Tag: Habits

  • Reviving Long-Term Healthy Habits Post Pandemic

    Reviving Long-Term Healthy Habits Post Pandemic

    The pandemic and associated restrictions had a profound effect on people’s daily lives. Alcohol sales skyrocketed, physical activity stopped for most and emotional eating led to weight gain.

    After two years of pandemic life, many are having difficulties returning to a healthy lifestyle. The strategies we used to adapt and cope have cemented into bad habits for many of us. In other words, pandemic habits may be hard to break.

    According to Nielsen, during the first week of stay-at-home restrictions in March 2020, there was a 54 percent increase in national sales of alcohol. This, despite the fact that bars and restaurants were closed. Furthermore, the most recent data from Nielsen show sales of beer, wine and spirits at the start of 2022 remain higher than they were in 2019.

    Changes in exercise have followed a similar pattern. According to scientists at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), data from the smartphone app Argus indicated that one month after stay-at-home restrictions were implemented in the spring of 2020, people took about 27 percent fewer steps a day, on average. That’s 1,432 fewer steps.

    Interestingly, in the U.S., physical activity picked up during spring and summer months (both in 2020 and 2021), when cases declined and there was more daylight, but dropped again with fall and winter surges, including the Omicron surge.

    Finally, there was also evidence of weight gain. According to UCSF researchers, data analyzed from volunteers who reported their weight during the early months of the pandemic gained an average 1.5 pounds per month.

    Many health professionals fear that the combination of the aforementioned might translate into higher rates of heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular events across the population in the years to come. That remains to be seen but is a real possibility.

    If a healthier post pandemic life is what you want, make every effort to focus on the long-term. New habits and real change are not born overnight. An important component of change is the belief in the ability to implement it. This belief may be lacking for some of us. We may believe we can achieve certain weight goals, but might stop short of that ideal, healthy weight.

    When establishing a post pandemic routine, people often fantasize about desirable outcomes with no plan on how to achieve their goals. People need to not only create a plan to achieve their goals, but also additional plans that will help to fight falling back into old habits. Interestingly, the best plans are often not fully executed because people rely on willpower to stay on track, which can often be problematic. We have all succumbed to moments of weakness. It is only human.

    Create good habits by implementing manageable actions. Build on what’s already working. Make habits appealing and create rewards for actions that lead to measurable accomplishments.

    As previously mentioned, the important thing to remember about restarting an exercise and nutrition routine is that you want to make long-term changes. If losing weight is your ultimate goal, choose healthy habits that will help you accomplish this goal: regular exercise, a nutritious diet and strategically supplementing to fuel your exercise needs. The following are a few recommendations to get you started:

    Move as much as possible: According to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, there is no minimum duration for physical activity. Every minute of activity counts towards your daily total. Regardless of the activity or activities you choose, set a goal of at least 60 minutes per day.

    Eat your fruits and veggies: According to the USDA’s (U.S. Department of Agriculture) Dietary Guidelines, adults need to eat anywhere from five to 13 servings of fruits and vegetables per day depending on age, gender, physical activity and overall health. See www.usda.gov for a guide on determining serving sizes of common fruits and vegetables.

    Take your dietary supplements: For anyone re-starting a training program, it’s important to take the right supplements, including a multivitamin, probiotics, fish oil, antioxidants, a wide range of vegetable, and/or milk proteins and bone support, among others, as part of your training. Supplements will never replace proper nutrition—but they can immensely help your exercise routine! Supplements complement your diet and help cover nutrient gaps, ensuring that your body has what it needs for peak performance. No matter what your training goals are, the right supplements can help improve your health, performance and physique.

    Drink water: If you don’t stay hydrated, your physical performance will suffer. This is particularly important during exercise. Dehydration can have a noticeable impact if the body loses as little as 2 percent of its water content. This can lead to increased fatigue. It can also make exercise feel much more difficult, both physically and mentally. Optimal hydration has also been shown to prevent the oxidative stress that occurs during high intensity exercise. If you exercise, staying hydrated can help you perform at your absolute best.

    Choose a healthy, active hobby: Hobbies that keep you physically active are a great way to improve your health. Try activities including hiking, cycling, running, tennis, dancing and team sports.

    Keep a health log: This can be an app or an old-fashioned journal. Track any relevant details, including exercise, sleep, diet, how you’re feeling and any additional health info you deem as appropriate. A health log provides a better picture of your habits and daily routine. It can give your doctor a better understanding of your health.

