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 April 10, 2020
It’s a well known fact that staying hydrated can improve your body functions, from your eyes to your skin. But how does it help the brain in particular? Your brain is nearly 75 percent water, so when it has a healthy reserve of water to utilize, it will help you think faster and more clearly. It may even improve your creativity!
Water is also a crucial vehicle for delivering the nutrients your brain needs each day to function. Water can also help remove toxins, and make the exchange of nutrients and toxins more efficient. Ever heard of brain fog? This exchange is made easier because of plenty of water, ensuring we have better concentration and mental alertness.
Now that we know how important staying hydrated can be on your brain’s functions, how can we ensure we get enough each day? If regular water gets boring, try out some fruit, like lemon or strawberry, added to your water. Cascade Ice Sparkling Water is a great alternative as well, with so many options and flavor combinations available.
To get at least 8 glasses of water each day, try carrying around a reusable water bottle to remind you to fill up. You can even set a reminder or alarm to help you remember if you’re notorious for forgetting! Lastly, lots of nutritious foods like fruits and vegetables contain water, so stock up on the essentials to help you meet your daily intake and boost your brain function.
Cheers to keeping our brains happy, healthy, and functioning the best they possibly can!
What is your favorite way to hydrate? Tell us in the comments below, or share a photo with us! Remember to “like” and “follow” us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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Healthy Living
by Cascade Ice on March 25, 2020
We are experiencing unprecedented challenges during the current COVID-19 pandemic, and even if we are practicing the CDC “social distancing” measures, different aspects of our health can suffer. Check out our list of tips for maintaining your physical and mental health and fitness during these trying times.
Get Outside Each Day
Whether it’s going outside and possibly getting some sunshine while gardening in the backyard or going for a quick jog or walk around the neighborhood, a little bit of physical exercise each day can do wonders for your health. This will give your body a chance to circulate blood to all of your vital organs, relieve stress, and get some Vitamin D to improve your mood.
Take Advantage of Online Fitness Classes
Many gyms and online personal training services are currently streaming their content free or at a deeply discounted price. And most routines are adapted so you don’t need any fancy exercise equipment – just you! So get moving!
Cut Back on Electronics
It’s easy to feel inundated and overwhelmed by the 24/7 news cycle, especially during times like these. Instead of letting yourself stay logged on all day, designate a few time windows each day where you can check the news and stay connected to friends and loved ones (maybe even video call!). And make sure you log off completely an hour before you hit the sack, which will help you sleep better overall.
Cut Yourself Some Slack!
There are no steadfast rules during this time, because in our lifetime, we’ve never faced something quite like this. So, do what you need to do to stay healthy each day, whether it’s to create a schedule, meditate, call a friend, listen to a podcast, or enjoy a cocktail! (We have many low-calorie and low-sugar ideas here). Remember, we are all in this together!
What are you doing during the pandemic to maintain your physical and emotional health? Tell us in the comments below! Remember to “like” and “follow” us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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Healthy Living
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.
