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		<title>Sunlight: Friend or Foe?</title>
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		<pubDate>Wed, 09 Sep 2026 23:30:58 +0000</pubDate>
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					<description><![CDATA[For many years, conversations about sunlight have tended to fall into one of two extremes. One message tells us that the sun is dangerous and should be avoided whenever possible. The other suggests that more sun exposure is always better because sunlight is “natural.” And as sometimes happens when there are two extremes, neither extreme reflects the full truth.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-6aa1ebf71e0291" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-6aa1ebf71e0315" style="">For many years, conversations about sunlight have tended to fall into one of two extremes. One message tells us that the sun is dangerous and should be avoided whenever possible. The other suggests that more sun exposure is always better because sunlight is “natural.” And as sometimes happens when there are two extremes, neither extreme reflects the full truth. Sunlight is a powerful environmental signal so it should be used - wisely! Our eyes, brain, skin, blood vessels, immune system, and endocrine system all respond to different wavelengths of light. These responses can help organize sleep, hormone rhythms, metabolism, circulation, vitamin D production, pigmentation, and immune activity. At the same time, excessive ultraviolet exposure can damage DNA, accelerate skin aging, suppress protective immune surveillance, and increase the risk of skin cancer. The goal is therefore not to fear the sun, but it is also not to bask in ultraviolet all day.<br><span style="font-size: 28px !important;" data-css="tve-u-1a0888430b8"><br></span><span style="font-size: 35px !important; --tcb-applied-color: rgb(75, 92, 55) !important; color: rgb(75, 92, 55) !important;" data-css="tve-u-1a08884045d">The different ways the body experiences sunlight.</span><br><br>Sunlight contains several forms of energy, each producing different biological effects:<br><br>●Visible light enters the eyes and provides powerful signals to the brain.<br>●Ultraviolet B, or UVB, acts more superficially in the skin and begins vitamin D production.<br>●Ultraviolet A, or UVA, penetrates more deeply and can release nitric oxide from stores within the skin.<br>●Both UVA and UVB can also produce oxidative stress, inflammation, collagen damage, DNA injury, and skin cancer when the exposure is excessive.<br><br>This is important because the benefits that are bountiful are found from <strong>sunlight exposure</strong>; however, this is not the same as prolonged, unprotected <strong>UV exposure</strong>. You can receive an important circadian and neurological benefit while walking outside fully clothed and wearing sunscreen (1, 2).<br><br><span style="--tcb-applied-color: rgb(75, 92, 55) !important; color: rgb(75, 92, 55) !important; font-size: 35px !important;" data-css="tve-u-1a08884b2c9">Your eyes set your body's rhythms.</span><br><br>One of sunlight’s most important effects begins not in the skin, but in the retina. Specialized cells in the eye detect environmental light and send that information to the <strong>suprachiasmatic nucleus</strong>, or SCN, a small region of the hypothalamus that serves as the body’s master clock.<br><br>The SCN uses light information to coordinate:<br><br>● melatonin production<br>● the daily cortisol rhythm<br>● sleep and wake timing<br>● alertness and cognitive performance<br>● body temperature<br>● appetite and digestive timing<br>● blood-pressure rhythms<br>● hormone release<br>● the timing of metabolic activity throughout the body<br><br>The SCN also helps synchronize smaller biological clocks in organs and tissues such as the liver, pancreas, skeletal muscle, fat tissue, and skin. In other words, daylight tells the body not simply that it is time to wake up, but that it is time for thousands of physiological processes to occur in the correct sequence. (2, 3)<br><br><span style="--tcb-applied-color: rgb(75, 92, 55) !important; color: rgb(75, 92, 55) !important; font-size: 35px !important;" data-css="tve-u-1a08884f9b8">Why morning and daytime light matter.</span><br><br>Bright outdoor light earlier in the day provides a strong signal that says:<br><br>It is daytime. Become alert now, organize metabolism for the active part of the day, and prepare for sleep later.<br><br>A large observational study involving adults from the UK Biobank found that spending more time in daytime outdoor light was associated with more favorable sleep, circadian, and mood-related outcomes. This does not prove that daylight alone caused every benefit, but it supports the importance of a bright day and a darker night. (4, 5, 6, 7)<br><br>More recently, a small randomized crossover study placed 13 people with type 2 diabetes in either natural office daylight or constant artificial office lighting for approximately 41⁄2 days. During the daylight condition, participants spent more time in a normal glucose range, used more fat for fuel, had changes in evening melatonin, and demonstrated shifts in skeletal-muscle clock timing.<br><br>This was an early, short-term study—not a replacement for nutrition, exercise, or medication. But it provides fascinating human evidence that light is not merely visual information. It can also be <strong>metabolic information</strong>. Importantly, the intervention involved working in daylight through office windows, not sunbathing. (8)<br><br>This gives us a practical and positive message:<br><br><strong>Build a brighter day and a darker evening.</strong><br><br>Spend time outside after waking when possible. Walk, drink your morning coffee outside, garden, exercise, or work near daylight. Keep your eyes open normally, but never stare directly at the sun.<br><br>Bare skin is not required for this eye-to-brain pathway.<br><br><span style="font-size: 35px !important; --tcb-applied-color: rgb(75, 92, 55) !important; color: rgb(75, 92, 55) !important;" data-css="tve-u-1a088856b40">Your skin is an endocrine organ.</span><br><br>The skin is much more than a protective covering. It contains nerve endings, immune cells, pigment-producing cells, hormone receptors, enzymes, and local signaling systems. It can manufacture, activate, and respond to a remarkable number of chemical messengers. One of its best-known endocrine functions is the production of vitamin D.<br><br><strong>The vitamin D pathway begins with a photon</strong><br><br>When UVB reaches the epidermis, it interacts with a cholesterol-related molecule called <strong>7-dehydrocholesterol</strong>.<br><br>That begins a sequence:<br><br>1. UVB converts 7-dehydrocholesterol into previtamin D3.<br>2. Heat within the skin converts previtamin D3 into vitamin D3.<br>3. Vitamin D3 enters the circulation and is converted primarily by the liver into 25-hydroxyvitamin D.<br>4. The kidneys and other tissues can convert it into <strong>calcitriol</strong>, the hormonally active form. <br>5. Calcitriol binds to the vitamin D receptor, influencing gene activity in many tissues.<br><br>Human research has also demonstrated that skin cells called keratinocytes contain machinery that can produce active vitamin D locally. That means the skin is not simply the starting point for vitamin D production; it can participate in local vitamin D metabolism and signaling. (9,10)<br><br>Vitamin D supports calcium and phosphorus regulation, bone mineralization, normal muscle and nerve function, and immune activity. It functions less like a conventional vitamin and more like the precursor to a hormone-signaling system. (11, 12)<br><br><span style="font-size: 35px !important; --tcb-applied-color: rgb(75, 92, 55) !important; color: rgb(75, 92, 55) !important;" data-css="tve-u-1a0888625c4">How vitamin D production varies.</span><br><br>The amount of vitamin D produced from sunlight varies according to:<br><br>● season and latitude<br>● time of day<br>● cloud cover and air pollution<br>● skin pigmentation<br>● age<br>● clothing<br>● sunscreen use<br>● the amount of skin exposed<br>● medications and health conditions<br><br>The skin also becomes less efficient at making vitamin D as we age.<br><br>For these reasons, there is no scientifically responsible rule that everyone should receive the same number of minutes of unprotected sun. A person with very fair skin in Florida at midday may receive a very different UV dose than someone with darker skin in New England during the winter.<br><br>Vitamin D is important, but a sunburn is never required to make it. When vitamin D is inadequate, food and carefully selected supplementation can address the problem without intentionally adding more UV damage. <br><br><span style="font-size: 35px !important; --tcb-applied-color: rgb(75, 92, 55) !important; color: rgb(75, 92, 55) !important;" data-css="tve-u-1a0888652e4">Sunlight can release nitric oxide from the skin.</span><br><br>Another intriguing pathway involves nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is a signaling molecule that helps blood vessels relax. It supports vascular tone, circulation, and the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to tissues.<br><br>Human skin contains compounds such as nitrite and S-nitrosothiols that can serve as stored sources of nitric oxide. UVA can break down some of these compounds and release biologically active NO.<br><br>In a study of 24 healthy adults, UVA exposure increased blood flow and produced a temporary reduction in blood pressure through a mechanism associated with nitric oxide release from the skin.<br><br>An earlier human study similarly found that whole-body UVA exposure could lower systemic blood pressure through this pathway. (13 ,14)<br><br>This does <strong>not </strong>mean that UVA exposure should be prescribed as a treatment for high blood pressure. UVA also contributes to oxidative stress, collagen breakdown, photoaging, and skin-cancer risk.<br><br>It does, however, demonstrate something remarkable:<br><br><strong>The skin contains chemical reservoirs that can influence the circulation throughout the body.</strong><br><br>Sunlight is not only acting on the surface. It can initiate signals that extend beyond the skin.<br><br><span style="font-size: 35px !important; --tcb-applied-color: rgb(75, 92, 55) !important; color: rgb(75, 92, 55) !important;" data-css="tve-u-1a08886a528">Sunlight modulates the immune system.</span><br><br>It is common to hear that sunlight “boosts” the immune system, but <strong>immune modulation</strong> is a more accurate description.<br><br>The goal of a healthy immune system is not to be constantly more active. It needs to respond strongly when appropriate, calm down when the threat has passed, tolerate harmless substances, and avoid attacking the body’s own tissues.<br><br>UV exposure can change:<br><br>● cytokine signaling<br>● antigen presentation<br>● the activity of skin-resident immune cells<br>● regulatory T-cell function<br>● local inflammatory responses<br>● vitamin D-related immune signaling<br><br>Recent clinical and laboratory research found that narrowband UVB could promote regulatory T-cell responses that help reduce excessive immune activity. This is one reason carefully measured UV phototherapy can be effective for inflammatory skin disorders. Dermatologists use controlled narrowband UVB to reduce inflammation, slow excessive skin-cell growth, and calm an overactive immune response in conditions such as psoriasis. (15,16)<br><br>But this is another area in which dose matters.<br><br>The same immune-dampening effects that can be therapeutic when UV is precisely measured may become harmful with repeated excessive exposure. Chronic UV-related immune suppression can reduce normal surveillance against abnormal cells and contribute to the development and progression of skin cancer. (17)<br><br>Therefore, natural sunlight should not be used as an uncontrolled treatment for an autoimmune or inflammatory condition.<br><br>The lesson is not that immune modulation is bad. The lesson is that biology requires calibration.<br><br><span style="font-size: 35px !important; --tcb-applied-color: rgb(75, 92, 55) !important; color: rgb(75, 92, 55) !important;" data-css="tve-u-1a08886e76b">Melanin is the skin’s adaptive protective response</span><br><br>Melanin is often discussed only in terms of skin color, but it is part of a highly organized protective system.<br><br>When skin cells experience UV-related stress, melanocytes increase melanin production.<br><br>Melanocytes then package pigment into structures called melanosomes and distribute them to surrounding skin cells. The pigment helps absorb and disperse some incoming ultraviolet energy, reducing how deeply it reaches vulnerable cellular structures. (18, 19)<br><br>This is an elegant adaptive response.<br><br>However, it is important to understand what a suntan means.<br><br>A tan demonstrates that the skin recognizes UV-related stress and increased pigment production in response. It provides some additional protection against later exposure, but that protection is limited.<br><br>A tan is not evidence that the preceding UV exposure was harmless, and it does not make additional unprotected exposure safe.<br><br>The goal of intelligent sun exposure is therefore <strong>not</strong> to produce a tan.