8 Healthy Lifetime Habits to Pick up in College

The typical college student is often stressed, overwhelmed, and always short on time. With that in mind, it’s quite easy to fall into an unhealthy routine, such as eating junk or skipping meals and spend many years after trying to overcome or undo its effects.

A healthy lifestyle is a matter of choice. Believe it or not, college is the perfect time to build healthy habits that you can stick to for the rest of your life. In order to lead a healthy lifestyle, it is very important to pay attention to your basic needs. This includes finding comfortable student accommodation in hamburg (if that’s where your college is located), so that you can get uninterrupted sleep and have a space to cook your own healthy meals.

This is just one aspect to focus on. Read on to learn which habits to prioritize in your young adult life that will benefit your health now and in the future.

Start Your Day with a Healthy Breakfast

How you start your day will almost always determine how the rest of it goes. If you begin your day without eating, you will feel tired, sluggish, and grumpy. To avoid being energy-deficit, start your day with a healthy, nutrient-rich breakfast. With a good breakfast, your body will not struggle as much, even if you miss your midday meal. 

In most cases, students miss breakfast because they are late for class. So, plan for breakfast time in your morning routine and try to wake up early.

Carry Water with You to Stay Hydrated

Buy yourself a handy water bottle and fill it up with water for the day each morning before leaving your hostel. Coupled with a glass when you wake up and another in the evening, you stay hydrated the entire day.

So, why exactly do you need to hydrate? Drinking adequate amounts of water will regulate your body temperature, lubricate joints, transport essential nutrients to cells, maintains organ functions, and boost sleep. As a student, water also enhances your cognitive abilities, thus helping you be alert and concentrate better in class.

Moderate intake of Sugary, Caffeinated, and Alcoholic Drinks

While you make healthy meal choices, also be mindful of what you drink aside from water. Alcohol, sodas, and caffeinated drinks provide low, if any, nutritional value to your body. However, they often carry vast amounts of calories that may present adverse impacts on your weight and general wellbeing. 

Alcohol also comes with a hangover among other not-so-pleasant effects. So, party and have fun in college but do so with moderation to remain in your best shape.

Make a Workout Plan That You Can Stick To

On matters of physical wellness, also ensure you stay active on most days of the week by working out. If you intend to remain fit and healthy, a brisk daily walk, short runs, indoor exercises, or going to the gym are all excellent options. Just create a schedule that you know you can stick to effortlessly and switch it up now and then to avoid getting bored.

Sleep at Least 8 Hours Whenever You Can

If you’ve not heard this before, sleep is vital for overall physical and psychological health. The amount of sleep you get every night has a direct connection to your emotional and social wellbeing. In fact, lack of enough sleep has been linked to serious health problems such as inflammation, depression, suppressed immune functioning, stroke, cardiac issues, and cell deterioration. 

Get enough sleep, preferably eight hours or more, and no less than seven hours as often as you can. You can also take short power naps during the day to recharge, especially when you didn’t rest enough the previous night.

Learn to Fight Stress the Right Way

The hectic and high-pressure environment of college can quickly increase your stress levels. So, practicing proper stress management will be good for your mental health even after college. Creating a routine that balances your work and rest times, going for on-campus yoga or meditation sessions, working out, and finding exciting hobbies are some excellent ideas to fight stress.

Give Yourself a Break from Work

Overworking yourself is another bad habit that negatively affects your mental and physical health. So, if you’re a workaholic, try cutting down your working hours to manageable levels and don’t take work to bed. Also, set realistic goals that can be achieved in a day. Don’t try to do everything at once. Lastly, get help if you need to. For example, you could hire a ‘write my essay’ expert to tackle an assignment if you feel overwhelmed.

Build a Solid Support System

Keep in touch with close family and friends regularly to avoid loneliness, stress, and depression. Create time for your friends on-campus too. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to build new friendships. College is the best place to make lasting relationships.

Final Words

Your health, be it physical, emotional, or mental, is your responsibility. If neglected, it can affect the length and quality of life. Taking charge of your health when you are young and in college by building on good habits will benefit you for the rest of your life.

Advertisement

Running For Weight Loss: Important Things To Remember

At present, 71.6 % of American adults over the age of 20 are either overweight or obese, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. While there are many ways to lose weight, an increasing number of individuals are turning to running as a way to not only shed some unwanted pounds, but improve their overall well-being as well. Research published by the National Institutes of Health found that running had a far greater effect on weight loss effort than less vigorous exercises such as walking. There are a number of things to consider when running for weight loss that will help you reach your goals without compromising your health in any way.

Running helps you burn more calories

If you want to lose weight, you need to create a considerable calorie deficit. This deficit, which will result in a weight loss of approximately two pounds per week, is generally between 3,500 and 7,000 calories, according to experts. In an interview with Today, New York City-based dietician Natalie Rizzo exclaimed that running is a superb way to lose excess weight and tone your body, as it burns a lot of calories relatively quickly. While exercise is without any doubt very beneficial, the best way to enjoy a substantial calorie deficit is to couple your running with a healthy, balanced diet. Opt for low-calorie foods both to fuel your runs and aid your recovery afterward. Consider installing a calorie counting app such as MyFitnessPal or FatSecret to help you stay on top of your daily calorie consumption.

Supplementation can boost your efforts

While following a healthy diet can boost performance as well as aid in weight loss, responsible supplementation can boost your efforts even more. During April last year, the IAAF released a comprehensive sports nutrition guide that provides both professional and leisure athletes with useful information on fueling their performance. Caffeine, Beta-alanine, Creatine and L-Carnitine have all been proven to contribute to athletic performance. As far as weight loss is concerned, caffeine and green tea extract are two natural supplement ingredients known to decrease appetite and cravings, reduce fat absorption and boost fat burn. Supplements that contain a combination of any of these ingredients may possibly improve your running and help you get rid of any excess weight.

Running can help decrease your appetite

Apart from helping your body burn more calories, high-intensity running can also help to reduce your appetite after a run. This is particularly beneficial, as exercise sometimes has a way of leaving you feeling particularly famished. A number of studies have found that running can, in fact, combat this intense hunger by reducing the levels of the hunger hormone, ghrelin, in your body. The findings of a randomized public trial that was published by PubMed also indicated that running increases the production of satiety hormones such as peptide YY (PYY). Due to this, your appetite may be suppressed by high-intensity exercise, making running one of the best activities to engage in if you want to lose weight while upping your fitness levels. 

Running can boost your well-being in many ways. Apart from keeping you fit, taking to the road or treadmill on a regular basis can also help you lose any unwanted weight.

Advertisement

Running Through Time: GIFS Show The Evolution Of Iconic Running Shoes

In light of Covid-19 restrictions, more and more people have turned to pounding the pavements as an alternative to their usual gym, sporting or fitness activities. This is reflected in search demand for running shoes, which is up 56% YoY.

With running shoes having advanced so far in terms of design, build and technology, let us take a nostalgic look back at some of the most iconic running shoes of the past 40 years, portraying the evolution of Nike Pegasus, Mizuno Wave Rider and the Asics GEL-Kayano from their first release to their latest iterations.

Nike Pegasus 

First launched in 1983 and named after the winged horse from Greek mythology, the Nike Pegasus was designed to embody quickness, movement and the idea of flying on air. After 37 years of innovation, and constant evolution Nike has turned myth into legend.

