Archive for March, 2010

Hello Health Buds!

Well, according to the calendar (and not necessarily the weatherman) it’s officially Spring, so I guess that means I have to begin thinking about Spring cleaning my house.  But before I get to the good stuff like washing windows, wiping down kitchen cabinets, having the carpets cleaned, and all the rest, I first have to declutter! Every time I turn around, the dining room table has more paper and junk mail scattered on it, even though I could swear I was keeping up with the daily deluge of bills and catalogues that find their way to my address.  The bedroom that was once occupied by one of the kids is now home to all the Christmas decorations because for some reason, I just couldn’t take the one extra step to get them into the attic where they belong.  And that junk drawer that I promised myself would stay organized the last time I cleaned it out….well you know how that’s gone. I’ve always known that once I declutter my home, I feel fresh and relieved, even if I don’t get to the “real” cleaning right away. Today, I found this article that confirms my suspicions that clutter can be a major stressor.  Thought you might find it useful.

The Health Benefits of Decluttering

By RealAge

When you’re so stressed you can’t think straight, take a quick look around. See lots of clutter? Consider it a sign.

In her book, The SuperStress Solution, physician and author Roberta Lee writes that a disorganized, untidy, clutter-filled home is not only a symptom of stress but also a source of stress. Clean up the litter and you’ll dial up the calm.

The Science of Stress and Clutter
According to Lee, research shows that we secrete the stress hormone cortisol when surrounded by disarray. Bad news for your body. But the good news is that you know exactly what to do about it. With a quick tidy-up, you could reclaim both your surroundings and your serenity. Don’t know where to start your spring clean-out? Try these tips:

• Take baby steps. It probably took a long time to accumulate all your clutter, so give yourself time to clear it out. Break up the task into manageable chunks, starting with one room, one corner, one junk drawer, or one cupboard at a time. (Find out how few minutes of clean-up time you need to boost your mood.)
• Set a schedule. Whether you do 20 minutes a day or reserve a whole weekend to declutter, set aside the time you need, and stick to your schedule. (Can’t seem to find the time? The real problem may be energy management, not time management.)
• Write it down. Lee recommends keeping a journal to help you set goals and record positive changes you’ve made to your environment. Ask yourself what’s cluttering your life, why you keep it, and what parts of your life and house seem out of control. Then, list concrete steps for changing it.
• Reach out. Articles and self-help books from people who’ve been where you are can help you get organized and make decisions on what to toss, what to donate, and what to keep.

Did You Know?
Nagging unfinished tasks can hurt your RealAge. Use the short worksheet in this article to find out whether your undone to-do list is causing a mountain of stress.

So let’s get to it…the quicker we start, the faster we’ll feel great!

To Your Good Health!

Hello to my fellow Gentle Souls ~

In much of the Christian world, today is the Third Sunday of Lent, meaning we’re midway through the Season of Lent (already?) It’s a time of prayer, fasting, charity and self-denial. “Self-denial” you ask? You may know of it via the time-honored question “What are you giving up for Lent?” For some of us, the discipline of self-denial starts out with great enthusiasm, but then begins to give way…right….about……Now! It’s kind of like New Years’ Resolutions, when on January 1 we’re totally resolved and committed to give up candy or smoking or fattening foods, etc. But only a few weeks later, we’re back to our old habits, and we end up feeling like we’ve failed.

In recent years, along with the practice of self-denial, we’ve been challenged by our clergy to add positive yet difficult actions to the mix; forgiving someone who has hurt us; being extra patient with a difficult child; spending more time with the family. I think you get the picture. I’ve come to appreciate this combination of surrendering to something that’s difficult, with the resistance of something enjoyable. And if I slip up on one front, I can make up for it on the other, each discipline serving a unique purpose.

As far as trying to do the positive, I use a sort of checklist to help keep me on track with my Lenten journey. It’s from one of my favorite spiritual authors, Leo Buscaglia, and I thought you might like to see it. I’ve been using it to evaluate myself every night….right after I’ve talked myself out of that sweet snack (most of the time!)

To Our Spiritual Health!

Love Quiz

Adapted from Dr. Buscaglia’s book Born for Love
(1992, SLACK Incorporated)

Asking yourself questions and answering them honestly is a good path to self-knowledge. In keeping with this idea, I’d like to propose a few end-of-the-day questions for each of us…

Is anyone a little happier because I came along today?

Did I leave any concrete evidence of my kindness, any sign of my love?

Did I try to think of someone I know in a more positive light?

Did I help someone to feel joy, to laugh, or at least, to smile?

Have I attempted to remove a little of the rust that is corroding my relationships?

Have I gone through the day without fretting over what I don’t have and celebrating the things I do have?

Have I forgiven others for being less than perfect?

Have I forgiven myself?

Have I learned something new about life, living or love?

Hello Health & Beauty Buds!

You may notice it’s been quite awhile since I’ve written. Could it be that I’ve been in a Winter slump and just haven’t felt like it? Yep, that’s part of it. It’s been reported that only Hawaii has escaped winter’s wrath this year. Here in the Midwest, we’re all just plain sick and tired of it, and personally, I can feel myself sliding down that slippery slope into the winter blues. Luckily, the Internet is just full of tips on pulling yourself up by the bootstraps, so I’m going to post a few of them here…just so I have them close at hand whenever I need them.

First get outside. Even in bad weather the act of going outside will get your blood flowing.

Get as much sunlight as you can. Sunlight will improve your mood and can help mild depression. Winter sunlight is not as strong as summer light. If you suffer from SAD (seasonal affective disorder) buy a light box which imitates natural sunlight. Put full spectrum light bulbs in your light fixtures.

Most people have a vitamin D deficiency. If you live in the northern hemisphere or are elderly you definitely need supplemental vitamin D. You can’t get it from sunlight in the winter. So increase your vitamin D intake. It will improve your mood and help your bones.

Don’t neglect your exercise in the winter. When you exercise your body produces endorphins that help you feel good. It is easy to get lazy and not want to go out in the bad weather. Do some form of exercise inside. Join a health club. Exercise will help you eliminate the blues.

Get enough sleep. Some of us seem to need more sleep in the winter. Be sure to schedule it into your day. Adequate sleep will help you shake the winter blues.

Drink plenty of water. It’s easy to get dehydrated in the dry winter air. Your brain actually shrinks when you are dehydrated. You feel tired and rundown. Sip on water throughout the day.

Food will influence your mood. Foods containing tryptophan such as eggs, turkey, soybeans, sunflower and pumpkin seeds will help you to feel better. As always eliminate sugar and white flour from your diet.

Licorice taken in capsules or tea can help you fight the blues. Don’t mistake herbal licorice with licorice candy. They are not the same thing.

Sometimes just using one of these home remedies is all you will need to lift the winter blues.

Excerpted from http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_Tremer

Another thing I’m going to do this weekend is put away my winter decorations and bring out my Spring wreath, flower arrangements and Easter decorations. That’s sure to give to me another boost out of these gray, snowy days!

To your good health!