Life Blog
Cutting-edge information and tips for creating health in all areas of life – wellness, nutrition, fitness, attitude, and relationships
January 16, 2025
Managing IBS: When Almost Everything You Eat Gives You Gas or Stomach Pain
There’s so much confusion and misinformation about irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Most of it comes from the fact that symptoms vary from one person to the next and doctors don’t really know what causes it. IBS is a painful condition that affects the large intestine causing what seems like constant abdominal pain, gas and diarrhea. While most people have mild to moderate symptoms, for some it’s a debilitating condition. It affects nearly 20 percent of the population and is the second most common reason why people miss work and school (the number one excuse is the common cold). IBS has no visible signs like inflammation, polyps or tumors, so it’s diagnosed by a process of elimination. And while the symptoms can be treated with diarrhea medication, laxatives, nerve pain medication and antibiotics, they can also be managed with dietary and lifestyle changes. Figure Out Your Triggers Tracking your diet and keeping a food journal is the easiest way to figure out which foods give you stomach pain or gas. Most “attacks” happen right after meals, so it shouldn’t be too hard to figure out what’s causing your symptoms. Keep in mind that there are also non-food triggers, the most common is stress. If you think some of your symptoms are caused by stress, it’s time to explore stress reduction methods like counseling and exercise. Eat a Low FODMAP Diet Research has shown that a low FODMAP diet provides relief for more than half of IBS patients. FODMAP refers to Fermented…
Motivation Brew
What comes first, motivation and then action, or action and then motivation? And what is motivation, anyway? Here’s one definition, “The reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way.” Motivation is the driving force behind our actions. Motivation is that powerful, internal force that drives you to live your life in a…
Learn MoreSix Habits To Feel Happier And More Fulfilled
On the surface, life appears to be a combination of your thoughts, beliefs, behaviors, and actions, where even the littlest and seemingly insignificant things can make huge impacts, triggering lasting effects. On a deeper level, your beliefs, behaviors, thoughts, and actions are a product of your identity, which we’ll leave for another time. There’s an…
Learn MoreWhy Walking Is Amazing!
Hippocrates said, “If you are in a bad mood, go for a walk. If you are still in a bad mood, go for another walk.” There are so many great reasons for adding walking to your routine. Besides being enjoyable and relaxing, it’s good for your overall well-being. Here are some of the incredible benefits…
Learn More5 Self-Reflection Questions We Should Ask That Most People Avoid
Perhaps you’ve heard these famous words of Socrates, “The unexamined life isn’t worth living.” Whether you agree with Socrates or not, a superficial life is weak, unfulfilling, and filled with stuff that don’t matter in the end, not to mention that it keeps you from being what you were born to become. We should set…
Learn MoreHow Self-Care Balances Your Hormones
Some consider self-care an indulgent luxury because they feel guilty about “pampering” themselves or spending money on unnecessary services that should be spent on essential needs. But self-care is more than a sleep mask and a massage. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, “Self-care means taking the time to do things that help…
Learn More5 Reasons We Don’t Take The Risks
According to international bestselling author Amy Morin, the biggest mistake people make when deciding to take a risk is they don’t equally balance emotion with logic. “Excess emotion can cause some people to be overly excited and impulsive, while being too analytical can leave others overwhelmed by fear or anxiety.” We can’t avoid risk; life…
Learn More4 Action Steps To START Getting Unstuck In Life
According to Oracle, a global study revealed that 75% of people feel stuck in their lives personally and professionally. Settling for a life without passion is no way to live. Feeling stuck, trapped, or imprisoned sucks the joy out of life, making it nearly impossible to be happy. Do you feel unhappy, depressed, or dissatisfied…
Learn MoreHow to Prioritize Your Vision Health as You Age
As you age and go through life, your body will go through various changes, and your eyes are no exception. In the US alone, more than one-quarter of Americans aged 71 years and older have impaired vision. This is why taking proactive steps to safeguard your eye health becomes paramount as you age. Read on to…
Learn More6 Tips For Planning Your Transition Into Retirement
Millions of Americans nearing their golden years enter retirement financially unprepared. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, “50% of women and 47% of men between the ages of 55 and 66 have no retirement savings.” Unfortunately, this means millions of Americans enter retirement in a life-or-death situation, sometimes needing to hold down two jobs, working 10-12…
Learn More5 Steps to Ensure Mental Well-Being When Planning for a Wedding
Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life, and a lot of planning will ensure that it goes smoothly. However, while the days leading up to the big day can bring you a lot to look forward to, wedding planning and balancing your mental health can be tough. Just like with…
Learn More5 Ways To Measure True Success
John Foster Dulles said, “The measure of success is not whether you have a tough problem to deal with, but whether it’s the same problem you had last year.” How often do we find ourselves facing the same problems over and over again? Or repeating the same New Year’s resolutions year after year? Does that…
Learn MoreMake Your Dreams Come True!
As kids, we all had big dreams of what our lives would be like when we grew up. We wanted to be astronauts, doctors, actors, and more. We wanted to explore the world, make a difference, and achieve something great. We believed that anything was possible and that we could make our dreams come true!…
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