health benefits

5 Surprising Health Benefits of Playing Pokémon Go: Physical and Mental Health

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Pokémon Go is an augmented reality mobile game that has taken the world by storm since its release in July 2016. Players use their smartphones to capture virtual creatures, known as Pokémon, that appear in the real world. The game has been praised for its ability to get people moving and exploring their local communities. However, the health benefits of Pokémon Go go beyond just physical activity. In this paper, we will explore how playing Pokémon Go can have positive effects on both physical and mental health.

  1. Increased Physical Activity One of the most obvious ways in which Pokémon Go is good for your health is through increased physical activity. The game requires players to walk or run around their local area to capture Pokémon and hatch eggs. Research has shown that playing Pokémon Go is associated with a significant increase in physical activity. A study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research found that players who played the game for at least 30 minutes a day took an average of 2,000 extra steps per day compared to non-players [1].
  2. Social Interaction Playing Pokémon Go can also have positive effects on mental health. The game has been praised for its ability to bring people together and encourage social interaction. Players often join together in groups to hunt for Pokémon and take part in raids. This social aspect of the game can help combat feelings of loneliness and social isolation, which can have negative effects on mental health. A study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that playing Pokémon Go was associated with a decrease in loneliness and an increase in social interaction [2].
  3. Stress Reduction Playing Pokémon Go can also be a great way to reduce stress. The game encourages players to take a break from their daily routines and explore their local environment. This can be a great way to clear the mind and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. A study published in the Journal of Games and Health found that playing Pokémon Go was associated with a decrease in stress and an increase in overall well-being [3].
  4. Cognitive Stimulation Playing Pokémon Go can also provide cognitive stimulation. The game requires players to use their problem-solving skills and spatial awareness to locate and capture Pokémon. This can be a great way to keep the mind active and prevent cognitive decline. A study published in the Journal of Community Psychology found that playing Pokémon Go was associated with an increase in cognitive function among older adults [4].
  5. Positive Mood Finally, playing Pokémon Go can have a positive effect on mood. The game is designed to be fun and engaging, which can help improve mood and reduce feelings of sadness or depression. A study published in the Journal of Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking found that playing Pokémon Go was associated with an increase in positive mood and a decrease in negative mood [5].
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pokemon_go_fest.jpg

In conclusion, playing Pokémon Go can have positive effects on both physical and mental health. The game encourages physical activity, social interaction, stress reduction, cognitive stimulation, and positive mood. These benefits make Pokémon Go a great way to improve overall health and well-being. So, the next time you see a Pikachu or a Charmander on your phone screen, go ahead and catch them. Your health will thank you.

Sources:

[1] Althoff, T., White, R. W., & Horvitz, E. (2016). Influence of Pokémon Go on physical activity: Study and implications. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 18(12), e315. https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.6770

[2] Lugo, R. G., Kaskutas, V., Jatlaoui, T. C., Petersen, E. E., Godoy, L., Cheung, A., & Gibbs, S. G. (2019). Pokémon Go: A game capable of bringing families outside for exercise and entertainment. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(17), 3057. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16173057

[3] Rebar, A. L., Staiano, A. E., & Waring, M. E. (2018). Pokémon Go and physical activity among young adults: Difference in differences study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 20(6), e217. https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.8709

[4] Banskota, S., Xia, N., & Wu, M. (2018). Older adults’ participation in the game Pokémon Go: Implications for gerontology nursing. Journal of Community Psychology, 46(8), 1076-1080. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.22104

[5] Kim, K., Lee, J., & Lee, D. (2017). Effects of augmented reality Pokémon Go game on mood and anxiety. Journal of Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 20(10), 661-666. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2017.0380

Seven Minute Workout Can Get You to Lose Weight

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It is hard to lose weight when most of us live such busy lives. However, new research suggests that a seven minute workout could be all you need to rev up your metabolism and fight the subcutaneous fat under your belly and hips.

A new article in ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal was published on the potential health benefits of HITC (High-Intensity Circuit Training) using just the weight of your body. This seven minute workout is a type of interval training in which you have short 30 second periods of 90% maximum effort combined with ten second breaks between each period. The whole circuit consists of twelve exercises that alternate between the upper body and lower body muscles. What that does is, in a sense, give the muscles more than 10 seconds of break since one group is barely being used to support the other group that is exerting the effort.

