No Shelf Required

No Shelf Required

Sleep and Reading go together

by Leave a Comment

Since we all work in a library…  Recently I came across an article that gave several good reasons why reading in bed before sleeping is a healthy habit.  We probably all knew this, and there was Keith’s post last year, so here’s a reminder to the benefits of reading, especially at night.

Benefits explained in these short articles: Reading Before Bed: Benefits and Drawbacks and  Six Reasons why reading before bed may be the healthiest thing you do today

One benefit is reduced screen time, if you’re reading a paper book. This gets your eyes and mind ready for sleeping. This article from Berkeley Wellness gives more details on why this is good for sleep.

Isn’t summertime prime time for reading? What are you reading now?

UCI Libraries Fighting Cancer Team Success

by 1 Comment

We had a great time at the Anti-Cancer Challenge Event this past Saturday, May 19th that took place at The Orange County Great Park in Irvine.

Our team: UCI Libraries Fighting Cancer comprised of 11 members, with eleven walkers and one volunteer.

We surpassed our fund raising goal of $500 by raising $650. Thanks to generous support of our donors Paul Caldera and Lorelei Tanji.

Hope to see you there next year!
Enjoy a few of our photos from the event:

Team of walkers

Team Spirit – during walk

Team Spirit – volunteer Jharina cheering everyone on


Finished! Showing off our medals

UCI Libraries Fighting Cancer Team – UCI Anti-Cancer Challenge Update

by 2 Comments

There’s still time to join with UCI Libraries Fighting Cancer Team for the 5K walk/run or bike challenge event. We have two more weeks before the day of the festival at Orange County Great Park in Irvine. So far we have raised $350 and the members of team are planning on participating in the 5K walk.

Our team currently has 8 members including family members and:
Alison Regan
Charla Batey
Debbie Kreuziger
Jessie Brobst
Natalie Marquez
Pamela Gordon (Team Captain)

Yes, your family or friends can join you too.

The day of the event will be packed with activities with live entertainment, free food, awards, and mascot Wild Wing from the Anaheim Ducks will be onsite for photos.

We’ll see you there!
For more information on the team and current updates view our wiki.

Add flexibility with walking

by Leave a Comment

While it may not be as vital to stretch before and after walking like other strenuous exercises, adding a brief 5 minute stretching session post walking will help increase your flexibility. And it will help make sure you stay mobile as you get older.

This Stretching Routine for Walkers article has info on good leg and shoulder stretching to implement after your walk.

Take a look at The Walking Site for additional information on stretches and more.

Main thing to remember with stretching – don’t bounce. Enjoy your walk, and stretches! 🙂

Skipped your walk? Take a hot bath

by Leave a Comment

Researchers recently stumbled upon something very interesting…soaking in hot water, around 104 degrees, for an hour showed similar results to walking for a half-hour. The hot water soak burns about the same number of calories and the inflammatory response is similar to exercise. The study also showed blood sugar response was slightly better with the hot bath than an hour of cycling.

This study was very small, only 14 people and all were men. For women the outcome might be different, and really the population size was entirely too small. More studies need to be conducted to fully understand the scope of passive heating, but the implications are promising.

Read more on this study and a few others showing similar benefits. If you ever needed an excuse for a regular hot tub soak, or a good long hot bath, well now you have it.

UCI Libraries Fighting Cancer Team

by 1 Comment

Today marks two months until the UCI Anti-Cancer Challenge event day.

Join the UCI Libraries Fighting Cancer Team and come out for a fun time at the Orange County Great Park on May 19.

The 5K Run or Walk starts at 9:00am. If you want to do a spin session first one starts at 11:00am.

Everyone has been touched by cancer, either personally or someone they know and love. Help to find a cure. 100% of the funds raised goes towards research.

More info on the UCI Libraries Fighting Cancer Team on our wiki site.

Team Libraries – at it again

by 3 Comments

Please join Team Libraries as UCI Libraries Fighting Cancer in the UCI Anti-Cancer Challenge. You may have already seen some info through the campus emails about the event. We are joining in the fight against cancer in two ways: first to raise funds that go 100% towards cancer research, and two by promoting health by walking or running, biking, volunteering and community support. Please see the Team Libraries wiki site for more info on joining the team. Or go directly to the Anti-Cancer Challenge web site.

The day of the event is Saturday, May 19 at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine.

Chocolate!

by Leave a Comment

Now that I have your attention…There’s a free event next Friday, February 16 on:  Health Benefits of Chocolate

Where: UCI Campus, Anteater Recreation Center, Kitchen/Classroom
When: 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Info: Dark chocolate can improve health and lower the risk of heart disease. When enjoyed in moderation, chocolate can make you feel so good! Come learn about quality ingredients to look for in chocolate and why it is considered a food indulgence.
Register Here

As part of your UCI Wellness Program, UCI Campus Recreation is proud to announce the continuation of Health and Fitness Fridays. This series educates, encourages, and motivates you to engage in healthier behaviors. Each Health and Fitness Fridays event includes a free light lunch and presentation by an engaging expert on a current health topic.

You are also welcome to use the Anteater Recreation Center (ARC) facilities before or after each event for free.

Click for more info from campus Health and Fitness Fridays

Tis the season – for Chocolate!

by Leave a Comment

Chocolate is great. Just thinking about it makes me happier.  And during the holiday season there may be more of it around than normal. There are many headlines saying chocolate is good for you, but what does that mean? Is this true or another hopeful headline?  Researchers have found there are flavonoids in the cocoa beans and they have an antioxidant effect. This is good! The problem is that when chocolate is made, especially sweet chocolate, sugar and fats are added in. Dark chocolate reduces the higher calories and provides more of a benefit. Sticking to dark chocolate is a healthier way of eating these sweets.

For a little more info Heart Healthy Benefits of Chocolate  or view this short video from Harvard Health.

Enjoy!

Fall back

by Leave a Comment

This weekend we gain an extra hour as we set our clocks back an hour Sunday morning. Below are a few fun facts, and a few tips.

Take advantage of the morning light:
Since 7 o’clock is the new 6 o’ clock, set your alarm an hour ealier and you’ll gain an hour in the transition. Use the beautiful morning light for some “me time,” read a good book, email a friend, or enjoy a special breakfast.

Fit in a morning workout:
Use the extra hour to improve your health. Bonus: A morning workout can help keep your mood up throughout the day. It’ll get you outside and expose you to light, which will help your internal body clock adjust.

These Tips provided by Alexandra Whittaker

For more tips visit this Health and Wellness blog

A Few Fun Facts:

Daylight Saving Time Act is repealed. Well, not yet.  California Assembly Bill AB-807 was introduced earlier this year, to repeal Daylight Saving Time. But it looks like it’s stalled in the Seneate: “Ordered to inactive file at the request of Senator Allen.” on Sept.09,2017

In 1918 President Woodrow Wilson signed the Standard Time Act which created DST to conserve energy World War I. Only seven months later the time change was repealed. During World War II, DST was reinstated to once again conserve energy and remained in effect until after the war.

Last time there was an adjustment was in 2005, President George W. Bush signed the Energy Policy Act, which extended DST to begin on the second Sunday in March and end on the first Sunday in November. A reason behind the extension in autumn was to improve safety for trick-or-treaters on Halloween night.

Enjoy your extra hour this weekend!