 When we think about our health, we think in terms of what we're eating, what we're drinking, how much we're exercising -- but we rarely think about our health being related to what we think about. If this is not something you consider regularly, start really digging deep into the idea that your thoughts, your attitude, and your mental tone have an incredible amount of power over your health. The best place to start is with gratitude. We all have something to be grateful for, so it's the perfect place to begin. Here’s why gratitude is so essential to your health... 1. It boosts feelings of satisfaction Show your gratitude by putting it in writing. Get out your thank you cards and/or your journal and start writing. Write them to your kids’ teachers. Write one to your parents, to your spouse, your best friend. Write in your journal everything you're grateful for. Writing letters of gratitude will ensure you feel good inside and out, and you'll be spreading those good feelings to those you're writing to. 2. It builds relationships Find ways to weave in expressing gratitude for those things people do for you that you appreciate. Even if it's just your kids putting the dishes in the dishwasher for you -- express your gratitude. It will motivate them to keep doing more, and it will reduce your stress by seeing the good in things. 3. It helps your mental wellness Taking a moment to be thankful for the things you have despite the challenges is good for your mental health and well-being. Sometimes it can be hard to see the good things in life, so keep a journal if necessary and write things down. When you feel low, you can flip through it and find something to smile about. As an added bonus, it boosts more than your mood by increasing energy levels too. 4. You’ll sleep better When you find things to be grateful for instead of focusing on the negativity, it allows your mind to relax. This, in turn, leads to better sleep. Try writing a gratitude list before you go to bed to use this power to your advantage so you can fall asleep faster. 5. It can help you with your exercise too With recognition for things that you’re grateful for, you feel happier. Feeling happier gives you more energy, and hence, it will keep you feeling good about your workouts too. Sometimes the only thing we need is the motivation to START the workout, and a positive attitude helps get you there. Don't mistake this for feeling like you have to be positive 24/7. Other emotions are real, necessary, and deserve to be honored. By all means, feel your feelings and healthily work through them -- but choosing to practice gratitude daily will positively shift things. Let's start practicing now! Hit reply and let me know one thing you're grateful for today. It can be as big or as small as you want -- nothing is off limits. Can't wait to hear from you!
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 With back to school and cooler temperatures, fall is always the time of year when focusing on your health seems to be put on the back burner. You don’t have to let this busy time of year take the wind out of your sails though. There are certain things you can do to have a healthier fall for you and your family. 1. Make the most of seasonal foods We always think about apples and pumpkins in fall because it’s prime season for them. While pumpkin pie and pumpkin spice lattes aren’t so good for us, roasted pumpkin, pumpkin soup, or even mashed pumpkin is delicious and nutritious. Apples don’t need to go in pies to be sublime. Slice them up with your favorite nut butter smeared on top. Look for other seasonal foods that will do your health good, and you'll find you can easily fill your plate with seasonal foods that you'll love. 2. Prepare and protect from colds Ideally, you should do this before you notice everyone around you sniffling and sneezing. Keep your hands off your face and keep them clean. Don’t forget good rest and a proper, healthy diet will help you, too. By taking care of yourself, even if everyone else gets sick, you’ll be less likely to succumb to the germs. 3. Stay out of the candy trap Admit it. One of your favorite things about fall is Halloween. It's a blast to decorate for and see all the kids in costume, but the most significant health problem we all face for this holiday is the surplus of candy. Tempting as it is to buy that big bag and stash it away for when the trick or treaters come around, don’t do it. If you can’t resist it, don’t buy it until just before Halloween, choose something you wouldn’t eat yourself, or even better, keep the neighborhood happy and healthy by buying small sticker packs instead. There are numerous healthy Halloween options to choose from! 4. Get into the great outdoors With the colder weather, it’s nice to get outdoors and enjoy the crispness on your cheeks. It’s nice for hiking, biking, or just enjoying the change in the seasons. Staying active during the fall is an excellent way to keep your health in exceptional condition. 5. Make wise celebration choices Halloween is just the beginning. With fall comes football parties and then the holiday season where it’s an endless buffet of food, sweets, and ever-flowing libations. You don’t need to miss out on all the fun, but do choose wisely when you’re eating. At parties, fill your plate up with veggies first before sampling sweets, so you’re too full to eat more than a bite or two. By doing that, you’ll avoid gaining weight by Christmas. Don’t forget that fall should be fun, but if you fall into any of these fall pitfalls, take care and take steps to get back on track! |
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