The Pegasus has earned its place in the history books and has become Nike’s biggest and best-selling shoe of all time. You can see key evolution moments for the shoe below:

1983: The Nike Pegasus is launched. The model was originally called the Air Wedge Trainer, as it was the first to feature an Air Wedge which was designed to increase shock absorption.
1988: The model becomes Nike’s best-selling shoe.
1991: Steve Spence, Long-distance runner and bronze-medal winner at the World Championships in Tokyo endorses the shoe as one of his favourites.
1993: A decade after its release, the model has sold 17 million pairs.
1996: Visible air is added to the shoe within the visible Air-Sole part in the heel.
2000: After a 3-year wait the Pegasus is reborn! This version of the shoe features a full-length Air Sole unit and is the first to show the “Bowerman Series” tag. Bill Bowerman was the original co-founder of Nike.
2004: The women’s version is adapted to cater to the female foot – a curvier version where medial support is increased.
2005: Long-distance champion Bernard Lagat wins 1500m with a record time of 3:33:34. He had trained in Nike Air Pegasus leading up to the event, running 90 miles per week in a pair.
2008: The Pegasus+25 is released and is “plus enabled”, allowing you to add a sensor into the shoe which reports downloadable information such as distance run and speed to your Ipod.
2009: The Nike Air Pegasus Berlin is released to commemorate the fall of the Berlin Wall which occurred in 1989.
2018: The design moves on to take inspiration from the Vaporfly 4% and Breaking 2 campaign borrowing the fin shape midsole with a heel lip.
2020: The Pegasus 37 is the latest model to be released, with the biggest changes taking place underfoot. Nike switches from Cushlon to React foam, which is lighter and more durable, enabling a comfier underfoot experience. The Zoom Air bag is moved to underneath the forefoot and made to be twice a thick to provide more spring with each stride.

Mizuno Wave Rider

Named the Wave Rider due to its wave-shaped unit in the midsole of the shoe, The Mizuno Wave Rider was created to propel the runner forward, rather than focus on cushioning the impact of each stride. First released in 1998, the shoe was created to differentiate from other popular brands which were using gel and air to cushion the blow of a runner’s stride.

The ocean’s waves were a source of inspiration for the model. Waves gather momentum from winds which push breakers towards the shore and in the same way, the wave plate of the Mizuno Wave Rider redirects downward energy forwards. You can see key evolution moments for the shoe below:

1998: The Wave Rider is released.
1999: The shoe becomes a Mizuno bestseller due to its re-designed Wave Plate featured in the mid-sole.
2001: The shoe receives its first temperature regulation technology called the Intercool, a holed ventilation system which protects feet from blisters.
2009: The first women’s iteration of the shoe is released, with a narrower, more flexible design.
2012: SmoothRide technology is introduced to provide increased propel efficiency.
2019: The Wave Rider 23 is released, sporting a cleaner overall look than previous models.
2020: Mizuno has completely recreated the latest model with rich upper upgrades, a rounded heel collar for an irritation-free fit and an Enerzy heel wedge for improved cushioning. Due to these upgrades, the Rider 24 has a 12% Enerzy return up from the previous model, providing a much smoother ride with more cushioning.

ASICS GEL-Kayano

Named after its creator Toshikazu Kayano, the ASICS GEL-Kayano was created in 1993 as a cutting-edge shoe for any long-distance runner. The shoe was created to perform as a hybrid, ideal for both long-distance running outdoors and indoor gym training.

The shoe utilises ASICS’ impact-reducing and performance-enhancing technologies and was inspired by the aggressive motion and firm body of the stag beetle. Key evolution moments are listed below:

1993: The eponymous GEL-Kayano is released as a flagship for long-distance runners.
1999: Until this point, aesthetics dominated the design of the shoe. With the release of the GEL-Kayano 5, visible technology began to be added such as the Duomax sole, double visible GEL and the teardrop tongue.
2000: The GEL-Kayano features scientific production by the Institute of Sports Science.
2002: ASICS add lateral rearfoot flex grooves to smooth the runner’s stride.
2004: The GEL-Kayano is picked as the Japanese athletes’ delegation shoe for Athens Olympic Games.
2009: An eco-friendly version of the shoe is released as a partnership with MIT, with reduced C02 emissions and more environmentally friendly materials used in the production.
2018: ASICS introduced FLYTEFOAM, a spongey, highly resilient material.
2020: The Gel-Kayano 27 is released to provide luxurious stability. This latest version is softer and smoother, with softened midsole foams and slightly deeper forefoot flex grooves, allowing for an easier toe-off. The heel design has also been updated to better isolate impact for a softer feel at foot strike.

Above content and graphics are contributed by SportsShoes.com 

Advertisement

2020 Pandemic and Running [Covid 19] (by Lingderella)

fbthdr

Sensitive topic. Now, it’s still the Phase 2 of COVID-19. Let’s continue to stay considerate and stay safe unless you’re evil and want to see the entire world burn ☹️ The future of this world is still a big question mark.

Because of government laws and regulations of different countries, citizens or people on their land were not allowed out of their home while others willingly stayed home to be safe than sorry. I know of runners who gone coconuts and ran ultra-marathon distances inside of their tiny apartment, on their balcony or even their garage. Some lucky ones had their own treadmill to run on or their house is damn huge to run in.

Luckily in Singapore, during Circuit breaker and Phase 1, we are still allowed out for essential stuffs and exercise with conditions such as maintaining social distancing, exercising with people of the same household only and that unless doing strenuous activities such as running and cycling etc, mask on at all times in the public. Some runners rather stop running and find alternatives such as doing Zumba, Tabata, Yoga etc and stay home to be safe.

Exercising is necessary for some because health may deteriorate quickly especially the elderly, their legs weaken, changes in lifestyle will greatly influence their health physically and mentally. I’m glad that we are not confined, not under lockdown.

Suddenly, there’s a surge of people in the parks during CB. Just be mindful of social etiquette, personal hygiene and safe distancing. I’m actually quite happy as it’s sort of starting point for people to start a positive change in their lifestyle. To go to the park for a stroll, walk, jog or run. It’s something. Phase 2 now and there are still many people in the park be it morning or evening ❤️

When it was February and March this year, COVID19 wasn’t that plentiful and wildly spread yet. I was pretty Garang then and went to Bangkok and participated in a half marathon, as well as to Japan for a vacation even though the Nagoya Women’s marathon got cancelled (only the elites was entitled to run). Then, there weren’t much deaths and cases reported yet, it was still at that period when we were educated as “You do not need to wear a mask unless you are sick” but people already started the panic buying of toilet rolls and rationing food till Sheng Shiong becomes billionaire now.

After coming back, I became overly guilty, worried and paranoid about what if I’ve caught the virus? How am I going to face myself or anyone else if I tio the virus and pass it on to anyone else? I’ll become a 千古罪人 ?  I confined myself to my room and work only. I run lesser and perhaps always being at home rolling on the bed and just looking at all the COVID19 memes, by April, I gained an impressive 6kg in just a couple of weeks! ? My colleague even asked me if I’m pregnant ? I’m not ?

So, a few days before circuit breaker kicks in, I went for a run with two friends on a weekend morning. And the scary thing happened. I fainted (Factors to be taken into consideration of why I fainted: Hot weather, no breakfast, not much runs done for quite a while and I’m anaemic). It’s not the first time I fainted, but fainting is actually avoidable.

After just an 8km run, we went to Punggol Waterway Point to lim Kak Q(Milo). I FAINTED WHILE I WAS ORDERING FOOD. Yes, I was freaking telling the counter staff I want kaya toast and ice milo then piak, I fainted. I’m sure if I were alone, no one will dare to touch me and I will be lying in that position till the ambulance comes because it did happen to one lady when she was in the shopping mall and I’ll be all over STOMP, Mothership etc and even the on news ?  But luckily, I’m with my friend. She was very concerned as she saw the whole faint, that I piak very loudly, head first. It was scary for me but I’m sure it’s even much scarier for her as my eyes were open and I’m unresponsive for a few seconds, she said she almost wanted to perform CPR on me. I regained consciousness shortly, it felt like I’d just woken up from sleep and I wonder where am I. I was lucky there isn’t any sharp objects nearby when I fainted as I can only imagine all the freak stuffs that could have happen.

