101 Ways to Feel Better Today – Page 5

March 25, 2020March 25, 2020

#61 Be Proactive With Your Health

Rest when you need to, take care of yourself and notice when things aren’t right

It’s a reactionary world that we live in. We talk about taking better care of ourselves, and then rarely follow through on it. We know we should eat better and exercise more, but the start date always seems to linger in the future.

Very rarely do we look around and decide that enough is enough, today is the day to do what needs to be done. But this can all change in a moment. Putting off until tomorrow what you can begin today is a bad habit and a waste of precious energy. Take control of where you are, what your life situation looks like right now, and decide what changes need to be made.

March 24, 2020March 23, 2020

#60 Stress Less

Nothing to do other than relax on a hot day. – Lion at Perth Zoo

It’s estimated that over 18% of people in the United States suffer with anxiety. In Canada the number is closer to 12%, but 25% of people are likely to suffer from at least one anxiety disorder in their lifetime. It seems that everywhere you go, people are talking about anxiety.

On social media, which skews to a slightly younger demographic, it is commonplace for users to openly discuss their anxiety. What was once kept private has now become an open discussion, which in itself can ease the burden suffered by those afflicted.

Anxiety is a natural response to stress which can be mild, but if the feelings are extreme and affect the quality of your life or your health then it is a more serious disorder.

March 23, 2020March 23, 2020

#59 Drink Green Tea

Matcha is green tea that is finely powdered so you don’t throw any part of the plant away

Green tea is made from the same plant that black and oolong teas are made from, but it hasn’t gone through the same withering and oxidation process. It is, therefore, a less processed form of the leaves and buds of the Camellia sinensis plant. It originated in China, but the production and manufacturing of it is now also done in East Asia.

Research shows that tea drinkers tend to have less heart disease than non-tea drinkers. This is likely due to the presence of flavonoids in the tea. The ceremony that often surrounds drinking tea is also a way of releasing stress. For those who can’t tolerate the caffeine in coffee, a cup of green tea contains more modest amounts ranging from 25-50 mg per cup, roughly half the amount found in coffee.

March 22, 2020March 21, 2020

#58 Eat Mindfully

Take a lesson from the animals. When they eat, it is all that they do. – Vegetarian rhinoceros at Perth Zoo

It doesn’t seem strange to most people to sit and eat while watching a program, working on the computer or reading a book. Most of the time we distract ourselves while eating, not even noticing how much we are consuming or even what it tastes like. We disconnect from what should be an enjoyable activity in itself.

Mindlessly eating is one of the biggest contributors to obesity. It is easy to sit in front of the television with a bag of potato chips or a handful of cookies and finish it without even remembering doing so. This habit is so ingrained in many people that they can’t imagine sitting and doing nothing other than eating.

March 21, 2020March 20, 2020

#57 Explore Minimalism

A sunny corner with nothing in it is appealing to the eye and the soul

You may have heard of the practice of minimalism. The concept can be found in ancient religious groups from Buddhism to Christianity where there is reference to denouncing personal possessions to achieve spiritual gain and focus. More recently, minimalism was popularized in the 1960’s in the art world, specifically in New York with a move towards simpler trends in music, art and design.

At its core, minimalism is a move away from a consumer-driven mindset to one of simplicity. The insatiable need to have more and more has led to two-income households, children who rarely see their parents, and a desire to have at least as much or more than your neighbours do. It has been promoted by advertisers for years and has become ingrained in the modern world.

March 20, 2020March 20, 2020

#56 Decide What is Important

A lazy afternoon spent with a friend can be better than anything else -White kangaroos at Perth Zoo

It often takes a tragedy or an unexpected change in lifestyle to knock us out of complacency and make us realize what is truly important. The best lessons come from people who are nearing the end of their lives. When asked it they have any regrets, many of them will say that they wish they had enjoyed life more, not worked as hard, and spent more time with family and friends.

Time is the one thing that we can’t control. The young feel as though they will live forever, and throughout life we tend to think only of what we can get for ourselves. We want money, status, big houses and fancy cars. It’s okay to work towards expanding and achieving goals, but there must be balance. It’s important to appreciate all that you have instead of thinking only of what you want.

March 19, 2020March 18, 2020

#55 Bake Something

Two for me and ten to share! Cookies are easy to make and loved by all

There is something very satisfying about baking. Measuring and adding ingredients together, putting your creation into the oven and waiting for it to be ready, smelling the delicious scents as it is cooking, and then seeing the final product is all very satisfying to the soul. Creating anything with our hands can be a meditative and relaxing endeavour, and when it is something we can eat it is even more satisfying.

If you have never baked, don’t be intimidated. Recipes can be found online to bake just about anything and most are very easy to follow. With a few simple tools and ingredients and a little bit of time, you can begin to enjoy the delights of creating your own wholesome food.

March 18, 2020March 17, 2020

#54 Use Worry as a Tool

Graceful and the epitome of peace. We can learn so much about living in the moment from other beings

Stop worrying. Easy to say, but not so easy to do. But why do we worry? What logical reason do we have for thinking of outcomes that we don’t want to see happen, or that frighten us?

Worrying is a type of survival mechanism hardwired into our brains thousands of years ago to help us deal with a dangerous environment. It is a way of remembering where danger lurks and learning to stay away from it. But in the modern world, where the threat of getting attacked by a wild animal is not a reality for most of us, our worrying has morphed into something less productive.

March 17, 2020March 16, 2020

#53 Eat Oatmeal

It’s a waffle made with oats! Easy to make and delicious too

Oats are simple to prepare, inexpensive, readily available, and one of the healthiest things you can eat. They are easy to store so can be useful during times of uncertainty in the world, and they are also very comforting. They are naturally gluten-free but can be cross-contaminated with wheat, so if you are sensitive then look for one that is specifically labeled as gluten-free.

Oatmeal can be eaten warm in the winter and cold in the summer. It can be made sweet with the addition of dried fruits, banana and maple syrup, or savoury with earthy spices, vegetable broth, beans and seeds. It is so versatile that you could consume it every day in a different form and enjoy it. It is also extremely useful in baking and adds a healthy dose of vitamins, minerals, protein and fibre to your diet.

March 16, 2020March 15, 2020

#52 Legs Up the Wall

Legs up, an inversion with multiple benefits for body and mind

Inversions in yoga, such as headstands and shoulder stands, are purported to have multiple benefits ranging from better circulation to increased oxygen flow. They can also come at a price. Done incorrectly or for long periods of time, these inversions can affect the cervical spine and cause problems. If you have glaucoma, hypertension, or a hernia, inversions of any kind may be contraindicated, so always check with your doctor if you are unsure.

A safer way to reap some of the benefits and a more accessible method for most people is to lie on your back with your legs up a wall. It can take only five minutes to do and the potential long-lasting benefits might surprise you.