Wellness Posts by Higher Spa & Studio

Got tight Neck muscles? Relieve neck pain and tension with this simple stretch

support@wellness.com — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 17:47:46 Z

Wellness.com - Got tight Neck muscles? Relieve neck pain and tension with this simple stretch by Higher Spa & Studio

Got a stiff neck? Relieve tension in sore neck muscles with this simple self-traction stretch. So simple, but highly effective.

Enjoy...

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Just a little stretch relieves tension, creates space, improves circulation, and helps you feel better -instantly!

Foot, Leg and Hip Pain vlog: Is your summer footwear hurting you?

support@wellness.com — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 20:40:01 Z

Wellness.com - Foot, Leg and Hip Pain vlog: Is your summer footwear hurting you? by Higher Spa & Studio

Sports medicine educators and researchers shared their conclusions about how your summer footwear can hurt your feet, legs and hips. Watch and find out what they discovered...

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For more information, and a corresponding article, go to the Higher Lifestyle video blog at www.higher-lifestyle.blogspot.com

Watch how much you flip-flop!
Nina Schnipper

Energy Vlog: Can being Overcharged cause pain, soreness and fatigue?

support@wellness.com — Tue, 27 May 2008 22:41:37 Z

Wellness.com - Energy Vlog: Can being Overcharged cause pain, soreness and fatigue? by Higher Spa & Studio

Are you getting sore and achey? Are your legs falling asleep, or going numb? Do you start to feel bad when you are around electrical devices?

Some electrical equipment and machines transmit energy waves. You could be sensitive to these. Watch this brief video clip to find out what these folks in Santa Fe say about WiFi sensitivities:

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-For a full article, -including what to do if you suspect you have symptoms from these sensitivities, -see the -Higher Lifestyle blog- at - www.higher-lifestyle.blogspot.com

Binge-Eating and Stress Vlog: If Monkeys Can, Why Can't We?

support@wellness.com — Wed, 21 May 2008 22:38:30 Z

Wellness.com - Binge-Eating and Stress Vlog: If Monkeys Can, Why Can't We? by Higher Spa & Studio

What do you eat when you're stressed out?
Everything in sight? "Comfort foods"? Junk, and lots of it?

Zoo-keepers watched how monkeys reacted to certain foods, and how their personalities influenced how and when they ate. From their observations, we can also learn about eating, stress, and dieting.

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After watching that, your first thoughts might be
"See, it's just instinct to eat that way when you're stressed. So, it's allright if we all eat like that on our bad days."

- Here is the danger in thinking like that:

1- Monkeys exercise all day long, every day. They live to play. We do not. Monkeys can easily burn off those extra "stress calories". Americans do not respond to stress with extra exercise.

2- While it might be okay to eat less healthy foods -once in a while-, we're not. Americans are eating like this - all the time. The typical American diet is just like this "stress-overload" diet, high in fat and sugar.

3- The food fed to the monkeys was not your typical junk food: it was safer. The high-fat and high-sugar foods fed to the monkeys were not processed, or loaded with preservatives, chemicals, and trans fats. There is a big difference between dried banana chips and death-packed nacho chips.

- Dieting Dangers! -
We can also learn something about stress and eating habits, and dieting. We should...
-Avoid Dieting under Stress!-
You may be setting yourself up for failure! If you are under great emotional stress in your life, Reduce the Stress First, before you diet.
Then, when you can manage your stress down to a healthy level, think about those healthy lifestyle changes.

And the "easy-fix" for permanent Weight Loss -and- Stress Reduction? EXERCISE!

For more info on this topic, visit the Higher Lifestyle blog at www.higher-lifestyle.blogspot.com

Hip Pain Vlog: Relieve hip and back tension with these 2 Yoga stretches

support@wellness.com — Mon, 19 May 2008 17:13:54 Z

Wellness.com - Hip Pain Vlog: Relieve hip and back tension with these 2 Yoga stretches by Higher Spa & Studio

Michele Stanten, of Prevention magazine, shows a good demonstration of 2 simple exercises for the back and hips.

These yoga moves may contribute to:
> Reduced Hip Pain
> Reduced Sciatic Pain
> Healing from past Hip Injuries
> Loosening Stiff Back muscles
> Lengthening the Spine (we all love to make our spines taller, don't we? Aahh...)
> Increase blood flow through the torso

These 2 simple exercises may also Improve relaxation and sleep by relieving muscle tension.

Practice good form, practice often, and enjoy...

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Notes:
During wagging dog asana, don't be up on your tippy-toes. Relax your calves, and let your heels drop toward the floor.

Perform each exercise with each leg, working both sides evenly.

Focus on your body. Try to practice in a quiet place, without distractions. You are more likely to have good form and practice them correctly.

Michele also makes some good points about how our bodies change during peri-menopausal times.
-Thanks, Michele, for sharing these simple, effective yoga stretches.

Practice these, and share your experiences back here.
For more video to loosen stiff back and hip muscles, go to the Higher Lifestyle video blog: www.higher-lifestyle.blogspot.com

Bonking and Bears: More Cautions for Runners

support@wellness.com — Thu, 15 May 2008 11:59:29 Z

Wellness.com - Bonking and Bears: More Cautions for Runners by Higher Spa & Studio

Despite her disclaimer as being a non-runner, Lynne Marie Wanamaker wrote an excellent article about Self-Protection Strategies for Women Who Run. If you are a runner (man or woman), you might want to read it.

As we know, most crimes are not committed by strangers. Most crimes are committed by people we know. It is extremely rare that runners are attacked by strangers.

So, I'd like to share my thoughts (as a fitness trainer and a runner for 20 years) about some other cautions that both men and women can take for safer runs.

