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5 Fun Hobbies That Can Improve Your Health and Wellbeing

Posted on March 27, 2020

Improving your health isn’t always about doctor’s visits or prescriptions.

Changing your outlook on life can sometimes work just as well as any medicine. Having a hobby can help you pursue things that enrich, de-stress and otherwise keep you active in your free time. This is important for anyone wanting to improve their well-being, no matter how busy or how bored they are. For a lot of people, the problem is finding a hobby that works for them, so with that said, here are five hobbies that can improve your health and well-being.

Image Source: Unsplash

1. Arts & Crafts

The idea of art therapy has become a very popular phenomenon. Nothing is more beneficial in your free time than creating art. Not only does art provide creative stimulation, it can also be therapeutic for stress and anxiety. In addition, there are no barriers to pursuing art because there are so many varieties of it, whether it’s coloring, pottery, knitting, or digital, whatever strikes your fancy. Investing your time into art not only makes you productive, but it also provides distractions from the pressures of modern living.

2. Dancing

While the prospect could be daunting to some people, dancing does wonders for both your physical and mental well-being. Taking classes in any dance form from ballet to Zumba can help you burn calories and it makes you good. Most forms of dance involve exercising your cardiovascular and muscular systems to boost health. The social contact gained from dancing can also be important as it can lead to finding a new community, building new friendships and sometimes even more.

3. Gardening

Gardening can be thought of as hard work, and for some people hard work can be its own form of relief. Gardening can be scaled to the size you want. Small indoor gardens with potted plants and succulents are just as viable as veggie plots or flower beds. You may have a small area that requires working vertically or a large section that you plan to corner off with a shed or refurbished outhouse. Creativity in how you might plan your garden contributes to the restorative benefits of gardening. Making a project out of gardening can make you feel productive and active, and this is good for your mental well-being.

Image Source: Unsplash

4. Writing

As a passive activity, writing can provide excellent stimulation for the mind. It doesn’t matter what sort of writing you’re interested in; it can be beneficial just to practice it. Journals, poetry and creative writing are popular forms of the hobby, but there are plenty of health benefits in other forms of writing as well. Writing letters, blogs, essays and articles can help the writer express pent up energy or anxiety. Practicing writing as a hobby comes with the benefit of improving your writing skills, which may help you with future opportunities.

5. Natural Walks

In Japan there is a term known as ‘forest bathing.’ It’s based around the idea that simply being present in nature can provide meditative and therapeutic effects. While not a magical remedy of any sort, taking walks through nature does have calming effects on the mind along with physical benefits. If you’re feeling cooped up or under the weather, find a local walking track and spend an hour or so just enjoying the outdoors. It doesn’t cost anything besides your time.

It’s important to balance work with play, so you never feel burnt out. If you’re feeling like your health and well-being aren’t as they should be, consider engaging in some of the hobbies in this article and see how they could improve your life. Hobbies are essential to your well-being because they keep your mind engaged, relaxed and in control.

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Author bio:

Harper Reid is a creative writer based in Auckland, New Zealand. She loves baking, reading novels, and learning fun things – like DIY projects or a new language! Find out more by visiting her blog right here.

Health & Wellness, Mind/Body Wellness

Strive for 5 During Covid-19

Posted on March 20, 2020

by Curtis Health

Exercise

Go for a run, take a bike ride, create a backyard circuit, climb the stairs, or do some yoga. Stuck indoors? Then live stream an exercise class. If you do not have weights, use your body weight to continue building strength. Read More→

Getting Outdoors, Mind/Body Wellness, Nutrition and Exercise

High Cortisol & Abdominal Fat?

Posted on March 11, 2020

by Nancy Coles, RHN

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If you have difficulty managing your waistline no matter how much exercise you do, the answer could be with balancing your cortisol, not increasing your workouts.Cortisol is a hormone related to stress that specifically targets the fat cells in the abdominal area. Constant stress produces chronic levels of cortisol, and this could be the very reason that you continue to battle your waistline. Read More→

Health & Wellness, Nutrition and Exercise

The Life Changing Workout

Posted on February 27, 2020

by Curtis Health

No Comments

The Life Changing Workout is a program that is guaranteed to improve body composition, alleviate mood, boost energy, promote better sleep, improve sex, and combat health conditions and diseases. Would you like to know what this workout is? The Life Changing Workout is any physical activity that you can do consistently, not only for a week or for the month, but regularly over the long term. Read More→

Health & Wellness, Mind/Body Wellness, Nutrition and Exercise

Stay Healthy with Good Gym Hygiene

Posted on February 9, 2020

by Curtis Health

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Follow these simple guidelines in the gym to maintain good health, and to show consideration for others:

