Tag: dr barbara edwards

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Working Out with a Bad Back

Sometimes when you are on your feet for too long or sleep on an old uncomfortable bed, you may wake up with some minor back pain. As we age, it’s not uncommon to consider yourself someone who has a “bad back”. Between spasms, slipped discs, muscle soreness, or “throwing out” your back, back pain is one of the most common complaints of ageing. If you feel back pain frequently, do not allow it to get in the way of your daily workout—movement and resistance are essential to maintaining resilient muscles and bones. Here are some workouts that you can do even with a bad back.

Swimming

Working out with back pain may be nerve wracking especially when you are worried you might make the pain worse. That is why you need to change up your exercise routine with something that puts less strain on your back. Swimming on days when your back is bothering you can help because this is a low-impact workout. High impact workouts that people are familiar with like running will exacerbate the pain. If your back pain is the result of an overuse injury, it is especially important to change your routine and consider swimming instead.

Yoga

Yoga is quite a flexible exercise to do—no pun intended. Since you know your limitations, you are able to work around your back pain. If you are working with an instructor, they will be able to adapt the session for you to be able to participate safely. Another way you can help your back is by using an exercise ball in your yoga session. This equipment is softer on your back which could reduce the pain.

Stretch

It is always important to stretch before and after a workout and on your active rest days from your workouts. Stretching often can help alleviate your back pain as well as strengthen your back muscles to keep it from occurring (not including back muscles being sore). If you skip the stretching part of your workout routine, this can lead to injury and excessive back pain.

When you are suffering from back pain, don’t let it determine your whole day or stop you from being active. There are plenty of alternative ways you can be active without having to worry about injuring your back further. Try some of these even if you don’t have back pain for something different!

Dr. Barbara R. Edwards, Princeton Internist, practices at Penn Medicine Princeton Health in the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center. She is also the Academic Director for the Ambulatory Residency Program at Penn Medicine Princeton Health.

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Easy-Prep Healthy Snacks

When it comes to snacking it is easy to just grab whatever is available and quick to eat when you need something to hold you over until your next meal. Instead of grabbing a processed snack full of sugar and salt, snack prepping could save a lot of calories and be better for your body. Here are some snacks you can prepare ahead of time that are easy to put together. 

Berries and Yogurt 

A popular snack that is full of protein and natural sugars is that of greek yogurt and berries. You can prep this in minutes and have it sit overnight. The berries give the yogurt a bit of flavor that you would not get from just plain yogurt. As well as all the protein found in this snack, your appetite will be fulfilled. 

Turkey Roll Ups 

Cold cuts are a great snack that people may not have thought of since they are thought of as lunch. To prepare these snacks take a piece of cheese and turkey and roll them up together. If you want to add something else for a bit of flavor or try some different veggies to see how you like it. You can also prepare this and leave it in the fridge for when you are ready. 

Goat Cheese Dip 

This is a quick and simple recipe you can prep and grab whenever you want to snack. You can use it with Triscuits, carrots, celery or put it on chicken. All you need is a log of goat cheese, one tablespoon of basil pesto and two teaspoons of olive oil. Once you combine you can store it for four days as you snack on it from time to time. 

Try some of these recipes in the future before you want to snack so you will have them all ready and prepped! 

Dr. Barbara R. Edwards, Princeton Internist, practices at Penn Medicine Princeton Health in the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center. She is also the Academic Director for the Ambulatory Residency Program at Penn Medicine Princeton Health.

 

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Benefits of Pilates

There are plenty of different kinds of classes you can find at your local gym. Between yoga, zumba, aerobics and more, you are bound to find one you like. Recently, Pilates has become a popular exercise methodology for folks working out both at the gym and at home. If you have hesitations about taking a pilates class, read on for some benefits that could give you some motivation. 

Tension Release

Facing back pain day in and day out can become distracting and uncomfortable. There are many reasons why people may experience this excruciating pain, but by taking part in a pilates class, you may find relief. Pilates builds and works on your core strength which has many positives as it serves as your body’s stabilizer. With a stronger core you will develop better posture which helps against the stress cumulative towards your lower back. It will also help you move your body more freely. 

Low Impact Exercise

Taking part in a low impact exercise means that it is great for everyone. Low impact exercise is defined by how easy it is on muscles and joints. With a workout like this you will not be running or jumping, but still working on your muscles and strengthening them, while working up a sweat. So, you can do a pilates workout at home, or in an apartment without having to worry about bothering others.

Decreases Stress

Working out in general is a great way to release some stress you may be feeling. Pilates takes it a step further by making sure you are in tune with your breathing. Regulating your breathing is essential for mindful exercise for methods such as yoga, barre and pilates. It centers your body and mind and brings you to the present while working out the stress you may be feeling. Take notice of your mood before and after you finish because pilates can also help improve your overall mood. 

Pilates is becoming a trend that a lot of people are starting to take part in. Whether you want to take an in-person pilates class or follow a routine online there is minimal equipment needed so you will be able to get started right away. Overall your body will thank you in ways you may not even realize. 

Dr. Barbara R. Edwards, Princeton Internist, practices at Penn Medicine Princeton Health in the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center. She is also the Academic Director for the Ambulatory Residency Program at Penn Medicine Princeton Health.

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Helpful Ways to Limit Negative Self-Talk

It is easy to be hard on ourselves and think that no matter what we do, someone else can do it better. Have you ever noticed that the things you say to yourself are not things you would ever say to another person? This is negative self-talk and it can be detrimental to mental health. So read on for some ways to limit this habit.

Step Back

When catching yourself thinking negative thoughts, or putting yourself down, stop and think for a second. A great tip is to as yourself, “who told me this?” You will start to find that the only person who is telling you these things is yourself. As Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” Remember that our insecurities start with the things we tell ourselves to believe.

Support System

Another way to catch yourself practicing negative self-talk is by telling someone you trust the exact thoughts you are thinking. This gets your thoughts out there and a new perspective from someone you trust can help you realize that the thought itself is outlandish. Being vulnerable in this way can help those you trust become closer to you, and when you feel more supported, you can practice more self-love.

Affirmations
Listening to some positive affirmations or even reciting them to yourself will help give you a positive frame of mind. There are plenty of television shows and social media channels that promote and showcase negativity. Creating a safe and positive space can change the daily way you think about yourself.

Humans are prone to error which is why there is the “nobody is perfect” mantra. It is easy to be hard on ourselves and difficult to be nice. A way to start addressing your negative self-talk is by implementing these steps when you catch yourself thinking negatively.

Dr. Barbara R. Edwards, Princeton Internist, practices at Penn Medicine Princeton Health in the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center. She is also the Academic Director for the Ambulatory Residency Program at Penn Medicine Princeton Health.

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How the Weather May Impact your Mental Health

In the Northeast, we run the gamut of weather events. Between hurricanes and blizzards, extreme heat and floods—we experience it all between each of the four seasons. As the weather here can be extreme, you can expect to experience some mood changes related to the weather. Read on for ways the weather affects your mental health.

Stress

If you find yourself stressed when extreme weather is predicted, this is not an abnormal feeling. Many people find these situations stress triggers, and chronic stress goes hand in hand with mental illness. These trigger anxiety and depressive symptoms which is why you find yourself in a worse mood during months of extreme weather like the cold.

Weather Phobia

There are instances where you are not just stressed out about the weather, but feel intense fear regarding it. Having a weather phobia is rare, but is extremely possible. It’s normal to have fear about things we cannot control, and being worried about how weather could affect your day negatively could cause some anxiety. If you find your fear of impending weather is having an impact on your ability to live your daily life, try talking to your doctor or a therapist who can help you learn coping mechanisms.

Heat vs Cold

When it comes to humidity and the hotter months, people tend to be easily irritable. Research has shown that when there is more humidity, aggression and conflict happen at a higher rate than during the colder months. Still, during colder months, you may find yourself feeling grumpier and less motivated to leave your home to do the things you normally love to do.

While we’ve all experienced how the weather can have a small influence on mood, some people experience this on a deeper level. Seasonal Affective Disorder happens when the seasons change. Be aware of how the weather can impact your mood in both positive and negative ways and seek help if you feel as though coping mechanisms could help you regain a sense of control of your emotions when the weather seems to always rain on your parade.

Dr. Barbara R. Edwards, Princeton Internist, practices at Penn Medicine Princeton Health in the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center. She is also the Academic Director for the Ambulatory Residency Program at Penn Medicine Princeton Health.