Considering working out in the morning?
There are plenty of benefits to doing so, including a recent study proving individuals who worked out before noon on average lost more weight than those hitting the gym after 3 p.m.
If you’re an early riser, you might consider adding your workout routine to the top of your day’s to-do list. Whether it’s running, swimming, weightlifting, or dancing, when you get your blood flowing and endorphins going, you’re guaranteed to start your day off right.
Plus, when you fully commit to a workout routine, you’ll find you feel energized, happier, and healthier — all perks you get when you stop hitting snooze five times in a row. Morning exercise, in particular, is found to increase energy, lower blood pressure, and help individuals make healthier eating choices.
Below, find out all the reasons your body will thank you for hitting the gym in the AM, not PM.

The Top Benefits of Working Out in the Morning 

With many people working from home, it’s a lot easier to roll out of bed and head straight to the living room “gym” for an at-home workout. It’s perfect since there’s no commute and no excuses to skip working out!
But, for those of you who aren’t early morning risers, it’s understandable that a morning workout isn’t your thing. But if you’re looking to start your day off with more enthusiasm, energy, and eagerness, it may be worth it to skip snooze for a sweat session.

Here are some of the best reasons to sweat early in the day:

• Sets the mood for a healthier day - If you start your day with a sweat session, you might feel inspired to continue healthy choices throughout the day. A 2018 study in the International Journal of Obesity monitored over 2,000 college students involved in a 15-week exercise program. While participants weren’t asked to change their eating habits, the ones who stuck to the workout plan ended up eating healthier anyway.
• Increased energy - Regular exercise has been proven to boost energy and minimize fatigue. Working out moves oxygen to your heart and lungs, giving your body overall more oxygen as your cardiovascular system works. Plus, it releases endorphins to raise your energy level, which may sustain you throughout the whole day.
• Reduced stress - Because getting your heart rate up releases endorphins, you can expect to feel good. If you’re feeling like a ball of nerves before a big presentation or just dealing with general work stress, consider a workout prior to heading into the office.
• Ensures it gets done - When you check off your workout first thing in the morning, you’re making it a priority to get physical activity in. Workouts can be the first to-do list item to continuously get moved to tomorrow because you run out of time to get it done. Plus, there’s always a long list of excuses — too tired, worked late, the gym closed early, etc. It also helps boost your confidence because you’ve completed a hard activity early in the day!
• Increased focus - If you need to get hyper-focused for a work meeting or make important decisions, a morning workout could help you do it. In 2019, the British Journal of Sports Medicine published a study showing morning exercise improves attention, visual learning, and decision-making skills.
• Better shut-eye - Have issues sleeping? Consider getting in an early morning workout to sleep better later on that night. One study found that adults who exercised at 7 a.m. got better sleep and more deep sleep. It also took less time to hit ZZZland.
• Lowered blood pressure - For overweight individuals, a morning exercise routine may be the answer to get blood pressure number in the normal range. Combining morning exercise with short walking breaks was found to control blood pressure, according to a study published in the American Heart Association’s Hypertension Treadmill walking in particular for 30 minutes in the morning lowered blood pressure over an eight-hour day.

Tips for Working Out in the Morning

Rising with the sun and roosters doesn’t come naturally for everyone. If you can relate, consider these tips for getting motivated to reap the benefits of morning workouts.

Sleep in your workout clothes - Sometimes it’s about removing the barriers that get in the way. If you truly want to make morning workouts a habit, cut out anything that might prevent you from creating the habit. That may just mean your workout clothes double as pajamas.

Be realistic - If you’ve never been a morning person, don’t kid yourself into thinking it’s going to be a cakewalk to wake up earlier and fit in an intense first-day-up-early workout! Start out slow and steady and maybe even slowly get your body used to waking up earlier by setting your alarm clock 15 minutes earlier for several days in a row before gradually getting up 45 minutes or an hour earlier.

