Author: Mia Barnes

When you think of chronic pain, exercise might be the last thing that crosses your mind. You might think moving will be more painful. However, several studies reveal various forms of exercise can help manage chronic pain and improve your quality of life. Learn about five of these types of activities.  1. Stretching Stretches are the most gentle form of fitness activity for people of all ages, especially older people. A session usually includes flexibility training that aims to improve the range of motion of diverse body parts and reduce tightness in different muscles.  Chronic pain is mainly caused by…

Have you recently given birth to a new family member? Did your doctor clear you to start adding some exercise back into your routine? Let these five benefits of exercise while breastfeeding guide you back into shape.  1. Maintains a Healthy Weight Women gain weight during pregnancy, and being overweight is a risk factor for various diseases. Exercising postpartum is an excellent way to remove excess fat. Breastfeeding burns about 500 to 700 calories daily, and pairing that with moderate exercise can help you return to a healthy body size faster.  Before signing up for a gym membership, ask your…

Thyroid conditions can make managing your health slightly more complicated. Those with hypothyroidism often struggle with low energy and exhaustion, and those with hyperthyroidism may find that minor exertion leaves them panting like they just ran a 50-yard dash with a 100-pound backpack.  What can you do to feel your best? Here are eight diet and exercise tips for those suffering with thyroid conditions.  Symptoms of Common Thyroid Conditions  Your doctor can diagnose a thyroid condition with a blood test. The symptoms of hypothyroidism include: Fatigue  Weight gain  Cold intolerance Dry skin and thinning hair Muscle and joint aches Heavy…

Awareness of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is rising, and women are finally getting the attention and treatment they deserve. As studies shed new light on the condition, the benefits of a healthy lifestyle are more apparent than ever.  An exercise routine is crucial for everyone, regardless of gender, age, or health risk. For those with PCOS, it’s even more dire. The beauty is, you can start exercising for PCOS anywhere, including right at home.  Working Out for PCOS Weight management may be one of the most challenging aspects of your condition. However, PCOS is also responsible for several other risk…

Mental health is as important as your physical health, but have you made yours a real priority? If you struggle with mental health, with conditions such as depression or anxiety, you might know the desperate feeling that can come with trying to feel your best.  Recent research studies evaluate how different habits affect your mental well-being. Sometimes, simple lifestyle changes can make bigger differences than prescription medication. And, the best part? Lifestyle changes seldom have any harmful side effects. Here are five daily habits that can scientifically benefit your mental health.  1. Meditating Meditation is a form of mindful breathing…

There are plenty of ways to attack any condition. Many ailments can benefit from alternative therapies, and Parkinson’s is no different. Yes, there are alternative therapies for Parkinson’s disease. Overall, treatment for Parkinson’s disease has come a long way over the years, with modern medicine touting prescriptions to help heal the condition. Unfortunately, no current medication can eradicate Parkinson’s — it’s a consistently degenerative disease, despite courses of treatment. Prescriptions only function to slow decline or improve symptoms as much as possible. Plus, they often come with a slew of side effects. Alternative therapies for Parkinson’s disease are often much…

If you have an autoimmune disorder, your doctor undoubtedly recommended regular mild workouts to help you control your symptoms. However, the last thing you want to do during a flare-up is lace up your running shoes. You need tips to make exercising manageable.  Your doctor is right, that working out can ease the symptoms of many conditions, but you must first break through the initial discomfort and find a program that works well for you. Following one-size-fits-all approaches inevitably end in frustration, as popular fads fail to consider your unique physiology. Fortunately, you can still sweat it up and reap…

There are plenty of reasons to take better care of your heart. Perhaps the best is that diseases of this organ remain the No. 1 killer — heart attacks, heart failure, and strokes kill more people each year than any other condition.  Many people don’t know how to care for their cardiac health. They mistakenly believe it takes grueling workouts like marathon training or sticking to a strict vegan, low-fat diet.  There’s no need to go to extremes. Small, everyday improvements are the best way to care for your ticker. Here are five lifestyle changes to maintain heart health.  1.…

Arthritis affects about one-quarter of American adults. Whether osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Psoriatic, or another kind, this disease makes life difficult. However, there are ways to reduce risks, flare-ups and joint damage. One of the best methods is using hand exercises for arthritis.  Why Is Exercise Important for Arthritis? Physical activity is an effective way to alleviate arthritis pain. Regular exercise reduces joint discomfort and relieves tiredness. Stiff joints can be bothersome, but light to moderate movement is an excellent way to ease pain and maintain bone strength. It can also strengthen the muscles surrounding your joints and improve…

It’s that time of year again. It is the dreaded cold season. If you want to give your immune system a boost, your diet can go a long way! The foods you eat matter. Check out some superfoods that will prove that immunity boost all year long! Cold and flu season is here, but that isn’t the only reason for considering ways to improve your immune response. Scientists warn that everything from climate change affecting disease rates and to increased ease of human mobility impacting the spread of illness, today’s world is more and more vulnerable to disease. We might…