STAYING HEALTHY FOR NATIONAL STROKE AWARENESS MONTH

May marks American Stroke and High Blood Pressure Awareness Month. As the cause of one out of every 20 American deaths each year, many of us have either been directly or indirectly affected by stroke. By dedicating this month to increasing the awareness of strokes and their risk factors, the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association work together to help decrease the frequency with which they occur. Since about as many Americans have a stroke as a heart attack each year, The American Stroke Association provides several ways for individuals to help raise awareness and show support during National Stroke Awareness Month. Here’s how you can participate:

Showing Support for National Stroke Awareness Month

1. Volunteer – By volunteering at hospitals hosting Stroke Simulation Events, you can help to test readiness for treatment when actual emergencies occur.

2. Legislation – Another way to support the expansion of telestroke technology is through legislation. By asking your legislator to support the Furthering Access to Stroke Telemedicine Act (FAST Act), you could help work to give patients in remote areas better access to stroke experts.

3. Donations – If you would like to donate to fund stroke research and treatment during National Stroke Awareness Month, or any month for that matter, every dollar helps.

4. National Cycling Day – This day in May is dedicated to showing support through social bike rides, which can still be celebrated throughout the month and all summer long.

5. Wear Your Commitment – If you want to show your support for stroke awareness loud and proud, you can represent this month while contributing to a great cause by purchasing and wearing t-shirts and other merchandise created by the American Stroke Association.

6. Connect with the Community – The American Stroke Association has created and sustained a support network online for both Stroke survivors and caregivers. If you or any loved ones are Stroke survivors, we encourage you to check out this great network.

Risks for Stroke

There is a multitude of risk factors for stroke, but luckily, we have a lot of knowledge on what they are and how to prevent them. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), many common medical conditions can increase your chances of having a stroke. These conditions include prior stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes and sickle cell disease.

Along with current medical conditions playing a role, there are also certain behavioral practices and lifestyle choices that will affect your likelihood of having a stroke in the future. Individuals with unhealthy diets, too little physical activity, obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, and tobacco use are all at a higher risk for stroke. As is true with many other personal health factors, family history can also play a role in one’s likelihood for stroke. It’s important to be aware of your family’s health history, as well as your own risk factors and work with your doctor to take the right steps to stay healthy.

Preventing Stroke

With all the risk factors out there, it may seem like strokes are inevitable, but research has found there are many ways we can prevent them. With high blood pressure being one of the leading causes of stroke, it may be beneficial to your health to help lower your blood pressure with consistent infrared sauna use.

Clinical research has shown regular sauna sessions can help lower blood pressure, the chance of heart disease, and obesity. The multitude of health issues that can cause a stroke are curbed by consistent infrared sauna use since the heat causes your body to burn calories by increasing your heart rate and metabolism. Also, frequently called “passive heat therapy,” researchers find saunas can benefit one’s health because it raises the body’s core temperature.

This temperature increase leads to increased blood flow, just like when your heart rate and temperature increases during a run or workout class. The health benefits of exercise are more well-known across the board, but saunas seem to benefit our health for some of the same reasons. In a sauna weight loss study conducted by Binghamton University in New York, results revealed individuals who used a Clearlight Premier IS-3 infrared sauna three times a week for 30 minutes per session dropped an average of 4 percent body fat over a four-month period. These participants who experienced weight loss did not change their exercise or diet patterns during the study, showing that Clearlight Infrared Saunas can make a real difference in your health if utilized consistently.

Spending time in infrared saunas has also been shown to get rid of toxins caused by fat cells in your body. Toxins, which are also called obesogens, as well as the chemical BPA make it difficult for your body to discard fat even if you have made the necessary lifestyle changes to do so. Infrared sauna use strips fat cells of these toxins, leading to weight loss and with that, better overall health and a decreased risk for stroke.

You can also decrease your risk for stroke by living a healthy lifestyle and avoiding some of the common health concerns discussed above. By sustaining a healthy diet and regular physical activity, you can improve your chances of avoiding being overweight or obese, which increase your risk for stroke. Limiting your alcohol intake and avoiding smoking altogether will benefit your health greatly. If you are worried that you or a loved one could be at risk for stroke, consult a doctor to help you find the best path to staying healthy.

Staying Healthy after Stroke

If you know someone who has survived a stroke, you want to ensure they have the best treatment possible. Amazingly, the American Stroke Association notes occurrences of stroke have been lowered from fourth to fifth place in terms of the leading causes of death in the United States. This is due to the research that has been done to improve and advance medical treatments.

Depending on the type of stroke an individual suffers from, different treatments sought in a timely manner can save lives. Think about what you can do this May to not only become more aware yourself but educate others on the steps they can take to ensure a healthy life during National Stroke Awareness Month.

FUN AND HEALTHY MOTHER’S DAY IDEAS

Mother’s Day is around the corner, and for those of you wishing to break out of the mold and get your mother something really special, we got you covered. Sure, you could go the usual route: do a champagne brunch, a dozen roses or jewelry, but why not give the gift which keeps on giving? Your mother’s health, energy and vitality is the thing which keeps her going (besides you, of course), and if you tend and nurture this, she will keep going for a whole lot longer!

