Category Archives: Health

On a recent TED Radio Hour podcast I was listening to the importance of “play”. In particular I was taken by Jane McGonigal’s portion of the podcast where she explained how she invented a game that she renamed later to “SuperBetter” to help her through a particularly difficult time in her life. Designed and backed by science, SuperBetter helps individuals build personal resilience: the ability to stay strong, motivated and optimistic even in the face of difficult challenges.  You can learn more about SuperBetter here. While many have used this game to help them have a more positive outlook on life, deal with stress, lose weight, etc… I opted to try this for a 10-week period just for the sake of playing a game that is intended to help us be better.  I’ve added weekly tasks like making sure I get up and spend at least 10 minutes outside or otherwise active and making time to reach out to friends I’ve not talked to recently.

Who knows where this will take me but I love the idea of turning goals into games and intentionally injecting humor and fun in my routine.  I’m a pretty happy guy to begin with but with scientific evidence showing that playing SuperBetter will naturally increase my dopamine levels makes me more than just curious.

SuperBetter

Last week USA Today published an article based on the findings of the United Health Foundation, the American Public Health Association and Partnership for Prevention.  These groups publish the longest-running state-by-state analysis of our nation’s health.  The good news is MA came in third and most of the states in the Northeast are among the healthiest.  The bad news is the obesity rate is on the rise virtually everywhere, increasing from 27.6% to 29.4% of adults.

Obesity is a leading contributor to death – more than doubling over the last 25 – and it is closely tied to chronic, costly diseases including diabetes and high blood pressure. It seems to me the best way for us to lower our healthcare costs over the long run is to get away from prescribing pills and start demanding patients get active; mandating 30-60 minutes of supervised activity from personal trainers and nutritionists 4-5 times per week but that common sense approach which has more cost up front isn’t likely to happen anytime soon.

See where your state ranks in this annual study.

Click on image to enlarge

Note Washington, D.C. was not ranked.  Read the article in USA Today, here.

Christmas came a bit early this year – My Mom signed Sergio and I up to receive a few months of this “age-defying” skin cream called Nerium.  I have to admit I’m not much of a product guy, but last month my Aunt asked me try it for free for one week so I did. I was surprised by the results, but after the free trial ran out I didn’t think much about it until it showed up at my door this week.  Apparently my Mom loves Nerium too and after hearing me comment how surprised I was by its affects she signed us up to receive it for a few months (Thanks Mom!).

I just snapped this photo and aside from thinking my two-day scruff is pathetic and I look a bit tired, this is an accurate depiction of my complexion.  Let’s see if I can stick to the nightly regimen of washing my face and applying the night cream.  I’ll post another photo in a couple weeks to see if there are any visible changes.

If you are struggling with what to buy for that guy / gal who already has everything maybe this is a good option too.  Nobody I know would be upset for offering them a chance to have younger looking skin. If you’re intrigued you can check it out here:  Margie Silva: Nerium.

It is that time of the year when guys grow mustaches during the month of November to spark conversation and help raise funds for Movember men’s health programs.  Movember organizers say that 4 million mustaches have been grown to date and the organization has raised $559 million dollars to date that have helped to fund 800 programs in 21 countries.

Would you like to show your support? Check out the Movember website.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – I love SWAG – so I was pleasantly surprised when a package of free products from Boots No7 Men arrived at my place last week.  I’m really feeling the love from Boots No7 Men, because this is the second surprise package sent my way.  Earlier this fall I wrote about Boots No7 Men surprise delivery in my post, “gym essentials gift box“.

This package included Boots No7 Men Anti-Friction Shave Gel, Post Shave Recovery Balm, Men Energising Face Wash and Boots 3 Blade Razor.  All these products, which I’m currently enjoying, are available for a limited time at Walgreens and Walgreens.com starting today.  Although I’m not much of one for using product, I have to admit I enjoy Boots No7 Men.  Thanks Boots No7 Men.

The Sacramento Bee published this cartoon last week and I think it perfectly sums up the hysteria that seems to be perpetuated by many of the 24-hour cable news networks.