Win a gift certificate to cut your own tree at Maple Row Farm

Win a gift certificate to cut your own tree at Maple Row Farm

Listen to Danny Lyons all this week at 12pm to win a gift certificate to cut your own tree at Maple Row Farm in Easton!

Contest Line: 800-WEBE-108

There’s no better way to usher in the holidays than by cutting your own fresh Christmas tree. It’s a tradition that your whole family will cherish. Make your Christmas memories last a lifetime.

Opening Saturday, November 22.

WEBE Wellness: Why Sleeping In Is Good For Your Health

WEBE Wellness: Why Sleeping In Is Good For Your Health

If you’re looking forward to this weekend so you can sleep in, there’s good news – it might save your life!

A new study found people who slept an hour longer on weekends versus weekdays had lower rates of heart disease. Heart attack and stroke risk decreased compared to those who woke up at their normal waking hours. This was especially true for those who slept less than 6 hours a night during the work week.

However, this won’t apply if you do get enough sleep during the week. In that case, sticking with your normal schedule was better for your health.

So, if you were up late last night to work on today’s presentation, sleeping in tomorrow may be exactly what you need.

Image Credit: demaerre / iStock / Getty Images Plus

WEBE Wellness: The Bad Side Of Coffee

WEBE Wellness: The Bad Side Of Coffee

In a new study of the most caffeinated states in the country, Connecticut is right in the middle at #27 – not too much, not too little – just enough.

And that’s where we want to be, because while an occasional cup of coffee is good for you – there’s antioxidants and the caffeine helps start your day, but too much can really harm us.

The coffee itself isn’t unhealthy – it’s a lot of what we add to it. For instance, loading it up with sugar – whether it’s the granules or syrups, toppings, or whips, can really add unwanted calories which will lead to inadvertent weight gain.

Just like the sugar, too much creamer can increase saturated fat intake – the bad kinds of fat. Try a lower fat milk if you need to lighten it.

Even if you have your coffee black, too much coffee also means too much acidity and for those of us prone to reflux it can really trigger it. And too much caffeine can cause other issues – insomnia, anxiety, agitation, stomach ache, nausea, headaches, irregular heartbeat, and many other side effects.

Really, the trick is moderation. The most caffeine you want in each day is about four 8 oz. cups.

Image Credit: amenic181 / iStock / Getty Images Plus

WEBE Wellness: Beating Zoom Fatigue

WEBE Wellness: Beating Zoom Fatigue

Over the last few years, we’ve all had to adjust at work – one of the biggest being office meetings. We’ve all become Zoom experts, you’ve got to have the right camera so people can see you, and when someone goes dark on Zoom but still is part of the meeting, you might think they’re just rude.

But they might be on to something.

Researchers investigated Zoom fatigue – being burned out on Zoom meeting after Zoom meeting. Turning your camera off might help avoid it. They looked at stress levels after Zoom meetings, and those who had their camera totally turned off experienced it far less than those who had it on the entire time.

Just knowing that you’re constantly on camera is what makes Zoom calls exhausting.

The findings showed that women and new hires experience fatigue the most, and they found that bosses shouldn’t force cameras to stay on the entire time – let employees have an option for their own benefits.

Image Credit: fizkes / iStock / Getty Images Plus

WEBE Wellness: Drink Coffee To Beat Seasonal Affective Disorder

WEBE Wellness: Drink Coffee To Beat Seasonal Affective Disorder

With the days growing short and the weather getting cold, you might be feeling the effects of Seasonal Affective Disorder. But believe it or not, there may be help – a cup of coffee.

Changes in both light and weather makes us feel more anxious, it’s harder to concentrate, we lose the motivation to exercise, and we start to feel sad in general.

But a new survey shows coffee helps with all those issues.

It helps with concentration, improves mood, and give us energy.

The big question is how much coffee do we need to feel these effects?

Well, a previous study showed that participants in a survey had a sustained improvement of mood throughout the day when they had a cup of coffee every four hours.

So, the next time someone in the office makes a Starbucks run, make sure you give them your order!

Image Credit: taa22 / iStock / Getty Images Plus

WEBE Wellness: Eat This 3x A Day To Help Your Heart

WEBE Wellness: Eat This 3x A Day To Help Your Heart

In the U.S., one out of every four deaths are caused by heart disease. Staying active and getting exercise will help against risk for cardiovascular disease, but there are some diet tricks that can help – including eating one type of food three times a day.

Whole grains.

A new study over the last 18 years has shown that three servings of whole grains per day lowered hypertension, blood pressure, bad cholesterol, and weight gain.

The research showed how whole grains give us more vital nutrients – refined grains, as found in white bread, removes the vitamins, and leaves just starch. Plus, the fiber in whole grains makes us feel full longer, preventing overeating.

So, if you’re looking to replace refined grains for whole grains, it’s an easy substitution. One serving of whole grains can be anything from a slice of bread, a half cup of oat cereal, or a half cup of brown rice. And small changes in your diet now will make a huge difference over time.

Image Credit: Pineapple Studio / iStock / Getty Images Plus