The post FIVE ACTIVITIES WITH UNEXPECTED HEALTH BENEFITS appeared first on Usana Health Sciences Organization.
]]>
Knitting and crocheting
Get out the wool and knitting needles! The repetitive nature of this activity with your hands sends signals to your body which immediately relax you and make you feel grounded. It is the same as with any other repetitive activity with your hands or body, such as colouring.
Going outdoors
Feeling stressed? Clear your mind with a stroll outside. Research indicates that Vitamin D from sunlight elevates your levels of serotonin, which makes you feel good. In addition to this, taking in your surroundings takes your focus away from your worries. Research has also shown that spending time in nature has been associated with decreased levels of mental illness such as depression and anxiety, increasing concentration and even faster healing. So go outside and spend some time in nature!
Playing with pets
Yes, that’s right. Your furry friend is keeping you healthier. Caring for a pet has been shown to decrease blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reduce feelings of loneliness and more! So go and spend some time with your little fur ball, and if you don’t have one, make friends with the cute cat down your street.
Meditation
Anyone can do it! You don’t have to dedicate your life to being a yogi. You can simply put aside a few minute of your day to close your eyes, relax and focus on breathing. Meditation has been linked with numerous health benefits such as improved digestion, reducing stress, and even reducing physical pain.
Dancing
Whether you’re going to a party or you’re at home blasting music, singing terribly and getting your boogie on, hitting the dance floor is a great way to improve your health. Studies have shown that it can help you lose weight, reduce stress, increase memory, improve heart health and more! Who knew!
So when you go home from work tonight, will you be getting out the knitting needles, adventuring outdoors, hanging out with your furry friend, meditating or getting your boogie on?
References:
http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20765943,00.html#best-get-out-of-your-head-0
http://www.everydayhealth.com/fitness-pictures/health-benefits-of-dance.aspx#06
Written by Monique Sparks
The post FIVE ACTIVITIES WITH UNEXPECTED HEALTH BENEFITS appeared first on Usana Health Sciences Organization.
]]>The post Good health starts with a healthy immune system appeared first on Usana Health Sciences Organization.
]]>Your immune system is made up of biological structures (such as immune cells) which protect against disease and help c-oordinate the wound healing process as well as cellular/tissue turnover, repair, and (re)building.
There are two different types of immunity – innate and adaptive (see diagram).
Both of these types of immunity help your body to:
• Provide defense against infection & illness
• Distinguish between own healthy cells and invading pathogens or agents
• Heal wounds
• Support an active lifestyle
• Build up resilience to stressful environments
• Support overall health and wellbeing
In order to maintain a healthy immune system it’s important to get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, exercise regularly, and reduce stress. You can also try supplementation for added immune support. All of these factors appear to play some role in immune system function.
References:
www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/…/yourbody/whatdoesyourimmunesystemdo
http://www.breastcancer.org/tips/immune/boost
The post Good health starts with a healthy immune system appeared first on Usana Health Sciences Organization.
]]>The post 21 Day Marvellous Lunchbox Makeover appeared first on Usana Health Sciences Organization.
]]>Wick says, “I’m incredibly passionate about healthy food and it upsets me to see so many kids with packaged foods in their lunchboxes, which in my opinion doesn’t fuel their learning. I wanted to help parents get back into the kitchen, to give them inspiration and motivation to make things from scratch, so they know what is going into their children. It’s also a chance for them to connect with their children and to do it together. So, for 21 days I’d like to personally deliver to your inbox some of my healthy tips and recipes, to help you with some new inspiration:
-
To provide you with healthy lunchbox ideas that are healthy, creative and different to what you may already be doing, that don’t always include food.
-
To help you be organized and prepared in the kitchen, so the kids can make their own lunches.
-
To show you how to make quick and healthy creations at home, therefore reducing the additives and preservatives we give our children.
-
Lastly, to have fun with your children so they can be involved!”
