Category Archives: Self Care

Remember to Relax – 7 tried and true ways to clear your mind

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As things begin to return to what we know as normal life, the hustle and bustle of our everyday routines have worked their way back into our schedules. Coming off almost 2 years of ‘not as busy as usual’ may seem a little different right now but it won’t be long until busy-busy is just old hat again.

 

As your life returns to its pre-pandemic ways, you will need to remember that you still need “you” time to relax. You don’t want to forget this important part of maintaining a healthy mind, body, and soul. Here are 7 simple ideas that don’t cost anything that you can incorporate into everyday life to make sure you get in that critical relaxation time you need.

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Nap. Sleep is an essential part of rebooting your entire system. A short nap in your favorite pajamas can do wonders for your state of mind and is second-to-none when it comes to the ultimate relaxation technique.

aromatherapy

Use aromatherapy. Lavender, Chamomile, Clary Sage, Ylang-Ylang, and lemongrass are all very popular aromatherapy scents used to enhance your relaxation techniques. These scents activate certain sensory triggers that put you at ease and make your mind relax.

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Take a bath. There is nothing better than a good soak in the tub to wash away the day’s commotion. Add relaxing essential oils to your bath water and turn on some soft music to really enhance your soak. Even 30 minutes of you-time in the soothing water can make all the difference in the world.

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Read a book. Want to get away from it all for a little while? Put your nose in a good book and put your mind somewhere else.

Meditate

Meditate. You may already incorporate meditation into your daily routine, and if so you know how well it works. If meditation is new to you, we recommend doing some research online and picking the technique that best fits your needs. It’s an incredible way to relax and it amazing way to calm your mind.

Pet

Spend time with a pet. Studies show that spending time with a pet is one of the most relaxing things you can do. It’s also a win-win because you are getting quality relaxation time and your pet is getting some extra love from their favorite human!

Tea

Have a hot beverage. Even 15 minutes alone with a cup of warm herbal tea is better than nothing at all. If you want to try something a little different, add some raw honey to hot water with a slice of lemon and drink it just like that. This concoction is relaxing, has amazing immunity benefits, and taste delicious

You may have your own way of relaxing but we encourage you to mix it up a bit and try different things. When you look forward to something, you’re more likely to actually do it.

 

10 Things to do on Sunday if you don’t like Football

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The big game happens this Sunday and millions of people plan to huddle around their TVs to watch the team from Cincinnati play the team from Los Angeles for the championship. There will be food, cocktails, and lots of yelling and screaming at homes and bars all over the country. There will also be some pretty memorable commercials that are sure to be a topic of discussion for days to come. But what if you’re not a football fan?
If you’re not interested in watching the big game it doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do. We’ve got some ideas on how you can spend your time during the big game while everyone else is getting in their final football fix for the year.

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Go shopping. If you don’t like crowds, this Sunday is the perfect day to go do some shopping. The stores will be all but empty and you will have the place almost to yourself. This allows you to browse and spend quality time doing some retail therapy.

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Go out for your Valentine’s dinner. The rest of the weekend, and Monday, will probably be pretty crowded for restaurants. But normally fancy restaurants are not crowded like sports bars for the big game so you can have an intimate, romantic, and crowd-free dinner while spending quality time with your sweetie.

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Have a pajama party. If you have other friends and family members that are like-minded and couldn’t care less about the big game, why not invite them over for your own celebration? Have a movie night where everyone wears their pajamas, snacks on great food, and enjoys the evening catching up and having fun.

Gym

Hit the gym. Another place that’s probably not going to be very crowded for the big game is your local gym. Get an extra long workout in without having to worry about waiting for machines.

Book

Finish a book. You know that book that’s been sitting there that you’ve been meaning to finish? This is the perfect opportunity to do that.

File Taxes

File your taxes. Or if you’re not filing them right away, you can get everything ready so when April 18th rolls around you’re organized and ready to go.

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Watch the puppy bowl. OK so this is kind of football, but it’s with puppies! Who can resist the furry faces of those adorable pups trying to cross the goal line? Since it’s before the big game, you can watch it AND then get something else in as well.

Ride Bike

Spend some time outside. If the weather is good where you live, take a walk or a bike ride and enjoy the great outdoors. The exercise, fresh air, and vitamin D will give you a beneficial health boost that most of us need this time of year.