<br><br>The goal is to receive the benefits of daylight while keeping cumulative UV injury as low as reasonably possible.<br><br>The skin has its own neuroendocrine stress-response system<br><br>The skin even contains elements resembling the body’s central hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal stress system.<br><br>Skin cells can produce or respond to signaling molecules such as:<br><br>● corticotropin-releasing hormone<br>● POMC<br>● ACTH<br>● alpha-MSH<br>● beta-endorphin<br>● glucocorticoid-related signals<br><br>These pathways help the skin respond to environmental stress, inflammation, injury, and ultraviolet radiation. They also demonstrate that the skin communicates with the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems rather than operating as an isolated organ. (20)<br><br>The POMC pathway that contributes to melanin production can also produce beta-endorphin. Animal research suggests that repeated UV exposure can raise skin-derived beta-endorphin and reinforce UV-seeking behavior. This may be one reason some people experience tanning as particularly rewarding or find it difficult to stop. The strongest evidence for this dependency pathway comes from animal models, so it should not be interpreted as proof that UV tanning is a healthy way to improve mood.(21)<br><br>The safer way to obtain the neurological and mood benefits of light is through regular daytime outdoor exposure—not through intentional tanning.<br><br><span style="font-size: 35px !important; --tcb-applied-color: rgb(75, 92, 55) !important; color: rgb(75, 92, 55) !important;" data-css="tve-u-1a088876e82">Sunlight and health are a package deal.</span><br><br>When people go outside, sunlight is often accompanied by other health-promoting behaviors:<br><br>● walking and physical activity<br>● time in nature<br>● fresh air<br>● social interaction<br>● a break from screens<br>● improved circadian timing<br>● better sleep later that night<br>● a greater sense of connection and well-being<br><br>This is important because we do not need to isolate sunlight from the rest of a healthy life.<br><br>A morning walk may provide daylight to the eyes, movement to the muscles, a cardiovascular stimulus, exposure to nature, and stress relief—all at the same time.<br><br>The message should not be “avoid being outside.”<br><br>It should be:<br><br>Go outside often. Move your body. Enjoy the day. Manage your UV dose intelligently.<br><br><span style="font-size: 35px !important; --tcb-applied-color: rgb(75, 92, 55) !important; color: rgb(75, 92, 55) !important;" data-css="tve-u-1a088879323">An intelligent sunlight plan</span><br><br><strong>1. Build a bright day</strong><br><br>Get outside regularly, particularly earlier in the day. A morning walk, breakfast outside, gardening, or time near natural daylight can help reinforce circadian timing.<br><br>The duration does not need to be perfect. Consistency matters more than turning daylight into another performance test.<br><br><strong>2. Remember that daylight and UV exposure are not the same thing</strong><br><br>Circadian and neurological benefits occur through light entering the eyes. You can obtain these benefits while wearing clothing, a hat, and sunscreen.<br><br>Do not stare directly at the sun.<br><br><strong>3. Check the UV Index</strong><br><br>The UV Index tells you how strong skin-damaging ultraviolet radiation is expected to be.<br><br>When the UV Index is 3 or higher, public-health guidance recommends using sun protection. The UV Index can change with season, location, altitude, cloud conditions, and time of day.(22)<br><br><strong>4. Avoid sunburn completely</strong><br><br>A sunburn is not a sign that vitamin D production or another health pathway has been optimized. It is evidence of excessive exposure and inflammatory injury.<br><br>Avoid deliberate tanning and tanning beds. Artificial tanning devices deliver carcinogenic UV without the natural circadian and behavioral benefits of being outdoors.<br><br><strong>5. Use several forms of protection</strong><br><br>When UV exposure will be significant or prolonged, combine:<br><br>● shade<br>● lightweight, tightly woven or UPF-rated clothing<br>● a wide-brimmed hat<br>● UV-protective sunglasses<br>● broad-spectrum, mineral based sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher (Alba Botanic, Elta MD)<br><br>Apply sunscreen to exposed skin and reapply approximately every two hours, as well as after swimming or heavy sweating. Sunscreen should be one part of a layered strategy—not permission to remain in intense sun indefinitely.<br><br><strong>6. Individualize your plan</strong><br><br>Extra caution is appropriate for people with:<br><br>● a personal or family history of melanoma or other skin cancer<br>● numerous or atypical moles<br>● fair skin that burns easily<br>● a history of blistering sunburns<br>● immune suppression or an organ transplant<br>● medications that increase photosensitivity<br>● extensive occupational or recreational sun exposure<br>● previous radiation treatment<br>● significant existing sun damage<br><br>People with darker skin have more natural pigment protection, but they can still develop skin cancer. In darker skin tones, melanomas may be more likely to appear on the palms, soles, or around and beneath the nails, making complete skin monitoring important for everyone.<br><br><strong>7. Address vitamin D as a measurable health issue</strong><br><br>When vitamin D deficiency is a concern, review diet, health history, medications, bone health, and laboratory findings with a clinician.<br><br>Do not use repeated tanning or burning as a vitamin D treatment.<br><br><strong>8. Know your skin</strong><br><br>Skin cancer is unusual among cancers because many warning signs can be seen. Regularly examine your skin from head to toe, including:<br><br>● the scalp<br>● behind the ears<br>● the back and shoulders<br>● between the fingers and toes<br>● the palms and soles<br>● beneath and around the nails<br>● areas normally covered by clothing<br><br>A partner can help examine the back and scalp. Photographs may also help you recognize meaningful change over time. Regular self-examination can help detect suspicious lesions when they are more treatable. (23)<br><br>Remember the melanoma ABCDEs:<br><br>● A — Asymmetry: one half looks different from the other<br>● B — Border: the edge is irregular, blurred, or poorly defined<br>● C — Color: the spot contains several colors or uneven pigmentation<br>● D — Diameter: larger lesions may be concerning, although melanomas can be small <br>● E — Evolving: the spot is changing in size, shape, color, elevation, or sensation<br><br>Also pay attention to the “ugly duckling”—a spot that looks noticeably different from the others.<br><br>A new or changing lesion, a sore that does not heal, or a spot that repeatedly itches, crusts, bleeds, or oozes should be evaluated rather than watched indefinitely.<br><br><span style="font-size: 35px !important; --tcb-applied-color: rgb(75, 92, 55) !important; color: rgb(75, 92, 55) !important;" data-css="tve-u-1a088880c32">The sun is not the enemy.</span><br><br>Sunlight helps organize human biology.<br><br>It provides the brain with time-of-day information. It helps coordinate sleep and hormone rhythms. It may influence glucose regulation and fuel use through circadian pathways. It begins vitamin D production in the skin. It can release nitric oxide and affect vascular signaling. It influences pigmentation, immune activity, and local neuroendocrine pathways.<br><br>Those are meaningful biological benefits.<br><br>But sunlight is powerful precisely because it can change cells and tissues. When the UV dose becomes excessive, those changes include oxidative stress, collagen breakdown, DNA mutations, immune suppression, and skin cancer.<br><br>The healthiest approach is not total avoidance—and it is not unrestricted exposure. It is <strong>intelligent balance</strong>: Bright days. Darker nights. Regular outdoor activity. No deliberate burning or tanning.<br><br>Thoughtful UV protection. Adequate vitamin D. And careful attention to the skin.<br><br>At <strong>Advance Wellness and Longevity</strong>, we want our patients outside—walking, exercising, gardening, traveling, and enjoying the natural world.<br><br>We also want them to protect the skin that must serve them for decades to come. Enjoy the sun as a biological signal, a source of daylight, and part of an active life.<br><br>Just remember that with sunlight, as with exercise, nutrition, medication, and most powerful influences on the body:<br><br><strong>Timing, dose, and the individual matter</strong>.<br><br>Warmly,<br><br>Martin Katz, MD<br><br><strong>Advance Wellness and Longevity</strong><br><br><em><span style="font-size: 18px !important;" data-css="tve-u-1a0888896ec">This newsletter is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical or dermatologic advice. Sun-protection and vitamin D recommendations should be personalized according to skin type, medical history, medications, geographic location, lifestyle, and prior skin-cancer risk.<br><br>REFERENCES:<br>1. https://www.nigms.nih.gov/education/fact-sheets/Pages/circadian-rhythms <br>2. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ultraviolet-radiation <br>3. https://nigms.nih.gov/image-gallery/2569<br>4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34488088/<br>5. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7400257/<br>6. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1353829224001564 <br>7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24697969/<br>8. https://www.cell.com/cell-metabolism/fulltext/S1550-4131%2825%2900490-5 <br>9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12709817/<br>10. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21845365/<br>11. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/<br>12. https://ods.od.nih.gov/pdf/factsheets/VitaminD-Consumer.pdf<br>13. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19797169/<br>14. https://www.jidonline.org/article/S0022-202X%2815%2936878-0/fulltext <br>15. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40847567/<br>16. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/psoriasis/treatment/medications/phototherapy <br>17. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41339105/<br>18. https://www.jci.org/articles/view/119206<br>19. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17350573/<br>20. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21673307/<br>21. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24949966/<br>22. https://www.cdc.gov/skin-cancer/sun-safety/index.html<br>23. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer/check-skin</span></em></p></div><div class="tcb_flag" style="display: none"></div>
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		<title>Better Sleep Without Chasing Perfect Sleep</title>
		<link>https://advancewellnessandlongevity.com/better-sleep-without-chasing-perfect-sleep/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[advancewellnessandlongevity]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 26 Aug 2026 16:48:06 +0000</pubDate>
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					<description><![CDATA[Sleep is different from many other health behaviors. You can decide to take a walk, prepare a healthy meal, or complete a workout. But you cannot simply command yourself to fall asleep. In fact, the harder we try to force sleep, the more alert and frustrated we may become. ]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-6a8f14ff09a7b4" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-6a8f14ff09a862" style="">Have you ever lain awake for what felt like hours trying to sleep and not being able to, no matter how hard you try to get the “perfect night’s sleep”? It is quite common for the everyday overachiever to chase perfection, and although in many ways this might be an admirable trait, it becomes quite difficult when it comes to sleep. This is because there are only so many hours in a day, and many will sacrifice hours of sleep in order to do something else. Many people are also simply not properly educated on how to get better sleep. In our last newsletter, we discussed why sleep is essential for energy, metabolism, immune function, cardiovascular health, memory, mood, and physical recovery. This week, I want to move beyond the basics and discuss some additional tools that may help: science-based tools, carefully chosen supplements, and a calmer approach to more restorative rest. <br><br><strong><span style="" data-css="tve-u-1a03eec21c3">Good sleep should be supported, not forced.</span></strong> <br><br>Sleep is different from many other health behaviors. You can decide to take a walk, prepare a healthy meal, or complete a workout. But you cannot simply command yourself to fall asleep. In fact, the harder we try to force sleep, the more alert and frustrated we may become. <br><br>Checking the clock, repeatedly looking at a sleep score, calculating how many hours remain before morning, and worrying about how poorly we will function the next day can turn bedtime into a performance test. Sleep clinicians sometimes refer to an excessive preoccupation with obtaining “perfect” sleep data as orthosomnia. Sleep trackers may be helpful for identifying broad patterns, but they can become counterproductive when their scores create anxiety or override how a person actually feels (1). One or even a few imperfect nights do not signify failure. The ultimate goal should be to create the right conditions for sleep and allow the body to do the rest.