Get to sleep earlier - If you’re waking up earlier to get that workout in, ensure you’re still getting enough shut-eye. Most adults need at least seven hours of sleep to function properly. If you’re waking up an hour earlier, get to bed an hour earlier to catch quality ZZZs.

Give it time to stick - This goes back to being realistic. Don’t expect to love early mornings combined with gym sessions if you never have. Remind yourself that it’s a new habit and while new habits can be tough, you can do hard things.

Preprogram your coffee maker - Motivate yourself with a cup of coffee to get going. Take advantage of your coffee or espresso maker’s timer setting so your caffeine is brewing and awaiting. Plus, coffee has great health perks, including cutting down on post-workout pains!

Find an accountability buddy - If you don’t trust yourself to get up and get sweating, find another person who is willing to dedicate mornings to workouts. An accountability partner offers motivation and encouragement for those days you’d rather just stay under the covers. 

Countdown from five - Launch yourself out of bed after a brief countdown. Motivational speaker Mel Robbins recommends counting backward from five and then physically moving your body to action. This tricks your brain into getting going, even if you aren’t feeling ready.

Buy a package of fitness classes - Sometimes investing money is the perfect incentive to get in shape. If you hate losing out on money, consider purchasing non-refundable classes at a boutique gym or an online platform to motivate yourself to rise and shine.

Get excited about breakfast - When you workout hard, you need the post-workout fuel to keep your body going. Think about what breakfast will give you a protein and carb mix that’s also healthy. An omelet with spinach and egg whites or overnight oats and a side of Greek yogurt are great options to consider!

The Desoto County Dream Center Blood Drive is THIS SATURDAY, May 1st from 10:00 A.M. - 1:30 P.M. and we're excited to have it at Trinity Health Center. In addition to the Blood Drive, the DeSoto County Dream Center will also have a bounce house for kids and the 2 Buck Grilled Cheese Truck on-hand for families who attend. 

In order to effectively uphold social distancing, appointments are strongly encouraged.

To schedule an appointment:
• Call Vitalant at 877.258.4825
• Or go to vitalant.org, CLICK DONATE NOW then ENTER sponsor code: ddc

Vitalant is also testing blood donations for COVID-19 antibodies to find potential convalescent plasma donors. • Learn more at Vitalant.org/antibodytest

In an effort to share the faces behind our organization, we're shining a spotlight on our Planning Team, Volunteers, and Board Members who have worked tirelessly to get Trinity Health Center open to provide health and healing to the working uninsured and underinsured neighbors in DeSoto County.

This week, we're spotlighting Trinity Health Center Volunteer, Gail Mays. Gail was instrumental in helping with donor management. 

What excites you most about Trinity Health Center's mission and purpose?
Serving God here on Earth.
​
What are some of your favorite places in our County to enjoy a healthy lifestyle? 
Forever Young, an active living program in Southaven, that offers a variety of activities to keep Southaven residents 60 years of age and older active within the community.

Interested in learning more? Visit the City of Southaven’s website or call 662-895-1138 or email retire@southaven.org

What is your favorite quote or bible verse?
"God is good all the time."

We are so thankful for Gail's dedication to donor management and retention for Trinity Health Center. ​

As the COVID-19 vaccine continues to be rolled out across Mississippi, there's a lot of information being made available to you. 

Trinity Health Center is hosting COVID-19 Vaccine Info Sessions for DeSoto Countians interested or hesitant about the available vaccinations. COVID-19 Vaccine Info Sessions will be held Thursday and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until noon and Fridays from 12:00 - 3:00 p.m. throughout June.

Call 662-830-3827 to schedule your appointment. You do not have to be a Trinity Health Center patient to attend an info session. There will be no vaccines given out during this info session.
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If you're interested in receiving your vaccine, they are now open to all Mississippians. Check the Mississippi Department of Health website at www.msdh.ms.gov to sign up for your vaccine.

"True silence is the rest of the mind, and is to the spirit what sleep is to the body, nourishment and refreshment." - William Penn

This #WorldSleepDay, Trinity Health Center is here to remind you how important sleep is for your health and wellness.

