HealthyLife Articles

Tag: creativity

Move Outside The Exercise Box

BE FIT

The more you move, the stronger your body will be and the better your heart, lungs, and other organs function. Any movement that gets your heart rate up counts as physical activity.

At home

* Walk the dog.

* Play a family game of catch or frisbee.

* Add in some squats or lunges while you work in the kitchen.

* Do some light bodyweight exercises while you watch TV.

At work

* Park farther away to get more walking time.

* Take the stairs.

* Set a timer for a five-minute movement break every 30 to 90 minutes.

* Walk at lunch or go up and down the stairs a few times.

The weekend

* Choose a hobby that gets you moving, like an outdoor activity.

* Plan social gatherings that include movements like hiking or active games.

* Put on some music and make chore time fun and full of movement.

* Go sightseeing or choose a family outing that includes a long walk or hike.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Nurture Your Creativity

SUCCESS OVER STRESS

Creative outlets are one enjoyable way to manage stress. In fact, people who engage in creative pursuits may be less likely to feel stress, anxiety, or depression.

If you need a healthy way to reduce stress, get creative! Here are some tips to tap into your creative side.

Get into nature

Time spent outside has many benefits, from calming anxiety to helping you feel more inspired and creative.

Read more

Books are a simple way to explore new ideas and spark your imagination. It’s no coincidence that many of the most creative people are also avid readers.

Get 8 hours of sleep

It’s hard to be creative when your brain is tired. If you need a creativity boost, try going to bed a little earlier.

Make time to be alone

If you spend all your time busy and surrounded by people, it can leave you feeling drained. Find some peace and quiet to chill out.

Create something

Pick a crafting medium and make whatever comes to mind. Focus on the process and enjoy being creative.

Learn something new

Take up a new hobby, meet someone new, travel, or explore. Anything that introduces new ideas and skills can enhance creativity.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Why You Need A Vacation

WORK LIFE

If your time off is accruing year after year, you might be missing out on one of the secrets to being a good employee.

It’s time to take a vacation! While many people are reluctant to be away from their jobs, a vacation can make you a better employee.

Vacations are refreshing

A week off can leave you feeling rested and energized. You’ll be ready to dive into work with renewed vigor.

Good for mental health

Taking a break from your daily routine allows your mind to let go of stress and anxiety. When you return to work, you might find you have a better mental outlook.

Increase productivity

Studies have shown that people who take regular vacations are more productive when they return. Time away might be just what you need to become even better at your job.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Use Your Imagination To Unwind

Stress Management

Imagination can make a cloudy day sunny-and overpower stress. Here are three ways to create mental pictures that offset daily stressors.

Music

Choose a recording you find soothing. Find a quiet, calming environment in which to listen to it. Feel yourself become part of this calming environment of sound, a physical extension of every note. If your thoughts stray, simply release them and refocus on the music. When the music ends, compare the way you feel to how you felt before listening to it. (You should feel more relaxed.)

Colors

Imagine two colors, one (like bright red) representing tension, and the other (like pale blue) representing relaxation. Close your eyes and imagine that your muscles are the “tense” color. Then imagine each muscle changing to the “relaxation” color. End the exercise by imagining that your entire body is now a vivid hue of the relaxation color (like vivid blue), symbolizing complete relaxation.

Paint a picture

If you have trouble visualizing abstract concepts like tension and relaxation, substitute concrete images that connote these feelings. Use symbols that can interact, like jagged rocks to symbolize tension and rolling waves to symbolize relaxation. Then imagine the waves slowly smoothing out the surface of the rocks. An alternative: Imagine warm sunlight (relaxation) gradually melting icicles (tension) until they disappear.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Forget The Ipad, Let Kids Play In Sand Or With Blocks

FAMILY LIFE

When it comes to finding toys to encourage a child’s interest in science, sometimes simpler can be better and yet more sophisticated.

Creighton University professor of physics Dr. Gintaras Duda suggests looking at toys with a tactile, kinesthetic component that can help illustrate scientific principles while allowing a child to come up with new ways to play.

“If you can get kids to be creative, that’s the main thing,” Dr. Duda said. “Let them sort of figure out how these things work. It’s great scientific learning. Yes, kids love to play with the iPad, but if you dump a bin of Legos out in front of them and let them go, you’ll always be surprised at what they come up with.”

Hands-on building blocks, tower sets, and a strangely behaving substance known as kinesthetic sand, which shares certain properties with regular sand but performs differently as it’s being molded, have all captured children’s attention and imagination.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Summer With Less Screens

FAMILY LIFE

When the kids are home from school for the summer, it can be hard to avoid technology. Kids (and adults) are used to constant entertainment from the television, computer, smartphones and tablets. But, reducing screen time can have many benefits for families:

* Boredom is a great way for kids to learn to be creative. If they’re always entertained by a screen, kids don’t have a chance to be bored and to learn how to entertain themselves.

* Sitting in front of a screen means time not spent getting exercise.

* Some studies suggest that too much screen time can lead to behavior problems, lack of good thinking skills, and sleep problems.

It’s not always realistic to avoid screens completely. If you can’t, look for ways to limit screen time. Try these tips:

* Choose certain times of day to be screen-free. For instance, you can choose to let kids have 30 minutes of screens after lunch, but morning is for screen-free play.

* Watch the clock. Decide on a daily limit of screen time, such as two hours, and stick with it. Consistent rules help kids know what they can expect each day, so there is less complaining.

* Visit the library. If you can get kids to read books they like, they won’t miss screens as much.

* When you do watch TV, watch shows together as a family. Choose educational shows when possible.

Have a plan

A family media plan can help you stay on track with screen time. Create yours atwww.healthychildren.org/English/media.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026