Family · Lifestyle

11 Great Ways to Reduce Stress on a Family Day Out

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If you’ve got kids, you probably dream of lovely days out as a family. Where everyone is having fun and laughing, learning together and enjoying their day. You see other families having these fairy tale days out where everything is wonderful, and everyone is happy and long for the day that you can do the same. Before we have kids, we imagine that this is what all of our family days out will be like. Lovely and carefree. Then, we have them and start going out together.

We quickly realize that that perfect family day out is nothing but a pipedream and suspect that those families who appear to be having the perfect day are heavily bribing their children.

Family days out are stressful. Sometimes to the point of not being worth it at all. The children whine and moan, even if it’s a destination they have chosen. The food is rubbish, the journey is long and boring, and the entertainment or attraction is never quite how it looks online. By the end of the day, everyone is upset, tired and hungry and you’ve had to deal with 8034 toddler tantrums.

But, does it have to be this way? Is bribery the only way to have a stress-free day out with your family? Surely not. Here are some great tips to reduce all of the stress so you can all enjoy your day.

Plan

Planning your day out in plenty of time gives you a chance to save lots of money, get cheaper transport tickets and prepare an itinerary to make everything as easy as possible. Write lots of lists and make sure you know exactly what you are doing and when. Brief the rest of your party too, and then repeat yourself on the morning of the event.

Don’t Plan

All that said, sometimes it’s best not to plan. When you plan a perfect day out, it often leads to chaos and an immense pressure to have a great time. It can be hard to live up to your expectations. If something comes up and you are free, or you spot something that your family will love last minute, go with it. Sometimes the spontaneous days out with absolutely no preparation and planning are the most fun and the ones that you remember in years to come. Don’t get too hung up on the planning.

Let the Kids Help

When the kids get a little older, they can resent being dragged around with their parents and younger siblings. To be fair, even 6 or 7-year-olds would often rather be at home on their tablets. So, let them help you arrange their perfect day out. Sit together and look at some great family days out online and try to find something that everyone will enjoy. Encourage them to think of not only their needs but of those of the rest of the group, especially any younger children.

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A visit to an aquarium such as SeaQuest can be the perfect solution. Younger children and even babies can enjoy watching the colourful fish swimming around, and older kids and adults can make the most of the interactive displays and learning opportunities. Other great options include farms, zoos and fun, family-friendly museums.

Give Older Children Responsibility

Another way to keep older children happy on a family day out is by making them feel needed and appreciated. Give them a job, such as looking after the map and checking things off your to-do list and tell them how important this is and that they are doing you a huge favor. Keep an eye on their progress and encourage and praise them throughout the day. Tell them that everyone is having a much better day because of their help.

Get an Early Night

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The last thing you want on the morning of your big day out is tired and agitated kids or adults for that matter. If the children know that something fun is happening the next day they might find it hard to sleep if they are excited. So, try to keep their routine normal and put them to bed a little earlier. Then, get some rest yourself. Big family days out can be long and tiring, so make sure you are starting on top form.

Give Yourself Plenty of Time

Get up a little early than usual too to give yourself plenty of time to make sure you’ve got everything you need for the day. Then, leave early enough that you aren’t having to rush whether you’re driving or using public transport. Make sure you’ve got enough time for an emergency stop.

Plan Activities for the Journey

You don’t want to be stressed out before you arrive. But children can be hard to entertain on a long journey. So, plan some activities. Think of some games you can play together and take a few small books or toys. You could even let them take their tablets or other devices just for the journey if it keeps everyone happy.

Pack Snacks

Even if the journey is short, you may find you have to spend some of your days in queues or waiting for shows. Kids tend not to be very good at waiting, so healthy snacks are a must. Just make sure you also take a bag for rubbish and some baby wipes for sticky fingers.

