AEQUA Health & Wellness

08/29/2023

Now that the temps are cooling off, it’s the perfect time to get connected outdoors.

FOREST BATHING, or Shinrin-yoku in Japanese, refers to the physiological effects of “making contact with and taking in the atmosphere of the forest.”

Submersing yourself in nature has been shown to…
• Promote lower cortisol levels.
• Lower pulse rate and blood pressure.
• Increase parasympathetic nerve activity while lowering sympathetic nerve activity.

What shifts have you noticed after spending time outdoors?

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19568835/ #:~:text=The%20term%20Shinrin%2Dyoku%20was,the%20atmosphere%20of%20the%20forest.

08/25/2023

DID YOU KNOW?

Loneliness and lack of physical touch are BFFs.

Healthy physical touch is essential for well-being.
*High-five to all the huggers out there.*

In a culture connected by wires and screens, physical touch is seriously lacking. Touch therapy comes in many forms. Think of a massage, walking barefoot, or playing with sand. Each experience offers up joy to your nerve endings.

Try giving your touch receptors a treat by playing with Play-Doh! Playing with sensory stimuli has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety.

Check out this article by The American Institute of Stress that has some great insights on how playing with toys relieves stress:
https://www.stress.org/relieve-stress-play-with-toys

If it's too hot for you to play outside this weekend, be sure to play inside, even if for just a little while. Happy Friday, everyone!!!

08/21/2023

Cultivating connection and combating loneliness can be done in many ways.

A meaningful connection doesn't necessarily have to be with another person.

Having a pet is a great way to reap the benefits of connection that include:

- Reduced symptoms of depression.
- Less stress and anxiety.
- Increased physical activity.
- The unrelenting feeling of joy every time you interact with your pet. :)

Do you have any pets? Let's see a picture in the comments below!

08/14/2023

Happy Monday! How was everyone's weekend? Were you able to cultivate some connections?

Here are some ideas if you're coming up short:

- Notice if someone needs help when you’re out and about. People tend to be in a rush and don’t notice when someone is struggling right in front of them. Awareness is key!
- Reach out to your neighbors, or bring their trash can in for them. Random acts of kindness are great for strengthening connections.
- Schedule a time to call a friend or family member you haven’t spoken with in a while.
- Coordinate a once-a-month friend’s night out.
- HUG MORE!

Do you have any other ideas? We would love to hear them!

08/11/2023

Happy Friday! Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend.

08/10/2023

There’s a difference between social isolation and loneliness.

Michele Kroll at the University of New Hampshire explains it well:

• "Social isolation is the lack of social contacts and having few people to interact with regularly. An individual can live alone and not feel lonely or socially isolated, just as someone can feel lonely while being with other people.
• Loneliness is the feeling of being alone, regardless of the amount of social contact."

Do you know anyone that may be experiencing isolation or loneliness? Let’s reach out more. It’s time we start checking in on each other.

https://extension.unh.edu/blog/2022/05/prolonged-social-isolation-loneliness-are-equivalent-smoking-15-cigarettes-day

08/07/2023

HOW MANY HUGS HAVE YOU GIVEN TODAY?

Brainy Quotes Image: Virginia Satir Quotes. (n.d.). BrainyQuote.com. Retrieved July 13, 2023, from BrainyQuote.com Web site: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/virginia_satir_175185.

08/02/2023

DID YOU KNOW?

Feelings of loneliness are on par with smoking FIFTEEN CI******ES PER DAY!

Loneliness and social isolation have been correlated with increased risks for…

- Obesity.
- Anxiety.
- Depression.
- Heart disease.
- High blood pressure.
- A weakened immune system.
- Cognitive decline, including dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Check out this brief article for a more eye-opening view:

https://theconversation.com/is-loneliness-really-as-damaging-to-your-health-as-smoking-15-cigarettes-a-day-204959

07/31/2023

Stay tuned, Facebook friends, as we dive into August head first and delve into some deeper topics.

In a society that is more connected than at any other time in history, the prevalence of ISOLATION and LONELINESS are of epidemic proportions.

Join us as we expand on this throughout the month, and remember... at Aequa, we always give FREE HUGS!

07/28/2023

As July goes out in a heat wave, make sure you know the signs of dehydration, and seek help immediately should you or someone you know experience it.

Dehydration symptoms may include:

- Fatigue
- Headache
- Muscle cramps
- Dry lips, mouth, throat, eyes and skin
- Weakness, dizziness, lightheadedness
- A sudden and severe drop in blood pressure

Please remember that animals and pets can get dehydrated, too! How blessed we are to have easy access to clean water. Stay hydrated, friends, and keep those pets hydrated, too!

07/17/2023

Most people know that the human body, on average, is about 60% water, BUT most don’t know that the…

- Brain and heart are 73% water.
- Lungs are 83% water.
- Skin is 64% water.
- Muscles and kidneys are 79% water.
- Bones are 31% water.

https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/water-science-school

Drink water like your body depends on it!

07/14/2023

Happy Friday, Facebook Friends!!! 😄

Check out this article by Ariane Lang on Healthline.com that debunks some myths of drinking water upon waking. Some of them may surprise you.

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/drinking-water-in-the-morning -claims

May your weekend be filled with sunshine ☀️, love 💗, and laughter 😂. Don’t forget to fill-up on healthy fluids to stave off dehydration. 🧉 CHEERS!

Some people say that if you want to be healthier, you should drink water first thing in the morning. This article reviews whether there's truth to this popular claim.