FitSugar

Got Allergies? Don't Make Your Bed

FitSugar — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 03:00:00 -0700

If you suffer from allergies to dust, then I hereby excuse you from your bed-making duties. It turns out that a study from London's Kingston University shows that dust mites need humidity levels above 50 percent in order to survive. This means that a neat bed traps the moisture in that those pesky mites need in order to thrive and multiply. An unmade bed, on the other hand, is too dry for those little suckers. Try to remember this little tip in the upcoming Summer months when the air is especially humid. So leave your covers alone in the morning, and you'll have less dust mites living in your bed. Who knows? Not making your bed in the morning may even save you time for breakfast.

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The Skinny On: Sleep Needs

FitSugar — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 17:32:56 -0800

I've heard I need 8 hours, 7 hours, 10 hours, take naps, don't take naps, sleep in, go to be early - so what's the deal sleep?

The answer is unfortunately a little vague - individual needs vary. There are short-sleepers and long sleepers. Some people can function on 5 hours of sleep a night, while others need at least 9 or they're useless. How much sleep you need depends on a few things:

Genetics
What you do during the day - Do you drink coffee or alcohol? Do you smoke? Do you exercise?
The quality of your sleep - Do you toss and turn all night? Does it take you a long time to fall asleep? Are you a light or deep sleeper?
Your personal circadian rhythm (your inner clock)

You should get enough sleep each night so you wake up feeling rested and have enough energy to last until bedtime.

Not getting enough good quality sheet time reduces daytime alertness and could impair memory as well as the ability to think and process information. Think about the possible accidents that could occur by being too sleepy to function - if it gets to this point, be sure to catch a quick nap or get to bed a couple of hours earlier to catch up on your sleep.

Fit's Tips: If you have trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep, and have tried every insomnia remedy in the book, you may want to see your doctor to find out what you can do to help get your zzzzzz's.

Air It Out?

FitSugar — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 07:30:00 -0800

When I was little, and I slept over at a friend's house, her mom was appalled that I wore underwear to bed. She said, "It's not good for you. You've got to let yourself air out."

Hmmm, well, the thing is, it's all about personal preference. Yes, it's true that wearing tight underwear at night can lock in moisture, especially if you get hot - and this could create a breeding ground for bacteria to grow, or yeast infections.

But if you've never had a problem with wearing underwear to bed, keep it up.

On the other hand, if you prefer going free, and like the feeling of rolling over and not having your undies go up your butt, continue to ditch those panties during bedtime.

Hit the Hay and Stretch

FitSugar — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 03:30:00 -0700

Stretching in bed relaxes your body before going to sleep, and it can also be a great way to gently wake you up in the morning. Here are seven stretches you can do in your pajamas. Do all seven if you have time, or just pick a few. They can relieve stress after a busy day, or give your brain some calm time before you have to get up and hit the ground running.

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Hit the Hay: Knee to Chest Back Stretch

FitSugar — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:15:25 -0700

After a stressful day at work or a night out on the town, it may be difficult to rest your mind and body enough to get some shuteye. I like to stretch in bed to inspire calmness, and if you liked the spinal twist bed stretch, here's another one that will target the muscles in your lower back. It's not only great for bedtime; I also like waking up and doing this stretch.

For details on how to do this stretch keep reading

Healthy Eating Tip: Bed of Greens Instead of Carbs

FitSugar — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0700

Going out for a nice dinner doesn't mean you can't have a healthy meal. Many restaurants are amenable to diners' needs, and you can make sure your plate is full of foods you want and need to eat.

Fish, chicken or meat dishes are usually served on an enormous portion or rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta. To avoid a starchy, buttery side dish, simply ask that your protein be placed on a bed of greens instead. Think steamed kale, chard, spinach, or a raw bed of spinach or salad greens. I'm not saying I avoid those carbs altogether, but eating large portions of them makes me feel grossly full. Not only are the greens less filling, but they offer fiber and so many vitamins and minerals. Plus they add and interesting texture and fresh flavor to the main dish. So the next time you're at a restaurant, as for greens instead of carbs. At the end of the meal, your stomach and waistline will be happy that you did.

