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Happiness, Wellness, Longevity and Spiritual Health

Source: https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/wellness-longevity/

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Source: https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/wellness-longevity/

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Relaxation Techniques To Try If You Hate Meditation

Source: https://womensbrainhealth.org/great-minds-think-alike/relaxation-techniques-to-try-if-you-hate-meditation

by Noma Nazish for Forbes: Raise your hand if you are feeling overwhelmed by stress right now. Now, raise your hand if you want to make that stress go away without jumping on the meditation bandwagon. I mean, sure, practicing meditation is……

Source: https://womensbrainhealth.org/great-minds-think-alike/relaxation-techniques-to-try-if-you-hate-meditation

by Noma Nazish for Forbes: Raise your hand if you are feeling overwhelmed by stress right now. Now, raise your hand if you want to make that stress go away without jumping on the meditation bandwagon. I mean, sure, practicing meditation is……

Gratitude to Overcome Boredom, Difficulties, Complaining, & Feeling Overwhelmed

Source https://zenhabits.net/gratitude/

By Leo Babauta

As many give thanks for what’s in their lives this week, we might look at how to go deeper with gratitude.

“Gratitude” seems like a trite and even perhaps boring topic to many — we all know we should be grateful.

And yet, there are ways that we aren’t cultivating gratitude … and our lives could be much easier, even richer, if we did use gratitude in these deeper ways.

Let’s take a few examples.

Boredom

I was talking to a friend recently about how she doesn’t like to stay in stillness and quiet, because it feels boring. She realizes this probably isn’t good for her, as she often feels the need to move, to keep busy. And she’d like to learn to be more present, slow down at times.

The answer to boredom is gratitude.

Let’s think about a situation: you turn off your phone, get away from the computer, and go sit outside with no book, no device, no one to talk to, nothing to do.

You just sit there.

How useful is that? How interesting? How productive? You might answer “not at all” to these questions, and it might seem boring. But I believe that’s because we’re not 1) paying close enough attention, and 2) appreciating the gift of that moment.

If I’m sitting alone with nothing to do, I might have the urge to get up and go do something, or reach for my phone. But …

Source https://zenhabits.net/gratitude/

By Leo Babauta

As many give thanks for what’s in their lives this week, we might look at how to go deeper with gratitude.

“Gratitude” seems like a trite and even perhaps boring topic to many — we all know we should be grateful.

And yet, there are ways that we aren’t cultivating gratitude … and our lives could be much easier, even richer, if we did use gratitude in these deeper ways.

Let’s take a few examples.

Boredom

I was talking to a friend recently about how she doesn’t like to stay in stillness and quiet, because it feels boring. She realizes this probably isn’t good for her, as she often feels the need to move, to keep busy. And she’d like to learn to be more present, slow down at times.

The answer to boredom is gratitude.

Let’s think about a situation: you turn off your phone, get away from the computer, and go sit outside with no book, no device, no one to talk to, nothing to do.

You just sit there.

How useful is that? How interesting? How productive? You might answer “not at all” to these questions, and it might seem boring. But I believe that’s because we’re not 1) paying close enough attention, and 2) appreciating the gift of that moment.

If I’m sitting alone with nothing to do, I might have the urge to get up and go do something, or reach for my phone. But …

Celebrating Sussex at the Sussex Sport Awards

Source http://www.thefitbits.com/2017/11/celebrating-sussex-at-sussex-sport.html

I’m still buzzing from an awesome night at the Sussex Sport Awards last Friday – and not just because of the amazing banoffee pie we had for dessert, although it’s definitely a memory I’ll treasure forever. #banoffeeislife.

***Special big ups to our table-mates Worthing Gymnastics Club who won Sussex Club of the Year (pictured above with inspirational Invictus Games star and soon-to-be-Paralympian Mike Goody)***

I was invited to celebrate my role as This Girl Can Ambassador for Sussex and was featured in the Women In Sussex Sport presentation alongside some truly inspirational women.

I can’t describe the pride I felt standing on the same stage that so many amazing athletes, volunteers, coaches and sports organisations in our county had done that evening.

<img border="0" height=…

Source http://www.thefitbits.com/2017/11/celebrating-sussex-at-sussex-sport.html

I’m still buzzing from an awesome night at the Sussex Sport Awards last Friday – and not just because of the amazing banoffee pie we had for dessert, although it’s definitely a memory I’ll treasure forever. #banoffeeislife.

***Special big ups to our table-mates Worthing Gymnastics Club who won Sussex Club of the Year (pictured above with inspirational Invictus Games star and soon-to-be-Paralympian Mike Goody)***

I was invited to celebrate my role as This Girl Can Ambassador for Sussex and was featured in the Women In Sussex Sport presentation alongside some truly inspirational women.

I can’t describe the pride I felt standing on the same stage that so many amazing athletes, volunteers, coaches and sports organisations in our county had done that evening.

<img border="0" height=…

Rise and shine – how to love your morning workout

Source http://www.thefitbits.com/2017/11/rise-and-shine-how-to-love-your-morning.html

 

If you can hack the early alarm, there’s a special kind of glow to getting your workout done first thing.

But, let’s be honest, it does kinda suck when it first goes off, especially when it’s cold and dark outside. The snooze button will 100% come calling, but if you can refrain from hitting it and just make the first step to get out of bed, that’s the hard bit done.

It’s no secret that I’m a total morning endorphin fiend. If you follow me on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook, you’ll have probably seen me getting my AM fix at the gym or on early runs and rides over the past few months, as I’ve finally found my mojo again and got into some sort of routine since becoming a freelance writer.

On a whole, evenings just don’t fit for me workout-wise. I like my evenings for chill time with hubs, cooking and eating, going out, or blogging. Unless I’m at ho…

Source http://www.thefitbits.com/2017/11/rise-and-shine-how-to-love-your-morning.html

 

If you can hack the early alarm, there’s a special kind of glow to getting your workout done first thing.

But, let’s be honest, it does kinda suck when it first goes off, especially when it’s cold and dark outside. The snooze button will 100% come calling, but if you can refrain from hitting it and just make the first step to get out of bed, that’s the hard bit done.

It’s no secret that I’m a total morning endorphin fiend. If you follow me on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook, you’ll have probably seen me getting my AM fix at the gym or on early runs and rides over the past few months, as I’ve finally found my mojo again and got into some sort of routine since becoming a freelance writer.

On a whole, evenings just don’t fit for me workout-wise. I like my evenings for chill time with hubs, cooking and eating, going out, or blogging. Unless I’m at ho…

It's the Latest Diet Craze, But Is It Safe?

Source: https://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20171122/its-the-latest-diet-craze-but-is-it-safe?src=RSS_PUBLIC

It’s a simplified approach to eating that essentially views fruits and vegetables through the same prism as candies and soda. All that matters is the total caloric tally.

Source: https://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20171122/its-the-latest-diet-craze-but-is-it-safe?src=RSS_PUBLIC

It’s a simplified approach to eating that essentially views fruits and vegetables through the same prism as candies and soda. All that matters is the total caloric tally.

Thanksgiving Recovery

Source http://refineryfitnesspdx.com/thanksgiving-recovery/

After a five days of fun and overindulgence with my family, I am ready for a return to my regular eating patterns.  At the Refinery yesterday, one of the other members asked me how to recover after all  the holiday fun.  We both sort of laughed but  I know I need to refocus on the habits that make me feel best.  I know if I focus on the following areas, I feel energetic and ready to tackle my daily activities.

  • Eliminate or greatly reduce alcohol consumption:  For women, low risk drinking is considered no more than 3 drinks per day and for men it is less than 4 drinks per day.  Drinking taxes the liver, disrupts sleep, increase the incidence of heart disease and depression.
  • Eliminate sugar:  While many feel refined sugar tastes good with no protein, no healthy fats and no nutrients, it offers little nutritional benefit.  It is not a required part of any diet.  However, naturally occurring sugar in fruits, dairy products and complex carbohydrates is packed with vitamins and minerals and provides quick energy sources for the body and brain.
  • Focus on whole foods:  Ditch food that comes in a box or package and focus on foods that are as close to their natural form as possible.  Organic fruits, vegetables and organic, pasture ra…

Source http://refineryfitnesspdx.com/thanksgiving-recovery/

After a five days of fun and overindulgence with my family, I am ready for a return to my regular eating patterns.  At the Refinery yesterday, one of the other members asked me how to recover after all  the holiday fun.  We both sort of laughed but  I know I need to refocus on the habits that make me feel best.  I know if I focus on the following areas, I feel energetic and ready to tackle my daily activities.

