US Media Studios Explains the Health Benefits of Yoga

Once considered something only the hipster crowd practiced, yoga has gained a new, refreshing reputation as a great health benefit.

US Media Studios learns that people who practice yoga are less stressed out than those that do not. It is also a great exercise for connecting the mind and body. It is beneficial to all age groups and all kinds of people. Military combat veterans who go to yoga classes gain inner peace, strength in mind and thoughts, stress relief, and feel stronger mentally and physically.  Baby boomers and other age groups who take yoga classes experience increased flexibility, increases muscle strength, improved respiration and energy, gain better balance, and protection from injury. Yoga also help build stronger bones.

Yoga classes around the country are offered a low-cost at community centers, the Y, health clubs and gyms, and on the beach, in parks and in city centers.  Some yoga teachers, or yogis, allow a new participant to take one class free to see if it is something the person wants to continue. It doesn’t hurt to ask before starting. Not all yoga classes are alike. Go online or ask someone who is into yoga which type would be best for a newcomer. US Media Studios also reminds readers that yoga clothes are cool and are worn almost everywhere now.

Feeling stressed out with sore joints and muscles? Are crazy thoughts running through your mind all day and night long? Sample one yoga class. It might just be ticket to better mental and physical health.

Health Briefs TV with the Benefits of Surgery for Older People

There are health concerns and risks for everyone who undergoes surgery, and not just for the elderly. But there are also clear benefits for older people who opt for joint replacements and other major surgeries. Health Briefs TV looks at the pros of surgery for older people.

It is hard for anyone to fathom the pain, lack of mobility and inconvenience of joint replacement surgery. Imagine then being in your 80s and 90s and having a joint replaced. Many older people are willing to go through difficult joint replacement surgeries in order to improve their quality of life. Others opt for major organ surgery for the same reason.

As the world population lives longer, choosing surgery to improve or replace parts and organs worn out is a personal decision, and one that can be hard for the patient’s family to understand. But quality of life is valued by almost everyone. Simple activities people don’t think about such as getting in and out of a car, walking into a grocery store, or descending a set of stairs are challenging and often painful for the elderly with worn out joints. Joint replacement surgery can be a life changer for the older parent.

Health Briefs TV suggests talking with older relatives and friends who opt for major surgery. Listen to their reasons, their anxiety, their hopes for a positive outcome, without judgment. Sometimes, the best thing that can happen is to get a new lease on life. It doesn’t really matter how much time is left on that lease. No one knows that anyway.

Health Briefs TV Digests the Latest News on Junk Food

Junk food is some of the best comfort food. Yet it is often blamed on the rise of obesity in America. According to a recent study, this is not true.

The report which was published by the Food and Brand Lab at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York found that underweight Americans consumed more soda, sweets and junk food than people who were of average weight. Obese and morbidly obese people actually ate less junk food than underweight people, Health Briefs TV learns. A rather odd fact from the study notes that morbidly obese people tend to eat more French fries than the other groups.

Once again, medical professionals say that becoming overweight or obese is not related to the amount of food, healthy or not, that we eat. It is the lack of exercise that produces excess body weight and a higher body mass index. Diet and lifestyle change programs suggest participants not deprive themselves of the occasional junk food meal, container of salty fries or satisfying soda.  The deprivation can lead to overeating of junk food which is not healthy, and more so when there is a lack of exercise.  Instead, the Health Briefs TV show suggests having one delicious fast food meal per month. For those who don’t like going to a gym or health club, try taking a 30 minute walk after a meal. Fall is the perfect season to get outside when the air is cooler to walk around the neighborhood, greet neighbors and devour the fantastic fall colors. 

Health Briefs TV Shares How to Stay Healthy While Away at School

College and university living is fun and a real learning experience. This is usually the first time some students are living away from home and away from the guiding eye of parents. It’s easy to over indulge in all the good things available. Health Briefs TV shares some simple ways to stay healthy while at school.

Freshman year for any college student is not easy. There are new friends to meet, new classes, new professors, and more food than one can fathom. College dorms are rife with junk food, sodas, delivery meals, take out food and party treats. It can also be pretty hard to get enough sleep when classes and exam studying can keep kids awake. Here’s how to get a handle on bad habits:

Get a microwave and mini-fridge for the dorm room. Buy fresh fruit and veggies to heat up, slice and enjoy. Popcorn is a healthy snack and one that is a favorite in all dormitories. Add bottled water to the fridge and carry one to drink between classes. Avoid the dreaded “freshmen 15” added pounds by making healthier food choices.

Walk whenever possible. Leave the car parked, especially if drinking. Walking strengthens muscles and joints, gets blood flow moving and gives the heart a good workout too. It is also a great stress reducer. Take 20 and go for walk.

