SYNC Blog

Connect and sync your brain to the information in our research-based articles about walking, step challenges, losing weight, health, nutrition, and more! View Article Index

inflammation-helpful-or-harmful

Inflammation: Helpful or Harmful?

Inflammation is the body’s immune response to injury, infection, or anything it sees as harmful. This process helps protect the body by activating the immune (defense) system to limit damage and support recovery. Inflammation works by fighting harmful germs, clearing away damaged or infected cells, and triggering tissue repair through a series of coordinated steps.

Read More »
anti-inflammatory-diet

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Scroll through social media and you’re likely to come across posts about the anti-inflammatory diet. So, what exactly is an anti-inflammatory diet? An anti-inflammatory diet is not a standardized or prescribed diet, but rather a pattern of healthy eating designed to help reduce inflammation and promote overall health.

Read More »
balance-training-valuable-for-all-ages

Balance Training Exercises: Valuable for All Ages 

Balance training exercises are important for all ages and fitness levels, whether you’re an athlete trying to improve performance, an individual trying to recover from an injury, or a senior trying to maintain mobility, stability, and prevent falls. Incorporating balance exercises into your routine can be beneficial at any age and fitness level.

Read More »
15-exercises-to-improve-balance

15 Exercises to Improve Your Balance

Balance exercises are important at any age and fitness level; whether you’re trying to maintain stability and mobility, rehabilitate an injury, or improve athletic performance. Balance training supports better core strength, posture, and body awareness, helping increase your ability to control and coordinate your movements.

Read More »
can-walking-help-me-sleep-better

Can Walking Help Me Sleep Better?

Can you exercise your way to better sleep? Studies suggest it’s possible. If you’re looking for a simple, accessible way to improve your sleep, walking may be one of the most effective options available.

Read More »
whats-a-good-walking-heart-rate

What’s a Good Walking Heart Rate?

Let’s talk about heart rate. What’s a good walking heart rate? Why does it matter? Your heart is a muscle, and like any muscle, it becomes stronger and more efficient when you use it. With regular exercise, your heart can pump a greater volume of blood with each beat, allowing oxygen and nutrients to reach your body more efficiently.

Read More »
family-fitness-night

Family Fitness Night

While parents and caregivers understand the importance of fitness, finding the time and motivation to get everyone moving can be a challenge. With so many ways to be active, it can be hard to know what’s best for your family. The key is to choose activities that everyone will enjoy—when exercise is fun, it’s easier to make it part of your routine for the long term.

Read More »
fitness-challenge-ideas-for-walkers

Fitness Challenge Ideas for Walkers

Need to add a little pep to your step? Creating a fitness challenge for yourself, your family, or a community or colleague group can be a great way to stay motivated. Here are some ideas for walkers – whether you want an individual, family, or group challenge.

Read More »
walking-to-school-for-exercise

Walking to School for Exercise

Kids walking to and from school is a great way to get parents and the family involved in physical activity. Children who live closer to school, and can walk to and from school, are more likely to walk to school and can get up to 48 percent of their daily recommended amount of physical activity. For others, a drop off site that allows for supervised walking of children before and after school can help increase number of steps walked.

Read More »
walking-safely

Walking Safely: Tips for Starting a Walking Routine

Walking is one of the easiest and most accessible ways to stay active—it requires no special equipment, can be done almost anywhere, and offers benefits for both physical and mental health. Whether you’re just getting started or building up your routine, staying safe while you walk is just as important as getting your steps in.

Read More »
what to wear for cold weather exercise

What to Wear for Cold Weather Exercise

Exercising in cold weather requires careful consideration of your clothing to stay both warm and dry—not only from the elements, but from your own sweat too. Here are a few tips to guide you as you navigate exercising during the cold weather months. These tips focus on the importance of proper layering and the selection of appropriate materials for inner, middle, and outer layers to ensure comfort and safety in chilly conditions.

Read More »
cardio-or-strength-training

Cardio or Strength? Which Should I Do First?

If you’re wondering how to order your workouts, you’re not alone. Many people include both cardio and strength training in their routine but aren’t sure where to start. The good news – for general fitness, there’s no single “right” order. What really matters is staying consistent, balancing types of exercise, and prioritizing your energy for the activities that align with your goals.

Read More »
step-challenge-programs-for-adults-and-youth-featured

Step into the Habit of Healthy with one of our programs!

Set up a group step challenge at your worksite, school, church, and more!

More Resources

Howdy Health Team-Based Physical Activity Programs Implementation Guide
Click or tap the image to download the PDF guide.

Articles by Category