2020 - The Health Sessions

5 Things to Stop Doing to Yourself if You’re Fertility Challenged

This article is written by Sophia Smith. Trying to conceive can be a stressful endeavor, and being fertility challenged can make the whole process even more difficult and demanding. That being said, we can often make certain decisions or act in a way that not only makes the situation harder to deal with, but might … Read more >

5 Mistakes to Avoid to Maintain Good Gut Health

This article is written by Shadan Jameela.

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract has the important function of digesting the food you eat. However, this is not the only job it has; it also has other ones that help keep the body healthy and fit.

The gut also houses over two-thirds of the immune system; if it is healthy, you are less prone to getting sick. Additionally, more than 90 percent of the body’s serotonin is produced in the gastrointestinal tract. Serotonin is an important neurotransmitter that regulates your mood, memory, sleep patterns and quality, appetite, and other bodily functions.

Since a healthy gut equates to a healthy body, it is vital that it is always at its peak of wellness.

Unfortunately, certain habits can cause an imbalance in your gastrointestinal tract. This can lead to issues with your digestion, lower immunity, difficulty sleeping, fatigue, and other symptoms that can affect your daily activities.

If you want to keep your gastrointestinal tract healthy and be at your best all the time, make sure you do away with these mistakes and unhealthy habits:

10 Warm Winter Salads to Nourish You on Cold Days | The Health Sessions

10 Warm Winter Salads to Nourish You All Season

Is it just me, or do you also struggle to eat fresh salads when it’s dark and cold outside?

We all know that greens are good for us. Especially dark leafy greens are packed with vitamin C, minerals and health-boosting antioxidants. And even though springtime is mostly known for its abundance of lettuce and chards, you can find plenty of nutritious greens in winter that’ll make perfect base for your salad.

Just toss some kale, collard greens or cabbages together with a (warm) salad dressing and seasonal favorites like roasted Brussels sprouts, pumpkin and cranberries. Next, add grains or (plant-based) protein of your choosing. Turkey, warm lentils or goat’s cheese all add some winter flavor to your salad. Finally, top your bowl with a crunchy element like honeyed walnuts or toasted chickpeas.

Whether you’re looking for a healthy side dish of a meal-worthy salad, these 10 warm winter salads will keep you nourished throughout the season.

How to Start Any Kind of Medical Diet

Food is medicine.

More and more medical experts agree that what you eat has a significant impact on your health. After all, nutrients like protein, healthy fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals are the building blocks or your body. And to function optimally, your body and brain require good fuel.

Unfortunately, Western diets high in refined sugars and trans fats cause insulin resistance and inflammation in the body, which contributes to diabetes, heart disease and cancer. And it’s not just your physical health that’s affected by what you eat – the budding field of nutritional psychiatry also links the foods you consume to how you feel and behave.

It’s no wonder that a growing body of doctors are prescribing healthy foods as part of their treatment plan. What’s more, lots of chronically ill people themselves turn to wholesome diets to alleviate or manage their symptoms.

But with an overwhelming amount of information out there, where do you begin?

Take a look at these 10 psychological principles for starting any kind of medical diet.

15 Kick-Ass Quotes to Inspire You to Reach Your Dreams

Do you secretly fantasize about all the amazing things you’d love to achieve one day?

The beginning of a new year feels like a blank page, waiting to be filled with wonderful adventures. Dreaming about the perfect job, a fantasy wedding or the trip of a lifetime may feel like a luxury, or something that only kids do. But having a vision about your ideal life has more power than you’d think. Dreams drive you and give you purpose. They give you the motivation you need to build healthy habits and overcome obstacles in your way. Dreams can also make you see the world from a new point of view, because what you focus on, grows.

Although countless of experts emphasize the importance of goal setting to actually achieve your dreams – and rightfully so – you shouldn’t underestimate the magic of dreaming itself. Because like John Lennon famously said, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” Sometimes, having a fixed goal and tight strategy in mind can make you feel like a failure when things don’t go as planned. When you’re chronically ill, for example, it might be easier on the heart to be flexible about how and when you reach a (modified) version of your dreams.

No matter which hopes, desires and ambition you wish to fulfill, let these 15 kick-ass quotes inspire you to go after your dreams.