Keep the Kids Safe

As a parent, your biggest fear on family days out is always that one of the children will get lost. Even when they start getting older, it’s something that worries us. Temporary ID tattoos with a parent’s name and contact number are a great idea to help keep them safe. You should also make sure they know your real name and that there is a landmark nearby they recognize if they need help.

Remember, it’s Their Day Out Too

It can be easy to get hung up on our children’s behavior, but on a day out it’s important to relax a little. Remember, it’s their day out too, they are excited and might be a little louder than usual. It’s ok to let things slide a little for the good of the day.

Know When to Give Up

However, sometimes, it can seem like everything is against you. The weather is awful; things are closed, the car stops working, your picnic gets ruined or worse. Things happen. Instead of trying to force everyone to have a good time sometimes it’s ok to give it up, go home and watch a DVD together. There’ll be other days.

This is a collaborative post.
Lifestyle

Just A Teeny Update

It’s been slow, but it’s been steady. I have whittled my excess kilos down by 5kg – 11pounds through mindfulness.

Trying to practice what I’m preaching about health and wellness is paying off bit by bit.

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Remember that a lifestyle change need not be drastic. It can be baby steps heading in the right direction. Keep moving…

Health · Lifestyle · Wellness

Stock Your Kitchen with These Medicinal Foods

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You’ve probably heard a few people say that food is medicine in your time, and you know what? They were absolutely right. If you want to live a long, happy and healthy life, you absolutely do need to eat the right foods in the right amounts.

Obviously, there is always going to be a place for proper medicine and the use of pharmaceuticals, and a lot of people wouldn’t be able to get by without wheelchairs, bandages, CPAP Machines and some of the other medical supplies you’ll find at http://medsupplynow.com/, but when it comes to preventing illness and helping to heal from simple ailments, food can be pretty powerful!

Here are some of the most medicinal foods you should consider stocking your kitchen with right now:

Basil

This delicious herb, which goes great with spaghetti bolognese, is known to aid individuals suffering from the discomfort of indigestion and stomach cramps and many people believe it can help with constipation too, which I’m sure you’ll agree are all good reasons to stock it in your herb rack!

Ginger

Ginger is a popular root, which you can find in many kitchens, in either its natural or powdered form due to it’s strong, exotic taste, but did you know that it can help relieve nausea? Many pregnant women drink ginger tea or chew on crystallized ginger when they have morning sickness that isn’t serious enough to require medical attention. You can use it to relieve nausea at any time, and there is a good chance that it will work.Of course, if your nausea is persistent, you should see a doctor because ginger might not cut it if you’re experiencing something more serious.

Cayenne Pepper

Have a lot of phlegm in your throat? Finding it hard to breathe with ease, if you haven’t got the time to wait for a delivery of decongestant from https://www.healthwarehouse.com/pharmacy or you can’t get out to the store to buy something that will bring you relief, you’ll be glad to have a jar of cayenne pepper to hand. Why? Because cayenne pepper, or more accurately the capsicum it contains, will clear everything out and make you feel like a whole new person.

Capsicum, when applied in a topical treatment to aches and pains, including backache, can also have a very relieving effect on the body.

Cinnamon

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There are lots of promising research papers that seem to suggest that cinnamon could help to lower the blood pressure and cholesterol levels in individuals who have diabetes. All you need to do is sprinkle half a teaspoon of the spice on your food daily to get this benefit. Obviously, if you have diabetes, you need to talk to your doctor before you try anything different or start meddling with your diet, and the science is, as yet, far from conclusive, but cinnamon is safe and delicious, so it couldn’t hurt to sprinkle it on your oats or bake some into your apple pie, could it?

Garlic

This pungent allium has long been known to have medicinal properties. Even registered MDs will quite often mention to their patients the benefits of taking garlic daily id they have high blood pressure, because of its ability to lower it, and most people will know that eating garlic when you have a cold can help to sort you right out, which is why it’s imminently sensible to keep a stock of garlic in your kitchen at all times.

