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Archive for the ‘Health & Wellness’ Category

Cocktails and Comedy

Last Friday night the 2016 Kaleidoscope DE Cancer Conference  kicked off with a Cocktails and Comedy Show at the Embassy Suites in Newark, Delaware.

  cocktails-and-comedy-flyer

Belynda Cleare, a member of the Kaleidoscope planning committee as well as a world renown comedian was the host and she along with 6 other comediennes entertained a packed crowd in a sold out house.

  Cocktails and Comedy show host Cocktails and Comedy show at Embassy Suites

Kaleidoscope DE Cancer Conference was the dream child of Nicolle Surratte and the Cocktails and Comedy show kickoff wasn’t simply a way to raise funds and awareness to women living with all types of cancer.  The Cocktails and Comedy Show was a way to get your laugh on with comics who are also cancer survivors. 

Cocktails and Comedy Show

There were no actual alcoholic “cocktails” served at the show, however, cancer meds and chemo treatments are often referred to as “cocktails” hence the play on words.  I thoroughly enjoyed the show and was glad that hubby was also able to attend as he too had a great time.  

Date night with hubby

Laughter is oftentimes the best medicine and because the comedians could laugh and share their cancer stories in a humorous manner made it easier for others to do so as well. 

Cocktails and Comedy at the Embassy Suites

Cocktails and Comedy show in Delaware september-2016-021

The comics for the evening were:

Evelyn Butts

host of Cocktails and Comedy

David Hiltner   Cocktails and Comedy

Norma Nelson 

Comedienne Norma Nelson

Phil Porter

Comic Phil Porter

Gayle “Miss Gayle” Barren 

Cocktails and Comedy

During the evening I posted several videos on my Facebook page and a lot of pictures to my Instagram page.  I highly recommend that you check out each of the comics either there or on YouTube as they are all hilarious!

The 2016 Kaleidoscope Cancer Conference is going to become an annual event in Delaware so make sure you follow along and don’t miss it in 2017. 

Next week I will share some of the highlights from this year’s conference as well as the presenters who came out to educate and empower cancer survivors, mind, body and spirit.

Miss Gayle Comedienne

If you would like more information, please feel free to reach out to Nicolle Surratte, CEO/Founder of NspireD who is also a 5 year cancer THRIVER – 610-812-9997 or www.nspiredbynicolle.com

 

Cocktails and Comedy

 

 


I Won With Whitney Pampering Products for The Fall

Autumn is time for renewal and rejuvenation and thanks to my “lil sis” and fellow blogger, Whitney Nic James, I am ready to shed my summer skin and rejuvenate my face. 

I was the lucky winner of her “11 Ways to Pamper Yourself At Home + A Giveaway” and received a 19.40 oz jar of Coconut Oil Exfoliating Salt Scrub.  It smells wonderful and after using it in the shower it left my skin feeling soft and refreshed.  It also helped with the dryness on my legs and arms after a recent bout with poison oak.

Coconut Body Scrub

Not only did I win the the Coconut Oil Exfoliating Salt Scrub but she also included a few other goodies!  The box I received contained several other pampering products all wrapped in silver tissue paper along with a lovely embellished Thank You card.

pampering products for the body

Avocado Face Mask by Sephora

pampering product for home

Sephora Gift Card

I won a Sephora Gift Card

Package of que bella Purifying Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Mud Mask

tea tree and witch hazel mud mask

Dead Sea Essentials Soothing Chamomile Spa Facial Mud Mask

spa facial mud mask

ToGoSpa Coconut Eye Treatments

Under eye treatments

 

Thank you Whitney, these are all products that I will try because as you know I recently celebrated my 55th Birthday and pampering is definitely on the schedule for the entire month of September. 

After I use these products, I may come back with a follow-up post if I had any adverse reactions or was overly impressed with any of them, so stay tuned.

 

So tell me, what is your favorite home spa pampering products?