I’m really grateful and sorry to my friend and I tell myself, NEVER run with an empty stomach again. I can only imagine how frightening it must have been for my friend and I’m in her shoe, seeing any emergency around me, I will definitely freak out and faint together. Ya, so during this sensitive period, especially when the situation of the viruses is not improving, look after your health if not, nobody dares to assist you. If luckily someone heroic did assist you because you’re too handsome or pretty ?  Then pray hard you won’t become 千古罪人 and pass on any viruses to anyone and let guilt haunt you.

So, I’ve done quite a lot of reading up these few days, and making sense of stuff, I concluded that all these years, my fatness and difficulty in losing weight is caused by anaemia. In short, burning of fats need oxygen, I got not enough oxygen in my blood = Fat. No joke, it’s the answer from Google. Still, don’t let the internet be your own doctor, if anything extraordinary is happening to you and your body, visit a doctor and do investigation tests as well as get treatment. My July’s haemoglobin level is only 8.9 ☹️

So Circuit Breaker comes in and I’m like: I don’t want! 我不要!? I like to stick like glue to my boy boy eh ? We are not allowed to meet anyone, not of the same household, which means I cannot meet my boy boy. Law means law, still, there are annoying and irresponsible ones posted on their social media that they are meeting people not from the same household to run, run far far away from their own neighbourhood etc.
Reflection: It’s always not OK for others to do something bad, but it feels “Well, it’s not that bad” if you’re the one who’s doing that bad thing. I wish that I have a bigger heart for others as I have for myself, as well as others to have a bigger heart for everyone ❤️  In life(to me), it’s all about humanity in the end. Learn to be a better person each day by doing the right thing, feeling the right way, saying things that don’t hurt people and think in positivity ❤️

No matter what, wanting self-improvement or getting myself into zen mode isn’t easy. I get triggered easily because I didn’t get to meet my boy boy and want this CB and Phase 1 to be over faster and that needs the entire nation’s cooperation. Some people were just strolling without the mask in the park paktor-ing, some were still out fishing when it’s not allowed and cyclists in groups were still cycling together ?  And the increase of litters around, though some are accidental ?

Honestly speaking, I might be one of the people who kena fine the $300 and appear on newspaper with big big headlines like Women fine $300 for finding boyfriend during Circuit Breaker/Phase 1. But luckily, I have someone who makes me a better person. My boy boy and I video chat almost every day to 解相思之苦 ❤️

So it’s a boring circuit breaker. As I didn’t go out much for food and didn’t meet up with boy boy, with the time I occupied myself by running more and managed to shed off that weight that I’ve previously gained with the runningsssss in a very short period.

And finally, it comes Phase 1. It doesn’t feel any much difference than Circuit Breaker because I still can’t meet my boy boy or meet up with any of my friends. I cut down in running again as I have gotten too exhausted ? I strongly believe the components/levels of blood affects running and tiredness. I still run, but lesser and I spent most of my time watching seasons after seasons Friends as well as shopping on Taobao.

Then comes Phase 2. My boy boy and I survived the “long-distance relationship” ?❤️  Prior to this, I have never not seen him for more than 5 days in a row. I deserve a round of applause ??? ?

At least now I can meet up my friends for runs, but Safe Distancing rules continue to apply.

Registering for races and marriages terms and conditions is actually just alike, you agak know what you have sign up for but there is no guarantee that things will turn out perfect. Races kena cancelled, postponed or turns virtual. Some race had already printed their event tees/singlets, their medals. No doubt the 2020 event tees or singlets and the medals cannot be used for 2021, it’s their cost and you paid. So suck thumb only, they gonna mail the entitlements to you, you can’t get a refund as it’s under the long long list of terms and conditions in the event that the race can’t be held or cancelled due to blah blah blah, but we are only given the option either to click on the box to check for “I agree for the terms and conditions”, before entering personal particulars and making payment for the race or not being able to register for the race at all ? Lucky me, didn’t sign up for much of the local races yet ?

2XU Run is postponed, and runners who registered for 2020 still get their entitlements as per their announcement on their Facebook page ? Some races announced postponement for a few times and then there are no further updates anymore. Some races let you choose to run virtual arbo it means cancelled. There are sibeh many many virtual runs this year lah! Like run to support healthcare workers, run for Singapore etc

So far the races I registered this year were mostly overseas race. Taishin Women Run(Taiwan) offers a full refund for overseas participants, SCKLM(Malaysia), Hatyai Marathon(Thailand) and Danang Marathon(Vietnam) race slots are brought over to 2021 ❤️ And I look forward to 2021 already ?

But I’m one happy girl. At least I enjoyed the first few months of my 2020 to the maximum. I did Skyhawk Nature Run (22km), Amazing Thailand Marathon(21.095km) and Taipei Marathon(42.195km) ? Even did my first Ultra Trail, completed a 52km at Macritchie Reservoir ?‍♀️

Let’s just hope Singapore can get to Phase 3 sooner as well as other countries improvements in COVID19 situation. Earth is still a place full of wonders and beauty which I want to continue exploring ❤️

Advertisement

Photobiomodulation Therapy As Part of Comprehensive Holistic Treatment and Prevention of Sports Injuries

With more than two decades treating clients as a physiotherapist, choosing the proper modalities (e.g., adjunct machines like the Photobiomodulation Pod) to enhance rehabilitation in the most effective and non-invasive manner possible is essential to providing comprehensive, holistic patient care and treatment. The benefits of
Photobiomodulation Therapy – or “red light” therapy as it’s sometimes called – is one of the methods I use daily in practice to complement traditional physiotherapy techniques, specifically for sports-related prevention and injuries.

Choosing the best modality, based on its research-proven studies, is imperative to maintain muscle strength and performance for me to help clients return to their pain-free lifestyle with their exercise routines. And with Photobiomodulation Therapy, the ability to perform better goes beyond an injured athlete, and extends to healthy athletes who want to train better and smarter.

As a duathlete and ultra runner, I use Photobiomodulation as part of my overall training program. Not only do I recommend it to clients, but it’s one of my personal ‘secret weapons’ in my training, competing and recovery arsenal to help improve my performance. I feel lighter and infinite when I do long runs. On top of that I feel the mental clarity that comes with consistent use of full-body red light therapy. And it’s pretty effortless: I lay down in the Photobiomodulation Pod, close the cover and take a breather from the hustle-and-bustle of daily life … all in just 20 minutes.

Beyond sports performance and injury rehab, Photobiomodulation Therapy benefits extend into beauty and overall well-being. The therapy reactivates natural pathways for collagen deposition and fibroblast activity to produce vibrant radiant skin, enhances wound healing, prevents and treats sunburn, and can also reverse hair loss. Essentially,
it improves wrinkles, facial acne, and other skin issues. . In addition, Photobiomodulation contributes to increase melatonin secretion in the pineal gland to help maintain the circadian rhythm and improve sleep patterns.

Recover faster. Reduce inflammation. Prevent injuries. Increase collagen. Enhance skin’s radiance. Sleep better. Who wouldn’t want to jump into a pod once or twice a week?

Author:

Jenny Huang, Founding Physiotherapist at HelloPhysio, Duathlete and Utramarathon

Advertisement

Keeping Fit via Regular Exercise to Build One’s Immune Function and Resilience Against COVID-19

COVID-19 is a novel virus that causes dysregulation in one’s immune system, wrecking
havoc and turning one’s immune guardians against the body, resulting in a “cytokine storm”- where a deluge of inflammatory molecules are released by immune cells that damage tissues and organ systems. Hence, some individuals with underlying chronic disease (e.g. diabetes or obesity) or the elderly with a less robust immune system may succumb and develop more severe complications, such as multiple organ damage. As scientists and clinicians toil to develop effective vaccines against this pandemic, it is also empowering to realize that we can improve our own immunity and resilience against infection. One way to do this is to exercise regularly.