Fennel

It has long been known that chewing on fennel seeds, which taste a little like aniseed, is a good way to get rid of trapped gas. Not only that but drinking fennel tea will aid with digestion if you have an upset stomach and some women swear by it when they’re having trouble bringing on breast milk to feed their babies. It may also help babies who have colic too!

Turmeric

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There is lots of interesting research into this yellow curry spice which claims it can do everything from preventing the onset of Alzheimer’s to ease arthritis and even protect the body from cancer, and although a lot more research needs to be done to confirm any of these claims, the fact that scientists think there is enough in them to be worth studying makes it a food worth adding into your daily diet.

Please Remember, you should always consult your doctor before making changes to your diet, especially if you’re sick in any way, and your doctor should always be your first port of call if you’re experiencing serious symptoms or symptoms that you can’t shake. That being said, using these foods as medicine, is sure to make your life easier and your body better!

My Thinking Corner

Renew Like An Eagle – My Thinking Corner

When one clocks 40, the tendency is to have mixed feelings; the good feeling of coming of age and the silent panic at the thought of growing older.

The year my age clock ticked forty and passed it, I could try to tell you that I didn’t care less at that point in time, but if the truth is told, I had pressure on my mind to just go after my dreams without delay. I felt that I had been held back by incidents of life, however, it was still up to me to change things and make the life that I want for myself. Call me slow, but it’s taken me 40+ years to figure a number of things out.

Renew like an Eagle, Inspiration, Encouragement, Life Lessons, Life After Forty, Motivation, Follow Your Dreams, Isaiah 40:31

Now that my knees are acting as though they belong to someone else – I must say I no longer feel so spritely and each day I am reminded that I no longer have the luxury of being in my twenty’s.  Some of us are able to get all their ducks in a row early in life, whilst some of us have our boats battered by the winds, pushed off course as we row as hard as we can to keep it from capsizing. The great thing is that if we keep going we will surely get to the shore.

In seeking ways on how to generate a better lifestyle for myself and to find out if the cliché ‘life begins at forty’ holds some truth, I remember the Bible passage: Isaiah 40:31

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

I did a little read up on Eagles and learned that Bald Eagles go through a process of transformation at 40. They make a life-changing decision not to give in easily to the strictures of aging but it strategically breaks off its beak and rips off its feathers in order to grow new ones. This excruciatingly painful procedure takes solid 5 months of risk and hunger but extends the eagle’s life by another glorious stretch of 30 years.

It’s said that the eagle has only two options: to make these changes or to die and this brings me to my question: what are your options?

  • What are those crucial decisions that you need to make?
  • What are those dreams that you need to hunker down and pursue with every ounce of breath in you?
  • What are those lifestyle changes that you must make to give your body a fighting chance to go the long haul?

Are you going to brave up and renew your strength like an Eagle or are you just going to roll up your mat and whine about everything going on in your life?

Remember, that the energy of silent panic can be turned into something positive.

Be at peace.

Jacqueline

Health

Health: The Differences For Men And Women

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Given that men and women are the same species, it’s natural to expect that their health needs are the same. If you have previously thought this to be true, you’re not alone; many health experts aren’t as aware as they should be about how men and women differ. And — as we’ll soon discuss — this can lead to terrible consequences.

The reality is that though men and women are the same species, their healthcare needs can be hugely different. This is the true reality of biology. Different hormones, different organs— the two sexes are very separate from one another, with differing needs and requirements to ensure they’re able to get the most out of life.

Understanding the way that healthcare differs for men and women is extremely important for you and your partner. What’s right for one of you might not be for the other; you have different experiences, expectations, and healthcare needs. Below, let’s investigate the different ways in which healthcare requirements can differ between men and women– and how you can apply this knowledge to your own life.

Women Are More Likely To Have Their Physical Pain Ignored Than Men Are

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There’s a lot of discussion in the medical community as to why this is, but it’s a simple fact that studies confirm again and again: medical professionals don’t take women’s pain as seriously as they do men’s. There are countless stories which detail how this problem can impact healthcare treatment, some of which have truly tragic consequences.

