With Health comes HAPPINESS! Follow these 3 effortless steps to make this year your healthiest yet

As the New Year begins, Facebook and Twitter newsfeeds flood with “New year, New me” resolution statuses. Cleaning up your diet and adding regular exercise to daily schedules is something most people desire, but don’t (or can’t) usually commit to. It gets difficult picking out healthier options at the grocery store and finding time to work out after a long day at work or school- trust me, I know!  It’s not so simple to change habits and traditions of any kind, but do not fear. Here are my three discoveries on how to do so both simply and on a budget.

1)  Drink more water!

I’m sure you’ve heard this phrase before…And it’s familiarity is not without reason! The importance of water in your day-to-day routines can not- I repeat – CAN NOT be stressed enough. Not only will you notice a change in your energy level, your mood, and skin, but if you continually drink enough you can lose those unwanted holiday pounds! (Although, they were so worth it- nothing beats homemade cookies and cheesecake, does it?) You fill up faster, and your weight in water will shed right away. So if you drink them, replace those sugary drinks with good, clean H20!

Staying hydrated works wonders for your attention span and focus. One of the most common symptoms of dehydration is tiredness. Move over, coffee! Stay refreshed throughout your day and notice the difference.

Tip: Carrying a water bottle with you all day will motivate you. Just keep refilling it whenever you run out! Look into reusable bottles- they are more efficient and better for the environment.

2) Eat a salad before your last meal.

The high water and fiber content in your leafy greens will take up space in your stomach despite the few calories they cost you! Raw vegetables are not only essential for your overall health and immune system, but are proven to assist in weight control.

Proof: According to Best Health Magazine, two cups (500 mL) of shredded romaine contain 40 percent of your daily needs of folate and 10 percent of fiber. A study done at Tulane University in New Orleans showed that the higher the level of folate in a person’s diet, the lower the risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease. In addition to being good for your heart, salad can reduce your risk of diabetes. Chronic magnesium deficiency has been linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and the development of insulin resistance. Two cups (500 mL) of spinach contain 16 percent of your daily magnesium needs; arugula has six percent.  Need I say more?

Read more about salad benefits at http://www.besthealthmag.ca/best-eats/healthy-eating/6-health-

benefits-of-salad-greens#QGIpBvYBAfcsIiYr.99

3) Download an app to track your daily steps.

Many people resort to new forms of wrist band technologies that track their daily exercise, and alert them when they reach their goals (or more importantly, don’t reach their goals). An affordable alternative to these genius devices is simply downloading a free health app on your phone! Thankfully, there is an abundance of them.

It works! By finding an app that suits you, you wouldn’t believe how easy it is to become more active. On my android phone, I have a built-in “SH Health app” which tracks many things, but most importantly tracks how many steps I take a day. My goal step count is 6,000, and towards the end of the day when I notice I am nowhere near that, I get up and move around. Going for a walk is the easiest way to become more active.

By actively pursuing these tips, you will feel proud of yourself knowing you’ve accomplished something to improve your health.  You will also notice how being healthy really can make you happier.

Volunteer when you can, and feel like you have more time!

Living in today’s age of technology with luxuries like high speed internet, accessible ways of transportation, and various forms of entertainment at our fingertips, it’s easy to get caught up in a fast-paced lifestyle.  We now have access to more places, assignments and activities than ever, and before you realize, the day is done.  Work all day, squeeze in a workout, make dinner, catch your favorite TV show (if you’re lucky), then fall asleep – exhausted!  At least that’s how it goes for me. Time flies by.

Studies prove that volunteering makes you feel as though your time is being used more efficiently than if you use it only for yourself. A 2012 study from researchers at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Yale’s School of Management and Harvard Business School has shown that people who spend time on others are more likely to feel they have extra time themselves. You can actually feel less time constrained by doing something good for others, primarily because you know, for a fact, that your time is not being wasted. Researchers asked two groups of participants to perform different tasks:  one spent 10 minutes on themselves, the other group spent 30 minutes lending a hand to a worthy cause. For example, helping someone with a task versus leaving a meeting early. They found that those who helped others were left feeling like they had more time, or in research terms, had “time affluence.”

Volunteering will make you feel more useful, accomplished, and give you something to be proud of!  Making others feel good will make you feel good too, and in turn you will realize you have all the time you need! What better reason to volunteer?

Be sure to catch up on our episodes on thepeaktv.com. Every episode features a wonderful "Volunteer Spotlight" that is sure to inspire your inner volunteer and warm your heart. 

By Emily Boeglin

The PEAK TV Production Team Earns Mid Atlantic Emmy® Nominations

The Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences announced Emmy® nominations on August 11th.  ASR Media Productions and The PEAK TV are proud to announce their nominations in the Health/Science/Environment Feature/Segment category and the Commercial - Single Spot category.  

Our first nomination is for a PEAK TV segment that we produced about simulation training that med school students experience at Temple University/St. Luke's University Health Network's Medical School.  

“The Peak TV – Temple/St. Luke’s Medical School Clinical Simulation Center”

Ashley Russo, Executive Producer, Kenneth Szydlow, Executive Producer, Abigail Mutschler, Camera/Editor were nominated for their work.

ASR Media Productions's second nomination came for a “PPL Electric Utilities Commercial,” created for PPL Corporation by Ashley Russo, Executive Producer, Katie Wallace, Director of Photography, William Mullican, Editor.

Since its first episode in 2012, The PEAK TV has earned Emmy® nominations each year, and in 2013 was awarded a Mid-Atlantic Emmy® in the Human Interest Program category for its story, “Laughing at My Nightmare,” featuring Shane Burcaw.  ASR Media Productions has earned nominations for its commercial work and for the co-production with PBS39, Roey's Paintbox - Art is for Everyone.  

The Emmy® Awards will be presented Saturday, September 19, 2015, at the Philadelphia Hilton, 4200 City Avenue, Philadelphia.