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Don’t forget to vote DeDivahDeals as BEST BLOG over at www.DelawareBlackAwards.com

 

Thank you and have a wonderful weekend where ever you are and don’t forget to tune in to Social Media Sunday with the Delaware Blogger AAU Teen Talk Radio.  

This is the link to last Sunday’s show with special guest Nicolle Surratte.

AAU Teen Talk Radio with the Delaware Blogger  


Tips on Staying Safe in the Summer Heat

Hello friends, I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.  Mine started out great as I presented a Basic Blogging Workshop at the Elsmere Library.  It was a very interactive class and fortunately the library was air conditioned so it was very cool and comfy indoors. 

However, by the time the workshop ended the temps outside had risen to cause a statewide excessive heat warning.

Delaware Blogger teaching basic blogging

 

If you are in an area affected with this excessive heat, here are a few tips from the Office of Emergency Management to help you keep cool and safe during a summer scorcher.

 

Basic Tips

114995279 Staying Safe In The Summer Heat

(Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

  • Stay indoors in air conditioning as much as possible.
  • If you do go outside, stay in the shade.
  • If your home is not air-conditioned, spend at least two hours daily at an air-conditioned mall, library or other public place.
  • Wear sunscreen outside along with loose-fitting, light-colored clothes that cover as much skin as possible.
  • Drink water regularly even if you are not thirsty. Limit alcohol and sugary drinks which speeds dehydration.
  • Never leave children or pets alone in the car.
  • Avoid exertion during the hottest part of the day.
  • Take a cool shower or bath.
  • Make sure to leave plenty of water for your pets.
  • Be a good neighbor, check on elderly and people with disabilities in your community who may need assistance keeping cool.
  • Additionally, residents should contact their local and/or county offices of emergency management regarding any open air-conditioned senior centers or cooling stations.
  • Encourage them to use their AC or help them get to a cool place.
  • Make sure they are drinking enough water.
  • During heat emergencies, NYC Cooling Centers are open.
  • For locations and hours, call 311 or visit www.nyc.gov/oem
Heat Stroke

summer safety heat stroke Staying Safe In The Summer Heat

(Credit: Thinkstock)

What Is It and How Do I Get It? Heat Stroke results from having an abnormally elevated body temperature. Whenever our body works out, it naturally generates heat, which usually escapes through the skin or through the evaporation of sweat. However, when you work out in extreme heat or humidity (or when you work out at a high intensity outside and do not hydrate yourself), the heat your body produces may not be able to dissipate well enough and your body temperature rises, sometimes up to 106°F or higher.

Infants, the elderly, athletes and those who work outside and physically exert themselves under the sun for a living are those at highest risk for heat strokes.

How Do I Know It’s Heat Stroke? Heat stroke symptoms can sometimes mimic those of a heart attack or other conditions. Often, an individual will experience signs of heat exhaustion before the condition escalates to heat stroke. Heat exhaustion symptoms include nausea, fatigue, headache, muscle cramps, dizziness, weakness and vomiting.

Heat stroke symptoms include a high body temperature, the absence of sweating, red or flushed dry skin, rapid pulse, difficulty breathing, hallucinations, disorientation, agitation, seizure and/or coma.

Prevention: Avoid working out in high-temperature or humidity environments. If you cannot avoid physical exertion in these environments, be sure to frequently hydrate yourself to help keep your body temperature down and take breaks as often as possible. Also, avoid drinking caffeine, alcohol or tea, as this may lead to dehydration.

Treatment: Heat stroke is a medical emergency that can lead to brain or organ damage and even death. If you or someone around you is exhibiting symptoms of a heat stroke, immediately call 911.

• While you’re waiting for emergency medical services, get the victim to a shady area, remove clothing, apply cool or warm water to the skin, fan the victim to promote sweating, and place ice packs under the armpits and groin.
• Further treatment must be administered by a trained medical professional.

