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10 ways to trick yourself into liking exercise
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Is money a good enough incentive to get you to workout? - photo by Shaelynn Miller
Shaelynn Miller
FamilyShare
Published: Feb 16, 2017, 1:01 PM
If you dont like to workout, here are some things that might give you enough motivation to get going:

Earn money while you workout

If someone paid you to workout, would you do it? Nexercise is an app that tracks your movement and rewards you with points. And if you live in the United States, these points can turn into gift cards.

Pact is another money-making exercise app. You make a plan for eating or exercising, you track your progress and then you earn cash for meeting your goals. But be careful; you could end up losing money if you fail.

Scare yourself into it

You can download an app that will literally scare you into running. Zombies, Run! creates an environment where you have to exercise to survive. As you walk, jog or run, you collect survival items, but once the zombies are nearby, its time to pick up the pace! You can play this game outdoors or in your own home. Youll become the hero of your community as long as you keep running.

Go on a virtual adventure

If a zombie chase isnt your thing, then Teemo might be for you. This is an iPhone game where you engage in fun, playful adventures while exercising. The workouts are simple, so you can do them anytime and anywhere.

Get pumped up with your favorite songs

Everyone has a few songs that get their heart racing and make them want to get up and dance. Download your favorite tunes to your phone and get to your workout. Or you can just dance, because thats exercise, too!

Make it a game

Exercise doesnt have to be only squats and running laps. Make it fun by playing a game. Organize a baseball, basketball or soccer game with your friends. If you arent into sports, gather your friends for an afternoon of yoga. Make it a social activity, rather than viewing it as a dreaded and solitary workout session.

Play video games

Yes, you can play video games and exercise at the same time. With Superhero Workout, you can exercise while saving the world. You can complete your mission on the big screen as you challenge yourself with different exercise moves.

Mix it up

Repeating the same exercise multiple times can be dreadfully boring, and when theres no motivation, starting your workout can be a challenge. Mix it up with Seven, the app that gives you 12 exercises to do in seven minutes. This app isn't for the faint-hearted, so if you're up for an extreme workout, Seven is for you.

Did any of these ideas motivate you to exercise? Let us know!
Its toxic: New study says blue light from tech devices can speed up blindness
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A new study from the University of Toledo found that blue light from digital devices can transform molecules in your eyes retina into cell killers. - photo by Herb Scribner
Herb Scribner
Deseret News
Published: Aug 13, 2018, 1:39 PM
It turns out checking Twitter or Facebook before bed is bad for your health.

A new study from the University of Toledo found that blue light from digital devices can transform molecules in your eyes retina into cell killers.

That process can lead to age-related macular degeneration, which is a leading cause of blindness in the United States, according to the researchs extract.

Blue light is a common issue for many modern Americans. Blue light is emitted from screens, most notably at night, causing sleep loss, eye strain and a number of other issues.

Dr. Ajith Karunarathne, assistant professor in the UT Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, said our constant exposure to blue light cant be blocked by the lens or cornea.

"It's no secret that blue light harms our vision by damaging the eye's retina. Our experiments explain how this happens, and we hope this leads to therapies that slow macular degeneration, such as a new kind of eye drop, he said.

Macular degeneration is an incurable eye disease that often affects those in their 50s or 60s. It occurs after the death of photoreceptor cells in the retina. Those cells need retinal to sense light and help signal the brain.

The research team found blue light exposure created poisonous chemical molecules that killed photoreceptor cells

"It's toxic. If you shine blue light on retinal, the retinal kills photoreceptor cells as the signaling molecule on the membrane dissolves," said Kasun Ratnayake, a Ph.D. student researcher working in Karunarathne's cellular photo chemistry group. "Photoreceptor cells do not regenerate in the eye. When they're dead, they're dead for good."

However, the researchers found a molecule called alpha-tocopherol, which comes from Vitamin E, can help prevent cell death, according to Futurism.

The researchers plan to review how light from TVs, cellphones and tablet screens affect the eyes as well.

"If you look at the amount of light coming out of your cellphone, it's not great but it seems tolerable," said Dr. John Payton, visiting assistant professor in the UT Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. "Some cellphone companies are adding blue-light filters to the screens, and I think that is a good idea."

Indeed, Apple released a Night Shift mode two years ago to help quell blue lights strain on the eyes, according to The Verge. The screen will dim into a warmer, orange light that will cause less stress on the eyes.