Wake Up Sleepy Head

Global National health specialist Dr. Ali Zentner (who has also been featured as one of our Gals We Admire) reports on a new study in the journal SLEEP where researchers found too much or too little sleep is linked to chronic diseases, such as diabetes, coronary heart disease, obesity and anxiety in those aged 45 and over. Watch the clip to get a summary of the findings:

The optimal amount of sleep? Seven to nine hours a day, every day, no more, no less.

5 Ways to Strengthen Your Willpower

Want to build up your "stick-to-itiveness"? Check out How to pump up your willpower by Courtney Shea for five helpful tips that will help set your mind to achieving your goal, whether it be a professional one or a personal one.

Click here to read the entire article or copy and paste this link into your Web browser:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/relationships/news-and-views/how-to-guides/how-to-pump-up-your-willpower/article2371932/

Tune in to You

Probably the hardest part about being a career gal is balancing work, family, friends and time for yourself. Many of us actually put ourselves on the backburner as we tend to all the other demands in our lives. It’s easy to get lost and forget about who we are at the core, which is why Spirit Junkie: A Radical Road to Self-Love and Miracles by Gabrielle Bernstein caught our attention. In the book, Bernstein openly shares her journey from being an NYC party-hard PR girl with a drug addiction to shedding the vices and learning to genuinely love herself—all while providing practical advice on how to create self-love in your life. She is now a widely sought motivational speaker and spiritual guide, and has been featured in ELLE, The New York Times, Huffington Post and more. Spirit Junkie is just the self-love-fest we so rightly need and deserve.

$25.95 at randomhouse.ca

Breast Cancer Prevention Guide

There's a great guide from Chatelaine.com on How to reduce your breast cancer risk at every age. The guide outlines some general things you should be doing in your 20s, 30s, 40s and beyond in order to protect your health and stay breast aware. 

Click here to read the entire article or copy and paste this link into your Web browser:

http://www.chatelaine.com/en/article/31404--how-to-reduce-your-breast-cancer-risk-at-every-age

Looking to shop for the cure? Check out a few "pink" products that support the breast cancer cause.

Read more »

Rethink Breast Cancer presents: Your Man Reminder

Marketing themselves as "the young women's breast cancer movement", Rethink Breast Cancer is a Canadian charity that looks to "bring bold, relevant awareness to the under-40 crowd". Their 2009 PSA "Save the Boobs" campaign video certainly caused quite a stir and even got media south of the border talking including CNN, Good Morning America, The View, and the Huffington Post.

This year, they've done a hot (and we do mean HOT) video to promote their new app to help us gals remember to "Touch, Look and Check" our breasts. Check it out:

Get the Your Man Reminder app for FREE here!

Bran is Best for the Breast

Hey CCGs, it's time to get your bran on and protect yourself from breast cancer. 

It’s estimated that the average Canadian consumes between 11 and 17 grams of fibre each day – half the amount that’s recommended to reap health benefits.

Ladies, those of us between the ages of 19 to 50 are advised to get 25 grams of fibre each day, and after 50, we should aim for 21 grams.

Check out Can bran flakes protect you from breast cancer? by Toronto-based dietician Leslie Beck for seven tips on how to incorporate more fibre into your diet.

As Beck states, "Research has already shown that boosting your daily fibre intake can help guard against constipation, high cholesterol, weight gain, irritable bowel syndrome, Type 2 diabetes, and possibly colon cancer, and now, new study findings show that getting more roughage can also lower a woman’s risk of breast cancer. And the more fibre consumed, the lower the risk."

Click here to read the entire article or copy and paste this link into your Web browser:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/new-health/health-nutrition/leslie-beck/can-bran-flakes-protect-you-from-breast-cancer/article2117068/

Desk Posture Basics to Avoid Back Pain

Most of us are hovering in front of a computer for eight or more hours a day, and if you're not sitting correctly, the numerous desk hours can do a number on your back.

Check out this video from the Active Living Program for a quick lesson on proper desk posture:

All Smiles at the Office

Toothpaste out of can? Sounds strange at first, but once we put the new Sensodyne Iso-active Toothpaste to the test, we were won over by the impressive results. This toothpaste starts out as a gel and turns into a foam as you brush your teeth. Once we finish brushing, we're left with a clean feeling in our entire mouth and plus we get the extra protection from sensitivity. With this toothpaste as part of our morning regimen, we can confidently walk into the office flashing our colleagues a bright, beautiful smile. Available in Multi Action or Whitening.

$9.95 (100 mL) at pharmacies and other major retailers

Fancy Footwork

On their website, Swiss Masai calls their invention the "anti-shoe". We prefer to call it "the shoe that kicks our butt"--in the best way imaginable! Masai Barefoot Technology (MBT) Shoes by Swiss Masai have had some serious thought and engineering put into them. Unlike ordinary shoes, MBTs are designed to distribute pressure equally across and along the whole foot. We gave them a try and from the moment we slipped these "anti-shoes" on, we were amazed by how differently and more effectively we were walking. With each step we take in our MBTs, we feel certain our posture has improved and we've even noticed less stress on our joints and muscles. There are four categories of style (sports, casual, sandals, and professional) and over 50 different womens' designs to choose from, so we're positive there's one to suit every gal's taste. And here's another bonus--now on days when we don't make it to the gym, we don't feel quite as guilty thanks to footwear that gives us an awesome workout!

Click here for a demo of how MBTs work and their benefits!

$275 (Chapa Heather design); To find your nearest retailer, visit www.swissmasai.ca

NB: MBT shoes are regarded as a therapeutic training tool, and have recently received a Medical Device Establishment License #3579. Check to see if MBTs qualify for coverage under your employer's extended health and/or medical benefits package.

Comfy cubicle = improved posture

Many of us cubicle-dwelling gals most likely suffer from achy shoulders, wrists, backs, and more due to the number of hours spent hovered over our computers. Check out Creating A Comfort Zone: Ergo-Friendly On The Job, a great article found at Shepell·fgi, a Toronto-based company which provides workplace health and productivity services to organizations across the country. Follow the five tips for creating an ergo-friendly workspace, and say bye-bye to tense neck muscles for good.

Click here to read the article or copy and paste this link into your web browser:
http://www.shepellfgi.com/EN-CA/healthyhabits/creatingacomfortzone.asp