Health Briefs TV recommends asking for help if needed. This means if a student feels or looks unwell, call or visit the school medical office. Get vaccinations before heading off to school since communal living is often one which is rather germ-laden.

Stay healthy throughout the school year.

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Small Steps Can Improve Health from Health Briefs TV

Health Briefs TV looks at the small steps everyone can take every day to improve their health.  Many people spend most of the work day sitting at a desk.  Not only does this affect posture, but it also affects blood and oxygen circulation, joints and bones.  One easy way to circumvent future health problems caused by sitting all day is to stand up every hour and walk a little bit.  Not only will this loosen stiff muscles and joints, but it will also relieve stress and improve mood. Take a break in the morning and afternoon to go outside and walk can decrease premature death by 33 percent, a recent study found.

When home, get in more walking after dinner.  Light gardening and even vacuuming the carpet are good, light exercise.  To measure how much walking is accomplished in a day, why not invest in an activity tracker? These can be worn on the wrist or clipped to a belt loop. Health Briefs TV notes that these devices are beneficial and useful to people to want to measure how much physical activity they get in a day. Every minute of exercise we can get adds to our overall health.  Moderate exercise strengthens the heart, muscles and bones.  It will also help people who sit all day at work then have a long commute home. It feels good to get up and let the body recover from sitting all day. Look around and find fun ways to increase exercise.

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Health Briefs TV Shares Green Ideas for Better Health

Shop at local farmers markets for produce

One of the easiest ways to celebrate Earth Day is make a healthy change or two for yourself and family.

Health Briefs TV believes that making personal health a top priority is one of the best ways to make a positive change in lifestyle. As the country honors and participates in the 45^th celebration of Earth Day on April 22, we want to share a few green ideas for better health with readers.

Choose organic meat, chicken and fish at the store. There are no antibiotics in them. Animals are fed a more natural diet.

Visit local farmers markets for produce of the highest and most Earth-friendly quality. It may cost a tad more than store bought, but it tastes better and is healthier to consume.

Invest in over the faucet water filters. They are inexpensive to purchase as are the replaceable filters. One water filter saves the Earth from thousands of plastic bottles.

Avoid wasting food not used. If a can is opened to gain a small amount for cooking, put the remaining contents in a reusable plastic container and freeze them. Don’t cover the can or bottle and put back in the fridge to get moldy.

The Health Briefs TV show also recommends filling up the freezer with seasonal produce not consumed yet. No vitamins or nutrients are lost when food is frozen. It also makes using those colorful fruits and veggies out of season a whole lot nicer.

Choose Earth-friendly cleaning products and paper goods for the home.

Earth Day 2015 is a great day to make positive healthy choices in your life. Choose one or more and be on the way to a greener and healthier living. 

Health Briefs TV Touts the Benefits of Regular, Moderate Exercise

Some people turn a deaf ear when they hear the word exercise.  They think long, hard, sweaty periods of time in the gym working out.  Health Briefs TV reminds readers that even moderate physical activity is beneficial for everyone.

Regular, moderate exercise, such as a 20 minute walk around the block aids in staying healthy and living longer.  Walking is a relaxing activity which can offer the walker time alone to think while giving the heart a mini workout. Riding a bike is also a pleasant form of exercise. One covers more ground on a bike and gains the health benefits from it. It boosts vim and vigor.  Moderate physical activity also raises the heart rate which pumps more blood and oxygen throughout the body. This in turn, helps us feel more alive. It stimulates the brain which keeps our mental faculties alert.

Our skin becomes more elastic and softer which can reduce the appearance of wrinkles.  It gives us flexibility which we all need the older we become.  It improves posture so we are not so slumped over in age.  Moderate exercise makes us feel stronger and more capable of handling the harder aspects of live. It boosts mood too. We could all use a little mood boost every now and then.  The Health Briefs TV show also testifies that a little moderate exercise every week helps us sleep more soundly. And a good night’s rest is one of the best health benefits everyone needs. 

Head outside if the weather permits and enjoy a short walk. Take in the sights. Soak in the sunshine. Feel alive and healthier.

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Health Briefs TV Reviews Food to Reduce Stress

Food is often used as a means to make on feel better. Comfort food, like a cheeseburger or macaroni and cheese, comes to mind. However, there are better choices to make which can make one feel calm, relaxed and generally less harried. Health Briefs TV reviews which foods can help reduce stress best.

Green leafy vegetables contain folate which produces dopamine, a pleasure-inducing brain chemical that helps one keep calm. A 2012 study found that middle-aged and elderly people who ate more greens such as spinach had a lower risk of depression than those that did not.

