by Cascade Ice on April 16, 2020
Over the last several years, new research has emerged that shows the link between stress and health problems – both physical and mental. Especially during these trying times in our world, it’s important to find ways to manage your stress, in order to stay happy and healthy. Here are some quick, easy tips you can practice doing each day to keep your stress at bay.
Guided Imagery
A relatively new technique, guided imagery can essentially be described as “going to your happy place” – using your mind to picture yourself in a relaxing scenario such as a beach vacation or a hot bath. Guided imagery is effective because it can be done most anywhere, whether it’s taking a quick break from work, or before bed to wind down each night. Think through all of the senses and what each sense would experience in the place you’ve imagined, allowing yourself to feel as though you’re really there. If done regularly, guided imagery will help you return to the present moment with a fresh perspective and a more relaxed state of mind.
Physical Exercise
As daunting as it sounds, daily physical exercise doesn’t have to be doing a neighborhood jog everyday. Instead, simply make small efforts daily to get your body moving and get your heart rate up. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, take the dog for a long walk, or march in place while you type out an email. Increasing your blood flow will feed endorphins to your brain, which will help with your mental health as a result.
Breathe!
Yes – we breathe all day long. But practicing intentional breathing can have a profound effect on your stress levels. Breathe in through your nose and intentionally let your belly fill all the way up with air. Count to 5 slowly as you inhale, hold for 2 seconds, and then breathe slowly out of your nose. Do this simple trick each time you feel stress creeping in – it will undoubtedly help you “breathe out” stress and tension, leading to a more relaxed body and mind.
What are some ways that you manage stress? Tell us in the comments below! Remember to “like” and “follow” us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
by Cascade Ice on March 16, 2020
Our bodies are miraculous disease-fighters. But, to function well, it requires a good balance of all of its systems. While experts are still studying the effects of diet, exercise, age, stress, and other factors on the immune system response, there are many ways to give your body the upper hand in fighting off illness. Here are just a few ways you can do that.
Wash Your Hands Regularly
It should go without saying, but most people don’t realize how effective washing your hands with soap and water is for fighting off disease. While hand sanitizer is a good option if you don’t have access to warm water and soap, the latter is still the very best option to rid yourself of harmful bacteria. Remember to wash for at least 30 seconds!
Get Adequate Sleep
Aim to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night, and try to adopt the same nightly schedule in order to align your circadian rhythms and achieve more deep sleep. Getting adequate sleep will help fight off illness and restore cells, so it’s an easy way to give your system the boost it needs to fight off disease.
Hydrate Your Body
Stay hydrated all day long by drinking water, and give it a boost of natural vitamins by adding lemon, honey or even mint. If regular water is tough for you to drink all day, reach for a zero-calorie Cascade Ice Sparkling Water – available in many flavor options to keep you from getting bored.
Eat Your Fruits and Vegetables
Prevent illness and heal your body with nature’s vitamins and minerals – consume 3-5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day. If it’s hard for you to make that daily quota, take a high-quality multivitamin to fill in the gaps.
What do you do to boost your immune system and stay healthy? Tell us in the comments below! Remember to “like” and “follow” us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
by Cascade Ice on December 19, 2019
When was the last time you tried to eat your favorite food, but your nose was stuffed up and you couldn’t enjoy all of the flavors? Believe it or not, your nose has a bigger role in your ability to taste different flavors than your tongue. This unique human ability to experience countless different flavors is called “neurogastronomy.”
So what exactly happens in our brain when we taste different flavors? According to Dr. Gordon M. Shepherd, the experience of flavor engages the brain more than any other human behavior. He explains that the scent we smell while eating provides as much of the flavor we taste as the act of chewing and sipping provides.
Experiencing different flavors that we deem tasty can also trigger the release of dopamine, causing feelings of happiness. Reward-driven behavior is greatly impacted by the amount of dopamine released in the brain. So, if you’re trying to drink more water, for example, adding a flavor you like to it is a great way to encourage yourself. Cascade Ice Sparkling Water offers more flavor combinations than any other zero calorie flavored sparkling water. If you have trouble meeting your suggested daily water intake, try flavored water to give your taste buds a kick!
What’s your favorite Cascade Ice Sparkling Water flavor? Tell us in the comments below, or share a photo! Remember to “like” and “follow” us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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