tschram

tschram

  • Joined: August 30, 2022
  • Articles: 2369

How to improve muscle tone

Estimates suggest there are more than 650 skeletal muscles in the human body. Muscles perform a variety of functions that are essential to life. Skeletal muscles are attached to bones via tendons and are vital to movement.

Did you know?

Deep breathing exercises can help individuals maintain personal health and well-being. According to the American Institute of Stress, 20 to 30 minutes per day of “belly breathing,” also known as abdominal breathing or diaphragmatic breathing, can reduce stress and anxiety. The American Sleep Association reports that focusing on breath might be able to help induce sleep for people struggling to fall asleep. In addition to helping reduce stress and promote relaxation, breathing techniques are useful during labor to focus and release tension. Individuals with COPD often find it difficult to breathe, which can compound anxiety and make it even harder to breathe. But the COPD Foundation notes that two different breathing techniques can help an individual take in air without working hard: abdominal breathing and pursed-lips breathing.

How to navigate the confusion around stretching

Fitness and health care professionals generally agree that stretching is an important component of an effective workout regimen. However, there remains some confusion as to when to stretch and which stretches athletes should perform to maintain optimal health and flexibility. For example, Harvard Medical School notes that stretching was once believed necessary to warm up muscles and prepare them for activity. However, the Mayo Clinic now notes that stretching should not be considered a warmup activity. Rather, the general consensus among health care professionals is that individuals should first warm up their bodies for five to 10 minutes with some light exercise, such as low-intensity walking or jogging. In addition, the Mayo Clinic notes that some research has suggested that pre-event stretching adversely affects athletes’ performance. That may be a concern for competitive athletes and can add to the confusion non-competitive fitness enthusiasts have about the importance of stretching. Individuals who exercise to improve their overall health can stretch after their five- to 10-minute warmup and then again after completing their cardio and strength training. Competitive athletes can consult their coaches and trainers about when to stretch and which stretches to perform. When stretching, all people, including competitive athletes and individuals who exercise as part of their health care routines, should focus on proper form. Numerous online tutorials indicate how to stretch the various muscle groups in a way that improves flexibility and decreases injury risk.

Carl Wayne Smith (Bub) Jr

On October 26, 1926, Carl Wayne (Bub) Smith, Jr. was born to Carl Wayne Smith and Mary Lylith (Pauly) Smith in Hamburg, Iowa. They lived on a farm east of Hamburg, north of the Golden Rod and he attended Liberty Country School with his younger sister, Madge Lee. C. Wayne attended high school at Hamburg High, where he graduated in 1944 as class president.

Sidney track runs at districts

Sidney’s track and field teams competed at the recent district meet. Earning medals for the Cowboys were Matthew Benedict, first, high jump, 6’4” and fourth, 400 hurdles, 59.91; Andreas Buttry, fifth, 3200, 13:04.76, and eighth, 1600, 5:30.84; Ethan Peters, sixth, long jump, 18’3”; and Nik Peters, discus, 103’2”.

Q/A: Mental health matters

Q: What measures have you led in the 117th Congress to improve mental health services? A: By all accounts, one of the crushing consequences resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic is the toll on mental wellness among Americans from all walks of life. From bereavement among those who lost loved ones, to young people kept out of the classroom, a collective sense of uncertainty gripped heads of households and small business owners, restrictions kept elderly nursing home residents isolated from loved ones and took away milestone moments for tens of millions of families.

Policies and Priorities Employers Can Set to ‘Make It OK’ for Employees Seeking Mental Health Support

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this year it comes at a crucial time in the public discourse around mental illness. As we have endured the pandemic—and the isolation and anxiety that came with it—raising awareness and action around mental health has taken on a larger part of the national conversation. From the toll the pandemic took on our mental wellbeing to the reaction we have seen in real time with the “Great Resignation,” mental health has been on the forefront of the public’s minds and headlines alike.