LifeMinute Podcast: Health and Wellness

Oral Health Day is Monday and a lot of people don’t realize just how important a healthy smile is and how bad plaque bacteria can be for your oral health. It’s the root cause of many oral health problems, including bad breath, cavities, weakened enamel, tooth decay and early gum disease. It’s crucial to help stop problems such as gingivitis and cavities before they start by reducing plaque bacteria and preventing its growth with daily brushing. So, like anything else, it's all about getting ahead and staying ahead, which is why Colgate is doubling down on proactive care, with new Colgate Total Plaque Pro-Release Toothpaste, their newest innovation formulated by Colgate scientists.Brush with it every day to dissolve and lift away gum-harming plaque to help stop oral health problems like gingivitis and cavities before they start, so you can be dentist-ready and confident going into your next visit. After six months of twice daily brushing, it is clinically proven to result in two times less gum-harming plaque compared to regular fluoride toothpaste. It’s uniquely formulated with SmartFoam Technology which penetrates hard to reach places to fight plaque bacteria along the gum line and in between teeth, improving long term gum health and strengthening the foundation of a healthy smile. Keep an eye out for plaque pro-release next time you’re getting toothpaste - you can get it at major retailers including Walmart, CVS, Amazon and more. Shop Colgate Total Plaque Pro-Release. https://attach.mikmak.tv/16793262822925d83b0c5/54f57582-0a6f-1d8f-3b40-de84f233179c?pitched&clientAssignedId=satellite-media-tour-smt

The clocks have been moved forward. And we are in the midst of Sleep Awareness Month. This is a great reminder to prioritize sleep because it's essential to overall wellness.

Beauty sleep is no joke. A recent survey by OnePoll for Serta Simmons bedding revealed that more than a third of Americans believe a new or better mattress could help them get a better night's sleep. We are huge fans of the Beautyrest premium mattress collection. It’s a gorgeous black and delivers an exceptional sleep experience. And luxury isn’t just in the look. It's also in the feel. The Beautyrest Black targeted zoned support system reduces motion transfer while providing support where you need it most. It also has cooling technology, which is plant-based, to keep you cool and comfortable through the night. Learn more about it at beautyrest.com. A good dry shampoo is a must when you are limited in time and running around. The science-led haircare brand OLAPLEX has just come out with a new dry shampoo that works called No.4D Clean Volume Detox. If you didn't know, OLAPLEX was the #1 selling Prestige hair care brand last year and so far, according to NPD, this year too. They are the Original Bond Builder which single-handedly created the Bond Building category. They have an exclusive patented technology which is the main ingredient in all of their products, that relinks the disulfide bonds in the hair, which are the most important hair bonds to repair for the strength and health of the hair. The new dry shampoo formula also contains an ultra-fine micro starch from brown rice that won't leave a powdery residue on the hair. It absorbs dirt, oil, and sweat and detoxifies the scalp with rambutan seed, an antioxidant without clogging pores. Use it instantly to refresh hair in-between wash days, or apply it on clean, dry hair to add volume. It's weightless, leaving no grit or powdery residue – even on dark hair and clothes which is key. It's $30 at sephora.com.

It’s Brain Awareness Week, so what can we do to support brain health? Just as you work out your body and support it with nutrition, do the same for your brain. Lifestyle has a profound impact on brain health. In addition to Brain Awareness Week, it’s also Sleep Awareness Week. Sleep is crucial. Daylight saving time has just begun. During this time, change can often be disruptive to daily routines and sleep patterns, so it’s important to try to get a good night’s sleep, which does wonders for your brain. Exercise is also key. Allow time for daily movement – at least 30 minutes – in any form, from hikes to high-intensity interval workouts. Drink lots of water – about eight glasses a day – and eat nutrient-rich foods like spinach, kale, walnuts, and berries. If you’re unable to get the nutrients you need from food alone, supplements are a great addition. We love Neuriva. They are decaffeinated, GMO-free, and gluten-free. And they include NeuroFactor, a decaffeinated botanical fruit extract made from coffee cherry that has been shown to support connections between neurons. It includes phosphatidylserine and vitamin B, essential for brain function. To learn more, check out the Neuriva website and Instagram @neuriva for brain training games. Tips and tricks will be posted all week long.

This past winter, Degree Deodorant commissioned a study that surveyed thousands of people across the country on their experiences with sweat. The study explored a range of topics such as: unique and relatable moments that are likely to trigger sweat, what compromises people make due to sweating, and how people would live without limits if they could manage their sweat, and the results were astounding...Two thirds of Americans experience heavy or anxious sweat, three in four anxious sweaters anticipate feeling just as stressed in 2023, or it even getting worse, and four in five anxious sweaters admitted they have avoided doing something because they were worried about sweat and they would live their life differently if they could better control their sweat. To help deal with the issues Unlimited by Degree introduced a breakthrough, patented antiperspirant Smart Adapt technology, which creates a flexible microbarrier that responds to sweat from movement, heat and stress for ultimate odor + sweat protection (up to 96 hours.) It’s available in two formats - an invisible solid antiperspirant deodorant and a dry spray – and five gender-neutral fragrances (Bold, Clean, Fresh, Marine, Neutral.) The Unlimited by Degree Dry Spray is the most effective dry spray ever as it’s the only antiperspirant with Smart Adapt technology in the category; and their invisible solid antiperspirants offer superior sweat protection vs. the #1 clinical soft solid product in the category. Find out more at degreedeodorant.com or follow along on social @degree.

