I bounce back and forth between books and podcasts when I drive. Last year, around this time I talked about the Libby app and how it helped me devour more books than I ever have in a single year. After a while, the books tend to overlap. A lot. So this year I have switched back to podcasts for the most part and am enjoying listening to amazing people tell amazing stories, with a real focus on systems and leadership. […]
In the early days of dating my husband, we engaged in all sorts of question-asking to get to know one another better. As we walked along our university’s campus holding hands and gazing into each other’s eyes, I will never know what prompted my twenty-year-old brain to ask him what fruits and vegetables he liked to eat. No matter how strange the question, I will forever remember his reply. […]
At this point, nothing is unexpected from 2020. In what feels like countless ways, 2020 keeps piling it on. Some of the affronts are expected or at the very least, anticipated. But other things seem to be a collection of the most unexpected happenings. […]
When this is all over, what will be the most important thing to you? […]
We believe in Mondays. But right now? We especially believe in their power. Why? […]
We learn in order to move, and moving increases our capacity to learn. It’s a cycle that helped our species survive until we no longer needed to move as much just to find food. But our learning is still tied to movement. As is our brain health. Aerobic exercise stimulates the growth of brain-derived-neurotrophic-factor (BDNF) which in turn stimulates the growth of new neurons. Dysregulation of BDNF is linked to a great number of brain-based issues. If this was the only benefit of exercise to the brain, it would be enough reason for doctors to recommend it for brain health. The great news is exercise does so much more. […]
The community of members and trainers at Hyatt training are diverse in age, backgrounds, goals. But there is a unifying thread that runs through each and everyone one of us: the desire to improve our health on a deep level. […]
The first book recommended to me after I became a personal trainer was “Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain.” Written by John J Ratey, MD and Eric Hagerman, “Spark” argues that exercise helps produce “Miracle-Gro for the brain.” Most of the evidence supporting this argument was drawn from the previous decade of studies on learning capacity, cognitive decline, and brain health. The book is now seven years old, making some of that evidence almost old enough to vote. […]
The importance of hydration is something I have always struggled with as a trainer, and it’s something that certainly not everyone agrees on 100%. I have, admittedly, been all over the board from drinking tons of water to not really worrying about it at all. It is something, however, that has seemed to make a dramatic impact on physical health for me over the past 6 months, so as we lean into the conversation of hydration this week I invite you to be open minded, to try some new strategies and to find out where your optimal level lies. […]
Ever wonder why young children wake up at the same time every morning, yet adults struggle to achieve that natural regulation (hello, snooze button!)? What factors and lifestyle choices affect our sleep as we age, and what adjustments can we make to increase our sleep quality? We all know sleep is important, but why is it important? What does getting “good sleep” look like? Join us as we dive into some excellent resources to answer these questions, and find yourself on the path to better sleep…and health! […]
In normal life, one of my very favorite parts of each day is walking the kids to school. Both the time spent with them, grounding, preparing, anticipating. And also the walk home by myself, savoring “the space”. The unfilled space, where I think, create, process. Along the way we see neighbors and schoolmates. Are greeted by our crossing-guard-turned-friend. […]
Aside from awareness of micro-stressors and modifying them appropriately to account for our daily dose of inherent stress, one of the biggest stress management tools I’ve been using lately is to create as much structure for myself as possible. Here are some of the things that have been helpful for me in these weird days of COVID-19. […]
I’m a big fan of stress… In the right amounts. And I’m not talking about road rage and work deadline stress, although those can be tell us a lot about ourselves. I’m talking about properly dosed micro-stressors with the intention of building strength and resiliency. Exercise is the easiest example here, we stress the muscles, damage them in the process, and they repair themselves stronger. Awesome. But what else can we / should we be doing to provide appropriate stress to our systems? Here’s a quick list of some things I regularly do and how I am modifying during these more stressful times. […]
Personal trainer, Will Johnston, leads us through a 10-minute mobility routine of stretches and release techniques that will help us feel great after sitting for extra hours at our desks. Included in this post you’ll find a video presentation and additional Hyatt Training resources for anyone who wants to feel and move a little better after so much sitting! […]
One thing that we’re hearing so much about right now is how everyone’s bodies feel different. Being home bound for recreation and work really impacts our physical and mental health. Exercise can be such a huge factor in combating those changes, but it’s harder to get moving if your body just doesn’t feel that good. That’s where a little self-care comes in handy. […]