Total Wellbeing Blog

A Balanced Life

Do you live a balanced life or is your life more hectic than ever?

Do you find that you become tired more frequently, lose patience easily, experience moodiness, and are so stressed that you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel? Do you spend less time with your friends than you would like and find that the fun has gone out of your life?  While we tend to think we can do it all, the reality is that we can't.  Many of us repeatedly forego simple pleasures, take on unnecessary burdens and, quite frankly, put other’s needs before our own. This is a recipe for ill-health, depression, and overall sadness.  It’s time to sit down and determine how to live a balanced life.

Performing selfless acts is noble, but it takes a toll we may not be aware of. There is nothing wrong with being selfish. While everyone seems to be concentrating on themselves, you are focusing on them.  The first step to a balanced life is to think about you and your needs.  If you fall apart, you won’t be of any use to anyone.  Selfishness is not defined by an inability to help others; it is the means by which you regenerate yourself by focusing on your own needs.  Simple ordinary pleasures can make a world of difference in your life such as a manicure, a day out with friends or a new outfit.

You’re mental and emotional state has more to do with the balance within than you realize.  Worry drains us; yet we often feel that we can’t seem to control it.  We tolerate many things which essentially drain our energy, leaving us feeling empty and void of feeling.  Sleepless nights ensue, and the cycle begins all over again the next day. Confront the problems head on; let the water out of the tank before it bursts open. Worry about the things you can control.

Protect your space from intruders who are intent on invading your thoughts and inner peace.  If someone is rude or makes a disparaging remark; walk away.  If a situation arises creating angst, deal with it then let it go.  Don’t let it disrupt your life by claiming it as your own. You didn’t create it, nor are you responsible for it.  Try not to solve the ills of the world or place the burden on your shoulders.  You have enough to deal with without placing unimportant needs ahead of your own.

Look in the mirror every morning and acknowledge the unique person you are and know that you deserve to put yourself first also.  Empower yourself to accomplish your most intimate goals and make time for the things that are important to you. 

Treat Colds with with Lemon Juice

The lemon has been used as a medicinal treatment since the days of ancient Rome and is a popular way to treat colds and other ailments - we still see it as a key ingredient in lots of over the counter medicines today - but why does it work so well? Let’s look at the origin of the lemon to find out.

The lemon, like any other fruit, grows on trees. The fruit does not develop from the flowers on the tree, but rather are present with the flowers. Lemons are thought to be a hybrid fruit—originating from the citron and the mandarin. Lemons have a bright yellow skin that is thick and pale yellow pulp. Lemons are hearty fruit with a strong pungent odor.

Now, let’s examine the common cold. Colds are caused by a virus that mutates. The strains of the common cold are too numerous to count which is why we catch so many.  The average person may have two or more colds per year and because the cold is caused by a virus, there is no cure. Modern medicine can only treat the symptoms.

The problem with colds is that they affect the entire body. Your cold may start with a sniffle, but it quickly progresses to sore throat, headache, chest congestion, fever, aches, sneezing, and chills. What's more, if one person in the house has a cold, everyone is sure to get a dose of it no matter how much you clean. A cold virus is highly contagious. It may take a week or two for the virus to run its course and leave your system.

Here’s where the lemon and its medicinal juices come in as a natural remedy for cold symptoms. The lemon contains over eighty percent of the daily recommended value of Vitamin C. This is from the juice of one lemon! Vitamin C has been shown to boost the immune system. When more white blood cells are present to fight infection, the life of the offending virus is cut short.

Instead of taking pills, drink lemon juice mixed with warm water and a splash of honey. The water cuts the acidity of the lemon. The honey is added for a more pleasant taste (and is full of vitamins!). Lemon juice also decreases the toxicity of the virus in the body meaning that you can reduce the pain and discomfort compared to the cold being left untreated. In effect, lemon juice shortens the duration of the cold.

Give it a try. Your body won’t be filled with medicines that leave you feeling groggy and disoriented. When you first notice cold symptoms, begin drinking the lemon mixture right away. Twice a day should provide enough Vitamin C to do the job. Compare your outcome to ones in the past when over the counter medications were used and this can help you recover the natural way.

Success Goals - One Small Step at a Time

The best way to achieve goal success is to break them down into measurable steps and the best way to achieve those steps is one at a time.

Many huge achievements take months or years of commitment and focus before they happen.  Take Neil Armstrong walking on the moon, he didn't just think “Well, I might take a walk on the moon next week”.  It took years of education; practice; knowledge, commitment and focus before he was even able to board a spacecraft, let alone walk on the moon.  The point is everyone finds it difficult to stay focused on a goal and most of us expect results far too soon.  The topsy-turvy world of self-motivation and wanting everything yesterday is evident everywhere.   

Realistic expectations and a positive attitude, combined with small action steps can make your goals more achievable.  How? You must first know and understand your goal.

Begin with one specific goal, and write it down often. It doesn’t have to be anything major; start with something simple. Put this goal in places where you will see it often. This is your first step to focusing on your commitment.  Then, break it down into small steps. 

