"$%&* Health!"
If you're one whose good with censoring yourself you probably know what the title means. If you're not good with censoring well the word begins with health. Today I want to focus on ways that you can remain healthy when you are not feeling at your best. I was inspired to write about this because last week was beyond stressful and all I wanted to do was be UNHEALTHY. Here are a few of my personal tips that I use when I'm feeling low but I don't want to hurt my health.
Catch some Zzzs!
I know this seems like a very lazy to handle everything, but it's not. If your head is pounding from stress and you just feel so through with everything, then take a nap. Taking a nap gives you time to rest your body and mind. Last week I felt awful and instead of trying to uplift myself I took a nap and felt a million times better when I woke up. Sleep can be the most rejuvenating thing in the world sometimes.
Get that body moving!
I know that when most of us are upset the last thing that we want to do is go exercise. However, less strenuous exercise can be very relaxing. When I'm feeling down I always like to light exercises such as walking, yoga, and even just simple stretching. For all of you hotheads out there (me included) kickboxing can be very rewarding if you're upset because you want to let out a little steam. Just make sure you don't hurt yourself!
Drink Tea
It seems as though that I'm always preaching about the benefits of tea. That's probably because it has so many benefits. I could sit here and go down the list of what tea does, but I'm not. The point that I want to get across on this particular entry is that tea relaxes your body and mind. It has been proven by experts that tea is very relaxing. On my down days I love to snuggle in the bed with a big cup of Kava tea. Kava tea is known to be one of the most relaxing teas in the tea world. So next time you need to just unwind, brew up a cup and chill!
Hang out with friends and family
Sometimes the people who know you the best can uplift you no matter what. I am very close with my family and I always go to them when I'm feeling down. My friends are the same exact way. Finding something fun to do with people close to you can uplift your mood greatly.Call up a friend or family member and make plans that will get you excited!
Open up a book!
If your an avid reader try cracking open a book and reading. Reading takes you out of your world and puts you in a completely different world. Not to mention the fact that your mind is getting healthier!
Stay Positive
The most effective thing that you can really do in these situations is to stay positive! If you keep telling yourself that things will get better and that this is just something that will pass it will make you feel better. Now I do not know all of you personally, but I do know that nothing lasts forever. If you're feeling depressed on the inside you have to realize that you won't always feel this way. These tips may not work for you, but try to consider them at least. I hope you all feel better or even more uplifted!
Catch some Zzzs!
I know this seems like a very lazy to handle everything, but it's not. If your head is pounding from stress and you just feel so through with everything, then take a nap. Taking a nap gives you time to rest your body and mind. Last week I felt awful and instead of trying to uplift myself I took a nap and felt a million times better when I woke up. Sleep can be the most rejuvenating thing in the world sometimes.
Get that body moving!
I know that when most of us are upset the last thing that we want to do is go exercise. However, less strenuous exercise can be very relaxing. When I'm feeling down I always like to light exercises such as walking, yoga, and even just simple stretching. For all of you hotheads out there (me included) kickboxing can be very rewarding if you're upset because you want to let out a little steam. Just make sure you don't hurt yourself!
Drink Tea
It seems as though that I'm always preaching about the benefits of tea. That's probably because it has so many benefits. I could sit here and go down the list of what tea does, but I'm not. The point that I want to get across on this particular entry is that tea relaxes your body and mind. It has been proven by experts that tea is very relaxing. On my down days I love to snuggle in the bed with a big cup of Kava tea. Kava tea is known to be one of the most relaxing teas in the tea world. So next time you need to just unwind, brew up a cup and chill!
Hang out with friends and family
Sometimes the people who know you the best can uplift you no matter what. I am very close with my family and I always go to them when I'm feeling down. My friends are the same exact way. Finding something fun to do with people close to you can uplift your mood greatly.Call up a friend or family member and make plans that will get you excited!
Open up a book!
If your an avid reader try cracking open a book and reading. Reading takes you out of your world and puts you in a completely different world. Not to mention the fact that your mind is getting healthier!
Stay Positive
The most effective thing that you can really do in these situations is to stay positive! If you keep telling yourself that things will get better and that this is just something that will pass it will make you feel better. Now I do not know all of you personally, but I do know that nothing lasts forever. If you're feeling depressed on the inside you have to realize that you won't always feel this way. These tips may not work for you, but try to consider them at least. I hope you all feel better or even more uplifted!
Challenge Accepted
All over the internet health challenges are popping up everywhere. From squatting challenges to clean eating challenges. Everyone is challenging themselves. Challenges keep your life interesting and keep you striving towards new goals in life. I have been so inspired by these goals that I've chosen to embark on a few. I've listen some of the many challenges below and I dare you to challenge yourself and do one.
The Water Challenge
This one is super easy and requires you to do nothing but fill up a cup of water and drink it. I challenge you to drink at least 8 ounces of water everyday for 30 days. Now of course you should do this everyday for the rest of your life, but you have to start somewhere. Water has numerous amounts of benefits including boosted metabolism, more energy, and it can even help to clear up your skin. I challenge you to fill up that 16oz water bottle 4 times a day and guzzle it down!
The 30 minutes a day 3 days a week challenge
This is another easy challenge that anyone can do. For 30 days I want you to dedicate yourself to doing 30 minutes of exercise 3 days a week for a month. This challenge is typically for beginners, or anyone who wants to get back on track. These exercises can vary from something as small as walking to something as advanced as running. Just get out there and do it!
Walk it out!
America is becoming more and more lazy which means they are less active. Transportation is a good thing, but it takes away time for walking. For this challenge all you will need is a pedometer, will power, and some good walking shoes. For 30 days I want you to commit yourself to walking at least 10,000 steps. Why 10,000? Well research shows that walking at least 10,000 steps a day helps you to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. This challenge is a little more advance but there are a lot of ways that you can include a bit more walking into your routine. Taking the steps instead of the elevator, parking farther away from your location, walking the dog, and even walking in place while watching television are all great ways to get up to 10,000!
If you want to look great in the heat, get in the kitchen!
In the society we live in fast food is becoming a part of our daily lives. Yes of course there are a few healthier fast food selections (subway), but nothing can compare to a home cooked meal. For just a week I challenge you to avoid fast food places and prepare your meals at home. Preparing your meals at home is far more healthier and you'll actually know what's going inside of your belly. Not to mention the fact that cooking meals at home can make great bonding time!
If you want to see more fun and beneficial challenges check out this great link below. I challenge you to dare yourself and pick a challenge. Remember, you're the only person standing in your way.
http://www.challengeloop.com/ideas/topic/health-fitness
"This whole healthy and natural mess is a bunch of $%*#@!&#."
Times have changed
How many of you out there have heard this a million times before? If you're anything like me you have. We are living in a society where people think that it is normal to ingest and cover their bodies with chemicals. What happened to actually being able to pronounce all the ingredients in our foods? Or what happened to old fashioned beauty remedies that made ladies in our history strikingly gorgeous? Sadly, times have changed and people are just now realizing that they need to revert back simpler and cleaner times.
The Economy has Changed
Many people's main excuse for not eating healthy is the fact that they think their wallets cannot handle it. However, these people are sadly mistaken. When it comes to health and fitness budgeting and creativity are everything. Due to the recent revolution to convert back to healthier times, wholesome foods and natural products are not so hard to find anymore. Similarly, we can all find free ways to stay in shape it just requires a bit of brainstorming.
We Need to Change
Many of you will look at the above header and get offended because I am telling you what to do. However, I'm telling you what your body is telling you. As a nation and a world even, we are making ourselves sick. I know that is not an easy statement to take in, but it is the truth. We are not only making ourselves sick, we are making our future generations sick. It's amazing how what we put into our body or what we put on our body can have such a huge affect on our health. Breaking a habit or including something new into your daily routine is not easy, but it can be done. There is so much information out there to help us which brings me to our next discussion.
How to Change
An unhealthy lifestyle is a hard habit to kick. In fact many have said that withdrawing from years of excessive sugar consumption is equivalent to having a drug withdrawal Luckily for us, in this day and age we have the very handy internet. There are hundreds of websites (like this one), articles, and even social networking pages that can help us along our healthy life journey. Listed below are just a few:
How to Improve Health and Live a Healthy Lifestyle: http://www.ehow.com/how_7779434_improve-health-live-healthy-lifestyle.html
How to Design a Healthy Lifestyle: http://www.ehow.com/how_136729_design-healthy-lifestyle.html
How to Stay Healthy for Life: http://www.ehow.com/how_4557211_stay-healthy-life.html
How to Stay Clean and Healthy: http://www.ehow.com/how_8383891_stay-clean-healthy.html