Posts

How Much Sun Exposure is Healthy?

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 TikTok scare stories are total baloney. Here’s the real Rx: Use sunscreen, and get your vitamin D. Recently I went to New York to visit family for my brother’s birthday. The day was sunny and hot, but he has a boat, so we decided to take it out on the bay where the breeze would help us forget about East Coast humidity for a while. My older cousin was ready to go, decked out in cargo pants, a wide brimmed hat, and a long sleeved shirt. It’s easy to hate the sun during such a blistering summer, but letting our skin be exposed to its rays, when protected by sunscreen, has a lot of benefits. My cousin disagrees, and so do TikTokers who spread misinformation about sunscreen and its harms. And that kind of incorrect advice is reaching a lot of people. A survey from the Orlando Health Cancer Institute found that 1 in 7 American adults under age 35 believe using sunscreen daily is more harmful than direct sun exposure. Humans rely on the sun for vitamin D, which plays a role in many body ...

The ‘Healthy’ Habit That’s Actually Accelerating Your Aging Process

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Everyone wants to look beautiful. That’s the reason in 2022 the beauty products industry has generated revenue of $430 Billion USD. All are searching for the ‘fountain of youth’ and grabbing onto every piece of advice and any concept of a healthy lifestyle. But, unfortunately, some of the behaviours that you consider to be healthy are not. They are actually making you age much faster. Shocking, right? I have seen many trends come through the pipe and be thrown to the bin. Starting from juices till the most intense workouts, all the time thinking I was being good to my body. But here’s the kicker: Some of these habits were subconsciously deteriorating my health and I bet, they are to you too. #1. Your Obsession with Cardio The cardio craze is not something that could be started just like that. The phenomenon was introduced in the decade of the 60’s. it has Dr. Kenneth Cooper to thank for that, who was the first to coin the term aerobics. He was one to alert the population to the fact th...

These Scientifically Proven Strategies to Boost Brain Power and Memory According to Harvard

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 Lisa was at a high school reunion, and there she was talking to other former classmates and sharing experiences from the past. Then, she saw her previous lab partner, who was always so smart in chemistry-related tests and became a successful pharmacist later. When she walk up to greet him, she struggle to recall name. Was it Jamie? Taylor? No, wait… It is quite frustrating because it is almost like that particular word is right on the tip of her tongue. Being annoyed at this point, she simply resigned to say, ‘Hello!’ Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Memory problems, which are sometimes called subjective cognitive decline (SCD), happen to a surprising number of people. In fact, a shocking 11.1% of adults — that’s 1 in 9 people — say their confusion or memory loss is getting worse or happening more often. And it’s not just an issue for older people; a big 10.8% of adults between the ages of 45 and 64 also have SCD, in addition to 11.7% of adults aged 65 and up. The really shocking...

Weight Loss and Emotions: My Journey

 When you have been overweight all your life, listening to people’s stories of how xyz diet and abc gym worked for them only gets you more worked up. If it is working for everyone, it should work for you too right? If it’s not, surely you are doing something wrong, surely you are terrible at something, surely you do not deserve achieving what you want.    We forget we are all unique. We forget we all have different bodies and one size doesn’t fit all. We forget we come from different life situations, and have different stories leading to us being what we are. What people in general, do not understand about people dealing with weight issues is- it’s not a choice. No fat person wants to be fat; they are just in that situation owing to their journey so far. Sure they may have made grave mistakes regarding their health choices at some point, but no one wishes to have kilos of unwanted fat lying around on their body. And more often than not it’s a vicious negative loop: judgem...

25 Fun Activities to Improve Mental Health - Fresh Your Mind

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25 Fun Activities to Improve Mental Health Here are some fun activities to improve your mental health, which I personally perform. 1. Socializing We’re not meant to be alone. Spend time with friends, and family, or join a club to share laughs and build awesome connections. 2. Go green! Nature is excellent for stress reduction. Take a walk, hike, or just chill near a babbling brook. Trees and sunshine make your brain happy! 3. Exercising Exercise does magic for your mood. Dance, walk, bike, swim – anything that gets your body moving and your heart pumping. 4. Art Do anything you love and get creative in art. Paint, write, and sing a song for your own. It’s fun, boosts confidence, and helps you chill. 5. Relaxation Techniques Mindfulness is similar to taking a short break or vacation for your mind.  Meditation , deep breaths, or mindful walks help you calm down and enjoy the moment. 6. Gratitude Write down what you’re thankful for – that yummy sandwich, your awesome dog, even the sun...

Is Eating Spicy Foods Bad for Your Health? A Comprehensive Guide

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  We’ve all been there—biting into a fiery jalapeño, dousing wings in blazing hot sauce, or savoring a bowl of chili that leaves us wiping our brows. For some, spicy foods are a way of life, while others approach them with caution. Whether you’re a heat enthusiast or someone who dreads the burn, there’s often one question that lingers:  Is eating spicy foods bad for your health? The short answer is—it depends. Spicy foods can offer a range of benefits but can also pose some risks, depending on your body, your health conditions, and how much heat you're handling. In this article, we’ll explore the effects of spicy foods on the body, debunk some common myths, and provide insights into whether spicy foods are a friend or foe to your health. The Science Behind Spicy Foods Spicy foods get their kick from compounds known as  capsaicinoids , the most well-known of which is  capsaicin . Capsaicin is found in chili peppers, which are the primary source of heat in most spicy d...

What are the best ways to lose weight?

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  For me it was never about being on a 'diet'. My intention was to make a lifestyle change and behold, a 15kg loss in 15 weeks! Mindset!  Get yourself out of the “diet” mindset; it's not sustainable for the long-haul! Be in a calorie deficit.  Believe it or not, we all lose over 1,000 calories every day, doing nothing. This is known as your BMR. My BMR is 1,482, meaning if I consume 1,500 calories, I’ll still be at a deficit with exercise included. This doesn't mean eating fried chicken every day, you have to be smart. Choose healthier options, and satisfy your cravings if need be to avoid falling into binge behaviour. There is no need to restrict what you eat. You can eat anything, in moderation! Water, water, water!  I cannot stress to you enough how important water is. When you drink less water, you are retaining water weight, however when you drink more, that is helping you burn calories faster. I drink 3.5 liters a day. Exercise  — you don't need to spend £...