Daily sauna use has many benefits, such as

reduces pain and inflammation within the body
detoxifies the body
boosts energy levels
boosts the immune system
helps with faster recovery time (great if your mom works out)
helps reduce stress and supports in relaxation
and it can even aid people in losing weight

In short, a Clearlight Infrared Sauna is the whole package when helping your mom to live a healthy, vibrant life. This day is about pampering your mother – so why not pamper her every day? Here are some other healthful gift ideas for mom!

Other Healthy Mother’s Day Ideas

If you are looking to spend more time with your mom and get into some healthy habits, you could set up a healthy detox diet plan. You could even make it a challenge and partake daily with your mom – it’s easier hitting your health goals when you have a partner to keep you accountable!

Getting your mom a Fitbit can also help keep her more health conscious. If you have one too, you could join her virtually and do daily or weekly challenges together!

*Pro Tip* Whoever wins has to take the other out at the end of the month for a nice lunch or dinner. Spending time with mom has never been more fun (and delicious).

Take an organic or “go raw” cooking class together. There are usually a few cooking classes in each city, but if you can’t find one to your liking, you can find a lot of good recipes here. I am a sucker for their smoothies!

Some other healthy Mother’s Day ideas include:

A zoodle slicer
An indoor herb garden
A box of organic dark chocolate – it promotes heart health
Organic snack boxes with cheese, fruits and nuts
Buy her a subscription to a wine of the month club – a glass of red wine is also good for the heart
A DIY Body scrub kit
A few months with a personal trainer
A foam roller – great for relaxing the muscles after a long run – but not quite as good as a Clearlight Sauna
An aromatherapy set
A set of silky PJs – it can help her relax in style!

Whatever you get your health-conscious mom for Mother’s Day, we recommend getting her something which greatly improves her quality of life. A happy mom equals a happy life! Additionally, we do have some Mother’s Day Specials we are debuting for the month of May.

You can click here to find out our Mother’s Day special pricing!

Be sure to ask about our 12-month zero Interest financing available with approved credit!

Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy Mother’s Day!

7 TIPS ON HOW TO IMPROVE WORK-LIFE BALANCE

Work is one of the main causes of stress nowadays. Americans with full-time jobs work an average of 47 hours per week, and 40% of us regularly work 50+ hours per week. That’s the equivalent of about six and a half, standard, 8-hour workdays. We also use only about 14 paid days off per year, with Europeans taking an average of 28 days off each calendar year. Some Americans, though classified as “part-time” employees since they work fewer than 30 hours per week, are actually full-time when you consider that they work more than one job.

In fact, 7.8 million individuals across the U.S. currently work two or more jobs, which reflects the ongoing need for a work-life balance. Let’s look at some of the best practices that can help you improve work-life balance. This doesn’t necessarily mean working less or vacationing more, but it does mean taking a more active role when it comes to managing your personal health and wellness.

Don’t Be Afraid to Say No

While there will always be times when you have to take one for the team and work extra hours on a project, you must also find the inner fortitude to say “no” when appropriate. Check if you really have the time to give to another person, then commit to a specific timeframe to be available. For example, “Sure… I can help you with that project” is more detrimental to work-life balance than “Sure… I can help you move with that project – I can commit two hours to it.”

Keep a Calendar

One of the biggest sources of stress for many of us is feeling like we either can’t fit it all in to 24 hours in a day. A calendar makes a huge difference, especially one that you can access via your phone or tablet. If you have a partner or kids to work around, make sure your calendar is something shared among all portable devices. That way, you can quickly and easily plan your schedules with one another and reduce the potential for stress.

Schedule “Blank” Time

The mind needs time to escape the stresses of real life to continually function at a high level. Add some time into your calendar for “me time.” This can be time to sit on the couch and watch TV, lounge on the patio and read a book, or even just take a nap. The point is to dedicate a specific block of time each week (each day, if you can) to allowing you to do whatever it is that makes you happy and content. And since you’ll have it on the calendar, you won’t have to feel like you’re being lazy or dodging responsibilities to take time for yourself.

Audit Your Downtime

You’d never waste hours of productive time at work doing seemingly ineffectual tasks, right? So why do the same outside of work? Re-evaluate how you operate during the hours outside of your normal work hours. Then, see if there is something you can alter or cut out entirely to balance out your life. For example, if you go to the gym three times per week, can you accomplish the same activities at home and cut out six one-way trips in the car? Or, does it make sense to pay $5-$10 for grocery home delivery from one of the major grocers near you and save an hour of shopping? Audit how you spend your time outside of work, then see if you can either delegate some of these time-draining activities or eliminate them entirely.

Find Your Network

Life is difficult at times, but going through life’s ups and downs alone can be downright unmanageable for many of us. The good news is that you, like most people out there, have a network of family members, colleagues, friends, and acquaintances, that can be relied upon to help out from time to time. If you can name ten people who may be of service to you once per year, that’s a lot of help in the long run, and a lot of potential to improve work-life balance. Just make sure to be available as much as possible for them, too.

