The Scoop on Stress.Written by Deborah Caruana RN, MES, CPT
Continued from page 1
Did we need this experiment to prove our point? Hardly. But scientists do and here we are with more proof of what we already knew. Since fight-or-flight response is designed for physical action, regular exercise is best way of dissipating physical manifestations of stress hormones in body. Exercise, even stretching, can relieve tension in muscles. While fight-or-flight taxes immune system moderate physical activity can bolster immune response. Exercise can also counteract anxiety adrenaline and cortisol may cause when they flood bloodstream for prolonged periods. Most obviously, exercise is an outlet for excess adrenaline, and has been shown to blunt cortisol production. But another way it achieves this is by releasing serotonin, a neurotransmitter that stimulates brain's "happy centers." This occurs most dramatically within first 30 minutes of physical activity, then tapers off. Exercise also induces release of endorphins, which block pain messages and can enhance mood. There are peripheral benefits to physical activity as well. The sense of self-control that comes with overcoming anxiety provoking stress, of course weight loss that comes with exercise and improved body image affects our outlook, and so our interactions with others, which in turn improve our mood. So empower yourself and make friends with stress. What Stress Can Do For YOU! New research is telling us that stress should be welcomed. Increasing evidence is pointing to how stress can: ·Prevent cancer from returning ·Reduce chance of heart attack ·Increase life expectancy ·Boost immune system ·Increase brain power Well, do you feel any better now? Deborah Caruana RN, MES, CPT. CALL 212-677-3185 EMAIL deb@vitalsignsfitness.com WEB www.vitalsignsfitness.com
DEBORAH is a highly respected authority in personal training for overall health and fitness, with more than 22 years of experience and success.
| | Bye Bye HolidaysWritten by Deborah Caruana RN, MES, CPT
Continued from page 1
I have to tell you here that my brothers wife Bonnie is an amazing cook. I strongly adviced her to share her gifts and take up her talents professionally. Anything she made I had to try because I knew how fantastic it would be. Though I admit she uses sugar and some kind of white flour and butters I allow anything she makes into my stomach because it is glorious and therefore has to be good for me. I know its not rational but scale doesn't lie and I gained not a pound. I also had only a few days of eating these foods but enough to have done damage last year. Another part of mysterious weight patterns is that once my body got used to carbs again with a healthy balanced regime, my metabolism found its homeostasis, a set point where body wants to stay. Yes it’s a couple pounds over where I was when on Atkins but it is now healthy and balanced and amazingly easy to maintain…as my Holiday experience showed. Workouts? Well okay I squeezed in a couple, I wasn't sedentary and walked outside with my mother in eight inches of snow and howling winds for an hour one day. Which I couldn't have done while on Atkins due to lack of energy. Now I'm not telling you to go out with reckless abandon and eat whatever tastes good. In your day to day routine discipline and control tempered with regular exercise are your mainstays to health, fitness and keeping young. The good thing about eating carbs is that during Holidays you can kick your feet up, enjoy yourself, relax and make most of what life has to offer. Deborah Caruana RN, AAHRFP, NASM, ACE, www.vitalsignsfitness.com email deb@vitalsignsfitness.com
DEBORAH is a highly respected authority in personal training for overall health and fitness, with more than 22 years of experience and success.
|