Wick discusses healthy and easy to whip up lunchbox options – Watch the clip >>>>>CLICK HERE<<<<<
The post 21 Day Marvellous Lunchbox Makeover appeared first on Usana Health Sciences Organization.
]]>The post Kids’ Health Day Carnival appeared first on Usana Health Sciences Organization.
]]>Written by Daniel Walshaw – Online Content Coordinator
Jumping castle. Inflatable soccer shoot-out. Face painters. Great music. Colourful balloons. Prize wheel. Fresh fruit and a slushie machine. You might have been mistaken for thinking that the local fair had come to USANA Australia’s Castle Hill office on Wednesday, 26th September. And in a way, it did – because it was all for our Kids’ Health Day Carnival!
Countless cars lined the streets before the event started. So we knew it was going to be a great day out! The weather was perfect, the sun was shining (contrary to some pretty unnerving reports I’d heard forecast – insert sigh of relief!) and we all were ready to have a great time (and let the inner child out for a few hours)!
 |
| Guests being welcomed by Leeanne, Christina and Vicki with balloons. |
 |
| Associates Erica and Brigitte running Fruit Salad. |
It was like a trip down memory lane (a longer lane for some of us than for others) when some of our amazing Associates Elisha, Erica and Brigitte played Fruit Salad and parachute games with the kids. I remember these games from my childhood so I couldn’t resist having a go… The trio of Exercise Physiologists also led skipping classes, which were a great hit. And, all the kids who got involved in a skipping class, got to take a skipping rope home, to encourage a healthy and active lifestyle.
The Kids’ Yoga classes, with experienced yoga expert Pauline, were jam-packed with eager little ones ready to do the Asanas (postures). Pauline led the kids through child-friendly workouts which focussed on breathing techniques to release tension, stretches to lengthen and strengthen the muscles and techniques to balance the right and left hemispheres of the brain to help improve coordination and balance.
 |
| Our Vice President of the Pacific Region David Mulham had a great time with Chanel from our Customer Service team and some new friends. |
 |
| The jumping castle was a highlight of the day – most of the staff wished they were small enough again to jump on! |
 |
| Fresh and nutritious fruit was served along with delicious Strawberry NutrimealTM slushies. The perfect match for the day’s activities. |
 |
| Tyrone the Tiger! |
Ravinder Lilly, our Nutritionist and Health Writer, presented ‘Healthy eating 101’ and ‘Vital Vitamins and Mega Minerals for Kids’, which focussed on practical ways that parents and soon-to-be parents could super charge their kids’ nutrition, how to get kids to eat more healthily, the best drinks for kids and the importance of vitamins and minerals for children’s growing bodies and minds. There were lots of questions and answers and chatter as parents shared their experience and tips, too.
Sheila Zhou, our Regulatory Affairs and Technical Officer and David Zhu, our Network Development and Training Coordinator followed with brilliant presentations on ‘Bone and Brain Health for Kids’ and ‘Energy Support and Immune Health for Young Children.’ These looked into the scientific benefits of nutritional supplementation for children, from recent studies. You always knew it – USANA is backed by science and they showed us how!
Associate Elisha Renton gave parents great insight into the importance of exercise for children’s minds and bodies, both for current and future health. She also revealed some alarming statistics about the growing incidence of obesity in our children and how this is impacting on the development of chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes. Until a few years ago, this type of diabetes was only seen in adults but is being seen more and more in children today.
 |
| Kenneth with Christina. |
And, if there wasn’t enough excitement and fun going on already, a special visit from one of our newest USANA Athletes Kenneth To stirred up the atmosphere even more! Crowds lined up at Kenneth’s autograph session to have a photo taken with him and chat with this incredible Aussie swimmer.
Kenneth later spoke at a presentation about the swimming events he has been participating in recently and the benefits he felt our USANA products had brought him which was great to hear. I never get tired of hearing how our products have helped people from elite Athletes to the average sports fan!
