Monthly Archives: March 2020

Keeping a sunny outlook can be difficult during normal circumstances but may feel especially challenging now. However, practicing gratitude and maintaining a positive attitude may make you feel healthier, both mentally and physically.

Here are 6 ideas to try the next time you feel overwhelmed or stressed.

1. Find the Upside. Maybe you keep promising yourself to spend more time with family, cook healthier meals or just finally read that book. If you find yourself staying home with extra time on your hands, now is the perfect time. Free classes abound on the internet- and now you have the time to learn a new language or skill or start a new hobby. Try using this time to be productive.
2. Put Down the Device! If you are working from home, you are probably on your computer during normal work hours. After that, try stepping away from technology. If you are not working from home, still set limits on technology. Maybe let yourself check the news twice a day, but actively try to enjoy non-tech activities, like reading or puzzles or going for a walk.
3. Reach Out. If you are home alone, there are still ways to connect with others. Pick up the phone and actually call or FaceTime a friend. Even if you are self-isolating with family, consider reaching out to people in your life that may be isolated and alone.
4. Give Back. One of the best ways to stop stress in its tracks is to give back to others. While you might not be able to have close physical contact with anyone, research how you can help others through this difficult time. It might be as simple as ordering takeout from a small local business or getting groceries delivered to a lonely friend or neighbor.
5. Connect with Nature. Again, too much technology and news are probably a recipe for stress right now. If you can go outside safely, take a walk around your block or simply step into your backyard. This might be a good time to start a garden or add to your indoor plant collection.
6. Go GREEN. During this time, there is a limited amount of household resources, such as Paper towels and toilet paper. Maybe buy some cleaning rags or start using napkins again. It will help with finances, stress on not being able to buy paper products and even the environment.

We know that this is a difficult time for many of you, and we are offering discounted one-on-one Virtual yoga sessions so you can stay active and continue your yoga practice. We are also starting to do Virtual Classes on April 5 on Sundays and Thursdays.

Contact us to set your Virtual Yoga Session at 732-860-5273 (KARE). KareBoost Health is committed to helping you live your healthiest life, especially life gets extra difficult!

Karen L Leibowitz, MD
KareBoost Health

Virtual yoga classes may be the answer to maintaining your fitness regimen. Due to COVID-19, our KareBoost Health Center has been required to close with all of our in-person classes being canceled. You may find yourself working from home, enjoying less activity than normal, and missing your yoga classes!

We are now happy to offer Virtual One-On-One Yoga Sessions that can be done from home. We are also planning to roll out Virtual Yoga Group Classes in the near future.

Here are 3 Reasons to Try Virtual Yoga

Stress Reduction: Stress can take a toll on not only our mental health but also our physical health. Right now, there is a lot of stress coming from the news, events in the world and also all of the changes in our personal lives. Perhaps you are now working at home and trying to home school your children. Yoga and meditation are great ways to reduce stress. In a Virtual one-on-one session, we can address your unique concerns, just like we would in a regular private session.

Counter Sedentary Habits: If you are working from home, you may find that you are sitting just as much as you would at the office! You currently cannot go to the gym. So, Yoga is perfect for home practice as you do not need much equipment. A yoga mat or even a carpeted surface will suffice. Practicing virtually with a teacher will also motivate you and keep you on track.

Create Positive Change: Maybe you are new to yoga or always wanted to try it. Now is a perfect time to create a new habit, especially if you have more time on your hands! Virtual private yoga is great for beginners, as you will not worry about keeping up with a class. You can also ask your teacher questions and communicate about your needs and concerns.

Ready to schedule your Virtual Yoga Session? We are offering these one-on-one sessions at a rate of $40/hour, reduced from $75 (Corona Discount).

Contact KareBoost Health to schedule and learn more at 732-860-5273 (KARE). Let’s keep practicing yoga together!

Karen L Leibowitz, MD
Kara Unal, JD, RYT
– KareBoost Health

Changing your habits and making healthy choices sometimes feels like a constant test of willpower. Exerting your willpower all the time can be exhausting, and your willpower might even feel like it has a limit. However, there are many easy ways to boost willpower and make those choices into habits. Here are 3 strategies to start with.

3 Ways to Boost Willpower

Plan. Tackle tough tasks when you have a lot of energy, not when you get home and are exhausted. Meal prepping over the weekend when you are less stressed is a great example of planning when your willpower is high. Chop veggies and freeze simple soups and casseroles to reheat during the week. It will make choosing a simple homemade dinner when you get home much easier. Grocery shop right after you have eaten, not when you are hungry. You will choose wisely if you are not also fighting hunger.

Boost. Staring to down a sleeve of cookies? Distract yourself with a short walk around the block or that book you have been excited to read. If you are hungry, have a healthy snack with produce and fiber. The temptation might go away if you give your brain something else to do. Keep treats where you cannot see them and don’t buy foods that overly tempt you.