</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-6a8f14ff09a894" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-6a8f14ff09a8b1" style="">The most effective advanced tool is not a supplement.</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-6a8f14ff09a8d5" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-6a8f14ff09a8e3" style=""><span style="font-size: 21px !important;" data-css="tve-u-1a03eedf438">For ongoing insomnia, the treatment with the strongest evidence is cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, usually called CBT-I. <br><br>CBT-I is much more than receiving a list of sleep hygiene recommendations. It is a structured program that helps retrain the relationship between the brain, the bed, and sleep. It usually includes:</span> </p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv-styled_list" data-icon-code="icon-check" data-css="tve-u-1a03eed9c59" style=""><ul class="tcb-styled-list"><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-1a03eed9c5a" style=""><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style tcb-local-vars-root" data-css="tve-u-1a03eed9c5b" style=""><svg class="tcb-icon tcb-local-vars-root" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name="" style=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-1a03eed9c58" style="">establishing a consistent sleep-and-wake pattern<br></span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-1a03eed9c5a"><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style " data-css="tve-u-1a03eedc4dc"><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-1a03eed9c58">reducing excess time spent awake in bed<br></span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-1a03eed9c5a"><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style " data-css="tve-u-1a03eedc8c8"><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-1a03eed9c58">learning to associate the bed with sleep rather than worry<br></span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-1a03eed9c5a"><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style " data-css="tve-u-1a03eedcc09"><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-1a03eed9c58">challenging catastrophic thoughts about poor sleep<br></span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-1a03eed9c5a"><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style " data-css="tve-u-1a03eedce5f"><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-1a03eed9c58">using relaxation methods to decrease physical and mental arousal</span></li></ul></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-6a8f14ff09a8d5" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-1a03eee127d" style="">Professional guidelines recommend multicomponent CBT-I as the initial treatment for chronic insomnia. Sleep hygiene is helpful, but sleep hygiene education by itself is generally less effective when insomnia has become an established pattern. CBT-I may be delivered in person, through telehealth, or through an appropriately designed digital program (2). <br><br>One of the most useful CBT-I principles is simple: <br><br>Do not remain in bed struggling to make sleep happen. <br><br>When you are clearly awake, frustrated, and mentally activated, get out of bed. Keep the lighting low and do something quiet and uninteresting. Return to bed when sleepiness—not simply fatigue— returns. The purpose is not to punish yourself. It is to teach the brain that the bed is a place for sleep rather than a place for problem-solving, clock-watching, and worry.</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element tve-froala" data-css="tve-u-6a8f14ff09a894" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-6a8f14ff09a8b1" style="">Use light to set your internal clock.</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-6a8f14ff09a8d5" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-1a03eeead38" style="">Light is one of the most powerful signals controlling the body’s circadian rhythm. Getting natural outdoor light soon after waking can help reinforce daytime alertness and support an earlier, more predictable rise in sleepiness at night. For many people, spending approximately 15–30 minutes outside in the morning is a reasonable place to begin. A cloudy outdoor environment is often considerably brighter than normal indoor lighting. In the evening, the goal changes. Dimmer lighting and less exposure to bright screens help signal that the active portion of the day is ending. In order to support natural melatonin production one to two hours before bed, consider blue light-blocking light bulbs that can be used in a separate lamp while turning off overhead or standard light bulbs (eg., blue block, ocushield). Additionally, you may also use blue light-blocking glasses. Bright-light devices may be useful when a person’s internal clock has shifted later or when morning light exposure is difficult. However, the correct timing depends on the individual’s sleep pattern. Light therapy studies suggest potential benefits for some people with insomnia, but it should be viewed as a circadian tool—not simply as a brighter lamp to use at any time of day (3).</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-6a8f14ff09a894" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-6a8f14ff09a8b1" style="">Warm the body, then let it cool.</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-6a8f14ff09a8d5" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-1a03eeead38" style="">A warm bath or shower before bed may sound like a comfort measure, but there is physiology behind it. Warming the skin increases blood flow toward the body’s surface. After leaving the bath or shower, heat can dissipate more readily, supporting the natural decline in core body temperature that occurs as sleep approaches. A systematic review found that a warm bath or shower approximately <strong>one to two hours before bedtime </strong>may improve sleep onset and subjective sleep quality. The bedroom itself should then be comfortably cool rather than overly warm (4). This does not require expensive equipment. A warm shower followed by a cool, dark bedroom may be enough.</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-6a8f14ff09a894" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-6a8f14ff09a8b1" style="">Help the nervous system shift out of “problem-solving mode”</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-6a8f14ff09a8d5" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-1a03eeead38" style="">Many people are physically tired at bedtime but remain mentally alert. Their body is in bed, while their nervous system is still reviewing conversations, planning tomorrow, or solving problems. <br><br>Useful downshifting tools include: </p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv-styled_list" data-icon-code="icon-check" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef1142d" style=""><ul class="tcb-styled-list"><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef1142e" style=""><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style tcb-local-vars-root" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef1142f" style=""><svg class="tcb-icon tcb-local-vars-root" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name="" style=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef1142b" style="">slow, comfortable breathing with a slightly longer exhalation<br></span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item " data-css="tve-u-1a03ef1142e"><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style " data-css="tve-u-1a03ef14103"><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef1142b">progressive muscle relaxation<br></span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef1142e"><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style " data-css="tve-u-1a03ef1447d"><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef1142b">guided imagery<br></span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef1142e"><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style " data-css="tve-u-1a03ef14786"><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef1142b">a short mindfulness exercise<br></span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef1142e"><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style " data-css="tve-u-1a03ef14a8e"><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef1142b">writing tomorrow’s tasks down before entering the bedroom<br></span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef1142e"><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style " data-css="tve-u-1a03ef152b2"><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef1142b">setting aside a brief “worry period” earlier in the evening</span></li></ul></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-6a8f14ff09a8d5" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-1a03eeead38" style=""><strong>Breathwork: a simple signal of safety</strong> - Breathing is one of the few body functions that operates automatically but can also be influenced intentionally. Slow, comfortable breathing may help reduce mental and physical arousal before bed. A 2026 systematic review of nine studies involving 457 participants found that slow breathing practiced before bedtime was associated with improvements in self-reported sleep quality and duration. Objective findings from actigraphy and sleep studies were less conclusive, so breathwork should be considered a useful calming practice rather than a guaranteed sleep treatment (5). <br><br>Here are some simple steps you can follow: <br><br>1. Sit or lie in a comfortable position. <br>2. Breathe gently through the nose if comfortable. <br>3. Inhale for approximately four seconds. <br>4. Exhale slowly for approximately six seconds. <br>5. Continue for five to ten minutes without forcing the breath. <br><br>The longer, relaxed exhalation is intended to reduce arousal—not to produce a dramatic sensation (so the exact time of inhalation/exhalation is not important, just a longer exhale). Do not take unusually large breaths, strain, or hold your breath for long periods. If you become lightheaded or uncomfortable, return to normal breathing. <br><br>Most importantly, you are NOT testing yourself. You are not trying to “breathe yourself unconscious.” You are simply giving the body a repetitive signal that the active part of the day is ending. Yoga nidra, sometimes called “yogic sleep,” is a guided relaxation practice usually performed while lying down. It commonly includes breath awareness, a body scan, and attention to physical sensations. Despite its <br>name, the goal is not necessarily to fall asleep. The goal is to enter a state of deep physical and mental rest. <br><br>A practical session may last 10–30 minutes and can be used at any time but can be especially useful after a stressful task or if you find it difficult to fall asleep. A 2026 systematic review and meta analysis found that yoga nidra may have potential for sleep disturbances and insomnia, but the evidence was rated as very low certainty because studies were small, varied considerably, and had methodological limitations. It is therefore best viewed as a promising relaxation tool—not as a proven replacement for CBT-I or evaluation of a sleep disorder (6). It is fine if you fall asleep during yoga nidra. It is also fine if you do not. Rest can still be useful even when it does not become sleep. These methods should not be treated as another test that you must perform perfectly. Their purpose is to reduce arousal, not to guarantee that sleep will occur within a certain number of minutes. Relaxation techniques are generally safe and may help some people, although the evidence for relaxation alone is less robust than the evidence for full CBT-I (7).</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-6a8f14ff09a894" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-6a8f14ff09a8b1" style="">What about sleep supplements?