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Learning a new skill has a host of benefits.  The most important of which is making you happier.  You become happier because you become more confident with each new skill learned.  That confidence enables you to try new, harder skills.  And mastery of new skills gives you satisfaction and experiences that enrich your life.  From new physical skills like dancing or making pottery to mental skills like learning a foreign language or coding, learning new skills keeps you healthy, improves confidence, and diversifies your job options.  It’s never too late to start, so begin your journey of learning by reading this new article, Learn a New Skill Now and Reap 4 Rewards.

Improves Brain Health and Reduces the Risk of Dementia

According to Health Navigator, “Research shows there are several ways to improve the health of your brain, and learning something new is one of them.  ‘Mental sweat’ helps your brain build new cells and strengthen connections between the cells.  When you learn something new, you exercise your brain, which can help improve cognitive functions such as concentration, attention to detail, memory recall, and problem-solving.  Learning something new can also reduce the chance of developing dementia.”

So what is it about learning a new skill that can help stave off dementia?  It could have something to do with a condition called demyelination.  Demyelination occurs when myelin, the protective coating of nerve cells, sustains damage.  A study released in the National Library of Medicine found evidence of demyelination in study participants with mild cognitive impairment and dementia.  According to an article titled, 11 Benefits to Learning Something New by Natalie Sisson, people who actively learn new skills don’t give their brains a chance to demyelinate, and their neural pathways are ready for new impulses to travel along them. 

Boosts confidence and motivation

Learning also boosts your confidence.    When you increase your knowledge or achieve a goal, you feel a sense of accomplishment and pride.   Additionally, when you learn a new skill, you feel more accomplished, and it encourages you to learn other new skills, which speeds up your learning ability.

According to Piedmont, a healthcare organization with locations throughout Georgia, learning a new skill helps you beat boredom when learning something new and grow as a person.  When you learn something new, you become more creative and inventive, you become more socially interesting, which attracts others. 

Improves social connections

The greatest predictor of long-term happiness is social connection.  Improving social connections is often a byproduct of learning a new skill.  Learning new life skills is often done in a classroom setting, fertile ground for meeting new people with shared interests.  Along with shared interests, everyone is sharing the same learning experience, which promotes a sense of belonging. 

For example, dancing or cooking often brings students together in a classroom setting.  An instructor demonstrates or teaches a new technique, and then the students practice it together.  Learning new skills in this way has a host of benefits.

• Eases Loneliness
• Promotes Collaboration and Community
• Improves Interpersonal Communications Skills

Better Career Options

Learning a new skill that complements the skills you need for your job will lift your career opportunities.  The new skill could become a new service offered to clients.  For your company, this results in a new revenue stream.  For you, it means more job security and a chance for a promotion and pay raise.  More importantly, learning a new skill shows you are taking initiative, and co-workers and management can trust you with additional assignments.  In addition, it shows you are capable of change and growth.  These days, most jobs are constantly changing, and developing a new skill will help you adapt to the ever-changing work world.

According to Indeed.com, the best new skills to learn to advance your career include:

1. Basic Coding
2. Data Analysis and Statistics
3. Foreign Language (Chinese, Spanish, French)
4. Project Management
5. Social Media

If you are retired, learning a new skill, such as building websites, can turn into a part-time freelance opportunity and a new stream of income. 

Something New at Naturally. . .You!

Naturally You encourages everyone to dedicate themselves to learning new things.  Lifelong learning brings new skills, as well as better health and wellness.  As you can see, if you learn a new skill, you can reap four rewards.  New things are also happening at Naturally You.  Along with our body wraps, superior line of CBD products, and detoxification programs, we are now offering collagen supplements.  Our Sparkle Wellness collagen products have a positive impact on all collagen structures within the body.  We have skin, joint, and muscle formulations and for more information, contact me today at 813-505-9815.   

Covid’s impact on society is shaping health and wellness trends.  For the past two years, the covid 19 pandemic has been physically and mentally challenging for everyone.  Therefore, the hottest things in wellness address remote access to healthcare providers.   In addition to remote access, emphasis on mental health help, improving gut health, and boosting immune function highlight ways to get healthy and prevent the spread.  In this article, learn 4 essential health and wellness trends for a better you, NOW!