Now that we have officially kicked off the new year, we’re all looking for easy ways to stick to our health and wellness resolutions. Here are some buys to help you hit your goals in 2023. A lot of us want to drink more water throughout the day. It’s so important to stay hydrated. In fact, the average person should drink at least half their body weight in ounces to stay hydrated, and taking your vitamins is crucial too. Something that helps you do both at once is Vöost. It’s a new vitamin brand that enables you to upgrade your water with a vitamin boost. They offer a range of vitamin boosts for all your wellness needs – like vitamin C, hydration, and multivitamins. Just drop a tablet in water, let it dissolve, and drink. Taking vitamins and staying hydrated has never been easier – or tastier. Plus, each tablet contains zero sugar and just ten calories. Vöost is a convenient and delicious way to get a portable burst of vitamins daily. Another common resolution is to prioritize sleep. We know that one of the most common sleep disruptors is sleeping hot. And did you know that sleeping hot is a year-round problem - especially as we turn up the heat indoors? Now is a great time to consider upgrading your mattress. And if you are looking for cooler, more comfortable sleep, the Serta Arctic sleep system may be a great solution. The Serta Arctic mattress includes cooling technology that pulls heat away from your body for all-night cooling relief. The Serta Arctic collection also includes cooling memory foam pillows to help you get your best night’s sleep. The Serta Arctic mattress starts at $2,999. The complete line can be found on Serta.com.

Just in time to jumpstart your 2023 wellness journey, we’ve got the inside scoop on the legendary health and fitness regimen of Chris Hemsworth, straight from his fitness guru. Trainer Luke Zocchi took us up close and personal with details on Centr, the digital wellness platform created by the actor in one easy-to-use program, with all access to his team of world-class experts. The at-home essentials kit can transform your mindset and get you training like a star, all while contributing active steps to the Moves that Matter initiative.

Strength is just one part of a wellness plan, and Centr offers a holistic approach so you can access things like yoga, cardio, and mindfulness exercises. What makes it easy is that it provides you with a weekly calendar showing exactly when to work out and meditate. It even tells you when and what to eat and gives you the recipe. And also sleep visualization practice to help you get a good night of rest.

Once you download the app, you choose your goal – lose weight, get fit and toned, or build muscle. Then you select your current fitness level – beginner, intermediate, or advanced – and finally, choose a meal plan: regular, pescetarian, vegetarian or vegan.

This convenient approach also includes tons of variety. With Centr, each week in your planner is different while still building progress on your goals. 

To sign up for Centr, go to Centr.com and sign up for a special one-month free trial offered in January. After that, subscription plans start at $10 per month.

It’s 2023, and with the hustle and bustle of the holiday season behind us, many are experiencing low energy and fatigue. As we look ahead to the New Year, it’s more important now than ever to prioritize your physical and mental well-being – including making time for fitness, which can boost your overall energy. With a fresh New Year officially underway, National Lead Trainer at Planet Fitness Teddy Savage joined us to share tips and tricks to keep you motivated and find your Big Fitness Energy in the New Year and beyond. A recent Planet Fitness survey found 72 million people suffer from low energy. Of them, 89% reported that they’d give up things like online shopping (40%), social media (36%), and caffeine (33%) for a year if they could have more energy. Exercise can help remedy low energy, and daily activity can help reduce stress and alleviate anxiety, but routine functional movement can help keep you out of the fog altogether. Planet Fitness is known as the Judgement Free Zone, offering an atmosphere that is welcoming and non-intimidating – appealing to all fitness levels, including those who maybe have never entered a gym or are seasoned fitness pros. Right now, through Thursday, January 12, you can join for $1 down, then $10 a month, and cancel anytime. Visit PlanetFitness.com to check out your nearest club.

How to dodge the dreaded post drinking slump

Are you looking for a cool gift to give someone you love this year? Check out the Oral-B iO, the most tech-advanced toothbrush out there. It ensures healthier gums and cleaner teeth in just one week versus a manual toothbrush. The best first step in your beauty routine is its twisted and reinforced bristles, which give you that purifying, clean feeling like you just left the dentist’s office. It also has multiple brushing modes to personalize your cleaning experience, plus an app that gives you real-time tracking and feedback to recognize where you’re brushing thoroughly enough. It even has a Smart pressure sensor that warns you if you’re brushing too hard.

There have already been surges of flu and other respiratory illnesses earlier this year over the summer, during the “off-season,” and it is expected to continue throughout cold and flu season. As colder weather and the holidays approach, we have the latest tips on getting through cold and flu season. Effective ways to prepare for the upcoming season are to keep stress at bay and get nutrients from the right foods, such as oranges and kiwi, raw onion, and beans. Wash your hands frequently and avoid bringing your smartphone everywhere you go. It can spread germs. If you have symptoms, homeopathic remedies can be the way to go. Zicam RapidMelts and Medicated Fruit Drops have zinc in them. Starting them at the beginning of your symptoms can shorten your cold. You can also try Zicam Nasal Spray and Nasal Swabs, which can shorten the duration of a cold. For more information, check out zicam.com.