</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-6a8f14ff09a8d5" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-1a03ef2955c" style="">Supplements can sometimes be useful, but they should be viewed as <strong>adjuncts</strong>, not as substitutes for treating the cause of poor sleep. A supplement will not correct untreated sleep apnea, chronic pain, nighttime reflux, medication side effects, restless legs, depression, excess alcohol use, or a severely disrupted circadian schedule. It is also important to remember that the FDA does not approve dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness before they reach the market in the same way it approves medications. Product quality and the accuracy of labels can vary. Whenever possible, choose a single ingredient product that has undergone credible independent testing rather than a proprietary “sleep blend” containing many substances (8). <br><br><strong>Melatonin: a timing signal, not a knockout pill</strong> <br><br>Melatonin is a hormone that helps communicate biological nighttime to the body. It is often most useful when the main problem involves sleep timing, such as jet lag, an unusually delayed sleep schedule, or certain circadian rhythm disturbances. It is not a traditional sedative, and taking a large amount is inadvisable, as it does not necessarily create better sleep. Evidence for routine melatonin use in chronic insomnia remains inconsistent, and professional guidelines have concluded that the evidence is not strong enough to recommend it as a universal treatment for chronic insomnia. Short term use appears reasonably safe for many adults, but long-term safety is less certain. Melatonin can cause morning sleepiness, headache, nausea, or dizziness, and it may remain active longer in older adults. It can also interact with medications, particularly blood thinners, and requires medical supervision in people with epilepsy. Product labeling can be inaccurate, making product selection important (9). The best approach is generally to use the lowest practical dose, at the correct time, after reviewing medications and health conditions with a clinician. <br><br><strong>Magnesium: plausible, but not proven for everyone</strong> <br><br>Magnesium participates in many neurological and muscular processes, and low magnesium intake or deficiency may contribute to several health concerns. However, the evidence for magnesium as a general sleep treatment is mixed. Observational research has found associations between magnesium status and sleep quality, but randomized trials of supplementation have produced contradictory results. It may be more likely to help when a person has inadequate intake or a genuine deficiency than when magnesium status is already sufficient (10). Magnesium supplements can cause diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal cramping. They can also interfere with certain medications. The adult upper limit for magnesium obtained from supplements and medications—not including magnesium naturally present in food—is 350 milligrams per day unless a clinician recommends otherwise. People with impaired kidney function should not begin magnesium supplementation without medical guidance (11). <br><br><strong>Glycine: interesting early evidence</strong><br><br>Glycine is an amino acid involved in nervous-system signaling and temperature regulation. In one small randomized crossover study, participants with sleep complaints took 3 grams of glycine before bed. They reported improvements in next-morning fatigue, liveliness, and mental clarity compared with placebo. These results are interesting, but the evidence base remains small, so glycine should be viewed as a possible option rather than an established insomnia treatment (12). <br><br><strong>L-theanine: potentially helpful for pre-sleep tension</strong> <br><br>L-theanine is an amino acid naturally present in tea. It is often promoted for relaxation rather than direct sedation. A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis found modest improvements in subjective sleep onset, daytime function, and overall sleep quality. However, many studies used combination products, and the researchers noted that more studies of pure L-theanine are needed to determine the ideal dose and duration (13). This may be more relevant for someone whose principal barrier is feeling tense or mentally “wired,” but it should not be presented as a proven replacement for CBT-I or a medical sleep evaluation. <br><br>Other supplements that combine molecules and phytonutrients are available and can be trialled based on your sleep or mental health needs. For instance, mara-labs.com makes a sleep supplement that is also intended to support mood.</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-6a8f14ff09a894" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-6a8f14ff09a8b1" style="">Use sleep trackers as observers - not judges.</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-6a8f14ff09a8d5" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-1a03ef3a4cf" style="">Wearable devices can be useful for noticing broad patterns, such as an inconsistent bedtime or large differences between weekday and weekend schedules. They cannot diagnose a sleep disorder, and their estimates of sleep stages should not be treated as equivalent to a medical sleep study. Consider reviewing weekly or monthly trends instead of checking the score immediately upon waking. More importantly, compare the data with how you actually function:</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv-styled_list" data-icon-code="icon-check" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef56be0" style=""><ul class="tcb-styled-list"><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef56be2" style=""><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style tcb-local-vars-root" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef56be3" style=""><svg class="tcb-icon tcb-local-vars-root" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name="" style=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef56be4" style="">Are you alert during the day?<br></span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef56be6"><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style " data-css="tve-u-1a03ef56be7"><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef56be8">Is your energy reasonably steady?<br></span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef56be9"><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef56bea"><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef56beb">Can you exercise and complete daily activities?<br></span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef56bec"><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style " data-css="tve-u-1a03ef56bee"><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef56bef">Are you unintentionally falling asleep?<br></span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef56bf0"><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style " data-css="tve-u-1a03ef56bf1"><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef56bf2">Are you relying heavily on caffeine to function?</span></li></ul></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-6a8f14ff09a8d5" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-1a03ef3a4cf" style="">When the tracker creates more worry than useful information, take it off for a week or two.</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-6a8f14ff09a894" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-6a8f14ff09a8b1">Sleep-hygiene essentials: the quick summary.</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-6a8f14ff09a8d5" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-1a03ef3a4cf" style="">Advanced tools will not compensate for a schedule and environment that repeatedly work against sleep. These remain the essentials:</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv-styled_list" data-icon-code="icon-check" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef6bac0" style=""><ul class="tcb-styled-list"><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef6bac2" style=""><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style tcb-local-vars-root" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef6bac3" style=""><svg class="tcb-icon tcb-local-vars-root" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name="" style=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef6bac4" style="">Keep a consistent wake time, including after a difficult night.</span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item " data-css="tve-u-1a03ef6bac6"><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style " data-css="tve-u-1a03ef6bac7"><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef6bac8">Get morning daylight and remain physically active during the day.</span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef6bac9"><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style " data-css="tve-u-1a03ef6baca"><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef6bacc">Limit caffeine early enough that it is no longer stimulating you at bedtime—often by noon or early afternoon for sensitive sleepers.</span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef6bacd"><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style " data-css="tve-u-1a03ef6bace"><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef6bacf">Avoid using alcohol as a sleep aid. It may promote initial drowsiness but can fragment sleep later in the night.</span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item " data-css="tve-u-1a03ef6bad0"><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style " data-css="tve-u-1a03ef6bad2"><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef6bad3">Finish large meals before bedtime and address nighttime reflux if present.</span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef6bad4"><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style " data-css="tve-u-1a03ef6bad5"><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef6bad6">Dim lights and reduce stimulating content during the final hour of the evening. Keep the bedroom cool, dark, quiet, and comfortable.</span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef6bad8"><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style " data-css="tve-u-1a03ef6bad9"><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef6bada">Reserve the bed for sleep and intimacy, rather than work, television, or extended worry. Keep naps short and early when nighttime sleep is difficult.</span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef6badb"><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style " data-css="tve-u-1a03ef6badd"><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef6bade">Do not clock-watch. Turn the clock away and allow sleep to occur without calculating every remaining minute.</span></li></ul></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element tve-froala" data-css="tve-u-6a8f14ff09a894" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-6a8f14ff09a8b1">Know when a supplement is not the answer.</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-6a8f14ff09a8d5" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-1a03ef3a4cf" style="">Please seek a medical evaluation if you experience: </p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv-styled_list" data-icon-code="icon-check" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef410d0" style=""><ul class="tcb-styled-list"><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef410d1" style=""><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style tcb-local-vars-root" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef410d2" style=""><svg class="tcb-icon tcb-local-vars-root" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name="" style=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef410cf" style="">loud, persistent snoring<br></span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef410d1"><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style " data-css="tve-u-1a03ef6f090"><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef410cf">gasping, choking, or witnessed pauses in breathing<br></span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef410d1"><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style " data-css="tve-u-1a03ef6f3dd"><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef410cf">significant daytime sleepiness<br></span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef410d1"><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style " data-css="tve-u-1a03ef6f665"><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef410cf">morning headaches or dry mouth<br></span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef410d1"><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style " data-css="tve-u-1a03ef6f8f1"><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef410cf">repeated nighttime urination<br></span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef410d1"><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style " data-css="tve-u-1a03ef6fb69"><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef410cf">an uncomfortable urge to move the legs<br></span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef410d1"><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style " data-css="tve-u-1a03ef6fe72"><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef410cf">acting out dreams, kicking, or falling out of bed<br></span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef410d1"><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style " data-css="tve-u-1a03ef700a2"><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-1a03ef410cf">insomnia accompanied by depression, significant anxiety, or major changes in mood sleep problems that continue despite consistent self-care</span></li></ul></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element tve-froala" data-css="tve-u-6a8f14ff09a8d5" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-1a03ef3a4cf" style="">Sleep apnea and other sleep disorders become more common with age. Untreated sleep apnea can have serious health consequences, and it will not be corrected by melatonin, magnesium, or a better pillow.</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-6a8f14ff09a894" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-6a8f14ff09a8b1">The goal is better function - not a perfect score.</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-6a8f14ff09a8d5" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-1a03ef8a812" style="">The purpose of sleep is to support life during the day. <br><br>Your goal is not to achieve a flawless tracker score, obtain the same amount of deep sleep every night, or eliminate every nighttime awakening. Sleep naturally varies from one night to another. <br><br>Instead, ask: <br><br><strong>Am I creating a consistent opportunity for sleep? Am I functioning well during the day? And have I addressed any underlying medical issues that may be disrupting my rest?</strong>