    Ultimately, we all have the very best intentions when undertaking positive post pandemic change. The challenge will be establishing a long-term mindset despite the pandemic being in the rear-view mirror. Restarting health routines are about making change from the undesirable habits that were established during the pandemic. That said, we all have to be cognizant and recognize that, sometimes, goals may be too ambitious. That is why designing a plan that takes into account possible setbacks is so vital. After all, you don’t want to be restarting your routine a year from now. Take charge, be disciplined and make your post pandemic routine your best routine yet! VR

    Mark Becker is a senior account manager for Vivion Inc, a raw materials distributor, based in Vernon, CA. He has worked as a natural products sales and marketing executive for 20 years. Becker has written more than 300 articles and has hosted or been a guest on more than 500 radio shows. He obtained a bachelor’s in journalism from Long Beach State University and did his master’s work in communications at Cal State Fullerton. For more than 35 years he has participated in numerous endurance events, including more than 150 triathlons of Olympic distance or longer, 103 marathons and numerous other events including ultramarathons and rough water swims from Alcatraz to the mainland. He has relied on a comprehensive dietary supplement regimen to support his athletic, professional and personal endeavors. Follow Mark Becker on Facebook at www.facebook.com/marklbecker/posts/387591877933686#!/energyatlast. Follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/becker_mark. For more information, access www.vivioninc.com, www.alliedbionutrition.com or www.EnergyatLast.com.

    The pandemic and associated restrictions had a profound effect on people’s daily lives. Alcohol sales skyrocketed, physical activity stopped for most and emotional eating led to weight gain.

    After two years of pandemic life, many are having difficulties returning to a healthy lifestyle. The strategies we used to adapt and cope have cemented into bad habits for many of us. In other words, pandemic habits may be hard to break.

    According to Nielsen, during the first week of stay-at-home restrictions in March 2020, there was a 54 percent increase in national sales of alcohol. This, despite the fact that bars and restaurants were closed. Furthermore, the most recent data from Nielsen show sales of beer, wine and spirits at the start of 2022 remain higher than they were in 2019.

    Changes in exercise have followed a similar pattern. According to scientists at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), data from the smartphone app Argus indicated that one month after stay-at-home restrictions were implemented in the spring of 2020, people took about 27 percent fewer steps a day, on average. That’s 1,432 fewer steps.

    SR Carnosyn
    CapsCanada

    Interestingly, in the U.S., physical activity picked up during spring and summer months (both in 2020 and 2021), when cases declined and there was more daylight, but dropped again with fall and winter surges, including the Omicron surge.

    Finally, there was also evidence of weight gain. According to UCSF researchers, data analyzed from volunteers who reported their weight during the early months of the pandemic gained an average 1.5 pounds per month.

    Many health professionals fear that the combination of the aforementioned might translate into higher rates of heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular events across the population in the years to come. That remains to be seen but is a real possibility.

    If a healthier post pandemic life is what you want, make every effort to focus on the long-term. New habits and real change are not born overnight. An important component of change is the belief in the ability to implement it. This belief may be lacking for some of us. We may believe we can achieve certain weight goals, but might stop short of that ideal, healthy weight.

    When establishing a post pandemic routine, people often fantasize about desirable outcomes with no plan on how to achieve their goals. People need to not only create a plan to achieve their goals, but also additional plans that will help to fight falling back into old habits. Interestingly, the best plans are often not fully executed because people rely on willpower to stay on track, which can often be problematic. We have all succumbed to moments of weakness. It is only human.

    Create good habits by implementing manageable actions. Build on what’s already working. Make habits appealing and create rewards for actions that lead to measurable accomplishments.

    As previously mentioned, the important thing to remember about restarting an exercise and nutrition routine is that you want to make long-term changes. If losing weight is your ultimate goal, choose healthy habits that will help you accomplish this goal: regular exercise, a nutritious diet and strategically supplementing to fuel your exercise needs. The following are a few recommendations to get you started:

    Move as much as possible: According to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, there is no minimum duration for physical activity. Every minute of activity counts towards your daily total. Regardless of the activity or activities you choose, set a goal of at least 60 minutes per day.

    Eat your fruits and veggies: According to the USDA’s (U.S. Department of Agriculture) Dietary Guidelines, adults need to eat anywhere from five to 13 servings of fruits and vegetables per day depending on age, gender, physical activity and overall health. See www.usda.gov for a guide on determining serving sizes of common fruits and vegetables.