Virtual Access is Here to Stay

 Virtual health is here to stay.  Telemedicine is being embraced like never before.   You have access to physicians and other providers while remaining safely at home.  Care Innovations cites research from Parks Associates that states, “60% of households with broadband are interested in remote care either online or by telephone.” Online visits can be great for diagnosing a physical health condition, like a common cold, But they are also good for managing a mental health concern. 

If you use a telemedicine service, use a good camera and monitor so the doctor can see medical problems more clearly.  Be sure you prepare for your appointment with a list of questions and health history.  That way, it will make it easier for you and your health care provider to cover everything needed.  But as good as telemedicine may be, there are certain conditions where a doctor would still need to see you in person.  For example, an irregular mole, soft tissue mass, or a new heart murmur would likely result in a face-to-face visit.  While there’s no substitute for an in-person visit in certain medical cases, telehealth can be a great option for most people. 

A Spotlight on Mental Health Helps with Coping

It’s okay to say you’re “not okay.” Another health and wellness trend is taking better care of ourselves mentally.  According to minbodyonline.com, 49% of Americans agreed that the pandemic negatively affected their well-being.  It’s caused a spike in depression and anxiety.   You don’t have to be diagnosed with a mental health problem to benefit from counseling.  Many people seek out counseling for everyday matters.  These matters include work-related stress or emotional insecurities.  Some people need help during difficult times like death, divorce, or trauma.  The good news is that more employers provide access to mental health support services for their employees.  As a result, more employees are taking advantage of this benefit.    Chronic emotional distress can significantly increase the chances of developing a serious physical condition.  Mental health treatments can reduce feelings of stress, improve mental functioning, and resolve problems.

Improving Digestive Health Benefits the Entire Body

Good gut bacteria can enhance your immune system function and help combat obesity.  Anyone suffering from these conditions should consider a total body cleanse. 

A full-body clean will flush out toxins and waste products.  It will also eliminate the symptoms that result from toxin build-up and reset your digestive tract for better efficiency.  For more information on a full body cleanse read our article.  A Total Body Cleanse will Make You Feel Great Again. 

Gut health is not just about cleansing.  It’s also about focusing on foods that will help heal your GI tract.  Wild salmon, raw garlic, apple cider vinegar, and mangos are considered healing foods.  Salmon is an abundant source of Omega 3 fatty acids, a powerful anti-inflammatory food.  Garlic feeds and fuels the existing flora already resent in your gut.  Apple cider vinegar helps digest fats, carbs, and protein.  Best of all, apple cider vinegar contains beneficial probiotics, relieving acid reflux.  Mangos keep the good bacteria in your gut alive and controls blood sugar.

Health and Wellness Trends Focused on Boosting Immune Function

There are two types of immunodeficiency disorders.  First, there are the ones you are born with, also known as primary.  Second are those that are acquired, like the flu or cancer.   Anything that weakens your immune system can lead to a secondary immunodeficiency disorder.  Our bodies do a great job of defending against disease and infection.  Nonetheless, sometimes a germ invades, or there is an uncontrolled growth of immune cells.  This results in sickness.  We need to continue to explore the effects of diet, exercise, and psychological stress on our bodies. 

Our first line of defense is choosing a healthy lifestyle.  Everyone knows the things to do, don’t smoke, eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight, minimize stress, and get adequate sleep.  And, we’ve heard a million times over the past few years, “Don’t forget to wash your hands regularly!”  

To help boost your immunity, try Mlis Vital.  Vital contains astaxanthin, Ginko Biloba, Vitamin C, and Selenium.  This potent combination protects cells and has functional effects on muscle and nerve physiology.  It also improves blood flow, helping memory and concentration.  Vital can be a powerful tool for maintaining health and preventing disease.

Always Changing

Life is always changing.  In 2019 we never heard of Covid 19, and in 2020 many thought Covid would be gone in a few months.  Two years later, we are still struggling with new variants. 

For certain, living a healthy lifestyle and practicing wellness can help protect us from life’s changing conditions.  The four essential health and wellness trends we discussed can make your body healthier and prepare your mind to handle uncertainty.  That’s what Naturally. . . You does every day.  We offer services like detoxification programs and body wraps.  We also offer the highest quality CBD products to help ease pain and promote better sleep.  Visit our website to chat with us and learn more about ways to improve your life, naturally.

