HaveHealthNow Blog by Wellness Mike

     Did you dance in delight the first time you heard that dark chocolate is good for you? Did you think that your favorite indulgence just became an official "health food?" Popular culture often makes too much of health benefit claims, especially when it comes to food and drink that many people consider guilty pleasures. It's important to understand it's not always the item itself, but certain components in it that have potential health benefits. Here is the truth behind two common pop-culture myths: Dark chocolate is good for you Wouldn't it be great if every time you bit into your favorite chocolate treat or candy bar you were actually doing something healthful? Unfortunately, it's not the chocolate itself that's healthy. It's the cocoa flavanols that are found in cocoa beans that are actually thought to be healthful. Numerous studies have demonstrated that cocoa flavanols help to support your health by promoting healthy blood flow. Consu...

Want to make 2017 the year you focus on your health? Wellness goals are admirable throughout the year, but too often well-meaning people make a common mistake that sabotages their efforts: they skip breakfast. It's a daily choice that millions of people shrug off as no big deal, but research proves breakfast is an important component in how you feel throughout the day. Fueling up solely on java may perk you up momentarily, but it doesn't do the trick long-term. Consider these five reasons why breakfast boosts your health and should not be ignored. Awakens your metabolism When you eat breakfast, you "break the fast" from your sleep periods and give your metabolism a wake-up call. When you sleep, your metabolism slows and you burn fewer calories while you rest. By eating a nutritious breakfast, you are sparking your internal engine so it burns calories and gives you more energy throughout the day. Helps you focus Hunger can make people irritable and it's...

     On the path to good health, it pays to follow your heart - literally. A healthy heart is essential to supporting good overall health, yet many people ignore the warning signs that their heart is not as healthy as it could be. A 2016 survey from the American Academy of Family Physicians, conducted by Harris Poll, found that nearly three in 10 men and women reported they had been diagnosed with high blood pressure. This result mirrors the findings of research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The findings translate to an estimated 75 million people with high blood pressure, and just slightly more than half have the condition under control. "This finding is concerning because we know that high blood pressure and heart attacks or chronic heart failure are so closely related," said John Meigs, Jr., MD, president of the AAFP. "According to the CDC, seven out of 10 people who have a first heart attack have high blood pressure. Seven out of 10 people...

5 simple steps to boost your immune system now (BPT) - Whether it's battling the rampant germs of cold and flu season or maintaining wellness throughout the year, the immune system is your main line of defense. In order to feel good as often as possible - and recover quickly when you don't - it's important to keep your immune system strong. "The immune system is the part of the body that monitors both internal and external environments," says Dr. Chris Oswald, certified nutrition specialist and chiropractor in Hudson, Wisconsin. "It's important to understand that both too much immune response and too little immune response, including inflammation, is not good, so maintaining that happy medium is the name of the game." To achieve that "happy medium," Dr. Oswald recommends incorporating five simple steps into your daily routine: Support natural sleep cycles "Sleep is the time when our bodies repair and rejuvenate, so it is somethin...

No one wakes up in the morning hoping to be sick. Yet despite the angst people have about becoming ill, many forgo one of the easiest, most effective ways to protect themselves and their loved ones from common and even severe illnesses - they choose not to get vaccinated. There are many reasons people choose not to get vaccinated. Often, the decision is caused by incorrect information one may read or hear about vaccinations. Mayo Clinic seeks to eliminate these mistruths and offer correct information about vaccinations so people can make safe, healthy choices for themselves and their families. 1. Are vaccines safe? Safety concerns are the most common question people have regarding vaccines, and it's also the question where there is the most misinformation. The truth is vaccines are safe and people who receive them enjoy numerous health benefits, including illness prevention. Each vaccine undergoes rigorous testing before being released to the general public to ensure it not only...

Well in my opinion the main thing that keeps us tossing and turning at night is worrying about not going to sleep. Sure there might be other reasons for sleeplessness; chronic pain, restless legs syndrome, partner disturbance, too much coffee... But at the end of the day you're lying there worrying about how you're going to get through the next day if you don't get to sleep *right now!* Worry and the stress it causes, are by far the main causes of sleeplessness, and the sad part is, the more we worry, the more wide awake we feel. But what can we do about it? We have to empty our conscious minds of worrying and stressful thoughts (yeah right! Easier said than done!) Stress and worry can affect your sleep quite dramatically. It can be an isolated stressful incident which keeps you awake for a few nights, or the stress and worry may be chronic. Once they becomes a habit, certain situations will then always cause you to become stressed. Worry in particular ...

Five Best Snacks To Get You Through Those 12-hour Shifts BY SCRUBS STAFF • FEBRUARY 1, 2016 As a nurse, you’re probably working long shifts. Whether you love them or hate them, one thing is for sure: 12-hour shifts make for a long day or night. To get through your shift, proper nutrition is essential to maintain the energy and mental sharpness. In addition to eating a healthy lunch or dinner, snacks also play an important role in helping you have the stamina you need. Snacking also can prevent you from overeating at meals and help keep your metabolism fired up, but choosing the right snacks is the key. Although soda, candy, and surgery coffee drinks may give you a quick boost, they are not your best bet when it comes to keeping your blood sugar levels steady and getting the right nutrients. Consider some of the following snacks to get you through your next 12-hour shift: Nuts: There may be times when you crave a salty snack, but chips and pretzels are high i...