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5 Benefits of Unplugging for the Holidays + 5 Tips

AHA Publisher — Thu, 23 Dec 2021 08:00:06 +0000

Kissairis Munoz via Dr. Axe – The onslaught of family, friends and social events that occurs during the holidays is enough to make even the most social person want to sneak away and enjoy some alone time. However, if your idea of relaxing during the festive madness translates into checking in on Facebook, drooling over Insta-worthy photos or playing a marathon video game session, it might be time to back away from the electronics and start unplugging for the holidays instead. Benefits of Unplugging Unplugging for the holidays is more than just sticking your smartphone or other tech devices into another room for a few hours. Instead, it’s about making a concerted effort to give your brain a break and allow yourself to enjoy life’s smaller pleasures: the company of loved ones truly enjoying a meal without first snapping photos of it even just having some mental downtime If that sounds a little hokey for you, there are actually scientific benefits to disconnecting and plugging back into real life: 1. Say Goodbye to Nomophobia Does putting down your phone give you FOMO? If so, you’re not alone. About half of American adults check their phones numerous times an hour — in fact, nearly one in 10 Americans has used his or her phone during intimate moments! Welcome to the world of nomophobia, or the fear of being without your smartphone. Reducing your screen time means you’ll have less time to waste on things like cat videos and more to spend on things you’ve been putting off because you “have no free time,” like baking more, trying out a new hobby or just unwinding with a good book. It might take some time to get used to, but soon you’ll find yourself keeping your phone switched off more than on. 2. Reduce Anxiety If you’re already stressed, too much tech time can make you feel more anxious and increase levels of depression. The pressure of waiting for a new like, the seemingly endless social media scrolling — it can eventually take a toll on mental health. Luckily, unplugging for the holidays can reverse those effects. Because anxiety can lead to a host of side effects, from headaches and trouble sleeping to an elevated heart rate, which can lead to heart disease, seize any opportunity (or these handy natural stress relievers) to decrease it! You’ll feel better, and your body will thank you, too — as will your family members, who will appreciate the more cheerful you! 3. Your Brain Will Focus Better Do you find yourself switching between apps, talking on the phone while playing computer games or simply trying to listen to that story your partner is telling you while checking tomorrow’s weather? All that multitasking is doing things to your brain, and they aren’t good. See, our brains aren’t actually designed to multitask, and we don’t actually do it. What happens instead is that our minds just shift focus super quickly, losing cognitive function in the process. In fact, people who multitask tend to be more stressed and impulsive than their one-track-mind counterparts, likely because multitasking can increase production of the stress hormone cortisol along with adrenaline. Shutting off your technological tempters will allow you to practice mindfulness and give all your attention to what’s happening in front of you, whether it’s playing with your nieces and nephews or enjoying that delicious bite of apple pie. You might notice that you remember small details a bit better, as your brain is able to focus on the task at hand and process info more quickly. 4. Get More Sleep Watching Netflix in bed or checking your email one last time is ruining your shut-eye. The screens on your favorite gadgets emit a blue light. To your brain, blue light is the same as daylight and acts to stifle the production of melatonin. That’s a big deal, because melatonin is the hormone that’s responsible for setting our sleep-wake cycles, or circadian rhythms. This makes it harder not only to fall asleep, but fall into the deep sleep that our bodies need to properly refresh. The importance of sleep cannot be overstated. In fact, missing sleep can take years off your life. It can also lead to increased weight gain, up your chances of getting sick and affect your mood negatively. Luckily, unplugging can help improve your sleep. You might find your memory improving, as sleeping seems to help new concepts “set” in the brain. Getting enough Z’s also reduces inflammation in the body, lowering your risk of everything from heart disease to diabetes. 5. Feel Happier and Healthier with Loved Ones While too much together time might be what’s driving you to seek the comforts of technology, it might be time to get cozy. Spending time with your friends and family actually improves your health. It turns out the more shy and lonely you feel, the likelier you are to be addicted to your smartphone. In addition, people without strong relationships increase their risk of dying prematurely by 50 percent, which is greater than the effect of obesity or physical inactivity. Unplugging for the holidays gives you an opportunity to nurture those relationships that are important to you and reconnect, while increasing longevity. Not bad! 5 Tips for Unplugging for the Holidays Ready to unplug but not sure how? These tips will help you have a tech-free holiday and enjoy the benefits of unplugging for the holidays. 1. Get Everyone on Board It’s a lot easier to stay away from your smartphone if everyone else you’re with follows suit. Let family and friends know you’d like to do a digital detox during your time together. Have everyone turn their phones off, then collect them and keep them in a separate room. 2. Pre-plan Activities The day might seem boring if everyone’s phone is taken and there’s no plan for entertainment. Pre-empt this, and design a list of activities everyone can get involved in. From making popcorn and watching a movie to going on a hike, baking cookies or playing board games, you’ll be surprised by how much fun you can have together. 3. Keep Your Phone Out of the Bedroom at Night Invest in an alarm clock, and keep your phone out of the room when you’re getting ready to sleep — ideally, you’ll turn it off at least an hour beforehand. You’ll steer clear of the blue lightthat can keep you awake and won’t start your day with a social media blitz. 4. Take Time to Unwind Whether it’s reading a book or taking a hot bath with essential oils, take time to enjoy life’s little pleasures sans technology. 5. Practice Yoga Yoga changes your brain in a variety of ways, and they’re all for the better! With all the extra time you’ll have from your digital detox, you’ll have time to unroll a mat and get your namaste on. To read the original article click here.

