Category: Health and Wellness

Advice To Live By If You Want To Be Happy & Healthy

A key focus of my blog is Health/Wellness. Being happy and healthy is not a given. You have be deliberate and know the keys to live this way in our increasingly fast paced and stressful world. The following contributed post is entitled, Advice To Live By If You Want To Be Happy & Healthy.

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Feeling out of sorts and overwhelmed all the time isn’t a way to live. In this case, you may not be reaching your full potential or letting others see the best side of you.

If you’re ready for a change in a positive direction then you’ve come to the right place to learn more. Review some advice to live by if you want to be happy and healthy and not let external events and obstacles you’re facing get you down for too long. There are steps you can take to improve your situation, mood, and wellbeing so that you can begin living each day to the fullest.

Get Regular Exercise

Exercise is a great way to stay fit and will boost your mental health. There are so many benefits to working out that you should make it a part of your daily routine if possible. If you want to be happy and healthy then commit to getting regular exercise and your heart rate up by challenging yourself physically.

Limit Your Alcohol & Sugar Intake

Drinking a lot of alcohol and consuming sweets and sugar will leave you feeling sluggish and unmotivated. Ideally, you should focus on limiting your alcohol and sugar intake if you want to look and feel great. If you’re struggling to cut back on your drinking then you may want to look into getting help. There are many different causes of addiction to be aware of and reasons why you may be drinking or finding it hard to stop. You’ll be much happier and healthier when you’re in control of these substances.

Make Time for Yourself

Another piece of advice to live by if you want to be happy and healthy is to take more time for yourself. Rearrange your schedule and learn to say no to others so you can do more of what you love. Make yourself a priority and indulge in self-care activities that make you feel good and that put a smile on your face.

Get Enough Sleep

Not getting enough sleep may be leaving you feeling moody and depleting your energy levels. If you want to be happy and healthy then make it a point to get enough sleep each night. Create a relaxing and soothing bedroom to sleep in and find a calming bedtime routine that will set you up for falling asleep quickly and staying asleep. You can try marijuana or gummies to aid relaxation and sleep if that’s something you’ve been struggling with. The best delta 9 gummies can help you get better sleep each night.

Avoid News & Technology Overdose

Too much news and always being connected to your devices may be making you feel anxious. Avoid news and technology overdose if you want to be happy and healthy and free up some time in your schedule to do other activities. For example, maybe you can spend time in nature or meet up with a friend instead of scrolling through your social media feed.

Manage Your Stress

Stress can lead to many health issues both mental and physical. It’s in your best interest to manage your stress proactively if you want to be happy and healthy. This is one piece of advice you should take to heart and work on if you want to feel more relaxed and be able to concentrate better.

Top Tips For Workplace Wellness

Two focuses of my blog are Health/Wellness and Workplace Discussions. No matter which workplace you work in, you want to ensure that you’re well when you’re there as you likely spend the majority of your day there. The following contributed post is entitled, Top Tips For Workplace Wellness.

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Wellbeing is one of the most important things in life, and since we spend so much of our lives in the workplace, it follows that workplace wellbeing is an important factor. If you encounter stress, tension, or injuries in your workplace, you need to pay attention to the aches and pains today.

Choose Healthy Snacks

Whether you work in a company office or an office in your home, it’s easy to get carried away with snacks, especially if your work is mechanical. When you are working on autopilot, you might split your attention with something to eat while you type or talk through your headset.

There’s good news: you don’t have to give up your snacks at work if they help you to stay productive, but if you don’t want to gain extra weight at the same time, you need some healthy snack alternatives. Nuts are a great option because they are filling, convenient, and snackable.

Drink Adequate Water

Drinking water is a practice it’s easy to forget about, but if you suffer from fatigue in your workplace or experience an afternoon dip, you could benefit from more water in your diet. Water is useful for keeping you alert and avoiding fatigue which helps you to be more productive.

If you want to feel less tired at work and perform better, try to drink eight to ten glasses per day, this translates into around 16 ounces of water three times a day. You can buy a 16-ounce bottle to refill 3 times a day or boost your water intake by eating fruits such as oranges and grapes.

Integrate Micro Workouts

We all know that exercise is a great way to improve our health and productivity, but it’s difficult to integrate exercise into our busy working lives. If you find that you are too busy in your work and family life to head to the gym, consider micro workouts as an alternative throughout the day.