Game food

Cook game food. You can’t turn on your computer or the TV without finding some amazing recipe recommendations for Sunday entertaining but just because you’re not watching, doesn’t mean you can’t eat. Try some of these delicious recipes and share them with other people who also won’t be watching.

Sleep

Catch up on your sleep. There’s no better time to put on your cozy pajamas, climb in bed and get some extra hours of shut-eye. While the rest of the country is eating and drinking themselves silly you’ll be doing something healthy by giving your body some rest.

There are plenty of other things you can do besides watch football this Sunday, but we hope these ideas get you off on the right foot. When Monday morning rolls around, while everybody else is trying to function after a long night, you’ll be fresh as a daisy and ready to tackle the week!

Snuggle up and relax with a cup of tea

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Looking out the window you know it is just too cold to go anywhere. It’s one of those perfect days to stay in, put on your favorite pair of pajamas, binge-watch a TV show, and simply relax. Add to that some hot tea and you’ve got a perfect snuggle-up day.

Tea is delicious, warms up your insides, comes in so many varieties, and even has health benefits. Let’s take a look at some of our favorites and all the great reasons to try them.

rose hip

Rose Hip.  Produced from the fruit of the rose, not only is Rose Hip tea very tasty, but it’s extremely rich in vitamin C.  it is also said that rosehips can help with anti-aging and they can reduce inflammation in people with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Chamomile

Chamomile. This tea is best known for its ability to calm the mind and help you sleep, but some say that drinking chamomile tea also has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and liver-protecting effects. It may also ease symptoms of PMS say some herbalists.

peppermint

Peppermint. One of the most common herbal teas in the world, people use peppermint tea for things like digestive tract health, antioxidant qualities, and antiviral benefits. It’s the go-to remedy in some cultures to relieve indigestion, nausea and stomach pain.

Green tea

Green. Another very popular variety is green tea which is loaded with antioxidants that have many health benefits, including fat burning, lessening the risk of heart disease, improving brain function, and even protection against some cancers. The best part is you can buy green tea in both caffeinated and decaffeinated versions depending on what you prefer.

Hibiscus Tea

Hibiscus. With its tart (think cranberries) flavor Hibiscus tea has tons of healthy benefits. It’s chock full of antioxidants, may lower blood pressure, promotes a healthy liver, and fights bacteria. It’s absolutely delicious both hot and cold so you can enjoy it year-round.

Lemongrass

Lemongrass. This tea is known for helping the body rid itself of cholesterol, toxins, fats, and uric acid, which in turn lowers blood pressure. It also contains lots of potassium, is filled with antioxidants, and helps detoxify your body, slowing down the aging process. A rich source of vitamins A and C, lemongrass is fantastic for the health of your skin and hair.

Dandelion Tea

Dandelion. Because it promotes the breakdown of fat and cholesterol dandelion tea can be used for weight loss. It also improves digestion by stimulating the gastric acids in your stomach and is a diuretic, helping to eliminate excess water and bloating from your body so you feel lighter. Dandelion contains essential minerals like calcium, zinc, iron, and magnesium, which we need to maintain strong bones and prevent osteoporosis.

 

There are hundreds of types of teas available, each with its own benefits so be adventurous and try different flavors and combinations. You’ll find that staying in and relaxing in your pajamas is something you’ll want to do a lot more often!

Why We Need Quiet Time

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Our lives and our world are full of noise and distractions. Sometimes so much so that we lose focus on what we need to get done. We also forget to take the time for some peace and quiet which is an important part of our overall well-being.

Many people view taking time for solitude and serenity as a luxury they simply cannot afford because let’s face it; if we aren’t doing anything then we’re getting nothing done. This mindset stops us from taking the time we need to grow, renew, and revive.

Look at it from a different perspective, when you take in the silence you allow yourself to engage in time for self-reflection and awareness. Everyone needs quiet time, but what does it entail and how will you benefit? We have some thoughts on that.

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  1. Renewal requires rest

It’s simply impossible to just go, go, go without resting. Everything requires repair and maintenance including the human body. The easy part is relaxing the body; it’s relaxing the mind that’s the hard part. Meditation is a great way to check-out for a bit, mute the noise in your head, and gain the peace you need.

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  1. Rediscover what’s important

When caught up in the whirlwind that is our daily routine, we forget or even ignore what really matters. When you have too many responsibilities or waste time on unnecessary tasks, you lose sight of the important things. You need quiet time to rediscover what you’ve neglected and to revisit priorities.

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  1. Make order from chaos.

