“The results showed that even after taking into account all of these factors [depressive symptoms, economic hardship and employment status, alcohol and caffeine consumption, children and sexual activity] that are known to influence sleep, the level of marital happiness emerged as an independent risk factor for the existence of sleep disturbances,” stated Wendy Troxel, an associate professor of psychiatry who headed the study.

Source: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,484908,00.html

 Which picture of British Columbia’s beautiful view points will improve your attention, concentration and memory?

A picture of Capilano Lake…

or a picture of downtown Vancouver?

 If you guessed the Capilano Lake, you’re right.  According to a study reported in the Epoch Times, being exposed to nature can improve your scores in various memory, concentration and attention tests by 20%.

Source:  http://en.epochtimes.com/n2/content/view/10075/

How many business companies encourage and financially support weight management control?  I work for a health care authority and although there are discounts to fitness facilities, I can gain as much weight and be as unfit as possible without punishment or risk of losing my job.  But for airline companies and their staff, specifically flight attendants, it’s a different story.

Air India dismissed 9 flight attandants for being medically unfit and too over weight to fulfill their role.  Safety and the ability to respond in emergency situations were cited as the main reason for the dismissal.  I can’t blame them.  Flight attendants can be responsibile for as many as 200 passengers which often include frail seniors, unsupervised youth and individuals with chronic diseases.   As a passenger, I would want to feel secure in knowing that in time of need, my flight attendant would be physically capable of ensuring my safety. 

Travelling for business, vacation, to see family or for work, it’s not easy to fit fitness into a busy, hectic lifestyle.  But it’s not impossible.   How do frequent flyers stay fit?

1.  Plan ahead.  Call the hotel and find out what fitness facilities are available in the hotel and surrounding area.  Tailor your workout programs and daily schedule to fit a 35 min quality session in at least 3x/wk.

2.  Bring your own travel gym kit.   There is no excuse if there are no fitness facilities nearby.  Skipping rope for cardio, resistance bands for strength and a foldable mat (or a beach sized towel) for yoga and/or stretching is all you need. 

3.  Pay attention to what you eat.    Always ensure that you have  good protein sources such as eggs, chicken, salmon, tofu and a mix of complex and fibrous carbs such as oatmeal, brown rice along with lots of vegetables in every plate you eat. 

Check out this article for more information and tips for staying fit while travelling. 

 Source:  http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/07/world/asia/07briefs-9FLIGHTATTEN_BRF.html

What fitness trend will you follow in 2009?

Bootcamp style fitness programs still rate as one of the top fitness trends to sustain into 2009 according to WebMD Health News.   Other workout styles that made the list include:  kettlebell and circuit training, sport specific training and technology based programs.

With the move towards finding more economical and efficient ways to work out and stay fit, I’m surprised that two trends that I currently take part in didn’t make the list:

1.  at home work out programs and;
2.  yoga/pilates

Source:  http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/news/20081212/hot-fitness-trends-2009

Like drug companies couldn’t go any further into damaging your health and perceptions, they come up with this drug…. forget about finding a cure for breast cancer or multiple sclerosis, let’s find a drug that let’s us not go to the gym, drink as much as we want and eat junk food….

Can we really lose weight by taking one pill?

Source:  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1083047/The-red-wine-weight-loss-wonder-drug-lets-eat-junk-food.htmlp://

There is a common mneumonic used to guide writers in developing article headlines known as AIDA = Attention, Interest, Desire and Action.  When headlines, write ups and articles are written, it must contain these elements in order for the reader to want to continue reading.  So in a way, because of the title, this news headliner grabbed my attention and interest and being a female, I wanted (desired) to learn more and find out what action I can take to minimize the germs that I am prone to have.  Yet as I read on, many of the “germs” mentioned were due to everyday things that women were likely more exposed to than males… 

“Women had more germ diversity than men, possibly due to different acidities on the hands, different hand-washing regimens, differential production of sweat, variable hormones and how often moisturizers or cosmetics are applied.”

In other words… nothing new, but just the obvious proven with current research.

Source:  http://news.health.com/2008/11/05/womens-hands-home-more-types-germs/

If you were known as the world’s fastest woman who broke record time in the Olympics, what would you do if you were interrogated and questioned on your use of performance enhancing drugs by the federal authority? 