  • Eliminate or greatly reduce alcohol consumption:  For women, low risk drinking is considered no more than 3 drinks per day and for men it is less than 4 drinks per day.  Drinking taxes the liver, disrupts sleep, increase the incidence of heart disease and depression.
  • Eliminate sugar:  While many feel refined sugar tastes good with no protein, no healthy fats and no nutrients, it offers little nutritional benefit.  It is not a required part of any diet.  However, naturally occurring sugar in fruits, dairy products and complex carbohydrates is packed with vitamins and minerals and provides quick energy sources for the body and brain.
  • Focus on whole foods:  Ditch food that comes in a box or package and focus on foods that are as close to their natural form as possible.  Organic fruits, vegetables and organic, pasture ra…

The 8 x 8 Challenge

Source http://www.sonima.com/fitness/workout-videos/eight-minute-workout/

We’re excited to officially launch Elev8d Fitness very soon (sign up for alerts below), and finally explain the inspiration behind the “8” in the name. Elev8d Fitness will offer hundreds of workouts featuring 88 specific exercises, all of which derived from the following 8 core movements:

1. Over: Jump over an object, such as a log, fence or bench, using your hands and arms to propel yourself forward.

2. Under: Step forward or sideways to squat as if under a low doorway or branch; the movement requires you to load your weight on alternate hip joints.

3. Around: Roll downhill on your side or move forward or sideways in circles around a stationary object, such as a table, tree, or jungle gym, in both directions. The goal is to move in a circular motion.

4. Sideways: Move laterally, in both directions, in a variety of ways, including shuffling your feet or doing crab walks.

5. Rotation: Twist your torso, such as when you swing a golf club or baseball bat.

6. Flexion: Bend your body forward at the joints, such as at the waist for sit-ups or at the knees for high-step exercises.

7. Extension: Extend your body backwards as in crab walks or a backbend.

8. Push/Pull: Use your arms to push or pull your body, such as push-ups or pull-ups.

These movements guarantee that …

Source http://www.sonima.com/fitness/workout-videos/eight-minute-workout/

We’re excited to officially launch Elev8d Fitness very soon (sign up for alerts below), and finally explain the inspiration behind the “8” in the name. Elev8d Fitness will offer hundreds of workouts featuring 88 specific exercises, all of which derived from the following 8 core movements:

1. Over: Jump over an object, such as a log, fence or bench, using your hands and arms to propel yourself forward.

2. Under: Step forward or sideways to squat as if under a low doorway or branch; the movement requires you to load your weight on alternate hip joints.

3. Around: Roll downhill on your side or move forward or sideways in circles around a stationary object, such as a table, tree, or jungle gym, in both directions. The goal is to move in a circular motion.

4. Sideways: Move laterally, in both directions, in a variety of ways, including shuffling your feet or doing crab walks.

5. Rotation: Twist your torso, such as when you swing a golf club or baseball bat.

6. Flexion: Bend your body forward at the joints, such as at the waist for sit-ups or at the knees for high-step exercises.

7. Extension: Extend your body backwards as in crab walks or a backbend.

8. Push/Pull: Use your arms to push or pull your body, such as push-ups or pull-ups.

These movements guarantee that …

The Fastest Route To Improvement

Source http://mentalitywod.com/the-fastest-route-to-improvement/

First off, I don’t think that there is such a thing as a “hard” life or an “easy” life. I think we’ll all have our own personal challenges, and we can choose how we perceive life at difficult moments, it’s not all hard or all easy. Everyone has both positive and negative experiences. That being said, the quote resonated with me, I agree with it in a lot of ways.

I believe that the quickest way for us to get healthier, better,  is to do what’s hard for us. 

That movement which doesn’t come naturally to you, spend time practicing it.

That risk you’re afraid to take, go for it.

The skill you really don’t like, hire a coach or grab a training partner to help ya.

The conversation you keep putting off, yea…that one…it’s probably best to have it.

The choice to try and see what happens, even if it’s a lot of “unknown,” go get some support and jump in.

The thing that frustrates you the most, attempt a different way of attacking it.

The decisions that come with the most fear, doubt, concern, worry, d…

Source http://mentalitywod.com/the-fastest-route-to-improvement/

First off, I don’t think that there is such a thing as a “hard” life or an “easy” life. I think we’ll all have our own personal challenges, and we can choose how we perceive life at difficult moments, it’s not all hard or all easy. Everyone has both positive and negative experiences. That being said, the quote resonated with me, I agree with it in a lot of ways.

I believe that the quickest way for us to get healthier, better,  is to do what’s hard for us. 

That movement which doesn’t come naturally to you, spend time practicing it.

That risk you’re afraid to take, go for it.

The skill you really don’t like, hire a coach or grab a training partner to help ya.

The conversation you keep putting off, yea…that one…it’s probably best to have it.

The choice to try and see what happens, even if it’s a lot of “unknown,” go get some support and jump in.

The thing that frustrates you the most, attempt a different way of attacking it.

The decisions that come with the most fear, doubt, concern, worry, d…

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