The Greek physician, Herodicus who lived in the 5 th century BC, advocated for regular
exercise to promote health. His ideas influenced Hippocrates, often referred to as the “Father of Medicine”, on the multiple health benefits of nutrition and exercise 1 . In the past decade, exercise scientists have discovered that skeletal muscle behaves like an endocrine organ, in that during exercise, it releases molecules to communicate and interact with other tissues in the body. Many of these molecules, called myokines (“myo” from muscle), have beneficial health outcomes, especially by dampening inflammation – a key driver in many of modern society’s chronic diseases, such as diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease. Regular exercise has rightfully been called “anti-inflammatory” and the movement to drive the public health message – Exercise is Medicine® (EIM) was initiated in 2007 by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), a world authority on exercise, sports medicine and health, and in the past decade, EIM has become a global initiative that is embraced by many countries, including Singapore.

Obesity is a metabolic condition wherein excess lipids get stored in adipose tissue. This
accumulation of lipids results in a lipo-“toxic” environment, which causes dysfunction in the adipose cells to release pro-inflammatory molecules, many of which lead to poor control of glucose and insulin metabolism, increasing the risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Obesity is unsurprisingly, shown to present clinically as a state of “low-grade”, chronic inflammation. In fact, it was reported recently that ~72% of 775 patients admitted to intensive care units in the United Kingdom with confirmed COVID-19 infection, were overweight or obese 2. This disproportionate skewing of individuals with poor prognosis in the current pandemic suggests that people with excess body fat are more likely to develop medical complications after being infected, because of pre-existing low-grade inflammation. The high levels of inflammatory molecules dampen an obese person’s immune system, where immune cells are unable to respond effectively against viral infection.

By regular “pruning” of one’s immune system through exercise, the levels of inflammatory molecules are kept low, while at the same time, enhancing immunity against infections. Furthermore, with every session of exercise, millions of immune cells are mobilized and sent patrolling throughout the bloodstream, activated and ready to mount an attack on potential pathogens. In a 2008 3 study of nearly 25,000 Hong Kong residents who died from the A and B strains of influenza virus, scientists found that those who exercised moderately (up to 3 times per week) were less likely to succumb to influenza-related deaths, compared with people who were sedentary. Finally, being fit can also reduce adverse hospitalization outcomes – a concept known as exercise preconditioning or prehabilitation. This concept is now more readily accepted in clinical practice and in the current climate of COVID-19, drives home the message to get fit now, more than ever.

References:
– Berryman JW. 1992. Sport and Exercise Sciences: Essays in the History of Sport Medicine.
www.icnarc.org, Accessed date: 03 May 2020

Author’s Biography

Goh Jorming is a Research Assistant Professor with the Department of Physiology at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, with joint appointments with the NUHS Centre for Healthy Longevity and the NUS Healthy Longevity Program.

Since his junior college days, Jorming has always dabbled with exercise and fitness, and fortuitously, as his career developed, he is able to perform research on the beneficial role of exercise in health, ageing and disease. He has worked with preclinical mouse models to investigate the effects of exercise on tumour progression and inflammation, and on damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) after concurrent strength and aerobic exercise in human volunteers. At the Centre for Healthy Longevity, he is leading a team to investigate molecular and physiological markers of ageing and to test novel interventions involving diet, exercise and nutraceuticals to enhance healthspan.

Advertisement

Running Event’s Tees/Singlets

Runners have gotten all sorts of stuff from participating in running events, be it buying those merchandises, or whether it’s included in the registration fee or gotten them for free when participates in the organiser’s or sponsor’s games or lucky draw at their race pack collection. Items received were most usually those same this and/or that: Drawstring bags/reusable bags, shoe bags, water bottles, items practical to runners and etc etc. One of the most I’ve gotten is event tees and singlets.

When I first started running a few years ago, I bought quite a lot of sports apparels, shoes and accessories as a motivation to encourage myself to keep on running. I used to be one of those who like to buy and buy, but when my wardrobe starts exploding with event tees and singlets from all the running events I’d registered over the years, I had stopped the buying of singlets and t-shirts at the very least unless its really nice and special (such as official apparels from overseas races) ? I have only one upper torso eh ?

And buying stuff is a kind of happiness! ?

Some running events have event singlet or tee as well as finisher tee. It’s 2 apparels already. I even got a total of 3 singlets & tee from one year of GEWR ❤️ It’s been 5 years since I first started participating in running events, just thinking about how many t-shirts and singlets I have was pretty scary ?

I don’t even recall having some singlets or t-shirts till I saw that I was wearing them when photos appear in my Facebook memories ? Those clothes must be buried somewhere deep in my wardrobe ? And I’m actually concerned about something I’d read about messy wardrobe and the link of it to bad energy or Fengshui plus I do get worried that my wardrobe might one day eventually give way and crush me flat like a smashed tomato. Most importantly of all, a messy wardrobe is not equal to being a messy person or having a messy life. I can be very Marie Kondo if I want to ?

At first, I treasured these t-shirts and singlets a lot as I only had only just a handful of them. I had looked forward to receiving them! But after so many runs, I already come to the state that I didn’t even try to open the packaging and take a look at how the event singlet looks like after collecting them from race pack collection. Also didn’t bother to take a look at how my finisher tee looks like and gave them away to my mum, sister and aunt ? Also had donated a few pieces to charity too ❤️ Some were still chunked away in a box which I might forget where it is in years later when I get old. Though I estimated I still have at least a hundred pieces of them, I just kept wearing that same few pieces of singlets and t-shirts over and over again whereas others just sank deeper and deeper into the wardrobe ?

What some will look at is the cutting, brand, design, material, colour etc. Some of the tees were very soft, cooling and comfortable and I wore them to sleep ❤️ Some of the tees on the other hand I figure will one day eventually become the floor rag ?

I am me, depends on my mood, I don’t need to doll up so frequently and I can go around anywhere in these event tees. Luckily going around in t-shirts and shorts is quite a norm in Singapore and the weather here suits this type of casual wear. I don’t have a problem going to shopping malls or go for a movie in it and it spares me of wasting time and I do not need to take 1 hour or 2 hours a day thinking and being troubled of what to wear ? You might even impress your new date who’s also a die-hard runner in you Ultra Marathon 100 miles finisher tee or Boston Marathon event tee if he or she is a runner as both of you share the same interest ?

Best of all, event tees and singlets can be worn as couple tee too ?❤️

The most memorable event tee I’ve gotten was from my very first running event since I graduated from school, it’s Mediacorp Battle of the School Cross Country Run in 2015. The event tee was my secondary school’s PE t-shirt! It’s so sweet that the organizer tried to lias with the participants’ alma mater to get the tees ?
I’ve graduated from secondary school ages ago and it’s a different shirt than I used to have ?
They also gave a windbreaker as well upon completing the run and it’s so far the only run which I receive a windbreaker ❤️

So far I love Thailand’s event singlet most. They look more like jerseys for basketball players ?

Designs of Tees that I love a lot are those with flags of the organising country on it. Though I had participated in quite a bit of overseas and local running events, so far I only 4 shirts with flags on the event tee ????????

The only Singapore’s running event which I have the flag printed on is from The Great Relay back in 2016. The shirt should be hiding somewhere in my wardrobe ? I’d participated in quite a few runs that celebrate National Day and I’m pretty patriotic and love my country ya ❤️ Love the tees too ❤️

Since the circuit breaker a few months back, I used the spare time to tidy my room and uses quite a lot of time on my wardrobe. Taaaadaaaa ?

Had only separated them by colour and whether it’s with sleeves or without. Not done yet as some OCD in me want to arrange the lighter shades of blue together or by putting together all the black shirts in the same row ❤️

Overall I still love to receive event tees and singlets. Unless it’s being offered in a sense such as discounted registration fee if we opt-out of receiving them, I will still not reject having more of them ? I have it all figured out that if one day I have too many of these tees and singlets, I can just use them as wallpaper, curtain, table cloth and for whatever uses I can think of ?

