Monday, January 25, 2016

The Capacity of the Teen Brain

Check out the below link to see how a teenager's brain differs from a fully mature adult brain.

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/the-teen-brain-still-under-construction/index.shtml

Thursday, January 21, 2016

The Benefits of Physical Activity

With the New Year, a lot of us often set goals for ourselves. The “resolutions” can involve the amount of time we’ll spend at work, with our family and friends, how we would like to change how we manage stress and other difficult life situations, to making goals to be healthy and physically active. Ask any gym employee where they see the heaviest spike in membership and they’ll tell you the month of January.

Reevaluation the past and setting goals for the future is a healthy way to improve our quality of life. When focusing on the goal of increase physical activity and focusing more on our health, we must remember life is a journey and not a literal sprint. Making realistic goals and working at a steady pace will help you make long lasting changes that go beyond the month of January that you can carry with you through life.

Throughout the rest of this newsletter, you will find the benefits of incorporating regular physical activity into your lifestyle. Physical activity does not have to be something we dread. It can be something we enjoy and reap the benefits from for our entire lives.

Benefits of Physical Activity
Live longer and prevent chronic diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol and triglyceride levels, stroke, type 2 diabetes, metabolic and hormone imbalances, and colon and breast cancers.
2.       Strengthen your heart and lung function and build muscle and strength.
3.       Increase your metabolism (Ability to burn more calories and lose weight).
4.       Reduce and help manage stress, anxiety, and depression, including improving your mood and mood regulation.
5.       Increases sexual arousal in women and help prevent erectile dysfunction in men.
6.       Improve and maintain brain function.
7.       Gives you more energy and helps you sustain it throughout the day.
8.       Helps you maintain healthy digestion and bowel movements.
9.       Increases your bone density (Stronger bones).
1-   Helps you maintain a more youthful look and keeps you more agile (Able to move and be physically active).
  -   Helps improve your sleep.
--   Helps improve your overall quality of life.

You do not have to buy an expensive gym membership to begin making some lifestyle changes. There
are many activities you can incorporate into your current daily activities that can help move you to a
healthier lifestyle. A general rule of thumb is to engage in at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily. If
you are a smartphone user, there are many free apps you can download that help you improve your eating
habits and increase your physical activity level. With all changes in life, make sure you speak with your
doctor before you begin and lifestyle change. Your doctor can help you better understand benefits and
specific limitations you may need to be aware of.  

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