LiveWell Vermont

The short answer is YES! But, an ideal stretch routine requires a little bit of planning.  Stretching is a vital part of a healthy fitness regimen. When done properly, stretching can  reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries by increasing blood flow/circulation, improving muscular balance and posture, and improving muscle coordination. Stretching Reduces Fatigue Stretching increases blood supply and nutrients to muscles and joints  Stretching increases a joint’s ability to move through a greater range of motion  Stretching decreases tightness in tendons and muscles  Stretching Improves Muscular Balance and Posture Soft tissue structures often adapt poorly to gravity and bad posture habits  Stretching realigns soft tissue structures, therefore reducing effort to achieve & maintain proper posture throughout your day  Stretching Improves Muscle Coordination Stretching enhances the time it takes an impulse to travel to the brai...

You may know that bananas in smoothies makes for a creamier and nutritious smoothie, but did you know you can swamp that banana out for summer squash? This veggie is low in calories, but high in nutrients such as potassium, vitamin A, vitamin C, and fiber! Squash is a great filler because of its neutral flavor so it has the ability to form the base of any smoothie. Try it the next time you're looking for a healthy smoothie!

While coffee in moderate amounts has been shown to have health benefits, too much caffeine can lead to insomnia, increased anxiety, headaches, high blood pressure, and a more rapid heartbeat. If you've been considering reducing your caffeine intake because of these symptoms or because you'd like to reduce your dependency on it, you may be wondering how to do so without the awful caffeine withdrawal symptoms. Many people who give up caffeine cold turkey find they experience headaches, fatigue, and irritability, among other symptoms. One of the best ways to reduce or remove caffeine from your daily routine is to do so slowly. You can gradually reduce the amount of caffeine you're drinking daily and/or reduce the amount of caffeine in your beverage (for example: switch to half-caf coffee). Remember to check your foods and medications for caffeine. There are a lot of products that have hidden caffeine in them! Chocolate, some flavors of ice cream and soda and even s...

Did you know studies have shown that optimistic people have healthier hearts and are better at managing stress? However, looking at the bright side can be easier said than done. Fortunately, even if you don't consider yourself to be an optimist, you can try incorporating these tips to help you live with more positivity!   1.) Have gratitude Being grateful for the good things in your life will help you feel satisfied. Take an inventory of all the good things around you. Additionally, try to be grateful for the hardships and obstacles because these give you strength and teach you how to persevere, which help you form resilience. 2.) Practice listening. When you are actively listening, you're taking in more information and knowledge without the distraction of your own thoughts and words. It also can increase your own self-confidence when you show you have respect for others. 3.) Smile more. Frown less.  When you smile you create a happy and positive environment that d...

Wouldn't it be nice if once the clock hit 5pm, the to-do lists and emails would stop for the day? Unfortunately it's not that easy, but with a little practice, you can achieve a work-life balance that makes you happy. Consider these simple steps to get you started. 1.) Leave your to-do list at work. It will still be there in the morning. If you find yourself unable to turn your mind off from work in the evenings, try writing a list of projects and goals for the next day and leave it on your desk. Take comfort in having a plan set up for your next day of work. 2.) Don't stay connected. Unless you're on-call or helping out with a work emergency, stop checking your email when you leave for the day. If you are constantly checking your email all night, your mind never really leaves the office. While it seems simple, the physical act of disconnecting from the office is a powerful one. 3.) Establish a transition routine. Perhaps when walking to and from work, you c...

Did you know that nighttime exposure to LED rays produced by tablets, computers, TV's, and smartphones can disrupt your body's natural rhythms? This can impact your sleep and health! Artificial light produced by these devices impact the quality of sleep you get by slowing the neurons that induce sleep, activating those that cause wakefulness, and suppressing the sleep hormone melatonin. Lack of sleep can contribute to health risks including obesity, type 2 diabetes, depression, and heart disease. Additionally, lack of sleep can cause concentration issues. Check out these tips below to learn how you can power down and unwind before bed, which can help improve your sleep. Unwind before Bed: At least 15-30 minutes before bed, make sure to power down technology. Electronic Free Zone: Make your bedroom a place free of electronics. Make a List or Write Down Your Thoughts: If you're overthinking before bed, make it a habit to write out those thoughts or to-do ...

Did you know incorporating these 10 healthy habits can improve your brain health? It's never too late to start new healthy habits!

Homemade Dishwasher Detergent This homemade dishwasher detergent has a shelf life of months, but if you plan on storing it for that long, be sure you store it in a dark bottle since light can change the effectiveness of the essential oil. If you don’t want to use lemon oil, you can use any that you prefer. However the lemon oil is in this recipe for a reason. Aside from the pleasant scent, lemon has disinfecting properties. Any citrus oil would have those same properties which make oils like   lime oil ,  grapefruit oil or  orange oil  a great substitution!   You Will Need: 10-15 drops  lemon essential oil ¾ cup  Super Washing Soda ½ cup  Borax ¼ cup  liquid unscented Castile soap   (or   make your own liquid homemade Castile soap ) 4 cups water Place water in a  large heavy bottomed pot  and heat on medium-high heat until it boils. Stir in the washing soda and using a whisk, sti...