#ToHellToGrammarAndTenses
#EnglishIsMySecondLanguage
#MyChineseA2Too ?

Advertisement

RunNUS Is Back With Their First-Ever Virtual Edition in 2020!

RunNUS is a run organised annually by the NUS Students’ Sports Club for the past 13 years. In light of the evolving COVID-19 situation, they have decided to transition RunNUS 2020 into a virtual run, to promote a healthy lifestyle and bring sports to all in a safe manner.

Above running and fitness, RunNUS seeks to raise awareness and promote inclusivity of Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs (PWDSNs). Net proceeds of the run will be channelled to beneficiaries such as the Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) and Disabled People’s Association (DPA).

RunNUS at a glance:

Dates: 13 July – 27 September 2020
Location: Anytime, Anywhere
Categories: 10KM / 5KM / 3KM

How to participate in RunNUS?

29 Jun to 27 Sep – Sign up

Submit this form and make payment

13 Jul to 27 Sep – Run Anywhere and Track

Use our Official Running App MapMyRun by Underarmour to stand a chance to win their shoes

13 Jul to 27 Sep – Upload your image as proof

Upload your run here!

20 Sep to 20 October – Get Entitlements Delivered to you!

Sign up now!

Special entitlements are up for grabs!

By participating, you will receive a RunNUS 2020 Race Pack, Finisher Medal, E-Cert and Finisher T-Shirt (for 10 km only). For 3km/5km runners, you may wish to purchase the Finisher T-Shirt as an add on for S$12!

Also, complete your RunNUS experience with their special Race Singlet at S$10 only.

Sign up early to enjoy exclusive prices!

RunNUS is back with 3 virtual categories this year: 10 KM, 5KM & 3KM!

*Refers to NUS students, staffs & alumnis

Wish to run with your friends virtually? Sign up as a group to get a total of $4 off race fees!

Sign up now!

Exclusive for JustRunLah! readers: 10% OFF Public Rate

Great news! You can now enter code: JRL10 to enjoy 10% OFF Public Rates during registration.

What else are you waiting for? Register now!

Advertisement

First-Ever SKECHERS Virtual Sports Park Is Here!

Esprimo is “Bringing the event to you” through a virtual platform that can be accessed anytime, anywhere!

The SKECHERS Virtual Sports Park is a virtual event organised by Esprimo Pte Ltd, sponsored by Skechers Singapore and supported by GetActive! Singapore.

Through the SKECHERS Virtual Sports Park, participants and/or viewers can engage in various activities such as Zumba, Fitness Workout, Tai Chi, and other activities that promote a healthy and active lifestyle for all ages. It also features a race segment for participants to challenge themselves to complete 25km, 75km, 150km within 60 days, with the choice of cycling and/or running.

New workout sessions are uploaded every week! Check out the schedule here!

3 reasons why you should visit SKECHERS Virtual Sports Park:

✅ Complimentary park admission
✅ Unlimited access to virtual workout sessions
✅ Stand a chance to win 1 year’s supply of Skechers footwear (T&C apply)

SKECHERS Virtual Challenge

How to participate in the virtual challenge?

1) Choose your challenge distance: 25KM | 75KM | 150KM & Register for S$20 at the ‘START’ gantry

2) Simply run?? and/or cycle? using a GPS tracking app or an indoor treadmill within the challenge period.
(Challenge Period: 30 July 2020, 00:01hrs to 30 September 2020, 23:59 hrs)

3) Submit screenshots from your tracking app OR photos of your treadmill dashboard showing clearly your progress at the ‘FINISH’ gantry ⏱ You can track your progress as you go along!

4) ?Upon your completion within the challenge period, just sit back, relax and receive your entitlements at your doorstep! Easy peasy!

Join the challenge now and receive these limited-edition entitlements from SKECHERS!

Advertisement

9 Important Wellness Tips for Students

The most important time to be self-critical on the present and the future ahead is while you are a student. Staying healthy, both physically and mentally, is a crucial step that a student needs to put in mind every moment on this journey. 

Despite studying being time-consuming and stressful, you need to set aside time and a guided routine to keep fit. Below is a list of 10 ways that turn out to be of great significance for a student’s wellness.

1) Healthy Diet

Eating a variety of foods containing essential nutrients is the key to maintaining good health, vibe, and constant energy. Consumption of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, water and minerals improves your nutrition significantly. 

Avoid overeating due to stress as your body releases hunger hormones that increase cravings for junk food. When posed with a feeding disorder, seek help from within campus or close family members.

2) Indulge in exercises

Adding a fitness course to your pre-existing one won’t kill. It reduces the chances of developing type 2 diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular diseases. 

Making it a tradition to play a sport or riding a bike occasionally improves the quality of life. Have a visit to the gym after classes to indulge the muscles in a new workout plan.

3) Adequate resting

Sleeping improves physical health by healing and repairing the heart and blood vessels. Insomnia can aggravate heart and kidney diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes and stroke. 

Good sleep increases daily concentration, which goes a long way in yielding productivity. To maintain a proper resting routine, stick to a daily, weekly, monthly, and ultimately annual schedule.  Whenever there are tight deadlines for your academic writing work or are simply overburdened, use the best tools to make your work easy. A good plagiarism checking tool is what every student needs. The tool by EduBirdie helps you check plagiarism not only for academic assignments but also the web content.

4) Beating stress

Tension accompanied by mild headaches due to constant academic pressure can be traumatizing. Limiting working hours by creating a sleeping, eating and studying routine helps you to shun away from stressful thoughts. 

Taking breaks in-between to stretch out or have a glass of water is very refreshing. Taking time to indulge in yoga and meditation rejuvenates the mind and releases nervousness. 

5) Maintaining proper mental health

Functioning at a satisfactory level of emotional and behavioral adjustment reduces the risks of being depressed. You need to enjoy life by creating a balance between life activities and psychological resilience. 

Constant and effective communication with friends and family helps to open up and share what you feel like a way of reaching out. Never allow stress to take the better part of you.

6) Start the day with breakfast

A good breakfast to kickstart the day helps in maintaining good energy and vibe. It replenishes glucose supply in the body after a long night of starvation. 

Consuming something like an egg, a banana or bagel enriched with nutrients and energy for good health. Find the best breakfast meal that is quick and easy that works for you. 

7) Maintaining proper sanitation

Student closeness possesses high risks of spreading infections and viruses such as cold and flu. Regular and proper sanitation by the washing of hands removes germs in an attempt to prevent you from getting sick and spreading them. 

Replenish the body with lots of fluids such as water and energy drinks. Wear sandals before visiting the bathroom as germs often infest there.

8) Indulge in hobbies

Drawing, reading novels and cooking are some of the few mentioned common hobbies listed by students. Indulging in them alongside the daily learning and working hours greatly impacts your mind and physical outlook about life.

They bring a sense of fun and freedom to life. They provide an outlet for distraction, creativity and something to look forward to every day. It helps minimize the impending impacts of chronic stress.

9) Constant hydration

Drinking enough water keeps the body constantly hydrated to regulate body temperature, keep joints lubricated and prevent infections. It improves the quality of sleep, mood and cognition of the environment. 

Eight glasses of water daily help improve metabolism and prevent you from overeating. To maintain constant hydration, try walking around with a reusable water bottle containing water to drink during the day.

Conclusion

Keep in mind that physical and mental wellness is a crucial factor for healthy living. A good dietary plan, staying hydrated, meditation and ensuring physical fitness are some of the steps to begin the journey to wellness. Having a routine on how to implement the steps above is of great impact. Be assertive on what to consume physically and emotionally.

Author’s Bio: Vendy Adams is a programming expert working with a Silicon Valley tech giant as a team leader. She’s also a passionate blogger and academic writer who loves to cover not only computer subjects but also health and fitness. In her free time, she loves running on the beach, preparing vegan salads and trying DIY kitchen gardening.

