Tag Archives: Mindfulness

Four Tips for Boosting Your Metabolism

Metabolism is a complex scientific system of energy generation and expenditure and is impacted by various functions in the body and brain. It can also be impacted by hormones, stress, genetics, lifestyle choices and more.

Four ways to positively impact your metabolism include:

1. Eating every 3-4 hours and focusing on foods high in fiber, lean proteins, complex carbohydrates, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats and avoiding processed and enriched foods

2. Moving your body on a daily basis through cardiovascular and strength training to create energy outputs that allow you to burn fat vs. having your body store fat, especially visceral fat in the mid-section

3. Getting sufficient sleep of 7-9 hours per night in order to maintain a healthy metabolic rate and a regulated circadian rhythm

4. Reducing stress through mindfulness practices, time in nature and/or creating healthy personal and professional boundaries, in order to decrease the amount of cortisol in your body, which negatively impacts metabolism

I hope these tips are helpful. If you’re interested in more customized support, feel free to book me for a free consult and subsequent wellness coaching sessions at passionfit.com/coaching-and-consulting!

Four Health and Wellness Trends to Try This Spring That Are Actually Timeless

With the New Year in full swing and spring on the horizon, it’s a great time to consider adding some new wellness practices to your daily or weekly schedule to lead a holistically healthy lifestyle that focuses on your physical and mental health. Here are four health and wellness trends to try this spring, that I shared with NBC California Live in a TV segment recently!

1. Sculpt workouts According to the Wall Street Journal, data from ClassPass and direct feedback from large gyms such as Lifetime Fitness and Crunch, show that bookings for sculpt workouts increased by 280% over the last year. Many people want a challenging, yet gentle workout that builds strength, mobility and flexibility. Sculpt workouts stem from a combination of Pilates, barre and yoga, and focus on spinal alignment, core stability, balance, light cardio, strengthening and lengthening your muscle fibers by working both big muscle groups and deep muscle tissues. In addition to other formats, I teach sculpt classes twice a week. It’s one of my favorite formats to teach because you work your body and mind from the inside out. Here are a few sculpt exercises to try:

Plie squats with dancer arms
Outer thigh, inner thigh and glute leg lifts with extended arms
Curtsey lunges with chest presses

2. Nutrient-packed smoothies: According to MarketWatch, the smoothie industry is predicted to grow substantially between 2023 and 2027. Smoothies are on the rise because with the right ingredients, they can be packed with nutrients. You can easily make your own healthy smoothies at home using a smoothie blender. My favorite smoothie recipe includes mixed berries, a banana, peanut or almond butter, spinach or kale, almond milk and dark chocolate chips. This recipe is simple, yet it’s filled with fruits, vegetables, protein, complex carbohydrates and low fat dairy or dairy alternatives. It’s also low in added sugars and unhealthy fats. A smoothie is a fantastic breakfast or post-workout snack option and is convenient and easy to make, which is perfect for a busy, on-the-go lifestyle!

3. Breathwork: Breathwork is listed in Forbes as another big trend for 2023, but it’s already an important part of meditation, mindfulness and yoga practices. There are many different types of breathwork, but one of my favorites is known as abdominal, belly or diaphragmatic breathing. You slowly inhale through your nose as you expand your abdomen out, and then exhale through your nose or mouth as you pull or contract your abdomen back in. This deep breathing technique allows your body to relax and fill with oxygen, and it lowers your heart rate and blood pressure. It reduces stress, toxins and anxiety, improves your circulation and mood and allows you to think clearly and focus on the present. It’s very effective and is something you can do from anywhere and throughout your day.

4. Journaling for mental health: As the pandemic and recession continue to loom over our heads, many people are anticipating continued stress throught 2023, according to NBC News. One tool that’s becoming more popular for improving mental health is journaling. Journaling isn’t a new concept and can be a wonderful and cathartic release of emotions during difficult times. It can also be a pleasant experience when you’re writing about what you’re grateful for or other positive emotions or events that may be occuring in your life. Whether you’re writing about good or bad experiences, journaling allows you to process what’s happened and communicate in ways you feel most comfortable. There’s no judgment on the other side, and you’ll have a record of your thoughts and feelings, which could be a great reference point later.