Relax Your Mind, Body and Spirit

You must find what truly relaxes you. Maybe it is lying on the couch for 10-15 minutes, staring at the ceiling. Or listening to soothing music and playing a game on your phone. Others may find that tidying up, doing dishes, or even organizing the garage cabinets is their form of relaxation. Whatever it is you do to relax, try to fit in at least 15 minutes a day to boost your emotional health and overall sense of wellbeing. One of the best ways to combine several work-life balance improvement techniques is using an infrared sauna several times per week. It delivers a healthy dose of detoxification, removes you from the distractions of the outside world, and essentially forces you to relax. Saunas have been used for centuries to help improve mental and physical well-being.

Keep Distractions to a Minimum

This may seem challenging in our interconnected world, but it can be done. Bringing your phone to the dinner table is a conscious choice. It allows work emails and other “push-notifications” to interrupt what should be a peaceful and relaxing time with others. Turn off the television, put your phone in another room during meals, and try to have at least an hour or two each day without the constant pressure to check your electronic devices. You’d be amazed at how life still goes on, even when you’re not plugged into your tablet, phone, computer, or other portable devices.

Starting today, find a way to positively shift your sense and improve work-life balance. While there will be times when it feels like it’s either all “work” or all “home-life,” the pendulum tends to correct itself in time. Remember that having the goal of “perfect” balance isn’t necessarily the aim. You should find a way to keep the dips between balance and imbalance as small an arc as possible.

UNCOVERING THE TRUTH BEHIND “NATURAL FOODS”

Stroll through the grocery store or health foods market, and you’ll find the word “natural” on display about a thousand times. The label is splashed across packages of granola bars, breakfast cereals, salad dressing, and more. It immediately promotes a healthy, organic, and wholesome image to the shopping public.

But do natural foods really mean “better for you?” Or, is it simply a marketing term that has become too vague to offer any real value for the health-conscious consumer? Let’s dive in and see just what a “natural” label means on your food.

What Does the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Think?

First, you’d think that the easy answer would be to consult with leading authorities on the subject, then simply apply their reasoning to the food and drink items you’re planning on purchasing. But searching for the FDA’s definition of “natural” is still unclear. The administration basically says the term “natural” can be used in food items if the food doesn’t contain artificial flavors, added colors, or synthetic substances. This in no way prohibits the use of natural flavors produced in a laboratory, preservatives, random additives, and processed sweeteners. Since there is only a loose definition of natural foods within the FDA’s guidebook, this leaves a lot of room for interpretation – and food manufacturers are experts at maximizing the definition of “natural.”

What Exactly Can Be in My “Natural Foods”?

When you think of natural foods, what comes to mind? For most of us, it looks a lot like raw, unaltered food that is as close to its natural state as possible. Natural bread, for instance, should be made from flour, yeast, salt, and little else. But natural foods can contain substances like trans fats, genetically modified ingredients (GMOs), lots of added sugar, or they can be packed with artificial ingredients. Keep in mind artificial and synthetic aren’t the same thing, so even natural foods can be formulated with artificial ingredients in the eyes of the FDA. Natural also doesn’t mean that the food in question is necessarily healthy. Doughnuts can be made in an all-natural manner, but these deep-fried discs of dough will never appear on a list of healthy foods.

What Are Common “Natural” Foods?

Salad Dressing

It’s difficult to find a bottle of salad dressing that doesn’t say natural, but take a moment and read the ingredients list before committing to your favorite salad topper. If you’re beginning a detox diet that includes a salad as one of the key components, be careful about which dressing you put on top. Many dressings, even those touting natural ingredients, can be filled with a laundry list of artificial ingredients.

Ice Cream

There’s nothing like a bowl of good quality, natural ice cream after a nice meal. Make sure you glance at the ingredients list before selecting your favorite flavor from the grocer’s freezer case. Natural ice cream should contain five or fewer ingredients for the average vanilla – milk, cream, sugar, eggs, and vanilla flavoring. More creative flavors may have more ingredients, but if you can’t easily identify a specific add-in, you may want to question the notion of “natural.”

Yogurt

There are few foods that pack more protein than yogurt. Even those “all-natural” yogurts we love to snack on can be packed full of processed sweeteners and made with milk from cows fed artificial growth hormones. Buy organic if you’re really looking to keep your food as clean as possible. This minimizes the chance of a host of additional, unpronounceable ingredients.

Peanut Butter

Natural peanut butter costs a lot more than the old standby brands you probably grew up with, but are they any better for you? Peanut butter is a great example of the natural/not-so-natural conundrum. Many versions of this popular spread contain a host of ingredients that dilute the generally healthy nature of peanut butter. Peanut butter should only contain peanuts and salt, yet even natural options often contain tons of added sugar, random oils and ingredients that act as stabilizers to prevent oil separation. A good sign that your peanut butter is natural is if you have to stir your it before the first use.

