Tag: life hacks

5 Ways to Wake Up That Aren’t Your Morning Coffee

Published on by Lee1 Comment

No matter what ringtone you choose or how many times you give it to snooze, the moment your wake-up alarm goes off will always be the worst of the day, except for the delicious morning coffee that took you so long to perfect. But does it also happen to you that, no matter how many cups you drink, you cannot be 100%? Even with all the good that is coffee to scare away sleep, there are times that it is not enough (besides it is not good to drink too much in a short time).

The good news is that for those mornings, and even for those who do want to pamper yourself with your favorite coffee, you can try other effective and healthy ways to wake up your body and give it the energy it needs to complete your to-do list. Here are 5 alternative or additional ideas to your daily dose of caffeine.

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Move from head to toe

Exercising is not what we all expect after waking up, many people prefer to go to the gym in the afternoon or at night because it is probably more convenient for their lifestyle. Although that is OK, it is important when it comes to your health for you to move when you get up because, with specific stretches and postures, you stimulate blood circulation throughout your body, ergo, you start to function better.

For this, an excellent option is a mini routine of 10-15 minutes of morning yoga that makes you move each muscle. Another great benefit of this is that it is an activity that requires mindfulness concentration, which will help you manage anxiety, stress, and other situations you are going through.

Enjoy a good swim

The feeling of bathing after waking up is deli and deadly at the same time, but it always serves as an instant alarm clock. In addition, it forces you to enlist your skin, hair, body, and look, which will also give you energy for the idea that you are preparing to go out, even if you have nothing planned.

Enjoy every step, from washing your hair to applying your skincare; Those moments of care will make your body and mind wake up soft and calm, instead of rushed and abrupt. 

Eat a nutritious breakfast

No, your morning coffee does not count as a full breakfast. You know: “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day”, for nothing in the world you can skip it or make it halfway. Not only will that cause you physical and mental health problems, but it will keep you tired all day long.

If you are one of the people who do not have time to prepare a super elaborate breakfast every morning and spend half an hour or more enjoying it slowly while doing TikTok aesthetic, it is no excuse, even without showing half the world how you prepare your bowl of oatmeal and green juice, you can cook delicious dishes in minutes, or even make weekly meal prep of your breakfasts.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CZSAAUOJEZD/

Play your favorite upbeat music

Music is one of the most powerful stimuli ever, use it to your advantage! Take advantage of your subscription to Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, or any other streaming service so that, as soon as your alarm sounds, start a playlist with the songs that lift your spirits the most. On iPhone, there is a feature called “automation” where you can set this up super easy and fast.

There’s no doubt that music impacts our bodies, minds, and well-being. While slow songs tend to calm you down and help you relax, fast-tempo music can increase your heart rate, and re-energize you. So, if you’re morning is off to a slow start, playing upbeat music could help get you moving. Keep it fun by adding new ones, removing old ones, or changing the ones you want.

Share your routine

Life is better shared, right? So, if you and someone close to you get up at the same time and should be 100% on par, but both have a hard time waking up fast, how about asking them to accompany each other while they enlist? Talk on the phone, FaceTime, and write to each other; The thing is that you are motivated to wake up and try each of the above ideas (in addition to drinking your morning coffee) to see if any adds to your lifestyle.

The commitment to have an appointment scheduled with someone they love will be the best incentive they can have to generate the habit of waking up without suffering too much and, on the contrary, enjoy their mornings and start with better spirits and health every day. Goals!

Tips For Supporting Introverts When You’re An Extrovert

Published on by Lee2 Comments

Extroverts—we come in layers and all shades of intensity. If we qualify ourselves as one (because let’s be real, you can only self-identify yourself as one or not), we feel more comfortable putting our emotions and personality up at the front than our counterparts, the introverts. We like to share parts of our lives and who we are with others (for the most part) and we feel at home asking other people questions and getting into the mix. 

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And for those who don’t relate to this, that can be a lot. For introverts, it can be engaging and impressive to watch as we bound forward, in a way that seems fearless, into social situations, work events, or other vulnerable people-facing adventures. On the flip side, it can also be overwhelming to think of being that way when every fiber of who you are would fight that kind of attention or platform.

When it comes down to it, being an extrovert can feel unnatural to some. And just like holding ourselves back from certain opportunities or situations feels like a waste to extroverts, introverts may just not see it that way. This can be hard when we develop relationships, and friendships or have family members that don’t sync up with our outlook. You want to seek the world out alongside the people you love most, but how you do it can be a disagreement when finding the happy balance between these two personality types is not met.

Here are a few things to remember that could help you bridge any gaps as you face life alongside introverted personalities. 

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Use your extroverted personality to relate to introverts

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Sometimes as extroverts, since we open ourselves up to people easily, people often more easily return that gesture. This gives us an advantage in really getting to understand people better. This type of trait can build empathy, and when we are close to introverts, using that skill is crucial when making efforts to make the introverts you love feel more relaxed. Approach their perspective with empathy and it will allow you to more easily assess an introvert’s feelings.