According to a New York Times blog post, even a few minutes of training at an intensity approaching your maximum capacity produces molecular changes within muscles comparable to those of several hours of running or bike riding 1.

The ACSM journal also points out that incorporated resistance training contributes significantly to the amount of fat burned during a workout. When resistance training exercises using multiple large muscles are used with very little rest between sets, they can elicit aerobic and metabolic benefits. Research has found that these metabolic benefits can be present for up to 72 hours after a high-intensity exercise bout has been completed.

There also may be a greater impact on subcutaneous fat loss with high-intensity intermittent circuit-style resistance training protocols than with traditional steady state sustained-effort aerobic work or traditional resistance training. This is thought to be from the increased level of catecholamines and growth hormone found in the blood both during and after high-intensity resistance training exercise with shortened rest periods (<30 seconds).  -ACSM Journal-

Shorter rest periods result in a shorter total exercise time. This is attractive to individuals who are trying to maximize the impact of an exercise program in minimal time. So if you have a busy lifestyle like I do, this is efficiency to its maximum.

Other health benefits of the seven minute workout include an improvement in the VO2max capacity and decreasing insulin resistance, which is good news for those who are fighting with type 2 diabetes.

 

If you don’t have an adequate chair in your house you can always get one from Amazon.

 

Sources:

1 http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/09/the-scientific-7-minute-workout/

2 http://journals.lww.com/

Green Tea Power: Surprising Health Benefits

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Green tea, along with all other types of tea, is one of the most consumed beverages in the world along with water and coffee, and reaps many health benefits! Green tea contains powerful antioxidants called catechins (especially EGCG). They attach to free radicals and remove them from our body. Free radicals are particles that damage our DNA and can accelerate aging of the cells and the body.

Green tea is one type of tea that comes from the camellia sinensis plant, which is what all tea is made from. Alongside of green tea you also have white tea, oolong tea, black tea, and puerh tea. They undergo different fermentation processes, and hence change their color, flavor, and contents accordingly. Green tea is the least fermented so it retains most of the green color.

Dietary Health Benefits

 

  1. High concentration of antioxidants
  • Helps to fight cancer and heart disease
  • Lowers cholesterol
  • Helps with weight loss and encourages the body to burn fat
  • Increases metabolic rate with caffeine
  • Makes you feel more full and eat less
  • Helps prevent diabetes and stroke
  • Staves off dimentia

 

Common Types of Japanese Green Tea

www.greenteajapan.com

Matcha Tea
Photo Credit:www.greenteajapan.com

Some people might find this tea to be less palatable due to the grassy taste, but do not worry. There are many varieties of green tea and I am certain that you can find one that will suit your tastes.

Gyokuro – These are the highest quality. They have a very smooth taste and light fragrance. They are moved to the shade before harvesting.

Sencha – This is the most common form of green tea. When you buy a TAZO green tea bags, this is what it contains.

Fukamushi Sencha – Literaly deep steamed green tea; it undergoes a longer steaming process and has a much greener body.

Matcha – This is the powdered form of the tea and is used in Japanese tea ceremonies. It also contains the highest amounts of beneficial compounds because you are digesting the whole leaf that has been crushed down. (Requires some extra utensils)

Houjicha – Houjicha is roasted green tea and hence, has a brown color. It has a nutty flavor and lower caffeine levels for those who get too jittery.

Genmaicha – This is by far my favorite. This tea is also made from sencha that is pan fried. It is then mixed with toasted rice which gives it a very nice roast aroma.

 

Cancer Prevention

According to WebMD and recent health research done by the American Cancer Society, lab results show that green tea’s EGCG regulates cancer growth and kills cells that display abnormal growth. Though human studies have not yet proven this, hope remains.

A study in Japan involving roughly 500 Japanese females with breast cancer found lower cancer recurrence associated with green tea consumption before and after surgery.

Some studies in China also showed that there is less risk of developing stomach, prostate, pancreatic, and colorectal cancer.

Another way that it helps to prevent growth of cancer is by starving the cells. It is one of the consumables that inhibits blood vessel growth to cancer cells which prevents them from attaining nutrients.

 

Sources and Resources for further Learning:

Wikipedia- Catechin

Antioxidants and Free Radicals

Wondergressive- All Tea Comes from the Same Plant

TeaDiscussion.com- The Different Types of Green Tea

WebMD- Health Benefits of Green Tea