Flying: How to Get Comfortable

Flying can be a big pain in the butt; literally and figuratively! Besides dealing with long lines and crammed spaces, flying can take a major toll on your body. That’s because sitting for extended periods of time, even if your flight is short, can make your body stiff and achy. Luckily, there is a way to combat those aches and pains; keep reading below to find out how!

Whether you are flying somewhere new or not, there is often a sense of discomfort when navigating an airport or destination, especially solo.  This discomfort is common for solo travelers to experience because a form of proper personal protection has not been put into place. If you knew that you could travel anywhere in the U.S. with 24/7 personal protection at your disposal, you may be more excited to get booking, yes? Well, lucky for you, it may be time to grab that suitcase because Life Alert Protection can offer you the travel safety you’ve been searching for. Simply take Life Alert’s MOBILE with GPS with you while traveling and in the event of a life threatening emergency, push the button on your pendant and LifeAlert’s dispatch team will locate you via GPS and send you an emergency medical response fast. Discomfort can be found in many different forms while you are traveling, but you can remedy any of your safety fears simply by getting Life Alert Protection!

Want to stay limber on your next flight? Real Simple[1] has got six tips to help you break up your inactivity and keep you feeling loose! Check them out below.

Twist it out

Unless you’ve snagged a first-class seat, it may not seem possible to move much while seated—until you consider that you can do some stretching with just a little space. One of the best ones, according to Dashama Gordon, founder of Pranashama Yoga Institute and the global 30 Day Yoga Challenge: the spinal twist. To do it, cross your right leg over your left leg and place your left hand on your right knee, right hand on the back of the seat. Inhale and lengthen your spine as you rotate your torso to the right. Hold five to ten seconds, and then repeat on the other side.

Say a prayer behind your back

Shoulders and wrists a little achy from carrying luggage? Gordon offers this solution: Sit at the front of your seat. Reaching your arms behind you, hold opposite elbow with opposite hand or if you have the flexibility, place your hands together behind your back fingers facing up and shoulders down and back. Hold for five to ten seconds.

Roll with it

You can roll almost every joint in your body in your seat, starting with your head. Drop your head to your neck and slowly roll to your right shoulder, holding a few seconds before reversing that path and rolling to your left shoulder, Clayton says. Next, roll both shoulders forward in a circular motion; then repeat the roll backwards. Do the same thing with your wrists and ankles.

Take a stroll

Getting up out of your seat regularly and walking up and down the aisle is key to increasing blood flow to your muscles, says Tom Holland, exercise physiologist. Holland has flown around the world to compete in marathons, ultra-marathons, and Ironman triathlons and suggests aiming to walk it out every 20 to 30 minutes.

Play footsy

Keep the blood flowing to your lower body by moving those feet. Bonus: Your seatmates won’t even notice. Simply tap your toes under the seat in front of you periodically for 30 to 60 seconds at a time, Holland says. Then do calf raises. While seated with your feet on the floor, lift your heels and squeeze your calf muscles, holding for a few seconds before lowering. Do 20 to 25 repetitions every 15 to 30 minutes. (This one is also good for stretching at work.)

Strike a pose

You obviously can’t break out the yoga mat on the plane, but you can move to the back of the plane or exit row (or the aisle if you don’t mind other passengers watching you) and do a few simple standing stretches. For starters, try a standing quad stretch, Gordon says. Shift your weight to your right leg. Maintaining your balance, draw your left foot behind you to your glute; reach your left hand around to grab your foot and pull it closer to your body. Use your right hand to hold onto a sturdy support on the plane or, if there’s no turbulence, extend it in front of you. Hold five to ten seconds and repeat on the other side. Or do 20 to 25 simple squats at the back of the plane (even in the bathroom), every hour, Holland says.

Keep any feelings of discomfort at bay on your next flight with the simple exercises above. Plus, under the safety of Life Alert Protection, you can banish any feelings of fear associated with traveling solo without stretching your morals. If you are an aging senior looking to maintain your independence and live life to its fullest, Life Alert’s HELP Phone is for you. Simply take their HELP Phone with you while you travel anywhere in the US and in the event of a life threatening emergency, push the button on your pendant and summon an emergency medical response fast. No matter where you may be in the US, Life Alert’s dispatch team is at your disposal 24/7. Find personal protection comfort on your next trip with the best travel buddy around; Life Alert! Call 1-800-513-2934 for a free Life Alert brochure.

