Tag: Wellness Tips

How to Keep From Getting Emotionally Drained During the Holidays

Published on by Lee1 Comment

I wouldn’t call myself a big Kacey Musgraves fan, only because I don’t know much about her besides her iconic Met Gala 2019 look. I am, however, obsessed with all things Christmas, so I simply had to watch her special on Amazon Prime. Always a fan of new versions of my favorite holiday classics, I listened intently to the songs she selected, but one specific song struck a chord (pun intended). Amidst Let it Snow and Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree, Kacey sang Christmas Makes Me Cry. And full disclosure, it kinda did make me cry.

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Here’s the truth: while the holidays are undoubtedly the most wonderful time of the year, it can also feel stressed, lonely, and yes, even make you cry. Sure, spending time with loved ones is great, giving feels good, and Elisa & Marcela is the best movie of all time. However, all of the parties, the shopping, and the questions from nosy aunts about when you’re getting married/having children/settling down can get draining.

Now is the part in the story where I burst out into a rendition of Where Are You Christmas as I contemplate what has happened to the true meaning à la Cindy Lou Who. I’ll spare you from my awful singing voice (ask my coworkers!), and instead, give you tips so you can enjoy the holidays. If all you want for Christmas is an uninterrupted nap, here are seven ways to avoid getting emotionally drained this season.

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Keep up the parts of your daily routine that make you feel good

When it comes to your consistent daily routine, make a list of the non-negotiable: does exercising every day keep you from getting stressed out? Does a morning meditation center you, or a strict 10:30 pm bedtime makes you feel like yourself the next day? Whatever the most important part of your daily routine is, make sure you stick to it.

Prioritize “recharge” time

Even if you’re a self-diagnosed extrovert through and through, we all need alone time to recharge and gain energy or find peace. Stay in for a night if you feel like you’re starting to dread what’s on your calendar, or push back dinner plans to take a relaxing bath. Even if you’re visiting family and feel like you have no space, try to wake up a little earlier than everyone else to go for a run or read in a quiet place.

Determine what about the holidays makes you happy

We all have lots of traditions and plans that we want to fit in each holiday season, but very few of these things on our to-do lists make us happy. Make a list of your top goals for the season. Is it to spend time with family members you don’t get to see often? Is it to contribute to your community or help those in need? Is it to make memories with your children? For the next few weeks, keep your goals in mind and only say yes to the events, invitations, and traditions that help you reach those goals. Permit yourself to let go of everything else.

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Buy presents in bulk

For all of your coworkers, kids’ teachers, and party hosts, have a go-to gift on hand that you buy in advance, so you don’t have to spend too much time and energy shopping for each person or gift exchange. Save the long lines, big crowds, and steep prices for the closest loved ones in your life. Planning will also help you stick to a budget, reducing money stress that usually comes as the season goes on.

Eat, drink, and be merry… intuitively

The mind and body are inextricably linked. Yes, it’s important to give yourself proper nourishment (mindful eating is the key!), but the guilt you put on yourself is worse for your body than any peppermint stick or cheese soufflé could be. There will be a lot of indulgences this season, and you should not feel guilty for sipping on eggnog or having a slice of grandma’s pecan pie. Enjoy the “worth-it moments” that represent traditions or bring you closer to loved ones. Stop eating when you’re no longer hungry, listen to what your body needs, and put some leafy greens next to the mashed potatoes and casserole on your plate.

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Rethink your expectations

One reason that the season can feel draining is that it seems so “magical” and hyped up that it very rarely lives up to expectations. Maybe you pictured being in love this time of year and are single, or you envisioned a perfect Christmas Eve dinner, but your cousins fought the whole time, or maybe you didn’t have time to fit in all you wanted to do. Stop thinking of the season as the greeting card version, and enjoy all the little moments that are unique to you. Remember that “forced happiness” (i.e. trying to get into the holiday spirit when you’re just not feeling it) is not real happiness, and can make you sadder or more anxious.

Focus on giving instead of what you’re lacking

So giving is the ultimate virtue of Christmas, but it runs much deeper than with gifts. It may sound counterintuitive, but whatever you feel you’re missing or stressed about not having (whether it’s time, money, or companionship), give it away. If you’re feeling like you’re tight on money, give $5 to a charity or buy toys and snow boots for a holiday drive. If you’re feeling lonely this season, figure out how you can give love: call your mom, check-in on a friend who’s having a hard time, or invite your elderly neighbor over for dinner.