<br><br>At <strong>Advance Wellness and Longevity</strong>, we believe sleep should be evaluated as part of the whole person. That includes daily habits, stress, medications, metabolic health, pain, breathing, hormonal changes, and the way a person feels and functions during the day. <br><br>When sleep remains difficult, the answer is not always to try harder. Often, it is to understand the pattern more clearly, decrease the pressure, and choose the right intervention for the actual problem. <br><br><strong>Ready to develop a more personalized approach to sleep?</strong>
<br>Schedule a consultation to review your sleep pattern, health history, medications, and possible next steps.<br><br>Warmly,<br>&nbsp;<br>Martin Katz, MD <br>Advance Wellness and Longevity</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-6a8f14ff09a8d5" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-1a03ef4f32b" style="">The person who walks 10 minutes a day is doing far better than the person waiting for the perfect 90- minute program. Start with what feels almost too easy. Build confidence. Add time. Add strength. Add<br>intensity later.<br>&nbsp;<br>The long-term goal is not a 6-week transformation. It is becoming the kind of person who moves daily, lifts regularly, recovers intentionally, and enjoys the process.<br>&nbsp;<br>Exercise is medicine — but the best dose is the one you can keep taking.<br>&nbsp;<br>Thanks for taking care of your human.<br>&nbsp;<br>Warmly,<br>&nbsp;<br>Martin Katz, MD</p></div><div class="tcb_flag" style="display: none"></div>
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		<title>Muscular Momentum: The Four Pillars of a Good Exercise Program</title>
		<link>https://advancewellnessandlongevity.com/muscular-momentum-the-four-pillars-of-a-good-exercise-program/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[advancewellnessandlongevity]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 2026 19:34:46 +0000</pubDate>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://advancewellnessandlongevity.com/?p=429</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Exercise is one of the most powerful tools we have for mood, strength, sleep, metabolism, and disease prevention. But knowing that exercise is good for us is very different from knowing how to start. The best exercise program is not the most complex one. It is the one you can do safely, consistently, for years.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-6a63bc7ce5b906" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-19f959bd8d6" style="">Exercise is one of the most powerful tools we have for mood, strength, sleep, metabolism, and disease prevention. But knowing that exercise is good for us is very different from knowing how to start. The best exercise program is not the most complex one. It is the one you can do safely, consistently, for years.<br>&nbsp;<br>Whether you are young or old, thin or overweight, athletic or deconditioned, the first principle is the same: start where you are, not where you think you “should” be. Thin does not always mean fit. Overweight does not mean incapable. Older does not mean too late. The body adapts at every age when the dose is appropriate.</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element tve-froala" data-css="tve-u-6a63bc7ce5b988" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-19f959be792" style="">The Four Pillars of a Good Exercise Program</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-6a63bc7ce5b9a1" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-19f959bcbbb" style=""><strong>1. Aerobic fitness: </strong>This includes walking, cycling, swimming, jogging, rowing, hiking, dancing, or any activity that raises your heart rate. For general health, adults should aim for at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity activity, such as brisk walking, or 75 minutes per week of more vigorous activity, plus strength training at least two days weekly. More benefit generally occurs as people build toward 300 minutes per week (1).<br><br><strong>2. Strength training:</strong> Muscle is not just for appearance. It protects joints, improves insulin sensitivity, preserves function, supports bone health, and becomes increasingly important with age. Train all major muscle groups at least twice weekly: legs, hips, back, chest, shoulders, arms, and core. Bodyweight, resistance bands, machines, dumbbells, kettlebells, and barbells can all work. ACSM’s 2026 resistance-training update emphasizes that consistency matters more than chasing a “perfect” program; for muscle growth, a useful target is roughly 4-10 weekly sets per muscle group, adjusted to goals, ability and recovery (2). <br><br><strong>3. Mobility and balance:</strong> Mobility helps you move well; balance helps you stay independent. This is important for all ages, but especially important for older adults, who should include balance work along with aerobic and strengthening activity. Examples include heel-to-toe walking, single-leg stands, tai chi, yoga, controlled lunges, step-ups, or simply practicing getting up and down from a chair (3). <br><strong><br>4. Recovery: </strong>Fitness is not built only during the workout. It is built when the body repairs and adapts afterward. Recovery means adequate sleep, hydration, nutrition, easier days between harder days, and listening to pain signals. Soreness can be normal; sharp pain, swelling, chest pain, fainting, or worsening symptoms are not.</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-6a63bc7ce5b988" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-19f959be792" style="">How Much Time Is Needed?</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-6a63bc7ce5b9a1" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-19f959bcbbb" style="">One of the main questions that people often have is: How long do I have to work out? And the answer is: it depends on what you are doing.<br>&nbsp;<br>For <strong>longevity and general health</strong>, a realistic goal is 30 minutes of moderate activity five days per week, plus two short strength sessions. This can be broken into smaller chunks; ten minutes at a time still counts.<br>&nbsp;<br>For <strong>weight loss or weight maintenance</strong>, exercise helps, but nutrition matters greatly. Many people need higher activity levels, often closer to 300 minutes per week, along with dietary changes, to lose weight or keep it off. Low-impact choices such as walking, cycling, swimming, elliptical, or water exercise are often good starting points for people with joint pain or significant excess weight (4).<br>&nbsp;<br>For <strong>aerobic events</strong> (running, cycling etc.) first build consistency, then duration, then intensity. Beginners should spend most sessions at an easy “conversation pace.” New runners often do best with run-walk intervals. A practical injury-reduction rule is to increase running mileage gradually, commonly by no more than about 10% per week (5).<br>&nbsp;<br>For <strong>building muscle</strong>, train each major muscle group about two to three times per week. Start with one to three sets per exercise, learn good technique, and progress slowly. You do not need to destroy yourself. You need repeated, progressive effort over months and years.</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-6a63bc7ce5b988" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-19f959be792" style="">How to Reduce Injury Risk</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-6a63bc7ce5b9a1" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-19f959bcbbb" style="">A popular excuse that people give for not working out is that they are afraid that if they work out more they risk getting injured. However, most injuries come from doing too much, too soon, too often, with too little recovery.<br>&nbsp;<br>some things that will help with longevity and injury prevention while working out are:<br>&nbsp;<br>Increase only one thing at a time — duration, intensity, frequency, or load. Do not increase all four at once.<br>&nbsp;<br>Warm up for 5–10 minutes with an easier version of the activity you are about to do. Cool down gradually afterward. This helps the cardiovascular system and muscles transition safely into and out of exercise (6).<br>&nbsp;<br>Pain is information. Mild muscle soreness is common. Joint pain, limping, sharp pain, chest pressure, unusual shortness of breath, dizziness, or symptoms that worsen during exercise should be taken seriously. People with known heart disease, uncontrolled blood pressure, diabetes complications, significant orthopedic problems, pregnancy-related concerns, or major chronic disease should discuss an appropriate plan with a healthcare professional (7).</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-6a63bc7ce5b988" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-19f959be792" style="">Always Make It Enjoyable</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-6a63bc7ce5b9a1" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-19f959bcbbb" style="">Discipline helps, but enjoyment wins long-term.<br>&nbsp;<br>Pick activities you actually like, or at least do not hate. Walk with a friend. Listen to music, podcasts, or audiobooks. Join a class. Play pickleball, tennis, basketball, golf, or dance. Ride outdoors. Hike. Make it social. Make it scenic. Make it a break from stress rather than another punishment.<br>&nbsp;<br>Use <strong>habit stacking</strong>: attach exercise to something you already do.<br>&nbsp;<br>After morning coffee, walk for 10 minutes. <br>After work, change immediately into workout clothes. <br>After dinner, take a family walk. <br>Before showering, or before or after meals, do one set of push-ups, squats, or resistance-band rows.<br>&nbsp;<br><strong>Use rewards wisely</strong>. The reward should reinforce the identity: “I am someone who moves.” Track workouts on a calendar. Celebrate streaks. Buy comfortable shoes. Save a favorite podcast for walks. Meet a friend afterward. The goal is to make the behavior satisfying enough that you want to repeat it.<br>&nbsp;<br>Consider Tart Cherry Juice, magnesium, sulforaphane, or well-sourced omega-3 fatty acids to support recovery, and curcumin to limit inflammation; consume creatine monohydrate and caffeine to support cellular energy and power; add protein powder or BCAA for recovery and growth.</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-6a63bc7ce5b988" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-19f959be792" style="">Start Small, Then Build</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-6a63bc7ce5b9a1" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-19f959bcbbb" style="">The person who walks 10 minutes a day is doing far better than the person waiting for the perfect 90- minute program. Start with what feels almost too easy. Build confidence. Add time. Add strength. Add<br>intensity later.<br>&nbsp;<br>The long-term goal is not a 6-week transformation. It is becoming the kind of person who moves daily, lifts regularly, recovers intentionally, and enjoys the process.<br>&nbsp;<br>Exercise is medicine — but the best dose is the one you can keep taking.<br>&nbsp;<br>Thanks for taking care of your human.<br>&nbsp;<br>Warmly,<br>&nbsp;<br>Martin Katz, MD</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element"><p data-css="tve-u-19f959ee9d7" style="">This letter is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personal medical advice.<br>&nbsp;<br>1. https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity-basics/guidelines/adults.html <br>2. https://acsm.org/resistance-training-guidelines-update-2026/ <br>3. https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity-basics/guidelines/older-adults.html <br>4. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/tips-get-active/tips-starting-physical activity <br>5. https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/how-can-i-become-a better-runner-and-avoid-injury <br>6. https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/exercise-and-physical-activity/fitness-basics/warm-up-cool down <br>7. https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-weight-growth/physical-activity/getting-started.html</p></div><div class="tcb_flag" style="display: none"></div>
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		<title>Losing Weight While Staying Strong</title>
		<link>https://advancewellnessandlongevity.com/losing-weight-while-staying-strong/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[advancewellnessandlongevity]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 24 May 2026 21:52:07 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://advancewellnessandlongevity.com/?p=417</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[For many adults, health goals have long been centered around the number on the scale.