Soon after the Kids’ Event, Kenneth travelled overseas and brought two Gold medals home to Australia from the FINA World Cup Swimming meet in Dubai; these were, for the men’s 100m freestyle and the men’s 100m individual medley. Huge congratulations to Kenneth on winning two more Gold medals to add to his already-impressive list of achievements! You can read about his latest wins here and read Kenneth’s accolade sheet here.
Kenneth said, ‘The Kids’ Health Day was a fantastic experience. The atmosphere was electric and the kids looked to be thoroughly enjoying themselves. I was lucky enough to be there to sign some autographs for the kids and talk to the parents about what USANA has done for me. It was a great event and I look forward to attending more like it!’
We had a great time celebrating the children in our lives (even Chanel below!) and emphasising the importance of their health; after all, they are our future! I know you would agree that we want to leave a legacy of health for generations to come. Let’s celebrate our kids and let’s celebrate their healthy future! To see more photos from the day, click here.
 |
| Chanel had to dodge many flying soccer balls throughout the day. |
The post Kids’ Health Day Carnival appeared first on Usana Health Sciences Organization.
]]>The post USANA Health Centre: Fitness Tips for Healthy Joints appeared first on Usana Health Sciences Organization.
]]>
You can’t change the joints you have, but to keep your joints in top shape, you can create strong muscles and healthy bones and cartilage. You can do this simply by eating a healthy diet and keeping fit.
Daily exercise can strengthen the muscles surrounding the joints, making you less prone to injuries and joint diseases. Low impact exercise is best, as this minimises the chances of injury. Try exercises like:
- Cycling: an aerobic workout that’s gentle on your joints and gives you great all-over muscle tone.
- Swimming: one of the best exercises for all fitness levels, swimming is low-impact for joints while quickly building fitness. And, with an indoor pool, you can swim in all weather.
- Light Aerobic exercises like yoga and tai chi: these can build core strength and muscle tone with low impact on joints.
As well as exercises, it’s important to eat a healthy diet, and get plenty of the right kinds of vitamins and supplements. Fish Oil and Glucosamine are two of the best natural supplements to promote healthy joints. Fish Oil contains heaps of omega 3 fatty acids to combat joint pain and inflammation, not to mention being great for a healthy heart and brain.
Glucosamine is found in our joints and helps our bodies produce cartilage. Taking Glucosamine helps joint healing and recovery, as well as easing pain from arthritis.
Vitamin D is vital to maintaining healthy joints as well. One of the best ways to get vitamin D is to exercise in the sun for at least 20 minutes a day. Exposing your skin to the sun while you exercise helps your body absorb more vitamin D – just be sure not to burn yourself.
However, often we don’t have the time or inclination to exercise outside (and the sun isn’t exactly shining at the moment, anyway) so taking a natural supplement high in vitamin D can drastically improve your joints health.
There are many other vitamins, minerals and herbs that benefit joint health, such as flax seeds and flax seed oil, fish oil, and turmeric. If you have serious joint problems, we recommend you see a doctor before beginning any new fitness regime.
The post USANA Health Centre: Fitness Tips for Healthy Joints appeared first on Usana Health Sciences Organization.
]]>The post Why Do We Need Nutrition? appeared first on Usana Health Sciences Organization.
]]>
When we are out and about and see lots of vitamin shops, the shops are always filled with people who eager to find good ‘health’ from the bottles displayed on the shelves, have you ever thought why do I need nutrition? We all want to stay healthy, but what’s the benefit of taking nutritional supplements? We could spend hours counting up the numerous benefits, however through listening to others’ stories and see how they got involved in the ‘nutrition revolution’, could this prove inspiring to you?
I recently asked this question to some of my colleagues in USANA Australia and New Zealand, and found they all have a story to tell – and trust me, it’s not because they are USANA employees, it’s because that they actually need additional nutrition, just like you.
Story 1:
“When ladies reach a certain age and time in their life, the body goes through another set of ‘change’…..by experimenting with the dosage of USANA supplements and introducing ones that I might not normally have taken, this ‘change’ was easily managed.”