Corporate Wellness Programs Need an Overhaul — Starting with These 3 Components

In the past, having an employee wellness program was a nice perk for companies to offer. But as we enter the third year of the pandemic, mental and physical health are stretched thin. Amid the Great Resignation, having a comprehensive employee wellness program has now become essential in attracting and retaining top talent. Now more than ever, companies need to create more effective wellness programs, as employees need these wellness programs in order to be resilient and still succeed during these difficult times.

According to a 2020 survey conducted by Deloitte, 80% of 9,000 surveyed respondents identified well-being as being important or very important to the overall success of their organization. Employees are some of the greatest assets an organization can have, and designing a workplace culture along with programs that keep them healthy, happy, productive and engaged, is critical for meeting company goals and objectives. Employees need to consistently feel their best in order to consistently perform at their best.

As we progress through the pandemic and experience continued uncertainty as to what the future holds, it’s critical for employee wellness programs to be prioritized and also evolve and grow according to the latest world developments, workplace trends and ever-changing employee needs. Providing employees with timely and useful well-being tools can strengthen their connection and loyalty to the company over time.

Here are three essential components every corporate wellness program should have in order to be successful.

To read the full article in Success Magazine, click here.

Health and Wellness Predictions for 2022

With 2022 just days away and the pandemic continuing to impact us all, even after it first began nearly two years ago, many may wonder what’s in store for the health and wellness industry in the New Year.

Based on my experiences as a certified health, wellness and fitness entrepreneur and professional and working with various individual and organizational clients and business development partners in this space, here are my predictions below.

Mental health will continue to be prioritized: While people are being encouraged through their healthcare practitioners to manage their physical health through exercise and nutrition to protect their immune systems from Covid-19 and its variants, mental health has and will likely continue to have a major focus as well. According to a Gallup research study reported in the Washington Post, 60% of Americans feel daily stress and worry, and according to the American Psychological Association, 78% say Covid-19 has been a significant source of stress in their lives. Therefore, dealing with ongoing stress and anxiety will be extremely important. Tools like meditation, yoga, deep breathing, journaling, talking to family, friends and professionals and disconnecting from technology, could be very helpful in managing mental health. And many healthcare facilities, schools, universities, companies and other types of organizations will likely continue to provide these resources.

Hybrid fitness is here to stay: As gyms and fitness studios have had to close, reopen and frequently change their protocols over the last two years, and the demand for livestream and on demand classes, wearable devices, mobile apps and home equipment has skyrocketed, hybrid fitness has gone from being a trendy buzzword and experiment to being the norm. Many consumers are mixing things up and taking in-person classes where appropriate and safe, and still continuing to leverage online technology and at-home options as well. The flexibility, convenience, mix of online and in-person communities and cost savings, have made hybrid fitness a surprise silver lining of the pandemic. And both online platforms and in-person studios are working hard to provide the right mix to meet their customers’ needs.

Hybrid work is here to stay: Similarly to fitness, the workplace has undergone many changes as well. Many companies have transitioned to remote work models since the start of the pandemic and are still going strong. While some companies and other organizations have had employees come back to work, many are offering hybrid models now or will be in the future. While in-person collaboration is important for maintaining company culture and employee engagement, companies are realizing that employees prefer having flexibility and cutting down or cutting out commute times. They can also hire talent from any location and reduce real estate costs by having employees work remotely all the time or some of the time. Meeting employee needs and providing various options in these ever-changing times, is critical to retaining and hiring top talent and creating strong performance in the workplace.

Disease prevention and management will take on a new level of importance: With Covid-19 impacting the health of our global population, the threat to those who are immunocompromised, is even greater. Therefore, for those with pre-existing conditions or who are at risk for heart disease, diabetes, cancer and more, disease prevention and management is even more important now. Keeping up with healthy lifestyle choices such as stress management, taking medications, healthy eating, staying active, prioritizing sleep and scheduling regular check-ups with your doctor, will be critical to staying healthy and helping to protect against Covid-19.