Lose a few pounds. Eat less. Try another diet, try harder. Watch the scale. Repeat over and over and over again. This cycle often leads to discouragement and burnout; in fact, according to Ohio State Health and Discovery, up to 95% of would-be dieters and early gym goers end up quitting before reaching their goal.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb43f91" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb44014" style="">For many adults, health goals have long been centered around the number on the scale.<br><br>Lose a few pounds. Eat less. Try another diet, try harder. Watch the scale. Repeat over and over and over again. This cycle often leads to discouragement and burnout; in fact, according to Ohio State Health and Discovery, up to 95% of would-be dieters and early gym goers end up quitting before reaching their goal.<br><br>The goal should not be simply to weigh less. The goal should be to stay strong and healthy enough to do the things you love.<br><br>That may mean keeping up with grandchildren, traveling comfortably, gardening, golfing, hiking, walking without pain, getting up from the floor with confidence, or simply feeling steady, capable, and independent in daily life.<br><br>Those things depend on strength, muscle, mobility, and cardiovascular fitness.</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb44020" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb44044" style="">Strength and age</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb44056" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb44014" style="">After the age of 40, and even more so after 50, the body naturally begins to lose muscle (aka Sarcopenia) if we do not actively work to maintain it.<br><br>This change can happen gradually, so many people do not notice it at first. What they notice instead is that they feel less steady, less powerful, and less resilient.<br><br>Some signs of sarcopenia or muscle loss may be:</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv-styled_list" data-icon-code="icon-check" data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb44077" style=""><ul class="tcb-styled-list"><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb44080" style=""><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style tcb-local-vars-root" data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb44094" style=""><svg class="tcb-icon tcb-local-vars-root" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name="" style=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb440a4" style="">The stairs feel harder than usual.<br></span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item " data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb44080"><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style " data-css="tve-u-19e5bf6c6b8"><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb440a4">Getting up from a chair takes more effort.<br></span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb44080"><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style " data-css="tve-u-19e5bf6ca56"><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb440a4">Balance feels less reliable.<br></span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb44080"><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style" data-css="tve-u-19e5bf6cd2b"><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb440a4">Less activity tolerance.</span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb44080"><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style" data-css="tve-u-19e5bf6d026"><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb440a4">Feeling weaker, without a change in weight.<br></span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb44080"><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style" data-css="tve-u-19e5bf6e085"><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb440a4">Aches and pains linger longer.</span></li></ul></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element tve-froala"><p data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb44014" style="">This is why focusing only on weight loss can be misleading.<br><br>A person may lose weight, but if they are also losing muscle, they may not be improving their health in the way they hoped. In some cases, they may actually be making it harder to maintain energy, mobility, metabolism, and long-term independence, especially as you age.</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb442b4" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb44044" style="">Dreading the scale.</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element"><p data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb44014" style="">Two people can weigh the same and have very different levels of health, strength, and fitness. That is why it is so important to look beyond weight alone.<br><br>At Advance Wellness and Longevity, we monitor body composition because it gives a much clearer picture of what is happening inside the body. Using our state-of-the-art SECA body composition machine, we can look beyond the scale to better understand how much of your weight is muscle, how much is fat, and how your body is changing over time.<br><br>This matters because the goal is to protect and build what keeps you healthy and functional.<br><br>When body composition is monitored, you will have a sense of:</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv-styled_list" data-icon-code="icon-check" data-css="tve-u-19e5bf7ec0a" style=""><ul class="tcb-styled-list"><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-19e5bf7ec0b" style=""><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style tcb-local-vars-root" data-css="tve-u-19e5bf7ec0c" style=""><svg class="tcb-icon tcb-local-vars-root" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name="" style=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-19e5bf7ec0d" style="">Muscle mass<br></span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-19e5bf7ec0f"><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style " data-css="tve-u-19e5bf7ec10"><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-19e5bf7ec11">Body fat<br></span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-19e5bf7ec12"><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style " data-css="tve-u-19e5bf7ec13"><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-19e5bf7ec14">Metabolic health<br></span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-19e5bf7ec15"><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style " data-css="tve-u-19e5bf7ec16"><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-19e5bf7ec18">Supporting better balance and strength with appendicular muscle measurement<br></span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-19e5bf7ec19"><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style " data-css="tve-u-19e5bf7ec1a"><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-19e5bf7ec1b">Nutrition and exercise need to support your goals.</span></li></ul></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element"><p data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb44014" style="">This kind of information helps create a smarter, more personalized wellness plan.</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element tve-froala" data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb442b4" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb44044" style="">What else is important?</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element"><p data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb44014" style="">Strength is essential, but it is not the only thing that matters as we age. <br><br>Cardiovascular fitness also plays a major role in long-term health, energy, and resilience. One of the best ways to understand this is by measuring something called your VO2Max. VO2Max is a measure of how efficiently your body uses oxygen during activity. In simple terms, it gives us important information about our aerobic fitness and how well our hearts, lungs, and muscles are working together.<br><br>At Advance Wellness and Longevity, we use a portable device to calculate VO2Max, allowing us to assess this very important marker of health in a practical and personalized way.<br><br>Why does this matter?<br><br>Because VO2Max can help us better understand:</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv-styled_list" data-icon-code="icon-check" data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb442d4" style=""><ul class="tcb-styled-list"><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb442e8" style=""><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style tcb-local-vars-root" data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb44306" style=""><svg class="tcb-icon tcb-local-vars-root" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name="" style=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb44316" style="">Your current fitness level compared to previous results<br></span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb442e8"><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style " data-css="tve-u-19e5bf822c8"><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb44316">how well your body handles physical demands<br></span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb442e8"><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style " data-css="tve-u-19e5bf8266d"><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb44316">How to tailor an exercise plan safely and effectively<br></span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item " data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb442e8"><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style" data-css="tve-u-19e5bf8299f"><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb44316">How to track heart, lung, and muscle health over time</span></li></ul></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element"><p data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb44014" style="">Just like body composition, VO2Max helps us measure what truly matters — not just how much you weigh, but how well your body is functioning.</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb44409" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb44014" style="text-align: center;"><em>"The secret of getting ahead is getting started."</em><br>&nbsp;— Mark Twait</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element tve-froala" data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb442b4" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb44044" style="">Have a plan.</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb44422" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb44014" style="">A good wellness plan should never focus on weight alone. Your plan should have an equal focus on heart and lung fitness. You should focus on building and leading yourself to longevity through constant progress. That is a very different mindset from crash diets, extreme calorie restriction, or chasing quick results. Real health is built by supporting the body, not punishing it.</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element tve-froala" data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb442b4" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb44044" style="">Where to start.</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb44439" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb44014" style="">1. Strength training: Your body needs resistance to maintain muscle. This can include weights, resistance bands, machines, or body-weight exercises. Strength training helps protect muscle, improve balance, and support joint stability.<br><br>2. Protein: Many adults do not eat enough protein to support muscle health. Protein is essential for maintaining and rebuilding lean tissue, especially in midlife and beyond.<br><br>3. Movement: Walking, stretching, and staying active throughout the day all support circulation, mobility, and function. Regular movement helps the body stay capable.<br><br>4. Cardiovascular conditioning: Improving fitness is not only about exercise tolerance. It is also about supporting long-term health. Aerobic activity can help improve endurance, energy, and overall resilience.<br><br>5. Recovery and sleep: Muscle and fitness improve when the body has time to recover. Sleep, hydration, and stress management are all part of the equation.<br><br>6. Objective tracking: The right measurements can help guide the right plan. Tracking body composition with SECA and VO2Max gives us a clearer picture of progress than the scale alone ever could.</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb442b4" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb44044" style="">Always think beyond the scale.</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb44439" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-6a13713cb44014" style="">If the number on the scale goes down, that may or may not tell the real story. A better question is this: Are you becoming stronger, fitter, steadier, and more able to live the life you want? That is the kind of progress that matters.<br><br>At Advance Wellness and Longevity, we believe healthy aging means protecting the function of the body, not just changing its weight. By looking at strength, muscle, body composition, and VO2Max, we can create a more complete picture of health and a more effective plan for long-term wellness.<br><br>Because the real goal is not just to weigh less. The real goal is to stay strong enough to do the things you love. Ready to build a wellness plan that supports strength, body composition, fitness, and long-term independence?<br><br>Schedule a consultation to create a personalized plan for healthier aging.</p></div><div class="tcb_flag" style="display: none"></div>
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		<title>The Fatigue Dilemma</title>
