Posted September 29th, 2008 By: admin
Living… Happier – Healthier – Longer
Reams of research, testimonials, and case studies can’t all be wrong. The company of a pet can elevate your mood, lower your blood pressure, compel you to exercise, give you an active social life, and drive away the blues — all signs of a healthy lifestyle.
Top 7 Reasons Why Pets Are Sometimes Better Than Your Doctor
- Love and responsibilities:
Some people take better care of themselves when they are responsible for the care of someone else. Having a pet is like having a child to look after. So pet owners tend to be more aware of the importance of diet & exercise and be more alert for signs of illness.
And what better stress-buster could you find than a non-judgmental, affectionate, and comforting pet that welcomes you home.
- Laughing it off
Pets are very entertaining, and by watching their antics and talking about them, pets encourage us to look at the lighter side of life. And of course, laughing it off is another proven stress buster.
- Getting over trauma
In old-age homes, orphanages, hospitals and rehabilitation centers, therapy dogs and other pets are used to supplement post-trauma care. Their presence is found to be soothing, comforting and leads to a faster healing process. Studies have found that post-operative care is more successful for those with pets.
- Fighting the blues
After retirement, pets provide the impetus to people to get out and have an active social life. Visiting the park, going shopping, and pet sitting with friends are all effective in banishing depression and loneliness. A sense of security develops over time, with people depending on their pets to anchor them through emotional upheavals.
A word of caution
Caring for a pet is no less difficult or expensive than caring for a child. So this is not for the busy sales executive or those who are out of town for most of the year. You have to set aside time and space to bring home a pet. Once you do be prepared to invest some time training your pet and making it feel happy and loved.
That said, there’s no doubt that pets can sniff out the livelier, healthier side of you.
Photo credit:CJ Sorg
Tags: antiaging, dogs, pets
Posted in Exercise, Lifestyle | No Comments »
Posted September 15th, 2008 By: admin
Walking: Makes You Live A Longer & Healthier Life
Nothing beats walking
Walking is not just one of the earliest forms of exercise you learn, it is rather efficient as well. Not only does it get you to Point B, it also relieves fatigue, clears the mind, controls weight, cures insomnia and increases bone mass.
Walking is the best overall exercise according to experts and numerous studies. If done correctly, this low-impact exercise has several long-term benefits.
Walking Increases bone mass
While eating right certainly helps, weight-bearing exercises such as walking can increase bone mass. Walking is as good as running, if not safer. Stick to a regular regime once you get started – walking for at least 20 minutes and more than thrice a week.
However, you have to be patient, it takes a lot of time to see its benefits.
The good news? No one is too old to get started and menopausal women find that this is a great way of strengthening bones.
Walking Alleviates Constipation
Walking stimulates muscles all over the body and increases blood circulation, especially in the stomach. Pregnant women adapt easily to this as a kind of light workout.
Walking Keeps a Check on Diabetes
Brisk walking helps Type II diabetics by leading to weight loss. If you walk at least a mile everyday, you would be burning close to 100 calories and after a year you would have lost close to 10 pounds.
It also helps improve blood-sugar control. Compared to those who lead relatively sedentary lifestyles, those who walk regularly find that insulin is efficiently absorbed by the body.
Walking Gets Rid of Insomnia
Insomnia can disturb the delicate balance of your body and lead to changes in your hormones. However, walking in the late afternoon or early in the evening tires your muscles, increases blood circulation and raises the body temperature. Once you get home, the temperature begins to fall, making you feel sleepy. Coupled with the right diet, walking can help alleviate sleeplessness.
Walking Relieves Sinusitis
Most people suffering from sinusitis feel some kind of relief when they are active in a normal environment. Indeed, any form of exercise releases adrenalin in the body that constricts blood vessels and reduces swelling in the sinuses. Walking is one such kind of exercise that relieves the problems caused due to sinusitis.
Walking Cures Varicose veins
Sitting or standing for too long makes the blood pool in your lower extremities. But walking can prevent this. Studies have shown that adults who lead sedentary lifestyles were more likely to have varicose veins than those who walked at least twice in a day.
Walking Helps Preventing Arterial & Heart Disease
Walking briskly increases the protective HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol in the body, this in turn strengthens the heart and helps in controlling weight.
Walking Also Relieves Pain
Endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers are released as a person works out. This effect lasts for several hours and can be made to last for longer if the exercise time is staggered through the day — 20 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes in the late afternoon.
Walking Beats Cellulite
Walking tightens the muscles and improves body tone. It also boosts the circulation of lymph in the body which would have otherwise led to an accumulation of fats in the tissues.
Walking Tips
Read your body’s signals before you embark on a long walk, always warm up if you have just had a meal. Check your blood pressure and heartbeat rate before and after. Do not push yourself too far, rather work gradually towards taking longer and longer walks. Wear comfortable shoes and light clothes. If you find someone to accompany you on the walks, it serves two purposes, one, you keep your mind off worrying about not doing it right, two, if while talking you are short of breath it is an indicator that you are pushing yourself too hard.
Image Credit: Trailnet
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