Worryingly, while this issue is known, no one is entirely sure of the solution to it. One of the most-suggested solutions is for more female physicians, but female physicians are just as likely to underestimate women’s pain as their male counterparts. Some have suggested this all leads back to the old stereotype that women are “hysterical” and thus can’t be trusted to judge the severity of their own pain– a truly outdated idea with no basis in fact, but one that has serious implications.

If you find yourself in pain, then don’t hold back on the description– be honest. Explain what hurts, how much it hurts, and how it is impacting your ability to lead a normal life. If you’re not happy with how a doctor responds, then seek a second opinion, and a third if necessary too.

Men Are More Likely To Have Their Mental Pain Ignored Than Women Are

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This issue is predominantly societal; it comes from the assertion that men should be “strong” and “capable”. As a result, men find that their mental health is often overlooked by medical professionals– they are just expected to be able to deal with it.

Women, on the other hand, are more likely to be diagnosed and to receive treatment for mental health conditions. Some of this discrepancy is due to women being more likely to suffer from conditions such as anxiety, but this isn’t enough of a difference to explain the diagnosis rates.

The lack of diagnosis has real, serious consequences. Male suicide has been labeled a “silent epidemic”, with studies showing men are three times more likely to commit suicide than women– in some parts of the globe, this discrepancy is even higher. If men are not receiving diagnosis and treatment of conditions such as depression, it’s reasonable to conclude that this is influencing the abnormally high likelihood of male suicide.

If your partner is suffering from mental issues such as stress or depression, then encourage him to talk to you about them, and — ideally — a mental health professional. As with the physical pain issue for women, if you don’t receive a satisfactory response from the first doctor, then move on to a second opinion.

There Are More Screening Tests For Women Compared To Men

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Screening tests are tests which are performed to try and identify potential health concerns before they become truly problematic. The most common for women is the PAP smear, which most women are encouraged to have at least once every three years after the age of 25.

This is not the only screening test available to women, however. If there is a history of breast cancer in your family, you can be screened to see if you carry recessive genes. A high profile example of this testing was provided by Angelina Jolie. Jolie underwent genetic screening and discovered her likelihood of breast cancer was very high, leading to her making the decision to undergo a mastectomy as reported by EOnline.com.

Furthermore, women are encouraged to have mammograms on a regular basis over the age of 50 (though this does vary between countries). So, overall, women have three types of testing — dependant on their age — that can help identify serious problems with their health.

Men, on the other hand, are not so lucky. Women have access to screening tests for female-specific problems related to female hormones; breasts and cervical cancers. For men, the same theory applies; they are screened for the male-specific condition of prostate cancer. It’s fair to say that men don’t appreciate a prostate exam, but it is necessary to identify the signs of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is common in men, but also treatable; you can learn about Comprehensive-Urology.com if this is an area you’re less familiar with. It’s also worth encouraging your partner to be screened on a regular basis, especially if he’s over the age of 45.

However, prostate aside, there are few other screening tests that men are eligible for. Screening tests for bowel cancer are offered in some countries, but it’s fair to say that they are far from commonplace at the present time.

As a result of the lack of screening tests available to them, it could be argued that men have to be more vigilant about their own health than women are. On the flipside of the argument, women have more to need screening for– so the situation, arguably, evens out.

Symptoms Of Various Illnesses Are Very Different For Men And Women

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What are the symptoms of a heart attack?

Off the top of your head, you’re probably imagining a scene that is something like this:

A person is standing upright, focusing on a task. Suddenly, they begin to sweat. They clutch their hand over the left-side of their chest, their face clearing contorting with intense pain. They fall to the ground, calling for help, writhing in agony.

This is the way that heart attacks have been depicted by TV and movies for years… and it’s almost entirely incorrect for both genders. Heart attacks are rarely “lightning bolt” type events; they build slowly, becoming more severe. It’s even possible to have a heart attack and not even realize you had one; a fact that applies to both genders.