As fitness enthusiasts, it’s easy to fall into the trap of wanting to look our best.  We want quick fixes.  We want immediate results.  But oftentimes, what we sometimes take and believe to be natural can very well be … well… not.  This is Marion Jones story and first interview post prison.  Her decision was to inform federal authority that she did NOT take anything, for fear of what she would lose (family’s trust, medals, pride).  Five years later, she admitted to taking “the clear” even though she didn’t know fully how it impacted her performance.  She was sentenced to 6 months in prison and released this September.  In this exclusive interview on Oprah, she reveals her experiences, journeys, wishes and hopes.  She also shares a  tearful letter to her son. 

Source: http://www.oprah.com/dated/oprahshow/oprahshow_20081029_marion

Myths busted:

• “It’s convenient.” 
• “It’s safer than tap water.”
• “There’s no price limit to my family’s health.”

In a testing conducted by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), 10 US brands of bottled water contained an average of 7 chemical pollutants including:  caffeine, pharmaceuticals, carcinogens, and industrial solvents.  Co-author of the study, Jane Houlihan stated, ” In some cases, it appears bottled water is no less polluted than tap water and at 1,900 times the cost, consumers should expect better.”

In Canada, the responsibility lies on all levels of government.  Surprising thing is that Canada’s Water Quality Guidelines are not enforced by law like it is in the United States.  So naturally, there is much concern about  whether tap water is truly safer than bottled.  Stories such as the Walkerton, ON E. Coli scare and the parasite cryptosporidiosis outbreak in North Battlefield, SK can make anyone fearful of opening up the tap to fill our glass.  A guide to test your own water quality at home can be found here.

Three things you can do now:

1.  Stop buying plastic water bottles.  Congratulations in taking the step realizing that water is vital to our health and body function.  Instead of using plastic water bottles, get a stainless steel like Klean Kanteen and fill it up with Brita filtered tap water. 

2.  Learn about your local water supply system.  By contacting your local Environmental Health Inspector, you will likely learn that your tap water is safe for drinking.   Canada holds roughly 20% of the world’s known fresh water supplies yet I’m sure you know friends who buy spring water from Fiji, France and Sweden!  Why?

3.  Maximize your use of water.  I’m guilty.  I enjoy my long showers, dishwasher and do laundry 3x/wk.  Canada’s per capita usage of water is higher than every other country except the US.  It’s time to turn down the tap and take action with others to reduce our use.  Any other suggestions or tips?

Source:  http://evolvingwellness.com/posts/423/bottled-water-not-worth-the-price-or-your-health/

In a January 2007 press release by the Better Sleep Council on Canada,  it was reported that only 10% of Canadians think good sleep is critical to fitness, yet nearly 30% admit that a “lack of energy” is the greatest barrier to improving their fitness.  Not surprising considering that in today’s world,  sleep is undervalued and having 8 hours of sleep is considered a luxury of time.

Sleep loss, however, is associated with significant health problems, such as depression, headaches and impaired heart function.  It has been linked to poor concentration, lower productivity and poor work quality -  skills required to work efficiently.  Sleep loss can interfere with memory, reasoning and concentration – skills required when taking advanced learning courses.  Lack of sleep make us irritable and can obviously strain our relationships with co-workers, friends and family.

Sleep Well to Keep Fit

Dr. Stacy Irvine, Chiropractor and Fitness Expert on behalf of the Better Sleep Council Canada stated that “regular exercise releases endorphins that relieve stress, and the physical exertion helps our bodies crave rest for a more deep and restful sleep.  The benefits of sleep and fitness are reciprocal”.

Tips to have a good night’s sleep:

• Unwind. Put any type “work” away, dim the lights and focus on taking deep breaths.  By separating your day’s activities from your sleep, you begin to train your body to relax.  (This is the hardest tip to follow but critical to a good night’s sleep).
• Be consistent. Try to get up at the same time every morning and go to bed at the same time in the evening, seven days a week.
• Mattress check. If you sleep better in someone else’s bed, it might be time to get a new mattress.
• Exercise. Incorporate fitness into your daily schedule; at least 45 minutes a day.  Include cardio, weight training, yoga, sports  and stretching into your weekly activities so that your body and mind remain active during the day and ready to retire at night.

Click here for Health Magazine’s Celebrity Secrets and What You Can Learn From Them

Source: http://www.bettersleep.ca/