Learn from introverts

Introverts have a lot to offer. Since they aren’t jumping into the thick of things naturally or since they are preferring to spend more time inwardly, they are usually very keen observers. Ask them questions. You will likely learn things from them that you never considered, and it will open up your mind to other ideas, perceptions, and possibilities. 

It’s OK to encourage, but don’t push

People are who they are. There is nothing wrong with being an introvert or an extrovert. One is not better than the other. Both offer wonderful things to the world. But remember there is a time and a place to encourage people to get out of their bubble, challenge and push themselves, but always be patient and respectful of their boundaries. Find that line and be mindful—that is what loving another person is, and it’s important to be respectful of it.

Take advantage of the balance

Similar to how it is OK to encourage introverts to go out of their comfort zone occasionally, let introverts remind you it’s also OK to reel it in. This balance will allow you to slow down. Enjoy it, it will help you grow as a person.

Regardless of where you fall on the spectrum of being outgoing or being more reserved, our differences are always a chance to learn, find more patience for others, learn from others and also share with others what we can teach. It is important to keep these things in mind as we learn to keep our relationships with those who we love and who are cut from a different cloth, healthy.

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Author: BEAUTYLEEBAR

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LIFE HACK: Feelings Aren’t Facts

Published on by LeeLeave a comment

Ah, feelings! Feelings are intense emotional responses we have all day every day. They are messengers; they give us valuable information so we can make decisions, understand ourselves and others, and get our needs met. 

Feelings naturally come and go if we give them space to exist, sort of like clouds passing through the sky. If we notice and accept our feelings and listen to the messages they’ve brought us, they will serve their purpose and we can use the information for our benefit.

However, we don’t want to over-identify our feelings. We want to accept our feelings and remember that they don’t define us. 

Notice the subtle, but important, the difference between feeling sad and being sad. When you start to think of yourself as a sad person (rather than a person who sometimes feels sad), you’re holding onto the feeling well beyond its usefulness. Your feelings are important, but they are only part of who you are. Feelings come and go.

Emotions are absorbed in the body in about six seconds.

Each burst of emotional chemicals, from the time it’s produced in the hypothalamus to the time it’s completely broken down and absorbed, lasts about six seconds, according to researcher Anabel Jensen.  

If we’re feeling something for longer than six seconds, we are—at some level—choosing to re-create and refuel those feelings. Sometimes that’s good—if the tiger is still chasing you, those fear chemicals are helping save your life.

Sometimes it’s not. But recognizing what emotion we are feeling, evaluating its purpose relative to our circumstances, and deciding whether to re-create it is what emotional intelligence is all about. I love to use acronyms to decide what feelings to hold on to and let go of. Here are my two favorites.

T.H.I.N.K.:

Hallmarks of overwhelming feelings include negative self-talk, reacting in the heat of the moment, over-explaining yourself, and obsessive attention to overanalyzing decisions. Before you act on your feelings, ask yourself the following:

Is it Truthful?

Is it Helpful?

Is it Insightful?

Is it Necessary?

Is it Kind?

R.A.I.N.:

R – Recognize what is happening

A – Allow life to be just as it is

I – Investigate inner experience with kindness

N – Non-identification

Recognizing means consciously acknowledging your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Allowing means letting your thoughts, emotions, feelings, or sensations simply be there. You don’t have to change, fix, or act upon anything. Rather, you acknowledge and accept that psychological pain is a part of life.

Investigating means calling on your natural curiosity—the desire for truth—and directing focused attention to your present experience. Asking, “What is happening inside me?” can initiate recognition, but the investigation is a more intentional process.

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Natural loving awareness occurs when you don’t over-identify with your feelings. This practice of non-identification means that your sense of self is not fused with any limiting emotions, sensations, or stories. You are not your mind, and you are not your emotions.

Feelings and emotions can be contagious and spread too. Another tip is to be mindful of the energy and people that you surround yourself with. We are social creatures. And because of that, we tend to pick up on each other’s emotional states. 

Ultimately, feelings can guide us toward many paths that we get to choose! So make sure you stay aware and be curious. Being mindful of your feelings is key to making sure you see that your feelings are real and they can be fleeting.

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BeautyLeeBar Favorites: Journals

Erica Spiegelman is a wellness specialist, recovery counselor, and author of the new book The Rewired Life (2018) as well as Rewired: A Bold New Approach to Addiction & Recovery(2015), the Rewired Workbook (2017), the Rewired Coloring Book (2017), all published by Hatherleigh Press. Erica holds a bachelor’s degree in literature from the University of Arizona and is a California State Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor (CADAC)-II from UCLA. For more information, visit Erica’s website or follow @Erica Spiegelman on Instagram.

