Fitness with celebration

Spending time with loved ones can bring tangible health benefits, especially when paired with activities like eating a meal together or doing something active. 50% of the human brain is designed to read the face of the person next to you. We're supposed to interact with others, so spend time doing that. Some traditionally "healthy" habits such as dieting may help to promote certain health benefits, but that can also make you feel lonely. Since we celebrate around food, people can stay socially connected while also maintaining healthy eating habits.

What happens if you drink coffee on an empty stomach? Typically, having less than 1-2 cups a day is perfectly fine and shouldn’t cause any issues. But caffeine is quickly and completely absorbed by your stomach, and if you drink it on an empty stomach, you might feel its effects more intensely. Some people might experience side effects like a fast heart rate, jitters, headaches, stomach discomfort, or nausea. However, if you enjoy a cup of unfiltered coffee, like Turkish or French press, remember that these brews have compounds that can raise bad cholesterol levels.

Make love the highest aim of you life, because God is love and He wants you to be like Him. God allows you here on earth in order to learn to love. When Jesus was asked what matters most in all the scriptures, he replied with: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and strength, and mind. And your neighbor as yourself. 1 Corinthians 14:1 (TLB) says, “Let love be your greatest aim.”

It’s surprising how even the simplest sandwich can turn into a calorie bomb with just a few additions like mayo, butter, and dressing (and cheese, which is delicious but so calorie-dense). The Chipotle Cheese Steak at Jersey Mike’s is a 1040-calorie sandwich. The Roast Beef & Cheddar toasted sub at Jimmy John’s is 1140 calories. The Jalapeño Turkey Crunch at McAlister’s Deli is 1370 calories for a fairly hefty sandwich that is packed with protein. These sandwiches may be wonderful taste-wise, but not so much calorie-wise.

To understand how algorithms affect our brains, it first helps to understand what they are designed to do. When it comes to social media, algorithms act like invisible editors. They constantly sort, filter, and decide what users see based on rules designed to predict which content will keep people on the platform the longest. The target of algorithms is engagement. Over time, this can affect both our behavior and how the brain works and adapts. The instant gratification offered by digital platforms encourages users to seek increasingly stimulating content to achieve the same level of addiction. At the same time, it can crowd out activities that support brain health, such as deep thinking and reflection. Until meaningful platform reform arrives, people are left trying to reduce the impact of systems they can’t fully control.

Creatine, the common muscle-building supplement, may help improve depression symptoms, new research suggests. Researchers found that creatine monohydrate may be beneficial as an add-on treatment for major depressive disorder, although the evidence remains preliminary. One trial of women with depression who took 5 grams of creatine per day, plus the antidepressant escitalopram, there was greater improvement after eight weeks. Another study revealed benefit when creatine was added to cognitive behavioral therapy. Researchers said previous studies have found that people with mood disorders process creatine differently in the brain. Because creatine helps produce energy, some scientists believe disruptions in this process may contribute to depression.

To be made right with God, you need to believe and accept by faith that Jesus paid for your sins when he died on the cross. The gospel says that everything you’ve ever done or will ever do wrong in life has already been paid for by Jesus Christ on the cross. Through Jesus you can be made right with God. That’s the Good News! The Bible says, “[God] saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy” (Titus 3:5 NLT).

Regular exercise may do more than strengthen muscles—it could also help the body fight cancer. Researchers identified a tiny RNA molecule called miR-7a-5p, which helps suppress tumor growth but declines with age. The molecule is found in several tissues throughout the body, including skeletal muscle. Exercise stimulates muscles to release tiny particles, known as extracellular vesicles, that carry miR-7a-5p throughout the body—particularly in older adults who have age-related muscle loss. (NOTE: Studies were done on lab animals and researchers caution that more studies are needed to determine whether the findings apply to people.)

On a gray, sunless day, phone lines may light up at health services more than other days. A sweeping new study out of England found that sunshine is one of the clearest weather signals tied to whether mental health-related healthcare contacts rise or fall, and the strongest version of that pattern showed up in calls to a national health advice line, not emergency rooms. Nine years worth of data was collected and sunshine showed the most consistent relationship with mental health care-seeking of any weather factor tracked. Compared with days with 10 hours of sunshine, used as a reference point, days with almost no sun were tied to higher rates of contact. Reduced sunlight has long been connected to low mood and seasonal mood disorders, likely through disruption of the body’s internal clock. This study adds a different angle: it captured people actively seeking help.

God’s picture of who you can be can’t be purchased. It’s free. When you allow God’s Spirit to invade your life, you get God’s version of extreme makeover. You change from the inside out. God really will help angry people become compassionate; and cranky people discover joy. God can do incredible changes in your life that you never thought possible. Galatians 5:22 (NLT) says, “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”