Blog | The Health Sessions

5 Undeniable Reasons Why An e-Bike is Great for Chronic Illness

This article is written by Graeme McLaughlin.

It’s no secret that chronic pain and illness is typically what we call a ‘hidden disease’ for many, but what we also know all too well is that exercise is great for our bodies – pain or not, right?

The trouble for so many people who are dealing with chronic illness and the likelihood of frequently debilitating pain is that even walking can be too high-impact at times.

Maintaining independence is one of the hardest things to do for someone with even the most beginning stages of chronic pain or illness, as well. One of the biggest sources of depression in those suffering from chronic illness are the feelings of inadequacy, needing to depend on others to run errands, and that’s all in addition to the pain they may feel from trying to stay active and remain in charge of their lives. So how does someone with a chronic illness get their heart pumping – even a little – to gain the benefits that come from exercise?

Enter the e-bike. E-bikes are often misunderstood, in that there are people who believe it’s “cheating” or not really cycling. But it is all that and more, as the level of exercise can be set and changed by the rider to accommodate their abilities and needs.

Maybe to better understand why an e-bike is a great option for those suffering from chronic illness, there are a few things to think about.

Let’s Talk About Sex: How to Deal with Intimacy Issues with Chronic Illness

It’s not something most people easily talk about: the intimacy issues they face as a result of chronic illness.

By nature, sex is a deeply personal and vulnerable act. Baring your body and soul to someone else is intimate in itself, let alone when you look, feel and experience sex differently than what we believe to be ‘normal’.

But sex also plays an important role in the quality of your life and relationships, even if you’re sick or disabled. That’s why it’s important we normalize talking about sex with chronic illness.

What Your Skin is Trying to Tell You About Your Health

Your skin can tell a lot about your health. From the dark circles that appear under your eyes when you don’t get enough sleep, to the pesky breakouts that form as a result of too many sweets, your complexion is a direct reflection of the way you take care of your mind and body. That’s why it’s so important to be aware of all the not-so-obvious wellness secrets your skin is trying to reveal to you and your health and ultimately, create healthier lifestyle habits for you and your body’s unique needs as you head into the new year.

Whether it’s a hormonal imbalance, nutritional deficiency, or another particular sensitivity, almost every skin condition or concern that surfaces on your skin has an underlying meaning relating to your health. Below, we break down some of the most common tell-tale signs that your skin and face may use as a way to communicate with you about your well-being. Read on to learn what it may be trying to tell you!

5 Inspiring Ways Natural Mindfulness Can Motivate Your Daily Walk

This article is written by Jemma Louise Hunt from A Wellness Tale.

Many of us turn to walking as an introduction to exercise following months and years of being housebound by chronic illness. And in the early days, the first tentative steps towards movement are enough to keep us fully motivated and inspired. There is triumph in circuiting the garden for the first time, and pride in ambling up to a neighbour’s house and back, because nothing beats the euphoria of smashing your earlier walking goals.

But healing in chronic illness is never linear and there are often setbacks. Maybe through enthusiasm or sheer determination you walked beyond your current exertion limits, weakening your body and its capabilities? Or perhaps you have reached the peak of your current abilities and a long, frustrating plateau ensues?

It is at this point we might begin to lose motivation, and if the exhilarating and celebratory moments of our early achievements no longer encourage us, what can we look to for inspiration going forward?

Cruciferous is King: 15 Wonderful Winter Cabbages Recipes | The Health Sessions

15 Wholesome Ways to Eat Winter Cabbages

Eating fresh, seasonal vegetables brings you all the vitamins, minerals and nutrients you need most that time of year. And during the cold months that means stocking up on winter cabbages.

The members of the brassica family pack a punch in the nutritional department. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, kale and Brussels sprouts are rich in vitamin C, E and carotenoids, that have preventive effects on the development of degenerative diseases. What’s more, many winter cabbages contain high amounts of minerals like sulphur, folate, calcium and potassium.

Broccoli and cauliflower are staple foods in many kitchens, while kale and fermented sauerkraut have been making a comeback in recent years. But you may be less familiar cooking with red cabbage, bok choy, turnip, kohlrabi and collard greens. Or maybe you’ve been avoiding Brussels sprouts after some bad childhood memories.

But the recipes below will convince you you’re missing out. Take a look at these tasty ways to eat more members of the cabbage family this winter!