5 small resolutions that make a big difference

Small resolutions that make a big difference.

Drink some tea

After consuming a month’s worth of food and two months’ worth of drink within just one week, it’s no wonder that after the Christmas period we all vow to be healthier and lose weight over the coming year. Yet, how many of us manage it and how many of us come up with excuses about why we can’t stick to our resolutions?
Research shows that the weight we gain at Christmas is not usually lost over the ensuing 12 months and that every year we get heavier. To change this predictable pattern, get into drinking herbal tea. Some herbal teas, such as green tea, are thought to aid weight loss, and the antioxidants within herbal teas can help improve your skin and protect your heart and blood vessels.

Book a course

The long, festive break can make going back to work harder and many people want a career change or a new job come January. Although this might be a good thing, finding a new job is not an easy task. To make this New Year’s resolution achievable you should book onto a course at your local college.
Take a look at the jobs you would like to have; what qualifications or experience are employers looking for? If you see a gap on your CV that could hold you back from getting the career you crave, then book onto a course. Before you do so make sure that the course is recognised within your industry and that it suits your style of learning.

Piggy bank

Most people’s bank accounts are not looking too healthy after the dozens of presents you have just forked out on. Therefore most people make a New Year’s resolution to improve their finances over the coming year. Although this sounds like a simple resolution, it’s one that most people fail to stick to after February.
To make sure this year is different, buy a piggy bank and when you get home from work stick in some coins you have loose in your wallet, purse or pocket. It is surprising how quickly and how much money this saves. After two or three months you will need a new piggy bank. Do not open the money boxes until December next year. Chances are, if you’ve stuck to the daily money-giving routine, you’ll have enough saved to cover the costs of Christmas.

Read more

Now that you’re no longer at school, it can be difficult to find the time and energy to read. Once you’ve settled into bed with a good book it can only be a few minutes before you’ve nodded off. Yet, reading can improve your memory and help prevent mental decline, so not only is it relaxing and enjoyable it’s also great for our mental health.
To make sure you get to read more this year why not buy a collection of short stories? You could also join a book club to make sure you stay focused every month. Another way to make sure you read more this year is to download a book list that has been voted for by others, so that you have a stock of well-written and gripping books to read. Finally, you can always start a book review blog and write your opinions on the books you’ve read.

Travel

After slipping back into your normal routine , most people are desperate to break out of the rut they feel their life has fallen into. Most people yearn to travel in order to break free of their normal restraints, but quitting your job, leaving your home and tying up other responsibilities like re-housing your cat means that traveling around Thailand for six months is not a realistic New Year’s resolution.
Yet, other forms of travel are achievable and can make a big difference to your attitude towards your current lifestyle. For example, rather than going on your usual vacation this year why not volunteer on an overseas project for two or three weeks? You can also travel within your local area. Pack a bag and head out exploring for the weekend. Don’t book any accommodation, just head to the train station and catch a train somewhere new. Although not the most glamorous of trips, you will still get a thrill from the unexpected and will not feel like your life is so predictable or planned out.



cheers...............

WELCOME 2017

cheers..............

Tips to Avoid Unwanted Thoughts

Unwanted thoughts are like dark clouds in the sky that hides the bright sun. It keeps irritating like a grain of sand in eye. The thought keeps coming again and again, and it will be very difficult to concentrate on other things unless that thought is paid attention.

The more you allow the negative thoughts in your mind the more your life becomes negative and this negativity becomes a pattern or habit of your life.

You have the power in your mind to scatter that dark clouds and bring back the blue sky in your life. Then your day becomes bright and beautiful.

Some inner work on your part can bring great changes in you rlife. However, if negativity is deeply rooted in you will be needing professional help.

Below are given some simple tips you can follow at your end to bring back the blue sky bright and sunny.

Smile more often

When you are angry or feeling depressed, look at a mirror and force a smile on your face. Smiling sends blood and oxygen to your face and brings the feel good factor. This will help change the mood and relieves stress.

Seek the company of positive people

When you are stuck amongst negative thoughts, it is better to be in the company of positive people. Their positive energy will have a positive impact on you and will relieve you from stress.

Avoid talking about the thoughts

When you are in a problem, do not talk about that problem. This will increase the power of the negative thought or the problem. Change the mind and engage it in some positive works like listening to music.

Do not behave like a victim

Dont behave or act like a victim of the situation. Instead, take charge of the situation. No one can make you feel bad or acts like a victim unless you allow so. Happiness is your right.

Affirmations

Use affirmations to change your mood and have positive attitude. Affirmations are powerful sentences that can have a great impact on the mind.

Following one or all of the above given tips, will help you instantly to come out of your unwanted thoughts. However, professional help can help you much further.

This article was originally published on Practo Health Feed by Dr. Lakshmi T Rajan, Psychologist

5 Things You Can Do Daily to Be Stress-Free

Ms. Raisa Luther

Modern life is full of stress. Deadlines at work, things to do at home. We are forever involved in fixing things. No matter how much we fix, something new is always waiting to be resolved.

In the midst of all this, we forget to really enjoy the little things of life. Like reallyrelaxing, with nothing to worry about. Or having a good laugh with family or friends. Or just doing something small and silly for the sake of doing it!