America is a land of coffee drinkers.  In fact, Americans have consistently consumed more coffee than tea since we were just 13 colonies.  While it’s true coffee has a more robust flavor and caffeine than tea, adding a cup of green tea to your morning routine can pay off in many ways.  Green tea contains antioxidants and plant compounds known to boost health and wellness. Studies suggest green tea helps with weight loss, can help prevent Alzheimer’s Disease, and may even help prevent cancer.  Keep reading and discover four reasons to drink green tea, plus the way to create the perfect cup.   

1. Help Prevent Some Forms of Cancer

Research has shown that oxidative damage can lead to chronic inflammation, resulting in chronic diseases, including cancers. Antioxidants found in green tea can help protect against oxidative damage.  Furthermore, Medical News Today published an article showing research has linked green tea compounds with a reduced risk of several types of cancer, including prostate and colorectal cancer.

2. Drink Green Tea to Help with Weight Loss

According to Healthline, green tea contains an antioxidant known to raise metabolic rates in humans. When your metabolism accelerates, you burn more calories.  And the more calories you burn, the easier it is to lose weight.  The results of a 12-week controlled study involving 240 people with obesity showed those in the green tea group had significant decreases in body fat percentage, body weight, waist circumference, and belly fat compared with those in the control group.

3. Protects Neurons to Keep Dementia at Bay

Green tea not only improves brain function in the short term, but it may also protect your brain as you age.  Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease are two common neurodegenerative diseases that affect the quality of life in senior citizens.  Several studies show antioxidant compounds in green tea can have protective effects on neurons. 

4. Green Tea May Help You Live Longer

While longevity studies don’t link green tea consumption to longer life spans, compounds found in green tea reduce the risk for several life-threatening conditions. In a recent study, researchers studied 40,530 Japanese adults over 11 years. Those who drank 5 or more cups per day were significantly less likely to die during the study period :

Green Tea Extract Gives Concentrated Benefits

Some people dislike the sometimes bitter taste of green tea, but they still want the benefits that come from it.  Green tea extract can be an effective alternative.  Green tea extract is a supplement derived from the green tea plant. It contains concentrated compounds of antioxidants, polyphenols, vitamins, and flavonoids of green tea.  It’s available in capsules, liquid, or powder and a recommended dose is 250 to 500mg per day.  Taking the extract supplement with food is also recommended.  Green tea extract has all the benefits of green tea discussed above, plus benefits like:

Green Tea extract is easy to add to your diet but keep in mind that, like any supplement, the extract is not the purest form of the product.  There is a risk of adulteration in the manufacturing process.  There are no uniform standards for supplement labeling so consumers can never be sure if they getting green tea extract in its purest form.  For more on supplements and FDA oversight, read our recent blog How to Determine if a Supplement is Right for You.

How to Brew the Perfect Cup

The act of brewing the perfect cup of green tea can help reduce stress.  We recommend making a ritual out of it.  Over time, you will find the ritual has a calming effect that will have health benefits of its own.  The ideal water temperature is 160-170 degrees. Boiling water can dissolve tannins and destroy the compounds that contribute to overall good health.  Additionally, boiling water can burn tea leaves resulting in a bitter taste. 

According to researchers at Purdue University, drinking green tea with lemon improves the health benefits of the tea.  Citrus juice brings out green tea’s natural antioxidants, making them more available for your body to absorb.  Steep time is 2-3 minutes, no more.  Longer steeping will result in a bitter taste and a tea that leaves more stains on your cups and teeth.

Naturally. . .You and Green Tea

Drinking green tea certainly has its benefits, from the relaxing ritual of brewing the perfect cup to helping the prevention of serious health issues.  Here we presented 4 good reasons to drink green tea and the team at Naturally. . .You hope you find ways to incorporating green tea into your diet and supplement regimen.  You can start looking younger now by using the Green Tea Herbal Cleanser from M’Lis. It is a safe and effective face wash and packed with antioxidants that tighten and leave your skin glowing.  If you are interested in trying it, give us a call.  We are happy to discuss your skincare needs, as well as anything you need to live your life in health and abundance, naturally.

It’s hard to believe, but next month marks the first anniversary of the day the US government declared a national Covid-19 emergency.  In the weeks that followed, states issued stay-at-home orders, and the country shut down.  By the end of March, life had changed, in some way, for almost everyone. Life may never go back to what it was before Covid but instead of dwelling about things we’ve lost, focus on lessons learned and positive changes that can help us live better lives.  Here are five lessons I’ve learned from our year of Covid-19 and how they have positively changed my life.

