Superfood Oatmeal

Oatmeal is one of the most versatile, nutrient rich, and energizing foods around, making it one of my absolute favorite go-to meals. We all lead busy lives, so fueling properly at breakfast is nonnegotiable if you’re looking to sustain steady energy levels throughout the day. Fatigue, headaches, mental “fogginess”, and inability to stay focused may seem like common, unavoidable side effects of everyday life – some of you may even experience one or more of these issues daily. I am here to tell you that feeling your best, even in the midst of a chaotic, busy day, is possible, and it begins with what you’re putting into your body.

Bowl of oatmeal

What makes this oatmeal recipe an ideal breakfast option is the combination of healthy fats, complex carbohydrates, and high-quality protein. This triad of elements is referred to as a ‘macronutrient balanced meal’. Meals consisting solely of carbohydrates, even good-for-you complex carbs (such as a fruit & vegetable smoothie), provide fast-acting energy, but will ultimately leave you feeling hungry and low-energy shortly after. Meals high in fat and protein without complex carbs to balance them out are often too heavy on the digestive system, and will leave you feeling tired and sluggish. By creating a balance between these three nutritional elements, your body is provided with both immediate and long-lasting energy while keeping hunger and cravings at bay. Though every body is different, this tends to be a universal rule among everyone.

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Solar-Powered Health

taking-in-the-sun

So many of us are caught up with work, school, to-do lists, and social obligations that spending time outdoors tends to be saved for vacations or special occasions. According to a recent government estimate, the average American spends 90% of their life indoors. This is a grave (but easily avoidable) mistake on our part. By neglecting to incorporate the natural environment in our daily lives, we are not only missing out on the resulting health benefits, but may actually be experiencing some consequential negative health effects.

Improve Your Health

There are several scientifically proven reasons why regularly getting outside will improve your health, but vitamin D tops the list. Vitamin D is unlike any other vitamin in that our bodies actually produce it, but only in the presence of sunlight. There are very few vitamin D-rich foods, so to ensure that your body has enough of this essential vitamin you need to expose your skin to sunlight regularly. Keeping in mind that the average individual spends the vast majority of their life indoors, it’s not surprising that an estimated 75% of Americans are deficient in vitamin D.

Every tissue in the body contains vitamin D receptors, including the brain, heart, muscles, and immune system – vitamin D is needed at virtually every level for the body to function properly.

Doctors and researchers have found that vitamin D:

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Eating for Your (Mental) Health

Salmon for Mental Health

We’ve all heard of eating for better heart health and to lower the risk of developing diabetes, high blood pressure, and even certain types of cancer – but what about eating to improve your mood?

Scientists are finding an increasingly large body of evidence to support the idea that the foods we put into our bodies play a substantial role in how we feel on a psychological level. That is, what we eat and drink directly affects our mood, behavior, thought patterns and learning ability.

The brain is an immensely powerful organ, and like any other organ in your body, it requires the proper nutrients to keep things running smoothly. Through some simple dietary changes, you possess the power to both boost cognitive function and decrease feelings of anxiety and depression.

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Active Relaxation: An Antidote to Stress

health-wellness

Stress is an inevitable and unavoidable part of life, but suffering the harmful effects of it doesn’t have to be. In fact, within each of us lies a natural stress-defense system, and with a little practice it can be accessed easily and frequently. The relaxation response is a state of deep yet mentally-active rest. Unlike laying on the couch, sleeping, or zoning out in front of the television, this type of relaxation leaves you feeling calm yet energized and alert. Activation of the relaxation response has been shown to increase energy and focus, combat illness, relieve aches and pains, heighten mental alertness, and boost motivation and productivity. Think of it as a natural alternative to a cup of coffee, without the adverse effects of caffeine.

Next time life has you feeling stressed and overwhelmed, skip the Starbucks line and resist the temptation to crash on the couch – the following techniques will have you feeling blissed-out in no time!

A wide variety of techniques can be used to evoke the relaxation response. In this post, we’ll highlight three techniques that we find particularly user-friendly: deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and yoga.

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Cheers to a New Year!

Happy-New-Year

The holiday season has passed, and we’ve entered into another new year! Collectively, the human race often enjoys a sense of renewed motivation and inspiration around this time. However, many of us may find ourselves feeling sluggish, unmotivated, drained, or a little “down” emotionally. While there may be many reasons for this, at the top of the list is the dietary overindulgence so common during the holiday season. By cleaning up your diet, you’ll not only give your liver a break, but you’ll also experience

  • More mental clarity
  • Less irritation, fatigue, anxiety, and depression
  • Better sleep
  • Increased energy levels

Working towards new goals and resolutions can be challenging when you’re not feeling your best, whether it be physically, mentally, or emotionally. In order to experience an increased sense of overall wellbeing, we at Jupiter Counseling always suggest a holistic approach.

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