School play-time is critical to children's health

Children's play-time has many health benefits, including improving their ability to focus in class.

Pediatric psychologist Carolyn Landis, of University Hospital's Case Medical Center in Cleveland, describes the reduction in gym time, recess, physical education class and time, and the detrimental impact it's having on their health. Watch this video to hear about these dramatic changes in children's health:



Sleep, energy, vitamin D, social interactions, and outdoor experiences are all being negatively impacted when children don't play. These have far-reaching consequences, beyond the impact on their school-work.
Our schools should be teaching healthy habits as much as possible, in every way possible! This means MORE gym-time, recess, time outdoors and P.E. time!

Prevent intense soreness, muscle pain, and muscle spasms, so you can stay active

Are intense soreness, muscle pain, or muscle spasms impeding your active lifestyle? Read this article to learn why you're getting them, how to treat them when you get them, and how to prevent getting them so you can stay active:

http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Prevent-Intense-Soreness,-Muscle-Pain,-and-Muscle-Spasms,-and-Stay-Active&id=1752530

To find out if you have Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness, ask yourself these questions:
* Have you done any kind of physical exertion in the last 3-5 days?
* Have you participated in any new activities or sports in the last week?
* Do you engage in repetitive movements, at your work or in your hobbies?
* Have you spent more time lately on any hobbies or sports?

Your muscles can get overworked, even if the activity (or movements) is not new to you. But sometimes the pain and fatigue do not "settle into" your muscles for several days.

Another way to prevent Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness is by getting regular aerobic exercise. Even a brisk walk down the street on your lunch hour is great for relieving sore muscles! Just a short bout of aerobic exercise gives your muscles a boost of oxygen, which helps remove the energy by-products that are causing you to feel sore.

Physical reactions to Stress and Anxiety in troubled times

Financial stresses are some of the biggest obstacles we face, emotionally and physically.

When we are faced with emotional challenges like money stresses, our bodies respond with survival instincts. Basic biological functions are affected. Our breathing becomes faster and more shallow. Our heart rate speeds up. Our hormones and nervous system go into "overdrive".

If our bodies are kept in a stressed state, unsure of our own survival, then disease sets in. Changes in our sleep, thinking, and mental reactions are some of the first warning signs.

Martha Beck shares her ideas on how we can relax in troubled times:


As she describes, one way we physically react to stress is by freezing in it. Our bodies maintain a tense state.

Exercise and physical activity are excellent solutions to relieving stress and preventing physical damage. Of course, there are many other health benefits to exercise, too!
Plus, you can find an activity that you enjoy. Have some fun and quality-time with your family.
And it's one of the cheapest (FREE) forms of entertainment: a winning option when money's tight!

To reduce stress, prevent illness, get healthier, and save money...Exercise More in troubled times!