“Natural” is a term that must be accepted with a touch of scrutiny. If you’re in the beginning stages of a healthy eating kick or total body detoxification, you’re probably highly focused on only putting natural foods into your system. Fillers, excess refined sugar, caffeine, trans fats and more are not welcome during a healthy detox, but reflexively selecting natural foods often makes us feel like we’re making solid, healthy choices.

Instead, take the time to read the ingredients list on any prepackaged foods to ensure you’re only consuming the absolute purest of additive-free foods. By combining truly natural foods with appropriate exercise, infrared sauna detoxification and plenty of hydration, you’ll rid your system of unwanted toxins in no time.

THE IMPORTANCE OF KIDNEY HEALTH

Approximately 26 million Americans have kidney disease, and most don’t even realize they have it! The reason is because many people aren’t aware they are ill until the symptoms have progressed significantly. Unfortunately, kidney disease is one of those silent ailments which can wreak havoc on your body unbeknownst to you.

Some symptoms of kidney disease include the following:

nausea
vomiting
decreased appetite
weakness and fatigue
changes in urination
swelling of feet and ankles
high blood pressure
muscle twitching
trouble sleeping
shortness of breath (if fluid builds around the lining of the heart)
chest pain

There are certain things which can exasperate the symptoms and increase your chances of kidney disease including smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and/or obesity. Luckily, there are several things you can do to start taking care of your kidneys now.

The National Kidney Foundation is the leading organization in the U.S. dedicated to the awareness, prevention and treatment of kidney disease for tens of millions of Americans at risk, and March is national kidney month! It is important to take care of your body, and your kidneys are no exception. Your kidneys are pretty powerful if you think about it – they work 24 hours a day, seven days a week and never get a break!

Interesting Facts About Your Kidneys:

They filter approximately 200 liters of blood a day.
They direct red blood cell production.
They help regulate blood pressure.
They are responsible for filtering waste from your blood.
They balance your body’s fluids.
They produce an active form of Vitamin D which promotes strong, healthy bones.
They regulate the body’s salt, potassium and acid content.
People often don’t realize they have kidney disease until the symptoms and disease has progressed.

Preventing Kidney Disease and Promoting Kidney Health

As the nation’s 9th most deadly killer, kidney disease can be prevented by educating yourself and by taking easy, daily steps that promote kidney health.

The risk for this disease can be reduced by controlling blood pressure and blood sugar, maintaining proper weight, stopping smoking, exercising regularly and avoiding excessive use of medications that can harm the kidneys, such as ibuprofen and naproxen.

One interesting fact is the skin and the kidneys both help detox the body. Traditional Chinese medicine often refers to the skin as the third kidney. Modern research is discovering new insights into the value of skin detoxification for those with kidney disease. Dr. Jenna Henderson writes about one German study evaluated the benefit of sweating for Stage 4 chronic kidney disease patients. Patients sweated into towels, and the towels were then chemically analyzed for content of uremic waste (this waste can build up in the blood and can cause kidney damage). Not only were uremic waste products found, but the researchers noted that the more often the patients experienced these sweating sessions, the more uremia came out in each session. The body learns to push this pathway through repeated stimulation.

This is where we mention our favorite topic: the benefits of sweating via infrared saunas! However, it is also important you talk to your doctor should you have kidney disease before partaking several sweating sessions in one of our Clearlight saunas.

Foods Which Keep Your Kidneys Happy & Healthy

In addition to using infrared saunas for happy and healthy kidneys, and to support them in their never-ending job of filtering waste out of the blood, there are other things you can do to support kidney health. Naturally, exercise and a good diet are a couple of those things, but there are foods which also support your kidneys. They are as follows:

Grapes
Cranberries
Blueberries
Fennel
Onions
Celery
Beets
Spinach
Asparagus
String beans
Apples
Eggplants
Rice
Pears
Peas
Peppers
Zucchini to name a few.

All in all, kidney disease is a silent killer which doesn’t make itself known until it has developed into advanced stages. Our recommendation is to make a healthy lifestyle a habit NOW so it doesn’t afflict you later on.

QUICK TIPS TO HELP YOU DETOXIFY YOUR BODY AND LOSE WEIGHT

The weather is warming up, trees are budding and it’s time to get a jump-start on that summer body. At Clearlight Saunas®, we believe in sustainability. Because of our passion, we have come to realize many exercise routines and diets and efforts to detox your body, regardless of how awesome they are, don’t work for everyone. First of all, many of us don’t have an additional two hours a day to work out – and if we did we would probably want to collapse on the couch! Our suggestion is to find what works for and is sustainable for you.

Detox smoothie drink and running footwear close up. City outdoor workout and fitness healthy nutrition concept. Female athlete tying sport shoes laces before training.

Quick Tips To Help You Detox Your Body and Feel Great:

There is a simple rule when it comes to your body: if it is performing optimally, keeping the weight off is effortless. This is where setting up a plan to detox your body can support you in achieving your health goals.

Participate in some sort of daily physical activity.