Organizations will continue to realize the importance of employee wellbeing: For many years, employee wellbeing has been a “nice-to-have” for many organizations. I’ve seen this first-hand, as I’ve worked in corporate wellness throughout the last several years. Budgets for corporate wellness initiatives have often been limited, and many organizations have prioritized other initiatives that can produce results that are easier to measure. However, the pandemic has created a shift in thinking. With so many employees experiencing high stress, burnout, a lack of work-life balance, anxiety and depression due to the uncertainty of these times, leaders will need to continue prioritizing the health, wellbeing and happiness of their workforce. They’ll have to consider the whole person and the many dimensions to their lives, which could serve them well personally and professionally.

While time will tell what 2022 will bring in the health and wellness industry, the best thing each of us can do is find the tools, support and resources to take care of our own health and wellbeing to not only survive, but thrive in the New Year!

Stress Is a Normal Part of Life

Stress is an inevitable part of life and being human, and living a stress-free life is just not realistic. Everyone experiences stress on a daily basis just through everyday tasks. Taking a test at school, being handed a new project at work, playing competitive sports, or public speaking can all be sources of stress. And feeling a little anxiety in these situations is normal and totally expected. Major life events such as moving, marriage or having a baby, can also cause stress. Traumatic events such as living through a pandemic, or having a death in your family, can cause stress as well. The good news is that you can manage stress by channeling your energy into certain activities.

The key in managing your stress levels in these various life situations, big and small, is to pay attention to how they’re affecting you physically, mentally and emotionally. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, if you’re temporarily feeling your heart rate increasing, your breathing getting faster and your brain working harder, that’s normal. Your body is just going into fight or flight mode. You can use that stress as a motivator to perform at your best in the moment.

If you reach a point where stress becomes chronic and affects your sleep, moods, blood pressure and digestive system, or causes major anxiety or depression, it has become a bigger problem. These symptoms suggests you could be dealing with an unhealthy amount of stress. In this case, it’s important to deal with it right away so it doesn’t turn into bigger health issues later.

Here are six tools you can use to realistically manage any kind of stress:

To read the full article in Grit Daily, click here.

Why Rest, Reflection and Relaxation Are More Important Than Ever This Holiday Season

With the holidays on the horizon, the world continuing to be stuck in quarantine with many travel and social gathering restrictions in place to help fight the global pandemic, celebrations will be looking very different this year. Many people won’t be able to keep up with their annual holiday traditions and see loved ones they usually see within their families this time of year.

While this is a harsh reality everyone has to face, there are things we can all do to take care of ourselves and those we love during these challenging times. Below are reasons why rest, reflection and relaxation (i.e. what I like to call the 3Rs) are more important than ever this holiday season.

To read the full article in Thrive Global, click here.

Four Ways to Maintain Personal Connections During the Pandemic

Americans are experiencing elevated levels of depression, anxiety, fear and social isolation during the pandemic, according to recent data from Healthline.

This is truly an unprecedented time, and the path forward remains unknown. Medical experts, scientists, researchers and government and business leaders continue their efforts to make sense of the coronavirus, figure out how to get it under control and eventually rid the nation and world of its negative health, economic and social impacts.

In the meantime, while it’s critical to obey the shelter-in-place orders and protect our physical health, it’s equally important to safely maintain personal connections amid the pandemic to protect our mental and emotional health. Following are four ways to do just that.

To read the full article in the Los Altos Town Crier, click here.

The Power of Journaling

Journaling is such a powerful tool to have in life and now more than ever, it has the potential to help us get through the challenging times we’re facing in the world today. According to Pyschology Today, journaling is beneficial for our mental and emotional health and it can also have a positive impact on our physical health as well. Journaling can reduce stress, anxiety and blood pressure and can boost our immune systems, moods, mindset and self awareness.

I’ve been journaling for over 20 years. I recently went through all of my old journals for inspiration as I’ve been working on writing my first non-fiction book this summer. It was a deeply emotional, sentimental, enriching and motivating experience and really took me down a path of self discovery and rediscovery.

Throughout the years, I’ve journaled about my personal relationships, faith, core values, college and graduate school experiences, internships, jobs, motherhood, the struggles and opportunities I’ve experienced with being first-generation-born Indian-American, insecurities, fears, burnout, career transitions, goals, dreams, passions, travel destinations, bucket list experiences, dissapointments, failures and broader topics around racial injustices, women’s rights, affirmative action and more.