When you’re knee-deep in a commotion of activity there is no time for prioritizing tasks. You’re too busy crossing things off the list. The best time to examine the reasons behind what you do in life is best found during quiet moments to yourself.

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  1. Quiet time reinforces your meaning

The human mind needs time to put things into perspective. This can’t be done when you are doing 20 things at once or always chasing deadlines. You need peaceful silence to do that. Only then are you able to rejuvenate and reboot.

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  1. Quiet time is a stress eliminator

You might not be able to completely escape stress, but you can certainly practice ways to mitigate it. One quick and simple way to reduce stress is to  regularly carve out 15-30 minutes of your day to sit quietly alone, meditate, read a book or listen to music, go for a peaceful walk, or put on your pajamas and take a quick nap. If you have even more time (such as a long lunch break) use it. But it’s not all about how long you’re quiet; it’s about making time for it in your life no matter the length of time. It’s the easiest way to nourish your mind and body so you can return to your routine with more energy and focus.

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  1. Heal and stay healthy with quiet time

Medical professionals use dark, quiet rooms for patient recovery from surgery and illness for good reason. Any form of healing, both medical and physical require complete rest and relaxation so that your body and mind to recuperate. Similarly, when you learn to wind down improve your chances of staving off future health problems and disease. A body under less stress has a higher immunity level.

Quite time may seem like an unreasonable goal but believe us, it’s totally attainable. Plan it, do it, and make no excuses for taking the time you need.

Make it all about you!

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Life is crazy and day-to-day responsibilities can sometimes make it impossible for you to remember to kick back, relax, and think about yourself. With juggling family, work, a household, and all the other things that go along with adulating, there just aren’t enough hours in the day it seems. How often do you take a step back and take a day that’s all about you? That’s right… we mean forget about your responsibilities, forget about your to-do list, and just do what you want.

Pick a day, and declare it ‘All about Me Day’. What will you do with yourself? That’s the best part – it’s all up to you. We can give you some ideas to get the ball rolling, but in the end, this is your day to relax, regroup, reset, and of course – have fun!

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Don’t get dressed and don’t do anything. Stay in your pajamas all day long. Since today is all about you, no one’s going to see what you’re wearing, and you shouldn’t care if your hair is a little messy or you’re not dressed to the nine’s.  Pajamas are comfy, relaxing, and they are the best outfit to wear when doing absolutely nothing.

Sushi

Make or order your favorite meal. Lots of us have a favorite meal we enjoy but don’t eat very often have because other family members don’t like it or it just doesn’t fit with the usual routine. Since this is your day, indulge. Make, or better yet, order yourself that special meal. Don’t forget to pour yourself a glass of wine to make it extra perfect.

Binge

Binge-watch your favorite show. Running a household may mean that you don’t have time to sit down and catch up on missed episodes of your favorite TV program. Or, there may be a new show you really want to watch but just haven’t been able to fit it in. It’s your day so do things your way. Watch what you want, when you want with no interruptions.

bath

Relax in the tub. Draw the water, throw in a bath bomb, light some candles, and climb on in. Grab your favorite book, or turn on your favorite music and simply enjoy your alone time. Don’t forget to lock the door to avoid any unwanted interruptions.

Shopping

Shop till you drop. Visit your favorite stores and shops and buy yourself something new that you WANT- not that you need. Our favorite words for shopping day are “impulse buy.”

Spa

Go to the spa. If it’s going to be impossible for you to have your special day uninterrupted or done on your terms, consider going to a spa. Get a mani, pedi, facial, massage, and anything else that will make you feel pampered and special.

Friends

Visit with friends. Maybe the day-to-day grind makes it impossible for you to get together with your besties as often as you like. Get the gang together and do a group ‘me day’. We’re sure you can find a few people in the same boat as you who would love to be a part of this new self-proclaimed holiday.

Bread

Throw away the rule book. Not eating carbs? Eat bread, pasta, and anything else that is normally a no-no. Go to the gym every day? Skip it, one day will not matter. Is the house a mess? Let it wait, the mess will still be there tomorrow. Do you cook three squares for the family every day? Leave a cookbook and the takeout menu on the counter and let them fend for themselves. The bottom line is that it’s all about you for 24 hours.

Everyone should take the time to love and pamper themselves. It’s how we get through the rigors of life. If you’ve forgotten to take a teeny bit of time to do the things that make you happy, this is your reminder. And make it something you do from time to time. Your mental well-being will thank you.