Habits of Happy People Could Make You Happier

Have you got a case of the blues? Are you feeling frustrated and upset by stories in the news? Try adopting some of the habits of happy people. Doing so could make you feel more connected to your life, give you a sense of purpose, and make your overall outlook a happier one. An article at MindBodyGreen points out seven of the habits that are practiced by the happiest people. You might not be doing them. That isn’t really your fault, though, because few people talk about how they manage to stay so happy all the time. The main idea … Continue reading →

4 Tips to Help You Keep Your Resolution

As I blogged yesterday, my New Year’s Resolution is to lose weight – again. The thing about making weight loss a resolution is that so many people do it (especially after all those holiday pounds!), but many fail to follow through. What can you do to keep your resolution? There are a few hints from psychologist John Norcross on how to keep those resolutions: Believe it can be done. That’s right – don’t let the haters keep you down, saying “You can’t do that.” Believe in yourself that you can succeed. Be realistic. I am never going to weigh 120 … Continue reading →

Unexpected Health Advice From My New Laptop

My computer went to that great big electronics store in the sky last week, so I ended up buying a new laptop. It’s sleek and shiny and actually the first new computer I’ve owned in a long time. (My last two were hand-me-downs, and served long and well.) Like most electronics, the new laptop came with a manual. Several manuals, in fact. The regular operations one, the quick start guide, a shopping-for-accessories booklet, and something called the “Instruction Manual for Safety and Comfort”. With a title like that, I couldn’t resist taking a peek. Much of it is devoted to … Continue reading →

How to Make Good Habits Last

I’ve heard various friends say that it takes three week to turn a behavior into a habit. The stages of forming a habit: Precontemplation. You have a vague sense that you want to make a change. Maybe you’re not sure where or how to start. Maybe you make a lot of excuses why you can’t change. This is a good time for a list of pros and cons. Why do you want to change, and why will it be good for you? What’s holding you back? Contemplation. You have a firmer sense that you want to make a change. You … Continue reading →

What Ten Minutes of Exercise Can Do for You

You’ve probably heard all the experts suggesting that you get thirty minutes of exercise, three or more days of the week. But what if it’s really hard to squeeze in a full thirty minutes at a time? Does that mean you should just not bother? NO! Even just ten minutes of exercise at a time can be good for you. Just ONE HOUR of walking in an entire week can cut your heart attack risk. Oh sure, you say — maybe by one or two percent. Nope! Cut your heart attack risk by as much as fifty percent by accumulating … Continue reading →

Things to Remember, Things to Forget

I often feel like my recall ability is sub-par. I tend to remember general feelings, rather than specific conversations. Some events stand out in my mind while others fade away. My brother is often amazing me by recalling the most random things from our childhood — down to details like what we were wearing and what we ate for dinner. Let’s face it: your brain is loaded down with a lot of information. The stuff you need the most — directions to the store or your ATM code, for example — needs to stay with you. Other things can be … Continue reading →

Make Your Walk Even Healthier!

There’s no doubt about it — walking is good for you. Want to make it even better? Try these tips. Make sure your walking music is safe. Keep the volume at a reasonable level. Make sure you can still hear traffic if you’re walking outside. Look for a headphone that sits in front of the ear, rather than inside it to protect your hearing. Count your steps. Pedometers are pretty reasonable in the price department these days. Try to take one thousand steps in ten minutes of walking. Too much counting? Try to take one hundred steps in a minute. … Continue reading →

Even More Really Quick Health Boosters

One more round of quick things you can do to improve your overall health. Whether you’re looking to reduce your risk of serious disease, get in shape, or just feel better, these quick health boosters can help! Build muscle strength in sixty seconds by stretching. Stretching improves flexibility, but it also can increase strength. You’ll enjoy a larger range of motion AND more muscle power. Neutralize harmful free radicals in sixty seconds by eating dried figs. Free radicals are the molecules to blame for some kinds of cancer, signs of aging, and other health issues. Just 1.5 ounce of dried … Continue reading →

More Really Quick Health Boosters

Here are some more quick things you can do that will have a HUGE impact on your health. Cut your risk of serious disease, slow aging, get fit, and feel better all around with these really quick health boosters. Fight cancer in sixty seconds by eating your apple peel. Chemicals in apple peels inhibited the growth of breast cancer, liver cancer, and colon cancer cells in a study done from Cornell University. Fight aging in sixty seconds by taking a sniff of rosemary. Breathing in the scent for just a few minutes can lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol … Continue reading →

Really Quick Health Boosters

Would you choose a healthier lifestyle if it only took you a minute (or less) to make a change? Here are some really quick things you can do to fight aging, ward off disease, boost your immune system, and more! Fight cancer in sixty seconds by taking the right supplements every day. Make sure you get enough calcium and vitamin D — studies show that these two supplements can make a big difference in your cancer risk. Vitamin D boosts your body’s immune response; a supplement will ensure that you get enough. The other way to get vitamin D is … Continue reading →