Are You Sleep Deprived? An Interview With Dr. Janet Kennedy, NYC's Sleep Doctor

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Are You Sleep Deprived? An Interview With Dr. Janet Kennedy, NYC's Sleep Doctor

With everything we have going on in our lives – jobs, relationships, extracurricular activities, other commitments – it’s easy for many of us to let sleep fall by the wayside. Sometimes sleep feels like the one part of our day where we can steal some time from, when really it should be the last place we look to make cuts. Prolonged periods of poor sleep have pretty devastating health effects – especially when someone enters into a state of sleep deprivation. 

For this week’s blog post, I interviewed Janet Kennedy, PhD, otherwise known as the NYC Sleep Doctor, to learn more about sleep deprivation – including how to identify it and how to treat it.

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The 411 On Ultra Processed Foods

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The 411 On Ultra Processed Foods

In case you didn’t see it, The New York Times recently published an interesting article about ultra processed foods, shedding light on their prevalence and potential (negative) health impacts. The article explores the work of Carlos Monteiro, a nutritional epidemiologist from Brazil, who identified a rise in obesity rates linked to changes in food consumption patterns.

As someone who has always valued nutrition and its role in longevity, I wanted to summarize this article for the Pure Joy Wellness community and give you the gist of what you need to know from these new findings. 

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Double Cleansing: What It Is & How It Can Help Your Skin

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Double Cleansing: What It Is & How It Can Help Your Skin

Sometimes, breakouts are inevitable — in part because there are so many reasons why you could be having one. Maybe you slept with your makeup on one night, or you’re having a moment of hormonal ebb and flow. Whatever the cause, it’s frustrating, and I for one try to avoid breakouts as much as I can.

The most powerful tool in my arsenal for that is double cleansing — here’s why I love it and what you should know about it. 

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Why I Started The Walking Challenge

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Why I Started The Walking Challenge

The Pure Joy Wellness Walking Challenge officially starts next Sunday, April 28! 

Ooo I am so ready for this one! Myself and the rest of the Pure Joy Wellness community will be walking for 30 minutes a day, for 30 days straight. 

If you haven’t joined our free Facebook Group yet, now is your chance! Tap the link here to join so you’re ready to go on April 28!

In honor of the occasion, I wanted to share a bit about why I started the Walking Challenge. Read on for a brief history, plus a few words of encouragement to kick us off! 

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Fish Oil 101: What You Need To Know

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Fish Oil 101: What You Need To Know

Fish oil, best known and loved for its abundance of omega-3 fatty acids, is a key player in promoting overall health and wellbeing. Its positive impact on heart health, cognitive function, and skin health is unmatched, not to mention it can benefit our eyes, digestive system, joints, and more.

Fish oil is an out-of-the-park homerun supplement, and in this week’s blog post, I’m covering the benefits, where to get it from, and my tips for finding your own fish oil. 

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The Guide To Strength Training For Women Over 50

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The Guide To Strength Training For Women Over 50

Age is often seen as a barrier to fitness, but for the most part, that’s a made-up and arbitrary aging belief. Hitting a certain age doesn’t mean you have to slow down or give up on physical activity—on the contrary, we need movement even more as we age, especially strength training! 

If there’s one piece of advice I can give you to totally transform your health and the way you feel, it’s this: start strength training. Not only will it help you maintain your vitality and independence as you age, but it will boost your self-esteem and confidence, which we could all use. 

Here’s where I would recommend starting, if you’re a strength training beginner. 

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Do You Have IBS or Leaky Gut?

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Do You Have IBS or Leaky Gut?

According to the American Gastroenterological Association, between 60 and 70 million Americans suffer from gastrointestinal diseases—including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which affects between 25 and 45 million people. Statistics show that about 2 in 3 IBS sufferers are female—looking at us, ladies—but not everyone who thinks they have IBS actually has IBS.

In some cases, that IBS-looking condition is actually a different condition called Leaky Gut, which can have similar symptoms, but requires a different approach to fix it. 

In this blog post, I’ll show you the difference between IBS and Leaky Gut, with hopes of helping you understand which you’re dealing with (and hopefully giving you good info that you can use to improve your symptoms!).

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The Best Supplements For Women Over 50

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The Best Supplements For Women Over 50

Navigating the world of supplements can feel like diving into an endless sea of options, especially as we age and our bodies evolve.

While our primary source of essential nutrients should always be a balanced diet—check out my Top 10 Foods For Aging Well blog post here—the reality is that our plates don't always cover all the bases. That's where supplements can come in and bridge the gap between what we eat and what our bodies need.

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The Health Benefits of Orgasms with Dr. Laurie Mintz

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The Health Benefits of Orgasms with Dr. Laurie Mintz

Sexual wellness is an often overlooked topic, and the same goes for orgasms. I’ve never believed that sex should be an off-limits topic for people who want to discuss it, as demonstrated by the series on sex I did with Dr. Juliana Hauser (you can find Part One here and Part Two here), my post on the importance of a healthy sex life for aging, an interview I did with a sex expert about low libido, etc.

Until now, I haven’t really delved into the specific benefits of orgasms for our overall health or discussed the sexual wellness gap that exists between men and women.

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How To Do A Lympathic Drainage Massage At Home

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How To Do A Lympathic Drainage Massage At Home

While a lot of our physical traits are genetic, there are ways we can enhance our natural features by utilizing our bodies’ powerful detoxification systems—in this case, your lymphatic system. Similar to facial massage techniques like face yoga and gua sha (which have long been known to enhance facial shape), a lymphatic drainage massage can relieve puffiness and reduce fluid retention and swelling—but not just in your face, in your whole body!