		<link>https://advancewellnessandlongevity.com/the-fatigue-dilemma/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[advancewellnessandlongevity]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 18 May 2026 22:17:15 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://advancewellnessandlongevity.com/?p=413</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[If your energy is not what it used to be, it could be your body giving you a warning. Don't ignore it.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-6a0b8c9b02aa41" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-6a0b8c9b02aac4" style="">If your energy is not what it used to be, it could be your body giving you a warning. Don't ignore it.<br><br>You are not alone. Many of our adult patients in their 40s to 60s notice that their energy is not what it used to be. And according to the CDC, over 3 million Americans within that age range suffer from chronic fatigue. You may feel worn out by mid-afternoon, less motivated to exercise, or note that it takes longer to recover from a busy day than it used to. Often, it is assumed that fatigue is simply part of getting older. However, this is far from the full truth.<br><br>Age does bring change; however, the rise of chronic fatigue should never be ignored or simply attributed to aging. The truth is that your body is sending you a message; low energy is often your body’s way of telling you that something needs attention. But luckily, there are often easy and meaningful steps to a solution.</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-19e3d24b0cd" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-19e3d22e55e" style="">The Issue</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-19e3d24c454" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-6a0b8c9b02aac4" style="">The most obvious reason that you are feeling fatigued is poor or interrupted sleep; there are a plethora of other reasons that also have a tangible solution. Reasons like:</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv-styled_list" data-icon-code="icon-check" data-css="tve-u-19e3d26a5a8" style=""><ul class="tcb-styled-list"><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-19e3d26a5a9" style=""><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style tcb-local-vars-root" data-css="tve-u-19e3d26a5aa" style=""><svg class="tcb-icon tcb-local-vars-root" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name="" style=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-19e3d26a5ab" style="">chronic stress</span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-19e3d26a5ad" style=""><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style" data-css="tve-u-19e3d26a5ae" style=""><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-19e3d26a5af" style="">dehydration</span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-19e3d26a5b0" style=""><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style" data-css="tve-u-19e3d26a5b1" style=""><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-19e3d26a5b2" style="">low physical activity</span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-19e3d26a5b3" style=""><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style" data-css="tve-u-19e3d26a5b4" style=""><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-19e3d26a5b5" style="">loss of muscle mass</span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-19e3d26a5b6" style=""><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style" data-css="tve-u-19e3d26a5b7" style=""><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-19e3d26a5b8" style="">blood sugar ups and downs</span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-19e3d26a5ba" style=""><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style" data-css="tve-u-19e3d26a5bb" style=""><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-19e3d26a5bc" style="">nutritional deficiencies</span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-19e3d26a5bd" style=""><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style" data-css="tve-u-19e3d26a5be" style=""><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-19e3d26a5bf" style="">medication side effects</span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-19e3d26a5c0" style=""><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style" data-css="tve-u-19e3d26a5c1" style=""><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-19e3d26a5c2" style="">hormone changes</span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-19e3d26a5c3" style=""><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style" data-css="tve-u-19e3d26a5c4" style=""><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-19e3d26a5c6" style="">thyroid or other underlying health concerns</span></li></ul></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element"><p data-css="tve-u-6a0b8c9b02aac4" style="">This is why the right approach is not to simply push through or rely on more caffeine. The goal is to understand what may be driving your fatigue and address it thoughtfully and personally.</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element tve-froala" data-css="tve-u-19e3d24956d" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-19e3d22e55e" style="">Where to start?</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element"><p data-css="tve-u-6a0b8c9b02aac4" style=""><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Firstly make sure to take a look at your sleep quality, not just your bedtime</span><br><br>You may be in bed for seven or eight hours and still wake up tired. Frequent waking, poor sleep quality, snoring, stress, and inconsistent sleep habits can all affect how restored you feel in the morning.<br><br>Start by asking yourself these three questions: Do I wake up feeling refreshed? Am I waking during the night? Am I relying on caffeine just to get moving?<br><br><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Protect your muscles and move consistently.</span><br><br>After 40, adults naturally begin to lose muscle (sarcopenia) if they do not actively maintain it. This matters because muscle helps support metabolism, blood sugar balance, strength, mobility, and energy. If you feel tired, it may seem logical to rest more. But in many cases, the right kind of movement actually improves energy.<br><br>It may seem like a big ask, but it’s really much easier than most people think. Walk daily, even if only for 10–20 minutes, especially after meals; include strength training two to three times per week, and avoid long stretches of sitting without movement. You do not need an extreme exercise routine. You need consistency. Keep it fun by listening to music or your favorite podcast (only when you exercise).<br><br><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Pay attention to what your body needs during the day</span><br><br>Skipping meals, eating too little protein, not drinking enough water, or relying too much on quick sugar fixes can leave you feeling super drained. Simple changes can make a real difference:</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv-styled_list" data-icon-code="icon-check" data-css="tve-u-19e3d28cbf5" style=""><ul class="tcb-styled-list"><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-19e3d28cbf7" style=""><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style tcb-local-vars-root" data-css="tve-u-19e3d28cbf8" style=""><svg class="tcb-icon tcb-local-vars-root" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name="" style=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-19e3d28cbf9" style="">Include protein with each meal (approximately 0.6-0.8 x goal weight in pounds)<br></span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-19e3d28cbfa"><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style" data-css="tve-u-19e3d28cbfb"><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-19e3d28cbfd">Stay hydrated throughout the day (1⁄2 your body weight in pounds in ounces of water<br></span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-19e3d28cbfe"><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style " data-css="tve-u-19e3d28cbff"><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-19e3d28cc00">Build meals around whole, nutrient-dense foods (variety of veggies)</span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-19e3d28cc01"><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style" data-css="tve-u-19e3d28cc02"><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-19e3d28cc03">Avoid the cycle of under-eating early and overeating late!</span></li></ul></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element"><p data-css="tve-u-6a0b8c9b02aac4" style="">Stable fuel often leads to more stable energy.</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-19e3d24956d" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-19e3d22e55e" style="">When is it time for a deeper look?</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element"><p data-css="tve-u-6a0b8c9b02aac4" style="">If fatigue has become a pattern, if you just do not feel like yourself, and certainly if it is not improving after doing the above measures, it is worth taking seriously.<br><br>Persistent tiredness can sometimes point to an issue that needs medical attention. A good evaluation may include a review of sleep, stress, nutrition, activity, medications, and appropriate lab work. The goal is not to guess. The goal is to understand what is happening and create a plan that fits you.</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-19e3d280605" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-6a0b8c9b02aac4" style="text-align: center;"><em>"The best bridge between despair and hope is a good night's sleep."</em><br>&nbsp;— E. Joseph Cossman</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-19e3d29593e" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-6a0b8c9b02aac4" style=""><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Start small, but still start</span><br><br>Something that people often get wrong is trying to change everything about their lives immediately in order to get the desired results. You do not have to change everything at once. This week, begin with these three steps:<br><br>1. Set a consistent bedtime and wake time.<br>2. Add one intentional walk to your day.<br>3. Include a quality source of protein at breakfast.</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-19e3d2a13f9" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-6a0b8c9b02aac4" style="">Small, steady habits often create the biggest long-term changes.<br><br>At <strong>Advance Wellness and Longevity</strong>, we believe healthy aging starts with paying attention early, before low energy becomes the new normal. If you have been feeling more tired than you used to, this may be the right time to take a closer look.<br><br><strong>Ready to feel more like yourself again?</strong><br><a href="https://advancewellnessandlongevity.com/make-an-appointment/" target="_blank" class="" style="outline: none;" data-css="tve-u-19e3d29ff03">Schedule a consultation</a> to build a personalized plan for better energy, better function, and better long-term health.</p></div><div class="tcb_flag" style="display: none"></div>
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		<title>EXERCISE – an essential component of health</title>
		<link>https://advancewellnessandlongevity.com/exercise-an-essential-component-of-health/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[advancewellnessandlongevity]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 12 Jun 2023 17:22:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://advancewellnessandlongevity.com/?p=343</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[I recently had the honor of educating an Eighth grade class about the benefits of intentional Nutrition, Exercise, Sleep, and Stress.

I formulated this handout on Exercise. I will publish the handouts on Sleep and Stress in the weeks to come.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element" data-css="tve-u-67718568e043c5" style=""><p data-css="tve-u-67718568e04401" style="">I recently had the honor of educating an Eighth grade class about the benefits of intentional Nutrition, Exercise, Sleep, and Stress.<br><br>I formulated this handout on Exercise. I will publish the handouts on Sleep and Stress in the weeks to come.<br><br>EXERCISE is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle. Regular physical activity can help improve your physical health, boost your mood, and increase your energy levels. Here are some key facts about exercise that you should know:</p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv-styled_list" data-icon-code="icon-check" data-css="tve-u-67718568e04414" style=""><ul class="tcb-styled-list"><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-67718568e04425" style=""><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style tcb-local-vars-root" data-css="tve-u-1941376e1f0" style=""><svg class="tcb-icon tcb-local-vars-root" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name="" style=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-67718568e04448" style=""><strong>Recommended Amount of Exercise:</strong><br>The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 years should get at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity daily.<br><br>This can be done in small bouts of 10-15 minutes throughout the day or all at once.</span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-67718568e04425" style=""><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style tcb-local-vars-root" data-css="tve-u-1941376e1f1" style=""><svg class="tcb-icon tcb-local-vars-root" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name="" style=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-67718568e04448" style=""><strong>Types of Exercise:</strong><br>Aerobic exercise: Any activity that gets your heart rate up and makes you breathe harder such as running, brisk walking, dancing, cycling, and swimming.<br><br>Strength exercise: Any activity that makes your muscles work harder such as push-ups, squats, and weightlifting. This can be further subdivided into Isotonic (both eccentric and concentric), Isometric, and Isokinetic<br><br>Flexibility exercise: Any activity that stretches your muscles and helps you stay flexible such as yoga and stretching exercises.</span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-67718568e04425" style=""><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style tcb-local-vars-root" data-css="tve-u-67718568e04432" style=""><svg class="tcb-icon tcb-local-vars-root" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name="" style=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-67718568e04448" style=""><strong>Benefits of Exercise:</strong><br>Improved cardiovascular health: <br>Exercise can help lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure (due to poor lifestyle choices, the average age of onset of these serious diseases has been decreasing).<br><br>Improved mood: Exercise releases endorphins, which are natural chemicals that can improve your mood and reduce stress and anxiety.<br><br>Increased energy levels: Exercise can help increase your energy levels and reduce fatigue.<br><br>Better sleep: Exercise can help you fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly.</span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-67718568e04425"><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style" data-css="tve-u-67718568e04458" style=""><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-67718568e04448" style=""><strong>Tips for Getting Started:</strong><br>Choose activities that you enjoy and that fit into your schedule.<br><br>Start with small goals and gradually increase the duration and intensity of your exercise over time.<br><br>Find a workout buddy or join a sports team to make exercise more fun.<br><br>Make physical activity a part of your daily routine by walking or biking to school, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or doing household chores.</span></li></ul></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element"><p data-css="tve-u-67718568e04401" style="">Remember, any amount of exercise is better than none. Start small and work your way up to a level that feels comfortable for you. With regular exercise, you can improve your physical and mental well-being and lead a healthier life.<br><br>I hope you are taking care of your human, and certainly any young humans in your life.</p></div><div class="tcb_flag" style="display: none"></div>
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		<title>Must Try Recipe</title>
		<link>https://advancewellnessandlongevity.com/must-try-recipe/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[advancewellnessandlongevity]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 13 Apr 2023 17:17:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://advancewellnessandlongevity.com/?p=339</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[This recipe is from the Mara-labs.com website, the supplement company I started with three very excellent people.