Wipe down all mats and equipment both before and after use. Most gyms have bottles of sanitizing solution and towel dispensers, or antiseptic wipes forwiping surfaces. Wipe handles, headrests,and footrests on machines. Don’t forget to wipe dumbbell and barbell gripping surfaces.
Wash hands often, especially after working out. The US Center for Disease Control recommends fives steps when washing hands:
1. Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap,
and apply soap.
2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap.
3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds.
4. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
Avoid touching your face when working out. Specifically, avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth to limit the transmission of germs. If you must scratch an itch, use the inside of your shirt or another article of clothing.
Bring a small, clean towel for personal use during exercise. This towel should not be used for wiping gym surfaces. Use the supplies provided by the gym for wiping down equipment.
Do not come to the gym if you are ill, or if you are coughing and sneezing.
See if a doctor if you are not feeling well, if you are running a temperature, or if your cough persists or gets worse.

Avoiding Illness, Gym Hygiene, Health & Wellness

Sticking with your Workout Plan Isn’t Always Easy

Posted on January 30, 2020

by Curtis Health

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Staying Motivated and sticking with your workout plan isn’t always easy.

Here’s how to stay motivated into the cooler months. (Excuses & Solutions)

Excuse “It’s too hard to get out of bed on cold, dark mornings!”

Solutions:
● Create Heat – make sure the room is warm when you get up. Or better yet, put your workout clothes on the radiator so they are warm and ready to go.
● Find a Friend – find someone who will commit to joining you in the morning for walks or workouts and hold you accountable for showing up. Accountability can make all the difference!

Excuse “I may be out of bed but I still don’t want to workout.”

Solution:
● Dress the Part – the truth is there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing choices. If you’ve balked at the cost of higher-priced outdoor gear, just ask anyone who’s used them: The price is easily offset by the increase in enjoyment, comfort, and enthusiasm. Or, maybe it’s time to treat yourself: New gear might be the bribe you need to get outdoors.

Excuse “It’s too much hassle”

Solution:
● Keep it Simple, Smarty (K.I.S.S.) – the best way to overcome our excuses is not to create them in the first place. If you have to drive too far in the snow or ride a cold subway across town, you’re creating extra hurdles that will attract excuses.
Go for a 25 minute run around the office block at lunch, do 3 laps of your neighbourhood first thing, or switch things up at the gym by using only the machines you don’t have to wait for. You’ll finish a quality workout with less hassle and at a pace that feels rewarding.

Excuse “I can’t find the same passion or fire to do it regularly”

Solution:
● Use mini-goals for major rewards – set small targets that create the focus and discipline to stay on track. Always write your goals down, making them specific, measurable and achievable, and track progress so you can reward yourself for the results.

Excuse “I’m bored with my workouts”

Solution:
● Step out of the ordinary – take a Yoga or Pilates class. They are easy on the joints and provide great lasting benefits. Do you need a mental break from a tough season? Cross train with a different sport that doesn’t require a stop watch or a power meter. This will help ease your mind from information overload so you can stay active without stressing over stats.

Getting Outdoors, Mindset, Nutrition and Exercise

Sleep Better by Limiting Screen Time

Posted on January 10, 2020

by Curtis Health

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Sleep is a vital component of fitness.

Sleep gives the body time to recover after training, allowing time for the muscles to repair themselves. During sleep, the body also produces more growth hormone than during the day, a hormone that diminishes with age. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine 2016; 12(6)L:785-786), an adult needs at least seven hours of sleep every night.

To encourage quality sleep, limit your exposure to technology prior to retiring to bed. The screens of cell phones, tablets, computers, and televisions emit blue light that hampers melatonin, the hormone responsible for controlling your sleep cycle. Without enough melatonin, you experience insomnia during the evening and tiredness during the day. In addition, the blue light emitted from screens mimics daylight, and plays havoc with your Circadian rhythm, the internal body clock that tunes your body to healthy sleep patterns. The solution, try to avoid electronic screens at least one hour prior to bedtime.

Cell phones and tablets pose an additional problem at bedtime by stimulating the brain. Scrolling through Facebook or Instagram, or answering text and emails engages the brain, the last thing you need before falling asleep. Even after logging off, your mind continues to be logged on, mulling through the myriad of posts and messages you have perused. Again, move the cellphone and the tablet away from the bed.