The best exercise regime is one you will actually do! If you can only commit to 15 minutes of walking, stretching or weight lifting a day, this is better than doing nothing at all! The point is to do something to utilize your muscles and get that lymphatic system moving!

Detoxify your body via infrared sauna use.

There are many health benefits of using Infrared Saunas which has helped countless people in ridding their bodies of harmful toxins. Some of the other benefits include rejuvenation of the skin, pain relief, faster recovery (after working out) and relaxation. All of these benefits are vital to helping your body function optimally.

Aside from penetrating an inch and a half into your skin to revitalize your cells, daily Clearlight Infrared Sauna™ use pulls toxins out of your body through perspiration.

Toxins are usually stored in excess fat cells underneath the skin and, not surprisingly, one of the functions of this excess fat is to keep toxins away from your vital organs. When toxins are not eliminated fast enough through natural means (such as urination and defecation), the body has to do something with them so they don’t harm our vital organs. Into the excess fat cells they go to be stored until a later time where they can be released through natural means.

Participate in a juice cleanse.

Contrary to popular belief, we have found juice cleanses to not only benefit the body, but it doesn’t take a great deal of time either. In fact, for many people juicing leaves us with MORE time because we are spending LESS time in the kitchen!

As with any meal-planning, creating and executing your juice-diet will require you sit down and create a plan – we even draw out the steps for you here. Whether you opt for a three day, seven day or some other x-amount-of-day juice cleanse, stay focused and committed! Your body will thank you later!

Take time to relax.

Relaxation is vital to keeping your mind focused and can improve your health. I found a quote which read, “Don’t just do something. Sit there!” While it made me laugh, there is something profound about this – many of us fill our schedule with endless to-dos and goals to achieve but how often do we schedule “blank time” where we literally do nothing?

When you are rested and centered, your body reaps the benefits of it. In an article posted on the Harvard Medical School website, a study was conducted and revealed those who practiced mindfulness had less insomnia, fatigue and depression than those who simply tried improving their sleep. Rest doesn’t necessarily mean “sleep.” It is simply getting your body out of an active “fight-or-flight” stress response many of us are used to being in throughout the day. And when your mind is stressed, your body feels it.

In summary, your body is a detox machine. If you have experienced a little “personal growth” around the midsection, it can be remedied through some of the above-mentioned methods.

Toxins do tend to build up over time, and it is our job to support our body in functioning optimally so it can expel these unwanted toxins effortlessly. Start now and you will be enjoying a fitter body AND additional health benefits before summer starts!

RELAXATION TECHNIQUES THAT CAN IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH

It is 7:00 AM and the kids aren’t up yet. The dog must be let out. Your work clothes somehow never made it back from the dry cleaner, and you have a conference call you need to prepare for in less than an hour. Oh, and it’s your day for carpool. Have you ever had a day start out like this?

By 9:00 AM, you’re on your third cup of coffee and all you can think about is that beach vacation that is only…what, seven months away? In the meantime, life seems to only get busier with each passing day. Most of us live a quite stressful existence with little time to decompress before we’re thrown back into the high-octane world we live in. Living a stressful life like this for too long can contribute to chronic fatigue, debilitating stress, and even the early onset of disease. Finding a way to relax and manage stress is not only important – it can be a lifesaver. Here are seven relaxation techniques that can add years to your life:

Relaxation Technique 1: Visualization Therapy

Find quiet and visualize taking a journey to a calm, peaceful location. Try to imagine what it smells like there, what objects feel like, and what you may expect to hear. A serene day at the beach is a simple idea – as the sounds of crashing waves and squawking seagulls, the sensation of the sun’s rays, and the feel of the sand under your feet can be readily imagined. Whatever your “peaceful” place is, think of it for three to four minutes, close your eyes, and enjoy the mental vacation. Do this once or twice a day to calm your mind and reduce stress.

Relaxation Technique 2: Yoga

There is a reason yoga has been around for thousands of years – it truly works! Work with an instructor to create a series of relaxing yoga poses, as not all moves are designed equally. Some can actually create stress, and may not be ideally suited to your ultimate goal of better stress management. The Three-Part Breath, Reclined Bound Angle Pose, Knees-to-Chest Pose, Legs-up-on-a-Wall Pose, and Supported Corpse are five uniquely relaxing yoga poses.

Relaxation Technique 3: Tai Chi

Practicing Tai Chi, or the ancient Chinese tradition of graceful exercise, forces the participant to focus intensely on body movements and deep breathing. This system of exercise is a meditative form of movement that is low impact, basically no-cost, and non-competitive. The gentle physical exercise and positive mental health benefits of Tai Chi are perfectly suited to those who are simply stressed out and need a mental break.

Relaxation Technique 4: Sauna Time

One of the best ways to minimize stress, improve overall heart health, and detoxify the body is by spending time in a sauna. An infrared sauna is the best option for most users today, as reports indicate that not only are they generally more comfortable to use (less steam and far less intense heat settings), but they also detoxify the body much more effectively than traditional saunas. The stress reducing benefits are real, as saunas encourage deep breathing, better circulation, and can even encourage social connections if you have sauna sessions with others.