    Take your dietary supplements: For anyone re-starting a training program, it’s important to take the right supplements, including a multivitamin, probiotics, fish oil, antioxidants, a wide range of vegetable, and/or milk proteins and bone support, among others, as part of your training. Supplements will never replace proper nutrition—but they can immensely help your exercise routine! Supplements complement your diet and help cover nutrient gaps, ensuring that your body has what it needs for peak performance. No matter what your training goals are, the right supplements can help improve your health, performance and physique.

    Drink water: If you don’t stay hydrated, your physical performance will suffer. This is particularly important during exercise. Dehydration can have a noticeable impact if the body loses as little as 2 percent of its water content. This can lead to increased fatigue. It can also make exercise feel much more difficult, both physically and mentally. Optimal hydration has also been shown to prevent the oxidative stress that occurs during high intensity exercise. If you exercise, staying hydrated can help you perform at your absolute best.

    Choose a healthy, active hobby: Hobbies that keep you physically active are a great way to improve your health. Try activities including hiking, cycling, running, tennis, dancing and team sports.

    Keep a health log: This can be an app or an old-fashioned journal. Track any relevant details, including exercise, sleep, diet, how you’re feeling and any additional health info you deem as appropriate. A health log provides a better picture of your habits and daily routine. It can give your doctor a better understanding of your health.

    Ultimately, we all have the very best intentions when undertaking positive post pandemic change. The challenge will be establishing a long-term mindset despite the pandemic being in the rear-view mirror. Restarting health routines are about making change from the undesirable habits that were established during the pandemic. That said, we all have to be cognizant and recognize that, sometimes, goals may be too ambitious. That is why designing a plan that takes into account possible setbacks is so vital. After all, you don’t want to be restarting your routine a year from now. Take charge, be disciplined and make your post pandemic routine your best routine yet! VR

    Mark Becker is a senior account manager for Vivion Inc, a raw materials distributor, based in Vernon, CA. He has worked as a natural products sales and marketing executive for 20 years. Becker has written more than 300 articles and has hosted or been a guest on more than 500 radio shows. He obtained a bachelor’s in journalism from Long Beach State University and did his master’s work in communications at Cal State Fullerton. For more than 35 years he has participated in numerous endurance events, including more than 150 triathlons of Olympic distance or longer, 103 marathons and numerous other events including ultramarathons and rough water swims from Alcatraz to the mainland. He has relied on a comprehensive dietary supplement regimen to support his athletic, professional and personal endeavors. Follow Mark Becker on Facebook at www.facebook.com/marklbecker/posts/387591877933686#!/energyatlast. Follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/becker_mark. For more information, access www.vivioninc.com, www.alliedbionutrition.com or www.EnergyatLast.com.

  • 10 Habits That Will Help To Lose Weight Fast

    10 Habits That Will Help To Lose Weight Fast

    Losing weight is a journey that requires a lot of dedication and constant effort. Only those who can maintain and sustain a healthy and balanced lifestyle are successful in losing weight.

    In this article, I am going to share with you 10 habits that will help you to lose weight fast. These are minute lifestyle changes that have an immense impact on your weight loss journey.

    So, get ready to change include these habits in your daily routine, and live a healthy life.

    Hence, without any further delay, let’s begin!!

    1. Control The Portion

    The first and foremost step in losing weight is controlling the number of calories you are eating. It should be balanced neither too less nor too much.

    Many people think that if they entirely cut down their calorie intake, they will be slim and trim in no time. This methodology is entirely wrong as our body needs a particular amount of nutrition to work efficiently. With this approach, you will be malnourished.

    Also Read: 7 Habits Of Women Who Never Gain Weight

    2. Cut Down High Sodium Diet

    Do not indulge yourself in high sodium diets such as chips, canned foods, and processed foods. High sodium increases water retention in your body, making it look fat. Moreover, there are long-term side effects to such a diet.

    One of the best ways to cut down on junk food is to refrain from buying it. We usually munch on these things when they are just lying around in our house, but if we do not have them, we will automatically look for something else to fill our appetite.

    Also Read: 10 Most Effective Morning Drinks For Weight Loss

    3. Store Fresh Fruits And Salads

    Keep your refrigerator full of fresh fruits and salads. In between meals, when you feel like munching something, grab one of the fruit or cucumber and eat it. Not only it will fill your tummy, but you also will not have to regret it later.