Seeing something that may trigger a strong emotional response can postpone falling asleep and delay REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. Even if you cannot avoid blue light emitting screens, avoid social media before bedtime. Create a relaxed and pleasant environment prior to retiring.

Two tips to limiting screen time prior to bed:

1. Establish a bedtime routine that encourages relaxation. Avoid activities that encourage anxiety
or extreme emotions.
2. Put your cell phone and your tablet in another room. Use an alarm clock or a clock radio to
wake up in the morning. Even a smart home device like Google Assistant or Alexa can be used
to replace the bedside cell phone; set the smart home device outside the bedroom, but within
earshot.

While technology may keep us connected and more efficient during the day, avoiding it during the evening hours is essential in establishing good sleep patterns. Use technology wisely.

by Hugh Mitchell

Mind/Body Wellness

Healthy Eating Delivered to Your Doorstep

Posted on December 23, 2019

by Curtis Health

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Maybe you’re working two jobs and find it hard to fit in a good night’s sleep, let alone make multiple trips to the grocery store every week. Or you and your partner have wildly different schedules and cooking for one just doesn’t sound like fun. Or perhaps your mom was a microwave maven and you simply never learned how to cook. Read More→

Nutrition and Exercise

5 Holiday Exercise Tips

Posted on December 16, 2019

by Laurie Barnetson

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The average person gains 2 to 5 pounds in the month of December.

Most of that is due to dietary choices in food and drink. Being active will help burn those extra calories. Here are some tips to help you this month:

Exercise does not have to be in the gym. Try some winter activities like skating, snowshoeing or even walking at night to look at lights.
A short workout is better than no workout.Trust us, even 20 minutes of exercise will make you
“feel” better and sleep better. Do 20 minutes of cardio in a HIIT format. (high intensity interval training).
Can’t do your usual 5 times a week? Don’t throw your hands up and quit, go twice.
Can’t get to a gym? Try stretching for 15 minutes and 20 sit-ups and 20 push ups.
Enjoy time with family and friends and don’t stress about missing your workouts, we will be
here to help get you back on track in January!

Nutrition and Exercise

Tips for Staying Healthy Over the Holidays

Posted on December 3, 2019

by Nancy Coles, RHN

In order to stay healthy during the festive season it is important to maintain a realistic viewpoint on your capabilities. Extra stimulants, additional socializing, an abundance of tempting treats, late nights, and a long list of ‘things to do’ can all add stress to your life. While both the nervous and immune systems are especially vulnerable at this time of year there are some steps you can take to stay on a healthy path.

Here are a few tips and nutrient dense foods that can support your health over the Holiday Season

You can do it, but you can’t do it all. When your calendar is over full, prioritize and say “no thank you” to some of the requests/invitations. Then let go of the guilt.
Healthy gut flora is essential for a strong immune system. Add fermented foods like kimchi, sauerkraut, miso, kefir and full fat plain yoghurt to your meals.
Cook with garlic, onions, ginger and turmeric. These contain antibacterial, antifungal anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.
Consume colorful antioxidant foods such as red peppers, berries, purple and red grapes, kale, citrus, and yams.
Eat nervine foods such as almonds, poppy seeds, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, kelp, leafy greens, cold water fish, ginger and basil.
Reduce stimulants, especially in the afternoon, by replacing coffee with matcha green tea or an herbal calming tea such as chamomile.
Exercise! Ensure you schedule in your exercise routine. You can always decrease the duration in order to fit it in! Just ensure you fit it in!!!
Sleep is essential for strong immunity and a steadfast nervous system. Sleep is when the body repairs and recovers from the stress of your day. Keep a bedtime ritual as often as possible aiming for 7-9 hours of sleep each night.

Have a happy, healthy holiday season ☺

Cheers
Nancy
RHN, CPT

Mind/Body Wellness

5 Fun Hobbies That Can Improve Your Health and Wellbeing

Improving your health isn’t always about doctor’s visits or prescriptions.

1. Arts & Crafts

2. Dancing

3. Gardening

4. Writing

5. Natural Walks

Strive for 5 During Covid-19

Exercise

High Cortisol & Abdominal Fat?

The Life Changing Workout

Stay Healthy with Good Gym Hygiene

Sticking with your Workout Plan Isn’t Always Easy

Staying Motivated and sticking with your workout plan isn’t always easy.

Sleep Better by Limiting Screen Time

Sleep is a vital component of fitness.

Two tips to limiting screen time prior to bed:

Healthy Eating Delivered to Your Doorstep

5 Holiday Exercise Tips

The average person gains 2 to 5 pounds in the month of December.

Tips for Staying Healthy Over the Holidays

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