Merritt Clubs Blog

“Watch your thoughts, they become Words. Watch your words, they become Actions. Watch your actions, they become Habits. Watch your habits, for they become your Character. Watch your character, for it becomes your Destiny.” -the Upanishads

Have you ever talked someone who loves to run? They make it sound glorious.

After my dad passed away about a year and a half ago, I started attending Friday night services at my synagogue on a regular basis. Initially, this was so I could say the Mourner’s Kaddish (prayer for the dead) for my Dad. But, as time went on, I realized that I enjoyed and appreciated the ritual of ending the work week in this way. The service lasts just under an hour, there’s lots of joyful singing, and, it’s a chance to see friends I don’t see on a regular basis. I always leave my phone in the car, and surprisingly, even that one short hour gives me a chance to unplug from the rest of the world and focus on what’s important and right in front of me.

Last month, we discussed some of the science behind stress. We all know that stress can take its toll on our physical and mental well-being. Research continues to probe the ways stress is linked to disease and can shorten our life span. And it can certainly make our remaining years less enjoyable.

With Valentine’s Day just behind us, decorative hearts remain visible all over. This can help serve as a reminder that heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. Statistics show that one person dies every 37 seconds in the US from cardiovascular disease, and unfortunately, the number of people impacted is only increasing. On the upside, many forms of heart disease can be prevented or treated with healthy lifestyle choices.

I’m sure by now you’ve heard that February is Heart Month. Merritt Clubs is offering many programs and classes throughout the month that support heart health and the American Heart Association. No matter your level of activity, by exercising just a couple of days during the week, you are already taking important steps to fight heart disease.

Did you know February is American Heart Month? While maintaining a healthy heart should not be restricted to just this month, we do want to use this time to help you prevent heart disease. Here are some workout tips we gathered after we spoke with Merritt Clubs Fort Avenue Fitness Director Heidi Shaneybrook.

Most kids stay active throughout the summer, as the sun is out and the weather is warm. When the winter months come around, many kids tend to get lazy and are not as active. This can result in some serious health issues. With flu season among us, it is important to stay healthy and encourage fitness year round. Read on for some tips on how to keep your kids active in the winter.

Stress that is left unchecked can lead to a wide range of mental and physical health problems. We all know stress can contribute to high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and headaches, but did you know that stress has also been linked to diabetes, and some studies even suggest a possible link to cancer? Let’s take a brief look at some of the science behind stress.

There is no master key to living a healthy life, and no one solution is going to be the answer to making life simple. Finding balance in your daily routine and making adjustments to the lifestyle choices you make can greatly improve your life and alleviate stress from day-to-day stressors.