A micro workout is a short workout that increases your heart rate and burns some calories without requiring a trip to the gym. If you only have a half-hour break, you can spend 15 minutes doing some simple yoga moves to change your physical posture and reenergize you for work.

Look After Personal Wellbeing

If you work in an office or on-site, you might encounter some health and safety issues. Most workplaces give you some health and safety training to prepare you for any hazards you might encounter; still, a situation might occur that you haven’t been trained for, and you’re injured.

If you happen to be injured in your workplace, you should be eligible for a personal injury claim. So if you have recently been injured or you think you are eligible for a historic claim against your employers, contact The Law Offices of David L. Hood to talk to an expert about your case.

Relieve Workplace Tension

According to some sources, we will spend up to 50% of our waking lives chained to the office desk, so it’s important that we are comfortable and that we look after our health and wellbeing. If you work at a desk in an office or home, you might suffer from tension in your neck and back.

To avoid tension neck syndrome, make sure you are sitting straight in your chair; also, make sure your chair is adjusted to the right height and ergonomically designed. Over time you will experience neck aches, so make sure you stand now and then and perform some stretches.

Confront Eyestrain

The condition of your eyes is also a concern, especially since you are spending long periods in front of a blue screen. Eyestrain can result in fatigue, difficulty focusing, and a sensitivity to light; it can also deteriorate your eyes over time and increase the need for glasses or contact lenses.

With a few simple measures, you can avoid eyestrain and put off your need for glasses. Make sure you are sitting one arm’s length from the computer screen; you should be able to read the text on the screen without squinting. If you squint, you can always increase the size of the text.

Use Holidays Wisely

Another enemy to productivity and wellbeing is stress; this is very common in the workplace as pressure is placed on workers to meet deadlines and perform to a high standard. Stress is something that needs to be managed daily, but you also need to use your holidays wisely to ensure you are properly rested and in the best headspace to perform well in your job.

How To Protect Your Health In The Office

Two focuses of my blog are Health/Wellness and Workplace Discussions. Depending upon the workplace, there can be hazards and dangers involved no matter how miniscule. Protecting your health is thus of the utmost importance. The following contributed post is entitled, How To Protect Your Health In The Office.

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Working in an office may seem like an easy option compared to jobs that involve lots of physical activity. However, sitting at a desk for hours every day and looking at a screen can be bad for your health and wellbeing. While physical jobs such as construction and working in a factory may present more of an immediate risk to health with an increased chance of injuries, office work brings its own risks; they are just in a more subtle form.

Protecting your health should always be a priority regardless of the industry you work in and the type of job you have. Good health is precious but often taken for granted, so actively looking for ways to take the best care of your health and wellbeing is essential, even when at work. Here are some of the ways you can help to protect your health when you work in a desk job:

Take Care of Your Eyes

Eye strain is a common problem experienced by people that spend much of their time looking at screens. Looking at a screen all day can take its toll on your eyes, leaving them feeling sore, tired, and itchy. Experiencing discomfort in your eyes can impact your productivity and may continue even when you are away from the office. Luckily, you can make office work easier on your eyes. Having your eyes checked regularly is crucial when you work in an office. An eye exam could help detect any underlying issues causing you discomfort, such as undiagnosed chronic uveitis or other eye conditions and ensure you receive treatment promptly.

You may find it helpful to adjust the brightness of your screen, as lowering the brightness level can help reduce eye strain.

Look After Your Posture

Sitting down all day can cause your posture to become hunched, which can be exacerbated if you feel tense and stressed. When at your desk for long periods, you may notice pain and stiffness in your neck and lower back.

Taking care of your posture and strengthening your core can help to alleviate some of the stiffness and discomfort associated with working at a desk throughout the day. Getting up and moving away from your desk frequently should help ease any pain caused by long periods of sitting. It is also helpful to adjust your desk set up to sit in a position that encourages good posture. Adjusting the height of your screen, keeping your mouse closer to you, and using a chair with back support can all help.

Make Time for Breaks

One of the most beneficial things you can do to protect your health in the office is to take regular breaks. Rest breaks are the best way to avoid the stiffness caused by sitting in one place for too long and will also ease the eye strain caused by looking at a screen for long periods. So, stepping outside and taking a lunch break doesn’t just break up the day; it also protects your health.