The content provided in this article is provided for information purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice and consultation, including professional medical advice and consultation; it is provided with the understanding that BeautyLeeBar, LLC (“Hello Beauties”) is not engaged in the provision or rendering of medical advice or services. The opinions and content included in the article are the views of the author only, and BeautyLeeBar does not endorse or recommend any such content or information, or any product or service mentioned in the article. You understand and agree that BeautyLeeBar shall not be liable for any claim, loss, or damage arising out of the use of, or reliance upon any content or information in the article.

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APPS TO Streamline Your Life

Published on by LeeLeave a comment

Some of us may be thinking, “Oh no, I don’t need another reason to be on my phone,” and we hear you. We do. But hear us out. Where things can be complex, tech has tried its darndest to make it simple. There’s always an app for that. Here are some of our favorite apps for work, play, finances, self-improvement, and more so we can function like modern adults, but more optimally.

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Citizen

This app is excellent for safety, especially for those of us who live in a big city. Users get location-based safety alerts that can help us evade stumbling upon risky situations and know when to stay home if something dangerous is occurring in our ‘hood. 

We can access ongoing reports, leave comments and advice, and even share live videos. Their website touts “COVID-19 contact tracing, access to real-time 911 alerts, instant help from crisis responders, and safety tracking for friends and families.” If we’ve learned anything in 2020, it’s that we need more access to pro-safety apps like this.

Handy

We know what it’s like to let something broken in our home go a little too long without attention. Showering ankle-deep? Unacceptable. But easy to forget the second you step out, or block from your memory (seriously, ew). Streamline the arduous process of getting anything repaired or upgraded with the Handy app by comparing prices and hiring local contractors in your area. Services cover everything from home cleaning to a kitchen remodel, so no task is too small. 

Slack

2020 also brought us the great work-from-home era. It’s all fun and games and sweatpants until we call out to our work-wife and oh … right. Crickets. Or maybe our SO, or child. Still not what we were looking for. Save texting for fun convos and emails for attachments. Slack is the best workspace messaging app to streamline on-the-fly communication between team members. Create channels, set availability alerts, send reminders, attach files, comment, and organize all in one, without overloading your Google Drive.

Done

This app is not only great for productivity but straight-up self-improvement. It’s no secret here at BeautyLeeBar that we love optimizing for our best, healthiest selves, inside and out. Done helps us craft healthy routines by setting goals, tracking progress, and sending motivational alerts. Drop bad habits and carve out good ones by setting tangible daily, weekly, or monthly goals, and let Done be your gentle drill sergeant to hammer in the details so you can hold yourself accountable, and watch a digital paper trail of your progress. We’ll let you decide how you want to reward yourself.

Acorns

If any sort of financial jargon makes you instantly glaze over, then consider us a Krispy Kreme. It may not be our lingo, but we want in. Acorns automatically invest your chump change when you opt-in (think $1-$5) regularly, watching your portfolio for automatic balancing. But it’s not just investing in stocks. You can automatically save for retirement with recurring contributions based on your goals, employment, and income. It’s personalized and all laid out for you. You just fill in the blanks.

OfferUp

Not all our crap is total crap. Some of it is kinda worth something! Skip the pesky Craigslist ad and upload pics of your unwanted goods to the Offerup app to name your price, haggle, and get rid of things taking up space in your life, all from your phone on the couch. It’s also a great way to find amazing deals on used furniture, appliances, even cars! There is no limit to the goods you can find and sell on OfferUp.

If This Then That

The ultimate streamliner, If This Then That (IFTT) lets you connect all your services (which is what they call productivity apps like Google Assistant, Evernote, Fitbit, Twitter, Dropbox, etc.) so that you never lose track of a task, event, or goal via what they deem an “Applet.” Their example: “an Applet can sync your Amazon Alexa to-dos with your Google Calendar. Or create events in your iPhone Calendar, via Google Assistant.” If you’ve ever wished your productivity tools could talk to each other so you don’t need another app to remind you to check your apps, IFTT does that.

Headspace

After all this talk of productivity, who has time to meditate? You do. We do. Because of Headspace! What has seemed daunting in the past is now totally digestible thanks to founder Andy Puddicombe’s quest to bring his pivotal Buddhist monk experience into the daily lives of us all. We don’t have to quit our day jobs and shave our heads and take a silent retreat to embrace mindfulness and learn the major benefits of meditation first-hand. Guided meditations of all kinds and lengths can be found on the app to get us started and keep us going. 

Mint

So we’ve talked about investing, but what about just organization? Mint helps you create budgets, track spending, monitor credit and reach savings goals in one super-secure app. If you’re never sure where all your money goes by the end of the month, or want to get better at saving, or simply want to be in touch with your finances on an intimate level, this is the app that will get you there. Money can be a touchy topic that we tend to avoid, but Mint melts away that anxiety with clear-cut organization, goal setting, and encouraging clarity.

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