Don’t Cut Things Too Close

19 Tuesday Feb 2013

Posted by creatingahealthylifestyle in Healthy Body

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Allowing Extra Time, Allowing Space, Arriving Calm, Creating a Healthy Lifestyle, Extra Time, Health, Healthy Body, healthy-living, Little Changes, Managing Stress, Mental health, New Habits, Running Late, Rushing and Stress, Self care, Stress, stress level

Have you noticed that when you are rushing around, barely making it where you need to be on time, that your body feels stressed? Making a mad dash or sprinting to get to work, class or an appointment on time takes a toll on our bodies. A big part of creating a healthy lifestyle and healthy body is learning to manage your stress level.

Little changes, like getting in the habit of leaving 5-10 minutes earlier than usual can make a big difference in arriving to your destination relaxed. You may also find enjoyment on your way there, feeling more at ease, noticing your surroundings and leaving more space between cars if you are driving, even if there is traffic. Leaving a bit earlier also gives you more time to find parking, again decreasing your stress level.

Love, Health & Happiness,

Phyllis

Your Body Is Talking, Are You Listening?

12 Tuesday Feb 2013

Posted by creatingahealthylifestyle in Healthy Body

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Aches and Pains, Being vs. Doing, Body Signals, Change in Mood, Creating a Healthy Lifestyle, Doing vs Being, first signs, Health, Healthy Body, Listen to your body, Major Crisis, Mental health, Messages From Our Bodies, Results Before Feelings, Signs of Stress, Stress, Your Relationship With Your Body

How closely do you listen to your body? Do you notice the first signs of stress, discomfort, minor aches and pains or a change in mood? If so, do you brush it off and press on?

Our culture has been more focused on “doing” rather than “being,” “results before feelings.” Sometimes it takes a major crisis to get us to slow down or stop and really look at how we are living our lives. We have miraculous bodies that, if we tune into them, can give us guidance and messages if only we take the time to listen.

To tune into your body’s signals try this:

1. Stop for a moment.

2. Scan your body for discomfort.

3. Tune in to how you feel.

4. Ask yourself what you need.

Often times by acknowledging the signal it will reduce the symptom and you may even get some insight into a better way of doing, being or living.

Love, Health & Happiness,

Phyllis

It Could Be As Simple As Changing The Channel

11 Monday Feb 2013

Posted by creatingahealthylifestyle in Healthy Mind

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Asking For Help, Asking for Ideas, Asking for Support, Brainstorming, Change, Changing What You Don't Like, Creating a Healthy Lifestyle, Creating Routines, Evening Routine, Health, Healthy Mind, improving your health, Making Changes, Making Major Changes, Making Minor Changes, meditation time, Morning Routine, Physical Activity, Reducing Stress, Self-Help, simple solution, Stepping Stones

If you don’t like something on TV you change the channel, and if you don’t like something in your life, little or big, why not change it too? If only it could be that simple. With a little thought, maybe it can be.

Here are some suggestions:

1. Look for a simple solution and if that is not possible, consider a variety of options and write them down.

2. Can you easily make the change all at once? Some changes are simple like moving an item that you use often to a more convenient place, or changing your morning routine or evening routine to include some physical activity, reading or meditation time.

3. Prepare for bigger changes that may take time to plan, like a job change, a move, significantly improving your health or changes that impact other people. Create “stepping-stones” to get you to your destination. If you don’t feel good about how you have been eating and want to get healthier, write down the steps necessary to get there. This may include finding healthy recipes, making a menu, making a shopping list, buying the items on the list, and preparing the meals.

4. If you don’t like something and don’t know what to do about it, consider asking someone with experience or expertise for assistance with ideas and options. Remember to also ask friends and family for support and if needed, help with carrying out your change.

Love, Health & Happiness,

Phyllis

Put Your Oxygen Mask On

11 Tuesday Dec 2012

Posted by creatingahealthylifestyle in Healthy Body, Healthy Eating, Healthy Mind

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adequate sleep, Basic Needs, Breathing, breathing exercises, Creating a Healthy Lifestyle, Eating Well, fruit vegetables, Health, Healthy Lifestyle Habits, Healthy Snacks, Meditation, Mental health, Oxygen mask, Relationships, Self care, Sleep, Water, Whole Grains

Creating a healthy lifestyle is like putting on your oxygen mask on. When we take care of our basic needs we have so much more to give, making us better partners, better parents, better friends, better employees or employers, and just better human beings.

Let’s start with breathing. Take a deep breath. Breathing is one way to calm our nervous system, reduce stress and restore clearer thinking. Meditation or breathing exercises that include slow deep breaths are like putting on an oxygen mask.

Next to breathing, eating well and often enough are vital for your body. When we get too busy it’s easy to choose something quick to eat that may not be very good for the functioning of our body. Aim for more fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and remember to hydrate with plenty of water. For snacks, apples, pears and almonds are quick and easy to eat at home, when traveling, at work, or when out and about.

Sleep is vital. In fact, it may be one of the most important things you could do for your body. Getting adequate sleep allows for regeneration, repair and healing of your cells. Sleep also affects your hormones that and regulate your body systems and everything from mood to weight.

Without your oxygen mask on you can’t respond to an emergency, yet alone daily life.

Love, Health & Happiness,

Phyllis

I Amazed Myself!

13 Thursday Sep 2012

Posted by creatingahealthylifestyle in Healthy Mind

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100th Post, Accepting Help, Creating a Healthy Lifestyle, Happiness, Health, Healthy Lifestyle, healthy-living, Inspiration, Positive Psychology, Prevention of Diet Related Diseases, Psychology, Recipes, Reversal of Diet Related Diseases in Children and Adults, rich experience

Today is my 100th post! I’ve always admired people who are creative, have experiences and information to present and are willing to share who they are. That’s not how I saw myself 99 posts ago.

I truly am amazed that I took the leap to accept help from a friend who encouraged me to start a blog when I had no experience at all with blog sites. I also had encouragement and suggestions from another friend who is an avid blog reader. I dived in and learned how to upload photos, figure out what tags are and how search engines work. Yet the biggest step I took was when I nervously clicked the “publish” button to “go live” with my first post.

I had already been researching and writing a book for families on positive psychology, prevention and reversal of diet related illnesses, and healthy living, with the hopes of one day getting published. While I have used some of what I had already written, I am in awe and love the feeling of being inspired, even if it’s at 3am., with a great idea to write about or a new recipe to create.

I appreciate all of the people who read what I post, allowing me to share a part of myself with the world while making a positive difference in the health and lives of others.

A big thanks goes to my wonderful friends Linda and Jamie, who got me started on rich experience!

Love, Health & Happiness,

Phyllis