How To Stay Connected As Employees: Tips And Tricks

Two focuses of my blog are Health/Wellness and Workplace Discussions. A level of wellness is at the workplace. In addition to being places to earn a living, there is an interpersonal component to them. The following contributed post is entitled, How To Stay Connected As Employees: Tips And Tricks.

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It can be challenging to stay connected as employees when we’re constantly on the go. Between work, travel, and family obligations, it seems like there’s never enough time in the day. But staying connected is essential for both our professional and personal lives. This blog post will share some tips and tricks for staying connected while on the go.

Photo by Lisa Fotios from Pexels

1) Use technology to your advantage

Several apps and websites can help you stay connected with your colleagues and clients. For example, slack is an excellent tool for keeping in touch with co-workers, and WhatsApp is perfect for staying in touch with friends and family members. Click here to see how to launch a social group using this app.

If you’re traveling for work, make sure to download the airline’s app so you can easily keep track of your flight times and gate changes. And if you’re going to be working remotely, there are a number of tools like Google Hangouts and Skype that can help you stay connected with your team.

Technology can be a great asset when it comes to staying connected, but it’s important to use it wisely. Be mindful of how often you check your email or messages and try to limit your use of technology when you’re with family or friends.

2) Make time for face-to-face interactions

In today’s digital world, it’s easy to forget the importance of face-to-face interactions. But there’s nothing like being in the same room with someone to connect genuinely.

If you can, make an effort to have face-to-face meetings with your colleagues and clients, even if it means traveling. And when you’re home, take advantage of opportunities to interact with people in person. Attend a networking event, go for coffee with a friend, or have dinner with your family.

Making time for face-to-face interactions may require some extra effort, but it’s worth it if it means staying connected with the people who matter most to you.

3) Be present in the moment

When we’re constantly on the go, it can be easy to lose track of time and start living in the future. But if we want to stay connected with our loved ones, it’s important to be present at the moment.

The next time you’re with your family or friends, put away your phone and focus on being fully present. Listen to what they’re saying, ask them questions about their lives, and really engage in the conversation. You’ll be surprised how much more connected you feel when you’re truly present in the moment.

4) Make time for yourself

It’s just as important to make time for ourselves as it is for others. When we’re constantly on the go, it can be easy to forget about our own needs. But if we want to stay connected, we need to take some time for ourselves.

Make sure you schedule some “me” time each week. Relax in a bathtub, read your favorite book, or take a walk outdoors. Take some time to recharge and rejuvenate so you can continue to give your best selves to those around you.

Staying connected can be challenging, but it’s definitely doable with these tips and tricks. Use the tools that work best for you, and don’t be afraid to experiment until you find what works best for you. And most importantly, be present at the moment and enjoy the company of those around you.

How To Stay Positive When Everything Feels Difficult

Two focuses of my blog are Current Events and Health/Wellness. When things get difficult, it is often times hard to remain hopeful. Regardless, it’s important to figure out how to do so. The following contributed post is entitled, How To Stay Positive When Everything Feels Difficult.

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The last couple of years has been a wild ride. Catastrophic bush fires in Australia, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the new administration in the White House and claims of election rigging, Brexit in Europe, climate change crises, and now, of course, the terrible situation in Ukraine. On top of that can be all the personal difficulties you are going through – health, finances, relationships, injuries which you are getting sorted with the help of this personal injury law firm and so on. So it is little wonder that people are on edge and feeling the uncertainty of the world around us, and mental health is a big issue.

Many of these events are pretty much out of our hands, but that doesn’t help when you feel scared and anxious. The main thing to remember is that you are not alone if you feel like this. It can be hard to feel optimistic with so much going on around you. However, while much easier said than done, staying positive can help you get through the more challenging times and keep your mental health on a more even keel. Here, we look at some tips to help bolster your positivity.

Image via Unsplash

Make a gratitude or happy list at the end of every day

Invite your family and friends to do the same. Maybe you could even start a private group on social media and encourage people to share theirs to brighten up everyone’s day. It just needs to be a shortlist of things that have made you feel grateful or put a smile on your face that day, from a film that you enjoyed watching to receiving a parcel in the post or enjoying a superb cup of coffee. It is essential to celebrate the joys of the smaller moments in life rather than always waiting for the big things to be happy and excited about.

Stay away from the news and social media for a short period

You should take a break if the world is becoming too much for you, and you can tell that social media and the news are having a detrimental impact on your mental health. When struggling, many people find it helpful to mute their news notifications and turn off particular keywords in their Twitter stream.

