We all know exercise is great for your body. It’s also one of the best things we can do for our brains (see our Exercise and the Brain series of posts), exercise also benefits the nervous system! The nervous system is like an internal instant messaging service. It sends and receives messages from our brain to our bodies, and vice versa. These messages can come from the outside world (e.g., you recoil after touching a hot stove) or from inside your body (e.g., if you stretch too far, it hurts). […]

Whether you are waving to a neighbor while walking your dog, comparing stats with your cycling buddies, or chatting with the people who are on the same gym schedule, exercise often involves socializing. That is a good thing, because studies underscore the importance of exercise combined with community and social interaction. When combined, both more effective and more likely to become a habit. […]

With the chaos that’s going on in today’s world, do you have stay-at-home blues? Do you have the urge to over snack? Exercise and physical activity is more important than ever to help us get through this pandemic. It’s critical that we consistently stay physically active for these reasons: […]

Have you noticed that a good workout makes you feel happier for the rest of the day? The feel-good effect of exercise is not solely the result of being glad it’s over. Exercise works on a biological level to boost your mood. It does this by creating endorphins while you workout. […]

Socially distance, wash your hands, wear a mask and exercise! As athletes we all exercise for the benefits, such as improving cardiovascular health, lowering blood pressure, and body weight control. And now, more than ever, we need exercise to ward off viral illnesses. […]

With so many of our traditional indoor workout facilities closed or unavailable, it is time to get creative! We are so very fortunate to live in a city with mild weather and many outdoor workout options. Here are a few ideas to get you outside this winter! […]

Grip strength/endurance is an indicator of overall health and a predictor of life length and quality. Several studies have also linked grip strength with mortality, rehabilitation, cognition, and depression. So, if you increase your grip strength will you add years to your life? Not necessarily, but a stronger grip may help you perform the sort of daily activities that will. A weakened grip may be a warning sign of other issues. […]

When I’m having a terrible day, there are usually three big factors. 1. The inciting incident. 2. The post-incident mental loop. 3. Everything else going on in my life. The incident happens. It doesn’t matter what it is. A rude email, traffic, oversleeping the alarm. I’m in stress response mode. […]

When it comes to intentional exercise, having a plan is hard to argue with. Setting goals, taking measurements, and building routines are important to the program. Creating a great plan is often step one. To promote lasting change, it needs to have purpose and be resilient. That’s why a common second step is changing that great plan. Your routines are only as good as their ability to change, both as a reaction to external stressors and to promote further adaptation. […]

If you feel your body has adapted to your current workout regimen and exercises, it’s time to focus on challenging yourself in new ways. It’s time to talk progressive overload: what, when and how! […]