Tag Archives: health

Active Older Couple

Improve Your Memory by Avoiding These Habits

Do you have trouble remembering your new coworker’s name? Do you ever forget your best friends’ birthdays? Do you find it difficult to keep track of important appointments? Poor memory can be extremely frustrating, but it turns out that your memory is heavily influenced by your habits. Certain behaviors can actually have a negative impact on how quickly and easily your brain stores memories! We’ve put together a quick guide to some of the bad habits which cause you to have the most trouble remembering things. Avoid doing these and you might find that your memory will be better than ever before!

Not Sleeping Enough

There is a strong relationship between sleep and memory. While you sleep, the areas of your brain which control your memory are actively forging new connections to strengthen the memories which you made during the day. If you aren’t getting enough sleep at night, your brain will not be able to solidify your memories in the same way, and you may end up forgetting important things that you were supposed to remember the next morning.

Smoking

Smoking has been linked to a decrease in memory since it reduces blood flow to the brain and can affect the flow of information. If you’re a smoker and having difficulty remembering things, you should definitely quit. You should quit smoking anyway as we all know the many health problems that it can cause!

Inactive Lifestyle

Exercise is a fantastic way to make you more alert and sharpen your mind. Physical activity can positively affect your brain by encouraging cell growth and improving your mood and sleep patterns. Exercising more can seriously improve your memory, so get active!

Poor Diet

Eating lots of greasy and fatty foods is not only bad for your heart and body, but also your mind. A poor diet can create all sorts of problems for you, but its negative effect on your brain function is the worst when it comes to your memory. Try to eat cleaner and increase your intake of vitamin B12 to boost your memory. Vitamin B12 is found in great foods like shellfish, eggs, and dairy and can improve your sleep and help you remember things.

Have any more questions about how to sharpen your memory? Let us now on Facebook or Twitter!

12 Cute Dogs That Will Brighten Your Day

Are you a dog person? Well even if you aren’t, these cute dog photos will definitely brighten your day! The close relationships that we form with our pets can create some of the most cherished and positive moments in our lives, so take this opportunity to reflect on the positivity in your life and start your day on a great note.

1.

Cute Dog Kittens Cats
Source: Reddit.com

This big guy plays well with others.

2.

Puppy Dog Cute
Source: Reddit.com

Nice and cozy in a warm sweater!

3.

Cute Dog Puppy
Source: Reddit.com

You can see the puppy love in those big brown eyes.

4.

Cute Puppy Dog Vet
Source: Reddit.com

A little dog excited to be at the vet – what a rare sight!

5.

Cute Puppy Dog Kittens Cat
Source: Reddit.com

Looks like some sibling rivalry is brewing here.

6.

Dog Family Friends
Source: Reddit.com

Best friends forever.

Husky Dog Puppy Family
Source: Reddit.com

Cute kid. Such a happy family!

8.

Puppy Dog Cat Kitten Cuddle Cuddling
Source: Reddit.com

Cuddle time!

9.

Dirty Muddy Puppy Dog Playing
Source: Reddit.com

Just messing around! Someone needs a bath.

10.

Dog Puppy Brothers
Source: Reddit.com

Brothers, all grown up.

11.

Relaxing Puppy Dog
Source: Reddit.com

Pure relaxation.

12.

Sleepy Puppy Dog
Source: Reddit.com

Tired after a long day outside!

Where do you find positivity in your daily life? Share your positive thoughts (and cute dog pictures!) with us below or on Facebook and Twitter!

Healthy Anti-Aging Eating

5 Great Foods That Will Help You Stay Young

When it comes to feeling and looking younger, what you eat has more of an impact than you think. A proper diet is crucial to maintaining and improving your health as you get older. By including more of these delicious anti-aging foods into your diet, you’ll find yourself feeling more refreshed than ever! Rejuvenate your body and mind with our guide to the best foods that will keep you feeling young.

Blueberries

These tasty, snack-sized berries are well known for their ability to sharpen your mind by improving your memory. They also contain anthocyanins, which work to reverse the weakening of cognitive and motor functions that occur over time. Throw these guys into a morning smoothie or have them as a healthy dessert after dinner!

Olive Oil

This popular cooking oil contains special nutrients called polyphenols – antioxidants which play a part in preventing age-related diseases. Olive oil can also regulate inflammation in your body, relieving joint pain and leaving you feeling more relaxed. The next time you’re cooking up dinner, use olive oil! It even makes a great, health-conscious dip for crusty bread.

Coffee

One of your favorite things to wake up to in the morning is also a great way to feel younger every day! Coffee can give you a youthful bounce by stimulating your muscles and starting your day off on the right foot. Caffeine has also recently been shown to contain powerful antioxidants which can reduce the possibility of age-related eye diseases and the degeneration of eyesight.

Cheese

Calcium is awesome for bone health, and cheese is a great source of this fortifying nutrient! Cheese and crackers makes for a perfect evening snack or a fantastic appetizer to serve at parties. Living cheesy is more fun – you’ll feel so much better!

Salmon

Looking for a satisfying way to improve your eye health? Salmon is a fantastic source of omega-3 fatty acids – nutrients which can prevent a wide range of eye issues. The possibility of macular degeneration, dry eye syndrome, high eye pressure, and glaucoma can be reduced by having this hearty and tasty fish for dinner. Omega-3 fatty acids have even been shown to lower your cholesterol and reduce inflammation. Bake it with a little lemon, garlic, and dill for a clean meal that will have you feeling full and young!

Have any more questions about how your diet can make you feel younger? Ask us on Twitter!

