101 Ways to Feel Better Today – Page 2

April 24, 2020April 23, 2020

#91 Choose Organic

Choose organic if you can, but choose fruits and vegetables as much as possible in any form

There have been some conflicting studies as to the benefits of choosing organic fruits and vegetables over non-organic, but a meta-analysis based on 343 peer-reviewed studies did show statistically significant and meaningful differences in the composition between the two. Most notably, the levels of antioxidants such as polyphenols were much higher in organic foods, and the frequency of pesticide residues was four times as high in conventional crops. Higher levels of the toxic chemical cadmium were also detected in non-organic crops.

From the analysis, the researchers declared, “In conclusion, organic crops, on average, have higher concentrations of antioxidants, lower concentrations of Cd and a lower incidence of pesticide residues than the non-organic comparators across regions and production seasons.”

April 23, 2020April 22, 2020

#90 Health Expectations

A new day, another opportunity to live life to the fullest

When you wake up in the morning, do you jump out of bed, full of energy, feeling well-rested and ready to tackle the day ahead? Or do you find it difficult to get up, feeling aches and pains and maybe stomach discomfort and lethargy? For many people, the morning is when they realize how healthy or unhealthy they have become.

There are numerous reasons for not feeling good. An unhealthy diet, prescription medication, lack of exercise, obesity, maladies in all of their various forms, stress, lack of sleep – the list is seemingly endless and is a reminder of how many things can affect the way you feel. But how you feel will determine how you spend the rest of your days.

If you are healthy, it is much easier to live in joy and with a sense of peace. If you aren’t healthy, then the rest of your life may feel like a long prison sentence.

April 22, 2020April 22, 2020

#89 Be Open-Minded

The truth, like the beautiful kangaroo in this picture, might be more elusive than you think

I remember back in school having to engage in debates. There was even a debate team that participated in competitions with teachers judging the arguments and then determining which side defended its position the best. They were declared the “winners” and there was a trophy celebration at the end of the year.

What a gargantuan waste of time and energy.

Teaching children how to argue, how to invest thought and emotions into proving that their position is “right” and the other group is “wrong”, all in the guise of learning something, seems so wrong to me now that it infuriates me. It fosters an attitude of close-mindedness, bullying and public shaming. It was, unfortunately, considered an intellectual exercise.

April 21, 2020April 21, 2020

#88 Drink Sparkling Mineral Water

It’s a pretty picture, but replace the beer with sparkling mineral water for maximum health benefits

The idea of drinking carbonated water to cure stomach aches has been around for hundreds of years. Sometimes there is a lot to learn from these old folk remedies, and sometimes not. This one actually happens to be true.

A study was conducted testing the effects of drinking six cups of mineral water on people suffering from dyspepsia, or a stomach ache. Those who drank the sparkling water had more relief than the ones who were just drinking water. Not only did the carbonated water group improve their stomach aches, but they also felt relief from constipation and were measured to have increased gallbladder emptying. If the gallbladder isn’t releasing enough bile, it can cause symptoms of upper abdominal pain after eating, nausea, bloating, and indigestion.

April 20, 2020April 20, 2020

#87 Be Careful With the Protein

For those who think that plants don’t provide enough protein to grow tall and strong…

Due to incorrect research and some faulty conclusions from way back in the 1930’s, it was thought that protein deficiency was a major concern in the world. In the 1970’s, research refuted this erroneous information and suddenly the recommended protein intake went from 13% of daily calories, to 10, then 7 and finally down to 5%. The thought that protein deficiency existed in any form was disproved.

But the average person still thinks that protein is the one nutrient we must get in abundance. This is not based in fact, but due to clever marketing by various groups including the dairy and cattle industries. People are more likely to suffer from protein excess than protein deficiency. Modern research shows that we need 0.8-0.9 grams of protein per kilogram of our ideal body weight per day, which means about 58 grams for someone who weighs 150 pounds. It’s estimated that the average American consumes at least 100 grams of protein a day,

April 19, 2020April 19, 2020

#86 Say No to Alcohol

Kombucha is a refreshing drink without the harmful effects of alcohol

Drinking alcohol is socially acceptable in our society. A glass of wine at dinner or a couple of beers on the weekend seems harmless enough. But is that true? Is moderation with something that your body doesn’t need acceptable?

The short answer is – no. Drinking even one alcoholic drink per day is linked with a 5% increase in the risk of breast cancer, a 17% increase in the risk of oropharyngeal cancer (the middle part of the throat) and a 30% increase in the risk of esophageal cancer compared with not drinking, according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology. The link between alcohol consumption and cancer has been firmly established, and that is only one of the health issues it can cause.

April 18, 2020April 18, 2020

#85 Ditch the Salt

You wouldn’t drink ocean water, so be careful about the amount of salt that you eat

Salt, like sugar, is everywhere. If you never touch a salt shaker but eat processed foods or enjoy a fast-food meal on occasion, you will be exceeding any recommended amounts of sodium that you need to function, and in turn doing harm to your arteries. Salt is dangerous not only because it can cause high blood pressure, but because it damages the arteries leading to the development of atherosclerosis, and subsequently cardiovascular disease as this study showed.

It appears that salt acts like a free radical, inhibiting blood flow in arteries and tiny blood vessels. Salt actually cripples the ability of the body’s enzymes to function. This study showed that reducing salt intake enhanced the bioavailability of key enzymes, therefore reducing oxidative stress. In addition to harming arteries, high salt consumption has been linked to an increased risk of stomach cancer. If you consume salt, make sure to increase the natural antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables in your diet.

April 17, 2020April 17, 2020

#84 The Power of Grains

A big bowl of oatmeal with blueberries and banana is a wonderful start to the day

The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) looked at hundreds of studies from decades of research over a ten-year period and created the Third Expert Report in 2018. It was a mega analysis comprised of the best data and research with the goal of creating recommendations for the prevention of cancer. Number three on their list of the top ten recommendations, after maintaining a healthy weight and exercising, is to eat a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, fruits and beans.

Whole grains like oats, brown rice, and quinoa and whole-grain foods such as whole-wheat pasta and whole-grain bread provide vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and an abundance of fibre, shown to be an important weapon in the fight against multiple cancers. Whole grains use all of the grain, including the germ and bran where most of the nutrients are located. Processed grains lack these vital components and are nutritionally deficient.

April 16, 2020April 15, 2020

#83 Eat Your Beans

Black beans for dessert – yes, it’s possible and yes, it’s delicious!

Beans are so good for you that they should become a regular staple in your diet. In fact, keeping beans handy at all times is easy to do and they can be added to just about anything. Whether you open a can or cook them yourself, the health benefits from eating beans are numerous.

Keeping a few cans on hand can make it simple to whip up a filling and nutritious meal without much thought. Beans can be added to salads, soups, chile, or turned into delicious dips. They are inexpensive, especially if you buy dried beans in bulk and cook them yourself. If you have an Instant Pot or pressure cooker, it can be simple to cook up a batch of beans and have them to eat throughout the week.

April 15, 2020April 15, 2020

#82 Feel What You Are Feeling

My friend’s baby won’t hold back his emotions, so why should I?

We are taught as children to hide our emotions, to suppress the feelings that lead to outbursts, crying or tantrums. Parents don’t like seeing their children upset, and in society it is frowned upon when kids are screaming and crying in public. The socialization of emotional suppression begins at a very early age.

As we are conditioned to hold in emotions, the physical ramifications of this can be many. Stomach aches, headaches, and other issues can manifest as emotions are held inside. It is part of the price we pay to live in society the way it is, but as we get older we can begin to recognize these pent-up feelings and deal with them in an adult way.