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Have You Ever Used a Tanning Bed?

FitSugar — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 09:00:00 -0700

I love a sun-kissed glow as much as any other girl, but I don't love melanoma. Because I'm keen on protecting myself from skin cancer, I steer clear of tanning beds - studies have shown that exposure to tanning beds before age 35 can boost melanoma risk by 75 percent.

While this research has been public for years, it hasn't stopped people from using tanning beds to darken their skin. I couldn't believe the results from a new study by San Diego State University public health researchers: they discovered more tanning salons than Starbucks or McDonald's in many US cities. What's more, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, 70 percent of the average daily one million tanning salon customers are females aged 16 to 29. With all these crazy statistics in mind, I am curious about your relationship with tanning beds.

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Fit Tip: Stretch in Bed Instead of Snoozing

FitSugar — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:00:00 -0700

When you're fast asleep in your cozy cave-like bedroom, it's tempting to hit the snooze button a couple times in order to catch up on a few more minutes of shut-eye. They're fragmented bits of sleep though since the sound of your alarm is constantly interrupting you. So instead of trying to get back to that dream where you embarrassingly showed up naked at the gym, use your time more wisely by stretching in bed. Stretch your hamstrings, your lower back, your abs, and your neck. It'll slowly wake you up from your deep slumber, and it'll invigorate your muscles so you'll feel ready to spring out of bed instead of having to drag yourself out of it.

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Tanning Beds ARE a Serious No-No

FitSugar — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 02:00:00 -0700

Spring has sprung (well technically and date wise, but maybe not temperature wise where you are). It is so nice to not only exercise outside but to wear skirts without tights. Bare legs are so much more pleasant than tights or hose, but what is a girl to do if she has pale legs? There are plenty of options, but one is not using a tanning bed - and here's why.

An International research group recently concluded that tanning beds substantially increase the chances of users getting skin cancer, particularly melanoma, the most deadly type of skin cancer. For tanning bed users under 35 the chances of developing melanoma are even higher. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) found that people who used sunbeds were 15 percent more likely to develop melanoma, based on the review of 19 studies. A review of seven studies found that exposure to tanning beds before age 35 boosted melanoma risk by 75 percent. YIKES!!!

Ironically people used to fake 'n bake thinking it would protect their skin from subsequent sun exposure. Alas, this doesn't seem to be the case. The IARC strongly discourages young adults from using tanning beds. Tanning beds have become coin operated and can be used unattended and unsupervised.

So what is a pale legged, skirt wearing girl to do? My friend DearSugar has tips on applying self tanning cream flawlessly. Fear not...Fab and Bella have a made a list of their favorite self tanners. My only other idea is to love your pale skin and avoid light colored skirts that blend in with your skin tone - choose a bright color instead. After all it is SPRING, isn't it?

Tanning Beds Are Still Unsafe

FitSugar — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:30:00 -0700

In the past week I have had two acquaintances tell me that they were going to tanning beds - one was prepping for a wedding and the other for a trip in May. Both of them figured that it was better to have a base tan for any tanning they'd be doing in the near future. Clearly, being FitSugar, I was horrified, so I decided it was time to revisit the topic.

Plain and simply, research suggests that people who start using sunbeds under the age of 35 increase their risk of malignant melanoma (skin cancer) by 75 percent. The idea that tanning beds provide a safe base tan is a complete misconception because the intensity of some UV rays from sunbeds can be as much as 15 times higher than that of the midday sun. That doesn't sound safe at all, does it?

The bottom line. Don't use tanning beds. If you're preparing for Spring Break or an upcoming event, don't plan how you're going to get your base tan (unless it's a fake one). Plan on bringing a lot of sunscreen (at least SPF 30) and taking action to protect your skin from the sun.

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