While several studies cite the holiday season as being one of the most stressful parts of the year, most would argue that tax season is a close second.

Which is why it is no coincidence that April is nationally recognized as Stress Awareness Month.

Recent studies have found that an average of 75 percent of Americans regularly experience symptoms of stress (73% psychological symptoms and 77% physical symptoms). In addition, in the past five years 48 percent of Americans have reported feeling an increase in stress.

Among the top causes of stress for Americans are: work, money, and health. In fact, stress costs Americans nearly $300 billion annually in stress-related healthcare and missed work. Not to mention, stressed workers are generally 10 percent less productive than their counterparts.

That’s enough about stress, though. Let’s talk about how you can manage it. Everyone has their own way of healthily dealing with stress, some enjoy the gym while others enjoy the serenity of a garden, listening to music, or taking a long walk in nature. We have compiled a list of several simple ways you can ease the stress from tax season.

Plan
Stress can often be a side effect of a hectic life. Taking the time to plan your week out, planning meals, chores, errands, and relaxation time can be a great way to relieve some of the stress you feel.

Balance
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is a critical component to reducing stress. It’s important to have time set aside for family, friends, hobbies, and most importantly you.

Say No
Much like we mentioned earlier, it’s important to maintain a healthy balance in life, and sometimes that means saying no to friends or optional overtime to focus on regrouping and regaining strength.

Investigate
It is important to discover what is causing you stress. Understanding your stress trigger can help you reduce or even eliminate it from your life.

Exercise
Exercise is a good way to get your mind off stress and the endorphins released into your body will help melt the stress away as well.

Use SmartCells
Over 50% of Americans regularly experience fatigue as a side effect of stress. The unique SmartCells cushioning technology acts like springs that cushion as weight is applied and then rebound when the weight shifts, which returns energy and reduces fatigue.

SATECH’s anti-fatigue products are built with industrial quality and combine features such as beveled edges and stability with style and elegance that blends perfectly in any house or office setting. The SmartCells line anti-fatigue rubber mats come with an industry-leading 8-year warranty and are available in three different surface options (smooth, basket weave and carpet top) as well as three colors (Black, gray and light brown) and three sizes (2X3, 3X5 and 24X68).

SmartCells anti-fatigue: I feel good!

Let’s face it. Dieting and exercising is tough enough, but throw a holiday into the mix and you have the perfect storm. It surely doesn’t help that Easter is only second to Halloween as far as candy consumption goes.

In fact, according to statistics nearly 71 million pounds of candy is consumed over the Easter weekend and following weeks. Some statistics point out that this candy consumption typically equates to an additional 8,000 calories consumed per individual over the holiday weekend.

To combat this perfect dietary storm and burn off excess calories consumed over the weekend we have compiled a list of simple exercises you can do this week.

Body Weight Squats

These can be done anywhere and anytime. You could even do a set of squats during a commercial break of your favorite weeknight television show.

A Brisk Walk

Now that Spring weather is here and the sun sets later a brisk evening walk is a viable option to get your blood pumping and easily burn calories.

Plyometric Workouts

Much like body weight squats; Plyometric exercises can be done anywhere and are easily tailored to your fitness abilities.

Yoga

After a long holiday weekend filled with food, family and travel a relaxing yoga session can help burn calories and reduce your stress level.

Circuit Training

If you have a gym membership, Circuit training is a great way to build physical strength as well as cardiovascular endurance.

Go Dancing

Although disguised as a fun night on the town, dancing is a great way to burn calories and have fun doing it.

Do Yard work

Gardening, weeding, and mowing the lawn are all great ways to be productive and burn off holiday food at the same time.

Whatever activity you choose to do this week, SmartCells personal training mats and insoles will keep you comfortable and feeling good in the process.

The unique dual-stiffness SmartCells cushioning technology can reduce impact stress on joints by up to 90%* while at the same providing a safe, stable surface for workouts. *(1” thick using ATSM F355 – 10a)

Available in three different colors (Black, Light Brown, and Grey) as well as three different sizes (36”X60”, 52”X60”, 52”X88”), the remarkable SmartCells Personal Training mats are low profile (1/2”) and have molded-in beveled edges. For custom applications, SATECH offers custom-sized mats as well as a wall-to-wall flooring option that is perfect for in-home gyms, and aerobics flooring.

