It is common knowledge that exercising regularly can help you live a healthy life. Dogs are no different, they need regular exercise to remain healthy and strong. The best exercise for your dog typically entail running, walking or playing catch. If you aren’t capable of long, strenuous exercise that is totally fine because there is plenty of other ways to get your dog the proper amount of exercise.

Ways to get your dog exercise

1. Hikes

Hikes are great for you and your dog. Depending on the trail a hike can be a strenuous workout. If hikes are too heavy of a workout starting with a simple walk is a good start and you can build from there. Hikes are also a great way to get outside and find new places to explore and have beautiful scenery.

2. Dog Park

Dog parks are the perfect mix of socializing and exercise for dogs. They are common in most cities across the country. Some places have better dog parks then others but still is a great option to get your dog exercise.

3. Jog/Run

Going for a run with your dog is one of the best ways to get you and your dog. You can find a nice trail to run in nature or along the street on the sidewalk. That is the nice thing about going on a run, you can always find time for a quick run and a place to do it.

4. Play Catch/Fetch

Dogs have a lot of energy and playing catch or fetch is a great way to get some of that energy out. It also allows for an easy activity if you have a yard at your home. Additionally, parks and fields are other great places to play catch with a frisbee or tennis ball if you don’t have a yard.

Soul Stroll Remote 5k

Soul dogs is hosting a week long fundraising event from February 14th – 21st. The event will give supporters of our nonprofit a chance to run or walk a 5k throughout the week and accept donations from friends and family on their behalf.

Learn more: https://soul-dogs-inc.org/soul-stroll-soul-dogs-inc-virtual-5k-fundraiser/

Sign up: https://soul-dogs-inc.org/soul-stroll-signup-form/

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1816132511875184

It is common knowledge that exercising regularly can help you live a healthy life. But, do you know the health benefits of 5Ks?

Benefits of 5Ks

1. Type of Running

Long distance running is great habit to develop because it highly improve the health of your lifestyle. Additionally, it has many more benefits than short distance spirit training. Running can be a fun hobby for some and also offers the potential to compete in races against others. Most people don’t realize participating in races can also be a great way to compete against yourself and push yourself to beat your personal records.

2. 5Ks

There are many different types of races ranging from 1 mile to a marathon. 5Ks are often the recommended starting place for people new to running or racing. The distance isn’t intimidating but it is far enough that it will push you to train. Furthermore, on average running a 5K takes 30-40 minutes which is a great amount of time for a daily workout.

3. Cardio Benefits

Running is consider a cardio or aerobic exercise which challenge and strengthen your lungs and heart. Experts often recommend people should have 2-4 cardio workout sessions a week. There are multiple ways to workout your cardiovascular system and running is the most common version. Training for a race is a great motivator to get yourself to get cardiovascular workouts to become a habit in your life.

4. Great leg workout

The health benefits of walking vary greatly with physical and mental health benefits. The most common and obvious benefit is the strength gained in your legs. For example, the more you walk and more difficult the walk is, the stronger your legs will become.

Soul Stroll Remote 5k

Soul dogs is hosting a week long fundraising event from February 14th – 21st. The event will give supporters of our nonprofit a chance to run or walk a 5k throughout the week and accept donations from friends and family on their behalf.

Learn more: https://soul-dogs-inc.org/soul-stroll-soul-dogs-inc-virtual-5k-fundraiser/

Sign up: https://soul-dogs-inc.org/soul-stroll-signup-form/

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1816132511875184

It is common knowledge that walking regularly can help you live a healthy life. But, do you know the specific health benefits of walking?

Benefits of Walking

1. Strengthens your heart & Lowers your blood sugar

Walking for at least 30 minutes a day 5 days a week will dramatically reduce the risk of getting coronary heart disease. If you increase the distance or duration of your walks you have a chance of decreasing it even more. Even short walks each day have shown an impact on lowing your blood sugar as well.

2. Burns Calories

Most people don’t think of going on a walk as a high calorie burning workout. But, it does do a good job of burning calories to maintain or lose weight. The amount of calories you will burn depends on your walking speed, distance covered, terrain and your current weight.

3. Improves your mood

Walking can have a positive impact on your mental health as well. Studies have shown that walks can help reduce anxiety, depression and a negative mood. Additionally, it can help improve self-esteem and social withdrawal & anxiety. For the best results it is best to aim to go on 30 minute walks 3 times a week.

