Tag: Dr. Barbara R 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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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.

 

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How to Volunteer Virtually

Volunteering is a great way to get involved and feel a sense of purpose. Although recent health restrictions make it difficult to go out and volunteer, there is still a way that you can help your community while protecting your health –– virtual volunteering! Continue reading to learn how and where you can volunteer virtually.

What is Virtual Volunteering?

Virtual volunteering is donating your time to assist an organization remotely through your computer or phone.  Most organizations have an application process to become a virtual volunteer. Virtual volunteering is a great way to give back to your community and sharpen your skills.

Start Locally

When beginning your search for virtual volunteering, it’s best to start local. Search online for local charitable organizations in your area, and see if any are in need of assistance virtually. If you’re having trouble finding information, reach out directly to organizations and ask if they need help. Another way to discover local volunteer opportunities is to use Facebook’s Town Hall resource and search for groups in need of virtual volunteers in your area.

Consider Established Programs

While it’s great to help local organizations, virtual volunteering conveniently allows for helping out state-wide or even nation-wide organizations. Many established organizations such as the Red Cross, the Smithsonian Institute, and the American Cancer Society are looking for virtual volunteers. Visit their websites and (if applicable) send in a volunteer application to join their teams. Additionally, you can visit VolunteerMatch to discover virtual volunteer opportunities.

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.

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Benefits of Exercising Outside

Exercising outdoors can not only improve physical health, but it can benefit mental health as well. Being confined to just your living space can take a toll on self esteem, pleasure, and enthusiasm—and breathing in fresh air can alleviate some of that stress. Here are three benefits to outdoor exercising that can open the door to a happier life in the era of COVID-19.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a vital vitamin that comes primarily from the sun. Being outside for 15 minutes a day can help increase vitamin D levels, which may help reduce risk of stroke, heart attack, cancer and even depression. Taking a short walk locally or going for a slow jog are simple ways to  improve vitamin D intake.

Having a Clear Mind

Being outside brings you closer to nature, which can have a calming effect on the mind and body. Take this time to focus on your thoughts and give yourself a break from the stressors of every day life. Taking hikes, or even just a few trips around the block can have positive impacts on your cardiovascular health.

It’s Free!

Everyone has access to the outdoors—even if it’s a neglected tennis court at a public park. The best part is that it’s free and usually just a few steps from home. The worry about having to walk into a crowded gym disappears and you’re exercising on your own time in the comfort of your own environment.

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.