Bodies By M.E.

Belly laughs- researchers have found that a good hearty laugh that brings you down to your knees can burn up to 40 calories in 15 minutes and increase metabolism 10%-20%.

Small lifestyle changes can make considerable difference in our health.  Making a change such as adding green tea to your diet can be very beneficial  promoting  significant improvements in our health.

It’s high in antioxidants, prevents cancer, heart disease and improves bone health.
High in polyphenols that reduce inflammation and improves immune system function.
Studies have proven green teas antibacterial ability to fight infection even against drug resistant super bugs.

Instead of reaching for soda or a sugary  drink think again and try green tea, hot or cold!

Despite our best intentions old habits die hard. The compulsion to repeat bad habits is common for many reasons. We tend to repeat what we feel comfortable with, as a result change is hard. When lifestyle changes are needed I am a firm believer that it all starts with our thoughts. By taking the time to think about your desired lifestyle changes and goals will help to isolate changes that need to be made. My advice is to always work smarter not harder.

Tools to help change those bad habits.

Own the habit- Be honest with yourself.
Goal set- What behaviors need to be modified or changed in order to reach your goal?
Go cold turkey- Sometimes it is just easier not to have the temptation around. For example, if you really love rocky road ice cream just don’t buy it. After awhile you won’t even miss it. Remove the temptation.
Substitution- Replace the evil temptation with something healthier.
Reinforce and encourage your positive changes.
Keep a behavior modification log. I always find that writing down behaviors whether good or bad helps to keep us honest.
Reward- at the end of the week give yourself a great big reward.

GOOD LUCK!

The U.S. Army is implementing an emotional resiliency training program for it’s solders to ensure to insure that their emotional health receives as much attention as their physical health. Brigadier General Rhonda Cornum, PhD,MD, director of the Army’s Comprehensive Soldier fitness Program, all 1.1 million soldiers, including active duty troops, reservists and National guard members, will receive  the training. The purpose of the program is to improve combat performance and to avoid post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and suicide, according to The New York Times.

The comprehensive soldier program is about addressing the needs of the whole soldier and establish a starting point from a health preventive model as opposed to dealing with the fall out after the damage has already occurred..