The N.E.A.T. Way to Exercise for a Longer, Healthier Life
By Elisabeth Almekinder, Health Journalist, Registered Nurse, and Diabetes Educator for the Manos Unidas North Carolina Farmworker Health Program Have you ever known a relative or person who never stopped moving? They probably made the energizer bunny look lazy. I have a mother-in-law like this. She’s a tiny thing. What is NEAT? NEAT, or Non–Exercise Activity Thermogenesis occurs with every activity that we perform except sleeping or performing sports- like exercises. It could be yard work, walking to work, housework, or even fidgeting. When I was in high school, my first boyfriend was a fidgeter. He was constantly moving, even…
Niksen: The Dutch Art of Purposefully Doing Nothing
By Elisabeth Almekinder, Health Journalist, Registered Nurse, and Diabetes Educator for the Manos Unidas North Carolina Farmworker Health Program Doing nothing, but with a purpose to do nothing or no purpose at all, may help to decrease anxiety, bring creativity to the surface, and boost productivity. The Dutch have perfected the practice of doing nothing, or “niksen” so well that they are some of the happiest people on earth. I encourage you to loosen your concept of time and productivity and practice this simple exercise from the Netherlands. Allowing your brain to rewire from stress by doing nothing is a…
What Happens When You Drink Tea Every Day
By Elisabeth Almekinder, Health Journalist, Registered Nurse, and Diabetes Educator for the Manos Unidas North Carolina Farmworker Health Program / Photo by David McLain (The Blue Zones Kitchen) Black, green, or herbal, we know tea is the longevity drink enjoyed among the longest-lived people in the world, but how does it work to extend longevity, relieve stress, protect against cancer, and decrease the risk of heart disease? Why tea is a longevity beverage With over 1,500 varieties, not including all the different herbal blends, it’s a comforting and pleasant drink with healing effects. In the blue zones, where it’s consumed…
How Social Life Affects Bone Health
By Elisabeth Almekinder, Health Journalist, Registered Nurse, and Diabetes Educator for the Manos Unidas North Carolina Farmworker Health Program High levels of social stress have been established through research as associated with fractures in postmenopausal women. New research has pointed to bone loss as a process in this relationship. Stress and Bone Loss Many people, especially women, experience osteoporosis as they get older. The onset of menopause precipitates the issues. Osteoporosis then becomes a public health concern, as people with the condition are more at risk for falls and subsequent fractures. Stress is when you are unable to cope with…
