Merritt Clubs Blog

With Thanksgiving behind us, the holiday season is now in full swing. As we plan to celebrate with friends and family in person this year, parties filled with decadent foods and beverages can be a real source of anxiety for those of us looking to stick with our health and fitness goals.

It seems that out of nowhere, we woke up to chilly mornings, football-packed Sundays, Halloween candy galore, and pumpkin-spiced everything. Although many of us long for the crisp weather, turning leaves, and excuse to curl up in sweats, some may not be feeling so warm and fuzzy about the seasons changing. This can be referred to as “Autumn Anxiety.”

A new season brings new opportunities and as quickly as summer came, it’s now on its way out. As Fall creeps its way in, we are faced with new routines, new schedules, and new responsibilities, which drops additional stress upon our already busy and demanding lives. Although we know how helpful exercise, meditation, and journaling can be to manage stress and our emotions, in a pinch, one of our easiest and go-to methods of relief is to reach for food. This is, my friends, what we call emotional eating, and it is a common habit most of us have found ourselves practicing.

As we finally make the long-awaited transition into 2021, the team from Merritt Club’s Nutrition & Wellness Department would each like to share our top healthy tips.

As the summer months continue to trek along, many of us have started leaving the safety and isolation of quarantine and are venturing back out into the world, slowly and cautiously. As we walk the fine line between staying safe and returning to some sort of normality, we are faced with the concerns and fears of contracting the virus and keeping our families safe and healthy. In a measure to protect ourselves and our loved ones, it is vital that we take all the precautions we can to boost our immunity and maintain optimal health.

Back in March, life as we knew it changed. When the COVID-19 virus began spreading through our country, stay-at home orders were enforced and all non-essential businesses closed. Although it seems like that was a lifetime ago, it has only been three months since we were told to remain at home and avoid all social interactions. Back then, most of us could not wait for the curve to flatten so life as we knew it could resume and we could see our loved ones without using the screen of a computer. Now that rates of the virus have slowed and restrictions are easing, a new anxiety is setting in for many as we begin to plan to return to our old way of life.

After several weeks of dealing with the physical, emotional, and financial challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s evident that we can learn lessons and find personal take-aways from this crisis. During these uncertain and stressful times of social distancing and quarantining, it is essential we tap into reflective activities that can drastically shift our thoughts to a positive mind state.  Thus, helping us get through this with as much grace and peace as possible.

“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

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.

Another holiday season has come and gone and if you’re at home for the next few days enjoying your freedom until the reality of Monday rolls around, consider using this time to catch up on those Zzz’s. Getting proper sleep is essential for maintaining optimal health. When it comes to health, sleep is just as important, if not more, than exercise and a balanced diet. It turns out, sleep is the magical ingredient to keep your brain, your body, and your emotions functioning at an ideal level.