Sunburn

Anyone who’s spent a long day out in the summer sun is more than likely familiar with sunburn.

How Do I Get It? Sunburn is literally a burn to the skin caused by the sun’s ultraviolet rays and anyone can get it from being out in the sun.

summersafety sunburn Staying Safe In The Summer Heat

(Credit: Thinkstock)

How Do I Know It’s Sunburn? Sunburn is recognized by red or reddish skin in areas that have recently been exposed to the sun. The skin is hot to the touch and often painful. Other symptoms include peeling skin or blisters where the burn was most severe. Individuals with fair or light-colored skin are at a greater risk of sunburn injury.

Prevention: If you’re going to be out in the sun, the best way to protect yourself is to apply sunscreen 15-30 minutes before heading outside.

For the most complete protection, apply a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher that has both UVA and UVB protection to shield your skin from both the sun’s burning rays (UVB rays) and it’s aging rays (UVA rays) that are connected to melanoma skin cancers. If you plan to be active or go in the pool, make sure you use a sweatproof/waterproof sunscreen.

For best application, use about a tablespoon of sunscreen to cover your entire face and ears, and use about a shot glass full to cover each of the other exposed parts of your body. Reapply every three hours.

Treatment:

• Over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen and aspirin are helpful in reducing pain, especially when taken early on.
• Aloe vera gel helps to cool and calm the skin as well as reduce pain and promote healing. The gel forms a protective layer on the skin that seals in valuable moisture, preventing dehydration and promoting faster healing.
• For mild sunburn, cool compresses with equal parts milk and water calm the skin. Apply to the sunburned area for 15-20 minutes at a time.
• Avoid scrubbing or shaving the skin.
• Of course, stay out of the sun while you’re sunburned.

For severe burns, see your doctor.

How are you and the family keeping cool this summer?

ABlake Enterprises Postcard without words

 


Crack My Back Doc!

Most of you know that I have a daily 3 hour round trip commute to work.  So sitting in a car,  gripping the steering wheel for an extended period of time over a 5 year span has really damaged my body. 

That coupled with the fact that I was the caregiver to my grandmother for over a year prior to her death in 2009 is why I was desperately seeking relief from a Chiropractor.

Chiropractor in Delaware

It was during the 2016 Annual MACCDE Spring Expo that I signed up to receive a free evaluation at Middletown Chiropractic with Dr. Trevor Ennis and his wife and partner, Dr. Becky Keeley. 

The office is located on Main Street in Middletown not far from home and is on a convenient route to work, plus the morning and evening hours fit perfectly into my schedule.

reception area

 

My first appointment was at 8:00 am and walking into the brightly lit office I was warmly greeted by the receptionists and felt completely at ease.  After completing the paperwork which included extensive medical history questions which would assist “the doc” – which is what I like to call him, determine my immediate needs.   Although this was a “FREE” exam, I didn’t feel slighted nor rushed and the x-rays were also included.

 

Using an inclinometer to measure the range of motion while bending forward, backwards and side to side neck rotations along with the results of the x-rays would determine the plan of action.  Needless to say, my range of motion wasn’t as it should have been and the pain in my shoulders, upper arms and neck was quickly determined to be caused by the long car commute.

Middletown Chiropractic 002

I have been feeling older than my 54 years and I would love to be able to get up in the morning without feeling the shoulder and neck pain so I signed up as a patient. 

Having seen the doc for 4 visits since then, I must admit that I feel a difference and enjoy the “pops” of my neck, the loosening up in my shoulder and spine.  But most of all I love the feel of the 4 warm electrodes that releases tension and relaxes my muscles, they actually feels like tiny caterpillars massaging my neck.

Middletown Chiropractic 018  

I have my “pillow wedge” to use at home for 5 minutes a day to help relieve the tension of having the weight of my head which is tilted too far forward. 