    Also Read: How To Look Taller When You Have Short Legs?

    4. Always Go For Seasonal Fruits And Vegetables

    We know mango is the fruit of summer, but we can still find it in December that does not mean we should be eating mango at that odd time because that mango will be filled with a lot of preservatives and chemicals.

    According to Ayurveda, one should only consume those fruits and veggies that are available within a 50 KM area to your region. This is the best practice to stay healthy and active.

    So, next time you are buying veggies always grab those which are seasonal and cheap. This way you will have good health and a happy pocket.

    Also Read: Homemade Keratin Hair Treatment-Step By Step Procedure

    5. Fill Your Plate With Salad and Sprouts

    We usually take salad as a side dish that makes us completely ignore the salad and fill ourselves with other food. It is better to start eating a salad first, then move on to other food. This way your stomach will be filled with healthy, fiber-rich, and balanced food.

    Also Read: 5 Homemade Skin Tightening Face Packs

    6. Cut Down Sugar

    Eliminating sugar completely from your diet will immensely help you to maintain your ideal weight. Sugary foods and drinks are very high in calories. So, even if you are regularly exercising, consuming sugar will cause weight gain.

    Stop buying those energy drinks, foods, and beverages made up of sugar. You will see a significant improvement in your weight loss just by avoiding sugar.

    Also Read: 10 Best Face Pack For Glowing Skin

    7. Try Intermittent Fasting For Fast Weight Loss

    Intermittent fasting is an easy way to lose weight in less time. In this method, you allow your body to starve for 12, 14, or 16 hours. Intermittent fasting is usually done during the night when your body is resting. In this way, you will not feel the urge to eat anything because you are sleeping.

    It is simple, if you are opting for 14-hour intermittent fasting, then eat your dinner at 7 PM in the evening, and the next day in the morning have your breakfast at 9 AM.

    With this methodology, your body will burn the extra calories without doing any work. Try it for yourself and tell me in the comment section below, how does it help you?

    Also Read: 5 Products You Should Never Apply On Your Face

    8. Move Move Move

    In this busy life, it is really difficult to take out time for exercise, but it is necessary to keep you in shape. So, what to do?

    Here is an idea, do the exercise while you are working. For example, if you are an office going person, then during the coffee break, go outside and take a brisk walk for 10 minutes, or if you are working from home, instead of sitting on the couch the whole day, take your mobile in hand and attend the meeting while brisk walking around the house.

    A brisk walk will heighten your heartbeat and burn calories. You can do this thing for 10 minutes a number of times during the whole day. This way you will ensure that you will remain in shape even when you are busy.

    Also Read: Onion Hair Oil-Extreme Hair Growth In 30 Days

    9. Watch The Plate To Lose Weight

    Eating is not only a physical phenomenon but also a psychological one. Not only your mouth is eating, but your eyes and brain are also invested in it. When you take food on a big plate, you tend to eat more than required. Hence, it is recommended to ditch those big plates and buy some medium side plates.

    You will soon notice that you are eating lesser and still feeling full.

    Also Read: White Hair/Grey Hair to Black Hair Naturally

    10. Eat Slowly For Healthy Weight

    It takes approximately 20 minutes from the time you start eating for a signal to reach the brain that your appetite is full. If you are one of those who eats very fast and finishes their meal in just 10 minutes, then my friend you are unknowingly eating more than required. Source

    This is why it has been said by our elders always to eat slowly. You should allocate at least 30 minutes time to your meal and eat slowly by properly chewing the food. This way, by the time you finish your meal, you will be full and will not have the guilt of overeating.


    I hope you liked the article, if you have any queries or suggestions, please write them down in the comment section below. I love to read and reply to them.

    Thank You.

  • Habits to Help You Learn Better

    Habits to Help You Learn Better

    Thanks for supporting the companies that support Rouge18.

    To be a successful student, it’s important to develop corresponding skills and habits from childhood. In the future, it will help you to cope with your studies at school, and college and will be useful after the start of your career. In this article, we will discuss the most important ones.

    Location matters

    One of the most important habits is the ability to choose the right place where you feel comfortable enough to study. This can be your room, where you will be alone and be able to control the whole process yourself. You can study with friends because sometimes another student can explain an incomprehensible rule or task in a much simpler and more understandable way than it will be done in a textbook or on the Internet. You can go to a coffee shop and study with a cup of your favorite drink. In this case, it is important to determine in advance whether you will be distracted by the conversations of other visitors or the sounds of the coffee machine. You can opt for some quiet place in nature and sit in the park with a book in hand to prepare for classes. The most important thing is to understand what is best for you.