I thought I would just have to share:]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element">	<p data-css="tve-u-67718447bc92a1" style=""><span style="font-weight: normal;">This recipe is from the Mara-labs.com website, the supplement company I started with three very excellent people.<br><br>I thought I would just have to share:<br><br></span><a href="https://mara-labs.com/blogs/journal/potato-arugula-dill-salad?mc_cid=059590258b&amp;mc_eid=8ab03e5431" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: normal;">https://mara-labs.com/blogs/journal/potato-arugula-dill-salad?mc_cid=059590258b&amp;mc_eid=8ab03e5431</span></a><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br><br>Enjoy, all the best in health,<br><br>Martin</span></p></div><div class="tcb_flag" style="display: none"></div>
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		<title>The HEALTH SLAM DUNK – 5 benefits of exercise</title>
		<link>https://advancewellnessandlongevity.com/the-health-slam-dunk-5-benefits-of-exercise/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[advancewellnessandlongevity]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 06 Feb 2023 17:11:00 +0000</pubDate>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://advancewellnessandlongevity.com/?p=335</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Soaring through the air for a slam dunk has got to be a great feeling. The good news is it’s not imperative to enjoy the health benefits of exercise.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element">	<p data-css="tve-u-677182cd49f6a2" style=""><span style="font-weight: normal;">Soaring through the air for a slam dunk has got to be a great feeling. The good news is it’s not imperative to enjoy the health benefits of exercise.<br><br>Benefits include mitogenesis, BDNF, NO, VEGF, and GLUT-4 upregulation, which you don’t need to understand. Fortunately, your body does and appreciates and utilizes these beneficial physiological occurrences when you exercise.<br><br>Mitogenesis or, more accurately, mitochondrial biogenesis: do you want power plants working sub optimally, at worst, leaking nuclear waste? No! You would also not want this for our energy producers – the mitochondria. Studies demonstrate that dysfunctional mitochondria – ones that leak electrons are a primary source for diseases such as Alzheimer’s, cardiovascular disease, or even cancer. (1) But not to worry, exercise can rescue your mitochondria from disuse and decay by restoring them to healthy functioning.<br><br>BDNF: Brain-Derived Neurotrophic factor is upregulated by exercise; this brain protein helps with the process of learning and memory, as well as improved mood, which helps explain why exercise is beneficial for neurodegenerative and psychiatric illnesses. (2)<br><br>NO: Nitric oxide, which supports endothelial health (the cells that line the blood vessels) and improves blood pressure, is induced by exercise (3). NO also has anti-oxidant capacity, another way exercise helps to fight disease.<br><br>VEGF: this is another reason to exercise but a reason to start slowly. This unique factor will help cannulize (open up) blocked blood vessels or create new vessel pathways around blockages (4). This process takes time, so when starting an exercise program, slowly build time and frequency before taking on exertion. Keep your heart rate to approximately 75-80% of the maximum. Once you have established an exercise regime, start building exertion; this should be done over weeks, possibly months, not days.<br><br>GLUT-4 upregulation: glucose must get into the cell for energy and glycogen storage; glut-4 is the cellular protein that gets it done. Insulin resistance is arguably a major, if not the major, contributor to aging, and this exercise-generated Glut-4 mechanism is a great way to limit this process. (5)<br><br>1 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7205802/<br>2 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4915811/<br>3 - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33472351/<br>4 - https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1046/j.1365-2362.2001.00816.x<br>5 - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23899560/</span></p></div><div class="tcb_flag" style="display: none"></div>
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		<title>Four ways to introduce healthy foods and their nutrients to keep our families healthy.</title>
		<link>https://advancewellnessandlongevity.com/four-ways-to-introduce-healthy-foods-and-their-nutrients-to-keep-our-families-healthy/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[advancewellnessandlongevity]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 06 Dec 2022 17:04:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://advancewellnessandlongevity.com/?p=331</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Many studies in the medical literature support consumption of vegetables and fruit as the mainstay of our diet (1). So when planning a meal, such as breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even snacks, we should concentrate on the vegetable or fruit part of the meal and add ingredients to enhance or compliment the taste.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element"><p data-css="tve-u-677181050e81b0" style=""><span style="font-weight: normal;">Many studies in the medical literature support consumption of vegetables and fruit as the mainstay of our diet (1). So when planning a meal, such as breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even snacks, we should concentrate on the vegetable or fruit part of the meal and add ingredients to enhance or compliment the taste.<br><br>The beauty of fruits and veggies – so many choices to suit almost any palate, especially when combined with favorite herbs, spices, and natural flavoring.<br><br>This way of eating should be a long-term goal for most, if not all of us, so take a deep breath, and enjoy the journey. As parents, we strive to get it right, and our children need support and encouragement to keep trying. When making meals, be creative, and focus on taste rather than trying to convince the little critters it is good for them and, therefore, they should consume the food in front of them. <br><br>It is vital to ensure a wide variety of BENEFICIAL vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals (the treasured part of the plant) present in our foods. Some of the different ways we can consider adding a variety of fruits and vegetables to our families’ diet are as follows:</span></p></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv-styled_list" data-icon-code="icon-check" data-css="tve-u-1941364a93e" style=""><ul class="tcb-styled-list"><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-1941364a93f" style=""><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style tcb-local-vars-root" data-css="tve-u-1941364a940" style=""><svg class="tcb-icon tcb-local-vars-root" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name="" style=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-1941364a93d" style=""><strong>Eating the rainbow: </strong>choose from red (apples, beets, red peppers, tomatoes, radish, radicchio, raspberries, strawberries, rhubarb, watermelon), orange (papaya, oranges, apricots, pumpkin, orange peppers, peaches, tangerines), yellow (corn, bananas, lemons, squash, golden beets, yellow peppers), green (broccoli, kale, spinach, collard greens, apples, cucumber, olives), blue/purple (blueberries, eggplant, blackberries, plum, kohlrabi, cabbage), and white (mushrooms, cauliflower, artichoke, potato, onion, garlic).. https://foodrevolution.org/blog/eating-the-rainbow-health-benefits/.</span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-1941364a93f" style=""><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style tcb-local-vars-root" data-css="tve-u-1941364a940" style=""><svg class="tcb-icon tcb-local-vars-root" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name="" style=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-1941364a93d" style=""><strong>Seasons:</strong> Spring (apples, carrots, cabbage, lettuce, onions, strawberries, kale, mushrooms), Summer (avocadoes, bananas, beets, blueberries, corn, watermelon, raspberries, blackberries), Fall (Brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, rutabaga, pumpkin, turnips), Winter (Grapefruit, kiwi, leeks, pears, winter squash) (3) OR what’s on sale</span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-1941364a93f" style=""><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style tcb-local-vars-root" data-css="tve-u-1941364a940" style=""><svg class="tcb-icon tcb-local-vars-root" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name="" style=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-1941364a93d" style=""><strong>Looking at the different families of VEGGIES: </strong>Allium (onions, garlic, leeks, chives), Brassica (broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, kale, collards, radish), Gourd (cucumber, squash, pumpkin, zucchini), Legumes (peas and beans), Nightshade (tomato, eggplant, peppers, potatoes), Umbel (carrot, celery), Beet (beet, spinach), and Daisy (lettuce, artichoke, chicory). (2) FRUIT: Pomes (apples, pears, loquats), Drupes (peach, plum, mango, apricot), Berries (blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, elderberry, goji berry, acai berry), Hisperidia (oranges, grapefruit, lime, kumquats), Pepos (watermelon, cantaloupe) Multiple Fruits (pineapple, mulberry).</span></li><li class="thrv-styled-list-item" data-css="tve-u-1941364a93f"><div class="tcb-styled-list-icon"><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_icon tve_no_drag tcb-no-delete tcb-no-clone tcb-no-save tcb-icon-inherit-style" data-css="tve-u-1941364a941"><svg class="tcb-icon" viewBox="0 0 32 32" data-id="icon-check" data-name=""><path d="M29.333 10.267c0 0.4-0.133 0.8-0.533 1.2l-14.8 14.8c-0.267 0.267-0.667 0.4-1.067 0.4s-0.933-0.133-1.2-0.533l-2.4-2.267-6.267-6.267c-0.267-0.267-0.4-0.667-0.4-1.2s0.133-0.8 0.533-1.2l2.4-2.4c0.267-0.133 0.667-0.4 1.067-0.4s0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l5.067 5.067 11.2-11.333c0.267-0.267 0.667-0.533 1.2-0.533 0.4 0 0.8 0.133 1.2 0.533l2.4 2.4c0.267 0.267 0.4 0.667 0.4 1.2z"></path></svg></div></div><span class="thrv-advanced-inline-text tve_editable tcb-styled-list-icon-text tcb-no-delete tcb-no-save" data-css="tve-u-1941364a93d" style=""><strong>My wife’s suggestion, and possibly my favorite, is to try different Ethnic food meals. </strong>This approach presents many benefits, including foods you may never have heard of or tried. As a family, you can have a new and fun shopping experience at your local Asian, Indian, Middle Eastern, or African supermarkets. Enjoying different tastes while possibly learning about other cultures or having a dress-up night. Look to healthier food recipes, as the need for convenience has created some unhealthier options.</span></li></ul></div><div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element"><p data-css="tve-u-677181050e81b0" style=""><span style="font-weight: normal;">The above is a guide, a partial list, hoping to get you interested in obtaining more diversity in your food choices. Choosing a variety of plant-based foods will further contribute to your health. Each color of the rainbow, each family of veggies, and each season of eating can bring your body a variety of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. This approach can benefit your health today and into the future. And if this is important to you, which it most certainly should be, then go for it. Enjoy the results.<br><br>1- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=benefits+of+consumption+of+fruits+and+vegetables<br>2- https://www.theseedcollection.com.au/blog/a-beginners-guide-to-vegetable-plant-families<br>3- https://snaped.fns.usda.gov/seasonal-produce-guide<br></span></p></div><div class="tcb_flag" style="display: none"></div>
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		<title>What&#8217;s Your Reserve?</title>
		<link>https://advancewellnessandlongevity.com/whats-your-reserve/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[advancewellnessandlongevity]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 06 Dec 2022 17:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://advancewellnessandlongevity.com/?p=328</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[A QUICK THOUGHT I am sharing (please discuss with your kids or a kid you care about as appropriate).

When was the last time you took something for granted, and it worked out well?]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element">	<p data-css="tve-u-6771803c735473" style=""><span style="font-weight: normal;">A QUICK THOUGHT I am sharing (please discuss with your kids or a kid you care about as appropriate).<br><br>When was the last time you took something for granted, and it worked out well?<br><br>In the words of Cynthia Ozick – “We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.”<br><br>I often ask my patients – “do you want to be healthy?”. Fortunately, all have responded positively, so intervention is not needed. <br><br>Not only should most of us have gratitude for being created so wonderfully, but we should also have intention and limit taking our health for granted.<br><br>Moreover, health feels so good. We can burn out our cells with poor nutrition, little hydration, and sleep or build them up with highly nutritious food, exercise, adequate hydration, and restorative sleep. So join many of my patients and me in taking steps away from disease and towards health. Consider your health as a gauge: full indicates health and empty signaling disease. <br><br>Move that needle by making small, intentional changes, and build on those. Instead of regular pasta, make zucchini squash pasta. Instead of bland, almost tasteless microwaved veggies, add some spices, roast them in the oven and enjoy. Instead of minute rice, explore an ancient whole grain. Slowly (or rapidly if you think you can maintain the change), move away from processed foods and refined sugar – add whole foods and fruits instead. <br><br>Don’t take your health for granted, as that window of feeling good will rapidly disappear. As Robert Brault commented: “Time is all we have and don’t.”<br><br>Don’t take your health for granted, as there is only so much to go around. “We never know the worth of water till the well is dry” – Thomas Fuller.<br><br>Thanks for listening, and take care of your human.</span></p></div><div class="tcb_flag" style="display: none"></div>
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