Middletown Chiropractic care includes Spinal Decompression, Medical Acupuncture, the Graston Technique, Medical Massages and a good Keurig Cup selection!

  medical massage

If you are suffering from ailments such as headaches, migraines, pain, joint stiffness, weakness, or Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, I suggest you seek out a Chiropractor as it should make you feel much better…don’t wait until it’s too late like I almost did!

  crack my back doc!

BTW – this is a non-medical – non-sponsored post, I just wanted to share my experience with The Doc!

electrodes and massage


Christian Ways to Reduce Stress

Christian Ways to Reduce Stress

Ten years ago a co-worker gave me this list and I have kept a copy of it on my desk ever since. It is still relevant today and I hope you find it helpful on this “Feel Good Friday”

  1. Pray

  2. Go to bed on time

  3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed

  4. Say, “no” to projects that won’t fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health

  5. Delegate tasks to capable others unclutter your desk

  6. Simplify and unclutter your life

  7. Less is more (although one is often not enough, two are often too many

  8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places

  9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don’t lump the hard things all together

  10. Take one day at a time

  11. Separate worries from concern. If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety. If you can’t do anything about a situation, forget it.

  12. Live within your budget; don’t use credit cards for ordinary purchases

  13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.

  14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut) This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble

  15. Do something for the KID IN YOU everyday kid in you

  16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line (there’s an app for that now)

  17. Get enough rest

  18. Eat right

  19. Get organized so everything has its place

  20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life

  21. Write down thoughts and inspirations

  22. Every day, find time to be alone

  23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot…Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don’t wait until it’s time to go to bed to try and pray

  24. Make friends with Godly people

  25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand picjumbo.com_HNCK5063

  26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good “Thank you Jesus!”

  27. Laugh

  28. Laugh some more

  29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all

  30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can)

  31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most)

  32. Sit on your ego

  33. Talk less; listen more

  34. Slow down

  35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe

  36. Every night before bed, think of one thing you’re grateful for that you’ve never been grateful for before. GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

 

Don’t forget to download my app on Google Play for some great money saving coupons and deals!

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I hope your day is as beautiful as you are!

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Stress: Get the Facts {Guest Post}

Stress: Get the Facts {Guest Post}

Author: Alyssa Craig

Hello friends and Happy Tax Day…hmmm… should I be using the word HAPPY in the same sentence with April 15th, TAX DAY?  Well if this is a stressful day for you, perhaps this guest post will help alleviate some of it.

None of us are strangers to stress. We feel it at work, we experience it in traffic when we are late for an appointment, and it makes its way into the home with finances and forgotten school projects. Stress triggers the release of multiple hormones in our bodies. While in the moment these hormones are helpful, they can also be detrimental to our health over a long period of time.

Businessman having stress

Long term stress can increase your risk for diabetes, heart disease, heart attack, stroke, respiratory infections, elevated cholesterol levels, and weaken your immune system. Before you can reduce the stress in your life, you need to differentiate myth from fact to know how best to overcome stress.

 

Myth #1: Stress is the same for everyone.

It is a common misconception that stress is caused by events or by your environment, so everyone in those same situations experiences stress the same way. This is incorrect, as stress is actually an emotional reaction to events, both good and bad. So the same event could cause stress to be experienced differently by different people.

 

Myth #2: Stress is always bad for you.

There is actually a little bit of debate on this subject. While it is not unusual to hear that little amounts of stress motivate us to be productive, some say all stress is unhealthy and what we confused as motivating stress is actually stimulation. All agree though that mismanaged stress is detrimental to your body and your overall health.

 

Myth #3: Stress causes permanent hair loss.

As described in this article, it is true that stressors to the body such as surgery or pregnancy and an emotional trauma, such as the death of someone close to you, can indeed causes hair loss. However, this hair loss is temporary and should last no longer than six months.

 Myth #4: Minor stressors can be ignored.

Stress is a sign from our bodies that something in our lives is getting out of hand. It is important to address the cause of the stress as soon as possible. This gives you an opportunity to make adjustments in your life to fix the stressor before it turns into a more serious health issue.

