Wellness

Aclinical study in to the health benefits of journalling saw 70 people complete a thrice weekly 15-minute writing task for 12 weeks. Researchers, who were looking to see if it could lessen psychological distress and increase quality of life in general medical patients found that regular journaling “decreased mental distress and increased well-being… it was also associated with less depressive symptoms and anxiety after 1 month and greater resilience after the first and second month, relative to usual care.” So, in other words, writing down how you feel can help you get your thoughts in order, lessen feelings of anxiousness and help you handle unexpected or difficult situations in your daily life. Keep reading at MSN

In this installment of Wellness Wednesday, longtime Swimming World contributor Dawn Weatherwax reviews the importance of recovery through hydration. Hydration is broken down into two segments: Performance hydration and recovery hydration. This article focuses on the latter. Recovery hydration means the athlete is fully rehydrated by the end of the day. This ensures the body and brain are optimally recuperating while they sleep. However, 76% of athletes show up dehydrated to morning training, and 66% show up to all the other trainings 1% dehydrated. To obtain ideal hydration, an athlete needs enough fluid and sodium each day to match their individual needs. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? If you are 1% dehydrated, performance can decline up to 12%! • Reduces speed and recovery • D...

Thanks to the ceaseless endeavors of the respected Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, the United Nations General Assembly designated June 21 as the Global Day of Yoga. The term "Yoga" originates from the Sanskrit root yuj, signifying the act of joining, yoking, or uniting. It embodies the amalgamation of mind and body, thought and action, restraint and fulfillment, harmony between humans and nature, and a comprehensive approach to health and well-being. The notion of "wellness" is commonly linked with physical and mental well-being. While exercise, nourishment, and meditation hold significance, genuine holistic wellness encompasses a wide range of aspects of our existence, encompassing physical health, mental well-being, personal growth, and financial stability. The current narra...

Like greenwashing, wellbeing washing is when a company focuses more on appearing to care about wellbeing than they do on taking care of their employees. In an era dominated by digital connectivity, our lives have become intertwined with technology, offering unprecedented convenience and access to information. From fitness trackers and meditation apps to smart devices monitoring our sleep patterns, technology has ushered in a new wave of wellness solutions. While these advancements hold immense promise, it is crucial to navigate the potential pitfalls of technology-driven wellness to ensure our well-being remains at the forefront. The allure of quick fixes and instant gratification often draws us towards wellness trends powered by technology. However, it is essential to approach these...

Is there a link between mental health and gut health? Healthista spoke to The Gut Experts – Professor Barbara Ryan and Elaine McGowan RD. They reveal how managing your mental health can transform your gut health Your brain is connected to every part of your body, so what is so special about the connection between your gut and your brain? Well, it turns out that your gut enjoys a particularly intimate relationship with your brain, compared to the other important organs in your body, so much so, that the gut has been called your ‘second brain’ or the little brain. While your brain contains about 100 billion neurones (nerve cells), your gut contains about 500 million neurones, which is impressive, given that your heart has only 40,000 neurones and your kidneys have about 1 million each. R...

We live in a time where things can be uncertain and scary. Families face many stressors that can exacerbate or lead to mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression. On average, a person will reach for their phone every 19 seconds if they are not engaged in an activity. There are things we can do to build resiliency within ourselves and the family. It can feel good to disconnect from distractions such as the phone and social media to connect with family and friends. Schedule time that works for your family to share a meal or have 15 minutes out of the day free from distractions to talk. Read more at Midland Health

You didn't have to be a kid in the '90s to know designer, beauty founder, and artist Victoria Beckham as one fifth of the iconic pop group, the Spice Girls. While the legendary band is well-known for its fashion takes uniquely tailored to each member's personality, Beckham says that it's the beauty looks that have always piqued her interest. "Beauty has always been a passion of mine, and it really began during my time in the Spice Girls," she tells BAZAAR.com. "I always enjoyed sitting in makeup chairs, learning tips and tricks whilst discovering my personal makeup preferences." Read the story at Harper's Bazaar

Much of the information about wellness on social media is utter bunk. If you believe the TikToks, all we need to do is buy a $14,900 bio charger or the odd vaginal egg, breathe a certain way or follow a certain diet. Probably one that’s gluten and sugar-free because they are the devils in sweet delicious disguise. “False health information spreads far faster than accurate, balanced scientific information because false information often comes across as novel or groundbreaking or revolutionary. It’s something new, right?” says British doctor Idrees Mughal, who has a master’s degree in nutritional research and is board-certified in Lifestyle Medicine. Read more at Sydney Morning Herald

Every time a new health or wellness trend emerges, there's a mad rush to incorporate the shiny new routine into our daily lives. From restrictive diets to celebrity-endorsed workouts, staying up to date on the latest quick fix can be exhausting, and these sorts of lifestyle changes are rarely sustainable. I have long doubted the efficacy of quick fixes and one-size-fits-all wellness plans, because, ultimately, we're all different. I believe (and science demonstrates) that the most effective health interventions are developed over a lifetime, through an individualized approach. This means we need new wellness goals altogether. Our Costly Obsession With Quick Fixes It's no secret that the health and wellness industry is obsessed with quick fixes, to the detriment of consumer spending. ...

Another week, another controversial Gwyneth Paltrow interview. The self-appointed wellness guru and Goop queen chatted to Dr Will Cole last week for his The Art of Being Well podcast, detailing her daily "wellness routine" – which included questionable diet habits like fasting until midday, and eating nothing but bone broth for lunch. Oh, and occasionally she might also occasionally throw in a celery juice with lemon (insert eye roll emoji here). TikTok jumped on the interview, dubbing Gwyneth an "Almond Mum" – a term that has emerged online to describe mothers who peddle in advice that promotes toxic diet culture. The phrase emerged in 2013, when ex-model and Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star (and mum to models Bella and Gigi Hadid), Yolanda Hadid, told daughter Gigi on the show to...