Relaxation Technique 5: Massage

This form of therapy is incredibly accessible today, as massage clubs seem to quickly spring up in strip malls across the nation daily. You no longer need to belong to a trendy club to access massage services, so work with your preferred masseuse to decide whether you could benefit from a Swedish massage, a deep tissue massage, a sports massage, or a trigger point massage that helps repair muscular injuries. Reducing stress and muscle pain are real-world benefits of this type of therapy.

Relaxation Technique 6: Mindfulness Exercises

Mindfulness refers to deliberately creating awareness of your immediate feelings and sensations throughout various moments of the day. The benefits are reduced anxiety, stress, and depression, less negative self-thought, and enhanced mood. Completing mindful activities is as simple as paying better attention to the people you interact with, looking at familiar situations and objects from a new angle, focusing on relaxed breathing techniques, and reawakening your senses to sights, sounds, and sensations that you’ve taken for granted over the years. Try to specifically focus on mindfulness exercises at least 15-20 minutes per day.

Relaxation Technique 7: Schedule “Blank Time”

We’re good at creating calendars full of important activities and reminders, but when is the last time you blocked out a chunk of time on a random day to set aside to do nothing? In other words, do you carve out time to sit on the couch for 20 minutes, and simply focus on your breathing? Or, do you allocate an hour to sitting on the back deck with a cup of tea – then just take in your surroundings? One of the best ways to minimize stress and relax your mind and body is by deliberately setting aside time for yourself.

Relaxation techniques can improve your physical, emotional, and mental health. By including stress management techniques into your daily routine, you’ll feel better, perform at a higher level, and even add years to your life.

CELEBRATING AMERICAN HEART MONTH FOR HEART HEALTH

Each February we celebrate the American Heart Association’s American Heart Month, a time that reminds us to focus on heart health and overall wellness. It’s the perfect time to kick off a new, healthier lifestyle. Did you know that in the early 1960s, more than 50% of U.S. deaths were the result of cardiovascular disease? It seems that the meat-and-potatoes diet and high rates of tobacco use led to some staggering heart health issues and mortality figures for the average American – with the life expectancy in the United States in 1960 equating to an average of just 66 years for a male, and 73 years for a female.

Today, we see average life expediencies in the 76 and 81 years range for men and women, respectively. Part of this boost in lifespan can be attributed to better awareness of a variety of health factors – cardiovascular health being a big one.

The History of American Heart Month

American Heart Month was enacted in December of 1963 and first celebrated in February 1964. President Lyndon B. Johnson made it so via proclamation #3566, and the Congress issued a joint resolution that requested the standing President issue an annual proclamation designating February of each year as American Heart Month. As mentioned earlier, the rate of death from heart disease was more than 50% in the early 1960s – it is now less than 25%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

How to Celebrate American Heart Month

Year-round, but in February especially, consider the following ways to boost awareness of the importance of heart health by making a difference in your community, within your family, or in your own health-related choices. Here are some great ways to celebrate American Heart Month:

1. Schedule an appointment with your doctor

Instead of only reacting to health concerns when they arise, take a preemptive approach and schedule a full check-up with your general practitioner. Ask for a cholesterol test, a full blood panel, and ask your healthcare professional to check you out for any signs of disease or heart-related health concerns.

2. Quit unhealthy habits

If you smoke or use other forms of tobacco, make this the year you kick the habit. The CDC reports that 480,000 people die each year in the US from cigarette smoking, including those who die from secondhand smoke exposure. That accounts for about 1 in every 5 deaths. Even if you don’t smoke yourself, a family member may be slowly reducing your life expectancy potential. In addition to tobacco, the CDC reports 88,000 deaths are linked to excessive alcohol consumption each year in the US. This represents a staggering 2.5 million years of potential life lost. The bottom line? Use this month as a catalyst to put those destructive habits in check.

3. Focus on healthy eating

Heart healthy meals, or those that are nutrient-rich, low in sodium, and contain only moderate amounts of fat and saturated fat, can add years to your life. Try to reduce the number of times you go out to eat each month, pack healthy snacks to carry with you, and minimize the temptation to stop at a fast food drive-thru for a quick bite to eat. Make it a point to cook at home more using fresh ingredients and minimal sodium or fatty additives.

4. Take prescribed medications

One contributor of higher mortality rates in those aged 50 and older is not taking prescribed medications as indicated by the doctor and pharmacist. In fact, the National Library of Medicine reports that approximately 50% of patients do not take their medications as prescribed. This can lead to serious health ramifications, especially in patients with heart-related health concerns, and the adverse effects can be irreversible, if patients don’t begin to adhere to their medicinal regimens.

5. National Wear Red Day

One woman in the U.S. dies every 80 seconds from heart disease, so do all you can to boost awareness of this tragic statistic by wearing red as often as you can in February. National Wear Red Day is usually the first Friday in February, but by incorporating more red into your wardrobe you may be able to spark conversations with others all month long.