    Don’t be afraid to ask for help

    Very often, students try to cope with all the difficulties during their studies on their own. But sometimes that just isn’t possible, so don’t be afraid to ask for help. You can find yourself a tutor, especially if you live on campus, you can probably find a couple of suitable offers on the bulletin board. You can always arrange an additional consultation with the teacher on the subject with which you have difficulties. If you just can’t cope with the volume of written assignments, you can find a suitable writing service for yourself. As with choosing any other service, it is very important not to make a mistake and get work of high quality. Therefore, always try to read reviews, for example, you can look at reviews such as studybay.com or papersowl reviews and make your conclusions about whether these services are worth their salt. 

    Take a break

    It can be quite difficult for us to concentrate on the same task for a long time. The more time in a row we devote to any activity, the more our brain becomes distracted. Everyone needs some rest. Therefore, while studying at least once an hour, be sure to take a break. At this time, you can get up and stretch a little, you can play with your pet or chat with a friend, can go for a walk, meditate, have a healthy snack, or do anything else so that your brain can relax. You know yourself best, so try to find the best option. However, checking your social media is not the best option, as most people will not be limited to 10 minutes and may forget that they were trying to study. 

    Set goals and praise yourself when you reach them

    When athletes prepare for a competition, they almost always have a specific goal in mind, whether it’s the speed at which they want to run or swim or the height they want to jump. In education, you can and should do the same. Set goals for the day, week, and month. They may be different for each subject you study. Plan, because it adds organization to your studies, helps to improve time management, and also helps to get rid of the phenomenon of procrastination. An important point will be to praise your efforts and the achievement of goals. After all, any athlete, having completed the goal, receives an award. In the same way, a student should please himself after hard work, he can afford to relax a bit longer, go to spa treatments, meet friends or dine in a cozy restaurant. 

    Control your sleeping habits

    The best daily routine and healthy sleep habits give us strength for the next day. Students need to be full of energy, as studying always takes a lot of it. Get in the habit of going to bed at the same time every day. Only you can determine how many hours of sleep is optimal for you. Then you will always be ready for new challenges and will not feel like you are sleeping on the go. 

    Start with the hardest task

    Review and identify the most difficult task for yourself and always start with it. Firstly, the brain is most concentrated at the beginning of the studying, and therefore it will be easier for you to complete the most difficult task than at the end of the study session when the only thing you want to do is drink or eat something delicious and relax. Secondly, having coped with the most difficult task, the rest will seem like a trifle, and you may spend even less time on them than you originally planned.  

  • Good Shopping Habits 2020 | POPSUGAR Fashion

    Somewhat inadvertently, I became a minimalist. Not solely with the style of clothing and accessories that I gravitate toward — though I do love clean lines, classic silhouettes, and neutral colors — but also with my space and the amount of “stuff” in it. For the last three years, I’ve primarily worked from home (which is a one-bedroom apartment that I share with my fiancé in Manhattan), wherein certain clothing no longer made sense. While I’ve always maintained a clean and relatively clutter-free space, I routinely became distracted by the little messes that would pile up around my workspace, from papers to clothing. My focus derailed and shifted into a full-on deep clean of my apartment on more occasions than I’d like to admit. On days when I had meetings or went into an office pre-COVID-19, I found it increasingly challenging to get dressed. Many of the standout styles in my closet lost their luster. The majority of my “investment pieces” felt fussy for the occasions at hand. And newer items I purchased were trickier to style than I imagined. As for the basics, well, they were worn out. For someone who has worked in fashion for the past 10 years, this felt like an epic failure, to say the least.

    I decided to restrategize and started with a major home and closet clean-out. In turn, my approach to shopping shifted, too. Admittedly, I’ve been an impulsive shopper and felt buyer’s remorse on one too many occasions. But I’ve managed to curb the habit, which ultimately has made getting dressed easier both on the days I put on “real” clothes and when I work from home in a cute workout set or sweats. Since COVID-19 began, I dug in deeper. I revisited my wardrobe and developed new guidelines for myself in terms of the clothing and accessories I keep and how I shop for something new.

    Keep reading for some of my most significant changes and renewed approach to shopping, from my “wish list” strategy to a more thoughtful consideration of the brands I support and my methods for curbing impulse purchases.