Works Cited:

1.       Asp, Karen. “6 Simple Moves to Combat Stiffness on an Airplane—Even If You’re Stuck in a Middle Seat.” Real Simple. 16 April 2019. <https://www.realsimple.com/work-life/travel/travel-planning/airplane-travel-tips-stretches >.

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Diet Mistakes

Did you know that an estimated 45 million Americans go on a diet each year, and Americans spend $33 billion each year on weight loss products? Yet, nearly two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese[1].Our diet culture is clearly missing the mark! So, how can we adjust our diet to be more effective? Keep reading below to find out!

A mistake in your diet may leave your belt feeling a little tighter, but a mistake in your personal protection could leave your life dangling in danger. So, how can you right your at-home safety wrongs? The answer is simple - with Life Alert Protection. While wearing their lightweight, waterproof emergency pendant around your neck or wrist, you can summon help fast with just one touch of a button. No matter what life threatening emergency you may face, Life Alert Protection can give you the personal protection you deserve without weighing you down.

With just a few simple changes, you could have a huge impact on your health. Read below to check out Health.com’s[2] list of biggest diet mistakes that are leading to deaths around the world.

Not eating enough nuts

"The largest shortfalls in optimal intake were seen for nuts and seeds,” according to a press release for the new report. In general, we're only getting 12% of our recommended nuts and seeds, it says. So how much should you be getting? Aim for 21 grams a day, according to the study. (The average intake is only about 3 grams daily.) Nuts are a great source of protein, fiber, heart-healthy fats, and vitamins. "Instead of eating foods with unhealthy saturated fats, try substituting a handful of nuts or a tablespoon or two of a nut spread," the Mayo Clinic recommends.

Skimping on milk

Globally, we're only consuming 16% of our suggested recommended amount of milk, according to the new study. The recommended daily amount, it says, has been set at 435 grams. There's been some debate about whether or not milk is good for you in recent years. But whole milk is making a comeback. Consuming whole milk and other full-fat dairy products has been linked to a lower risk of obesity. Additionally, whole milk might help children absorb vitamin D more efficiently. We probably don't even need to mention this, but milk has also been associated with stronger bones.

Eating too few whole grains

We're not great at eating enough whole grains either. The average daily intake is 29 grams, but we're supposed to be getting 125 grams a day, the study says. Potential benefits of eating enough whole grains include a decreased risk of heart disease, better digestive health, and assistance with weight management. This area of concern is especially important for Americans to pay attention to. "Low intake of whole grains (below 125 grams per day) was the leading dietary risk factor for death and disease in the USA," the press release says. Sneak these foods into your diet when you can to increase the amount of whole grains you're consuming: brown rice, barley, oatmeal, whole-wheat bread, whole-wheat pasta, and popcorn.

Consuming too many salty foods, sugary drinks, and processed meats

We know you hear about the horrible side effects of drinking too much soda all the time, but, just in case you forgot: Soda can lead to weight gain, diabetes, and tooth decay. Unfortunately, diet soda isn't great either; it's been linked to an increased risk of stroke, heart attack, dementia, and, counterintuitively, weight gain. Too much sodium can cause high blood pressure, strokes, and heart attacks, and processed meat can increase your chances of having diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers. Hopefully, knowing just how many people are killed by poor diet choices every year—one in five—will help you ditch the soda and grab some nuts the next time you're at the grocery store.

It has been said, you are what you eat; make sure what you put on the inside is only the good stuff! But, filling up on healthy choices won’t do you much good if you don’t have the personal protection you need to keep your healthy body safe. Under the safety of Life Alert Protection, you can keep your body safe 24/7 while wearing their emergency pendant around your neck or wrist. Should you encounter a home invasion, a home fire or even a serious fall, simply push the button on your pendant and summon an emergency medical response fast. When it comes to achieving whole body health, don’t make the mistake of neglecting your personal protection - get Life Alert Protection. Call 1-800-513-2934 for a free Life Alert brochure.

Works Cited:

1.       “WEIGHT MANAGEMENT.” Boston Medical Center. < https://www.bmc.org/nutrition-and-weight-management/weight-management >.

2.       O’Neill, Maggie. “4 Diet Mistakes That are Killing People Around the World.” Health.com. 4 April 2019. <https://www.health.com/nutrition/deadly-diet-mistakes >.

