Look up yoga in your area and you’ll see plenty of options like hatha yoga, power yoga or restorative yoga. And although a new yoga studio may have just opened up near your home, the practice is far from unique or the latest trend in wellness. Yoga has an incredibly rich culture with strong spiritual meaning. However, over the years, the westernization of yoga has diluted this, and in some cases yoga has become something entirely different. Though called yoga, these intense workout classes, that feature goats or craft beers are a significant departure from the true meaning of this ancient practice. Fortunately, as of late, there has been an increased demand in the Western world to honor...
A survey commissioned by Dr. Anna Cabeca, author of The Hormone Fix, found that 43% of women say hormones have negatively affected their well-being, with 72% of women not understanding the cause of their hormonal imbalance. Despite its prevalence, many women don’t know what a hormone imbalance really means, how it may affect them, and how to treat it. Men also experience hormone imbalance. Though less prevalent, research has revealed that hormonal imbalances occurs in about 20% of men under 30, 25% of men between 30-39, 40% of men between 40-49, 60% of men between 50-59, and 80% of men between 60 and 69 years. Before we unpack what a hormone imbalance means, it is important to understand what hormones are. Hormones naturally occur in...
When you are deep in your fitness journey, it can feel frustrating, discouraging, and super disappointing when you plateau. A fitness plateau happens when you stop making progress, despite doing everything “right.” For example, you may stop getting stronger, losing weight, or toning up. If you are working on strength training and muscle growth, you may find that you can no longer increase your weights and stop noticing changes in your appearance. When you are sure your diet and workout routine are still top-notch, you need to evaluate your sleep quality. A lack of sleep is a common cause of a fitness or weight loss plateau as sleep is one of the most important (but often overlooked)...
Turmeric is a bright, golden yellow spice that is full of flavor and health benefits! The spice is used in culinary dishes and is commonly taken as a supplement as it is able to reduce inflammation, boost the immune system and reduce the risk of other diseases. Turmeric comes from a flowering plant called Curcuma longa and is grown in Southeast Asia. Today, roughly 80% of the world’s turmeric comes from India, with the majority coming from a city called Erode. Erode, located in South India, is the largest turmeric producer globally and known as “Turmeric City.” This yellow spice has a strong, slightly spicy flavor and is part of the ginger family. The rhizomes from the plant are...
Do you prefer to feel tucked in tightly under your Tencel sheet set, or be able to move freely in bed? The “tucked or untucked” debate has been the topic of popular TV shows and news outlets for decades. TODAY even had sleep experts weigh in on the subject, with one host proclaiming adults who prefer to be tucked in tightly prefer it because it reminds them of being in the womb – just like babies who are swaddled. Talk show hosts aren’t the only fans of swaddling. Internationally renowned artist and photographer Anne Geddes experienced a great deal of success thanks to swaddling. She photographed adorable newborn babies wrapped tightly in swaddle cloths, fast asleep in cute settings. Having babies...
Your bedding can make all the difference when it comes to a good night’s sleep. Scratchy sheets, a lumpy duvet, or blankets that trap heat and moisture can cause you to wake up in the night and disrupt your sleep. The material of your bedding matters! When you shop for bedding, you will find a variety of different materials. Each fabric has its pros and cons and will range in softness, weight, breathability, and price. But, before we get into the different material options – here is why it matters. Temperature Temperature plays an important role in sleep. Your body’s temperature will naturally fluctuate throughout the day. This is a crucial element of your circadian rhythm, where...