6. Exercise is key

If there is one thing that can help improve your overall heart health virtually overnight, it is exercise. First consult with your doctor, then create an exercise plan that includes a few key steps. Step one, make sure you involve plenty of moderate-intensity cardiovascular work in your fitness regimen. Then, add in some weight training to improve your strength and mobility. The better you feel the more you’ll be encouraged to work out and stay healthy.

7. Use a sauna

Saunas are a terrific choice for this part of the exercise equation. Let’s look at infrared sauna health benefits and discover why it can be instrumental in helping you maintain better heart health.

First and foremost, saunas effectively detoxify the body with infrared saunas proving to be the most effective solution for internal cleansing. A Medical News Today report delivered some staggering information, including:

52% reduction in sudden cardiac death among those who spend at least 19 minutes in a sauna versus another group who spent just 11 minutes in the heat, on average
Men who used a sauna at least four times per week had a 48% lower risk of dying from coronary artery disease
Men who used a sauna at least four times per week were 63% less likely to experience sudden cardiac death when compared to those who only used a sauna four times per month

Keep in mind that saunas stimulate the heart rate during use, yet encourage lower blood pressure when resting. The relaxing environment in a sauna is good for the heart, and the social connections made in a sauna room can improve mental health and the overall sense of well-being.

As American Heart Month rolls on, consider all the ways you can support this important observance – it’ll benefit you and those you care about. From National Wear Red Day to working on your own diet, exercise, and wellness ideas, you’ll add years to your life and have more time to spend with the important people in your life when your heart health is in top shape.

CLEARLIGHT INFRARED AND JACUZZI INC. FORM A LICENSING PARTNERSHIP FOR JACUZZI® INFRARED SAUNAS

Clearlight Infrared and Jacuzzi Inc. today announced an exclusive licensing partnership for infrared saunas. Clearlight Infrared will manufacture and market a premium line of infrared saunas under the Jacuzzi ® brand. This will include the Clearlight Sanctuary™ Full Spectrum Infrared Sauna models and the Clearlight Premier™ Far Infrared Sauna models.

“We are pleased to be working with such a great company,” said Dr. Raleigh Duncan, founder of Clearlight Infrared. “Infrared therapy is a natural fit to help people live more vibrant, productive and balanced lives.”

“The partnership fits well with our company’s focus on well-being, and commitment to improving the lives of our customers,” states Jacuzzi Group Worldwide CEO Bob Rowan.

Throughout its 60 year history, the Jacuzzi® brand has maintained its status as an icon and innovator. The Jacuzzi® brand products are legendary for performance, reliability, and ease of use. Jacuzzi® infrared saunas are exceptionally engineered with the best materials to ensure a superior product. With continuous quality checks and outstanding inspection standards, Jacuzzi® infrared saunas continue this reputation for dependability and effectiveness.

The Importance of Greater Health and Wellness

Infrared saunas are effective at improving one’s overall health and wellness by helping to boost the immune system, aiding with detoxification, improving sleep, reducing stress, increasing metabolism, and improving heart health among other health and wellness benefits.

Design, Quality, and Effectiveness. From trend-setting design, exceptional furniture grade sauna cabins and state-of-the-art infrared heater technology, Jacuzzi® saunas deliver the ultimate infrared therapy experience.

HOW TO SET UP A HEALTHY DETOX DIET PLAN

If you spend any amount of time reading articles on the Internet or in magazines, or even listening to the radio, you’ll come across some group touting the unbelievable benefits of their proprietary detox diet plan.

“Drink this juice blend for just X days straight and you’ll shed pounds like never before!”

“Ready to clean out your system? It’s never been easier! Just drink water, lemon juice, and Tabasco three times a day for a week!”

These too-good-to-be-true detox diet plans are just that. They may not be healthy for your body and don’t bring any long sustaining results. If you are ready to detoxify your body of toxins the right way, here’s how to create the ultimate healthy detox diet plan, combining smart dietary choices and sauna use.

Step One – Prepare for Your Detox Diet

Jumping right into a detox diet plan can be jarring to the system if you do it too abruptly, so begin the overall detoxification process at least five days prior to the start of your new detox diet. Experts agree that those who skip this step may experience bloating, constipation, headaches, and other painful side effects of such a drastic dietary shift.

Prior to starting any new healthy detox diet plan, try to cut out sugar and alcohol from your normal routine. Artificial sweeteners, wheat-intensive products, overly processed foods, and all fast food should be eliminated during this time. Then, gradually reduce your intake of animal proteins – especially those that are high in fat, like any variety of sausage, pork, or beef. Try to eat as many fresh, raw vegetables as possible, but feel free to eat plenty of steamed veggies too.

This is a great time to declutter your refrigerator and pantry in preparation for your detox. By removing foods that may tempt you to cheat during your detoxification, you’ll have an easier time adjusting to the challenging, albeit temporary, diet plan.