Marissa Penfold, Business Manager, USANA New Zealand
Story 2:
“Around the time I started at USANA, I was suffering through periods of tiredness where I’d have low energy levels for days. I had taken other brands of multivitamins before but it didn’t seem to have made a difference to my overall health. I decided to give USANA Essentials a try and I felt like my old self and had tons of energy every day – even after putting in a long day at work!
After seeing such great results in my health, I got Essentials for my sister and friends and they too reported feeling healthy and energetic. This was my cue to take Essentials regularly, I always used to think I was getting enough nutrition from food but after taking Essentials I realised that supplementation was also vital. I am pregnant now and I also take Vitamin D and BiOmega III and so does my partner.”
Rashida Tayabali, Marketing Team Member, USANA Australia
Story 3:
“I take supplements in the form of vitamins, minerals and herbs for lots of reasons. For a start I always look to nature for help with my health. My experience has been that most symptoms diminish once you get back to good eating, add a few therapeutic herbs and take better care of yourself. I also take supplements so I can stay younger longer. As a woman, it’s particularly important to stay looking and feeling good for as long as you can. There’s no reason why you can’t feel gorgeous and energised into your 60s and beyond. I also love to exercise and I don’t want anything to get in the way of that. I don’t want to have a bad back or sore joints or any of the other degenerative conditions get in the way of my ability to move. Walking in the national park and my regular yoga is just too valuable to me. Finally, one other major reason I take supplements is because I plan to make it to well into my 90s. There are just so many things to do in this life that I need that many years to do them all. And I want to have my wits about me when I do them!”
Brenda Rogers, Training and Development Manager, USANA Australia
Story 4:
“Before I started taking nutritionals, I thought I was very healthy, really. I am in my early 30s and have a healthy lifestyle – I go swimming; eat at least two varieties of fruit every day; drink lots of water; don’t smoke; don’t drink; don’t stay up late in the evening… you name it! And I haven’t been sick for at least two or three years! However, in my last blood test, my GP told me that my Vitamin D level was very low and I had to take Vitamin D supplement, or… I don’t want to share what my GP said with you after that word ‘or’. But I was scared enough to get a bottle of USANA’s Vitamin D on the following day.
There is a piece of news about the famous composer, Mozart, who passed away in his mid 30s, and the cause could be Vitamin D deficiency, and I don’t want to be a second Mozart! Also, my theory is ‘to do the best I can’, so for nutritionals, I prefer the best quality ones and USANA is obviously the right choice.”
Nancy Wang, Marketing Team Member, USANA Australia
There is a nutrition training session happening tonight at USANA head office in Castle Hill Sydney. USANA Associate, Casey De Croon will be discussing “Why we need nutrition”, for anyone who thinks that they get everything from their diet. If you want to know more about the whys, please arrive by 7.20pm tonight (August 10) and the training will start at 7.30pm. Hope to see you guys there!
Note: Vitamin supplement should not replace a balanced diet. Use only as directed. Always read the label.
The post Why Do We Need Nutrition? appeared first on Usana Health Sciences Organization.
]]>The post USANA Health Centre: Keep Children fit and Healthy over the School Holidays appeared first on Usana Health Sciences Organization.
]]>
Start the Day with a big breakfast: a delicious, healthy breakfast packs them full of energy for the day. Try a bowl of homemade toasted muesli topped with fruit and yoghurt, wholemeal toast with peanut butter, and a piece of fruit and a glass or milk or juice.
When children are outside in the sun, they crave a cold treat. Instead of sugary ice creams and ice blocks, why not make your own ice lollies from fresh-squeezed fruit juices and yoghurt. Simply pour into lolly moulds, add a wooden stick, and freeze.
Take Vitamins: Most children don’t get the nutrients they need from food alone. Try vitamins to keep them bouncy and energized.