Today, I’ll give you a quick primer on lymphatic drainage massage—with extra tips from a professional—and teach you how to do one yourself.

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10 Ways To Improve Your Foot Health

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10 Ways To Improve Your Foot Health

Aging can come with some aches and pains, especially in the foot department (if you know, you know). Our feet are the unsung heroes of our bodies—they bear the weight and pressure of our everyday activities, and most of the time, we don’t give them any love or care in return.

This can lead to discomfort, pain, and injury both in the short-term and long-term (think plantar fasciitis, bone spurs, the list goes on).

Everyone deserves to feel healthy and happy in general, and to walk around without foot pain. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, as they say, so with that in mind, here’s what I recommend you do to care for your feet. 

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Two Days of Plant-Based, Protein-Forward Eating

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Two Days of Plant-Based, Protein-Forward Eating

In recent years, plant-based eating has blossomed into a lifestyle embraced by many, not just for its delicious offerings but also for the array of health benefits and positive impact on the environment.

In this comprehensive guide, I’m delving into what I call “plant-based, protein-forward” eating, and providing you with two days worth of meals that are both rich in plant-based protein and nourishing for your body (and not to mention, kind to the planet!).

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What You Should Know About Ozempic

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What You Should Know About Ozempic

In 2023, Ozempic became a household name and a topic that seemingly everyone was talking about. And so far in 2024, this influx of Ozempic chatter shows no signs of letting up.

Now that it’s become a trendy medication, it looks like more people will be using, and talking about Ozempic, than ever before. Why? Two words: weight loss.

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The Best Of Pure Joy Wellness 2023 - Part 2

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The Best Of Pure Joy Wellness 2023 - Part 2

Welcome back to the Best of Pure Joy Wellness 2023, Part Two! Last week I shared eight of our top articles from this year—which covered everything from gut healing and sitting to sex, memory, aging, and more.

In this week’s roundup (and our second to last post of the year!), we’re talking physical, mental, AND financial health. Scroll through the list below to check out these can’t-miss posts! 

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The Best of Pure Joy Wellness 2023 - Part 1

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The Best of Pure Joy Wellness 2023 - Part 1

In just two weeks, 2023 will come to a close—and geez, it’s been a year! So much has happened in my life: a lot of hurt, a lot of healing, tons of good memories, and some hardship, too.

During this time of year I find myself feeling extra reflective, as I think most people do, so it feels fitting to continue my tradition of rounding up the Best Of Pure Joy Wellness blog posts from this year—consider it our year in review, and a great opportunity to catch up on any of our best posts that you missed!

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Embracing the Joy: The Healing Power of Hugs

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Embracing the Joy: The Healing Power of Hugs

Ah, the holiday season—the time for friends, family, and togetherness. This time of year is my absolute favorite, and one thing that makes these moments extra special for me is all of the hugs I get from people I love. I used to wonder why these embraces made me so good, and then I decided to look into the science behind hugs.

It turns out—hugging is really good for you! Whether it's a bear hug or a group squeeze, wrapping yourself in a good ol' hug has amazing benefits for your body and mind. So in honor of this holiday season, I’m sharing with you all of the reasons you should give and receive hugs.

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It's My Birthday!! 67 Years Baby!

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It's My Birthday!! 67 Years Baby!

Today is my 67th birthday! I can’t believe it! I love birthdays and I always enjoy celebrating mine. Every year, I’m reminded of how lucky I am to be who I am and where I am in life.

I'd like to ask you all a question: How do you feel about your birthday? For many people, it's a day filled with excitement, laughter, and joy—a day to bask in the warmth of "Happy Birthday" songs and indulge in your favorite desserts. For others, it's a day they'd prefer to skip—a reminder of another year passing by, marked by a fear of getting older.

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The Truth About Inflammation

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The Truth About Inflammation

Chronic inflammation has become a topic of increasing interest in the fields of health and wellness. Spices like turmeric and ginger, and modalities like infrared saunas have risen in popularity as people look for new ways to combat inflammation.

Chronic inflammation is both a sign and symptom of numerous health conditions, like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative disease, autoimmune diseases, digestive disorders, obesity, and more. It’s no wonder why people are concerned and trying to learn more about this!

In this week’s blog post, I’m breaking down inflammation and giving you some tips on how to keep your own at bay

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How To Revamp Your Skincare Routine For Autumn & Winter

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How To Revamp Your Skincare Routine For Autumn & Winter

As the leaves change and the temperature drops, it's time to switch up our skincare! In the colder months, it’s especially important to give your skin the extra care and attention it needs.

In this week's blog, I’m sharing the essential steps I take to ensure that my skin stays healthy, hydrated, and glowing even on the coldest days!

Read on to see my best advice for changing up your skincare for fall and winter. 

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What Is Long Covid? What Can You Do About It?

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What Is Long Covid? What Can You Do About It?

One difficulty about the Covid-19 pandemic is that it never really ended. The virus isn’t something we were just able to eliminate—it’s still among us, and new variants are still proliferating (I know a lot of people in New York who have contracted it over the last few months!).

For that reason, many people are concerned about “long Covid”—aka the long-term symptoms of Covid-19. In this blog post, I endeavor to explain what long Covid is, how it manifests, and what you can do to avoid it and/or treat it.

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