In reading through these entries, it’s been amazing to see how much has changed within myself and the world and yet, how much is still the same. What was powerful for me to see about myself is the fact that my faith, core values, personal relationships, passions, career dreams and desire to help others and make a positive impact on the world haven’t wavered at all over the years and are still every bit as important to me today as they were back then. Those are the foundations of who I’ve always been and always will be and that was a very empowering realization.

I also realized by journaling, I was manifesting all the wonderful things that have happened in my life, such as moving to and living in California, meeting and marrying my husband, going to college and graduate school, becoming a mother to my two sons, pursuing my passions around health, wellness and fitness and communications through speaking and writing, becoming an entrepreneur, founding and building my company, Passion Fit and the exciting corporate career I had for many years prior in digital media and marketing.

These were not accidents. They were all a part of my destiny and came into existence through hard work, a belief in myself and faith that I was capable of making these things happen, despite the fears and insecurities I had along the way.

From a broader perspective, I also was able to see that while we’ve made some progress in areas like women’s rights and racial injustices, we still have so much further to go and there are still so many glaring issues in these areas within our society today. It made me realize how long it can truly take for deep change and growth to occur and how many lives are still being impacted every single day. It has made me want to do more to help promote change, justice, respect, equality and peace for everyone in society and the world and I truly hope we’re able to continue to grow and get to a much better place in this lifetime.

With that, I want to encourage you all to journal and write about the things that mean the most to you and even look back at what you may have written about in the past. It will help you be more reflective during this pandemic, economic crisis and difficult time within our society. And hopefully you’ll be able to look back in 20 years and marvel at how much has changed and how much has stayed the same as well.

Ways to Stay Holistically Healthy During the Coronavirus Outbreak

Coronavirus diagnoses and deaths are still on the rise in parts of the U.S. The statistics are changing every day, but one thing remains certain: It’s more important now than ever before to take care of our holistic health to protect ourselves and our loved ones from contracting the virus or to en-sure a quick recovery if we do. Below are ways to do just that.

To read the full article in the Los Altos Town Crier, click here.

5 Positive Mindset Shifts to Help Cope With the Coronavirus Outbreak

According to the NY Times, over 10 million U.S. jobs no longer exist and there are over one million Coronavirus cases worldwide. We’re facing extremely difficult times and it can be easy to be overtaken by fear, anxiety, grief, sadness and negativity. However, as a world, nation and society, it’s important that we stay strong, resilient and hopeful. Therefore, here are five positive mindset shifts we can make to help cope with the Coronavirus outbreak we’re currently facing.

To read the full article in Thrive Global, click here.

Reasons Why Giving Back is Good for Both Society and Your Health

Holiday season is here, and it’s a natural time to think about giving back and donating to charities. In fact, according to the Blackbaud Index, as featured in USA Today, approximately 34% of all charitable donations are given in the last three months of the year, and 18% in December alone.

While giving back should first and foremost be for the purposes of helping those in need, it also can provide health benefits for those on the giving end, in addition to those on the receiving end.

Following are four reasons why giving back is good for the world and our health.

To read the full article in the Los Altos Town Crier, click here.

Six Ways to Minimize the Risks of Breast Cancer

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), over 245,000 women get breast cancer and over 40,000 women die from this disease each year.

While age, gender, genetics and family history can have a strong correlation to the disease, many women who get it don’t actually have any history in their families or any known risk factors.

However, here are six lifestyle factors women can control to reduce their risk of getting breast cancer and for busy women and moms who may not have the time to do their own research, this article summarizes the key factors to focus on.

1. Breastfeed your children if applicable and possible: If you’re in your childbearing years, able to produce breast milk and nurse, in addition to helping strengthen your baby’s immune system, you could also be reducing your risk of breast cancer. According to Medical News Today, for every five months you breastfeed, you reduce your chances of getting breast cancer by 2%. The reasoning is that your menstrual cycle is delayed when you breastfeed, which decreases the amount of the hormone estrogen in your body, which is linked to breast cancer. Lactation can also have an impact on the expression of breast cell genes, which can create a long term impact toward reducing the risk.