Take some time to listen to some highly upbeat music

You would be shocked at how powerful music can be. Try to remember how good music makes you feel and remind yourself of them. There are many ways to stream different playlists these days, so set up some happy ones for when you are having a terrible day. Have an impromptu dance party – they can lift the spirits and can not help but make you smile. The release of something positive into your body through music and dancing can divert you and bring you positive feelings, even if it is only a brief fix.

Communicate with your friends, even if it is only online or over the phone

When we are locked up inside and feeling the world’s weight, it is easy to lose sight of the people who care about us. However, it is possible to connect with other people in various ways, and there is nothing quite like hearing the reassuring and diverting voice of a friend to speak with to return to a more positive frame of mind. Regular voice or video talks with your pals can significantly impact your ability to remain cheerful and joyful.

Concentrate on your current hobbies or learn more

Having hobbies may altogether remove you from the real world and provide you with some much-needed momentary escape, which we all desperately need from time to time. Remind yourself of the things you appreciate and the reasons why you enjoy them; spend some quality time enjoying your hobbies; and rekindle your passions after a long period. We guarantee that having a strong passion for a particular hobby will make you feel more positive about yourself.

Declare to yourself that your being positive and happy and that today will be a fantastic day for you

Finally, think of a short slogan that you can repeat to yourself. Every morning, tell yourself that today will be a nice day and that you will look for the positives in everything. Try to put a grin on your face and be thrilled about one aspect of your day. Give yourself a compelling reason to get out of bed in the morning. Take a shower, put on a nice outfit, and make your bed. Start your day off on the right foot and strive to maintain a positive attitude.

Could Life Expectancy Actually Start Falling?

A key focus of my blog is Health/Wellness. A major consideration for all our lives is how long we expect to live. There are numerous factors affecting this today. The following contributed post is entitled, Could Life Expectancy Actually Start Falling?

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Even before the pandemic, medical professionals around the world stood aghast as statistics revealed the first decline in life expectancy for nearly two centuries. Between 2018 and 2019, life expectancy fell by 1.5 years, pushing us back to where we were in 2003, when the internet was barely five years old and Facebook hadn’t been born yet.

Increases in life expectancy continued almost unbroken since the industrial revolution. In the middle of the 19th century, life was so tough that the average man was lucky to reach the age of forty, with women not doing much better at 43. Back then, a lot of people didn’t die of old age. Instead, infectious disease, accidents and poisonings topped the list of killers.

Unfortunately, the rise in life expectancy has come to a halt. And what’s more, many of the declines look like they are set in.

Why Is Life Expectancy Faltering?

All the way back in 2013, statisticians noted that increases in life expectancy had begun to slow down. The prevailing theory at the time was that it was just a blip, but that no longer seems to be the case. It’s not just a matter of stagnation either. Today, the life expectancy for people over the age of 65 is now six months shorter than it was a decade ago, despite all the advances we’ve seen in technology.

A common claim is that humanity has reached its peak longevity, but that doesn’t appear to be the case. There are countries, like Japan, outside of the West, that continue to see rising average life expectancies. What’s more, it seems strange that countries like the US and UK would peak in the mid 2010s and then go into decline if it was solely based on biological factors.

No doubt there is an upper limit to life expectancy, but that doesn’t carry much explanatory weight.

The other leading theory is that there is something wrong with the environment. People are now living in conditions, the theory goes, that are worse for their health than they were in the past.

Modern Killers

This is a sentiment that health executive, Michael Rashid, holds to firmly. He believes that we’re caught in the middle of a perfect storm of health issues, everything from obesity to the current opioid crisis. There are so many factors ravaging our health that, as a population, sustained increases in life expectancy just aren’t possible.

Because of the influence of environmental factors, health inequality is likely to continue to get worse over time. Those who know the science of longevity and apply it in their lives will live longer, while those who can’t follow it, or ignore it, will see their lives shortened.

Lack Of Care For The Elderly

Whether the problem is societal or something solely affecting the older generations is not well known. Problems with social care for seniors appeal to be compounding pressures on life expectancy, but the data are still coming in. Increasing suicides may be another issue but, again statisticians are still trying to work out how they will affect the overall picture.

