elnathan Blog

In the drudgery of the everyday, it can be easy to become lost in boredom and self-pity. Yet some people seem remarkably resilient to life’s blows: exuding the cheeriness of Mary Poppins on even the gloomiest day. How do they manage it? While some people may be blessed with a sunny temperament, there are some tried and tested ways that should help anyone to improve their mood. Often the techniques take just minutes to practise, yet can have lasting benefits for your general life satisfaction and well-being. The University of California, Berkley recently reviewed the best of these techniques on their “ Greater Good in Action ” website. We’ve chosen some of our favourites here for a week’s plan to help you battle stress. MONDAY Diarists have long known that putting your feelings into words can help quell our emotions and put them in perspective, but it’s only recently that scientists have realised just how potent this simple action can be: sp

What better way to jump on the "get healthy" New Year's bandwagon than cutting way down on sugar? Yep, it seems like a no brainer—a diet high in the white stuff (sugar and refined carbs) is linked to weight gain, diabetes, cancer, depression, and even cognitive problems—but kicking the habit isn't that simple. The holiday season has probably riled up your inner sugar monster, leaving you cranky and craving all the carbs, all the time. So how do you break up with this stuff when it's calling your name? MORE: 10 Surprising Foods That List Sugar As the First Ingredient With the help of Laura Schoenfeld, RD, holistic nutritionist at Ancestralize Me, and Gina Hassick, RD, nutritionist at Eating Well with Gina, we've outlined the most effective way to free yourself from the grips of all things frosted, candy-coated, and caramel-filled. 1) Pick a Plan That Fits Your Personality: Cold Turkey or Gradual Tapering People who have trouble eating sweets in

New research shows that not getting enough sleep could increase your risk of overeating and obesity. The study suggests that sleeping for less than seven hours could boost “distracted eating” and cause a larger intake of calories. Those who sleep for a shorter amount of time eat almost nine minutes per day more than those who sleep longer. According to the National Sleep Foundation, it is recommended that the average adult get about seven to nine hours of sleep at night. Getting the right amount of sleep is important to function at an optimal level throughout the day. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), up to 70 million Americans suffer from sleep disorders. The government agency has even declared insufficient sleep a public health epidemic. What happens when you don’t get enough sleep? Your body’s internal clock and hormones -- like insulin – can be disrupted. As a result, your metabolism is thrown off balance. This can cause you to have

As mouth-watering as a sugar-laden sundae or icing-topped cupcake is, we should all know by now that sugar isn’t exactly healthy. In fact, it may be one of the worst things you can eat (that is, if you’re trying to live a long, healthy life). One study from UC San Francisco actually found that drinking sugary drinks like soda can age your body on a cellular level as quickly as cigarettes. The way the sweet stuff impacts your body is way more complex than just causing weight gain. In fact, when you eat a ton of sugar, almost every part of your body feels the strain—and that’s bad news for your health in both the short term and especially the long term. From an initial insulin spike to upping your chances of kidney failure down the road, this is what really happens in your body when you load up on sugar. Your brain responds to sugar the same way it would to cocaine. Eating sugar creates a surge of feel-good brain chemicals dopamine and serotonin. So does using certain d

Although New Years is often thought of as a time of hope and possibility, it can also be a time of stress.  For people who have been feeling stuck, the renewing of the calendar can cause feelings of being “left behind”—as though time is marching on but somehow nothing new is happening.  For my patients who are in a rut at this time of year I often suggest doing a “mental reset.”  I have found that by getting people to reconsider their habits, time, and relationships they are often more ready to face the New Year than people who just make New Year’s resolutions, which, almost never work. Here are three simple strategies to perform a “mental reset” 1. Make a Habit “Hit List” We all naturally develop patterns and routines so life can feel orderly.  However, some of our habits— like exercising or brushing our teeth— can serve us in the long term, but others— like binge watching Netflix, or intensive ‘retail therapy’ might feel good in the moment, but can contribute to feeli

Yuletide season is he air and it is time of overindulgence and overeating. The morning after a big night out can be taxing—excessive eating and drinking or just plain weariness will slow the best of anyone down.   Like most, nutritionist Kimberly Snyder understands this feeling, especially around the holidays. “When I’ve over indulged or haven’t gotten enough sleep, I feel very bloated and fatigued,” says the Los Angeles-based Ms. Snyder, who counts singers and Hollywood actors among her clients. “I hate that feeling.” Ms. Snyder has several strategies for bouncing back.    STRATEGIES FOR BOUNCING BACK  “The very first thing that’s essential is to start the day with hot water and lemon—the hot water helps to dispel the gas and move it out of your system and lemon has a flushing and cleansing effect,” says Ms. Snyder, who has published three bo