5 Reasons to Volunteer

Does anyone think its better to give than to receive? We know the answer is yes, but do we know why. Volunteering is not just for retired people we can all give back to the causes we support and make a difference. Here are just a few reasons to find an opportunity to serve. 1. Develop new skills in leadership, communication and teamwork. Boost confidence by exploring new interests through diverse experiences. 2. Impact our community in areas such as food insecurity, education, healthcare, environmental conservation, spiritual growth, or pet adoption. 3. Connect with others who share your goals and values. By expanding your network, you can feel more connected and might make lifelong friendships. 4. Improve your physical and mental health by helping others. Volunteering can increase feelings of fulfillment and lower stress levels by finding more gratitude and purpose. 5. Create real change! Your efforts can directly impact the lives of others. Be part of something bigger than yourself.

3 Ways to Get Motivated to Walk

If you think it is too late to reap the benefits of walking for daily exercise you will not be disappointed. Researchers discovered a 51 percent lower mortality risk for those who took 8,000 steps per day. Those who walk daily have lower risk of stroke, improved cognition, lower blood pressure, and weight loss. Walking is an easy to do exercise that has many benefits with very little risk of injury. Walking doesn’t require expensive equipment either. You can get in your steps within just 30 minutes! A brisk walk is a bonus. You will find after a few weeks you look forward to the time and will probably enjoy a little stress relief. Spending 30 minutes outdoors can lift your spirits! Here are three tips to make walking a little more interesting and get you out the door. 1. Find a friend who likes to walk too. Ask your current friends or neighbors if they want to join you. Join a local walking group or hiking group in your area. Search platforms such as Meetup, Facebook, Nextdoor, Bumble, or GoJauntly. If you have a pet dog, join a dog-walking group in the neighborhood. 2. Listen to your favorite podcast on your walk. Be entertained, educated, engaged, and inspired. A good podcast makes time go very quickly! Walking sparks creativity and can inspire new ideas. I love to listen to history podcasts when I walk. 3. Explore new routes. When we walk the same way all the time, it can get boring. Discover scenic trails, parks or neighborhoods you have never walked before. Seattle has an abundance of trails such as Discovery Park Loop, Burke-Gilman Trail, Alki Path, Green Lake Path, Seward Park Loop, Seahurst Park Trails and so many more!

New Year Healthy Habits

Sometimes overdoing a healthy habit can have the opposite of the intended effect. Here are 5 ways to keep healthy in the New Year! Working out. U.S. Health and Human Services recommends that the average adult get at least 150 minutes/week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes/week of vigorous aerobic activity. Generally, that’s 30 minutes of physical activity every day. Too much exercise can result in exhaustion, muscle fatigue and injury. Average adults should aim to break a sweat – if you’re completely exhausted after the gym, you might be going too hard. Walking. It’s great exercise but if you do it too much, you may end up with chronic foot pain. The repetitive motion can cause plantar fasciitis (also common in women who wear high heels). Your best bet is to get good orthotic inserts with sturdy arch support for your walks. Build up slowly and be consistent and you will see results. Walking really is the best form of exercise we can get. Walking daily is a great New Year’s resolution and one you can keep!                       Getting consistent sleep. Aim for 7-9 hours (for adults) per night. Oversleeping on weekends builds up carbon dioxide and doesn’t make up for lack of sleep during the week. Think daily, not weekly cumulative hours. Dieting. People who try different “fad” diets often gain back more weight than they’ve lost. If you want to lose weight, talk to a nutritionist or your doctor for a long-term diet that’s right for you. Taking supplements. Many adults take one or more vitamins or supplements every day. However, too many supplements (without your doctor’s approval) can interact with other medications and have serious side effects.