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As cliché as it sounds, giving is magical. Not just for all the reasons you learned as a little kid about making other people feel good (don’t get me wrong, that’s still important!!), but because it’s one of the few things (if not the thing) that has the power to transform how your life looks like to you. Start focusing on what you do have, instead of what you don’t.

How do you keep up your mental health during the holidays?

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WHY YOU EAT WHEN YOU’RE BORED AND WHAT YOU CAN DO TO STOP!

Published on by Lee2 Comments

YOU’RE NOT HUNGRY, YOU’RE BORED.

Don’t be a victim of mindless snacking (I’m talking to myself too… “Why did I buy those m&m peanuts again?” *face palm*)

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5 Tips to Curb Those Cravings

1 | MAKE SURE YOU’RE EATING ACTUAL MEALS DURING THE DAY.

This may mean that you have to plan your meals in advance. Eating actual meals (and meal planning) will ensure that you’re getting enough protein, fats, and carbs to sustain you between meals. It’s when you don’t have that in-between sustenance that you start snacking…

Ever notice how restricting food intake all day leads to eating a whole pizza, half a sleeve of oreos and some Ben & Jerry’s at night? That’s because the body is meant to eat small meals throughout the day so it doesn’t think it’s starving to death.

2 | DRINK MORE WATER.

People often confuse hunger for thirst. Symptoms of thirst are very similar to that of hunger and the same part of the brain is responsible for both. The next time you sense that you’re hungry, take a moment to ask yourself the following 2 things:

♡. When was the last time I ate something? 

If you’ve eaten within the last 2 hours, you’re probably not hungry.

♡. When was the last time I drank water?

If it’s been over an hour, you’re probably thirsty.

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3 | IDENTIFY YOUR HUNGER CUES.

 Late night snacking while binging Netflix is not acceptable.

Start tracking the times you crave food. This is where a food journal can come in handy. Make a column for the times you crave food and a column for the times you eat, in addition to what you eat or drink throughout the day. This will help to identify patterns that can illuminate what’s a mindless craving vs what is actually hunger.

4 | BRUSH YOUR TEETH

Your taste buds are triggered to hunger receptors in the stomach-brain connection (it’s all connected). For many people, the hunger satiation receptors don’t “go off” until all the taste buds have been stimulated. Ever noticed how after a huge dinner, you somehow miraculously have room for dessert? That’s because your “sweet” taste buds weren’t stimulated enough during dinner, so your brain thinks you have room for it, when in truth, you are stuffed.

Brushing your teeth can give your taste buds the kick in the pants that they need to signal to your stomach-brain connection that you’re good, and that no, you do not need that snack.

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5 | ALWAYS REMEMBER BWYFWSBF: BUT WOULD YOU FUCK WITH SOME BROCCOLI FIRST? 

When all else fails, this one never does. It’s simple and it’ll help you check yourself.

If you’re desperate enough to eat broccoli, then you’re actually hungry. If you’re not, you’re probably just bored.

Drink some water, go for a walk and/or organize something. Your brain is lacking stimulation, so do something that’ll occupy it with mindful activities. Studies have even shown that playing Candy Crush Saga can help curb bored-hunger. You’ve got options. Pick one.

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Anxious? Try This Doctor-Approved Breathing Trick

Published on by LeeLeave a comment

Anxiety has a very unwelcome way of popping up when you least expect it.

When you’re anxious or stressed, you don’t usually pay attention to your breathing. You either overdo it, taking short breaths or don’t do it at all. It’s quite possible to suddenly realize you’ve been holding your breath and clenching your jaw for ages if you’re stressed out.

Just thinking about your breath and paying attention to it can have a calming effect though. It’s not something we do very often but breathing properly is so important. And using a focused breathing technique can be even more helpful when you’re anxious or stressed. 

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It’s a technique that has been used in yoga for thousands of years and yes, it focuses on breathing through the nose. Hillary Clinton gave it a shout out in her autobiography, What Happened in 2017. It was one of the things she said she used to recover from losing the American election to Donald Trump in 2016.

And, hey, if it’s good enough for Hillary…

It’s a very simple trick to master and you can use it anywhere – once you get the hang of it.

HOW TO PRACTICE ALTERNATE NOSTRIL BREATHING:

Step One:

Sit in a comfortable position if you can. On the floor on in a chair with your back straight and feet planted on the ground.

