WELLTRAX

Make March Your Greenest Month Yet

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Did you know March is National Nu­­trition Month? With that and St. Patrick’s day, we’re seeing a lot of green these days. And that’s a good thing. Whether your preferred “green” refers to eco-friendly products, healthy eating habits, or the beauty of the world in springtime, here are some of our favorite ways to make this month your greenest yet.

The most important meal of the day is often severely lacking in this color. Try sneaking some veggies into your breakfast. I love adding spinach or kale and other fresh veggies to an omelet or throwing a couple healthy options into a quick smoothie. (Spinach, celery, apple, berries, Greek yogurt, and avocado are my personal favorites to add.) Green tea is also a healthy and yummy addition to your meal. Not only will you get a more nutritious breakfast, you’ll feel better all day knowing you’ve already gotten something healthy into your diet.

Paint your home (or just one wall) a trendy green. From a bold jade to a muted dusty hue, this color is a favorite of designers this year for its soothing properties. Depending on the shade, it can bring a calming and balanced or happy and confident mood to any room.  Here are some of our favorite picks to bring wellness and peace into your home. They’re all from Behr if you want to get the exact shade.

If painting even one wall isn’t going to happen, you can achieve something similar with decorative accents like pillows and statement art. Refinishing an old piece of furniture is another easy way to a pop of color and revitalize a room. If all else fails, invest in some house plants you CAN’T kill. Succulents and other easy plants brighten indoor space and are incredibly low maintenance. Plants also help purify the air, bringing life to even the dullest apartment.

Here’s an easy tip: incorporate vegetables (especially leafy green ones) into every meal. This is National Nutrition Month, after all. Add them to meals that wouldn’t normally contain veggies by substituting zucchini noodles for regular pasta, adding fresh onions, peppers, basil, tomato, spinach, and arugula on top of a frozen pizza, grate veggies and put them in pancakes, muffins, or frittatas. A quick Google search will provide endless creative ideas to trick and coerce yourself into eating—and loving—vegetables. Even the leafy green ones you hated as a toddler. WELLTRAX is a great resource to start eating healthier and get on track with your nutrition.

Another obvious “green” way to be healthy: get outside. Science says that green is the most calming color. It reminds us of the outdoors, of cool forests and quiet mountaintops and deep water. If you’re stressed, overwhelmed, or just feeling sluggish, sometimes a walk in a nearby park or nature preserve is just what you need. Take advantage of springtime by seeking out the glorious colors around you and enjoying the budding plants. It does your mind and body wonders to simply enjoy the serenity of nature. If you live in central Florida, there are several beautiful parks, nature preserves, and the West Orange Bike Trail to take advantage of. The trail is great for walking, biking, skating, and more, and it runs right by our wellness center.

Another way to make your life greener is to make a conscious choice to buy from eco-friendly companies. Purchasing from smaller companies that ethically source their goods to be sustainable and socially conscious is a great way to go green and make the world a better place. When you can, shop local and small. You’ll be doing the world and your local artisans a favor while getting a unique, quality product. Knowing the story and the hands behind the things you buy is very inspiring, and a lot of times, you’ll be supporting a great cause. Check out local farmers markets, small storefronts, and other listings.

This month we’re embracing the greenest trends and traditions, and using them as inspiration to purse wellness. At WELLTRAX, we can help you practice a healthy, greener lifestyle that will last much longer than just this month. Consider going green this March- it might just spark a change in your attitude and health. We wish you a happy St. Patrick’s Day, and a very green (and nutritious) month. Now, which of these ideas are you going to try first?

How to Manage Back to School Stress

It’s that time of year again. The semester seems to be dragging, and motivation is slipping. Of course, this lack of motivation isn’t good for you grades or your mind, but these ruts do happen. Remember, this is a new year, time for a fresh start. Try some of these stress management tips to get you out of your rut and through everything from homework to finals.

