Wellness Wednesday – 10/30/19
WELLNESS TIP OF THE WEEK
by Orangetheory Fitness
There are proven benefits to working out in a group. One study found that 95% of those who started a weight-loss program with friends completed the program. Whatever your fitness goals are, there are multiple benefits from working out in a group at Orangetheory Fitness.
- Motivation: With group exercise classes, you have other people’s energy driving you to dig deeper and push harder in your workouts.
- Accountability and Support: Group training encourages accountability. The exercise habits of people you know have a positive and supportive influence on your exercise habits.
- Structure and Variety: Group fitness is a great way to get a workout in without having to think or plan. Orangetheory workouts are structured and balanced — and every day is different.
- Proper Form: A coach is there to make sure you don’t over or under train and use proper form — to reap the most out of every exercise and eliminate potential injuries.
- Social and Fun: You are surrounded by dedicated, like-minded individuals who have similar lifestyle goals and like spending time with each other – both inside and outside the gym.
Orangetheory Fitness Methuen @ the Loop | 978.620.5850
Orangetheory Fitness Chelmsford @ Drum Hill | 978.577.5901
WELLNESS AROUND THE WEB
What Happens When You Drink Tea Every Day
Black, green or herbal, we know tea is the longevity drink enjoyed among the longest-lived people in the world, but how does it work to extend longevity, relieve stress, protect against cancer and decrease the risk of heart disease?
Green tea provides strong immune support for fighting diseases and prolonging quality life. According to Bluezones.com, tea leaves contain powerful antioxidants called polyphenols that help to prevent cancer, heart disease and other chronic problems. Polyphenols are normally found in large amounts in fruits, vegetables, grains, coffee, and wine. The specific polyphenols in tea are called catechins, or EGCG, which are more powerful than the polyphenols contained anywhere else in nature.
Cancer cells have special properties that allow them to stay alive longer than normal, healthy cells. When normal cells die, cancer cells tend to grow and spread throughout the body.
Many studies have touted the effects of green tea on cancerous cells. It’s been found to slow the growth of lung cancer cells and breast tumors. Women who regularly drink green tea were found in a meta-analysis to have a lower risk of developing breast cancer. In the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Screening Trial, which included more than 100,000 people, researchers found that those who consumed green tea had a lower overall risk of all cancers.
In Japan, green tea is one of the most popular drinks. In a study of more than 40,000 Japanese who drank tea regularly, there was a significantly lower risk of developing heart disease. The studies showed an over 30% lower risk for women and an over 20% lowered risk in men.
Stroke deaths were even lower in this Japanese population with over 60% reduction in women and over 40% in men. Catechins are known to stop the production of free radicals in the arteries and tissues, which prevents the forming of blood clots.
Drinking green tea for one year lowers high blood pressure by over 45% in those subjects who drank two and a half cups per day. For those who drank more than two and a half cups, high blood pressure decreased by 65%. In fact, the Journal of the American College of Nutrition concludes that tea, particularly green tea and EGCG, are beneficial to heart health and metabolism.
How To Keep Screen Light From Disrupting Your Sleep
Blue light has gotten a bad rap, getting blamed for loss of sleep and eye damage. Personal electronic devices emit more blue light than any other color. Blue light has a short wavelength, which means that it’s high-energy and can damage the delicate tissues of the eye. It can also pass through the eye to the retina, the collection of neurons that converts light into the signals that are the foundation of sight.
Laboratory studies have shown that prolonged exposure to high-intensity blue light damages retinal cells in mice. But epidemiological studies on real people tell a different story. According to PopSci.com, when it comes to protecting your vision and keeping your eyes healthy, blue light isn’t your biggest concern.
Human eyes are different than rodent eyes. We have protective elements, such as macular pigments and the natural blue-blocking ability of the crystalline lens. These structures absorb blue light before it reaches the delicate retina.
But these cells are also sensitive to colors beyond blue, as they receive input from other retinal neurons that are sensitive to the entire color spectrum. Therefore, eliminating blue light alone doesn’t cut it when it comes to improving sleep; you need to dim all colors.
Many people consider buying certain products to block out blue light. Based on research, the short answer is “no.”
The truth is that any bright light too close to bedtime interferes with sleep, but there are ways to make your screen viewing more comfortable and more conducive to sleep.
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