Step Two:

Using your right thumb, gently close your right nostril and inhale slowly through your left nostril.

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Step Three:

Gently close your left nostril by pressing on it with your ring (third) finger. As you do so, open your right nostril and slowly exhale out of it.

Step Four:

Still in this position, inhale through your right nostril, then close it, before opening your left nostril and slowly exhaling thought it. Then inhaling once again.

And that’s basically it! You can repeat the moves five to ten times and the technique will get smoother after a few goes.

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Taking deep slow breaths in this way could help you find your way out of feeling anxious or stressed. Fans of alternate nostril breathing also reckon it helps with focus, lowers the heart rate and makes you more alert too. 

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HAPPY PEOPLE Do These 10 Things Differently

Published on by Lee1 Comment

It’s more than normal to have some “happier” days than others, especially given everything going on in 2020. To help create big positive energy in everyday life, we’re taking a look at the habits genuinely happy people typically have in common. With the help of these practices and our simple self-care hacks, here’s to the power of self-soothing tips to get us through hectic times and land on the happier side. Learn the 10 things that happy people do differently below.

1. Happy people practice gratitude.

Having an attitude of gratitude is one of the most popular habits among the happy because it works. When you’re constantly noticing all the blessings and awesomeness in your life, it is physically impossible to be unhappy. Seeing the world through thankful eyes skews your perception toward positivity. 

What you can do today:

Keep a gratitude journal. I did this when I changed my life, and it seriously made all the difference.

2. Happy people put themselves first.

Happy people always put themselves first, so that they can take care of others second. I am talking about self-care. Putting your mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health first is a must. Being balanced and feeling good about yourself and your life helps. Because when you’re happy, you have so much more to give.

What you can do today:

Do something nice for yourself today. Take care of your own needs.

3. Happy people give.

The fact of the matter is, giving makes us happy. As much as we think (and are taught) that obtaining more is the solution, it’s not. Studies have also shown that people who volunteer have shown better mental health, well-being, and even longevity. You can give your time, your love, and your presence, even if you can’t give money.

What you can do today:

Find a cause that you care about and learn how to get involved or support it.

4. Happy people stay inspired and have fun.

Happy people make it a point to have fun on a regular basis and do things that help them grow and learn. To them, having fun is not a lost ar—it’s part of the daily happiness upkeep. It’s important to experience and see new things, since it helps us stay inspired and excited.

What you can do today:

Do something thrilling today. Try a new activity, have a picnic, go on a day trip somewhere cool, or visit the zoo (animals always inspire).

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5. Happy people stay present.

Happy people do their best to stay present as much of the time as possible. Think about it: if you’re living in the future, you’re probably anxious, and if you’re living in the past, you’re probably depressed. Which leaves the present as the one and only moment any of us really need to pay any attention to. That’s why happy people practice mindfulness, the art of staying present.

What you can do today:

Take a meditation or yoga class.

6. Happy people develop healthy coping strategies. 

Happy people encounter stressful life adversities, but they have developed successful coping strategies. Learning how to seek lessons after a challenging event gives people a renewed appreciation for life, the ability to recognize new paths for themselves, enhanced personal strength, and improved relationships with others. Happy people become skilled at seeing the good that might come from challenging times.

What you can do today:

Try reframing.

7. Happy people focus on health. 

Happy people take care of their mind and body and manage their stress. Focusing on health, though, doesn’t just mean exercising. Happy people actually act like happy people. They smile, are engaged, and bring an optimal level of energy and enthusiasm to what they do.

What you can do today:

Take a walk, run, bike ride, or read a book.

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8. Happy people cultivate emotional awareness.

There is a growing body of science suggesting that emotionally aware people are happier, healthier, and recover more quickly from traumatic events because they understand what they are feeling. 

What you can do today:

Journal your highs and lows every day.

9. Happy people don’t dwell on problems. 

Where you focus your attention determines your emotional state. By fixating on your problems, you create and prolong negative emotions and stress, which hinder performance. Focus on actions to better yourself and your circumstances. 

What you can do today:

Reframe any situation with a positive ending.

10. Happy people finish what they start.  

Coming up with a great idea means absolutely nothing if you don’t execute on that idea. The most successful and happy people bring their ideas to fruition. 

What you can do today:

Create a step-by-step plan for your goals.

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