Category: Exercise

Posted on

Five Health Goals for the Summer

Summer is a season of fun and relaxation. It is also a great time for setting yourself some new health goals. With the warm, sunny weather and increased activity outdoors, summer is the perfect time to reinvent yourself and achieve great things. Read below to learn about some health goals you can try this summer.

Drink More Water

Drinking enough water should always be a priority, but during the summer it is especially important. Staying properly hydrated helps to maintain energy levels and brain functions, aids in digestion, and boosts skin and organ health. Make it a goal to drink more water and hopefully create better hydration habits.

Develop an Exercise Routine

Finding the motivation to exercise can be difficult but having an exercise routine can make exercise fun and even exciting. Creating an exercise routine is a great way to encourage yourself to improve your physical health. Make it a goal for the summer to develop an exercise routine.

Adopt Positivity

With great weather comes great positivity. It is suggested that warmer weather can lead to happier feelings. Take advantage of the warmth and sunshine that summer brings and find ways to incorporate more positivity in your life. Maybe make a goal to begin meditating, start a journal, or spend more time with friends and families. The possibilities are endless.

Try a New Hobby

Notice we didn’t say start a new hobby? That’s because you don’t need to commit to a hobby you’re not even sure you’ll enjoy. Just putting yourself out there and trying something new is an excellent goal to have for yourself this summer.

Read a Book

Reading is a great way to engage the mind and momentarily escape reality. Reading allows for learning, it can reduce stress, and it can improve concentration. Whether it’s the newest science fiction or an encyclopedia, make it a goal this summer to pick up a book and get reading. Already an avid reader? Make it a goal this summer to read a book you normally wouldn’t consider reading.

Dr. Barbara Edwards, a Princeton M.D. internist practices at Penn Medicine Princeton Health in the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center.

Posted on

Benefits of Doing Yoga Every Day

Exercising daily is a wonderful way to boost your health and feel energized. An excellent form of exercise that can be done in many ways with varying degrees of intensity is yoga. Practicing yoga every day has countless benefits that can lead to great improvements in physical and mental health. Whether you’re an experienced yogi or completely new to yoga, below are some benefits you could enjoy.

Increased Flexibility and Range of Motion

Many of the common yoga poses are focused on flexibility because yoga releases and lengthens the body’s deep connective tissues. Daily yoga creates muscle memory, thus continually increasing flexibility. In addition, increased flexibility leads to a greater range of motion which can help you avoid injury. The more yoga you do, the more you’ll be able to move.

Improved Mental Health (less stress, more sleep!)

Yoga is great for the body, and it is equally good  for the mind. Yoga is considered to be very grounding and mood-boosting. Connecting with your own body can even elevate your mood. Studies suggest that yoga can also be used to reduce stress and improve sleep. Practicing yoga gives your mind time to reflect and decompress, leading to a better and longer sleep.

Increased Muscle Strength and Corrected Posture

While yoga is mostly focused on flexibility, many yoga poses also build muscle strength. At first, there may be many poses that are too difficult for you, but with daily practice, your muscles can adjust and allow you to complete more advanced poses. Building your muscles is great for your health and can make you feel much more confident. Increased muscle strength also affects your posture, helping you to potentially correct your stance and reduce back pain.

Dr. Barbara Edwards, a Princeton M.D. internist practices at Penn Medicine Princeton Health in the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center and also serves as Medical Director of the Bristol-Myers Squibb Community Health Center.