To unload impact stress on-the-go, SmartCells Personal Training Insoles easily slip into most shoes and come in two styles: a Standard flat style, for use with or without orthotics, as well as an Active Orthotic style that offers arch and heel support, personalized for size and designed for impact-related activities.

The family of SmartCells Personal Training products utilizes the same technology that has long been trusted by major companies as an anti-fatigue solution for their standing workers and, in senior living settings, as a solution to keep senior citizens safe from fall-related injuries.

SmartCells Personal Training: I feel good!

 

This weekend the ‘Easter Bunny’ will be delivering Easter baskets and hiding thousands of eggs worldwide.

In fact, in preparation for Easter, statistics approximate the ‘Easter Bunny’ purchased nearly 120 million pounds of Easter candy including 16 billion jelly beans and 90 Million chocolate bunnies.

We imagine after all that hopping the ‘Easter Bunny’ must have some pretty sore feet. That is, unless he is using a pair of SmartCells Anti-fatigue Insoles.

With two lines of SmartCells insoles available Standard (flat cushioning insoles) and Orthotic (heel and arch support insoles) for both Therapeutic and Active  applications the ‘Easter Bunny’ can choose the best insole for his needs.

The SmartCells standard flat style is designed for use with or without orthotics, while the Orthotic styles offer additional arch and heel support, personalized for size and tuned to the nature of the users’ activities.

For extended periods of hopping, we recommend the SmartCells Insoles Active Orthotic option.

SmartCells insoles utilize our renowned and trusted SmartCells cushioning technology that is distinguished by the array of “Smart” cells that cushion and absorb force like miniature springs, and are highly responsive to changes in pressure, so that when an individual’s weight is shifted they return their stored energy.

The SmartCells® anti-fatigue technology is significantly different than typical foam or gel products, which can break down quickly and lack critical features to optimize fatigue relief.  SmartCells insoles become softer as they are compressed and are extraordinarily comfortable as they actively adjust to body movements. This unparalleled feature is unique to any insole on the market and is just the opposite of foam, because foam gets ‘harder’ as it is compressed, and unlike gel, SmartCells are highly responsive.

SmartCells Insoles: I feel good.

 

 

Now that Daylight Savings Time has arrived, the days are getting longer, we can almost shed our winter coats and Spring is just around the corner.

With the arrival of Spring in just one week, comes a fun-filled season of sports, picnics, gardening, and other outdoor activities.

While fun, these activities also pose risks, so we thought we would share our favorite Spring safety tips to help keep you and your loved ones comfortable and safe this season.

Check Helmets
Before you head out for a bike ride check your helmets to make sure they fit properly. If the helmet has been in a previous accident, check to make sure it will still function properly. If you have any doubt about the integrity of the helmet, replace it.

Save Your Skin
Even though it may not be very hot, the sun can still cause damage to skin. Making sure you utilize sunscreen during outdoor activities will help reduce your risk of sun burns and skin disease.

Tune-up Toys
Snow, rain, sleet, and simply lack of use during the winter months can cause outdoor toys to malfunction. It is always a great idea to check brakes, tires, chains, and other moving parts on toys to make sure they are prepped for safe operation.

Stay Hydrated
As the days get warmer and you are more active, it is important to drink plenty of water. Not only will drinking water cool you down, it will replenish your body of fluids lost during spring activities.

Check Your Grill
Spring is a great time to break out the barbeque and grill up burgers and hotdogs. Before you do so, check to make sure it is still in proper working condition with no gas leaks and is far enough away from eaves and siding to prevent potential fires.

Suit Up
Even though the weather is nice, using the proper safety attire when doing lawn work is important. At a minimum, wear shoes with toe protection and good traction, jeans, gloves, and eye protection.