Pictured: USANA’s Usanimals for children and Body Rox for teens
Get active: Children learn from watching you, so if you’re outside enjoying the sun, they will, too. Encourage games outside, invite other children around the jump on the trampoline, and organise a family walk through a park or local trail.
Join in: Sport teams are in full swing over the holidays. Now is the perfect time for your child to get involved in a local sports club. Games like rugby, soccer and netball keep your child fit while teaching them to cooperate with others and make new friends.
If your child isn’t naturally sporty, encourage them to try other physical pursuits. They might enjoy trapeze lessons, hula hooping or roller-blading, or even dancing to their favourite music videos.
Revisit your childhood: get outdoors with your children and play your favourite childhood games – Stuck in the Mud, Red Light/Green Light, and Simon Says.
Make time for Family: No matter how busy everyone is, make time for a sit-down meal each night. Cook a healthy dinner and spend time together as a family.
USANA wishes every child a great school holiday!
The post USANA Health Centre: Keep Children fit and Healthy over the School Holidays appeared first on Usana Health Sciences Organization.
]]>The post USANA Health Centre: Invest in Yourself appeared first on Usana Health Sciences Organization.
]]>
A recent article on the USANA’s website, explains that stress is one of the major health concerns affecting families today. Many different factors can cause stress: deadlines at work, a sick relative, tension at home, or simply having too much to do and no time to do it.
Stress doesn’t just affect you – it affects your whole family. If you’re feeling stressed, you become more irritable, you sleep less, you may lash out in anger and have more accidents than usual. You might not have any time to play with your children or enjoy time with your spouse.
It’s time to break out of the cycle of stress and invest in yourself. Investing in yourself means taking the time – even if it’s only 5 minutes a day – to relax, take a deep breath, and think about what makes you happy. It could be as simple as throwing a rugby ball around with your kids, or preparing and eating a delicious, healthy meal, or going for a run around your neighborhood at sunset.
If you’re happy and healthy, you send out positive vibes to those around you, and your whole family benefits from your improved health.
So how do you keep healthy in this hectic world? By exercising regularly and giving your body the nutrients it needs. Most of us can’t get the vitamins and minerals from food alone – according to the New Zealand Nutrition Foundation, most New Zealanders don’t get enough fiber, but what about zinc? Calcium? Iron? These are all needed to nurture a healthy body and mind.
If you’re not getting what you need through your food alone, taking USANA supplements will make a real impact on your life. With the right balance of daily nutrition, you’ll feel fitter, calmer, healthier and happier.
Learn more about your nutritional needs, go to USANA’s Health Assessment and Advisor.
The post USANA Health Centre: Invest in Yourself appeared first on Usana Health Sciences Organization.
]]>The post USANA Health Centre: Alan’s Tips on a Healthy Living Environment appeared first on Usana Health Sciences Organization.
]]>
Do you try to stay healthy and pay a lot of attention to what you eat and what you do, but still don’t feel ‘right’? By saying that, I mean you don’t feel 100% healthy? I do, and I never figured out why. One of our USANA Associates, Alan Todhunter, pointed this out to me recently – have you checked the place where you live and work? Because lots of things can ‘go wrong’ in those places and this can have an impact on your health!
Thank you Alan! And I think it’s worthwhile to bring this up – health issues are not just caused by food and behaviour, they could be caused by something else, the environment, for instance.
Let’s welcome Alan to go through the list with us:
“In our homes our bodies are under attack from chemicals on surfaces and in the air from VOC’s (volatile organic compounds), airborne particulates, air quality, electromagnetic and microwave radiation.
Many health conditions and degenerative diseases could be directly linked to where we live and work. Conditions such as fatigue, depression, stress, sleeping disorders, asthma, allergies, immune disorders, heart conditions, memory loss plus many other modern health conditions are associated with our environment. To reduce the impact of our home environment has on our health we need to be aware of what is around us:
- Good ventilation flushes out stale air that contains excess carbon dioxide, dust, moulds, allergens, VOC’s and other airborne particulates. There is no substitute for fresh air!
