Wellness

Importance of Water Intake


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Proper hydration will help one to feel more comfortable exercising and will enable more benefits from exercise and nutrition.

Why is it so important to drink water?  Why do we need to increase water intake with exercise?  Water makes up much of your body weight and is involved in many of the bodily functions.  In general, it helps your brain to function, regulating body tempwaterglasserature and flushes out waste from your body.

Water helps to create saliva and contains small amounts of electrolytes, mucus and enzymes.  This enables proper breakdown, and the dissolving of vitamins and minerals, and the delivery of these components throughout the body, proper digestion, and then enables waste elimination.

Water regulates your body temperature.  During physical activity, especially when you are in higher temperatures or are sweating more you need to increase your fluid intake.

Water protects your tissues, spinal cord and joints by lubrication and cushioning. Certain conditions can be very much affected by water intake such as constipation, exercise-induced asthma, urinary tract infections, and hypertension.

Being adequately hydrated allows optimal performance, with a positive affect on strength, power and endurance.   The optimal performance is also applicable to cognitive function, not having enough water can have a negative impact on focus, alertness and short-term memory.  Dehydration can result in fatigue, confusion and anxiety.

Water improves blood oxygen circulation.  Water carries nutrients and oxygen throughout the body, improving blood oxygen circulation.  Overall this can be a boost to your metabolism, which can have a positive impact on energy level.   Many people just drink water when they feel thirsty, studies show that thirst is a symptom of 1 – 2% dehydration.  * As a baseline the standard guideline for daily water intake is 8 glasses – there are many variances– for age, body size, climate, activity level and the amount of water one gets from their dietary choices.

https://www.dietitians.ca/Your-Health/Nutrition-Month/Nutrition-Month.aspxhttps://www.news-medical.net/news/20120218/Even-mild-dehydration-affects-mood-energy-level-and-ability-to-think-clearly.aspx

Wellness

Introduction to Holistic Nutrition


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What is Holistic Nutrition?

Nutritious meal prepping with veggies and fruitsOur bodies are constantly exposed to toxins, whether in the food we eat or the air we breathe. Individuals don’t realize how nutrient-deprived they are or how often the major organs suffer from toxic overload. The symptoms of not feeling optimal are the body’s way of telling us that balance needs to be restored. The holistic approach to nutrition looks at these symptoms in order to determine the underlying cause. The cause of these symptoms is what holistic nutrition works to correct.

Holistic nutrition focuses on the consumption of natural, wholesome foods and the elimination of toxins from our bodies. The deficiencies and imbalances suffered by our bodies are addressed through changes in diet, supplementation and other positive lifestyle changes. Since the root cause of many symptoms is often nutrition related, once the body is provided with a strong nutritional foundation, it often heals itself.

What is the difference between a Holistic Nutritionist and a Dietitian?

Healthy holistic breakfast with pearBoth believe that nutrition plays an essential role in overall health, but a holistic nutritionist works on the body as a whole. A dietitian generally provides nutritional advice solely as it relates to a medical diagnosis, even though some people experience different symptoms with the same disease. With a holistic nutritionist, consultations are based on individual symptoms and imbalances.

Healthy Recipes

Classic Quinoa


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In our honest opinion, Quinoa is the best alternative to its many competitors, especially white rice. The herbaceous annual plant can run circles around rice with its unbeatable benefits. This post is all about how to cook some classic quinoa, and why its one of the world’s most popular health foods!

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Wellness

Reducing Daily Stress for Students away from Home


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College and University life can be stressful for students. It’s a complete lifestyle change. You’re moving to and living in a new environment, the pressure of making new friends and of course the workload. While attending post secondary school  is one of the most exciting times in a student’s life, it can also be one of the most stressful.

Here are simple adjustments to reduce stress while you are in school.

student_stress

Sleeping

Aim for 8 hours of sleep daily. At school, you find yourself likely staying up much later than ever, and on a semi regular basis. Whether it is a library session into the wee hours of the morning or a Sunday party, late nights are inevitable. Exhaustion is inevitable and could affect your work thus leading to stress. Try to sleep no later than midnight to be well refreshed to tackle a new day.

Exercise

Whether you join a club sports team or you go to the gym in between classes, exercise is vital. Find an activity that you enjoy doing and fit it into your schedule like you would one of your classes – even if you only have 20-30 minutes to spare. Exercise is notorious as a stress-reliever, and you can guarantee you will feel a lot better afterwards. Need guidance? Contact a personal trainer.

Avoid excess caffeine and unnatural energy

Students around the globe are guilty of over-indulging in unnatural energy boosters that pose more risk than any benefits. Coffee’s are generally safe but stay clear of energy drinks, caffeine pills and the prescription medications. It can be tempting to find the type of “support” does more harm to your body than good. Instead rest, when feeling fatigue. Otherwise you may be prone to added stress on the mind and body.

Maintain a balanced holistic diet

Rather than indulging in unnatural energy boosters… try to introduce natural energy boosters to your diet. As a university student, it is tempting to rely on takeout and junk food. However an unhealthy diet contributes to a decrease in energy levels and does not offer any long-term benefits. Consider a holistic nutrition