How do you stay healthy during the winter? Just because we live in the time of COVID doesn't mean that the cold and flu have gone dormant. The long, winter months and short days can increase your risk of getting sick. However, there are many things you can do to stay healthy, even when it’s cold outside and many around you have the flu.

Try these ideas to maintain your health in the winter:

1. Continue to exercise. It’s common to avoid exercising in the winter. When it’s too cold, it may be tempting to stay home under the covers. Instead of hiding from the elements, find unique ways to stay active.

• Exercise can boost your immune system and keep you healthy during these cold months. Movement will also improve your mood, give you energy, and help you sleep.
• Try exercising indoors if the winter weather is harsh, or go to a gym near you that's taking all necessary COVID precautions. 
• Another...

Most doctors and health professionals will agree: there are no foods that are healthier than vegetables. Trouble is, most people find that eating vegetables on a daily basis a challenge.

Think back to when you were a child, slapping the broccoli out of your parent's hands. You weren’t into veggies in the first place. Getting into it now, when no one is forcing you to eat it, can seem even harder.

Truth is, vegetables are essential to your health. Let’s break down some of the best ways to motivate yourself to eat more veggies.

1. Understand They’re Essential

Even if supplement with a multivitamin each day, veggies are essential to your diet. Not only do they provide the bulk of your fiber, but they also contain critical nutrients like vitamins and minerals to balance hormones, enable growth, and strengthen hair, skin, nails, and much more.

Skipping your veggies means skipping a great source of low-calorie fuel to...

Exercise is a great way to live a healthier lifestyle. A more nutritious diet can go a long way, but being active and staying in shape can take you even further. As enjoyable as the couch potato lifestyle is, fitness can improve your life in a multitude of ways.

Physical Benefits

Fitness will, obviously, improve your body physically. As you exercise, your body will develop tone and muscle, and it will also burn off fat. You'll enjoy better overall health as your body gets the extra oxygen it needs from physical activity and begins to function the way it was designed - all the way down to the cellular level.

Working out can also give you more energy. The first few days, you'll probably feel tired immediately after the workout. But you'll soon start to notice that you're pumped up and more eager to go out and do something instead of plopping down on the couch.

Being fit may extend your lifespan by preventing heart conditions and...

As you age, your brain ages just like every other part of your body. While a loss of your long jumping abilities might be a little depressing, it’s far more depressing to lose your mental functions. The best defense is a good offense. There are many things you can do to enhance your brain’s abilities. 

The further you can increase your mental capacities, the longer you’ll be able to enjoy good brain health and functioning. There’s no time like today to get started. Pick a few of these strategies and begin enhancing your brain today! 

You can enhance your brain in simple and enjoyable ways, like these: 

1. Sleep! Nothing does more for your memory, motor skills, and cognitive skills in general than a good night of sleep. Strive for at least seven hours of sleep each night. Go to bed at a regular time and keep your room dark and quiet. 

2. Experiment with your diet. Your diet...

Would you give anything to be able to sleep soundly - even once? As a nation, we pop sleeping pills regularly. But you don’t have to! A major contributor to enjoying a good night’s sleep is to have an effective bedtime routine.

Chances are that you already have a bedtime routine. However, certain tasks prior to bed will help you sleep, while others won’t. The key word here is, “effective,” meaning that your habits work to help you sleep.

Consider these suggestions to help you construct a bedtime routine that helps you fall asleep more easily and enjoy a deeper sleep:

1. Exercise. Most people sleep better when they’ve exercised during the day. Because exercise tenses the muscles throughout your body, you’re better able to relax them later. As long as your doctor approves, try a little regular exercise.

• A 20-minute jog, a 30-minute walk in your neighborhood, or even a bike ride will...

The holidays are undoubtedly a time when you want to spend as many hours as possible doing memorable things with those you love most.

Growing up, you likely became accustomed to the holidays being all about family. However, as times changed, you also developed many relationships with friends who you are very close to.

On one hand, you’re pulled towards observing the tradition of being with your family. On the other hand, you feel the desire to share the holidays with those other special people in your life.

So how do you choose?

Consider these aspects when trying to decide who to spend your holidays with:

1. Meaning of the season. In order to decide who to spend your holidays with, it’s important to first consider the meaning of the season to you. Is it about sharing gifts and time with loved ones? Or is it about going out and having a blast with an exciting holiday vacation?

• One thing’s for sure: it’s about the...

The holidays and fattening food go hand-in-hand. Thanksgiving and the leftovers can last a week. Then it’s only a few more weeks until Christmas. New Year’s is the following week. Studies show that 75% of a person’s annual weight gain happens between Thanksgiving and the end of the year. Make this the year that you avoid holiday weight gain.

Most people associate the holidays with food, fun, and gaining weight. However, you can choose to enjoy the holidays and still eat responsibly.

Avoid gaining weight this holiday season:

1. Have a healthy meal before arriving at a party or other event that includes food. Maybe you went a little crazy on Thanksgiving. A single day won’t ruin your waistline. For other holiday events, fill yourself up with healthy food first. Your stomach will be full of healthy food, and you’ll be less likely to eat junk food.

2. Bring a healthy side that you...

It's here again - the time of year when all your diet and fitness regimens are put aside for the sake of enjoying food, fun, and fellowship with your loved ones.

After all the celebration and enjoyment is done, however, you'd be surprised how quickly all the hard work you put in to stay in shape goes down the drain. You'll probably smile and be convinced that it was all worth it, but now it's time to get back in shape.

Take advantage of these tried, tested, and proven tips to get back on track:

1. Increase water intake. You can't overlook the wonderful benefits of water to your body. Not only does it hydrate, but when consumed  in recommended portions, it serves to flush the body and helps you eliminate any leftover toxins and free radicals from all those fat-heavy, calorie-dense Thanksgiving fares.

• If you have a hard time drinking plain water, convert it into a more pleasant beverage by making flavored green tea, or squeezing...

During the holiday season, physical health often takes a back seat. We're so busy with family and friends that we neglect our normal routine. That can leave you feeling run down, lethargic, and uninspired. The holidays are a time of good cheer and celebration. The good news is you can experience that joy and still manage to take care of your physical health.

Choose to make your physical health a priority during the holidays. Take the initiative because you're worth it, and your enjoyment of the holidays depends on it. A commitment to your health will lead you to find the time, and the time spent will provide enough energy and self-confidence to get you through the stressful parts of your holiday season.

Get the exercise that your body is used to and that it craves, so you can stay feeling alive. In the midst of all the holiday shopping, get-togethers with friends, and obligations, your workout must be a priority for you to succeed....

If you have trouble getting a good night’s sleep, you’re not alone. In the US, it’s estimated that between 50-70 million adults aren’t getting enough sleep. Some degree of insomnia is reported in as many as 30% of all adults.

Sleep is vital to both your health and happiness. How happy are you when you’ve had to pull an all-nighter for school, work, or even as part of your social life? 

Consider these 8 tips to get the most out of your sleep: 

1. Set a sleep schedule and stick to it. Our bodies adapt very quickly to our sleeping habits. Notice that if you stay up late and eat, your digestion tends to run amuck.

• Most people require 7-8 hours of sleep to function optimally.
• Your body is much more efficient at sleeping and preparing for sleep if you can maintain a schedule.

 2. Keep your bedroom cool. Your body temperature drops as you near bedtime and is at its lowest during sleep. If the room is too...