Skip Jennings - Skip Jennings

Self Care

Self-care is important for our total well-being. Taking some time alone time to meditate, spending time at the beach or walking through the woods lowers our stress level, improves our mental faculties and reduces anxiety. It also builds our self-esteem over time as we come to realize that we deserve to have a little time to ourselves.

Self-care also includes having good nutrition which can help reduce the risk of some diseases, including diabetes, stroke, heart disease, reduces high blood pressure, lowers high cholesterol and increase energy level. A well-balanced diet provides important vitamins, mineral and nutrients to keep the body and mind strong and healthy.

Fitness Trends for 2020

When you think of upcoming trends, the first things that come to mind have something to do with technology. We can expect the fitness industry to dabble in technology by using self-guided training programs, fitness activity tracker, smart watches and virtual trainers.

All In One Fitness is another trend prediction. Instead of going to different places for your health and wellness needs, we will be seeing more trainers, nutritionist, physical therapist and general practice physicians working together under one roof to maximize the result of a healthy well-being.

Finally, fitness will become a trend of self-care for a more healthy lifestyle focusing on what it does for the body and mind, as opposed to short term goals, such as having chiseled abs.

Physical Fitness and Spiritual Goals

It is important to maintain a healthy balance between your mind, body and soul. One should aim for a spiritual and healthy body.

Setting goals to achieve a healthy body, mind and spirit puts you in a driver seat. It helps define your direction and eliminates the amount of distraction that give unnecessary stress and complexities in life. Instead of being stuck, you become empowered.

There are ways to set goals and achieve them. First, turn your thoughts into a reality by writing your specific goals down, your purpose and anticipated dates within which to complete them. Second, you must hold yourself accountable for every step you take.
Make sure they are S.M.A.R.T. goals: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Timely. Anticipate some roadblocks along the way and make a contingency plan for overcoming those by finding the means and resources to stay on course. Remember you can be anything you want to be if you start with the right mindset.

How ‘House Music’ has influenced workouts, exercise classes and yoga classes.

I love listening to house music during my workouts. It gives me energy and pushes me to go further.

By definition, “House music” is a genre of dance music with broad range of percussive electronic sounds, mechanical beat and deeper baselines created by DJs from Chicago’s underground culture in the early and mid 1980’s.

The electronic mix of House music gets the brain excited and makes you want to move. The beat gets your heart pounding and motivates you to keep going. House music has transformed the boring and mundane workout classes to high energy dance hall training events. The creative process of syncing beats of House music has also grown its popularity in the yoga community. DJs supply the soundtrack which varies from soft ambient sounds to electronic mix. The vibration of sounds helps students to dive into a challenging movement or pose and motivates them to move freely.

In general, music takes you into places you may not normally go.

Good ways to make things better, and will help with back pain.

I know that back injury can sometimes be triggered by simply bending down to pick up a pencil or a violent sneeze, and the back gives out. For many, injury can also be caused by strenuous activities or lifting heavy weights. Whatever the cause may be, back pain is no joke. Luckily, there are various exercises to strengthen the lower back that can help alleviate the pain and also strengthen the core, leg and abdominal muscles.

Yoga therapy is a growing field and scientific evidence has begun to emphasize its efficacy. I have found that Yoga is as effective as standard physical therapy for treating moderate to severe chronic low back pain. Yoga incorporates stretching and relaxation which reduces the tension in stress-carrying muscles. It promotes good posture, balance and body alignment, which helps to maintain the natural curvature of the spine, which is an important factor in reducing or avoiding low back pain.

Best Practices to do before and after Back Surgery

I highly recommend these practices, I had to go through back surgery at the beginning of the year. Here are basic guidelines that will help prepare your body before surgery. The pre-operative period can be very stressful and some patients use alcohol, tobacco, pain medications, drugs or food to ease pain or discomfort. These habits and/or practices have the potential to negatively affect the outcome of your surgery and must be avoided at least 2 weeks before your scheduled surgery. Do not lift weights and avoid prolonged sitting and/or standing.

Planning ahead for your homecoming can also make for a smooth transition from the hospital to home.

Post-surgical practices and essentials include the following: staying hydrated to allow the nutrients to flow properly, helping with joint and organ maintenance. Eliminate processed foods from your diet to help heal your body efficiently. The use of ice packs and heating therapy can be helpful to alleviate pain. A walker or cane can help add support and security as you take your first steps around your home. Take your prescribed pain medicines as directed only. Avoid prolonged sitting as it puts most stress on your back. Begin physical therapy and/or home exercises to help you regain and build strength, flexibility and physical endurance.