First, in my neighborhood, BEAR SEASON is upon us. No, not the dreaded grizzly bear. But the adorable, seemingly-lovable black bear. They are beautiful creatures, and in the Spring when they come out of hibernation, they are -hungry!. They are herbivores who will not eat you, but they may perceive you as a threat to their food source. So, don't get between a bear and its food.

Also, Mama bears are protective of their cubs, so Never get near a mother bear or a cub! Even if you want to stop to watch a cute cub or take a picture, there may be a Mama bear right behind you, so -Watch Out!-

For the full article, "How to Prevent Running into a Bear", see
http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Prevent-Running-into-a-Bear&id=816108

Another caution: -Bonking. If you have gone out for a run, only to realize you were a little hungry at the start, you might -bonk- during your run.
If you bonk, you can become weak and disoriented, making you vulnerable for an unsafe experience.
For the right Nutrition tips for runners, see my previous blog post on this topic.

Hydration is important. It is part of "nutrition". If you become dehydrated, you can get muscle cramps during your run. You can also have achey joints, excess fatigue, or disorientation. Dehydration can make you very vulnerable to accidents, so Drink Up throughout the day and before you run.
For more info on water's benefits toward Injury Recovery and Prevention, see my past blog post here at Wellness.com or visit the Higher Lifestyle blog.

For more articles, interviews, plus -video- on Pain Relief, Injury Recovery, and Healthy Lifestyles, visit the Higher Lifestyle blog at www.higher-lifestyle.blogspot.com

- Keep Runnin'! -Happy Trails!

Stresses of the Multi-Tasker Vlog

support@wellness.com — Sun, 11 May 2008 00:34:58 Z

Wellness.com - Stresses of the Multi-Tasker Vlog by Higher Spa & Studio

On-the-Go lifestyle. Always on alert. Trying to fit as much into our day as possible. We're a bunch of Multi-Taskers.

I suspect that Americans created the term, "multi-task", but that hasn't been confirmed.

ABC decided to take a closer look at just how far multi-tasking, and the stresses of a multi-tasker's lifestyle, have influenced our society:

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-How does this lifestyle affect our health?-

Research about stress indicates that stress negatively affects pain, disease and lifestyle.
Stress is associated with more pain symptoms and greater tension, and higher reported levels of pain.
Stress increases our risk for all diseases, especially heart attacks and cardiovascular disease.
Our energy levels, heart rate and blood pressure, and sleep are all negatively impacted when we are "stressed out".

- Can their be Good Stress, too? -

There are types of stress called eustress. Physical activity is one form of "good stress" that has been shown to have great health benefits. It lowers blood pressure and heart rate. It improves energy and metabolism, sleep (quality and quantity), and mood.

Physical activity includes sports, exercise, recreation, and active hobbies.

-90% of all disease can be prevented through Exercise-

You can reduce Stress in your life with these lifestyle habits:
*Exercise Often
*Eat Nutritious foods
*Meditate, and Breathe slowly
*Practice Spiritual fulfillment
*Improve your Sleep habits
*Drink plenty of pure Water

...and let go of your need to be a multi-tasker.

If you try to -squeeeeze- in one more thing each day, make time to
- Breathe! -

Nina Schnipper
www.HigherSpa.com

Nutrition for your Run or Work-Out Vlog

support@wellness.com — Mon, 05 May 2008 22:03:16 Z

Wellness.com - Nutrition for your Run or Work-Out Vlog by Higher Spa & Studio

Interview discusses what to eat before, during and after a run (or work-out).

Peter's important notes: Eating a balanced meal. More carbs than fat or protein before the work-out. Fat and protein digest slower, so they can "weigh you down" as they sit and metabolize. You want energy.

And don't wait too long to eat after an intense work-out. Your muscles need food for recovery.

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Almond butter...yum. With organic raspberry preserves, ultra-yummy and healthy! One of my faves.

Nut butters like almond and cashew butter are excellent sources of protein for the post-run meal or snack. They are plant-based and full of nutrients like omega fatty acids and calcium, AND they're yummy.

Happy Eating, Runners!

For more on this topic, go to www.PainFreeU.com !

Back Stretch Video clip

support@wellness.com — Thu, 01 May 2008 21:24:34 Z

Wellness.com - Back Stretch Video clip by Higher Spa & Studio

Kevin shows us some simple, effective stretches to loosen the back.

He describes the Tai Chi influence of these stretches, and how they help lubricate our spinal column -like WD40!-

Watch, practice, feel better:

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Quick Back Pain Relief -

Practice those stretches to relieve back muscle tension when you travel, sit at work too long, get stuck to a couch all night, or... ANYTIME-!

Heart Health, True Age Video blog

support@wellness.com — Thu, 01 May 2008 20:53:23 Z

Wellness.com - Heart Health, True Age Video blog by Higher Spa & Studio

Many of you reading this blog post know what activities we need to pursue in order to stay healthy. Wellness is based on Prevention, and healthy habits like Exercise and Nutritious Eating.

But here's where the rubber meets the road. How do your lifestyle habits directly affect your health? How do unhealthy habits contribute to disease?

Your heart knows...
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Your age is not just a mental outlook. Your body can degenerate faster than your attitude, if your attitude ignores those essential habits!

A doctor can examine your heart and determine its true age, and whether or not you are killing yourself with poor habits.

Wellness, Prevention, Exercise and (reasonable portions of) Nutritious Eating...

-YOU CAN determine your own physical age.
And you have control over your life and your true age!

Let your habits direct you to a younger physical age.
Let your younger attitude follow your body's health and true age.

- Let your heart lead the way to a younger lifestyle! -

www.higher-lifestyle.blogspot.com