Advertisement

Stay Active & Help The Less Fortunate with Challenge 55 Singapore 2020!

#Challenge55SG is a national movement organised by Pink Apple Pte Ltd and supported by GetActive! Singapore. This unprecedented period sees a notable increase in beneficiaries at Food from the Heart, a charity organisation, whose mission is to reach out to beneficiaries and provide to the best of their ability. Thus, this movement aims for everyone to stay active and take proactive steps to alleviate hunger for the less fortunate.

Rise above this challenging period and clock 55,000 steps as a team or 5,500 steps individually anywhere anytime to pledge your unity and resilience. These steps you take will bring us closer as a nation and One Team Singapore. In conjunction with the nation 55th’s birthday, #Challenge55SG is born.

#Challenge55SG details at a glance

Date: 16th June 2020 – 9th August 2020
Time: Anytime!
Venue: Anywhere!

James Koh, Operations Director at Pink Apple Pte Ltd, said, “With our unfailing resilience put altogether, I believe this initiative enables us to build a  healthier lifestyle and emerge stronger as a nation”

Our unity and resilience are pivotal. We can all play a part to alleviate the hunger of the less fortunate by participating in #Challenge55SG where all registration proceeds (after GST) will be donated to charity organisation, Food from the Heart. Every step we take will provide them with stronger food security, keep them well sated and put a smile on their faces. Registration is priced at $5.50 per participant.

Finishers will receive an E-Cert, E-Badge and collar badge in recognition of their contribution and effort.

As underlined by President Halimah Yacob: “The strength of a people is seldom tested during good times, but will be severely challenged when we face a crisis. How well we stand together, support each other and react to a situation define us as a people.”

Leading up to #Challenge55SG is a series of weekly challenges to help you stay active at home. Activities include Full Name Workouts that are uniquely tailored to each individual’s name and Let’s Cook! where you can whip up a healthy meal and share with us the recipe! Winners will be selected on a weekly basis with 10 x $10 GrabFood gift cards up for grabs!

Let’s all take a proactive step towards alleviating hunger and encouraging an active lifestyle so that Singapore can emerge from this crisis stronger than ever. No gesture is too small, so register now!

Click here to register now!

Advertisement

3 Reasons Why Runners Should Take a Probiotic Supplement Daily

On its surface, running seems like an easy and straightforward way to exercise. But anyone with a serious interest in running can tell you how deep the sport goes.

Some people choose to focus on the equipment they use. From specific shoes to anti-chafing measures, they are particular about the sort of products they buy.

Others take a more holistic approach by incorporating regularly scheduled massages or they look to supplements and hydration aids to make them better runners. If you fall into this group, make sure you include probiotics in your daily supplement routine.

Probiotics are only as effective as the particular strains contained in the supplement. But when you get the right strains, a probiotic supplement can have great impacts on your running.

From improving your mood to addressing leaky gut to altering your diet, probiotics have amazing potential for runners. Here are 3 reasons runners should take a daily probiotic supplement:

1) They Can Improve Your Diet

Runners, generally speaking, are pretty particular about their diets. You want to eat food that will help keep you at the top of your game so you can go the extra mile.

Now and then, though, odd cravings sneak in. This is where probiotics can help.

There are a lot of theories around why you crave certain foods. One theory holds that cravings are one way that your body lets you know what it needs. And in these cases, probiotics can help alter the foods you crave.

Probiotics do this by altering the bacteria in your gut microbiome. Healthier gut bacteria help you avoid unhealthy cravings that will further upset the microbiome, such as excess sugar. Emphasis on excess since a healthy gut will still crave some sugar.

When your unhealthy cravings go down, your body can turn its attention to the fat and sugar it already has stored. This will, in turn, help you burn fat stored in the belly and other problem areas, which is a nice bonus to craving a healthier diet. The fact that probiotics can help burn belly fat is just one reason to add a supplement to your daily routine.

2) They Can Improve Your Mood

Although it might sound far-fetched, the brain-gut connection is very real. It is also called the enteric nervous system and is essentially a connection that runs straight from your brain to your gut.

When your gut biome is unbalanced, it causes an imbalance in your brain chemistry. The opposite is true as well. It’s why your stomach gets upset when you’re dealing with stress. Or, if you’re like me, why an upset stomach is a good warning that your mood is about to take a turn for the worse.

In short, your gut health has an impact on your overall mood. Probiotics help balance your gut microbiome. And while this isn’t going to cure your depression, it can help improve your mood.

That little boost might be all you need to get yourself moving for your morning run, or to push yourself for that extra mile.

3) They Can Improve Your Health

The gut-brain connection has a big impact on your mood, but it can also impact your health. In fact, there is evidence that the health of your gut has a direct connection to your overall health.

When talking about the impact of probiotics on your health, though, it’s important to separate the myths from reality. Probiotics aren’t going to cure cancer or eliminate your risk of heart disease. And they aren’t going to cure IBS or Crohns.

They can, however, reduce the severity of some allergies and help boost your immune system, among other things. While these issues might not directly affect your running practice, they certainly have an impact on your overall wellness. It’s not easy to get up and go for a run when you’re suffering due to food allergies or down with a cold.

The Fine Print

Of course, taking a probiotic one time isn’t enough to make a difference. And unless you’re eating a lot of fermented food, you’re not likely to get enough probiotics from your daily diet. To get the benefits of probiotics, you need to take them every day.

You also want to get the best strains. This is why, when it comes to probiotics, you want to be aggressive about reading the labels. Probiotics are, as the name suggests, good varieties of live bacteria.

Most of us only think of bacteria as harmful microorganisms that have the potential to cause illness. Probiotics are at the other end of the spectrum, offering benefits so long as you get the right kind.

Getting the wrong kind usually results in the supplement having no effect at all. There are, however, some side effects to bad probiotics that you’ll want to watch out for. They include upset stomach, increased allergic reactions, and headache.

If you experience any of these issues, stop taking your supplement until you can talk to a health care provider and find the right strains of probiotic to suit your body and meet your needs.

Generally speaking, however, probiotics from trusted sources are more likely to do good than to do harm, especially if you take them daily according to the directions on the bottle.

The Takeaway

Probiotics won’t magically make you a better runner, but they will help you avoid issues that can keep you from reaching your goals. From your mood to your allergies, these supplements are a great way to boost your health.

So long as you spend a little bit of time reading the labels and you take them correctly, probiotic supplements can be your new best friend. And in a world where there’s a supplement for everything, it’s nice to have one that works at the base level to create far-reaching improvements.

Advertisement

HOKA ONE ONE Singapore Announces Launch of the Clifton Edge: A Culmination of All the Brand’s Footwear Innovation to Date

HOKA ONE ONE®, a division of Deckers Brands (NYSE: DECK) announces the launch of the Clifton Edge, an innovative new shoe designed to empower athletes of all levels to feel like they can fly. The Clifton Edge features a unique extended heel geometry designed to provide a smooth impact for a gliding sensation while moving; combined with the softest, lightest foam yet featured in any HOKA shoes, the Clifton Edge is the latest pinnacle in the brand’s unique approach to footwear and apparel. It is designed to be the smoothest ride on the road.

The Clifton Edge is the first-ever style extension of the best-selling Clifton franchise: the Clifton first launched in 2014 and the Clifton 7 is set to be launched soon. The Clifton family of shoes has become tremendously popular by occupying a best-of-both-worlds space between the maximal cushion and minimal weight; they feature the cushion and unique ride characteristics for which HOKA’s original maximal-cushion shoes are known, but in a lighter-weight and lower-profile package. As an entirely new extension of that franchise, the Clifton Edge is designed to make the Clifton silhouette even more accessible and enjoyable to an even broader audience of athletes at every level of fitness, and to empower them to feel like they can run forever.