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Stem Cells: Your Best Ally Against ALL Disease

The AHA! Team — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 07:00:00 +0000

Al Sears, MD, CNS – This new field of medicine is exciting and echoes what I’ve been telling my patients for years: keep your immune system strong. In the not-so-distant future, I see a world where all the chronic diseases that plague us today will be cured before they’ve even begun. That may sound like science fiction, but it’s not. In fact, it’s already happening with a revolutionary stem-cell treatment developed by oncologist and stem-cell pioneer Dr. Dipnarine Maharaj right here in South Florida. And that’s why I made Dr. Maharaj one of the key speakers at my Palm Beach Anti-Aging Summit at the historic Palm Beach icon Mara-a-Lago. You’ve probably heard about stem cells on the news and wondered if they can help you or a loved one with a chronic or autoimmune disease. The answer is YES. The problem is that most doctors won’t talk about stem cells. That’s because the latest breakthrough treatments – which have only recently become available to people who want to reverse or protect themselves from chronic disease – are considered “experimental.” Stem cells are the master cells from which all other human cells are made. They’re also the ultimate natural cure, because they let the body do what it does best: heal itself. Many stem cells have the power to morph into any kind of cell in your body, heart, brain, nerve, liver cells, you name it. That’s why scientists say that stem cells will be used someday to regenerate the damaged tissue of any organ. But stem cells in your bone marrow have a different purpose â€“ they are destined to become vital components of your immune system. And that’s the key to this breakthrough treatment that has already reversed various cancers, diabetes, and a number of autoimmune disorders. It’s based on the answer to a simple but important question: Why do some people get chronic diseases and others don’t? Because when chronic disease strikes, it means your immune system has broken down. A study published by the American Society of Hematology found thriving immune systems in centenarians and healthy seniors, but those who were younger and had chronic diseases all had weakened immune systems. Specifically, those with chronic diseases had fewer special killer cells called Natural Killer (NK) cells, a type of white blood cell that targets cancer and infected cells. And only adult stem cells in your bone marrow can make NK cells. At the first sign of trouble, your NK cells flood into your blood stream to infiltrate tumors and infections, and attack them. It’s all about bulking up your immune system. Take cancer, for example. Cancer isn’t the mysterious illness your doctor and the rest of the medical establishment want you to believe. Like other chronic diseases, cancer is your body’s natural reaction to the inflammation caused by the toxic, modern environment around you. That’s why cancer cells are constantly forming inside you; we live in a toxic world. But if your immune system is strong, it will swat those cancer cells like flies, along with every other disease going. The problem is that inflammation destroys your immune system. In fact, your immune system has been under attack from inflammation-causing irritants for years and you’ve been unaware of it, because it’s been happening at the cellular level. These silent irritants are slowly killing you: • Environmental toxins and pollutants; • Poor diet; • Excess weight; • Cigarette smoke. But there is one irritant that is worse than all of the above… I’m talking about stress. Chronic stress has a devastating effect on your immune system, and has been linked to the inflammation that causes heart disease, high blood pressure, and cancer. Here’s why: Your immune system responds to chronic stress with one, overriding reaction – and that’s inflammation. But here’s good news: The solution to repairing your broken immune system is found in the stem cells of your own bone marrow – no matter what your age or your state of health. This breakthrough therapy works by tapping the stem cells you already have in your own body, then freezing and storing them so you can use them against diseases you may get in the future. Storing your stem cells is perhaps also the ultimate in “bio-insurance.” But even if you already have a chronic disease, your immune system stem cells can still be “activated” with a special protein to produce more NK cells. This new field of medicine is exciting and echoes what I’ve been telling my patients for years: keep your immune system strong. It’s your best ally against disease – even cancer. So here are my top four immune-system boosters you can start with at home right away: 1. Watch your diet. Our modern diet has replaced nutritious, healthy protein and fats with “empty” calories like grains and starchy carbohydrates. Switch to a diet rich in antioxidants and vitamins to boost your immune system and your ability to fight off infections. You should also avoid high fructose corn syrup, which causes inflammation. 2. Get plenty of sleep. Your stem cells and immune system need sleep. This is when your body’s maintenance work takes place. When you’re deprived of sleep, your immune system suffers and your body becomes vulnerable. 3. Cut your stress. Stress creates a hormone called cortisol. A little cortisol can help you. But a steady stream of it is toxic to your immune system. You should clear the stress from your mind and your body for at least 10 minutes every day. Mediation or yoga can be great stress busters. And so is exercise. 4. Take cat’s claw. There are a number of immune-system boosting herbs you can take, and one of my favorites is cat’s claw. This herb stimulates T-cells to boost the immune system and fight infection. You can find it in health food stores. Look for a supplement made from the inner bark of the plant and take 500 mg. per day. To your good health, Al Sears, MD, CNS To read the original article click here. For more articles by Al Sears, MD click here.

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