Tech Tips To Make Prioritizing Your Health

Two focuses of my blog are Health/Wellness and Technology. In increasingly digital world, technology will is innervated into everything. Taking advantage of these innovations may save your life or add to your quality of life. The following contributed post is entitled, Tech Tips To Make Prioritizing Your Health.

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Technology plays an increasingly integral role in modern healthcare and wellness. Many of us struggle to find the time to put our health first. If this scenario sounds familiar, here are some top tech tips to make prioritizing your health and wellbeing easier.

Image source: https://pixabay.com/vectors/doctor-medical-medicine-online-6727691/

Virtual consultations and appointments

During the pandemic, there has been a surge in the popularity of virtual consultations and telephone appointments. While restrictions were in place and clinics were closed or reserved for emergencies only, virtual appointments provided a safe, convenient alternative. One of the most significant benefits of virtual health services is the ease at which you can access healthcare and advice. You don’t have to worry about making your way to a health center or a hospital, you can organize an appointment or call at a time that is suitable for you, and you can dial in from home or work. You can also save time and money by cutting out travel. Another advantage is reducing anxiety. Many people get nervous about going to appointments. For some, a phone or video call is much less daunting. In this case, people may be more willing to reach out and seek advice than they would if they had to attend a consultation in person.

Prescriptions and treatments

Many of us have hectic schedules. If you work full-time or you have kids, it can be tough to find the time to go to appointments and visit pharmacies or other health facilities to pick up treatments or medicines. With apps like Benecard PBF, you can save time and effort. More and more patients are using online services to order treatments and either click and collect and arrange delivery. At the touch of a button, you can manage treatments and ensure that you can start a new course or continue treatment without any hassle at all.

Activity, diet and sleep trackers

Exercise, a healthy diet and sleep are essential for optimum mental and physical health. Studies suggest that most adults don’t do enough exercise or get enough sleep. Using trackers, such as wearable devices, can help you gain insight into your daily habits and identify areas for improvement. Count steps and active minutes, monitor your heart rate and see how many calories you burn in an average day. You can set targets to increase activity levels and gradually get fitter and stronger. You can also use devices and apps to keep a sleep record. If you’re not getting enough sleep, try to establish a routine. Go to bed and get up at the same time every day and aim for at least 7 hours of sleep per night.

Using an app to keep an eye on your diet is also a great idea. You can keep a food diary, which can help you to gain or lose weight, improve nutrition and identify shortfalls and deficiencies. Log your meals and snacks every day and analyze the nutritional information. You may find that you’re not getting enough protein or fiber, for example, or that your intake of sugar or salt is too high.

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Technology plays an influential role in modern-day healthcare. If you struggle to put your health first, why not embrace these tech tips to make life easier?

Yes, It Is Possible To Stay Fit While Having Fun!

Two focuses of my blog are Athletics/Sports and Health/Wellness. Getting and staying fit doesn’t always have to be arduous and grueling. There are ways to have fun while staying fit. The following contributed post is entitled, Yes, It Is Possible To Stay Fit While Having Fun!

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That’s the fantasy isn’t it? Being able to exercise while having fun. Fortunately, it is now easy to maintain or improve your fitness while engaging in activities that you find enjoyable, making it easy to forget that you are even exercising. This post will provide some instances of how you can accomplish this as well, so that even though you dislike exercising, you can get back in shape.

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Sports

Do you enjoy a certain sport? You should look around your neighbourhood for local teams and groups that you could join so that you can start getting back into shape again. As an example, if you enjoy football, joining a team and participating on a regular basis will quickly improve your physical fitness. Here are some additional examples of sports teams that you might be interested in participating in:

● Rugby
● Soccer
● Tennis
● Golf
● Basketball
● Netball
● Cheerleading
● Dancing
● Swimming
● Badminton
● Dodgeball

These will get your heart rate up without you even noticing. Most of them are also full-body exercises, which means that no part of your body will be left out of the action. However, if you have existing injuries, full body workouts can be difficult. For example, if you’ve injured your shoulder in the past, make sure you get physical therapy for your rotator cuff before taking part in sports that will require use of your shoulder. While gentle exercise can help, it’s best to seek advice from a professional.

Augmented Climbing Wall

This is a relatively new exercise choice on the fitness landscape. You’ve heard of wall climbing? They’re essentially rock climbing walls which enable you to get a taste of the thrill of rock climbing at a much safer level. Now, though, you can have this entire experience while also benefiting from augmentation technology. Explore the possibilities of your local augmented climbing wall builder and discover how much fun you can have. There are activities you may play while climbing, such as hitting particular objects with your hands and feet, which extends your workout while you’re having fun.

