Eat, Drink and Feel Fantastic With Simple Wellness Hacks Like Stretching and More
Indulge guilt-free with clever strategies to avoid health pitfalls and stay energized
It’s always fun to get together with friends, family, loved ones and kick back. If you’re worried about health pitfalls, however, you’re not alone. These clever strategies will help you enjoy your favorite indulgences without body backlash.
Block weight gain with quick stretches
Picture this: You’re hosting a get-together and your fridge is filled with delicious fare, and friends are offering you even more yummy treats. Luckily, you can enjoy it all without gaining a pound! How? By standing and stretching for three minutes every hour. California Polytechnic State University experts say that regularly standing switches on genes that encourage fat burn. And the muscle contractions needed to do those deep stretches help build metabolism-boosting muscle.
Woman's World Answers
… Or laugh
Carving out 30 minutes daily for some giggles (whether you chat with a friend or watch your favorite comedy) can prevent creeping weight gain and even help you shed a pound or two, Japanese scientists say. Laughter quashes the production of the fat-storing stress hormone cortisol.
Sidestep hangovers with apple snacks
To get your merry on without risking a thudding headache the next day, savor an apple before the fun begins. Researchers reporting in Food Science & Nutrition say apple pectin (a unique form of soluble fiber) slows alcohol absorption in the digestive tract. Plus, it activates liver enzymes that break down pain-triggering alcohol waste products to prevent next-day headaches. More good news: Apples contain brain-energizing compounds (polyphenols) that can help you wake up feeling more clearheaded and alert.
… Or greet the sun
Woke up sluggish and headachy after one too many cocktails? Throw open the curtains and enjoy the beautiful winter view, and your symptoms could ease in as little as three minutes, suggests a study in the journal Healthcare. Immersing yourself in nature makes your pain threshold soar.
Tame achiness with tunes
Sure, heading out for your usual daily stroll could help you stay limber, but so can singing along to your favorite music! That’s the word from British scientists, who found that singing along to upbeat music prompts the release of endorphins. These powerful hormones calm pain nerves and reduce tissue inflammation, quickly tamping down achiness by as much as 60 percent.
… Or fill the tub
Italian scientists say a warm bath instantly relaxes tight muscles and ligaments while boosting blood circulation to flush pain-triggering wastes out of achy tissues. The result: longer-lasting relief than even OTC pain meds offer.
Prevent heartburn with big breaths
Heavy meals raise heartburn risk. Your best defense: Take slow, deep belly breaths for 10 minutes after eating. Egyptian scientists say this cuts heartburn risk 60 percent by helping food move into the small intestine and reducing upward pressure on the stomach. And over time it strengthens the valve that stops acid from reaching the esophagus.
… Or get the mail
A few minutes of motion after a meal halves heartburn risk, suggests a study in the Journal of Clinical Medicine. Moving your muscles activates nerves that aid stomach emptying.
Fight fatigue with a nap
If you love staying up late with treasured friends this time of year, a short pre-party snooze will help you wake up the next morning feeling as perky as you do after a full night of Zzzs. Scientists reporting in Sleep Medicine Reviews say afternoon naps are so rejuvenating that they can as much as double next-day energy and focus.
… Or add a blanket
To wake up refreshed after a late night, toss another blanket on your bed. Chinese scientists say when skin stays warm all night, it helps you nod off fast and sleep deeply.
Conversation
All comments are subject to our Community Guidelines. Woman's World does not endorse the opinions and views shared by our readers in our comment sections. Our comments section is a place where readers can engage in healthy, productive, lively, and respectful discussions. Offensive language, hate speech, personal attacks, and/or defamatory statements are not permitted. Advertising or spam is also prohibited.