4. Helps with Joint Pain

As you get older joint pain can become an issue for some people. Walking helps lubricate and strengthen the muscles that support the joints reducing the pain. It is possible for walking to help reduce the pain that comes from arthritis as well.

5. Great leg workout

The health benefits of walking vary greatly with physical and mental health benefits. The most common and obvious benefit is the strength gained in your legs. For example, the more you walk and more difficult the walk is, the stronger your legs will become.

Soul Stroll Remote 5k

Soul dogs is hosting a week long fundraising event from February 14th – 21st. The event will give supporters of our nonprofit a chance to run or walk a 5k throughout the week and accept donations from friends and family on their behalf.

Learn more: https://soul-dogs-inc.org/soul-stroll-soul-dogs-inc-virtual-5k-fundraiser/

Sign up: https://soul-dogs-inc.org/soul-stroll-signup-form/

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1816132511875184

It is common knowledge that running regularly can help you live a healthy life. But, do you know the specific benefits of running?

Benefits of Running

1. Running is good for your heart

Running for even 5-10 minutes drastically reduces your risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. When you compare people who never run to people that do regularly the chance of dying from heart disease is reduced by half.

2. Always time for a run

Even if you have a busy schedule whether it is traveling for work or taking care of your kids you can always find time for a quick run. There is no equipment necessary besides running shoes and a water bottle. This allows for you to run anywhere, anytime.

3. Burns lots of calories

Even slow paced running will burn a lot of calories. An average person of 150 pounds will burn 12.2 calories per minute on a 10 minute mile. If you run outside you will burn even more calories.

4. Can improve your memory

Surprising, running can have a positive impact on your brain short term and long term. According, to a University of British Columbia study, aerobic exercise that gets your heart rate up and makes you sweat can increase the size of your hippocampus. The hippocampus is the part of your brain involved with verbal memory and learning.

5. Great workout for your legs & core

Not a big surprise but running is a great workout for your legs. You may find yourself sore the day after a long run. Running workouts out your inner and outer legs including your gluteus Maximus, quads, hamstrings, and calves. You might a little more surprised to find out running is also a good core workout. Your six pack will be put to the test but also deeper ab muscles such as the obliques.

Soul Stroll Remote 5k

Soul dogs is hosting a week long fundraising event from February 14th – 21st. The event will give supporters of our nonprofit a chance to run or walk a 5k throughout the week and accept donations from friends and family on their behalf.

Learn more: https://soul-dogs-inc.org/soul-stroll-soul-dogs-inc-virtual-5k-fundraiser/

Sign up: https://soul-dogs-inc.org/soul-stroll-signup-form/

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1816132511875184

Time management is a system that priorities tasks based on what you want to accomplish. It involves three types of time including predictable, discretionary, and other-imposed time. The key to efficiently managing your time is by learning to maximize your discretionary time by using it efficiently. Often times, time management can be over looked and tossed to side. But, when learned correctly it can become a highly beneficial tool allowing you to accomplish all your goals and tasks efficiently and on time.

Three Types of Time

Predictable Time

This form comes from activities that you can predict and plan around such as meetings, team practice, eating and sleeping.

Discretionary Time

This is uncommitted time that allows you to accomplish priorities in your life. The way you plan this time should be in line with your lifestyle. Another way to think of this would be free time that allows for you to choose the way you spend it.

Other Imposed Time

Other-imposed time is unpredictable. For example, emergencies or things that you weren’t expecting to have to do for your job or school would fall under this category.

Managing Your Time

The first step is to know yourself. For example, some thrive in the early morning but others get the most done late at night. Once you have determined the situations you thrive under you can begin to form your plan around that.

Organization is at the foundation of all time management skills. Find what works best for you whether that is a notebook, to-do list or calendar. It might take time for you to find what the best method is so try all of them!

To-do lists are the most common and best way to keep track of your tasks for the day and week. The key to an effective to-do list is prioritization. UC San Diego suggests that you should create your list based on the A,B,C criteria. For example, A would be the most important task you have, followed by B and finally C.

Additionally, schedule your time based on the three types of times mentioned above. Fill in your discretionary time that you had left blank with your highest priorities according to your lifestyle. Make sure you leave time for sleeping, eating, etc.

Below is a more advanced method to time management that could be beneficial to individuals looking to go further into the topic.

Previous Independent Life Skills Blogs:

Being On Time

Personal Hygiene

Eating a Balanced Diet

Self-Advocacy

Life Skills and Daily Activities

Lifestyle and Social Interaction

Transportation