Good Advice
Friday, March 1, 2013
Two-minute tricks that seriously boost your health
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Being healthy is a lifestyle that involves eating well, working out, and getting eight hours of shut-eye. Ideally.
What's also true? There are many things that make a serious difference in your health and take just two minutes, explain experts.
So even if you're one of those people who never get to leave your desk (sorry!), one of these quick practices can help you make the most out of a few free moments to really ramp up your level of wellness. Here are 10 two-minute tricks that can seriously boost your health. —Amy Eley
Photo: WeHeartIt.com
1. Spice up your water. Take a tip from the spa and add a little something extra to your water to help relax and alkalize your water. Robyn Youkilis, a holistic health coach, suggests making a pitcher of filtered fresh raspberries and lime slices or throwing cucumber and spearmint leaves into your water bottle for a little healthy Zen-on-the-go. (There's a reason we made this our top tip for the holiday season.)
Photo: Harvest.org
2. Do planks. Before getting into the shower every morning, celebrity trainer David Kirsch suggests spending two minutes doing planks. Hold a straight plank for one minute followed by 30-second planks on each side. “A strong core is the foundation of a fit, health body,” said Kirsch, and this is the number one move for it.
Photo: Pinterest
3. Dry brush. Two minutes of dry brushing before a shower increases circulation, stimulates the lymphatic system (which moves toxins out of the body), makes your skin glow, and even helps tone and firm your legs and tush. (Sounds good to us!) Youkilis recommends starting with your feet, and brushing your skin in a light, circular motion, upwards along the body, and then hop in the shower.Photo: Pinterest
4. Look at your plate before diving in. Visually take in your food before you tuck in. This practice of just a few seconds helps you savor your meal and slows down your eating, says Youkilis. This approach "helps you recognize when you are full before overeating, and therefore slim your waistline without having to change a thing!"
Photo: Pinterest
5. Meditation. Acid reflux, headaches, and even a shorter life expectancy have been linked to stress. And just two minutes of watching your breath or trying one of these easy meditation practices can make a big impact. “Meditation helps to reduce stress at the most basic level,” says Jeff Cannon, author of The Simple Truth: Meditation for the Modern World. “At a deeper level, it leads to a happier, healthier, and more successful life."
Photo: Pinterest
6. Add turmeric to your cooking. The benefits of this inflammation-fighting spice are too good not to mention. Turmeric has powerful antioxidants that help fight certain types of cancers, as well as arthritis, psoriasis, and Alzheimer’s. Studies show it helps reduce the damage done by enjoying high-fat meals. "That might explain why French women sprinkle turmeric on everything," jokes Youkilis.Photo: Google Images
7. Neck and shoulder release. Dr. Frank Lipman, the physician-founder of Eleven Eleven Wellness Center, loves to prescribe a tennis ball massage for work- and workout-aholics. It prevents adhesions and pain in the neck and shoulders where most people have it. Want to try it? Lie on your back, knees up, and place two tennis balls side-by-side at the top of your shoulder blades. Lift your arms to the ceiling, then move them slowly toward the knees, then toward the wall behind you.Photo: Pinterest
8. Eat avocados for great skin. Joanna Vargas, the natural-leaning New York facialist to Michelle Williams and Naomi Watts, says that all of her clients can benefit from the nourishing beauty boost that comes from avocado's rich source of good fats. "I'm obsessed with eating avocado for the skin—they make you hydrated from the inside out," she says.
Photo: Pinterest
9. Hang from a stall bar. A popular technique associated with barre workouts is to hang from a stall bar. Natasha Attal, social media manager for Physique 57, says that two minutes of the stall bar can help reduce lower back pain and yield better posture.Photo: Pinterest
10. Floss. Take two minutes to floss and you will help a lot more than your teeth. “There are many studies that link gum disease to heart disease,” said Dr. Michelle Katz and Dr. Jeffrey Rappaport, creators of the chic Lavaan Dental Spa in Manhattan. Of course, it helps with the basics of fresh breath, too.Photo: Pinterest
FILED UNDER: Good Advice
Lime juice is acidic.
But, oddly enough, it becomes highly alkaline-forming in the body during the metabolic process. Sounds contradictory, but it’s true.
These are absolutely wonderful ideas. All easily doable. Thanks so much WellandGoodNYC
Easy and very doable!!! For me and my clients it helps to have a selection for each step, such as Walking Meditation outdoors instead of sitting, different yoga exercises instead of one individual isometric exercise etc.
With Love, Manuela (theWalkingGuru)
I love this post. Easy ways to start changing your ways to more healthful ones. I regularly spice up my water with fruit, rasberries and lemon slices is my favorite. It makes you feel like you are indulging yourself and is so much more exciting than plain water : )
Awesome tips. Love cucumber water – so refreshing. Also, kiwi is awesome in ice water :)
Thank you Amy for these great tips!
Thanks a lot Amy for the tips! I always follow your posts here, its really informative!
I do the plank everyday. This exercise not only strengthens your core, but your arms, shoulders and legs. Its a great all rounder and excellent for improving your posture.
I suffered from hip pain, but since doing the plank and side plank everyday the pain has gone. Highly recommend that you give it try because my body feels much stronger and flexible since incorporating it into my life.