“HOKA is writing the story of performance footwear as we speak, and the Clifton Edge marks an exciting new chapter in that narrative,” said Wendy Yang, President of HOKA ONE ONE. “We have always taken a bold and unexpected approach to creating products that work for athletes of every level, and this is no exception. We believe the Clifton Edge will improve upon how athletes everywhere experience movement, and possibly open the door to that experience for even more people.”

The Clifton Edge will be available at S$259 at Running Lab & LIV ACTIV stores on July 1, 2020. Fans can visit fb.me/hokaoneonesg or follow @hokaoneone_sg on Instagram for more information, and stand a chance to win a pair of Clifton Edge from June 26 to July 5, 2020.

Advertisement

HOKA ONE ONE Malaysia Announces Launch of the Clifton Edge: A Culmination of All the Brand’s Footwear Innovation to Date

HOKA ONE ONE®, a division of Deckers Brands (NYSE: DECK) announces the launch of the Clifton Edge, an innovative new shoe designed to empower athletes of all levels to feel like they can fly. The Clifton Edge features a unique extended heel geometry designed to provide a smooth impact for a gliding sensation while moving; combined with the softest, lightest foam yet featured in any HOKA shoes, the Clifton Edge is the latest pinnacle in the brand’s unique approach to footwear and apparel. It is designed to be the smoothest ride on the road.

The Clifton Edge is the first-ever style extension of the best-selling Clifton franchise: the Clifton first launched in 2014 and the Clifton 7 is set to be launched soon. The Clifton family of shoes has become tremendously popular by occupying a best-of-both-worlds space between the maximal cushion and minimal weight; they feature the cushion and unique ride characteristics for which HOKA’s original maximal-cushion shoes are known, but in a lighter-weight and lower-profile package. As an entirely new extension of that franchise, the Clifton Edge is designed to make the Clifton silhouette even more accessible and enjoyable to an even broader audience of athletes at every level of fitness, and to empower them to feel like they can run forever.

“HOKA is writing the story of performance footwear as we speak, and the Clifton Edge marks an exciting new chapter in that narrative,” said Wendy Yang, President of HOKA ONE ONE. “We have always taken a bold and unexpected approach to creating products that work for athletes of every level, and this is no exception. We believe the Clifton Edge will improve upon how athletes everywhere experience movement, and possibly open the door to that experience for even more people.”

The Clifton Edge will be available at RM699 at Running Lab Pavilion Elite & 1 Utama, Kuala Lumpur. Fans can visit fb.me/hokaoneonemalaysia or follow @hokaoneone_my on Instagram for more information, and stand a chance to win a pair of Clifton Edge from June 26 to July 5, 2020.

Advertisement

Home Remedies For Treating Restless Legs Syndrome

Have you ever had disturbing or tingling experiences in your legs while you were lying or sitting down? Are you resisting against the pain or forcing your legs to move? Do these painful experiences in your legs occur during the daytime when you’re physically active? Or are these feelings in your legs surprisingly disturbing your sleep at nighttime?

If you have answered yes, then you may be suffering from Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS).

To the day-to-day life of a person living with RLS, the constant battle against pain is a real struggle – the painful experience is more than a toothache, and its severity is greater than a heartache.

Just imagine how it suppresses you from going into fun activities and ruins beautiful moments together with your loved ones and friends. Of course, your pain is lesser than your capacity. As long as there is treatment, life goes on.

To make your life more bearable despite the RLS condition, here are some home remedies to ease the pain caused by Restless Legs Syndrome.

What is Restless Legs Syndrome?

According to Harvard Health Publications of Harvard Medical School, Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a neurologic sensorimotor disorder that causes an individual to move the legs with an irresistible urge, often accompanied by a painful and unfavourable “creepy-crawly” sensation.

In statistics, 10 percent of the American population suffers from RLS. According to WebMD, the occurrence of RLS is more common in women than in men, and middle-aged people are prone to experience the symptoms.

Symptoms of RLS

Furthermore, the symptoms of having RLS causes ruining events to your daily activities – whether you’re only confined in a space with an awakened presence during the daytime, or whether you’ve fallen asleep during the nighttime.

Restless Legs Syndrome causes uncomfortable sensations in the internal parts of your legs – during sitting or lying down. It aggravates your nerves in impeding sensations such as burning, aching, crawling, creeping, itching, tingling, tugging, or a feeling similar to electric shocks – which occurs repetitively or longer than seconds.

The leading causes of RLS are iron insufficiency, abnormalities of dopamine level, chronic diseases like diabetes, kidney failure, the Parkinsons’s disease, and the occurrence of varicose veins.

If you are suffering from RLS, you should immediately have your screening and consultation with a professional, such as Elite Vein Clinic, to examine the venous insufficiency in your legs through ultrasound imaging. Visiting a specialized vein center can provide comprehensive care and effective treatments for venous insufficiency, which may help alleviate symptoms of RLS. Light therapy for aches is also a good way to get rid of RLS. Don’t let RLS get worse.

What are some Home Remedies for treating Restless Legs Syndrome?

Home treatments are effective when properly and regularly executed. Through proper diet and best sleeping routines, you can reduce the symptoms and pain caused by RLS. Here are five effective home remedies for treating RLS:

1. Devote yourself to a sleeping hygiene

Most people often overlooked the proper way of sleeping. Not only because of the tiring experiences in fixing the bed, but also the factors of using smartphones and other gadgets before sleeping. As a result, your RLS symptoms get worse.

In other words, you need to devote yourself to sleeping hygiene, where you plot your schedule on waking up, your napping sessions, and the time before going to sleep. Also, keep a cool, quiet, and comfortable sleeping environment.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, avoid using your smartphones or gadgets, at least 30 minutes before bed.

2. Eliminate your caffeine intake

Everybody loves to take coffee before going to work or during leisure time. But do you know that coffee can make your RLS worse?

Caffeine is a triggering element for RLS. It is a stimulant that interferes with sleep, particularly when you’ve taken it close to bedtime. While other physicians agree that caffeine has less impact on your RLS, make sure to regulate your caffeine intake.

3. Make time for meditation

Repetitive stress and anger mismanagement can aggravate the symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome. When you get stressed in a longer period, the prefrontal cortex of your brain shrinks and kills brain cells, responsible for giving signals in a fight-or-flight situation. Meaning, chronic stress can also lead to diabetes and heart diseases – a pathway for RLS symptoms.

As a way to mitigate stress, the habit of doing yoga, deep breathing, and stretching can give meditation that your body needs. It helps the improvement of your mood, increases your awareness, and reinforces your comfort during your sleep.

4. Manage your diet

You are what you eat. In other words, your diet amounts to your physical standing and reflects your mental condition. If you have symptoms from Restless Legs Syndrome, chances are higher for you to have iron sufficiency and low magnesium count in your body.

In your diet, always include foods rich in D3, potassium, and iron. We recommend you to eat spinach and leafy green vegetables and liver for your diet.

Spinach is rich in iron and folate, which can be included in different varieties of dishes, such as soups, sauces, smoothies, and salads. Also, a liver is a great source of iron – a  rich source for haemoglobin formation and brain function. It is also the best way to suffice iron deficiency.

5. Commit to a regulated physical exercise

Exercise is the best way to combat stress, high cholesterol, diabetes, and the formation of varicose veins. Since varicose veins contribute to the symptoms of RLS, exercise can mitigate the pain through healthy blood pressure and normalized dopamine levels.

By producing sweat through a 30-minute exercise of walking, jogging, or moderate running, your legs will relieve, giving you a good night sleep. However, make sure to avoid vigorous exercise that might trigger RLS symptoms.

Key Takeaways

Restless Legs Syndrome is giving you more than the painful experience of a toothache, or severity greater than a heartache. It suppresses you from going into fun activities and ruins beautiful moments together with your loved ones and friends.

But as long as there is treatment, there is hope for a better life.

Today, RLS has affected the lives of millions of people – not just only in America, but to the entire world population. It occurs mostly in women as to men, and with middle-aged adults.

