All Things Health

The Importance of Catching Z’s

Sleep is like the human equivalent of charging your phone. You’ll want to charge your phone fully for it to last the whole day, and the same goes for yourself. Sleep is essential for everyone because it improves attention, behaviour, learning and overall mental and physical health. It is especially important in children because it plays an important role in growth and overall health.

Our bodies require an adequate amount of sleep in order to function effectively throughout the day. Newborns need about 14-17 hours, infants need about 12-15, toddlers 11-14, school aged children 9-11, teenagers 8-10 and adults 7-9 hours, ideally. Sleep deficiency can cause you to feel very tired during the day. You may not feel refreshed when you wake up and it can cause problems with learning, focusing and reacting. However, sleep deficiency in children may present as being overly active or misbehaving.

You can improve your sleeping habits by going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, not looking at devices an hour before bed, avoiding heavy meals within a few hours of bedtime, spending time outside every day and keeping your bedroom quiet, cool and dark.

Happiness and Your Health

Immune system – happiness can boost your immune system. Studies have shown that people who have more positive emotions are less likely to catch a cold.

Nature’s Own Odourless Fish Oil

Fish oil contains a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which is a healthy fat that our body does not naturally produce. Consuming fish oil has a range of benefits which include supporting brain, heart and cardiovascular health, reducing mild arthritis and joint inflammation and maintaining healthy blood fats and eye function. Whilst pregnant, omega-3 fatty acids are important for the development of the baby’s eyesight, nervous system and brain.

You can get your intake of omega-3 by eating fish two or three times a week, but a fish oil supplement is much more convenient and also a cheaper alternative.

Nature’s Own Odourless Fish Oil is available at a Calanna Wholehealth Pharmacy near you. Doing good deeds – turns out one of the fastest ways to make ourselves happy is by making others happy, so go ahead and pay that coffee forward.

Bright colours – a study found a link between bright colours and happiness. Happier people favour yellow, while grey was closely associated with anxiety and depression.

The 20th of March is World Happiness Day. What’s something that makes you happy? Be sure to do a lot of it on the day and spread the word, because happiness is contagious.

All Things Health

Health Benefits of Onions

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, the medicinal properties of onions have been recognised since the ancient times and they are a highly nutritious vegetable to eat as they include various vitamins and minerals.

Nutritious – Onions are very nutrient-dense. They’re low in calories but high in vitamins and minerals, being particularly high in vitamin C, potassium and B vitamins.

May benefit heart health – Onions contain antioxidants and compounds that fight inflammation and reduce cholesterol levels, so they have a good chance of lowering your risk of heart disease.

May help fight cancer – Several studies have found that eating onions has been linked to a lowered risk of stomach and colorectal cancers.

May boost bone density – Onions can help support strong bones since it’s believed they help reduce oxidative stress, boost antioxidant levels in the body and decrease bone loss.

May improve digestive health – To top all that off, onions are a rich source of fibre and prebiotics, both of which are necessary for optimal gut health.

Try adding onions to pasta sauce, guacamole, quiche, salad, stir-fry or chili. Delicious, and so nutritious – and if you chop them up finely, they’re easy to hide from picky eaters.

Natural Remedies to Help You Sleep

Getting a good amount of sleep is incredibly important for your health and day-to-day functioning, but this is easier said than done. Here are some natural remedies to help you sleep.

Melatonin – This is a sleep hormone your body produces naturally, and melatonin supplements can help you doze off.

Valerian root – This herb is native to Asia and Europe. Studies have shown that valerian root has the potential to improve self-rated sleep quality.

Magnesium – Magnesium is involved in hundreds of processes in the human body, and studies have shown that it has a relaxing effect.

Lavender – Its soothing, calming fragrance has been reported to help people sleep. Drop some lavender oil into a diffuser or put a few drops on your pillow.

Passion flower – A popular herbal remedy for insomnia, it’s known to improve sleep quality and has been cultivated all around the world.