Finally, notify your surgeon immediately if you have fever or chills, night sweats, pain or shortness of breath.

Tai Chi, Chi Gong – The Art of Slowing Down

Tai Chi (Tai ji quan) is an ancient Chinese form of martial art that is now widely used for health benefits and wellness. The concept of tai ji refers to the yin and yang – two halves that together complete wholeness. It is a series of low impact, gentle slow motions, taking small steps, focusing your attention as in some kind of a meditation, while you breathe deeply and naturally.

Chi Gong (Qi Gong) is an ancient Chinese form of mediation/exercise. The concept of Qi means air or breath as in life giving force, or vital energy. Gong means work or disciplined manner.

The benefits of mind-body practices and exercises are becoming more evident from scientific researches. Mindfulness mediation have been found to reduce stress, anxiety and depression, treat eating disorders, contribute to cell longevity, reduce inflammation-related genes, improve mood and sleep quality.

Benefits of Morning Walks in Nature

Human beings find nature essentially interesting. Our affinity toward nature is genetic and deep rotted. When we look at the beauty in nature such as the expanse of the sea, the prominence of a mountain, the pigments in fruits and flower, we are dazzled by overwhelming feelings of wonder, amazement and awe. A walk in the woods or a stroll by the beach on a chilly early morning while the ocean breathes, the whispering waves can awaken our innermost thoughts and feelings of happiness and peace. Just by being outdoors and using all senses to appreciate nature and absorb the pleasant sensations surrounding us can help us feel more lively and be in a state of calm relaxation.

Nature walks are uplifting and energizing. It is also calming and sedating It helps reduce the diastolic blood pressure, heart rate and lowers the stress hormone cortisol. Being in nature is a place to reflect, discern, plan and exhale from the stress of life. Studies have shown that people living close or spending time in natural green spaces have better mental health, physical and spiritual well-being.

Healing the Body – Acupuncture, Massage, Chiropractor, Foam Rollers

The theory and practice of acupuncture originated in China. It is a form of treatment
that involves inserting very thin needles through a person’s skin at specific points to
various depths with the aim of balancing the extremes of “yin” and “yang” energy forces
said to flow through pathways in the human body. Sometimes the needles are heated or
stimulated with electricity after insertion. Acupuncture points are seen as places where
nerves, muscles and connective tissues can be stimulated, which increases blood flower
which at the same time triggering the activity of the body’s natural painkillers. The
frequency and number of treatments differ from person to person. Benefits of
acupuncture range from Muscoloskeletal problems to headaches, reduce stress, anxiety,
chronic pain, depression, and infertility.

Chiropractic care focuses on disorders of the muscoloskeletal and nervous systems, and
the effects of these disorders on general health. Most chiropractors seek to reduce pain
and improve the functionality of the patient by using a variety of non-surgical treatments,
called “manipulation or adjustment.” An adjustment is given mainly to the spine by
applying a controlled, sudden force to the joint to increase the range and quality of motion
in the area being treated. In addition to adjustment, most chiropractors also massage
therapy, heat and ice packs, ultrasound, electrical stimulation or TENS (transcutaneous
electrical neuromuscular stimulation), magnetic therapy and rehabilitation home
exercises. These treatments are commonly used in helping to decease or eliminate pain.

Foam Rollers are long and cylindrical used for self-massage, soft tissue mobilization,
improve muscle flexibility and tightness, decrease lactic acid, warming up your muscles
and promote good posture. By using your body weight, you apply pressure through your
muscles by rolling slowly in order to regulate the muscle tightness in that spots that
needed it. You have complete control of where and how much pressure to use. However,
if you experience any pain, immediately stop performing the exercise.

Different Types of Healthy Snacks for the Busy Person

Packing the right snacks for the person who is always on the go is as important as
remembering to bring an ID and wallet at all times. Great snacks should be quick to
assemble, easy to eat, clean and has nutritional value . The goal of eating a snack is to
tide you over until your next meal and to give you a slight boost of energy to help you
carry on with day.

If you work in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment, packing a healthy and nutritious
snack should be on top of your list — Consider fruits and vegetables with a lot of
crunch, high in fiber and low in carbohydrates, such as raspberries, pear, apple,
blueberries, raw broccoli/cauliflower florets, cucumber slices, celery and carrot sticks,
roasted chickpeas. If you are looking to curb your sweet tooth, try frozen grapes,
bananas, mango, pineapple, cashews, almonds or dark chocolate with 70% cacao.
Snacking can be fun. But what you eat truly matters!

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