The leading causes of RLS are iron insufficiency, abnormalities of dopamine level, chronic diseases like diabetes, kidney failure, Parkinson’s disease, and the occurrence of varicose veins.

And its symptoms are generally causing an individual to move the legs with an irresistible urge, often accompanied by a painful and unfavourable “creepy-crawly” sensation.

To avoid any ruined moments and disturbing events, here are five effective home remedies to alleviate the symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome:

  1. Devote yourself to sleeping hygiene;
  2. Eliminate your caffeine Intake;
  3. Make time for meditation;
  4. Manage your diet; and 
  5. Commit to a regulated physical exercise.
Advertisement

Swiss Performance Brand, On, Introduces Its CloudTec® Technology And Its Latest Collection for All Fitness Enthusiasts

Swiss Performance brand, On, introduces the CloudTec® Technology which the outsole provides soft, cushioned landings. On features the first cushioning system that is only active when you need it – during the landing, but doesn’t get in the way during take-off. This allows On to provide more under-foot protection than any other shoe on the market.

On also fosters an efficient running style, allowing the runner to land more forward on his or her foot as well as to adopt a centred and energized running position. The Speed Board™ flexes over the whole length of the shoe, making it the best rolling shoe on the market. Combined with your Cloud-activated muscles, this results in a shorter ground contact time.

On’s intelligent cushioning allows for a minimalistic, lightweight construction in line with the latest research on the natural movement of the foot, i.e. a low heel-to-toe ratio, being close to the ground, and supporting the spiral dynamics of your foot.

Additionally, On puts you back in control: By slowing down the impact and providing less of a lever in the heel (thanks to the low profile), overpronation or supination forces are greatly reduced. What is more: the Clouds act like small Swiss Balls for your feet, activating your muscles and enabling yourself to stabilize and control your foot strike naturally – without the artificial support of an orthotic.

The New Generation Cloudflow

Ready, set, flow. On releases the all-new Cloudflow, a record-breaking shoe chosen by athletes, refined through training, competition, podiums and smashing personal records.

Cloudflow Rust | Limelight

With more comfort and kick with the addition of Helion™ superfoam, the Cloudflow is highly responsive and fully cushioned for optimal training and racing. The Helion™ foam combines high-performance properties, delivering durability and rebound at a previously impossible level. 18 Helion™ Cloud elements combined with an even more explosive Speedboard turns impact into acceleration. Plus, the new lacing configuration and reshaped Clouds allows for softer forefoot landings and more support at high speed. All in all, a winning combination.

New Colours

Cloudswift Black | Rock

Run the city in the light, swift shoe with full road protection. Features Helion™ superfoam for high performance in urban environments.

CloudTec® in Helion™ superfoam gives the Cloudswift cushioning with zero compromises. Engineered for urban running, Helion™ is light on weight but big on energy return and durability. Temperature resistant, it provides the same unrivalled performance in hot and cold conditions. Durable rubber reinforcements provide high traction at high speed, even on wet roads.

The breathable engineered-mesh of the inner sock construction keeps your feet cool, even when on-the-road temperatures soar. Strong yet stretchable, the TPU mechanical side band delivers gentle midfoot support during swift city sprints. It also gives you a hiding place to stash your laces.

Cloudace Graphite | Rock

Maximum cushioning, support and speed for even the most demanding runner.

The most advanced application of CloudTec® and Zero-Gravity foam offers ultrasoft landings and constant comfort. The Cloud elements feature slightly different materials in the heel and forefoot areas for a more secure landing. An extra-wide, liquid-injected Speedboard stabilizes each phase of the rolling motion and propels you forward with an explosive take-off.

The premium technical mesh upper is designed to both vent the forefoot and provide stability where it’s needed. No-sew tape reinforces and provides midfoot stability, evenly distributing pressure across the foot. The super-light dual-density sockliner constructed from compression EVA and memory foam aids the moulded 3D heel pads in providing a supremely snug fit and hold.

Cloud X White | Black

For those that love to run and then some. The shoe to take with you for a running remixed companion you can count on.

The CloudTec® sole of Cloud X is made for explosive movement in all directions. The zero-Gravity foam keeps weight to an absolute minimum for maximum mobility. The lean, engineered heel cap is precision-moulded to keep you stable without strain. The dual-density sock liner and seamless tongue are both designed for comfort and hold in mixed-sports workouts.

A function-oriented knit-weave upper uses an engineered mesh of the highest quality and material strength. Light and breathable, it supports without restricting freedom of movement and helps keep your feet cool when the workout heats up. Reflective details ensure night visibility.

Cloudflyer

Made to support any runner and running goal. One of the lightest, cushioned support shoes in the world.

Twelve wider Cloud elements provide a larger surface area underfoot for added stability. At the same time, Zero-Gravity Foam cushions while keeping the weight low. The Clouds are configured to reduce inward rotation on landing and combine with the internal Speedboard™ allow for stable, natural transitions every stride.

Support never felt so light. Combining stability with agility, the Cloudflyer takes you further, faster. Surprisingly soft landings and explosive take-offs. For elite athletes, running rookies and everybody in between, it’s ideal for increasing distance or volume. A true fan favourite, the Cloudflyer is a fully cushioned support shoe that weighs next to nothing. So your long run now feels shorter.

Versatile Apparels for All Fitness Enthusiasts

How do you make an item of clothing feel like an essential, go-to, timeless piece? First, design for maximum functionality. The rest will follow. Since it’s inception, On has stayed true to its design principle of form follows function and On’s all-new apparel collection is no different. Stylish and reduced to the max, each piece of the collection can be used for any activity.

From biking to work in the morning, yoga at lunch or exploring the outdoors over the weekend, the On Essentials collection is all you need.

Men – Tank-T

Sleek in shape, this tank top features fast-drying, high-tech fabrics that shield and protect yet keep weight to a minimum. This running tank is made with fast-drying high-tech fabrics in a stripped-down design for extreme lightness.

The Tank-T is made from a lightweight Japanese knit fabric, selected for its ability to keep weight low while delivering high performance. It transports sweat quickly away from your skin for comfort when the temperature rises. Highly breathable, it also dries at rapid speed to help you feel fresher, longer.

Performance-T

The performance running T-shirt is for racing. Reduced to the max, it balances ultralight protection with breathability and freedom.

The Performance-T is Swiss-engineered to support running of the highest level. It features a blend of high-tech fabrics in a stripped-down design for extreme lightness. All seams are taped, not stitched so it feels like you’re wearing nothing. The protection you need, in a style everybody will want.

Women – Active Tank

The simple yet sophisticated tank top is more than just an essential. It consists of 93% Lyocell (Tencel), extracted from eucalyptus trees. Cooling effect, odour control and good moisture dissipation are just some of the many advantages of this material. A slit on the backside provides additional airflow and increases the range of movement, making the lightweight Active Tank not only ideally suited for all intensive sports but easily transitioned for all-day wear as well.

Active-T Breathe

The Active-T Breathe combines style and functionality. Like the Active Tank, it is also made of Lyocell, a sustainably produced material. This material retains shape and structure for longer while drying faster than you can sweat. The smart T-shirt also has a subtle opening at the back, providing faster ventilation. The Active-T Breathe combines a unique feminine cut with a pleasantly soft feel. This makes it the perfect companion for sports and everyday life.

On has recently launched its Singapore Facebook Page. For more products, information and updates, please visit On Facebook page.

Alternatively, You can find On products in all Running Lab and LIV ACTIV stores!
– LIV ACTIV: https://www.facebook.com/livactivSG/
– Running Lab Singapore: https://www.facebook.com/runninglabsingapore/
– Running Lab Malaysia: https://www.facebook.com/RunningLabMalaysia/

Advertisement

JustConnect Media Logo
JustRunLah! is owned and managed by JustConnect Media