas for working healthy habits into your everyday life seamlessly and affordably:

Exercise at home

If your idea of exercise is a crowded gym and a costly membership, there’s good news. You can get effective exercise at home, work, or while doing simple, everyday chores. Exercising in place costs nothing, takes a little time, and can benefit you substantially. A recent study found that doing a few 30-second sprints (four or five) can provide cardiovascular benefits on par with a 40-to-60-minute workout.

The idea is to get your heart pumping, so try sprinting around the block a few times after work and on the weekends. If the weather doesn’t permit, simply jump in place for four minutes (you’ll definitely feel the burn) in front of the television or before going to bed. If the family dog could use some exercise, take him on a short run or jog after dinner.

Stock up on affordable equipment

A good workout doesn’t require a visit to the gym, because you can set up an effective exercise space at home. And you can do it without investing thousands of dollars in high-tech equipment. Free weights, kettlebells, a smart scale and an activity tracker can help put you on the path to weight loss, improved strength and flexibility, and enhanced mood. When you decide to upgrade your workout space, check out affordable retailers like Best Buy so your home gym doesn’t exceed your budget. Also be sure to research Best Buy coupons, promo codes and sales so you can save even more. Exercising at home will make it easier to stay motivated and stay in shape.

Work out at work

If your busy work schedule keeps you in the office 8 or more hours a day, you’re probably spending a lot of time in a sedentary position, which won’t help your weight loss efforts or benefit your heart. You can exercise in place at the office just as well as you can at home, and you don’t need an in-office treadmill. Try doing some isometric exercises while seated at your desk, do your four-minute jumping routine, or download Break Pal (just $20), which prompts you for a three-minute workout every 30 minutes.

Dining out

Following a healthy diet doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a delicious meal out now and then without having to spend a lot. There are plenty of good vegetarian restaurants that offer a wide selection of affordable and healthy dishes. If you haven’t tried Mediterranean foods (Greek, Lebanese, Moroccan, etc.), you’re missing out on healthy and delicious eating. It’s affordable, and the benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been scientifically proven.

Socialize

Studies have shown that socializing with friends can improve brain health and reduce the risk of dementia. Interacting with people who care about you can also strengthen the immune system, alleviate depression, and may even lead to a longer, healthier life. Schedule a weekly get-together over coffee or at the movies or, if you’re looking to reduce expenses, schedule a potluck dinner with everyone bringing a dish. If your friends’ schedules make it difficult to get together, FaceTime and Skype make it easy to stay in face-to-face contact with the people who mean the most to you. Don’t waste time and money on equipment and exercise programs that promise weight loss, muscle gain and a sculpted body. Focus instead on simple and inexpensive practices that produce incremental improvements in your health. That includes exercise, diet, socialization, restful sleep and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.