jan-2018

10 11 OPENING LINES TIPS FOR WINTER WELLNESS W hen coldwinds blow,it’s essential to take extra steps to protect your health.There are a number of techniques that can help keep your immunity high and your body in good condition to support wellness all season long so that you can enjoy the chillier months. There’s nomagic formula for feeling your best,but consulting your health care provider is always a good ideawhen you’re con- templating newideas to promote better health. GET UPAND MOVING Without frequent use,muscles and joints canweaken and grow stiff,limiting your mobility.Exercise is also an important step in balancing your caloric intake,and physical activitygets your blood pumping,which has numerous benefits for heart health.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends aminimumof 150minutes eachweek (or 30minutes per day, at least five days eachweek) of moderate activity,such as a brisk walk,yoga class or bike ride. Additionally,winter brings fewer hours of sunlight during the day,and per theNational Sleep Foundation,darkness naturally causes the brain to releasemelatonin,a hormone that triggers sleepiness.Exercise can counteract this drowsiness,as the endor- phins released through physical activitycause a natural increase in energy levels.Studies showthat endorphins can also elicit pos- itive feelings and reduce the perception of pain,which can lower stress levels to help keep youmentallyand physicallywell. SPICE UPYOUR ROUTINE WITH HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS Whether to supplement your diet with additional vitamins and nutrients,or to give you a specific,targeted boost,herbal supple- ments can help support overall health.For example,the supple- ment turmeric,derived from root extracts of the Curcuma longa plant,is widely regarded to have numerous positive health impli- cations. “Since 2013,turmerichas dominated themarket as the top-sell- ing ingredient in herbal supplements,”said Chris Oswald,licensed