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Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Start Off This Year with an Energy Boost


Bottom Line: Getting enough sleep can be difficult around the holidays. Well, let’s get real- many of us don’t have the best sleeping patterns to begin with, and the holidays can make it even more challenging. And when we don’t get enough sleep it can result in fatigue, difficulty making decisions, and even illness. But, by staying well adjusted and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, you can keep your energy up and reduce your chance of getting sick.

Why it Matters: Did you know that your sleep patterns directly contribute to your overall energy levels? It’s true. Sleep plays a significant role in your overall health. Chronic sleep deficiency has been linked to obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, chronic fatigue syndrome, and more. While you are sleeping, your brain and central nervous system are hard at work preparing you for the next day. Believe it or not, sleep is also essential to your immune system. A lack of sleep has been shown to decrease your immune system’s ability to fight common infections. The good news is that getting 7-8 hours per night will allow your body to feel and function better.

   •    Getting enough sleep will help you feel more energized with less fatigue

   •    Lack of sleep has been linked to obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, and more

   •    Maintaining a consistent 7-8 of sleep can reduce your likelihood of getting sick

Next Steps: Reading a few pages of a book, or listening to some calm music before bed can help slow your mind down and prepare it for a good night's sleep. If muscle tension, spasms, or pain are keeping you up at night, please let us know. We would be honored to create a specific care plan to help you get more rest and recovery. Start your new year right by staying healthy and active!


Science Source:
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. June 7, 2017.
Harvard Health Publishing. January 2006



Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Recover from Your Holiday Hangover

Bottom Line: Prolonged stress, long travel and maybe just one too many fruitcakes can all contribute to the dreaded holiday hangover. Well, with the New Year comes a new opportunity to get healthier, lose those extra pounds, and overcome the holiday hangover. How we eat plays a huge role in our weight and our energy levels. When you have a low energy level, it’s difficult to get the motivation to stay active and exercise. However, when you give your body the proper nutrition, you can have more energy, lose more weight, and stay more active. So instead of focusing on the foods, you shouldn’t eat, let’s highlight a few foods and supplements that can help you stay active, energize, and get ready to shed those pounds.

Why it Matters: For healthy foods to give you an energy boost, it’s all about eating the right ones at the right time. Eating small meals and snacking throughout the day is a great way to keep your body fueled and your energy levels high.

   •    Here are a few high energy foods (without that sugar crash):  blueberries, strawberries, salmon, lean meats, nuts, whole grains, vegetables

   •    Supplements such as fish oil and probiotics can help you reduce inflammation and keep your gut healthy and happy

Next Steps: Start by eating a few small meals per day and snacking every few hours in-between. This will help keep your energy up throughout the day. You’ll feel better, think better, and be more motivated to stick with your exercise routine. The New Year is a great time to improve your health, get a little extra motivation and even lose a few pounds in the process!


Science Source:
Harvard Health Publishing. 2017
Brain foods: the effects of nutrients on brain function. Nat Rev NeuroSci. 2008

Thursday, January 11, 2018

How to Reduce Stress in the New Year

Bottom Line: Are you overwhelmed by stress? Well, you're not alone. Studies show over 54% of people are concerned with the amount of stress in their daily life. Many of us carry this stress in our shoulders and neck. Muscle tension in our shoulders can contribute to headaches, neck and back pain.  Chronic stress can lower your energy levels resulting in irritability, illness, and even depression. But, there is good news! A few simple changes to your daily routine can help you dramatically decrease your stress level, boost your energy, and ultimately live a healthier and happier life. Keep reading to learn how.

Why it Matters: One of the best ways you can increase your energy levels and reduce stress is with motion! Our bodies are built to move. Improving spinal motion, or segmental motion is one the ways that chiropractic adjustments help you move and feel better. Research has shown that chiropractic adjustments can significantly reduce muscle tension in the shoulders, helping reduce pain, improve range of motion, and decrease stress!

“...cervical muscle tension was significantly reduced bilaterally after (an adjustment).”

“...we observed metabolic changes in the brain and skeletal muscles, as well as reductions in subjective pain, muscle tension… (after a chiropractic adjustment)”

Next Steps: If you know someone who gets sick around the holidays it is likely due to stress. Show them you care and share this research with them. These simple tips for reducing stress will help them have a happier and healthier holiday season!  

Science Source:
Glucose Metabolic Changes in the Brain and Muscles of Patients with Nonspecific Neck Pain Treated by Spinal Manipulation Therapy
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Volume 2017. Article ID 4345703
Central Motor Excitability Changes After Spinal Manipulation: A Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Study
Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. Volume 25. Number 1. January 2002
Stress in America Survey. American Psychological Association. 2010

Friday, January 5, 2018

A New Years Resolution: Feel More Energized!

Bottom Line: The best way to feel more energized? Stay active! Top research journals have shown that moderate exercise can increase your energy. A simple 10-15 minute walk can get your blood pumping and increase the oxygen coming into your body, helping you feel more energized and maybe even helping you shed a few extra pounds.

Why it Matters: Moderate exercise can help you feel energized by releasing endorphins, which make you feel happier, while contributing to a better quality of sleep. Additionally, exercise helps train the heart to work more efficiently. Ultimately, your immune system will also function better with consistent exercise. In other words, exercise can not only help you feel more energized, but it can reduce your likelihood of getting sick. And combining a moderate exercise routine with chiropractic care may be one of the best ways to stay healthy and energized all year long.

  • Exercise releases endorphins which make us feel more energized and happier
  • A simple 10-15 minute walk per day can improve your energy level by over 20%
  • Regular exercise can help you sleep better and reduce your risk of getting sick


Next Steps: Start with a simple calendar. Schedule at least three days per week that you can take a 10-15 minute walk. By putting the activity on your schedule, it's more likely that you will follow through. Also, ask us about how chiropractic care may be able to keep you pain-free and on track with your exercise goals. We want to partner with you to make this year your healthiest and happiest year ever!