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Smoothie Sailing

Looking for an easy and delicious way to get your recommended vegetable and fruit servings every day? Smoothies are a great way to do just that! By blending together your favorite fruits and veggies, you can get a full dose of healthy yum. However, not all smoothies are created equal. Many store bought brands are full of sugar; and not the good kind. To create your very own healthy beverage, keep reading below to consider these suggestions.

Wouldn’t it be nice if everything in life could just be blended up and smoothed out? No more rough patches and no more bumpy roads; yes please! Well, we all know that life just isn’t like a smoothie, but for all the rough patches you may encounter, get Life Alert Protection. While wearing their emergency pendant you can summon an emergency medical response fast and smoothly. Simply slip the pendant around your neck or wrist and in the event of a life threatening emergency, push the button on your pendant and Life Alert’s 24/7 dispatch team will send you the proper authorities. Life may have it lumps and bumps, but you can smooth them out with a little help from Life Alert Protection.

Want to whip up a smoothie that is a delicious and nutritious? Check out Everyday Health’s[1] pro tips to ensuring your smoothie making venture goes, well, smoothly.

1. Limit Added Sweeteners

I recommend using whole fruit as the only sweetener in smoothies if at all possible. Unlike added sweeteners like maple syrup and honey, which supply only sugar, fruit provides fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial phytonutrients along with natural sweetness. Try using about a cup of fresh or frozen fruit as the base of your smoothie. Incorporate bananas, mango, pineapple, or orange slices for a sweeter profile, but steer clear of fruit juice, which is more concentrated in sugar and calories than whole fruit. To keep added sugar under control, you’ll also want to choose plain, unsweetened yogurt and milks (many non-dairy milks like almond and coconut contain added sweeteners). When you’re finished blending, taste the final product. If -- and only if -- it’s still not sweet enough for your liking, add 1 to 2 teaspoons of your preferred sweetener (or, add 1 to 2 dates in place of sweetener).

2. Add Some Veggies to the Mix

For an extra shot of vitamins and minerals, try to incorporate a vegetable into your drink. My go-to is a handful of baby spinach leaves, but you can also blend in carrots, beets, or canned pureed pumpkin. Celery and cucumbers are also smoothie-friendly, but they aren’t as nutrient-dense as deeply colored varieties. I like to combine leafy greens with berries, since the purple and blue hues mask the green color best.

3. Puree in Protein

Adding at least one protein-rich ingredient makes your smoothie more filling and substantial, which is especially important if you’re relying on it to stand in as a complete breakfast. Good options include plain low-fat yogurt, skim or 1% milk, soy milk, and silken tofu. Keep in mind that many non-dairy milks, including almond and coconut, provide minimal protein.

4. Watch the Extras

You can enhance your drink’s nutritional profile by adding nuts and nut butters, avocado, chia or flax seeds, cocoa powder or cacao nibs, wheat germ, oats, and other healthful ingredients, but you’ll also be increasing the calorie count. For example, each tablespoon of nut butter tacks on another 100 calories, and you could easily add 2 to 3 times that amount if you’re scooping freehand from the jar. With high-cal ingredients, you may need to get out the measuring spoons to make sure you're not going overboard with portions. Which brings us to tip #5...

5. Do a Rough Calorie Count

I recommend doing some quick math to make sure you’re not sipping more calories than you think, especially if you're watching your weight. If you’re drinking a smoothie as your breakfast meal, 400 calories is a reasonable limit (men and active women can be more liberal). For a snack-sized smoothie, stick to around 200 calories. One last tip: If you end up making more smoothie than you bargained for, pour the leftover mixture into ice pop molds. Your breakfast becomes a fruity frozen dessert to enjoy later in the week!

Time to whip up a yummy smoothie and cheers to your health! While you put goodness on the inside of your body, protect it with goodness on the outside of your body by getting Life Alert Protection. Under the safety of their emergency pendant, you can harness the power to summon an emergency medical response fast with just one touch of a button. No matter if you encounter a home invasion, a home fire or even a serious fall, Life Alert’s dispatch team can send you the proper authorities fast, 24/7. If there are any bumps in your current personal protection plan, smooth them out with Life Alert Protection today! Call 1-800-513-2934 for a free Life Alert brochure.

Works Cited:

1.       Sakimura, Johannah. “5 Tips for a Super-Healthy Smoothie.” Everyday Health. 16 December 2016. <https://www.everydayhealth.com/columns/johannah-sakimura-nutrition-sleuth/tips-for-healthy-smoothie/ >.

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