Category: Natural Health and Beauty Tips

1. No Time For Exercise? Try These 5 Time-Saving Workout Tips

   Posted on 9:00am Thursday 26th Jan 2023

   

   For those of us with busy lives, it can be hard to find time to go to the gym or go for a jog. Commitments like work, childcare and housework can often take priority. And when we finally do get some free time, spending that free time doing a workout is often the last thing we feel like doing. 

   This results in many of us not getting the amount of exercise we need. But what if exercise didn’t have to take up so much extra time from your day? By finding ways to make workouts shorter and by combining them with other everyday tasks, it may be possible to more easily slot a workout into your day. Below are 5 tips for doing this.

   Embrace HIIT workouts

   High intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts are designed to pack a lot of exercise into a short amount of time. They’re largely cardio-focused - which means they’re great for improving heart health and burning fat. This post offers more information on the impact of HIIT workouts. 

   A HIIT workout can be as short as 20 minutes. You can also carry out these workouts practically anywhere whether it be at the park or at home. This makes them a very flexible form of workout that you can easily fit around commitments.

   You should aim to do 2 to 3 HIIT workouts per week in order to get results. These could be done first thing in the morning, during your lunch break or in the evening - whenever you’re able to find a spare 20 minutes. 

   Turn housework into exercise

   Instead of having to choose between housework and a workout, why not do both at the same time? Housework is typically quite physically active, but often not enough to truly work a sweat up. However, it can be turned into a workout by combining exercises into household chores.

   A few examples of how integrate exercise into housework include:

   • Doing squats and leg raises while doing the washing up.

   • Incorporating lunges while doing vacuuming - as well as going the extra mile to lift furniture and vacuum behind. 

   • Putting clean laundry away HIIT-style - this could include putting away 5 items of clothes and then doing five reps of an exercise (such as squats, sit-ups or push-ups) and then repeating until you’ve put away all the laundry.

   Work out while catching up on TV

   It’s also possible to exercise and catch up on your favourite TV shows at the same time. This could be a way to incorporate exercise in the evening without having to leave the house.

   One of the best ways to do this is to watch TV while cycling on an exercise bike. You can still give the TV your whole focus while also getting a cardio workout.

   This type of exercise may not be ideal for everyone - some people may prefer to reserve watching TV as strictly a downtime activity. However, for others it could still be an effective way to blow off steam. 

   Replace short drives with bike rides

   Many of us use our car to run small local errands that could be easily done via a bike. By cycling these small journeys instead of taking the car, you could get a small amount of exercise into your day, and it won’t take that much more time than driving it (in some cities in rush hour you could even make your journey quicker by cycling it).

   A bicycle with a basket could even enable you to go grocery shopping. You may not be able to do a whole week’s shop, but when you need to pick one or two items, a bike could be all you need. 

   Get active with the family

   You also shouldn’t have to choose between exercise and family time. There are many forms of exercise that you can do with your family, which could be fun at the weekend. This could include going for a family bike ride together, going swimming at the local pool, playing games at the park or even simply going on a walk together.

   Got very young kids? You could consider using an infant carrier or a sling to go on walks. There are also bicycles you can buy with carriages or seats for young kids, as well as prams you can buy that are made for jogging. These could allow you to get some exercise into your day without having to ask someone to look after your little one.

   Until next time
   

   Zoe

   x

    

2. Utilise These All-Natural Solutions to Enhance Your Health

   Posted on 9:00am Friday 30th Dec 2022

   You may find a variety of healthy products on the market that may contribute to your improved health. Some instances are listed below:

   Supplementing your diet with a multivitamin is a simple way to make sure your body is getting the full spectrum of nutrients it needs on a daily basis. They have the potential to improve people's health and assist alleviate food insecurity.

   Probiotics are live, beneficial bacteria found in the digestive tract that have been shown to improve gastrointestinal health, immune system function, and even mental and emotional well-being. Find probiotics that have a high colony forming unit (CFU) count and a variety of strains.

   Omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial for heart health, brain function, and inflammation, and you may get a decent dose of them via fish oil supplements. In addition to promoting better joint health, they can help stave off conditions like cancer and diabetes.

   

   Apple cider vinegar is a natural remedy that has been studied for its potential to aid in a number of different health conditions. The most common way to consume it is by adding one tablespoon to eight ounces of water and drinking it daily, but it may also be used in salad dressings and marinades.

   Greens powders are a convenient and easy method to acquire the recommended five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables per day. They can help with vitality, immunity, and overall health.

   Protein powders are helpful for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to: enhancing muscle growth and repair, reducing body fat, and maximizing athletic potential. Try to find whey, casein, or plant-based protein powders like pea or rice protein made from high-quality components.

   The cannabinoids included in medicinal cannabis interact with the body's endocannabinoid system, leading to a wide variety of therapeutic effects. In order to learn more, you should go to a Cannabis Clinic. Only under a doctor's supervision and for specific medical conditions are medicinal cannabis allowed to be used. It can be obtained in several delivery systems, including capsules, tablets, and vaporizers.

   

   Since turmeric has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits, it is frequently used in Indian and Middle Eastern cooking. It can help reduce inflammation in the body, which has been linked to several health benefits including fewer aches and pains and sharper mental clarity. Curries and smoothies are just two examples of the many foods to which turmeric may be added as a dietary supplement.

   Herbal teas are a delicious and all-natural approach to better health. Health benefits of herbal teas include stress and anxiety reduction, gastrointestinal aid, and immune system reinforcement. A few of the most well-liked alternatives include chamomile, peppermint, and ginger tea.

   Coconut oil is a multipurpose and nutritious oil that may be used for a variety of purposes, including cooking, moisturising the hair and skin, and even as a teeth whitener. It's high in MCTs, which research suggests might improve cognition and metabolism.

   A natural sweetener made from the stevia plant is dry brushing. It's an effective sugar alternative for managing blood sugar and reducing cavities without adding a lot of extra calories. It can be used as a substitute for sugar in food preparation and in hot drinks like coffee and tea.

   If you have any current medical conditions, check with your doctor before beginning a new supplement routine as some may not be suitable for you.

   Until next time
   

   Zoe

   x