Man suffering from stomach pain

Myth #5: Stress gives you ulcers.

This is a misconception because stress can increase the levels of stomach acid, which can make ulcer symptoms worse if they are present. However, the most common cause of stomach ulcers is by a bacteria in the stomach, not stress.

 

Myth #6: Stress is a status symbol of success.

The most successful people are those who are always stressed, right? Wrong. Being busy to the point of stress is very dangerous to your health and can actually prevent you from being healthy enough to perform the functions in your personal and professional life that can lead you to the success you seek.

 

Myth #7: You can’t do anything about stress.

Some believe that stress is inevitable and there is nothing you can do to prevent it. However, this is far from true. While not all tactics work for everyone, there are a variety of things you can try that may help prevent or minimize the stress in your life.

 

  • Prioritizing: Don’t leave the most important things to be done at the last minute. Take the time necessary to get the things done that can lead to the most stress.

  • Time Management: This goes along with prioritizing. Make wise decisions on how you should use your time and you will find stress decreases quite a bit.

  • Sleep: Getting plenty of sleep (7-8 hours per night) can help you to better handle the small stressors in life and prevent them from becoming bigger stressors.

  • Relaxation Techniques: Whether you use exercising, breathing exercises, getting lost in a good book, or taking some time to serve someone else, find something that helps you to blow off some steam and relieve some stress.


Trikanasana

There are many more myths out there about stress but the truth is, stress is a common problem that can lead to many health problems now and in the future. Find great ways that fit your style to relieve stress and take the time to create a balanced life that allows for as little stress as possible. While you are not always able to control the events in your life, you can certainly take preemptive measures to prevent unnecessary, additional stress.

 Disclaimer: This Guest Post was written by someone other than the author of DeDivahDeals. The author of this post, has submitted their article to DeDivahDeals for the purpose of being published on this blog as a Guest Writer.


Can Kombucha Tea Cure Cancer?

What is Kombucha tea? Can it Cure Cancer?

Hello friends, I hope all is well in your world.  

Have you heard of Kombucha?  It’s the beverage the ancient Chinese called the “Immortal Health Elixir?” It has been around for more than 2,000 years and has a rich history of health benefits like preventing and fighting cancer, arthritis, and other degenerative diseases.

Kombucha is made from sweetened tea that’s been fermented by a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast (a SCOBY, a.k.a. “mother” because of its ability to reproduce, or “mushroom” because of its appearance), Kombucha didn’t gain prominence in the West until recently.

A co-worker recently introduced me to GTSKombucha tea and after just a small sip of it with Chai I was hooked, it has such a cool, crisp flavor.  Also because of the reported health benefits including cancer prevention and a digestion aid I immediately headed to Target to purchase a few more bottles.

GTSKombucha Tea 2 Avi

I was hoping hubby would also give it a try as it might help with his intestinal disorder but after reading that it also contained traces of alcohol he said “nope”!  I on the other hand have been drinking several ounces daily and no, not because of the alcohol content, but in hopes that it will increase my energy and help me stay hydrated.

GTS-Tea-3

 

The bottles clearly state that “Kombucha is a food product and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease”   However, according to Food Renegade there are several health benefits associated with Kombucha including:

KOMBUCHA HEALTH BENEFIT #1 — DETOXIFICATION

Detoxification produces healthy livers and aides cancer prevention. One of kombucha’s greatest health benefits is its ability to detox the body. It is rich in many of the enzymes and bacterial acids your body produces and/or uses to detox your system, thus reducing your pancreatic load and easing the burden on your liver.

KOMBUCHA HEALTH BENEFIT #2 — JOINT CARE

Kombucha contains glucosamines, a strong preventive and treatment all forms of arthritis. Glucosamines increase synovial hyaluronic acid production. Hyaluronic acid functions physiologically to aid preservation of cartilage structure and prevent arthritic pain,with relief comparable to NSAIDs and advantage over glucocorticoids.