Happiness Health Positivity

How to Give Others a Happiness Boost

Ever heard the saying “A little goes a long way”? When it comes to making others happy, this saying could not be more true. A simple act of kindness towards someone is remembered forever. You never know, you may lift their spirits on a bad day, or help them through a difficult time. However, the recipient is not the only person that will feel good from your kindness – you will as well! Going out of your way to do something nice for others will give you an instant boost of positive energy.

Happify posted a great article where they share Dr. Zak’s (a neuroeconomist and professor at Claremont Graduate University) favourite ways to make others happy, while also reaping the benefits yourself.

Here are his 5 tips:

  1. Ask “how can I be of service to you?” – you’ll discover an opportunity to help
  2. Maintain eye contact
  3. Stop pretending you’re the only person in the box – always say hello to everyone, including strangers!
  4. Comment on their emotions
  5. Expand your use of the ‘L’ word – let your close friends and colleagues know that you ‘love’ them (if you’re comfortable with it, of course!)

Have a friend that’s been lacking positive energy lately? Maybe it’s time you surprise them with a QRay bracelet! It may help to give them that boost of positivity that they’ve been looking for. We want to hear what you do to make others happy! Share your favourite ways with us on Facebook or Twitter.

Volunteer Donation Charity Health Wellness Positivity

Paying It Forward

You may be only one person, but you have the power to make a difference. Just by doing one simple thing, you could dramatically change someone’s life for the better. Whether it’s by putting a smile on their face, or saving their life, paying it forward should become a part of your everyday lifestyle. Kindness and compassion go a long way. Not only will it help someone else, but you’ll find that your overall positivity will be at an all-time high.

Here are ten simple ways you can help others:

1. Hold open the door

2. Volunteer in your community

3. Donate blood

4. Share your umbrella

5. Pay for the order of the person behind you

6. Buy a meal or give money to a homeless person

7. Put money in the parking metre for someone else

8. Donate unused clothes and food to a homeless shelter

9. Help someone carry their grocery bags if they’re struggling

10. Mentor someone

Still want another suggestion? What about a QRay bracelet? Pass on the gift of positivity to a friend or family member to help them feel their best.

Health Wellness Drawing Doodling Sketching

Why Doodling Should Be a Part of Your Daily Routine

Do you doodle? Many people think that doodling is just an absent-minded task that wastes time. Believe it or not, there are actually a number of benefits to scribbling your signature all over your page (one of the most popular doodles).

It can help people stay focused and retain information. We tend to consider doodling as a form of daydreaming, but it actually requires a significant amount of brainpower. A research study of 40 participants found that the 20 people who were asked to doodle retained more information than those who did not doodle.

Think of it this way – when you allow yourself to doodle, you give yourself the opportunity to build creative thoughts and ideas. When listening to someone speak as you doodle, you’ll not only remember the information, but also build upon his or her ideas. You’re also helping to keep the brain active.

So, the next time you catch yourself doodling stick-figures, stars, your signature or whatever else it may be, don’t feel guilty! You’re actually working very hard.

The 22 Best TED Talks to Inspire Fitness, Health and Happiness

We all need a little inspiration every now and then. Watching a TED talk is a great (and free!) way to learn from the life lessons of a wide range of experts. Thankfully, Greatist has already curated 22 of the best talks in the fields of fitness, health and happiness! Enjoy!

Best TED Talks for Fitness, Health and Happiness Inspiration

Do you have a favourite TED Talk? Share your thoughts with us below!

Problem Sleeping In

Why Hitting Snooze is Bad for You

You know the feeling: It’s Monday morning, your alarm has just gone off, but your bed has never felt comfier. The thought of the weekend being over and having to head off to work shortly makes you want to dive deeper under your covers. You’d do anything to just get a few extra minutes of sleep so you can put off the start of Monday as long as you can. The alarm is blaring and you reach over and hit snooze…. time to head back to sleep.

Hitting snooze is probably one of our favourite things to do. Yes, it gives you a few stolen moments of sleep before you have to face reality, but there are actually a number of negative effects. The next time you try to steal an extra five minutes, consider these facts:

1. The saying “You snooze, you lose” is actually true – you’re setting yourself up to be more tired during the day. If you go back to sleep and enter a new sleep cycle, you won’t have enough time to finish it, which leaves you feeling groggy and tired

2. Maybe you need to go to bed earlier. Consider what time you’re going to bed, if you find that you’re hitting snooze every single morning, you’re probably not getting enough sleep. Turn in earlier and you’ll find that you won’t be tempted to hit snooze

3. You’re throwing off your internal clock – Waking up at 6:30am one day and 7:00am the next is not good for your body. Your internal clock will not know when to feel sleepy, which leads to you staying up later at night and consequently feeling sleepier in the morning

Shower Thoughts

Why We Get Our Best Ideas in the Shower

Have you ever realized that you get your best ideas while lathering on soap in the shower? It seems a little strange…why would your brain be producing such great ideas while you’re in the buff? You may think that your time in the shower is a time for you to shut off, but it’s actually when your brain is the most active.

When you’re doing something monotonous such as bathing, it activates your brain’s default mode network. Your mind then begins to wander, making it more likely for you to have a creative epiphany. Have a difficult problem that you’ve been trying to solve? It’s likely you’ll solve it in the shower.

Standing under nice, warm water relaxes you so much that your brain also releases a neurotransmitter called dopamine. Just a small dose of this can boost your creative juices. This is why the ideas you have in the shower are so much better than those you have at work. You’re in a nice, warm, relaxed setting with no external pressures or distractions to interrupt your thought process.

So, how can you capitalize on this time in the shower? If you’re coming up with ground-breaking ideas and you want to remember them, consider getting a water soluble pen to write your ideas on the glass or wall. In the shower, you have no judgment or analysis from others, which should allow your ideas to flow without you second-guessing. Use this time to solve problems and brainstorm so you can begin your day (or the next day) feeling empowered to follow through on your ideas.