2. Get regular exercise: Getting a mix of cardiovascular activity, strength training and flexibility work for at least 30 minutes or more, most days of the week, can help protect your immune system and regulate hormone and insulin levels. And according to Susan G. Comen Breast Cancer Research Studies, regular exercise can reduce the risk of breast cancer by 10-20%. Find activities you enjoy, that are realistic to fit into a busy day and that can possibly be done with others for the purposes of accountability.

3. Eat plant-based foods: According to a study conducted by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and featured in Medical News Today, plant-based foods can cut the risk of breast cancer by 15%. Focus on fresh, organic fruits and vegetables such as berries, peaches, kale and broccoli, whole grains found in quinoa and brown rice, healthy monounsaturated fats found in olive oil and avocado and lean proteins found in fish, eggs and beans. These foods contain antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, beta carotene and more to help fight breast cancer.

4. Maintain a healthy weight: If you’re exercising regularly and eating plant-based and nutrient-rich foods, hopefully you’ll be able to maintain a healthy weight. However, having consistent access to data points, such as specific numbers on the scale, your BMI (body mass index) and body fat percentage, are also important to take into consideration. The more knowledge you have, the more you can develop solutions to maintain a healthy weight and hopefully lower your risks of breast cancer.

5. Avoid smoking and avoid or minimize alcohol consumption: While most people know smoking can cause lung cancer, according to Breastcancer.org, it may also cause breast cancer in younger, premenopausal women. In addition, second-hand smoke may cause breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Alcohol can also increase the risk of breast cancer for women and as alcohol consumption increases, so does the risk. Ideally avoiding smoking altogether and avoiding or minimizing drinking may be the best ways to lower the risk.

6. Get a mammogram as often as recommended by your doctor after the age of 40: According to the Mayo Clinic, getting a mammogram annually in your 40’s and 50’s can decrease the risk of breast cancer deaths by 15-29%. Therefore, be sure to talk to your doctor about starting and continuing your mammograms regularly after 40 (or sooner or later if needed) and be sure to do your own self-checks as well.

While there are certain elements of breast cancer that are beyond control, the best way for women to be empowered in the fight against it is to focus on the above lifestyle factors that can be controlled and practice them as consistently as possible.

5 Ways a Consistent Yoga Practice Can Transform Your Mind, Body and Life

According to a study by the Yoga Alliance and Yoga Journal, the number of people doing yoga over the last several years has increased from over 20 million to 36 million. While yoga has become a very popular form of exercise, it’s not just a passing fad, as it’s been around for centuries and originally was founded in India. Therefore, in honor of National Yoga Awareness Month, here are five ways a consistent yoga practice can transform your mind, body and life.

To read the full article in Thrive Global, click here.

5 Ways to Fight or Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease and Promote Brain Health

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness month and today, June 21st, people all over the world will be using the summer solstice, the day of the year with the most light, to join together, raise awareness and fight this horrible disease in the #LongestDay campaign. People are being encouraged to wear purple, share stories of loved ones or other impacts of the disease and participate in fundraising for the cause. This cause is near and dear to my heart because my grandmother died of Alzheimer’s disease.

In addition, below are five ways we can all fight or prevent Alzheimer’s disease and promote brain health every day and month of the year.

1. Nutrition: According to Harvard Health, following a Mediterranean diet if possible, can help prevent the disease or slow its progression by nourishing the brain and helping it function most optimally. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy monounsaturated fats found in olive oil, nuts, seeds and avocado, whole grains found in brown rice, quinoa or whole grain bread and fish poultry and eggs in moderation.

2. Exercise: Regular exercise, including cardio, strength-training and flexibility work, ideally 30 minutes a day for up to five days a week, can improve memory and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s by 50%. Exercise reduces inflammation, insulin resistance and promotes the release of growth factors that are chemicals in the brain, which impact the health of brain cells.

3. Sleep: Sleeping seven to eight hours per night, without the distractions of screens or light and at a comfortable temperature just under 70 degrees, can allow the brain to rest, restore and flush out toxins. It also promotes memory to help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s.

