GloWell

Environmental toxins are everywhere and we all fight a daily battle to avoid ingesting, absorbing, and inhaling them. But women may have a bit more to worry about than men when it comes to protecting our health. According to the Women’s College Hospital of Toronto, 80% – 90% of those affected by environmental toxins are women. Women are more affected by environmental illness—those “invisible illnesses” like autoimmune disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia than men.

There’s no question we all want the stress-reducing benefits of meditation. 92% of people who meditate do it to relax or reduce stress and 73% make it a habit for their general wellness and disease prevention. Who wouldn’t want to lower their blood pressure, easily fight off sickness, and feel like a million bucks? But what if you don’t like to meditate? Maybe you’re busy, or have little ones in the house, making it impossible to find time for yourself to calm your mind.

Did you know that cold flashes can be a symptom of menopause? When you think of menopause, the first symptom that comes to mind is probably the dreaded “hot flash.” Hot flashes are the #1 most common symptom women experience as they enter perimenopause—the transitional period before menopause. Sudden, spontaneous, sweat-inducing hot flashes seem to be the hallmark of the hormonal changes associated with menopause.

Most of us are aware of the critical connection between sleep and health. But did you know your sleep can also affect your gut health? A link between sleep and gut health has been discovered, and now we know that a lack of sleep can negatively impact your gut health. Why does this matter? Poor sleep habits lead to poor gut health, which can result in a multitude of problems in the rest of your body.

It’s no secret that weight gain is a common issue as we age. For both men and women, metabolism peaks around age 20 and begins to drop significantly after age 60. But for women, menopause adds an extra challenge to the mix. Hormonal changes can compound the aging issue and make it even more difficult to maintain a healthy weight.

Getting experts to agree on the best diet for weight loss is seemingly impossible. But what most diets have in common, from Keto to Paleo, Mediterranean, Anti-inflammatory, to a hormone-balancing menopause diet, is the inclusion of whole plant foods. Which doesn’t come as a surprise to proponents of plant-based diets, many who claim: Eating a plant-based diet can absolutely help you lose weight.

Anyone who’s ever been a regular gym-goer has almost certainly encountered a few rude people with poor boundaries and lack of self-awareness. You might recognize a few of the five serious offenses here and find comfort in the notion that you’re not alone in your frustration.

Don’t you love the early phase of a fitness commitment? It’s like the first-date phase of a relationship: full of excitement, enthusiasm, and hope for the future. You’re making gym-time a top priority, scrolling through Insta looking for new moves, and shopping for the latest gear. (Is there such a thing as too many pairs of yoga pants?) But, like many relationships, your fitness flirtation can fall from red-hot to ho-hum as the days go on.

Feeling like your arms are more Jello than J-Lo? Don’t throw in the towel just yet. A medicine ball may be the answer to strong, sculpted arms and shoulders. They may look simple, but medicine balls can be an effective way to work out your entire upper body. Unlike dumbbells, medicine balls can be thrown and hurled to give you an explosive plyometric workout. Medicine balls have been shown to improve upper body strength and even improve other sports-specific training.

Looking to shore up your immune defenses? There are times when building a strong immune defense becomes a top priority. Like the start of cold and flu season each winter, before traveling on your summer vacation, or back-to-school time each fall. We’ve rounded up some of the best, scientifically-backed ways you can boost your immune system so you can stay healthy and well, no matter the season. Get More Sleep Have you ever felt like you’re more likely to get sick after a bad night’s sleep?