A new, small study of the neurological effects of “green exercise” — meaning physical activity done in nature — finds a short stroll outside in nature improves working memory and concentration substantially more than completing the same brief walk inside. Researchers found that walking, inside or out, generally increased brain blood flow and cleared people’s minds. For…
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“Go outside and play,” my mama must have said a million times! Maybe it was in part to get the eight of us siblings from underfoot. And maybe Mama knew that to increase our health, happiness, fitness, and motivation, we needed to get outside. A new study of the neurological effects of “green exercise” –…
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Exercise may be tied to a reduction in suicide attempts, according to research published in the Journal of Affective Disorders. Investigators examined data from 17 trials and found the likelihood of attempts was significantly reduced in individuals who took part in exercise interventions compared to those who were not active. To learn more about the…
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Higher levels of optimism are associated with a longer lifespan and a greater chance of living past 90, according to a new study of nearly 160,000 women of different races and backgrounds. Healthy lifestyle factors, such as the quality of diet, physical activity, body mass index (BMI), smoking and alcohol consumption, accounted for less than…
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People who spend more time per day using wireless mobile devices are more likely to have a higher BMI (body mass index), lower-quality sleep and other adverse health outcomes. In findings from a literature review, each hour per day increase in mobile screen time was associated with an increase in BMI, and excessive device use was linked…
Read Full BlogTake a Walk. No, Really, Take a Walk I’m great at making up excuses not to exercise. But it’s hard to make excuses for not walking. It’s free. You can do it anywhere! It’s a great time to share time with your friends and family. (And a great way to get away from those you…
Read Full BlogIf you’re trying to eat more healthfully or exercise regularly, researchers have a surprising tip: consider making both changes at the same time. It may seem counterintuitive. Changing diet and exercise habits both require time and motivation. But research has shown people have more success when diet and exercise are tackled simultaneously. A study at…
Read Full BlogSince publication of the Physical Activity Guidelines (PAG) for Americans in 2008, there has been no increase in adherence to aerobic activity guidelines, while sedentary time has increased, according to a study. The University of Iowa examined the concurrent changing trends in adherence to the PAG for aerobic activity and sedentary behavior for U.S. adults…
Read Full BlogExercise does more than build body strength, it also keep brain cells in shape. According to a Mayo Clinic study, exercise helps maintain the brain’s gray matter, which is linked to various skills and thinking abilities. The study provided indirect evidence that aerobic exercise can have a positive impact on cognitive function in addition to…
Read Full BlogObesity affects about 40 percent of American adults, an estimated 93.3 million adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is a serious public health problem, increasing the risk of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and certain cancers. One major reason people gain weight as they get older is because they gradually lose…
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