Hugs for Health

Are you feeling down?  Did you get your hugs today?

For a long time, I didn't initiate hugging people because I didn't know how they would respond but then I just started.  I'd hug people when I'd see them in the office.  I'll admit some people found it weird but more people looked forward to my daily hugs and even started hugging other people, too.  It completely changes the mood of the office.  Try it.

I also will hug other parents at my kids sporting events.  Again, at first they don't know what to make of it but soon, they look forward to it and even seek me out to give me a hug.

Try it and let me know what your experience is with it.  I think you'll find that you are happier and the people around you are, too.  And magic begins when we are all feeling happy and loving!!

Don't forget to report back.

Enjoy Life

Don't be so intent on achieving your goals that you forget to enjoy life!  Goals are super important but too often people move through life trying to make more money and get more "stuff" but they forget to enjoy life.

Every day is a gift and no matter what you have or where you are, you CAN be happy.  Focus on what you do have and you will get more plus you'll be much happier in the process!!

Look around and see the beauty that exists.  Slow down and take a deep breath.  You are alive and you have the power to create your life the way you want it every day.  Be present.  Enjoy!

Let me know what steps you take today to stop and smell the roses!!

Kindness

To continue our February focus on love and heart health, I need to talk about kindness which is way too often underestimated.

A simple smile at or kind word to a stranger may brighten their day.  It may help them to remember they are connected to others.  It could save their life.  I have heard several stories about people who were planning their suicide but a random act of kindness, sometimes from a complete stranger, changed their outlook on life.  That not only affects that person but everyone in their life that their suicide would have impacted.

Every interaction we have has a ripple effect and we need to be aware of that so we can have a positive effect.  When you are going through the line at the grocery or department store (or anywhere), smile and make eye contact with the cashier.  Ask them how their day is going?  Make small talk - ask them about their life and watch the change on their face.  Notice the change in their energy.  You have just made their day with a simple act of kindness.  They will in turn treat the next person in line differently and the ripple begins.

Just a quick note about "bullies".  People who are feeling love do not hurt other people.  If someone is playing the role of bully it is because they are hurting and need to feel loved.  Your smile or kind words may have a bigger effect that you know.  It's easy to get mad (rippling in the wrong direction) but feeling love and compassion for them will make a much bigger difference.

It is really easy to show interest and caring for another person and it doesn't cost any money but you will both benefit more than you can imagine.

I challenge you to do at least one random act of kindness after you read this.  You'll be glad you did.  Report back and let me know what you did and how you feel.

Patience - yep, again!

I know I talk about the importance of patience a lot but it's what I need to work on and I know I'm not alone.  So often we get discouraged if things don't go exactly the way we want when we want.  Let's put a stop to that today :)

If you have a goal, it may take time to achieve that.  As you may know, I have recently taken up running.  Okay, some people would call what I do wogging.  A combination of walking and jogging but I will get better every time I get out there as long as I'm consistent and keep at it. It's easy to get discouraged and say, I can't do a marathon that will take me forever and I don't have the patience to walk it - and perhaps not the muscle strength (however, walking is a lot easier than running!)  I am basing that on my present physical condition.  But guess what, I can change that IF I have patience!!  

The same goes for any goal - weight loss is a great example, too.  Often people look at a 1 pound weight loss as nothing when they have 80 more pounds to lose but the fact is, it's a step in the right direction and with every step - no matter how small - you are getting closer to your goals!!

So my goals for today are to really ask myself what I can do for me today to bring me joy and get me closer to my goals and then listen!  Often we ask the question but when we don't have an immediate answer, we stop listening!

Take time today to be patient with yourself and take note of any progress you have made toward your goals.  It doesn't matter how small.  Write it down and celebrate yourself.  Take another action step in the right direction and applaud your courage and determination.

Enjoy your day.  Be patient and trust that all is well and you can do anything!!

10 Easy Ideas for Relaxation

When was the last time you really relaxed?  Is your mind constantly busy?  Do you ever just take time to relax and do nothing?  I don't mean do mindless activity like watch TV or sit on Facebook!  Those are not mind quieting and often, believe it or not, add to stress.  Not always and that depends on you but sometimes. Here are some ideas for relieving stress and opening yourself up to more creativity.

1. Meditate - just do it.  Guided relaxation, quieting your mind, mindfulness, following your breath, mantra.  If you don't know a lot about mediation, I'll do another blog on that.  In the meantime - you can just go to YouTube.  You'll find lots.  You don't have to even do this for a long time.  You can do a couple of minutes several times a day.  It really works!!

2. Exercise - get moving but not too hard.  If you are doing anaerobic exercise (where you can't carry on a conversation), you are actually adding to your stress level because it releases cortisol, the stress hormone.

3. Yoga.  Yes, this is exercise but I give it a category of it's own when it comes to stress relief because it is so effective.

4. Laugh - laughing is amazing for your body.  It helps reduce stress and heal on all levels.

5. Connect more.  This is really best done in person and really connecting.  Connecting on the computer really keeps us isolated since we are often alone there. Allow yourself to be with people and really be vulnerable and be a true friend.  Release judgement and connect. Every one of us is alike in many ways.  We all need love and we all have feelings and emotions.

6. Hug more.  We all need physical contact to thrive.  Hugging has so many benefits and it doesn't cost a thing! Shoot for 12 hugs minimum each day.

7. Forgive.  Forgive others and yourself.  You have to let go of anything that may have hurt you so that you can move on and that means forgiving others and yourself.  Forgiving is not condoning and is instrumental to your health.  If it seems like a stretch, start with the affirmation, "I am willing to begin to forgive."

8. Music - listen to music that makes you feel good.

9. Smile.  Smiling alone (even if you don't feel like it) releases chemicals in the brain that combat the stress hormones.  Often when a smile is returned, it makes us feel even better and further reduces our stress levels.

10. Take a relaxing bath.  Not a shower but a bath.  Allow the warm water to relax all your muscles.  Maybe turn off the lights and light some candles.  This goes perfectly with listening to relaxing music or a guided meditation.  Add some lavender and Epsom salt to make it a detox bath.  Enjoy.


If you do something special for yourself everyday, you'll notice the difference.  Let me know how it goes!!