- Air conditioners recycling air improves energy efficiency but can reduce air quality, so make sure the filters are clean. Be careful of carbon monoxide and other gases being emitted from fuelled indoor heating.
- We all love pets but remember their fur or feathers, saliva and any insects carry allergens.
- That odour of a new home, painted room or piece of furniture is a range of chemicals off gassing. Be aware of your choice of furnishings and building materials, make sure they are well ventilated to off gas.
- Minimise chemicals, such as cleaning compounds, if you use these make sure you open a window. Take care in the products used in your home, look at alternatives like steam cleaners, baking soda and white vinegar.
- Insecticides not only poison insects but also everyone else in a building, the dosage may be minute but it can accumulate in our bodies.
- Keep surroundings uncluttered , these are breeding areas for small insects, dust and mites. Also a cluttered home is more stressful.
- Keep all floor surfaces well dusted and mopped. Invest in a quality micro-fibre cloth.
- Vacuum carpets regularly but take care with the filter; very small particles may get through the filter and recirculate in the air.
- Do not use any plastic containers in a microwave oven; chemicals in plastics can leach into your food.
- If you have water in a reused plastic bottle you may be ingesting chemicals from the plastic.
- Reduce exposure to electromagnetic radiation. Avoid electrical appliances being too close to you, particularly near your head.
- When renovating homes built before 1970 be aware of lead paint and asbestos. Lead dust from sanding old paint is very toxic to adults and can reduce intelligence in children.
- Install a shower filter to reduce chemicals that may be found in water and steam.
- Bathrooms and kitchens need to be well ventilated to reduce mould and bacteria build up.
About Alan Todhunter, Scientist, B.Sc.(Hon), M.Sc.
Alan is passionate about the wellness industry and healthy environments and is also a martial artist. He currently lectures in Materials Science, Building Science and Environmental Building at three Universities in New South Wales.
The post USANA Health Centre: Alan’s Tips on a Healthy Living Environment appeared first on Usana Health Sciences Organization.
]]>The post USANA Health Centre: Keeping Fit At the Office appeared first on Usana Health Sciences Organization.
]]>But since the rise of the factory and the computer, your typical workday probably involves leaving your house, sitting in a vehicle, arriving at your workplace, sitting for eight hours, and then sitting in your vehicle to get home again.
This sedentary lifestyle leaves you feeling lethargic, run-down, and incapable of doing anything remotely active. Instead of cooking your favourite meal or playing a game of soccer with your kids, all you want to do is sit in front of the telly.
Performing office exercises at your desk and on your breaks can revitalize your underused, underdeveloped muscles, and increase your energy levels. You’ll feel more alert, and your posture and energy levels will improve. Exercising at your desk provides relief from sedentary habits for anyone who can’t get leave their work to exercise.
Is there a park or courtyard near your office? You could eat your lunch there and spend twenty minutes strolling through the park. Perhaps you could try the coffee shop three blocks over instead of the one across the street? Who knows – their coffee might even taste better.
Did you know certain foods help your brain function at it’s best? It’s true – certain foods provide your body with the fuel it needs to function, while other foods feed the brain. Stocking up on foods like tomatoes, avocado, berries, salmon and leafy green vegetables during the day can improve your productivity and increase your brainpower:
Suggest your colleagues have a “walk and talk” meeting, where you wander around the neighbourhood together bouncing ideas off each other. This might be met with resistance by some colleagues, but keep explaining how having your meetings on the go can help their health and productivity. Getting out into the fresh air helps stimulate your brain and may result in some radical new ideas.
If your office doesn’t foster a healthy, active culture, it’s time you created one. Spearhead a committee of employees to brainstorm ideas to promote company-wide health schemes. You can organize events, facilitate a “fresh fruit” delivery every week, replace vending machines with healthy snacks, and create a workplace culture of health, wealth and well being.
The post USANA Health Centre: Keeping Fit At the Office appeared first on Usana Health Sciences Organization.
]]>