Dogs Improve Our Health!
We get so much love and support from dogs! They make the world a better place and teach us the meaning of unconditional love! Today is “Make a Dog’s Day Day” which encourages people to adopt pets from a shelter. If you have been thinking about getting a dog, today is the best day to do it! And if you already have a dog, today is a day to do something special for them to show them extra love!
Here are some benefits we get from dogs:
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- Endorphins from petting: petting can boost serotonin, and other “feel-good” hormones to help boost your mood.
- Unconditional love: Dogs can be there for you even when other people can’t. They love you no matter what type of day you’re having.
- Dogs are good for your heart. There are studies published between 1950-2019 that found dog owners have a lower blood pressure and healthier hearts.
- Dogs can help improve brain health and cognitive function of those with mental illness.
- Service dogs, therapy dogs and emotional support dogs help people with all kinds of disabilities or conditions by performing functional tasks or providing support and companionship.
This is the 3rd annual “Make a Dog’s Day Day” which was invented by Subaru to do something special for the animals that are always there for us. So go to a local shelter and adopt a dog today! Or if you already have a dog, spoil them with something special today!
September is Self-Improvement Month!
Self-improvement is so important! The most successful people and leaders in the world work on themselves and are always focused on self-improvement. Working on self-improvement helps enhance strengths, improves mental health, and can heal relationships.
Here are a few tips for self-improvement:
- Go for a walk or exercise. Getting some exercise during your day will improve your mental health, and can really improve how you overall show up for yourself and others.
- Meditate. Slowing down with meditation is a great way to improve self-awareness and self-esteem. Lower your stress, anxiety and foster kindness through meditation.
- Read more books. Reading will help keep your brain sharp and improve overall brain health.
- Adjust your diet. Incorporate more fruits and veggies and eliminate processed foods as much as possible. Making small tweaks towards a healthy diet creates big results in your physical and mental/emotional health!
- Schedule a private coaching session with Kitty. If you’re feeling like you need an extra boost, schedule a private coaching session with Kitty can really help you get on the right track!
How to Eat for Your Heart
Diet plays a major role in heart health! Thankfully, eating a well balanced diet can help you prevent cardiovascular diseases.
Eat these foods to maximize your heart health:
- Leafy green vegetables
- Berries
- Avocados
- Fish
- Beans
- Dark chocolate
- Tomatoes
- Garlic
- Olive oil
- Hemp seeds, flax seeds, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds,
- Almonds & walnuts
- Whole grains
- Green tea
Protein is King!
Consuming enough protein is critical to living a healthy life and to building muscle. Protein is filled with amino acids, which is the building blocks of muscle. Muscles are repaired and rebuilt while you sleep, so consuming protein before bed improves muscle building and boosts your metabolism while you sleep as well as the following morning!
Research has shown casein protein, found in milk products, digests slowly and is best for improving post workout muscle recovery. The best sources of casein protein are 1 cup of cottage cheese (27 grams protein), plain greek yogurt (20 grams protein), and casein protein supplements.
Timing Your Meals to Maximize Your Workout
https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/simple-carbohydrates-complex-carbohydrates
Timing your meals around your workouts is important! If you eat too close to a workout, you could feel sick and not be able to perform your best during the workout.
Pre-workout meals: 1-3 hours before workout
– lots of lean protein
– carbohydrates (simple and complex)
– should not have fat, as this slows digestion
Post-workout meals: 0-2 hours after workout
– lots of lean protein
– carbohydrates (simple and complex)
– should not have fat, as this slows digestion
Other meals: 4-5 hours before/after workout
– protein (40% of meal)
– complex carbohydrates (30% of meal)
– healthy fats (30%)
For an explanation of simple and complex carbs, read this article.
Strength Training Exercises You Can Do at Home
https://www.moneycrashers.com/strength-training-exercises-women/
Want to do strength training at home, but don’t have weights? No problem! Here are some creative ideas of how to improvise.
– Grocery bag or gym bag filled with cans
– Jugs of water
– Dutch oven filled with cans
– Holding your pet or child
– Bags of potatoes or pet food
– Toolbag
– Tools (like 5 pound sledge hammer)
– Heavy books
– Landscaping rocks
For more ideas of which exercises to do with these weights, check out this link!
