7 simple tips to feel HAPPY now.

In our rush to get through the tasks of our day, to complete our errands and answer emails, to look at the next video… when do we think we’ll find happiness?

If it’s not here right now, when will it come?

Maybe we think it’ll come when we improve our lives, or meet our goals, or succeed at our business, or finish our college degree, meet someone or have our first child.  Maybe it’ll come when we go on vacation, or when we find time to relax. Maybe tomorrow.

Or we could try this:

• Slow down instead of rushing. Breathe deeply.
• Pause to savor the current moment.
• Really notice everything about the moment, and find small things to appreciate.
• Be grateful for what there is right here, right now. Count your blessings.
• Allow the things that are bothering you to just be in your life, without fighting with them, without pushing them away.
• Don’t allow little things to offend you. They’re not worth ruining this moment.
• Let the beauty of this moment wash over you.

These are all things we already know. But we don’t actually do them. The key here is practice.

If you don’t practice being present, slowing down, enjoying the moment right now, when will you practice? 

What are you practicing now instead?

Start your practice this moment.

"In this moment you are here, you are living, you are present, you are fully blessed” Fiji Mc Alpine.

Based on: Practicing Slowness & Being Present (Leo Babauta).

On vacation and CAN'T SLEEP?!

On vacation and having trouble sleeping?  This blog is made for you, I have gathered some recommendations that can help you avoid those awful insomnia episodes…

• Naps

Napping makes matters worse if you have trouble falling asleep. But if you must nap, keep it brief, 26 minutes or less (the astronaut’s nap)-- and do it early in the day.  Any shut-eye within eight hours of your bedtime can sabotage a good night's sleep.

Tip: When an afternoon slump hits, go for a short walk, drink a glass of ice water, or call a friend.

• Clock

When you glance at the clock in the wee hours of the night, your sleep will suffer.  You worry about how few hours are left before your busy day begins.  

Tip: Put your clock in a drawer, under the bed, or turn it away from view.

• Eat Right

Avoid heavy foods and big meals late in the day; they tax the digestive system and make it hard to get high-quality sleep.  Some people do well with a light evening snack of sleep-inducing foods.  

Complex carbs and dairy foods fill the bill, such as cereal with milk or crackers and cheese.

Tip: Finish any snack at least an hour before bed.

• Caffeine

Coffee in the morning is fine for most people, but as soon as the clock strikes noon, avoid caffeine in foods and drinks.  

Caffeine interferes with the deeper stages of sleep, so even small amounts found in chocolate and decaffeinated coffee may impact your rest.

Tip: Read labels, some pain relievers and weight loss pills contain caffeine

• Alcohol

Although the tranquilizing effects of alcohol may make you sleepy at bedtime, beware -- after the initial effects wear off, alcohol actually causes more frequent awakenings at night and less restful sleep.

Tip: Warm milk or chamomile tea are better beverage choices in the evening. And remember to stop drinking within two hours of bedtime to avoid bathrooms visits in the middle of the night.

• Exercise

Regular exercise has been shown to improve sleep quality, as long as you don't work out too close to bedtime.  A post-workout burst of energy can keep you awake.  Aim to finish any vigorous exercise 3 to 4 hours before you hit the hay.

Tip: Gentle mind/body exercises are fine just before sleep. Yoga, tai chi, and similar routines are a perfect, sleep-inducing nightcap.

Go on VACATION and stay FIT

Does the thought of taking a vacation remind you of snacks, soft drinks, alcohol, food and losing control of your weight? Do you predispose yourself to gain the weight you lost this last period?

Don’t freak out! This time I'll give some tips for you to go on vacation without guilt when eating and enjoying the most without gaining weight:

• Try to prepare healthy snacks with fruits, vegetables and healthy dressings.
• If you want to avoid small eating all day, choose the snacks that you like, put them on a plate and eat only that amount.
• Always choose snacks that contain vegetables and have a fat-free dressing.
• Choose fat-free dressings such as vinegar, chili powder, lemon, soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce.
• If you know you're going out for dinner at a restaurant, try to have a very light lunch.
• Do not skip meals, try to eat at least 3 times a day, even a little.
• If you like alcohol, choose low calorie beverages such as wine and beer. Drinks with more degrees of alcohol like vodka, tequila and rum have much more calories.
• If you drink beverages containing soda, use those that don’t contain sugar.
• Whenever you can, drink natural water and add sliced fruit like watermelon, strawberry, kiwi, lemon, tangerine or orange to give it a little taste. You can add some Stevia to achieve the sweetness you want.
• Try taking a walk a day, at least 30 minutes and preferably after eating.
• Choose to be active this holiday, climb stairs, play with your children, do group sports, and go for a walk with your family.
• Relax and sleep.

Remember that holidays are to recover and take new energy.  If you go up a few extra pounds, that is no reason not to enjoy your family.  You will eventually come back home and start your healthy routines.

"There is only one life, sizes are many" M. Godoy

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Do not forget to LOG OUT these vacations...

A small reminder:

Healthy tip: Try to choose BIG fruits like watermelon, melon, orange or papaya. These contain more water, fiber and less calories.