Forgive. We are all human, and a few setbacks do not nullify your hard work and excellent choices. Practice being kind to yourself. Remember that every healthy lifestyle has room for enjoyment. Try practicing the 80:20 rule- if 80 percent of your diet is nutrient dense, 20 percent can be for the foods that add enjoyment and pleasure to your life.

Making healthy change is much easier with support. KareBoost Health is here to support you with health coaching, yoga classes and more. Set up a free consultation today to see how we can help you boost willpower and enjoy your healthiest life yet!

Karen L. Leibowitz, MD
Health and Medical Coach
KareBoost Health

Classes are TEMPORARILY CANCELED DUE TO CORONA VIRUS BUT WE ARE HAVING ONE-ON ONE-PRIVATE YOGA SESSIONS AT A DISCOUNTED PRICE

At KareBoost Health, your health is always our priority. We understand your concerns about the impact of the COVID-19 virus on your ability to take our yoga classes and participate in our offerings. We are always committed to keeping our space clean and safe, and we have decided to temporarily suspend group classes for the next two weeks, beginning 3/16/20 at this point.

However, we understand that many of you will miss yoga greatly and need the opportunity to destress and stay healthy. Reducing stress is an important step towards keeping your immune system healthy. At this time, we are offering one-on-one private lessons reduced from $75 to $40. These need to be scheduled in advance. You can schedule by calling us at 732- 860-5273. Here are the steps we are taking to keep our studio space safe and sanitized:

•Blocks and mats are wiped down after every class. Please bring your own mats, blocks and blankets if you do not feel comfortable using ours.

•Blankets are laundered regularly.

•The bathroom is wiped down and sanitized daily.

•Door handles are sanitized daily.

•No hands-on adjustments are given.

If you do not feel well, please stay home and rest. We are NOT charging a cancellation fee- if you are feeling sick, we ask that you cancel your appointments with us. We appreciate your consideration for the studio and other students.

If you are feeling healthy and need an opportunity to destress, schedule a one-on-one session. We are taking every possible precaution so that you may continue benefiting from your regular yoga practice. We are offering this special discount for one-on-one sessions at $40 as we recognize how much value yoga has for your physical and mental well-being. Please contact us with any remaining questions.

Karen Leibowitz, MD
KareBoost Health

Are you making time to fit walking into your day? Most adults should try for 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity per week. 30 minutes of brisk walking at least five days a week fits this goal. Walking is a great activity because you do not need much equipment or special knowledge. Today we will discuss 3 times of day to consider taking a walk.

3 Times to Fit Walking In

1. Morning. If you like to exercise in the morning, put workout clothes out and shoes by the door to make your mornings easier. Eat a light breakfast, such as fruit or yogurt, and wear reflective clothing if it is still dark outside. If you listen to music, make sure you can still hear traffic over your music.
2. Lunchtime. Walking at lunch is a great way to fit movement into your day. Keep everything you need at work. You might only need to change shoes. You can also keep a change of clothing on hand if you sweat a lot. Recruit coworkers to join you and hold each other accountable. Eat a light lunch after.
3. Evening. If evening is your prime exercise time, have a light snack an hour or two before heading out so that you experience energy during your walk. Again, wear reflective clothing or carry a light if its dark out. Night may be a great time to get your family to join you. Consider establishing a post-dinner walk as a family tradition.

Remember, you might switch your walking time as your schedule changes. You can also take shorter 10 -minute walks throughout the day. All activity matters, and anything you can fit in is better than not moving. At KareBoost Health, we encourage everyone to find the healthy lifestyle that works for them and to fit walking in wherever they can. Come work with our health Coaches to get more exercise in your life.

Karen L. Leibowitz, MD
Health and Medical Coach
KareBoost Health

Sleep is essential for a healthy lifestyle. Let’s look at technology habits to help you sleep. You need seven or more hours of sleep per night, and if you are not getting enough, you might wake up feeling exhausted or struggle to get through your day. Healthy sleep habits can lower stress and improve your psychologic well-being. Unfortunately, modern technology can negatively impact sleep. Here are 3 ways to manage tech and get a better night’s sleep.

3 Technology Habits to Help You Sleep

1. Move It. Falling asleep with your phone in your hand? Charge your phone overnight away from your bed, or better yet, in another room. If you use it as an alarm, get an old-fashioned alarm clock that won’t wake you with notifications and ringing.
2. Dim It. Staring into the bright light of your phone can mess with your body’s natural Circadian rhythm and disrupt your sleep. Use a red filter app to reduce exposure and cut down on phone time at least an hour before bed.
3. Block it! Put your phone on do not disturb to block all notifications while you are sleeping. Better yet, limit notifications in general and spend less time on your phone.

Old tech habits might be hard to break, but chances are you will not miss your phone as much as you think. You might also start to appreciate the feeling of a good night’s sleep! Looking for more easy health hacks? Set up a free health consultation today to find out how we can help you sleep, eat and feel better!

Karen L. Leibowitz, MD
Health and Medical Coach
KareBoost Health