Invest in SmartCells Personal Training Products
Our ergonomically engineered personal training products are specifically designed to keep you and your loved ones feeling good. The unique dual-stiffness SmartCells cushioning technology can reduce impact stress on joints by up to 90%* while at the same providing a safe, stable surface for workouts. *(1” thick using ATSM F355 – 10a)

Available in three different colors (Black, Light Brown, and Grey) as well as three different sizes (36”X60”, 52”X60”, 52”X88”), the remarkable SmartCells Personal Training mats are low profile (1/2”) and have molded-in beveled edges. For custom applications, SATECH offers custom-sized mats as well as a wall-to-wall flooring option that is perfect for in-home gyms, and aerobics flooring.

Want to enjoy SmartCells Cushioning on-the-go?
Check out our all-new line of Zelus Insoles. Our insoles come in two styles (Simply SmartCells Cushioning and SmartCells Cushioning with arch support), and are biomechanically designed to reduce pain, improve performance and prevent future injuries. You can learn more about them at www.zelusinsoles.com.

 

I take place once a year and my arrival is often bittersweet. When I arrive an hour of daylight is gained but at first an hour of sleep is lost, and if you live in Arizona or Hawaii then you won’t observe me. What am I?

If you answered Daylight Savings Time (DST), then you’re correct. This year, Daylight Savings Time officially began last Sunday at 2 a.m. At this time, the official time on clocks was rolled forward one hour.

According to the website timeanddate.com, Daylight Savings Time was originally observed in an effort to minimize energy usage. In 1916, Germany was the first official country to observe DST and the United States followed suit in 1918.

Today, Daylight Savings Time is observed by a total of 70 countries worldwide including the United States. However, some states such as Hawaii and Arizona, as well as Saskatchewan and a few other Canadian provinces choose not to partake in DST.

Some may joke about their loss of sleep, but there are more serious negative consequences associated with the time change. A recent study conducted by the University of Colorado found a strong correlation between the loss of sleep caused by the initial Daylight Savings Time time change and fatal car accidents.

While we normally blog about fatigue issues associated with standing, walking, or kneeling for extended periods of time, this week we felt it was appropriate to explore different ways you can reduce the effects of the recent time change:

1. Exercise, the release of Serotonin helps fight fatigue.
2. Adjust your eating schedule so your body has enough time to digest food before sleep.
3. Reserve time to nap. Just make sure it’s not to close to bedtime.
4. If possible, keep your regular sleep hours.
5. Gradually transition. This is especially important if you have kids.

Bonus tip: Daylight savings time is also a great time to check the batteries in your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide detectors.

From all of us here at SATECH, we hope you have a safe week adjusting to the time change.

 

 

 

Podiatrists estimate that the average human takes approximately 4,000 to 6,000 steps a day, which adds up to the equivalent of 5 trips around the earth in the average lifetime.

When you consider how much time you spend on your feet and the beating they take, it’s not surprising that nearly 75-80% of the adult population experiences foot problems at one time or another.

One such common foot problem which plagues 10% of Americans and results in over 1 million doctors visits each year is Plantar Fasciitis.

Plantar Fasciitis, also commonly referred to as “heel pain syndrome”, is characterized by sharp pain to the heel, which can occur from a traumatic event but often typically is caused by overuse stress on the foot.

Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis is often difficult and expensive. According to the American Chiropractic Association(ACA), Americans spend between $192-376 million dollars on Plantar Fasciitis treatments annually. These treatments range from injections and anti-inflammatory medications to orthotics, taping, manipulation, night splinting, and instrument-assisted soft-tissue manipulation (IASTM).

The good news is that a majority Plantar Fasciitis cases are corrected without the use of surgery. Below you will find several ways you can effectively reduce the pain associated with Plantar Fasciitis.

How to Reduce Pain Associated With Plantar Fasciitis:

1. Soak your heel in ice daily for 10 minutes or until the pain subsides.
2. Walk barefoot in gravel. While this sounds painful, it has been found to accelerate the healing process.
3. Get a foot massage.
4. Shorten your stride length when walking.
5. Scrunch towels with your toes.

I don’t have Plantar Fasciitis. Is there anything I can do to prevent it?