As a result, climbing walls is a terrific way to increase strength from every perspective. The muscles in your arms, legs, and core get a good workout, and you can gradually improve your endurance by pushing yourself to go faster each time.

Games

There are games that, like sports, can get your heart pumping. Consider taking a day trip to a nearby park with your family to play some games on the fields. Taking a frisbee and a soccer ball, for example, out to a huge field where you can spread out and push yourselves to not only catch the frisbee, but also be first to reach the soccer ball. This way, you’re working out your body and mind to the fullest.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to creating games, and it’s simple to develop them so that the entire family can stay in shape together. Your fitness levels will increase considerably if you challenge each other to simple games.

As you can see, staying active and having fun go hand in hand. Consider joining hobbies and sports clubs in your community. Have fun working on your fitness!

The Art of Building Better Habits

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“Building better habits isn’t a science; it’s an art because everyone builds habits differently than the other.”

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Two focuses of my blog are Creating Ecosystems of Success and Health/Wellness. One of the things that successful people do is consistently build better habits. The following guest post is entitled, The Art of Building Better Habits.

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Building better habits isn’t a science; it’s an art because everyone builds habits differently than the other. While building habits can benefit anyone, you should also aim to ditch bad habits. Starting good habits takes practice and patience with yourself. It’s not something that can happen overnight. Keep reading if you’re ready to change your life; in this article, we’ll discuss how you can start building better habits today.

Building Better Habits

Our habits define who we are and what we do. Ditching old habits and getting new ones is easier said than done. Ultimately, your habits can impact your health and happiness, so it’s never a bad time to start taking a deep look at your daily habits and determine which ones are doing you more harm than good. Here’s how you can start building better habits today.

Start Easy

There’s no reason to start off building a new habit that will be difficult for you to maintain. Instead, you should start with a habit that’s easy and simple so you can remember doing it every day. Because the most important thing you can do is stay consistent, you should start with something you can easily sustain. Your first habit should be straightforward so you know you can do it. For example, if you want to start working out more, you can make a goal to exercise for just 5 minutes a day.

Starting small gives you the ability to pick up the intensity level once your habit becomes a part of your daily routine. For example, if you want to build a better skincare routine, you can put on one moisturizer at night. After you’ve succeeded at that for a few weeks, you can start building onto your routine by adding other skincare products. By proving to yourself you can stick to a small habit, you can start to build confidence knowing you can make better choices in the future.

Understand Current Habits

Part of building better habits is understanding your current habits, especially the unhealthy ones. Let’s say that instead of working out like you know you should, you sit on the couch and watch television for a few hours after work. If this sounds like you, consider why you’d rather sit on the couch than exercise. Then, break down the habit of exercising. You might realize it’s not the habit of exercising itself that holds you back; instead, it’s the hassle of having to shower for the second time in a day. In this case, you’ve found out the reason you don’t have an exercise habit is that you don’t want to shower in the morning and at night.

Knowing this, you can think about ways to make exercising easier and eliminate what’s holding you back. In this instance, you might realize it will be less of a hassle to work out in the morning and shower before work so you can still enjoy leisure time at night.

Of course, it’s always best to start small. If you decide to start exercising in the morning, set your alarm earlier to ensure you have enough time to make it to the gym. You also shouldn’t expect yourself to be able to complete a 30-minute workout. Instead, consider the first tip and start with just a few minutes of exercise a day until you get the hang of it. It’s also a good idea to find a role model who you can look up to and get inspiration from – someone like Kevin Morgan is an excellent choice, when you consider how he’s a mentor for those who need a little extra help, as well as an elite athlete himself.

Breaking down habits can work for building just about any good habit. For example, if you want to live more sustainably, you can try to recycle one thing in your home a day until you can build on that and train your brain to recycle without thinking about it.

Plan for Failure

If you make a plan and fail to stick to it, it’s okay. Failure is inevitable when you’re trying to build better habits, especially if you’ve had the same habits for years. It’s important to learn not to feel guilty when you don’t follow through with a new habit every day. For example, if you wanted to do yoga in the morning before work and sleep in one day, instead of feeling guilty, you should recognize that your body and mind may have needed a few extra minutes of sleep more than a few minutes of yoga.