KOMBUCHA HEALTH BENEFIT #3 — AIDS DIGESTION AND GUT HEALTH

Because it’s naturally fermented with a living colony of bacteria and yeast, Kombucha is aprobiotic beverage. This has a myriad of benefits such as improved digestion, fighting candida (harmful yeast) overgrowth, mental clarity, and mood stability. As such, it’s noted for reducing or eliminating the symptoms of fibromyalgia, depression, anxiety, etc.

Have you tried any of the Kombucha Teas?  If soplease share your results as I am very interested in hearing what others have experienced.

New Year ~ New You

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A Spring Cleanse Begins Within

A Spring Cleanse Begins Within

Hello friends, I hope all is well in your world. Did you start off the year trying to declutter and rid your home of unwanted or unnecessary items from your closets and dresser drawers? Perhaps you would rather wait until the Spring thaw to begin the cleaning process. If you haven’t started cleaning the house or car, just remember that a Spring Cleanse begins within and you should start now.

preparing collard greens A Colon Cleanse is a healthy way to rid your body of toxins, toxins that enter our body almost daily. I am not one who advocates replacing meals with a gallon of lemonade made with cayenne pepper or popping pills that put me in the bathroom all day. I use natural healthy ways to cleanse, such as drinking boiled parsley or cilantro; a few teaspoons of Apple Cider Vinegar or one of my grandmother’s favorite, “pot liquor” which is essentially the juice that remains in the pot after we’ve eaten all the collard greens.

improvKitchen_greenSmoothie_02

theimprovkitchen.blogspot.com photo

Green smoothies are another way to get a natural healthy cleanse and there are a million and one recipes on the internet, including this one I found at The Improv Kitchen, check it out.

Recently I heard an interview on the TJMS with TheHerbSistah and her recommendations to use natural ingredients to help men and women cleanse and detoxify.  I believe that incorporating Superfoods into your diet is truly the best way to keep yourself regular, so remember to add a few of these goodies to your grocery basket the next time you shop.

*Salmon
*Tuna
*Avocado
*Walnuts
*Almonds
*Olive Oil
*Flax Seeds

*Blueberries

*Raspberries
*Spinach
*Kale
*Eggplant
*Tomatoes
*Carrots
*Sweet Potatoes
*Apples
*Oranges
*Butternut Squash

STOCK PHOTO getty_rf_photo_of_fresh_produce_in_grocery_basket

STOCK PHOTO

Superfoods not only help you cleanse your body to rid it of harmful substances, but they also fight off any harmful agents that may be trying to attack your system. You can keep those nasty bugs and virus’ at bay with a natural cleanse if you eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.  

Come Spring you’ll be ready to tackle those cabinets and closets!

Happy New Year ~ Happy New You!

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Retire Don’t Rot ~ 10 Tips to Take a Stand Against Just Sitting

Hello friends, according to the American Heart Association, being physically active is important to prevent heart disease and stroke, the nation’s No. 1 and No. 5 killers. To improve overall cardiovascular health, they suggest at least 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise or 75 minutes per week of vigorous exercise (or a combination of moderate and vigorous activity). Thirty minutes a day, five times a week is an easy goal to remember. You will also experience benefits even if you divide your time into two or three segments of 10 to 15 minutes per day.

I wanted to repost this from October as a gentle reminder for us to get up and move!

Go Red for Women 2015

Most of you know that my grandmother lived to be 98, and if her body didn’t fail her, I’m sure she would have lived until way past 100, just as her father did, why, because she remained active. Every morning she was up, and if she wasn’t going to the MOT Senior Center, she was downstairs in the kitchen eating breakfast and drinking a cup of coffee by 8:00 am.