However, the main symptoms — pain in the left side of the chest, pain in the left arm — are decent indicators of heart problems… if you’re male. The symptoms of a heart attack for women are very different indeed; they also tend to be milder. There’s plenty of evidence to show how heart complications are different for men and women yet huge numbers in the medical community are unaware of how heart problems manifest differently between the sexes.

It’s not just heart attacks that suffer from this problem. Many health conditions have well-known symptoms that actually aren’t remotely relevant to what women might experience. What’s more, it’s not just the general populace who can be misinformed about this; many medical professionals aren’t aware of the difference between male and female symptoms so they may dismiss symptoms. This is a well-known issue that applies across a range of conditions, however, it’s tough to identify when it’s happening to you.

The only option for women to cope with this is to never just accept a non-diagnosis. If you believe you have a health condition, then push until you receive appropriate medical attention. Encourage your doctors to think outside the box and don’t be afraid to question them; if women don’t speak out to correct these anomalies in healthcare, then nothing is going to change.

In Conclusion

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Understanding the differences in male and female health conditions is incredibly important. We’re all different, but the differences between the sexes are stark. Both genders need to be able to advocate for themselves, especially if they are experiencing a health condition that is seen as “uncommon” to their gender– for example, mental health problems for men, or cardiac issues for women.

The key to moving past these issues is being willing to question any health advice you receive. A doctor should never be dismissive or annoyed when you ask for further information; in fact, if they are, then it’s probably a sign you’re going to want to look for another medic anyway. Many people accept what they are told, and as a result, continue to live with health complaints and difficulties that are treatable– if you can get access to the treatment.

So speak up, warn your partner to do the same, and your family should be able to get the healthcare that you deserve.

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Health

Is Your Head Harming Your Health?

Mental health issues are terrible. Thankfully, they’re now recognized by health professionals as chemical imbalances. As such, treatment and general approaches have changed in significant ways.

But, there’s less focus on the way a ‘chemically healthy’ brain can cause damage to health. While not a medical issue, negative outlooks can cause health problems. Yet, many of us suffer from negative thoughts in at least some aspects. It’s a real issue. Which is why we’re going to look at some of the negative outlooks which could harm your health if you aren’t careful.

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Lack of confidence

We all experience a lack of confidence at some point. You could argue that it’s a result of the competitive pressure we place on beauty. But, whatever the reason, lack of confidence usually starts in our teens and haunts us throughout our lives. As well as leading to issues such as depression, lack of confidence can lead to problems like anorexia, which can do untold damage to health.

If you’ve been fighting a lack of confidence, it’s past time you addressed the issue. You could choose to embrace some self-love practices and become more acquainted with your body. Or, you may want to take more extreme measures, such as cosmetic surgery. You could even opt for a less-invasive option like non-surgical lipo. If you think this is the way to go, you can contact Cosmetic Laser Dermatology and others like them for more information. Bear in mind that a step like this may not have the desired impact on your outlook. It may also be necessary to engage in the self-love activities mentioned above. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself in the same position.

Disinterest

We feel disinterest for a variety of reasons, some of which require medical help. Depression, for example, often leads to apathy. If you think this may be the case, it’s important to seek medical help. But, sometimes, the cause is more to do with our outlook. Secretly, many of us would prefer an evening on the sofa to a night out. But, if you pass up every opportunity, you’ll soon find that issues such as depression creep up on you. Not to mention that inactivity can cause weight gain and other health issues.

To get around the issue, find ways to boost your energy levels, such as healthy eating, or exercise. It may also be worth finding hobbies which peak your interest. That way, you’ll be more motivated to make an effort.

Destructive cravings

It’s not unusual to seek relief from stress. But, many of us satisfy the need through destructive behaviours such as drinking, smoking, or drug use. You don’t need us to tell you what these could do to your health.