By not judging yourself, you can focus on a new plan for how to get back into a healthy habit as quickly as possible after breaking it. Having a backup plan doesn’t prevent failure, but it can help you get back on track. Here are some ideas for your plan:

● Set schedules
● Reward yourself for success
● Never punish yourself for failure

Replace Bad Habits

Instead of simply getting rid of bad habits, consider replacing them with good ones so you won’t feel like you’re missing something. For example, people who quit smoking typically find another activity, such as chewing gum, to help them stop thinking about wanting to smoke. Removing something negative and replacing it with something positive can keep you on the right track while motivating you to make healthier choices.

Know Your Triggers

If you’re trying to stop a bad habit, then you’ll need to understand what triggers your bad habits. For example, if you’re on a diet and want to stop eating junk food, it’s best to avoid stressful situations. Of course, you can’t prevent a stressful day of work, but you can understand that work might be a trigger for you so you can come up with ways to deal with the trigger, such as meditation or an adult coloring book to stimulate your creativity and reduce stress.

Celebrate Success

Rewarding yourself is one of the best ways to keep up with your good habits. You should reward yourself for any good habit you’re able to sustain. For example, if you want to start working out every day, reward yourself after the first two weeks with something you enjoy. Of course, it’s always best to keep your rewards in check. For example, if your habits revolve around your health, it might not be best to reward yourself with chocolate cake right away.

Marné Amoguis

Marné Amoguis holds a B.A. in International Business from UC San Diego. She is a contributing writer at 365businesstips.com where she loves sharing her passion for digital marketing. Outside of writing, she loves traveling, playing music, and hiking.

Is It Time To Give Up Alcohol Completely?

A key focus of my blog is Health/Wellness. While alcohol can be a bit of escape for us, it can also cause tremendous harm. If you’re pondering quitting alcohol or scaling back, there are some things you should consider. The following contributed post is entitled, Is It Time To Give Up Alcohol Completely?

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Many of us are currently taking part in ‘Dry January’. This involves not drinking alcohol for the entire month. Almost everyone can benefit from a month without alcohol. But what about giving up alcohol completely? For those with an unhealthy relationship with booze, going teetotal forever could be the better option. Below are just a few signs that it could be time to permanently give up alcohol.

Alcohol is damaging your body

You may want to consider giving up alcohol if it is starting to have noticeable effects on your health. Liver failure, heart disease and cancer are just some of the serious long-term effects of alcohol misuse. Early signs of damage could include digestive problems, high blood pressure, dry mouth, unexplained fatigue and weight loss. Giving up completely could be necessary for letting your body recover. This could lead to a longer and happier life.

Every time you drink you do things you regret

Many people lose their inhibitions when under the influence of alcohol. This can sometimes lead to regretful decisions such as neglecting important responsibilities, embarrassing oneself, spending too much money, behaving violently, endangering oneself or getting in legal trouble. If this regularly happens every time you drink, it could be a sign that alcohol does not react well with you and that you’re better off quitting completely. A healthy relationship with alcohol is being able to drink without doing things you regret.

You don’t enjoy drinking

If you don’t like the feeling of being drunk or simply don’t like the taste of alcohol, this could be another worthy reason to give up. Alcoholic beverages shouldn’t be something you feel pressured to drink – they should be something you choose to drink of your own accord. If you feel that you’re forcing yourself to drink, it could be time to admit to yourself you don’t like alcohol and to give it up completely.

How to give up alcohol completely

Giving up alcohol completely isn’t easy. Those who drink heavily on a regular basis may experience withdrawal symptoms – in such cases, professional treatment options such as rehab centers can be worth looking into. At the very least, you should consider looking into support groups or one-on-one therapy.

If there’s no physical addiction, there could still be a mental craving that is hard to overcome. Alcohol can be a big part of people’s lives and taking it away can leave a sense of emptiness. Often it can be important to find a way of filling this void by finding a healthy addiction (such as exercise, a hobby or a healthy means of stress release like listening to music).

Overcoming the social pressure to drink can also be difficult. You may want to limit time spent with people who are ‘bad influences’ who encourage you to drink. Volunteering to be the designated driver or meeting friends at places that don’t sell alcohol (such as coffee bars) could take away the social pressure to drink. Alternatively, you could try sticking to zero-alcohol substitutes.