Have a turkey breast sandwich. It’s true that the tryptophan in it can relax people. It is an amino acid which is found in protein-rich foods which helps produce the serotonin. This amino acid releases a chemical which stabilizes hunger and feelings of happiness.

Grab a cup of yogurt. The bacteria in the gut might be adding to stress, and yogurt contains probiotics, which reduces brain activity in the area that handle emotion and stress. Eat one of the flavored ones or doctor a small cup of Greek yogurt with honey and cinnamon.

Get a handful of pistachios. The rhythmic motion of getting one, cracking it open and eating it is calming and can reduce stress. It also takes longer to eat them so the little nuts are diet-friendly. The Health BriefsTV show knows they are also good for the heart.

Last but certainly not least is dark chocolate.  It contains cortisol which reduces stress hormones, and the antioxidants in cocoa can relax blood vessels.

Find a calming space to relax and let stress disappear with some of these goodies.

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Health Briefs TV and How to Avoid Processed Food at the Store

Processed and frozen foods are easy to prepare for any meal. They are already made and packaged and ready to heat and eat. But most of them contain more sodium than what is considered a healthy amount. Health Briefs TV offers suggestions about how to avoid the processed food at the store.

The easiest way to avoid processed food, or prepared food, in the grocery store is to shop along the sides. Start in the fresh produce section and stock up on all the healthy fruits and vegetables the family likes. Potatoes of all kinds are good meal fillers and sides since they pack a lot of fiber and vitamins. Most take a few minutes in the microwave to cook and can be spruced up with fresh salsa (also found in the produce section) low-fat cheese, sour cream or Greek yogurt.

The Health Briefs TV show also suggests grabbing some frozen fruits and veggies since they are often packed when they are ripe. Walk along the back wall of the store where fresh chicken, meat and fish are sold. Grab a few small fillets of the freshest fish, and some organic chicken for a few healthy and nutritious meals without the added salt and chemicals.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that Americans consume an average of 3,500 milligrams of sodium per day. This does not include the salt from the shaker on the table). We can avoid the extra sodium with planned, smart shopping. Make a list before heading out and stick to it. Spend at least half of the food budget on fresh produce, fish and lean chicken and meat. Make meals at home and invite children to help. Avoiding processed food may seem challenging at first. But with some pre-planning, everyone’s health will benefit from consuming less salt. 

Health Briefs TV Encourages Readers to Change Their MIND

What is the MIND diet and how can it prevent the onset on Alzheimer’s disease? Health Briefs TV reviews the plan and how it can be beneficial to everyone.

MIND stands for Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay diet. It combines the best of two popular and very effective diets: the Mediterranean and DASH diets in its efforts to reduce the chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other mind-affected conditions.

The MIND diet recommends patients eat from five specific food groups, and avoid eating from 5 others. To gain the most benefit from this plan, people should consume:

Green leafy vegetables:  Think spinach, lettuce, kale, broccoli and greens at least two to four times per week. They contain vitamins A and C and other nutrients which benefit brain health.

Nuts: five small servings per week are recommended. Nuts contain healthy fats and fiber, and antioxidants to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease.

Berries: Blueberries are also full of vitamins and antioxidants. They are easy to find year round and easy to eat. Strawberries are also good.

Beans and whole grains: Both of these groups include food which is healthful, low fat and full of fiber which are all recommended to main overall goo health. The Health Briefs TV show notes that three servings per week of each is also recommended.

Fish, which is a major part of the Mediterranean diet, is also a part of the MIND diet. Fish high in the omega-3 fats are especially good. Buy enjoy it once a week.

Eating for improved brain function is essential for anyone, and more so for those aged 40 and up. Alzheimer’s is a disease which many people at different ages. Stack the cards in your favor with a healthy diet every day. Always consult your doctor before beginning any diet or change in lifestyle.

Why We Need the Turn the Volume Down from Health Briefs TV

Turn the volume down

Nothing sounds better than listening to a favorite song with ear buds or head phones on. Keep in mind though that we don’t have to amp up the volume.

The World Health Organization estimates that 1 billion people could possibly lose their hearing and most of those between the ages of 12 and 35. This is mostly due to cranking the volume up with ear buds in the ears or head phone use.  Forty percent of the above are likely to lose experience some level of hearing loss due to being in venues where the decibel levels are very high, such as concerts. And hearing loss is forever.

Below are some steps to prevent premature hearing loss:

Curtail listening to loud music from ear buds or head phones to no more than one hour per day.

Don’t spend more than eight hours per day in a job where the inside noise decibel is more than 85 decibels. These jobs are usually in bars, nightclubs or sporting venues.

Turn the TV volume to a reasonable listening level.

Watch children and teens to be sure they are not blasting music or games in their ears with buds or head phones. Headphones can be cranked up to 110 decibels.

The Health Briefs TV show reminds readers that hearing loss is permanent. There are no quick fixes. And hearing aid devices, no matter what the cost, do not restore hearing one hundred percent. In fact, hearing aids amplify ALL sound including background noise. Protect the ears always. 

Health Briefs TV Explains Why a Short Walk is Better than No Walk

A recent study from Cambridge University reports that a short daily walk is better than no walk at all. Health Briefs TV explains why a little daily exercise can prolong life.

Researchers studied nearly 300,000 people and found that a brisk 20 minute daily walk can help reduce the risk of developing diabetes and heart disease. The study also found that this short bout of activity is better for longevity than body weight. People that walk or do some other form of physical activity daily increase blood to the heart, raise their energy levels and the exercise improves mood. In contrast, someone who is sedentary can become lethargic, cranky and is at risk for becoming obese and suffer from the consequences. Those who work at jobs which require sitting all day should take breaks to move. Head outside for a quick walk, take the stairs instead of elevators and escalators and park farther from the office building. The Health Briefs TV show strongly encourages readers to add some kind of daily activity to their regular routine. The extra energy, health benefits and longer longevity that comes from daily exercise makes one feel physically better and stronger. Plus, it can lower health insurance rates .Get up and move now.

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Health Briefs TV on How to Break the Nicotine Habit One Day at a Time

Some smokers we know have said quitting smoking is the easiest thing they ever have done – because they have done it so many times. Now that the New Year has begun, there may be readers who committed to break the nicotine habit once and for all. Health Briefs TV applauds you and shares some suggestions which might help make the commitment stick.

Whichever way you choose to quit, announce it to everyone you know. Post is on social media.  The more support you have behind you, the more successful you will be.

Replace the bad habit with a good healthier one. If the urge to light up strikes right after dinner, take a pleasant walk outside with a family member, spouse, and even the family dog.

Get rid of everything in the home that reminds you of smoking. This means all ashtrays, lighters and hidden cigarettes. Health Briefs suggests throwing them all in the trash and then throw that bag in the Dumpster. Out of sight out of mind.

If stopping at a favorite gas station or convenience store, just say no when the clerk automatically hands you a pack of your regular brand. The power of saying “no thanks I quit” will make you feel like you can quit for good.

If stress is trigger, if social drinking is a trigger or if there are any other triggers, find a placement for them. Take a 10 minute break from work and go outside and walk. Order a different drink at the bar and sit where no smoking is allowed.

Check out the timeline below to see how not smoking approves overall health:

• After 20 minutes, your heart rate and blood pressure drops.
• After 12 hours, the carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.
• After two weeks to three months: your circulation improves and your lung function increases.
• After 1 to 9 months: coughing and shortness of breath decreases and lung functions improve.
• After on year: chances of heart-related illnesses are cut in half.

Quitting smoking is not easy. Get support from everyone you know. Take it one day at a time. After three months, the habit itself is broken.

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Health Briefs TV and the Ten Most Healthy States in the U.S.

The Healthiest State in the U.S.

Where we live plays a large part in how healthy we are. Health Briefs TV takes a look at the ten healthiest U.S. states, as rated by United Healthcare Foundation, and how they made it to the top of the chart.

Nebraska has a low rate of drug deaths, a high rate of high school grads, a good rate of child immunizations. Although it is 10^th on the list, the western state has a high rate of binge drinking and large gap in health status by education level.

North Dakota is ninth on the list due to its low rate of drug-related deaths, high immunization rate for teens and lower rate of low birth weight.

Colorado is one of those states with an abundance of outdoor activities which is why it is in eighth place. The state has lower numbers of obesity and diabetes and the lowest in the country.

New Hampshire has a high rate of active residents, a low rate of infectious diseases, and low infant mortality rates, which is why it is seventh on the list.

Minnesota may be a terribly close place in the winter but it came in sixth place for the lowest obesity and diabetes rates in the nation, as well as having a low rate of drug deaths.

Utah is fifth. This state has a low number of people who smoke, 2^nd lowest diabetes rates in the country, and a low percentage of children in poverty.

Connecticut is fourth because the state has a low prevalence of smoking,  a high immunization rate among children, and a low occupational fatalities rate.

Massachusetts is third as it most noted by researchers of having more residents with health insurance than other states. 

Vermont is one of the healthiest states in the U.S. High school graduations are up, children living in poverty is down, violent crimes and binge drinking rates are also down.

Hawaii is the healthiest state in the U.S. Obesity, cancer and preventable hospitalization rates are all down. The percentage of smokers hs gone down by 21% in the last year. Health Briefs TV applauds each of these states for their great work in helping residents achieve overall health and wellness.

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