1. Manage your time. I know, I know: preaching to the choir here, but while the pressure of an upcoming deadline is a great motivator, this technique doesn’t work in the long run. QUIT PROCRASTINATING. You’ll thank yourself at the end of the semester. Set tiny goals along the way to break up an overwhelmingly large project. Give yourself breaks on certain days of the week, and make others your “get stuff done” time where you sit down and power through your work. Do whatever it takes not to put something off until the last minute.
2. Keep it in perspective. Your grades are important, especially if you have a scholarship that depends on them. But they’re not the MOST important. Your mental and physical health should take priority. Remember your endgame, remember why you started, and remember how blessed you are to receive an education. I have friends who are missionaries in China, and they always come back amazed by how excited to learn the kids they work with are. They have very little opportunity (but a lot of desire) to receive higher education, so I’ve always felt it was my duty to be grateful for every moment I spend in school. Thinking about how blessed I was to be at a good school kept me positive and motivated when I was stressed.
3. Write down EVERYTHING. Don’t trust yourself to remember even the smallest detail without backing it up somewhere. Keep a planner, calendar, or notebook where you can save everything from school dates and deadlines to your lunch plans for next week. Not only will having a physical copy help you remember, it helps you to identify (and deal with) exactly what your stressed about on paper instead of letting it swirl around in your head.
4. Hold yourself accountable throughout the semester, so by the time finals come around, you’re confident in your ability to do hard things with grace. By forming good habits over time, you’ll banish some of the negativity that comes with stress and finals. Don’t let this mid-semester rut get you down. Clean out your backpack, buy some fun new supplies, do whatever it takes to get yourself motivated and excited to learn again.
5. Live well. Exercise, eat whole, pursue fun hobbies, be kind, and keep your heart and mind open. School can be a great experience. Whatever your perspective on academics, you can learn a lot about life just by looking around. Destructive behaviors destroy motivation, so break the cycle now before it negatively impacts your grades or career. You can do it. WELLTRAX believes in you, and is ready to help you every step of the way. Whether you need to decompress with a massage or vent your frustration with a hardcore workout, our wellness center is ready to help you get the most out of school.

June Inspiration Roundup

Alright, June! Let's do this!

Summer is in full swing here in beautiful (and HOT) Florida. Take time to cool down by heading to the beach or springs for your workout. Swim, snorkel, or run at one of our beautiful locations. If you live on the coast, take a jog on the beach and cool off with a swim. If you're located in central Florida, take advantage of a nature hiking trail and freshwater spring near you. The water stays at a constant 72 degrees, so you're guaranteed to cool off quickly.

Flexibility and Stretching

Maybe you stretch when you wake up in the morning, or before bed in the evening. Maybe you stretch before a workout. Maybe stretching IS your workout. Maybe you’re so mentally and emotionally stretched that you feel as if physically stretching yourself will send you over the limit. Maybe you avoid the practice altogether because “Who wants to turn themselves into a pretzel shape anyway?” Whatever your view on stretching is, there’s no denying the facts: it’s good for you. Speaking in terms of physicality alone, stretching your body several times a day improves flexibility and concentration, and has been found to reduce chances of stroke and heart attack. This is because stretching happens to reduce arterial stiffening, a common symptom of aging. (healthydocs.net) By engaging your muscles and preventing them from becoming stiff with disuse, you’ll ensure they remain strong even during the aging process.

You don’t have to be flexible to stretch, but in time, stretching leads to improved flexibility. Taking a few moments to still your mind and stretch is a healthy habit that will ensure not only physical, but mental stability amidst an otherwise hectic lifestyle. With continued practice, stretching improves balance, flexibility, posture, and circulation. It’s an important part of any workout too, it warms you up in preparation for more vigorous exercise, and cools you down after that exercise. Stretching as exercise, in the form of yoga or aerobics, is also a healthy way to improve your flexibility while getting in shape. A short stretch break is also useful in clearing your head and helping you relax when you’re stressed. It’s helpful in “shaking off the cobwebs” when you feel like they’ve settled over you.

 

Resources:

http://healthydocs.net/2016/05/can-stretching-reduce-risk-heart-attack-stroke/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jim-t-miller/tips-and-tools-to-help-se_b_4624202.html

Hello, May!

 

Oh hello, May! Glad you're here.

The Florida weather is getting warmer, and we're falling in love with summer all over again. Take some time this month to enjoy quiet, cool moments in the midst of heat and chaos. Life can get a bit hectic this time of year, so those moments of stillness can keep you grounded and motivated to continue pursuing your goals. WELLTRAX believes in you. Have a great month, and don't forget to check in on the blog and stop by our wellness center in downtown Winter Garden to say hello. We'd love to see you!