If you are part of the 90% of the population who hasn’t experienced Plantar Fasciitis, here are some great ways to further protect your feet from this painful syndrome:

1. When walking, strike your mid-foot on the ground before your heel.
2. When walking, let your upper-body lead instead of letting your feet pull you forward.
3. Stretch the tendons in your feet before and after exercise.
4. Maintain a healthy body weight.
5. Wear shoes with good arch supports
6. Utilize the use of orthotic inserts such as SmartCells Anti-fatigue orthotic insoles.

Ergonomically designed to relieve discomfort from prolonged activity, the unique SmartCells act like springs that cushion and return energy.

SmartCells anti-fatigue orthotic Insoles are available in two styles that easily slip into most shoes. These unique insoles offer additional arch and heel support, are personalized for size and tuned to the nature of the users’ activities.

The SmartCells Everyday and Active lines of orthotic insoles are pre-molded and bio-mechanically engineered to provide additional cushion and support for optimal fatigue relief while helping prevent excessive pronation and related symptoms.

SmartCells: Do More. Feel Good.

A common misconception people have is that to be healthy, in shape, or build muscle, one must invest in a gym membership, a personal trainer, and go to group fitness classes or start lifting weights.

However, gyms, trainers, and fitness classes take a lot of time and can be quite expensive. Between work, family, the PTA, Netflix and our day-to-day lives, finding time and motivation to work out can be very difficult.

Fortunately, unless you want to join a body building competition, the aforementioned misconception couldn’t be any further from the truth. In fact, one great way to increase your health while building cardiovascular and physical strength in the process is to utilize your own body weight.

Besides being convenient and cost efficient, body weight exercises have many other lesser known benefits over joining a gym and lifting weights. The following are some of our favorite benefits of body weight exercise:

1. You can work at your own pace. There is no waiting for the machine or weight you need. Also, since there is no equipment involved, transitions between exercises are minimized, allowing for a higher intensity workout in less time.
2. Burn more calories. According to research, High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) that utilizes body weight exercises are highly efficient at burning calories and increasing the speed of your metabolism.
3. Keep your workout interesting. There are a variety of body weight exercises that one can do which helps reduce the “boring” factor of simply lifting weights or jogging on a treadmill.
4. Anyone can do them. It doesn’t matter your age, height, or weight. If you can move, you can complete a body weight exercise.
5. Improves balance. This is a great benefit for our elderly loved ones. Not only can body weight exercises keep them healthy but it can help reduce their risk of a fall which could potentially save their life.
6. You can do it anywhere. You don’t have to drive to the gym or go to a special area to work out. You can do body weight exercises outside, inside, at the office, or even while watching TV.
7. Reduced risk of injury. Since body weight exercises utilize your own weight and can be customized to be low-impact on your joints the chance of experiencing an injury is greatly reduced.

Another great way to reduce the stress and impact forces exercise has on your body is to utilize SmartCells Performance Training mats and Zelus insoles.

The unique SmartCells act like springs that cushion and return energy, which can reduce impact stress on joints by up to 90%* while at the same providing a safe, stable surface for workouts. *(1” thick using ATSM F355 – 10a)

The family of SmartCells Performance Training products utilizes the same technology that has long been trusted by major companies as an anti-fatigue solution for their standing workers and, in senior living settings, as a solution to keep senior citizens safe from fall-related injuries.

Available in three different colors (Black, Light Brown, and Grey) as well as three different sizes (36”X60”, 52”X60”, 52”X88”), the remarkable SmartCells Performance Training mats are low profile (1/2”) and have molded-in beveled edges. For custom applications, SATECH offers custom-sized mats as well as a wall-to-wall flooring option that is perfect for gyms and aerobics flooring.

Want to enjoy SmartCells Cushioning on-the-go?

Check out our all-new line of Zelus Insoles. Our insoles come in two styles (Simply SmartCells Cushioning and SmartCells Cushioning with arch support), and are biomechanically designed to reduce pain, improve performance and prevent future injuries. You can learn more about them at www.zelusinsoles.com.

SmartCells Performance Training: I feel good!