healthy lifestyle

healthy living common sense

Healthy Living: Common Sense

Can’t escape the news. One way or another you’ll hear something throughout the day. This past week have been updates on the Coronavirus and I’m sure everyone is listening and watching to see what happens next. What we need to remember is to think things through logically using common sense. Not allowing our emotions to cloud our judgement.

Sunday, my mom flew out making her way back to Ohio arriving in time to see her spring flowers pop up. First though, she’s visiting my sister that lives north of DC. We’ve been monitoring the news and taking some preventive measures including washing our hands and supporting our immune systems with exercise, vitamins, etc. I made mom an essential oil spray for her to take with her on the plane to wipe down the seat, armrests and trays. If you’ve ventured out to the stores lately, you’ll likely find what we did – many empty shelves.

I’m proud of mom because she has been keeping things in perspective. Not letting the news upset her. She is however, aware that if need be she should stay in the DC area if it’s better for her than traveling. Luckily mom is healthy and takes good care of herself so we expect she will arrive in Cleveland as scheduled.

I am not a doctor, nurse or anything involving the medical industry and will not speak on anything regarding this virus or any illness. For me, I take a more holistic approach and remind folks that we must take care of ourselves BEFORE some virus comes knocking at the door.

Below are a few preventive things that you can do now:

healthy living common sense
  • Wash your hands. Then wash them again. A few weeks back I wrote an article about singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star when washing your hands. Recently on the news, they recommended singing Happy Birthday twice to know that you’ve washed long enough.
  • Exercise regularly. Exercise improves your overall fitness which can in turn boost your immune system which helps you fight illness. Put on your sneakers and take a walk.
  • Get a good night’s rest. Sleep is something we all need but also not something we prioritize enough in our lives. Study after study has shown that people that do not get enough sleep are likely to become ill after being exposed to a virus. Turn off the TV or computer and go to bed.

Three simple things you can do immediately for a healthier you tomorrow. Have an amazing week.

To your health,

Denise

Protect your family: Toxic Products

Stop calling this woman. Your health depends on it.

Tis the season.  The season of non-stop commercials showing everything you absolutely must buy this year if you want a happy family on Christmas Day.  Not sure about you but for me the older I get, the less I need.  Over the past few years, I’ve been working hard to keep purchases to a minimum. Only buying what I need when I need it. Bottom line is I don’t need anything and I really hate to shop.

My lifelong best friend in Cleveland knows how much I hate shopping so when we get together that is one thing she knows not to put on our list of things to do. Watching the non-stop parade of commercials that began before Thanksgiving can seem almost insane to someone like me that literally hates to shop.  Marketers are VERY good at getting you to think you need something you have never thought about before. After all, how many pet rocks were sold way back when. Or more recently the fidget spinner thing.  I really couldn’t wrap my brain around that one but kids seemed to love it.

There is one commercial that seems to keep appearing whether it is on TV, social media or via email. I also think it’s one of those gifts that most of us do NOT need.  What is it?  Ask Alexa. She can do anything or so it seems that way from the commercials.   (NOTE: You can find information on Alexa using our Amazon affiliate link here:  Echo Spot with Alexa)

Want the front porch light on? Ask Alexa. Want to find out what movies are playing near you? Ask Alexa.  Need to know what the weather is going to be tomorrow? Ask Alexa.  Want to change the TV station? Ask Alexa.  Don’t feel like setting an alarm clock? Ask Alexa. Want pizza for dinner? Alexa will order it from Dominos for you. Don’t feel like reading the kids a bedtime story? Alexa will.  Need your living room vacuumed? Alexa will get Roomba right on that for you.  Windows on your car frozen? No worries! Alexa will start your car for you.  House seem a little warm? Alexa will turn down the thermostat for you.  And the list goes on and I am sure will expand to do even more things in the future.

When did it become so hard to turn on a light? Or change a TV channel.  When I was a kid, my dad had four remote controls – they were myself, my two sisters and one brother.  We had the difficult task of getting up and going over to the TV to change the station using a dial.  Child abuse I tell you!

I understand we live in a time crunched world but every single time you call Alexa to perform a menial task for you means that is one more time you didn’t physically move.  Not one finger.  Remember the less we move, the less we move.

Yes Alexa can be an important life tool for those that need the assistance but the rest of us? I hope you’re tired of hearing the name Alexa because it’s better to get up off your butt and do it yourself. Save Alexa for the tasks that need done when you are not home. Have a wonderful week.

To your health,

Denise






How To Get Back On Track.

How was summer?  Did you enjoy a vacation or two?  How about those picnics and barbeques?  They were fun right?  So have you slipped out of your shorts and tried to get into a pair of jeans and they’re a wee bit tighter than the last time you wore them? Don’t worry! It happens to all of us at one time or another.




Summer has us more active but also knocks us out of our routine especially when it comes to what we are eating and drinking.  Then when we try to put on clothes we have not worn in a few months, we realize just how far off track we may have gotten.

It’s okay. It happened. Let it go. Don’t beat yourself up.  Focus on getting back on track.  Decide right this moment that you are going to move back to eating clean.  Below are a few more tips to help you ease back into a healthy lifestyle this fall:

Stay hydrated.  Surprisingly, when it is hot it quite easy to get off track with drinking our water which results in our becoming dehydrated.  Make drinking water throughout the day a priority.  For me I have gone back to carrying a gallon of water with me no matter where I go. Whether I am in the office or at the gym, that jug of water is with me.  Seeing it visually go down or NOT go down is enough to push me to drink the water my body needs.  Don’t add artificial sweeteners to your water.  If you really need flavor, opt for a slice of fruit.

Cleanse your system.  No I’m not talking about a juice cleanse or anything like it.  What I am talking about is removing the processed, packaged foods, and snacks that may have found their way into your diet.  Focus on eating whole, real foods like vegetables, fruits and lean meats.  It’s time to be picky about what gets in your body.

Rest.  Summer fun that leads into nights, may have robbed us of the sleep our bodies need.  Not only do we feel exhausted, when we are tired we may not make the best decisions as far as eating and exercise.  Shoot for 8 hours of sleep every night.

Exercise. Fall is the PERFECT time to get back on track with your exercise routine.  Grab your sneakers and favorite workout clothes, put them on and head out the door.  Remember if you are starting back take it easy in the beginning.  The most important thing is that you get up and get moving.

Have a wonderful week!

To your health,

Denise