4. Mental Stimulation: Continued learning and growth through reading, studying a new language or subject matter or playing a musical instrument can promote mental and brain stimulation and prevent or reduce the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. These activities also can create engagement, hope and purpose, which are always good for overall mental health.

5. Social Connection: Connecting with others through get-togethers, events, phone calls, texts and social media in moderation, can promote a feeling of love, safety, comfort and fulfillment. These feelings and interactions can help maintain not only mental health, but emotional health as well. These are all ways to prevent or minimize the impact of Alzheimer’s.

Hopefully today’s campaign will help more people to be aware and if you can, wear purple, donate and spread the word.

4 Tips for Better Sleep for Working Moms

According to the CDC, one in three American adults aren’t getting at least seven hours of sleep per night and that stat is likely even higher for working moms with kids under the age of 18.

Every stage of motherhood poses a threat to our sleep. Obviously the newborn phase is the toughest, when we’re nursing and changing diapers around the clock. Then the infant stage arrives and poses challenges when we’re working on sleep training. The toddler stage is next and is often filled with bedtime tantrums, potty training and bad dreams about scary monsters. The preschool and elementary school stages may still involve some bedtime protesting and bad dreams and the teenage stage may involve worrying throughout the night about missed curfews, peer pressure, getting into college and more.

And this doesn’t even include all of our work stresses that impact our sleep, such as working late nights to finish a quarterly business review presentation, catching an early morning flight at the crack of dawn for an important client meeting and never-ending deadlines and administrative tasks to complete, such as writing performance reviews and submitting expense reports.

However, there’s hope for working moms to take back control of our sleep. It just involves a little organization, planning and discipline. Here are four ways to do just that.

To read the full article in Thrive Global, click here.

Self-Love vs. Self-Care and Why We Need Both

We often hear about the importance of practicing self-care in order to enhance or improve our well-being. While self-care is extremely important, it’s critical to understand how it differs from self-love. Ultimately, to be whole as people, we need both.

When we practice self-care, we’re likely taking care of ourselves by doing specific things. That might include activities like exercising, getting a massage, taking a nap, eating healthy foods, getting together with friends, enjoying a cup of tea or coffee, reading a good book and more. These are all really important ways to prioritize our needs, our health and our happiness at a high level. We should absolutely make the time to do these things on a regular basis, especially if we lead busy lives that involve not only tending to our careers or volunteer work, but also taking care of others in our family.

However, if we don’t truly love ourselves unconditionally from the inside out, these activities won’t allow us to fully feel at peace with ourselves mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically. Self-care, in and of itself, may provide a temporary sense of happiness and wellness in the short term, but we need to have a deep sense of self-love in order to have true joy, happiness and peace in our lives in the long term.

Self-love isn’t always easy to obtain and can often be dependent on or influenced by life circumstances, past events, personality traits, family dynamics and other natural tendencies. It may take years to truly feel a sense of self-love, but the more we can prioritize it and practice it, the better. This could come through regular self-reflection, journaling, practicing mindfulness, talking to family, close friends and possibly even a professional. It can also come from reminding ourselves every day of our positive traits and being empathetic towards ourselves for our negative ones.

Different life situations can also test our self-love, but staying authentically true to who we are, loving and believing in ourselves, having confidence in our abilities, having self-respect and not allowing self-doubt to take over, are all ways to allow our self-love to still shine through, even in the toughest of situations.

Remember that we’re all human and we can often be our biggest critics. However, the more we can practice self-love each day and couple it with ongoing self-care as well, the more we can create long-lasting love, happiness, peace and empowerment in our lives!

Importance of Mindfulness for Children and Teens for Battling Stress

According to a 2018 survey conducted by Globe Newswire, 45 percent of teens said they’re stressed out all the time, and based on data from the American Psychological Association, 44 percent of children reported trouble sleeping due to stress.

While we often hear about the impact of stress on adults, the impact of stress on children and teens is just as prevalent and real these days, and is something to pay attention to. Children and teens are facing different types of pressures than ever before, including more competitive academic environments; increased use of technology such as mobile devices, social media, video games and on-demand programming; bullying in school and online; and notably busy schedules that include homework, several after-school activities and sports.

To read the full article in the Los Altos Town Crier, click here.