March 16th - March 22nd
Functional Foods
|
For the next couple of weeks we're going to kick off a series covering various functional foods. What are functional foods? Functional foods are defined as having benefits that go beyond basic nutrition. You probably know a few already, things like salmon, yogurt, oats, and tomatoes all fall under this definition for various reasons. For a more intensive review of several functional foods check out this article, but if you want your information a little more bite-sized, we're going to walk you through several different functional foods in a way that's a little easier to digest.
|
|
March 9th - March 15th
An Alternative to your Morning Coffee
|
Coffee. Second only to water in highest reported consumption according to Stats Canada, coffee is used all over the world for its stimulating properties. If that's not your cup of tea though, or if you find you get jittery and anxious from the caffeine, there is a healthy alternative. Interestingly, an apple a day might help you get out of bed in the morning. Apples provide you with natural sugars and vitamins that promote a similar wake-up response as caffeine. While an apple might not be able to replace that warm cup in the morning, it might help wake you up when your clock springs forward this weekend. To learn more about the benefits of both coffee and apples, check out this article. |
March 2nd - March 8th
The Importance of Proper Shut-eye
|
It's pretty clear that sleep is vitally important to both your mental and physical well-being, but sleep deprivation has further reaching effects than many people realize. It can affect things like weight gain, blood pressure, and even mess with your hunger regulating hormones. This can cause you to subconsciously over-eat and reduce the feeling of fullness you would normally experience during and after a meal. It's important that you try and get at least 7 hours of sleep per night. Doing so can help you not only feel more rested, but can also give you a boost in motivation and willpower, allowing you to more easily meet your other health goals. For more tips on improving sleep, check out this article from the Mayoclinic.
|
|
February 23rd - March 1st
Canada's New Food Guide
|
Recently, Canada's food guide went through a rigorous overhaul, its first update in more than a decade. The new food guide has tons of helpful information to explore, and even goes beyond simple nutrition by touting the benefits of eating with others and encouraging everyone to cook for themselves more often. Cooking for yourself is a great way to learn new skills and techniques, allows you to rely less on processed foods, gives you the power to control the things you eat, and can even save you money! To learn more about the recent changes, and get helpful healthy eating tips, check out the revamped food guide HERE.
|
February 16th - February 22nd
Small Changes Make a Big Difference
Photo by Clique Images on Unsplash
Our weekend wellness tip last week talked about getting active in the face of winter. Physical activity is vital to overall health and well-being, but as anyone who has started their journey knows, the first step is often the hardest. If you're having a hard time reaching your goals just remember it's okay to fail. A healthy lifestyle doesn't happen overnight and sometimes it can help to take a step back and re-evaluate your situation. Sometimes the key to big change is starting out small, and the mayo clinic has some tips to help you do just that. If you want to read up on using small changes in routine to make habits that last, you can find the article Here.
February 9th - February 15th
Fitness in the Face of Winter
With the temperatures low and the skies dark it's all too easy to curl up and hibernate on your couch. However if the winter blues have got you down then one of the best ways out of the slump is to get up and do something active! There are plenty of fun ways to keep your blood flowing through the coldest months of the year, both indoors and out. Whether you join a fitness at the local gym or take fitness into your own hands at home, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada has some ideas to get you started. Check them out here.
February 2nd - February 8th
Ice Safety and Preventing Hypothermia
While the Polar Vortex may have blown over, bringing warmer weather for this weekend with its passing, it's important to keep in mind the hazards associated with ice and water. Did you know that water can take heat away from the body 25 times faster than air? It may be tempting to go out on a seemingly frozen lake or river, but even ice that seems thick can be surprisingly fragile with the right conditions. If you are going out on the ice, be sure to check its quality and thickness to make sure it can support your weight, and check out these links to make sure you're prepared.
January 27th - February 1st
Bell Let's Talk Day
|
One in five Canadians will suffer from mental illness at some point in their lives. Of this group of people, two thirds of them will struggle in silence for fear of being judged or rejected. On January 30th, you can help end the stigma by participating in Bell Let's Talk day. If you aren't sure where to turn to, talking to your healthcare provider is a great way to start. There are also plenty of resources on the gateway website, or on the Bell Let's Talk website found at the link on the side. Together, we can break the silence and spark a conversation about mental health.
|
|
July 20th - July 22nd
We can't always control the things happening to us and the things happening around us, but we can control how we respond to them!
|
|
July 13th - July 15th
Weekend Wellness TipCycling is a great way to get outdoors in the summer and can benefit your health and longevity. To ensure you are riding for a long time, you must keep safety in mind! This week, Gateway would like to bring you some of the most up to date information on bike helmets, their importance, and new technological updates backed by reputable research.
Check out this article to learn more. |
Ride on!
|
June 29th - July 1st
Click here to learn more about heat stroke.
|
Weekend Wellness TipEnvironment Canada has released a heat advisory for the upcoming long weekend with temperatures reaching the mid 40s. In light of this, it is important to take the appropriate precautions when celebrating Canada day! Use the links provided to the left and right to learn more about heat stroke, warning signs of it, and preventative measures you can take during the first big heat wave of the summer.
Happy Canada Day! |
Click here to view the heat advisory.
|