For example: Let’s say you want to eat more healthily and begin an exercise program. Your goal is to lose 20 pounds, and be able to run two miles a day.  It’s August; you indicate a target date of February. Write it down: 20 pounds; two miles a day; February.  Focus daily on these words. Next, break it down into even smaller steps.  Cut out the processed food for natural home cooked meals; and begin running 10 minutes a day.  If in the first week, you begin to see results – your confidence will build; and you will become even more motivated to continue. 

Keep a journal. In one half of the book record your progress; in the second half of the book record the amount of running time you’ve achieved. You may not believe it, but when you write about yourself, you tend not to lie about it. 

Read your journal often. Use a red pen to write your health and exercise achievements. Even if you go off track now and then, don’t worry about it. You’re not perfect; and you don’t need that kind of pressure. Just keep going. You’re allowed a mistake every once in a while.

Finally, never give up - with each step your confidence will grow and you will get closer to your goal.  Stay focused and keep moving forward one step at a time. Reward yourself every now and then.  You deserve it! Don’t think about the end result, enjoy the journey.  If Neil Armstrong can walk on the moon then you can accomplish anything you set out to do.

Exercise Plan - Find One You’ll Stick To

We all know how important exercise is in our quest to stay healthy and that consistency is the best policy - the biggest battle is finding an exercise routine that you can stick to and don't find yourself making all sorts of excuses to get out of!   Here are some tips to help you develop an exercise plan you can stick with.

Don’t be drastic
Making an exercise plan is great, but let’s be realistic.  If you’re not a runner and try to run 5 miles a day, every day, you’ll find it hard to stick to the routine.  You should start small and make gradual increases to your exercise plan.  Start by working out 30 minutes a day, three days a week.  Once you’ve stuck to that for a few weeks, then start working out for longer periods, harder workouts, or more days.  Sure, your progress may be slower to start with, but you’re more likely to actually continue progressing.

Have some fun
Treadmills and stair machines are great ways to burn calories fast.  They’re also great ways to get bored and stop going to the gym fast.  If you’re bored and in pain, you’re much more likely to make excuses to skip your workout.  Try new things till you find something you like.  If you’re having fun while you work out, you’re much more likely to keep doing it. 

Give yourself a reward
Is there a great new outfit you want, or an electronic device you just can’t live without?  Develop a reward system for yourself, i.e. “if I stick to my workouts for two months, I can buy that outfit”.  If this doesn’t work, try smaller rewards for smaller achievements like “if I work out three times this week, I get to see a movie”.  If you find you’re rewarding yourself without achieving your goals, get someone you can depend on to hold you accountable.

Bring along a friend
People who work out with a buddy are a lot more likely to stick with an exercise plan.  If you have a workout date set up, you’ll feel bad if you cancel it, so you’re more likely to go.  You also have the benefit of a voice of encouragement pushing you along.  Lastly, having someone there to talk to will make the time fly by faster and you’ll get bored less quickly.

Mix it up
We already know that getting bored can keep you from going to work out.  Even if you really like a certain physical activity, you’ll probably still get bored with it eventually.  Instead of doing the same exercise every time, find several activities you like and alternate them.

It takes a little time to find what works for you but the benefits and feel good factor are all worth it when you find what suits you and something that motivates you!

True Friends are good for your health

We all know stress and anxiety are bad for us.  If left unchecked, these emotional problems can have serious physical effects.  We spend millions every year on yoga classes and videos, relaxation tapes, massages, spa visits, and herbal remedies, all in a bid to reduce our stress levels and live healthier lives.  The truth is, there a great and easy remedy for stress relief that costs little no money: go talk to a friend.

For years, scientists have been aware of the fight or flight response.  When we are confronted with a stressful situation, our bodies produce chemicals.  These chemicals induce us to either stand up and fight the situation, or run away.  This is how science has always viewed the situation, till now.  The problem with this theory is that it was based on research experiments using solely male subjects. 

Scientists believed that men and women responded the same way to stress; however, recent studies have shown that isn’t true.  When women are confronted with stress, we produce oxytocin, the hormone associated with bonding.  This response probably developed so a woman would protect her family instead of risking her life or abandoning them in a dangerous situation.  Nowadays it means that when women are stressed, we seek out friendship. 

The fact that we seek out friendships when we face stressful situations still doesn’t explain why these friendships help women relieve stress.  There are several aspects of friendship that help us lower our stress level.

Help in time of need 
We feel more stressed in a situation if we view it as hopeless with no way of escape.  Having a friend there who will do anything for you can make a situation seem less hopeless because we know they’ll always be there to bail us out.

Support 
We can feel less stress in our lives if we learn to look at situations positively and cope with them accordingly.  Having a friend there for support and encouragement can help force us to look on the bright side.  A friend can also help us strategize and come up with solutions about how to deal with the situation. 

Laughter
A good hard laugh has been shown to lighten our mood, release stress, and give us a more positive outlook on life.    Being around friends can help us smile and laugh, no matter how high our stress level is.

An ear to listen 
Sometimes we need to simply vent our frustrations out loud in order to feel better.  We don’t need feedback; we just need someone with an open mind to listen while we rant.  A good friend can provide this kind of support. 

So if you want to live a long, healthy, happy life, get on the phone and call up a good friend.  If you can’t call a friend, go out and make a new one.  You’ll definitely be better off for it.