Tag: dr barbara edwards

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Tips to Remain Committed to Health Goals

One of the most difficult parts of self-improvement is setting and committing to goals. Setting ambitious goals can be stressful, and it may cause you to feel fearful at the thought of making lifestyle changes. Whatever your qualms are, there are ways to stay on track and be committed to your health goals.

Set the Goals

The first step is to set the goals. It’s very important to set goals that are actually attainable. Setting goals that ask too much of you will result in negative situations that aren’t conducive to completing the task at hand. Consider all aspects of your life when deciding on which goals you’d like to achieve. Once you have your goals established, write them down. Having your goals physically written down will help to cement them and encourage you to stick to them.

Find Motivation

Motivation is crucial when committing to health goals. There are many ways to motivate yourself towards a goal. One way would be to reward yourself after making steps to a goal. Another way is to follow people on social media that spread positivity and who inspire you. Finding what motivates you is key to committing to your goals.

Journal

Consider creating a journal to track your health goals. You can create to-do lists in a journal to keep you accountable for keeping up on your goals. You can also use the journal to keep track of your progress and reflect on what you’ve achieved. Journaling is an excellent way to organize your thoughts and create some accountability to keep you on track to your goals.

Stay the Course

The journey to achieving a goal is not always completely successful. There may be setbacks and failures along the way. It is important to stay the course regardless and continue working toward your goals. With enough motivation, you can commit to and achieve almost any goal you set your mind to!

Dr. Barbara Edwards, a Princeton MD is the Academic Director for the Ambulatory Residency Program at Penn Medicine Princeton Health, providing quality care to uninsured and under-insured New Jersey residents in Mercer and Middlesex counties.

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How Meditation Helps Mental Health

Mental health is important. Through proper self-care, mental health can be maintained and even boosted. An excellent self-care practice is meditation. When most people hear of mediation, they picture a person sitting cross-legged on the ground with their eyes shut, but this is not the only way mediation can occur. Meditation can be taking time out of the day to read a book you enjoy, it can be going for a relaxing car ride, it could be going for a walk, or it could be any way that enables you to clear your mind and find happiness. Incorporating meditation into your daily routine can help your mental health. Meditation can:

Reduce Stress

Day-to-day life can be pretty stressful. With busy schedules and many responsibilities, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. Carving out a little time every day — or even every week — can help to ground yourself and clear your mind of current stressors. While meditation may not remove your stress entirely, it is an excellent way to give your mind a minute to catch up and rest.

Boost Confidence

Meditation often involves repeating mantras or positive words and phrases. Whether said in your head or out loud, these positive words can greatly improve your confidence and outlook on life. Reminding yourself of your value and abilities through meditation can help to boost your confidence and make you feel proud of yourself.

Encourage Emotional Health

When juggling many responsibilities in life, it can become difficult to remember to consider and express your emotions. Meditation gives you time to reflect on and process your emotions. It’s important for your mental health to deal with any feelings you might have and encourage happy emotions.

Increase Attention Span

Recently, society has adopted a very fast paced way of living. This had led to a decrease in individuals’ patience and their length of attention spans. Practicing meditation reminds you to slow down and enjoy every moment. It gives your brain a chance to “reset” and not expect immediate results. Meditation can increase your patience and attention span thus boosting your mental health.

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

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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.

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What Healthy Foods Fill You Up?

Diet is an important factor in a healthy lifestyle. Eating foods that make you feel good, and that are good for you, is an excellent way to improve your health. But what about when healthy foods leave you still feeling hungry? Eating the right healthy foods can help leave you feeling full for longer. Filling foods tend to have high levels of protein and fiber. Continue reading for a list of healthy foods that will leave you satisfied and energized.

Potatoes

Cooked, unpeeled potatoes, especially sweet potatoes, offer substantial nutritional value. They contain several vitamins and minerals such as Potassium and Vitamin C. Potatoes also have a high-water content and contain complex carbohydrates which digest more slowly.  Potatoes are a great option to add to a meal to make it more filling.

Eggs

Eggs are a very nutrient dense food. There are many vitamins and minerals, as well as proteins and fats, all packed into that tiny shell. The protein found in eggs contains all of the essential amino acids. Eggs make a great choice for a high protein, filling meal.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is a high fiber food that is relatively low in calories. Oatmeal contains a very soluble fiber called beta-glucan. Oatmeal can also hold a lot of water. Due to its high fiber and water content, oatmeal can fill you up and leave you feeling full for hours.

Vegetables

Vegetables are also a high fiber food. Depending on which vegetable, you’ll get lots of different vitamins and minerals. Vegetables also often take more time to chew than other foods which can make you feel fuller. The high fiber and vitamins found in vegetables can fill you up and satisfy many cravings by helping to meet your dietary needs.

Legumes

Legumes, like peas, beans, lentils, can provide lots of protein and fiber. Legumes are relatively low calorie which allows you to eat larger quantities leading to an increased feeling of fullness. The protein and fiber from beans also help to fill you up.

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

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Foods That Will Give You Energy

Life can be demanding at times, so it’s important to stay properly nourished and energized. Eating well and selecting nutritious foods is key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and avoiding that “drained” feeling. Read below to discover some delicious, energizing foods you can add to your diet.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal, a high in fiber meal, is the perfect way to start your day. With 13 grams of protein in half a cup of dry oats and nearly half the recommended dietary intake of vitamin B1, oatmeal makes an excellent, nutrient-dense option to include in your diet that will leave you feeling full and energized until lunch.

Eggs

Eggs are another healthy high-protein food to consider. Eggs are a complete protein, meaning they contain all necessary amino acids, and they provide vitamins and healthy fats – all things you need for sustained energy.

Nuts

Nuts are a great choice to add to a meal or to enjoy alone as a snack. They are high in healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. With so many varieties, nuts are easy to add to your diet to keep you feeling satisfied and energized.

Berries

While it’s important to moderate sugar intake, berries are a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth with healthy sugars and antioxidants. Berries are a relatively low-calorie food and can give the sugary boost you need. Did you know that they’re also low in carbohydrates?

Dark Chocolate

That’s right, chocolate can be healthy in moderation! Dark chocolate is high in energizing fats, it provides antioxidants, and it has been known to lower blood pressure and improve brain function. Dark chocolate is a delicious alternative to candy bars, and it provides a great source of energy. In conclusion, small amounts of dark chocolate is good for you!

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.