Lesson #1—Change is Inevitable.  We Will Adapt.

The year 2020 was canceled.  Trips, events, parties, and almost everything social were canceled while we sheltered in place. People had to adapt to working at home, school at home, and fitness at home. Even after states reopened, many of us were unwilling to travel and socialize.  We wore our masks, were socially distant, and isolated ourselves from friends and family.  Changes in our behavior were required to slow the spread of the virus.  But through it all, we found ways to adapt and still participate in things important to us.  Neighbors gathered in their driveways on Fridays to celebrate happy hour.  They sat on lawn chairs and toasted each other with glasses of wine and beer.  Couples got married, and we attended via Zoom.  We couldn’t be there in person, but we found ways to witness weddings, birthdays, and graduations. 

The Covid experience proves our resilience. The confidence we gained from facing change and adapting to it makes us stronger and better able to face future challenges.  It’s something we should be proud of.

Lesson #2—Everything We Need, We Already Have.

Before 2020 most people were rushing around chasing things on their “Have to Have” lists.  If it was new and improved, in style, or better than the rest, we had to have it.  We worked ourselves sick if necessary, but if we wanted it, we had to have it, and we would do what it took to get it.  Suddenly everything stopped. Our “have to have” lists changed.  Instead of the latest designer handbag or hairstyle, a big supply of toilet paper is what we had to have. People hoarded basic supplies, fought over the last few packages of chicken at the supermarket, and some bought yeast and flour for the first time.  Once we realized that basic supplies were not going to run out, we settled into a simpler life, and everything was okay.

Most of us have everything we need to live comfortably, and the Covid experience has taught us that while we might not have everything we want, everything we need, we already have. This is one of the important lessons from our Year of Covid-19. And when you learn that, you have found freedom.

Lesson #3—Boredom Can Be Good  

Back in the 1940s, our fathers and grandfathers were asked to go to war for this country.  We’ve been asked to stay at home.  Most of us did and soon realized that there are just so many hours of bad television we can stand to watch.  We read books, did living room yoga, tried to bake sourdough bread, and still got bored. Boredom can be a good thing.  Boredom allows us to daydream, come up with new ideas, and create plans for the future.  Before Covid, most of us were busy filling every second of our lives. We were never bored, but often in a rut.  Many of us realized that with a little boredom we have more possibilities than ever.

Covid has taught us to slow down and accept a little boredom.  If we planned more downtime, got bored a little more often, imagine the innovations that would result and how much better life could get!

Lesson #4—Be Grateful for the Little Things

When the world gets smaller, little things matter more. People are grateful for some of the smallest gestures.  Pre-Covid, these same small gestures could have been overlooked or taken for granted.  Not now. Neighbors going to the supermarket call neighbors with offers to pick up groceries. Sharing extra baked goods or soup is something we can do for others. Not only does it make them feel grateful, but you will feel good too. It’s not about what you share, but the act of sharing something will give you a sense of purpose and community.  Gratitude is one of the most powerful ways to boost your spirits and well-being.

Keeping a gratitude journal can help remind you of all the little things you are grateful for every day.  Covid has taken so much away. Practicing gratitude and keeping a journal gives so much back. It will bring greater health and happiness no matter what challenges we face in the future.

Lesson #5—Take Care of Yourself 

Covid-19 is a killer.  It’s especially deadly in those with pre-existing health conditions.  According to the CDC, 94% of all Covid deaths occurred in individuals with pre-existing health conditions.  The most common ones were diabetes and obesity.  So the message is clear, taking care of yourself, maintaining a healthy weight level, and focusing on metabolic health are key to survival.  And it goes far beyond survival.  Staying healthy and active are keys to a longer life with more opportunities for fulfilling experiences, stronger relationships, and greater happiness.

Taking care of yourself is the great lesson learned from Covid.  This pandemic made bad situations worse, so now is the time to concentrate on being fit and healthy.  If new challenges come your way, you’ll be better prepared to overcome them.  If not, you’ll be able to enjoy all the good things life has to offer.

We hope these lessons for our year of Covid-19 help you create a positive and healthier future. The team at Naturally. . . You is here to help you on your health and wellness journey.  We offer a variety of services like weight management and detoxification programs, as well as a complete line of full-spectrum CBD products to help you manage pain and stress.  For more information visit our website.  There you can learn about the six keys to optimal health and ways to feel better. . . naturally.