Sleep ensures your body is recharged and ready for the next day.

? It improves brain function, memory, and problem-solving skills.

? It also boosts immunity and lowers stress levels.

? More importantly, sleep prevents excess weight gain, diabetes, and heart disease.

Trinity Health Center has come a long way since its inception in November 2020! As a valued leader in the community, we want to treat you to lunch and let you know how we are serving the health needs of the uninsured of DeSoto County.

​You’ll see and hear the heart of Trinity Health Center as well as learn about the exciting ways your organization can be involved. We are eager to meet with area leaders and businesses to share this unique charitable opportunity!

*Click the link below to RSVP or email bcantrell@lfchurch.tv by March 4, 2021.

Health and Wellness tips for your work, home and life—brought to you by Trinity Health Center

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States.

Did you know that one person dies every 36 seconds in the United States from cardiovascular disease?

Additionally, heart disease costs the United States about $219 billion each year from 2014 to 2015. This includes the cost of health care services, medicines, and lost productivity due to death.

Learn more: https://www.trinityhealthcenter.org/news--resources/heart-disease-causes-and-prevention

Health and Wellness tips for your work, home and life—brought to you by Trinity Health Center

Heart disease is a common term for coronary artery disease. It is the number one cause of death in both men and women over the age of 60 in the United States.

Causes
Heart disease is caused by atherosclerosis—a buildup of plaque in the inner walls of the arteries—which narrows, slows or blocks the flow of blood to the heart.

Risk Factors
Controllable risk factors for heart disease include the following:

• High blood pressure
• High LDL cholesterol
• Type 2 diabetes
• Smoking
• Being overweight or obese
• Lack of physical activity
• Using illegal drugs, such as cocaine
  
  

Warning Signs
The symptoms you experience depend on the type and severity of your heart condition. Common signs and symptoms of heart disease include the following:

• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Heart palpitations
• Weakness or fatigue

Call your doctor if you begin to have new symptoms or if they become more frequent or severe.

Treatment
The goals of treatment for heart disease are to relieve symptoms, control or reduce risk factors, stop or slow further damage to the arteries, and prevent and treat cardiac events. Treatment includes several options:

• Self-care and prevention
• Medications
• Procedures to open blocked or narrowed arteries or to bypass them
• Cardiac rehabilitation

Self-care and Prevention

• You can follow a healthy lifestyle to help prevent heart disease:
• Get regular medical check-ups.
• Don’t smoke.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Take medications as prescribed.
• If you are at a higher risk for heart disease, ask your doctor about low-dose aspirin therapy.
• Watch for signs of diabetes and see your doctor if you have any symptoms.
• Follow a diet low in saturated fats, trans fats and cholesterol.
• Limit sodium intake to 1,500 to 2,400 milligrams per day.
• Exercise regularly.
• Manage stress by practicing relaxation techniques.
• Drink alcohol in moderation. Check with your doctor to find out if and how much you should drink.

In an effort to share the faces behind our organization, we're shining a spotlight on our Planning Team, Volunteers, and Board Members who have worked tirelessly to get Trinity Health Center open to provide health and healing to the working uninsured and underinsured neighbors in DeSoto County.

This week, we're thrilled to spotlight the our Board Member and Senior Pastor at New Fellowship MB Church, Pastor Andrew Miller.

Why did you become involved with Trinity Health Center?
To help provide healthcare services for those who fall in between and cannot afford the total cost of healthcare.

What excites you most about Trinity Health Center's mission and purpose?
Trinity Health Center is Christ centered and no action is taken without first praying about it. And I believe that each member has a heart for this ministry.

What are some of your favorite places in our County to enjoy a healthy lifestyle? 
The local parks and tracks in the City of Hernando.
​
What is your favorite quote or bible verse?
Philippians 4:13 (Amplified Bible) I can do all thing (which He has called me to do) through Him who strengthens and empower me (to fulfill His purpose I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace