Tag Archives: exercise

Summer’s Coming! Health Tips To Prioritize

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Summer’s Coming! Health Tips To Prioritize

Now that spring has seen it’s last few days and summer is finally on its way, it’s time to talk about health. Our health matters differ from winter to summer. When the months warm up, we have certain things that we need to prioritize over others. With the sun coming out in full force and the days lasting longer, we can often focus on having fun over looking after ourselves. But, with these key areas, all you have to do is take precautionary steps now, and your health will be covered all summer long:

Protect Your Skin: When we’re exposed to the sun, our skin can suffer. So, it’s important to take a few precautionary measures before you head out for the day. Along with trying to avoid being in direct sunlight during the hottest hours of the day, you should aim to take breaks in the shade as much as possible. When your skin is exposed to the sun, regardless of how cloudy it may seem, you need to make sure that you wear sunscreen. That way, you’re protected from harmful rays and have a better chance of staying safe and sun burn free.

If you find yourself craving summer heat, but don’t want to risk burning, a trip to the sauna can help scratch that itch. There are distinctive benefits to a traditional sauna experience and one that uses infrared sauna light therapy. Explore both options to find the setting that is right for you!

Tackle Those Allergies: Having allergies can be hard during the summer months. Whether you’re suffering from a blocked nose, itchy eyes, or painful sinuses, the sooner you work on tackling your allergies, the better you will feel. Sometimes, taking a mild antihistamine is all you need. However, if you’re still suffering, then you might want to think about speaking to your doctor about the alternative options you may have, like natural remedies or surgery.

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Pretty!

Prioritize Hydration: As the weather gets warmer, we’re more likely to suffer from dehydration. What you would drink in winter may need to be increased for summer, because we tend to sweat a lot more. So if you drank four glasses of water a day on average in the winter, you might need to make that six for the summer. But everybody is different, so what ‘hydrated’ means to you might be too much or little for somebody else. Some great tips on staying hydrated can be found here in case you feel like you need an extra H2O boost.

Control Circulation: Poor circulation can happen for many different reasons, but when the weather warms up the effects can worsen. Whether you experience numbness in your legs, pain, or even a high level of fatigue, it’s time to take back control of your circulation. You may need to seek advice from your doctor, but you will often find that when you buy compression socks, you can not only promote good circulation again but ease the pain.

Get Active: Exercise is important for a balanced lifestyle. But when it comes to summer, stepping up your activity levels could not only improve your well-being, but give you more energy, too. Now that the sun is shining more, it’s time to get outside because cold winter days are no longer an excuse! Walk rather than drive and head out to enjoy nature parks around your area. Not only will you feel better for it, but you’ll also look it, too.

Summer is a time for fun, sun, and some much needed R&R. When you’re in the best health that you can be, the care free summer vibes will only be intensified!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Work Out Jams

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Work Out Jams

Hellooo everyone! So as you guys know, I’m making an attempt to get my walk/run/rawk on throughout the week and it’s going pretty good so far. If you’ve read my recent Monday Update, then you will have seen that I’ve recently started to bring my iPod with me during my excursions even though I have to carry it because no arm band. I’ve been getting my emo on more often than I care to admit during these jaunts but I feel like I enjoy myself so much more with my music playing. For that reason, I compiled some of my favorite tunes together for your listening pleasure the next time that you get your work out on. Take a looksee (and, as always, I have no rights to these songs or videos!):

Lol, so as you guys can see, I definitely go for either old school emo or fairly recent rap when I’m running and I think that this list is the most funny, random compilation ever. But hey, it really does get the job done when I’m hitting the pavement because the emo-ness gets me angsty and the rap gets me hyped and the result is a much needed extra energy boost!

Normally when I’m working out, I will just have one album playing the whole way through. For example, last night I was listening to Yelawolf’s “Trunk Muzik 0-60”. But, when I’m feeling saucy or bored as I’m running, I’ll switch up my music every so often to my inner emo kid jams or anything Kendrick Lamar because he’s my best friend in my head.

Despite my sweaty palms from having to hold my iPod while I run, it’s so worth it because my Work Out Jams definitely make for a much more enjoyable experience! What music do you listen to when you work out? What is a song that you play to get you hyped? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Monday Update: Take A Walk (Pt. 2!) Edition

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Monday Update: Take A Walk (Pt. 2!) Edition

Hiii everyone and happy Monday!! I hope that all of you had a fabulous and fun weekend. So, if you remember from last week’s Monday Update, I started *gasp* running/walking AKA rawking and it’s going okay! I’m actually feeling pretty happy because I was able to add another lap to my time at the track since last week, meaning that I am now rawking for a mile and a half.

I have still been going to the track with my mom (in fact, we just went last night), but when she can’t go, I have taken to running around my neighborhood. This is actually kind of fun because it gives me a change of scenery, especially when I venture into the neighborhood below mine. I have also decided that even though I don’t have one of those snazzy arm bands to hold my iPod in place, that I am okay with carrying my device as I run so I can have some music to keep me company.

As you guys know, I am an emo kid at heart, so my running soundtrack has consisted of a lot of AFI and My Chemical Romance. But, I also have been enjoying listening to Kendrick Lamar, Kid Cudi, and Kanye West when I’m feeling saucy. Having my music playing while rawking definitely seems to make the time go by faster and even though my hands sweat profusely while carrying my iPod, it’s been worth it!

I’m feeling really proud that I was able to add an additional lap to my little evening jaunts and my next goal is to rawk two miles within this month. Getting my pre ex-boyfriend body back is a big fat pain in the ass, but I kind of like it – so here’s to getting to the two mile mark soon!

^^^ And, as always, I have no rights to this video!

So there you have it, this week’s Monday Update: Take A Walk (Pt. 2!) Edition! How are you getting your beach body in check? What music do you listen to while working out? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Monday Update: Take A Walk Edition

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Monday Update: Take A Walk Edition

Hi everyone and happy Monday! I hope that all of you had a fantastic and relaxing weekend. So, technically, this Monday Update should be called Take A Walk/Run Edition (a rawk?) but Take A Walk sounds a bit more snazzy so we’ll just go with it. ANYWAYS, this past week, my mom decided that she would like to give walking at the nearby middle school track a go and asked if I would like to join her. Because I am a loving daughter and also because I’m trying to get my beach body in check I said, albeit a little grudgingly, “sure”. ALSO, the “comfort” few pounds gained when I was still with my ex-boyfriend are no joke so, I repeat, I really want to get my beach body in check.

So, my mom and I made our way to the track and because simply walking bores me, I thought that I would try to run as much as I could before taking a walking break. And LET ME TELL YOU, the ol’ smoker’s lungs were on FIRE. Despite this, I walked/ran (rawked) a mile and a quarter and felt pretty happy about it. Granted, it felt like pure and utter torture, but it was sort of fun? Can torture be fun? I guess the answer is YES.

My mom and I have gone to the track five times within the week during the evening and each time, I’ve been able to run a little bit longer than I was able to the last time. This is exciting to me. For those of you who don’t know, I was a competitive figure skater for a long time but gave it up when I was about sixteen (I’m 22 now). I miss doing things that involve athleticism (even though shopping is a sport, damnit), so it felt really good to be able to do something to get the blood pumping again and put my legs of steel to use.

Am I going to be the next Usain Bolt any time soon? Absolutely not. But I would be ecstatic if I could make it around the track once (which is a quarter mile) at a run without stopping to walk. It’s nice to have goals to accomplish even if they’re small and it’s also fun being able to be with my mom even if we’re just waving at each other from our different locations on the track.

I never thought that I’d say that I was actually looking forward to going for a rawk and getting sweaty, but I definitely find myself looking forward to it during the day. I even want to start hitting the ice again, although it would be just for fun. Being motivated in an athletic way for the first time in a long time feels good and I know my beach body goals will be achieved sooner or later. So here’s to bikini shopping not being a total pain this year!

^^^ As always, I have no rights to this song or video (I wish I did!!).

So there you have it, this week’s Monday Update: Take A Walk Edition! How do you plan on achieving your perfect beach bod this year? Who else enjoys a good walk, run, or rawk? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

The Health Tips Successful People Follow To Start Their Days

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The Health Tips Successful People Follow To Start Their Days

Success is one of those objective terms that can be used to measure an array of things. For example, when we say that someone is successful, we could mean that they are wealthy. But, success isn’t just about one’s net worth. It’s a way of measuring how often you get things right, regardless of the subject.

To a lot of people, success is all about leading a balanced lifestyle and one that feels fulfilling. If you’re someone that feels like they struggle to do just about anything in their life, chances are you aren’t feeling very successful as a person! What you may not realize is that the successful outcomes you want to achieve always depend on how you’ve started your day!

If you begin the day with a negative outlook, chances are you aren’t going to see any positive opportunities that come your way. With that in mind, you might want to know how to start each day fresh and in tip top form. As you can probably imagine, how you’re feeling from a health point of view will vastly influence your outlook on the day. The following health tips are ones that many successful people (wealthy or not) follow each day. Check these strategies out and try them for yourself:

Get Plenty of Sleep the Night Before: One of the secrets to having a successful day actually starts the night before! As you know, getting the right amount of sleep will help you feel fresh and get energized for the day ahead. Some people suggest seven hours of uninterrupted sleep, while others recommend eight. Try both and see which length of sleep suits your body clock better.

Surround Yourself With Soothing Lights, Colors, and Scents: When you wake up in the morning, you don’t want to be greeted by a miserable-looking bedroom. Make sure that you have soothing lights, colors, and scents enveloping you as you wake up. You may even wish to set your alarm radio to play your favorite music when it’s time to start your day.

Cleanse Your Mind and Body With Water: Having a shower first thing in the morning will further awaken your senses and leave you feeling cleansed and refreshed. It’s also a welcome ritual if it’s the middle of summer and you’ve been sweating all night from the heat!

Cut Out the Bad Morning Habits: Drinking coffee and smoking a cigarette are two bad habits that people frequently indulge themselves in to “wake up” in the morning. Coffee isn’t good because it will leave you feeling dehydrated, while smoking can leave you with a lingering tobacco aroma that some might find off putting.

Try drinking a glass of orange or fruit juice instead of coffee. You should also eat a healthy breakfast to load your body up with essential vitamins. And instead of smoking cigarettes in the morning (or anytime for that matter), consider moving to e-cigarettes instead. https://www.lizardjuice.com has more information on what they are, and how they don’t emit any lingering tobacco smoke.

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Yum!

Go For a Run: Having a quick sprint around the block or in a nearby park before you eat breakfast can motivate your metabolism. That way, you’ll burn off fat faster and feel more mentally alert. You need not run a marathon each morning; just a mere five or ten minutes of gentle jogging is enough to kick-start your metabolism.

Try Not to Multitask at Work: Last, but not least, when you eventually get to work, try not to do several tasks at once. Doing so will leave you feeling mentally drained, and you’ll be less likely to have a successful and accomplished day. Take a look at https://www.liquidplanner.com for more information on how to prioritize and manage your work each day for maximum success.

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Featured Image By: Pexels

It’s Time To Revise The Way You Revise

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It’s Time To Revise The Way You Revise

Studying up for an exam  – whether it be school, a driving test, or work-related – needn’t fill you with dread. Changing the way you prepare yourself can make it not only more enjoyable, but more effective. Here are just a few methods worth trying out to help you conquer the next big test in your life:

It’s not about the hours you put in:

No, this isn’t an encouragement to cram the night before. Revising weeks in advance is still important, but you needn’t spend hours burrowed in a textbook each day. Instead, dedicate small amounts of time each day to brush up on a few new things that you’re not as confident with. Cram in short bursts and give yourself a break and time to relax and reward your mind, then take another crack at it the next day.

Destroying the ‘fear of the unknown’:

Exam nerves are largely a fear of the unknown. However, nowadays, there are so many online tools that can better prepare you for the examination. For example, past exam papers are often easy to find online. By knowing what came the year before, you may have a better idea of what’s most likely and most unlikely to appear this year. There are also sites such as https://gradebuddy.com/ that can provide you with class and lecture notes for any of those lectures and seminars that you may have missed.

Knowing your learning style:

There are different learning styles better suited to different people. Some people revise better with others, whilst other may find this too distracting for their study style. Some people are visual learners, while others get put off by images and graphs. There are also other types of learning such as physical learning (doing practice exams, writing on sticky notes, playing revision games) and audio learners (listening to audio-guides, listening to other people). Find the learning style that best suits you, so that information gets soaked up more quickly and more effectively. Guides such as https://www.lynda.com/articles/whats-learning-style-find can help you get the best out of your individual learning style so that you can better prepare for the next big test.

Consider hiring a mentor:

When it comes to higher education, don’t be afraid to seek out professional support to help you get to grips with areas of study that you’re finding challenging. A mentor such as Alice Chang PhD may be able to help you to better understand topics that you are struggling to understand by providing personalized feedback. Make sure to work with someone who is reputable and who understands the niche subject you are revising.

Get out of the house:

If you’re just revising in your room, try a change of surroundings and see what effect it has on your output. Some people find going outdoors to be a good mental stimulation – although perhaps not on a miserable day. Libraries, coffee bars, and internet cafes can also be good places to get you feeling less confined. Make sure that there aren’t too many distractions by timing your revision periods well – going to a coffee bar during a busy lunch period might result in too much noise and a less than effective study sesh.

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Love, love, love studying outdoors.

Keep your body active:

Staying physically as well as mentally active is important when having a study session. Exercise gets the blood pumping around your body helping to circulate your brain with a fresh hit of oxygen. You don’t have to go for a jog or hit the gym – taking the time to do a few push-ups in your bedroom might be all that your body needs. There are also ways to revise as you exercise, although they may not work for all types of learners. You can listen to an audio study guide while jogging or doing a workout. Or you could work with a group of friends, throwing and catching a ball and having to answer questions each time.

Study up in small bursts and ace the next big exam that comes your way! You got this! 🙂

Featured Image By: Flickr

Technology To Keep You On Track

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When it comes to health and fitness we could all use a helping hand. Whether it’s counting calories or charting our progress, it can be difficult to keep on top of things when we’re trying to get in shape. Increasingly, the worlds of technology and fitness have been overlapping. Here’s how you could be using some clever tech to get fit just in time for summer:

Healthy Eating: There are plenty of tech gadgets that make eating healthily easier. Apps are particularly popular for those looking to lose weight. We’re told a lot about the importance of keeping a food diary and holding ourselves accountable. This is good advice but can be so difficult (and annoying!) in practice. When we cook at home or eat out it’s difficult to track our calorie and sugar intake. Not only that, but it’s a lot of work to carry around a food diary and fill it in every day.

Certain apps allow users to check their intake easily. These apps are pre-programmed with nutritional information from thousands of restaurants and recipes. Not only can you keep track of your calories, but these apps can also tell you how far away from your goal you are. They can even work out the right amount of calories you should be eating, based on your BMI. So if you’re wondering what your BMI is, then you’ll need to look into a BMI calculator online to try and figure that out (they’re free). Some apps also have features which allow you to input your workout and see how many calories you’ve burned. So handy!

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YUM!!

Quitting Your Bad Habit: It’s no surprise that people looking to increase their overall health and fitness try and cut back on any bad habits. Whether your indulgence is chocolate, alcohol, or cigarettes, it’s best to try and curb these less than healthy habits for good. The world of technology came up with vapes and e-cigarettes as an alternative aid for those looking to quit smoking. Vapes and e-cigarettes require liquid and chargers, like the ones found at Vaporesence. This aid to stopping smoking is usually used as a first step on the road to cutting down or cutting out cigarettes altogether for an ultimately healthier lifestyle.

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Pixabay Image

Lumo: Lumo is at the forefront of some pretty impressive fitness tech. Lumo Run, for instance, is a sensor that you clip onto your running shorts. The device links up to an app on your phone and gives you a post-run analysis. Along with the usual details, Lumo Run can advise you about your running form and even recommend specific personalized exercises. It measures your pelvic drop, rotation, bounce, and braking to come up with feedback on how to improve your technique for a better work out.

Lumo Lift, on the other hand, is all about great posture. Again, you attach a clip to your shirt and it will gently vibrate when you slouch or have bad posture. It can track your posture, calories burned, steps, and distances too. So get those shoulders back, but if not, let Lumo remind you! Now, straighten up!

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Go, go, go!

You’re Never That Old! How To Slow Down The Aging Process

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Most of us wouldn’t dare to admit it, but there are certain times in life where it feels good to be just that little bit smug. This could be when the work project you pushed for that no one else had any faith in comes good. Or maybe the investment that friends and family said was a waste of time actually brings you back a healthy return. The majority of people will try and hide their smugness in these kinds of situations, even if they feel pretty happy with themselves on the inside! But one thing is certain, and that is that internally, we are patting ourselves on the back and enjoying basking in a little bit of self righteousness.

Another example of this happening is when people think that you look younger than you are! We are a society that is obsessed with aging and with trying to hold the years off for as long as possible. The media plays a huge role in this. Just watch television for a matter of minutes, and you are sure to see at least one anti-aging product grace your screen in an advert. This has made much of the general public fearful of getting older and is why we praise people for looking younger than their years. On a more personal level, retaining some of your youthful features can simply be a big confidence boost, especially if your body-image is at all important to you. Of course, none of us are (regrettably) going to stay 21 forever. But there are certain things that you can do to keep an air of youth about you, even if the years are creeping up a little bit faster than you would like!

Work Out Regularly:

When it comes to working out to stay looking young, you need to first be aware of your body’s limitations. No matter how hard you try to convince yourself otherwise, you simply won’t have the physical prowess at 40 that you had at 15. Forcing yourself through hard workouts just because you used to be able to do them means you probably won’t enjoy your fitness journey all that much. Plus, you could put your body at risk of serious damage, too. A youthful body is not worth any long-term damage, so just be realistic about your expectations. All that said, working out on a regular basis obviously does have many benefits to both your physical and mental health – and can contribute to you looking younger.

You may find that as your approach middle age you put weight on more easily (this is typically known as ‘the middle-aged spread’), so you need to switch up your exercise regime to accommodate for this. You may need to simply accept that you will be a little heavier as you get older, but that doesn’t mean that you need to be ‘out of shape,’ necessarily. Change your gym routine so that you are doing more weight-based exercises, as this will help to tone up any excess fat you are carrying. You may be bigger and heavier overall, but if you are still fit and toned no one will really be able to tell that you’ve aged.

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Namaste Forever Young!

Seek Professional Help:

Sometimes the aging process isn’t all that kind to us and it can creep up on us when we least expect it. If you look down at yourself one day and don’t recognize your body as your own, it can be pretty shocking and disheartening. When this happens, you need to assess the situation and see if it is possible for you to turn back the clock on your own. Often, there is only so much that you can do with exercise and supposed ‘miracle’ products – and you could end up wasting a lot of time and money in the process of trying both of these. Instead, it might be worth finding out about Dr. David Halpern or a similar expert in both general and reconstructive surgery. Then, you can ensure that you are speaking to someone who is trained in this medical field and they will be able to offer you concise and honest advice on whether this could be the kind of route for you to go down. And, contrary to some beliefs, there is absolutely no shame in this!

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Flickr Image

Be Good To Your Skin:

Our skin is probably the biggest giveaway for our age. If you have always been plagued by oily skin, you could be in luck, however, as oily-skinned people tend to develop fewer wrinkles. Why? Well, mainly because the sebum (oil) helps to keep the skin plump and full of moisture, which in turn wards off wrinkles. People with sensitive skin or dry skin may find that they develop wrinkles earlier, or that the wrinkles they do develop are deeper or more pronounced. This can be a severe knock to your confidence and many of us end up piling our faces full of makeup to mask any lines. But this, in turn, can actually make us look older, as the makeup inevitably seeps into the lines and gives that ‘cakey’ effect.

The best thing to do if you have noticed lines and wrinkles appearing is to go back to the basics – stay out of the direct sunlight, drink lots of water, and get enough sleep! UV rays are the leading cause of aging on the skin, as they damage the DNA that makes up our skin cells. Try and stay out of the sun between 11 AM and 2 PM when it is at its lowest and always wear sunscreen. Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water a day and to get around 8 hours of sleep every night. These things might not seem like much, but adopting a healthier lifestyle can help infinitely in keeping your skin looking healthy and fresh. Have you ever noticed how dull your skin looks after a poor night’s sleep or when you’re feeling dehydrated? And finally, don’t overburden your skin with products either – find a gentle cleanser and a moisturizer that works for you and stick to that. Your skin will be radiant and you can bask in all of the compliments you will receive for looking younger than your years – smug, who?! Oh yes, me!

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Best. Eye Cream. EVER!

I’m still working on finding the Fountain Of Youth, myself, but hopefully these tips and tricks will motivate you to make some healthy changes to stay on your eternal youth A-game!

Preventing the Aging Process

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Preventing the Aging Process

A lot of us take our lives for granted, and before we know it we are at a stage where we are unable to do the things we once loved. Unless we keep at something, do it regularly, or at least have it on the brain for a bit, there is little chance that we can go back to it and pick it up just like that – and that goes for both physical and mental activities. It also sets a standard for our health and well-being, too; if you don’t take care of your body now, then you are setting yourself up for trouble in the long run. Not everything lasts forever, as much as we wish sometimes that it would. Our bodies change over time, and sometimes there is no stopping what age can bring us … but we can prevent it, if only for a little while with these steps:

Take Care Of Your Teeth: Our teeth don’t last forever. There probably isn’t a person on the planet over the age of 70 who hasn’t had at least one of their adult teeth fall out or had them taken out. With good care they can last longer than expected, but at some stage they will just give up the ghost. This is due to our life expectancy getting longer and longer – the lifespan of our gnashers simply hasn’t caught up yet. They’re still living around 2000 years ago, where you were lucky if you made it to 40 or 50.

There are things that you can do if you are worrying that your teeth have gone past the point of no return. Check in with your dentist for a thorough checkup and see what they recommend or do a bit of searching online for methods that you may want to consider, like dental implants – you can get the info from dental brush. It’s not too late to really start looking after your teeth, and they will always benefit from a good brush and floss. Some people are looking more towards interdental brushes instead of the traditional dental floss for a more precise and thorough clean. Getting yourself into a good routine with it is definitely the way to go to keep your pearly whites picture perfect.

Wake Up Early: Making the most of your day is something that most people can’t do if they sleep in. When you wake up early, you have the chance to use up more time in daylight and generally when the majority of those around you are more sociable; plus you have more chance to get errands done around you with the stores being open. Not everybody lives in an inner city where amenities are open 24/7 and, even if you do, it’s still a thing that you ought to try out. It is said that those who wake up early are the ones with the best sleep routines, and this counts for a lot in life. It means that your body is getting the amount of rest that it needs and waking you up at the same time every day, indicating a pattern that you’re getting used to.

Early risers are linked with having better grades, being more productive throughout the day, and generally being happier people. If you arise before your alarm in the morning, then you have more time to organize yourself for the day and get stuff done – there is less to distract you in the early morning, especially on the biggest time-waster of social media … barely anybody else is awake to interact! It’s also linked to having a better mood, being more sociable, and sustaining a healthier diet. With all of these benefits to go hand in hand with waking up before everyone else, what’s to lose? Give it a try and see how you feel!

Be Kind: It’s hard to get yourself into a personality habit like being kind to everyone and everything around you – especially if you haven’t done it before. It’s not something that can’t be done, it’s just something that needs time and commitment so that kindness comes naturally instead of being forced. We often find it so easy to find the negatives in everything, but sometimes you just need to look for the positives. A lot of people who work with children tend to be kinder than those who are immersed in just an adult world, as the innocence of the kids passes over and you pass it on from them. It shouldn’t be this way – as in, you shouldn’t have to be kind just because you work with the youngsters of society.

In Scandinavia, the first few school years of a child’s life are not learning about the basics of math, science, and English, but teachings of how to be nice to everybody and earn respect. They have proven time and time again, country by country, that they have the happiest nation in the world. There’s definitely something to be taken from that. Spread a bit of kindness and see how far it gets you today.

Get A Good Night’s Sleep: Getting  your recommended eight hours of sleep a day can be tough in this busy world. If you have the chance to nap during the day, take it; it all adds up to your daily total. Quite a few of us have interrupted sleep, with tossing and turning throughout the night. Make your sleep routine better by taking out of your reach anything that can distract you when you wake up for those few seconds. If you have a smartphone, leave it in another room while you rest. These are the biggest distractions and the worst things that can be near us when we’re trying to catch a good night’s rest. The brightness from the screen just by checking the time is enough to wake your body up past the stage that it’s meant to be, meaning that the effects felt in the morning from your disturbance will be exaggerated just that little bit more. That’s definitely not what you want, especially if you have a busy day ahead. Respect your sleeping pattern and it’ll do absolute wonders for you.

Drink Plenty: We are meant to be drinking eight glasses of fluid every day, each containing 8 ounces. This is known as the 8×8 rule, and as long as you stick to it relatively well, there is little chance that you will become dehydrated throughout the day. Of course, you need to factor in more fluids for if you are doing strenuous activities like working out. There are certain things that you can do to push yourself along, such as setting reminders for yourself to get a glass of water, or even investing in a water bottle that will do it for you. Once your get yourself into a routine, you’ll be wondering how you ever got through the day without it; the benefits of drinking the right amount of water are that you will feel more energized, be more focused on what you are doing, and feel less bloated throughout the day. Who can say no to that? Especially the bloated part!

Eat The Right Things: We all know what a healthy diet looks like, and if we are unsure then a quick Google or visit to your local dietician can help. So why aren’t we doing it? Unfortunately, junk food is more accessible for us and generally quicker to get on demand when we are hungry. We look for the easy option. However, this doesn’t have to be the case. If you get the food ready before your week starts by meal planning, then there is less of a chance that you will be queuing up for the drive-thru when you feel a hunger pang. This will help you not only give your body the nourishment it requires, but hopefully set a precedent for those around you, too – especially those with children.

Do Yourself Up: For most, the secret of looking young is … well … looking young! Unless you invest in cosmetic procedures, there is little that can be done to stop the signs of aging apart from a good makeover. Doing yourself up every day and putting effort into your appearance is one of the few things that you can do to give yourself a confidence boost, make yourself feel great, and keep you looking more youthful. Invest in some good quality makeup and go to town on how you want to appear; there are tutorials on Youtube which are great to follow if you’re not sure where to start.

Featured Image By: Pexels

7 Things That Make YOU Feel Special in 2017

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Hi everyone and happy Hump Day! The following is brought to you by my friend, Eve, at Garage Gym Planner. With almost three months of 2017 solidly behind us, it might be easy to fall into a bit of a mid season slump. So, read this article, take some you time, and come back to tackle the rest of your week with a vengeance!

7 Things That Make YOU Feel Special in 2017

In the modern world, it can be easy to lose sight of the big picture and forget about all of the good things in life. Everyone has periods when they feel unwanted, unneeded, and begin to wonder what they are doing with themselves. Fortunately, there are many things that you can do to make yourself feel special. Sometimes a small switch up or treat is all it takes to change your life for the better, like the following:

  1. Develop Self Care Rituals

Often, this is the simplest way to make you feel good about yourself. It is the small things that you do which count, and developing self care rituals is one of the most important parts of staying mentally healthy and making yourself feel special. Having a small, routine thing in your every day life that is designed to reinforce you and build you up can be extremely beneficial. It doesn’t matter what it involves or how you go about it: what matters is that you use it as a way to look after yourself and stay mentally healthy, no matter what.

  1. Exercise

Exercise is very closely linked to mental health. Beginning a good exercise program and exercising regularly is one of the best ways to make you feel special. One of the simplest exercises is squats. They can be completed almost anywhere, with minimal equipment, and by anyone.

The benefits of squats are huge and can include:

  • Great legs which you had previously only dreamed of having!
  • An increased blood flow to your brain, keeping you more alert and mentally healthy.
  • The generally fitter and healthier look which you have always strived for.
  1. Say No To Negativity

Feeling bad about yourself is the exact opposite of feeling special. Saying no to the things that make you feel bad is a big step on the pathway to self-development and to feeling comfortable with who you are. Unfortunately, one of the most common sources of this kind of degradation is your ‘friends’. Yes, I’m sure that you have some real friends who care about you and want to see you be successful. However, there is a high chance that you also have people around you who put you down and who make you feel like you aren’t good enough, which is a major problem.

  1. Do Something That You’re Good At

Being good at something can make you feel special and build your confidence. One of the best ways to get good at something is to get out there and try! Everyone has talents: if you don’t know what yours are, then you need to find out this year. Participating in an activity that you are good at is one of the best ways to boost your self confidence and self love.

  1. Read A Book

Reading allows you to explore worlds other than your own. You have an imagination, so use it! When you are feeling down, crack open a book and conjure a world in which you are the hero. Immerse yourself in a good book and let yourself become the main character, feeling their emotions, taking pride in their achievements, and letting this boost your morale.

  1. Dare To Be Different

Don’t conform to society’s expectations and become just another mindless business person wandering through their meaningless zombie-like life. Dare to be different and be proud of your differences. Doing so will allow you to feel special about who you are and what you are doing. Get out there and chase your dreams. Don’t get stuck in a life that you don’t enjoy. Do something that you really find fun in 2017 – even if it is a bit different.

  1. Go On An Adventure!

Who says that adventures are for kids! Your adventure can be big or small. From taking a hike on a nearby trail to going on a cross country road trip, let yourself explore. Adventures are all about getting out of your comfort zone and experiencing something new. Where can you go and what can you do to tune in to your adventurous spirit?

Thanks again to Eve at Garage Gym Planner for these seven tricks and tips to get yourself feeling special in 2017! What do you do to increase your self worth? Where is your dream place to have an adventure? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah