Posted 4/5/2017 7:43 PM (GMT 0)
I just got an email from my medical supplement plan. I thought I'd share this with everyone and to some of you it will sound very familiar. I totally agree with this. Here it is.....
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Did you know that one of the best gifts for living a healthier life day in and day out is maintaining a positive outlook? It can work wonders, and help you stick to your healthy routine. This quick read will give you some new ideas for thinking positively. Enjoy!
Health and happiness go hand in hand. If you’re looking for a more joyful life, and a more healthy life, try some of these tips:
Get in touch with your spiritual side. Many people find great joy and peace of mind in connecting with the eternal truth and beauty of the world. This leads to optimism and the generation of positive energy which are very helpful in motivating us to live our healthiest possible lives.
Take time to meditate. Spending just a few minutes a day in quiet meditation can help you rid yourself of occasional anxious or unsettled feelings. You don’t need any special equipment. Just sit comfortably and focus on your breathing for a few minutes. The calming effects of even a very short period of mindfulness can carry over to the rest of your day and may even ease psychological stresses like anxiety, pain and depression.
Savor the moment. Let your senses delight you. Smell a fragrant flower. Watch the sun rise. Take time to enjoy the tastes and textures in each bite of a delicious meal. Hug somebody! Savoring the moment helps you to relax and to be grateful for all of the beauty around us. Which should also remind us that our bodies are a wonderful miracle that we have the obligation to take care of.
Say thanks. Expressing gratitude can give your mood a lift. You might try keeping a journal of things you’re grateful for. Or write a note to someone who’s been a positive influence in your life. It sure will make you feel better!
Laugh and play like a kid. You’d be surprised how many people forget to just laugh out loud regularly. You know best what tickles your funny bone. Maybe it’s watching funny movies; working in a coloring book; or just taking the time to play like you did when you were a child. Just be silly sometimes. Don’t you know that often laughter is the best medicine. So loosen up!!
Move to Boost Your Mood
If being cooped up in the winter makes you feel blue, one of the best ways to enhance your mood is to keep moving. Harvard Health Publications reports that exercise enhances the action of endorphins, which are chemicals that help improve mood.
Physical activity can have all sorts of beneficial effects. Research has suggested that:
Active people are less depressed than inactive people are.
Regular exercise may prevent mild to moderate depression from coming back or help keep it controlled over time.
Regular exercise often improves a person’s outlook because it offers a sense of competence and achievement, it diminishes the impact of stress, it helps take your mind off your troubles and it improves your sleep.
Since we’re talking about exercise, here are a few suggestions:
If you need help in planning and starting a new exercise routine, you might want to speak with your doctor to get some guidance about the kind of exercises that are most appropriate for you and the level of intensity that you should aim for.
Pick an activity you like. You’re more likely to stick with it if you enjoy it. Do you like to walk? Jog? Bike? Dance? Swim? Take a class? Pick the things that are most fun for you.
Remember that you don’t have to wear a special gym uniform or belong to a fancy health club. Keep it simple. Walk or jump laps around your living room or try some bicep curls with heavy canned goods while you’re waiting for your morning coffee to brew. You might be surprised at how much better even a few minutes of light exercise makes you feel.
Ask a friend to join you. I love to see good friends walking down the street or at the mall together really enjoying themselves and their exercise.
Start slowly. You have a better chance of sticking with a moderate plan than if you jump into a strenuous program right off the bat. Working out too hard actually can postpone the mood lift that often follows an exercise session. That mood-boost is rewarding, and without it, your motivation can be weakened.
Cut yourself some slack. There may be days you just don’t feel up to exercising. If you miss a day or can only do 10 minutes, that’s fine. Just get back on track the next day.
Remember the benefits. Physical activity may help improve your mood, and it can also strengthen your heart and bones, help control your weight and cut your risk for many diseases. Each time you exercise, you’re doing something positive for your health.
Remember that you don’t have to wear a special gym uniform or belong to a fancy health club. Keep it simple. Walk or jump some laps around your living room or try some bicep curls. You will be surprised …
Sherrine