Instead of giving in to destructive cravings, find a release which isn’t harmful, such as reading, or playing games. Evidence has shown that you get a chemical buzz from game playing, like that of an addict. So, why not give it a go and see how much better you feel?

Health · Lifestyle

Boost Your Energy Levels and Boost Your Health

We all lead busy lives. And even on from that, we can all make excuses not to take care of ourselves as much as we should. We justify that we’re busy or that we’re not able to go to the gym or we just had to grab a takeout. But then, should we be surprised if we find ourselves feeling sluggish, tired, and generally low? At this time of year, a lower immune system can be rather obvious. So here are some things that you can do to make sure that you keep your energy levels up to feel happy, healthy, and strong.

Tired, Stressed, Fatigue, Boost Your Energy Levels

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Eat More Magnesium Based Foods

We all know that we need to eat a balanced diet to stay at a healthy weight or even to lose weight. For energy, a healthy diet is of paramount importance too. But what does that really mean? One of the nutrients that we need to make sure that we are getting plenty of is magnesium. It can really play a part in giving our energy levels a boost. It has been found that if you’re deficient in magnesium, your body has to work harder to function normally, which in turn, will use up a lot of energy. So make sure that foods like almonds cashews, fish, and whole grains feature regularly in your diet.

Move More

It might sound ridiculous, but moving more can actually help you to feel like you have more energy. It isn’t necessarily anything like a five-mile run or a weights session. But a walk around the block or to the park and back could be just what you need. It will lift your mood and make you feel invigorated and refreshed, rather than feeling low and lethargic.

Reduce Stress

If you are feeling stressed, then it can naturally drain you of energy. It can be often as a result of anxiety, which can really zap the energy out of you. It can leave you feeling physically exhausted as well as mentally exhausted. And if left to spiral out of control, then it could trigger other things like depression or bipolar, as mentioned by the site Bipolar Lives. So you need to be monitoring things closely to see how you react to it all. Timeout, exercise, therapy, and dealing with the stressors head on can all help. So, find out what works for you and then go from there.

Avoid Sugar

When you feel tired, then it can be tempting to reach for a bag of candy or some chocolate. These things will give you a short burst of energy (well, a boost in your blood sugar). But after that, it will leave you feeling more tired than you ever were before. So refined sugar, and processed foods, in general, should just be avoided. Keeping your blood sugar level steady will be what helps you to feel energetic and have a steady burst of energy.

Is there anything that you find helps you to stay on top of our energy levels or gives them a boost?

Lifestyle

When Accidents Stop Becoming Accidents

The word “accident” is like a barrel of mysteries. The official definition would describe it as an unfortunate incident that happens unexpectedly. However, what if the accident was just brewing up and waiting to happen? Let’s use a simple example: your car. If you own a car that you drive around every day, then isn’t it normal to take your car to a garage for maintenance every few weeks or months? If you don’t, then it will quickly become a dangerous vehicle to drive because the individual parts might start rusting, the damage might lower the performance of your vehicle and your safety might be at risk. If you put it this way, then even though it can be considered an accident to end up in a crash because your brakes stopped working, you could argue that it was your fault.

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Let’s admit it, we sometimes let these issues slip out of our minds. Car maintenance is important, but how many of us take our vehicles in for regular checks unless the vehicle is actually broken? Not many. Similarly, how many of us go into a business without realising the potential pitfalls that could cost us a lot of money? If you’re going to get involved with something that puts your health or finances at risk, then it’s important to educate yourself to avoid anything bad happening.

Educate Yourself

Accidents usually happen as a result of neglect or lack of understanding. No matter what you do in life, it pays to prepare yourself. For example, if you’re worried about car accidents, then there are a couple of ways to prepare. For starters, you could get to know personal injury attorneys that are capable of arguing in your corner when you want to seek justice for damages caused. It pays to know local attorneys so that when you do end up in an accident, you have a way to make the entire recovery process simple and efficient.