If you’re worried about the side effects of dramatically reducing your caffeine levels during your detox, try to taper off your overall caffeine intake prior to beginning the new diet. Start by blending ½ decaf and ½ regular coffee for a few days, then move to ¾ decaf and ¼ regular two days before the detox diet starts. Then, go caffeine-free the last two days. If you find that a zero-caffeine diet is too tough, consider drinking green or white tea, which is significantly lower in caffeine than regular coffee – and hydrates the body more effectively.

Step Two – Plan Your Healthy Detox Diet Plan

This is a diet detox plan that includes a lot of fresh, healthy foods and a real-world focus on diet, exercise, and hydration – not a starvation cleanse. You’ll feel great and boost your overall wellness when you commit to this diet plan and combine it with heart-healthy exercise. To make the meal planning process easier, let’s break down the foods into seven key groups:

Vegetables

Detoxifying your body is made easier when you commit to eating one healthy salad per day. A salad full of dark leafy greens (like Swiss chard, kale, arugula, spinach, or collard greens), other healthy veggies, and a light dressing of lemon juice and a swirl of olive oil, unfiltered apple cider vinegar, or zero dressing at all is ideal. Snack on vegetables like celery, carrots, cucumber, jicama, lettuce, snow peas, squash, zucchini, yams, and asparagus.

Grains

Since this isn’t a detox diet plan focused solely on calorie control, you certainly can and should include a serving of healthy grains into your meal plan. Integrate the following grains in moderation to give your body an energy boost:

Wild rice
Quinoa
Millet
Tapioca
Arrowroot
Buckwheat
Rice bran
Rice crackers
Oats

Try to work high-quality grains into your meal plan by adding 100% buckwheat noodles to the menu, or quinoa flakes, rice bran, or gluten-free bread.

Nuts/Seeds

Your healthy detox diet should be about all things natural, and nuts and seeds are a great way to get some serious protein in your system without having to eat excessive amounts of meat. Choose unsalted nuts and seeds, and always go raw when feasible. Almonds, cashews, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, and pistachios are popular options. However flax seeds, pine nuts, and coconut are quickly gaining in popularity with those who appreciate a little variety in their detox diet, as well.

Fruit

Fruit is a foundational element in most detox diet plans, and for good reason. You’ll get a big kick of fiber, a massive dose of vitamins, and most fruit tastes so good you won’t think you’re on any type of regimented eating plan at all. Fresh or frozen fruit is fine. Some of the top detox fruit choices are: apricots, apples, pears, peaches, papayas, mangos, kiwi, cherries, watermelon, and figs. Juice is fine if it is natural, unsweetened, and contains nothing but fruit. You’ll want to steer clear of dried fruit during a detox – so no raisins, cranberries, dates, or similar fruits.

Oils

You’ll want to use some oil during food prep, but make sure you stick to one of the following: flax oil, cold-pressed olive oil, chia oil, hemp oil, almond oil, walnut oil, coconut oil, pumpkin oil, avocado oil, and hazelnut oil. Sesame, safflower, and sunflower oils should be avoided while detoxifying.

Animal Proteins

Some detox plans prohibit the intake of animal proteins, but part of a healthy, sustainable detox diet plan is maintaining a sense of balance. Try to eat no more than three ounces of animal protein at each meal, and always select the leanest cuts. Turkey, chicken, wild-caught fish, lamb, and most wild game animals are fine during a healthy detox diet.

Drinks

We talk a lot about detox foods, but what you drink is equally as important. Filtered water is the absolute best thing you can hydrate your body with, but coconut water is great as well. Flavor your water with lemon or lime slices if you’re not used to drinking a lot of water. The idea here is to aim for at least 64-ounces of fluid intake per day, but aim closer to 96 ounces if you’re spending time in your sauna on any given day.

The Benefits of Starting a Healthy Detox Diet Plan

Creating a detox diet plan and sticking to it is a great way to shift your metabolism into overdrive and clean out your system for ultimate health benefits. But what really happens when you detoxify your body?

Gut health: You reduce the amount of bad bacteria in your gut and almost immediately improve digestion and minimize bloating. Consuming a probiotic drink during a detox diet can help balance you out, too.

Liver function: After just a day or so of detoxifying, you’ll burn much of the fat in your liver, helping it to work better almost immediately. The body will then excrete stored toxins, and your liver will be optimized to better manage any new toxins introduced to your system.

Skin appearance: A few weeks after the detox diet, you’ll see a marked improvement in your skin tone and complexion. The first week or so of the detox can push toxins through the skin. Cadmium and lead are two that excrete through the skin’s pores.

Your sense of well-being: A healthy detox diet plan is challenging because many of the food items we’ve become accustomed to – and even use as a coping method for stress and anxiety – are now gone from our lives. But after you get over the initial shock of saying no to sugar, high-fat foods, and more, you’ll feel empowered and in control, and the resulting physical changes will likely give you a big boost of confidence and a sense of accomplishment.

A healthy detox diet plan doesn’t have to be a permanent change in your life, but it can help you instill quality eating habits and a sense of purposeful living rather quickly. The detox diet – combined with exercise, plenty of sleep, a lot of hydrating water, and scheduled sessions in your detoxifying infrared sauna – will help you look and feel your absolute best.