Being stress-free is a goal that can be achieved. Here are five things to do daily to be more at ease:

• Let go. As we go on in life, we tend to accumulate lots of useless things. The most harmful of these are negative emotions, such as anger, resentments, envy and suspicion. We must learn to let go of these for the sake of our serenity. Letting go is a spiritual exercise and requires practice.

• Stay active. Todays lifestyle invites us to remain lazy TV, couches, elevators, pick-up taxis, order-at-home meals. We must ensure that there is movement. Skip the lift and take the stairs. Walk whenever possible. On weekends, go to the neighborhood park for a stroll. Get a treadmill and use it.

• Eat healthy. Avoid junk food and fizzy drinks. Reduce intake of sugar. Eat more veggies and fruits. And drink plenty of water. Remember, you are what you eat, so eat healthy.

• Connect with friends and family. Emotional and social connections are good for our well-being. Exchange gifts, ideas, spend time with those you care for. Connections give us an opportunity to share our lives with others and that creates meaningful bonds that nurture our inner being.

• Have some me time.While staying connected with others is important, it is equally important to spend time with yourself, alone. Get to know yourself. Meditation is a good way to discover your inner self. If you are comfortable with yourself, youll be comfortable with others.

These are easy and really effective ways to bring some serenity into your life. If you are less stressed, you can spread cheer around you so that others love your company too!

This article was originally published on Practo Health Feed by Ms. Raisa Luther, Psychotherapist

cheers................

Some Positive Practices to Start Doing for Yourself Right Now

We’ve all heard the saying, “Life is short,” but what does it really mean? In terms of length, the literal meaning is true. Life is short, and it passes us by before we know it. From a philosophical standpoint, “Life is short” means that we should enjoy life. We shouldn’t waste our precious time on negative, self-negligent actions or thoughts. Instead, we should strive to create a positive environment. An environment full of positive, self-loving practices that keep our inner spirit soaring.

Practice #1 – Smile

Did you know that every time you smile, your body releases endorphins? Not sure what endorphins are and why they’re a positive thing?

Endorphins are hormones secreted in the nervous system and brain, They cause feelings of excitement and satisfaction.

The simple act of smiling, and the subsequent release of these “feel-good” chemicals, has notable benefits for both your health and your happiness.

Practice #2 – Be Gracious

It is important to remember just how lucky you are in your life. We tend to forget that there are others less fortunate than us. But, when you practice gratitude, it makes you feel great realizing the fortune all around you.

Practice #3 – Go Outside

One of the best things you can do for your body and mind is to get outside and take in all that nature has to offer. Spending five minutes outside when the stress of your day becomes overwhelming is the best medicine you can take. Many a study has uncovered the benefits of nature on the human body.

Practice #4 – Feel your Emotions

Don’t ignore your emotions. It’s easy to do, especially when the emotions we’re feeling aren’t positive, happy ones. However, not allowing yourself to feel those feelings can leave you feeling irritated. The best thing to do is realize you’re feeling those emotions for a reason and allow them to run their course.

All of us have at least one toxic person in our lives. This person doesn’t have our best interest at heart, and they have a negative outlook on everything. If you have someone like that in your life, it might be time to weed this person out of it. There’s no room in a positive outlook for toxic people.

Practice #5 – Give Yourself a Little TLC(Tender Loving Care)

Take some time periodically to treat yourself. You, of all people, deserve it. Spend a couple hours at the spa, go out to your favorite restaurant, or just sit in a quiet spot and read a good book. Do something you like to do. Dedicating time to making sure you’re relaxed and happy ensures your needs are met.

Practice #6 – Stay in the Here and Now

Live in the present and don’t worry about what happened in the past or what might happen in the future. If you live today based on past mistakes, you aren’t doing yourself or your loved one any favors. You have to learn to let go of what was and embrace what is. When you can master the art of living in the here and now, things become clearer and obstacles don’t seem so great.

Practice #7 – Know your Limits

It is difficult sometimes telling others “no.” However, you have to know what your limits are and not be afraid of letting others know what they are, too. There’s no greater self-love than being true to yourself.

Practice #8 – Take it Slow

It may seem like it from day to day, but life really isn’t a rat race. You do have the time to slow down and take your time. Instead of rushing to work, get up just a few minutes earlier and enjoy the commute. Don’t worry about all that you have to do. Just breathe. And enjoy life.

Practice #9 – Avoid Negativity

Practice #10 – Share with Others

Your life is full of blessings, so share with those less fortunate. Volunteer to share your blessings in one way or another. You’ll feel great doing so and you’ll make a difference in someone else’s life.

At the end of the day, being good to yourself is neither selfish or narcissistic. You have to love yourself and be happy with yourself, to be a valuable part of any relationship with family, friends and co-workers.

cheers............

Inspiring quotes by Mother Teresa

• “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.”
• “Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.”
• “I want you to be concerned about your next door neighbour. Do you know your next door neighbour?”
• “Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within reach of every hand.”
• “Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.”
• “The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread.”
• “Let us more and more insist on raising funds of love, of kindness, of understanding, of peace. Money will come if we seek first the Kingdom of God - the rest will be given.”
• “Intense love does not measure, it just gives.”
• “Joy is prayer; joy is strength: joy is love; joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls.”

cheers................

Happy Mother's Day

wishing you all Happy Mother's Day............