
INSIGHTS
ACTIONABLE SCIENCE FROM Dr. WELLS’ NEWSLETTER
Hormesis: The Power of Balance and Moderation in Health and Wellness - 2023 Thrive Practice #3
I have a simple but powerful idea for you that in physiology is known as hormesis. This idea can help us cut through a lot of the noise in health and wellness content so that you know what you can do to improve your performance and wellbeing in a healthy way.
The Power of Mindful Movement - 2023 Thrive Practice #2
Mindful movement is a form of physical activity that involves being present and aware of one's body and movements while exercising or performing physical activities. It involves paying attention to the sensations in the body, the breath, and the environment, and practicing moving in a way that is mindful and intentional.
An Introduction to Breathwork - 2023 Thrive Practice #1
Breathwork is a holistic practice that involves using conscious, controlled breathing as a means of promoting physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. It can be done alone or in a group setting and may involve a variety of techniques and approaches.
Use Saunas for Healthspan and Lifespan
Saunas and other forms of heat therapy have been used for centuries, and have been a big part of many cultures. But saunas are more than just an enjoyable, therapeutic, and often social activity. Research suggests that sauna use has many physical and mental health benefits.
Eat Smarter - What about fruit?
One of the topics we're often asked about is fruit. Since fruit is high in sugar, is it okay to eat?
While fruit is high in sugar, it’s also high in fibre which helps to slow down digestion and stabilize blood sugar. You just have to make sure you’re eating the entire fruit, including the skin or peel to get all of the benefits!
Frequently Asked Questions (Part 3)
Every few months we like to dedicate a week to answering some of our most frequently asked questions. We received a number of amazing questions from our community in our recent fall survey so we thought we’d share a few of them this week. Read below to learn more!
Heart Health
“People don’t think much about breathing. Of all the things we take for granted, breathing must be number one. It’s our main source of life and energy. When I started focusing on my breathing, I became a stronger athlete and was better able to control my levels of effort and pain.”
— LAIRD HAMILTON
Massage: Good for the Body & Mind
“People don’t think much about breathing. Of all the things we take for granted, breathing must be number one. It’s our main source of life and energy. When I started focusing on my breathing, I became a stronger athlete and was better able to control my levels of effort and pain.”
— LAIRD HAMILTON
Using Your Breath to Your Advantage
“People don’t think much about breathing. Of all the things we take for granted, breathing must be number one. It’s our main source of life and energy. When I started focusing on my breathing, I became a stronger athlete and was better able to control my levels of effort and pain.”
— LAIRD HAMILTON
Want to make a good habit stick?
Get tips from this Toronto man who has run nearly 16,000 days in a row.
The mind-body connection & your immune system
In this era, we often don’t know the difference between a real and perceived threat, and we can get into a state of chronic stress and that can weaken our immune system.
The Link Between Happiness & Health
Happiness and health are highly correlated. Happy people tend to be healthier physically and have a lower risk of developing chronic diseases. A study on individuals with type 2 diabetes found that those who were happier had lower inflammatory markers, which might slow the progression of the disease. Happy people have also been shown to be more productive at work and there is even some research that suggests that happiness can improve mitochondrial health.
How Bad is Alcohol Really?
Everyone knows that alcohol isn’t exactly healthy. But how much is too much? Is having the occasional drink so bad. This week we’ll dive deeper into the effects of alcohol and how to limit your consumption in a “drinking encouraged” society.
Move your Body to Experience Joy
Physical activity is one of the most effective ways to stay mentally healthy. Exercise has been shown to increase circulating levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), stimulating the growth of new neurons and facilitating learning and memory. Walking has been shown to improve creativity and a single bout of exercise can boost mood. Even a small amount of physical activity can significantly reduce the risk of developing depression. When we exercise we just feel better.
Move your Body to Calm your Mind
In today’s world, the increased pace of life, high workload (both at work and at home), and pressure to succeed has led to a society in which we’re in a constant state of stress. The stress response is an evolutionary adaptation in response to an immediate threat, however, these days we are often stuck in a state of chronic stress.