If she stayed home for the day, in her room she would be “messing with papers”, talki ng on the phone, reading her Bible or writing in a journal. She loved to watch her favorite television programs, The Price is Right, and General Hospital, and after dinner it was “Wheel of Fortune”.

 

She ate when she was supposed to with a “little something sweet” for dessert.  I never heard her complain about pain or an illness other than when her arthritis acted up, but I knew because I could smell the Apple Cider Vinegar she used to rub on her legs.

Mama Thanksgiving  2006

My grandmother didn’t officially retire until she was in her 80’s but she never let her body just sit. She remained active both physically and mentally, three days a week at the Senior Center and Church on Sundays. She continued to grocery shop, wash and iron her own clothes until she no longer could. After she became bedridden, for a year I kept her body clean and her mind sharp, we watched TV, played board games, had long conversations and I read to her in the evenings.

Personally, I don’t think that we were put on this earth to work hard all of our lives without an opportunity to just rest and retire. Retirement however, should not be an open invitation to sit around doing nothing allowing our minds and bodies to rot. Doing nothing but sitting all day increases the risks of getting Type 2 Diabetes, a decline in cognitive skills, and possible death from a stroke, cancer and heart disease.

If you or someone you love finds themselves with nothing to do after retirement, take a STAND against just SITTING with these 10 Tips.  Try to get up and move for at least 10 minutes for every hour of sitting. TAKE A STAND AGAINST SITTING

1. Walk on a treadmill while watching TV

2. Take a short walk around the house or go up and down the stairs

3. Pace while talking on the phone

4. Weather permitting, go outdoors and pull a few weeds or sweep the stoop

5. Walk to the mailbox or around the block with a neighbor, the kids or a pet

6. March in place during commercials

7. Turn on the radio or music channel and dance like nobody is watching

8. Use soup cans and do arm curls

9. Use a Hula Hoop or jump rope between programs

10. Chores – stretch while cleaning the mirror, mopping the floor or dusting

Join in on the conversation, what tips do you have for getting in 30 minutes of physical activity each day?

exercise while watching tv

 

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9 Tips to Help You Relax During The Holidays

Hello friends, tomorrow is the big day, Thanksgiving, the official start of the 2014 Holiday Season!

If you are beginning to feel anxious, overwhelmed and stressed, check out these 9 tips that will help you to relax during the holidays:

keep calm

 

1. Exercise

Exercise affects a neurotransmitter that has an antidepressant-like effect on your brain while helping to decrease muscle tension.

2. Spend Time in Nature

Even five minutes in nature can help reduce stress and boost your mood, helping you to relax.

3. Participate in Activities You Enjoy

Be sure to leave time for the holiday activities you love most, whether it’s caroling, decorating your Christmas tree, or writing holiday cards.

4. Stay Positive

Those who are optimistic have an easier time dealing with stress, and are more inclined to open themselves up for opportunities to have positive, regenerative experiences.

5. Take a Break or Meditate

Taking even 10 minutes to sit quietly and shut out the chaos around you can trigger your relaxation response.5Meditating during your breaks can help you to decrease feelings of stress and anxiety even more.

6. Live in the Present

Turn off your racing mind and simply focus on only the task at hand. Avoid worrying about what you need to do later in the day or tomorrow (if you have trouble shutting out such thoughts, jot them down on a piece of paper to help clear your mind).

7. Nurture Yourself

Try massage, a hot bath, mini-relaxations, or a quick walk to ease tension. Be sure you’re eating right, sleeping well and laughing often.

8. Be Grateful

Focus on what you’re grateful for. Keep a gratitude journal and write down why you’re grateful each day. Focus on what you do have this holiday season instead of what you don’t.

9. Use Visualization

Close your eyes and imagine yourself relaxing on the beach or sitting in front of a cozy fireplace with your family. You can also visualize your “perfect” holiday, which is especially useful if you’re worrying over what might go wrong. (Although, you should let go of the idea that your holiday must be perfect in order to be enjoyable.)

Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!

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