Take a Power nap

Yes, there is such thing as a 15-20 minute power nap, and it actually does help you to feel better.

Ellie Krieger explains that in some cultures a mid afternoon nap is normal. Mid afternoon is usually when people's energy levels drop.

Find somewhere comfortable where you can stretch out and sleep well. It's also best to find some place that is quiet...Close your door if you have one, or put in ear plugs to drown out outside noise.

Try not to sleep longer than 15-20 minutes because you may end up groggy instead of refreshed.

Eat slowwllly

Please, don't inhale and or shove food in your face at the dinner table. Hate to break it to you, but regardless of where you are, it looks sloppy and doesn't show the best manners...aside from the looks of it, eating fast doesn't help weight loss either.

Eating fast actually causes overeating. everydayhealth.com interviewed Nutritionist RD, MEd, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, Molly Gee. Gee explains that it takes 15 to 20 minutes for the "I'm full" signal to travel to the brain...resulting in portion control failure.

Eating slowly gives time for the signal to reach the brain and keep your calorie count lower, or shall I say, a more appropriate amount of food in your body.

I heard from several people, including my previous personal trainer, Bill Maeda (who with his wife owns "Bodyvox"),that chewing slowly is more comfortable and fills your tummy quicker. Then you will realize, hey I've eaten smaller portions!

TIPS TO EAT SLOWLY:
1. Take smaller bites
2. Savor each and every bite
3. Chew 15-20 times (seems like a lot, and sure does feel like it, but you'll feel better about yourself later, trust me.)

PLEASE visit everydayhealth.com for more tips and information..this stuff is helpful.

Energy drinks and alcohol

(Media Credit: Sean Nakamura, Kapi'o Photographer)

Those of you out there who like to mix your alcohol and energy drinks (i.e. Red Bull and if youʻre an athlete), it may be best if you think twice...


CNN reported in an article that athletes who mixed alcohol and energy drinks consumed more than those who drank alcohol by itself. Information from a survey done by Oklahoma State and University of Missouri stated that those including energy drinks in their alcohol increases risk-taking.

The caffeine in the energy drinks mixed with alcohol makes the consumer get more intoxicated. Also, the researchers included that drinking a stimulant and or depressant confuses body signals and it doesn't know what to do.

The study also reports that when too much of these cocktails are drunk, it can cause health problems. It can affect motivation, concentration, mood and or mental problems.

I would think that anything creating health problems regarding the brain is pretty intense and should create some sort of impact on those mixing drinks.

The brain is also still developing under 25 years old. By exposing the body to this mixture, it leads way to anxiety and depression problems in the not to far future.

zzzz

I love to sleep, and I wish I had time to do more of that. For some reason, when 10 p.m. rolls around, it sounds like a nice time to go to sleep..BUT some how I end up going to bed at midnight or one. Not sure why...That "Iʻll go to bed in 10 minutes," quickly turns to two hours later...Now, if itʻs hard for you to sleep, or are constantly tired when you wake, take these suggestions into consideration please, that cranky mood isnʻt favored...:)

1.) Try waking up and going to sleep at the same time. That way your body clock is able to function properly. (Itʻll help set that body clock; you know those times when you just wake up when youʻre supposed too?? HELLO BODY CLOCK.)

2.) Whatever you do before you go to bed can affect how you sleep and if you toss or turn. Many people watch TV or read before bed to relax and calm our minds. Although, sometimes a violent movie or the news can cause tossing and turning. (Sometimes I catch myself dreaming about what I just watched.)

3.) DONʻT schedule your days activities up until the minute before you go to bed.

4.) Cut back on TV and create a different relaxing routine.

5.) Warm baths relax you and your body temp. drops after baths and makes you sleepy. Also, a light snack like milk or carbs makes you tired as well.

6.) If you use an alarm, set it at the same time everyday.

See more information on Healthy Living with Ellie Krieger.