Another good way to avoid accidents is to prevent them in the first place. Using driving as another example, it’s a good idea to practice defensive driving. Defensive driving courses aren’t expensive and they are perfect for teaching you a couple of extra tips that will ensure your safety whenever you drive a vehicle.

In short, it always pays to study a little extra no matter what you’re doing. Whether it’s running a business, driving a car or renovating your home, you can avoid accidents by using research. Accidents stop becoming accidents when you’re asking for trouble, and getting involved with something that could put your quality life at risk can cause a lot of issues. Educate and prepare yourself to avoid getting into an accident, and always plan ahead so you can quickly remedy the issue. Whether it’s hiring an attorney or using a backup plan, there are always going to be ways to accept accidents and get over them so you can move on and continue with your life.

This is a collaborative post
Lifestyle

Forward Thinking – Planning A Healthy And Happy Future

We’re all focused on the future, aren’t we? After all, we want to ensure that we can enjoy a happy future and one that is full of good health. Sitting around just waiting for the future to come can’t guarantee a happy and healthy future, but setting in place some good foundations now can help put one in place for you.

Ready to start planning for the future? Here are some things you need to do to plan ahead for a very healthy and happy future!

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Make Healthy Food Choices

A healthy diet is one of the most important things in our lives. Choosing low-calorie food options that are high in nutrients ensures our mind and body get all of the right vitamins and minerals that they require to grow and develop correctly. Plus, it means you will be getting plenty of essential nutrients that can help the body overcome various health conditions and allow it to adapt to old age. For instance, if you are a meat-eater, you should cut down on processed meats like sausages and burgers and stick to lean chicken breasts instead.

Think About Your Financial Future

You also need to consider your finances to make sure that they set you up for a strong future. It’s worth buying some life insurance as this will protect your family financially if anything were to happen to you. As this health IQ review shows, active and healthy individuals can benefit from some competitively priced insurance cover from certain companies. It’s also worth saving up for retirement as early as possible to ensure that your finances aren’t stretched once you give up work.

Stay Active

An active life is a healthy life! It is crucial that you continue to be active, even throughout old age. Staying active can help to boost your moods, keep your weight in check, and relieve stress. Don’t worry; you don’t have to start training for marathons or push your body to the edge. Simply walking more is enough to keep you active and healthy. In fact, a thirty-minute brisk walk each day has been shown to prevent a lot of serious health conditions.

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Exercise Your Brain

Staying physically active is one thing, but you also need to remember to exercise your brain and mind as well. This will keep your mental health and ability in good shape as you enter into old age. There are various ways you can keep your mind fit and agile. Lots of studies show that one of the best things is to learn a second language. If that sounds like too much hard work to you, you might want to just work on some puzzles in your spare time such as crosswords or Sudoku.

Stay Away From Stress

It can often be easier said than done, but staying away from stress can help you in a lot of different areas of your life. It can reduce blood pressure, help you get a better night’s sleep, and be generally happier!

Ready for a happy and healthy future?

Health · Lifestyle · Wellness

My Thinking Corner…Care

You’ve got to fall in love again. Fall in love with taking care of yourself; mind, body and soul. Jacqueline

Lifestyle, Well-being, Health, Taking Care of Yourself, Body, Mind, Soul

For the past week, I have been publishing posts on self-care because the plain truth is that when our well-being is out of sync, every other thing in our life suffers.

Time spent taking care of oneself is time well spent. Mentally, spiritually, emotionally and physically, we need to stay strong to be more effective and to withstand the consistent onslaught of horrendous stuff and news that life dishes out in spades.

It is not selfish in the least to take away that much needed time to decompress and to maintain a worthy lifestyle. As a matter of fact, it is a selfless act because when you show yourself the much-needed attention and care, you are better positioned to care for those you love.

When we neglect ourselves, the effects trickle down and the interesting thing is that we lose our effectiveness even when we think that we don’t have time to take care of ourselves and do those things that make us happy.

What are you doing today to make a desired and positive change?