Busy schedule? Short on time? These quick health and wellness boosters take just a few minutes.
Banana splits for breakfast?
We all enjoy a good banana split once in a while, but have you ever thought about having one for breakfast? Simply switch out the ice cream for a healthy Greek yogurt and top with your favorite fruits, granola, nuts, etc.
Laugh a little
Laughing is known to lower blood pressure and reduce stress. Take a few minutes out of each day to laugh a little. Whether you watch a couple of funny pet videos on YouTube, or set your DVR to record a few episodes of your favorite sitcom, make sure that you laugh out loud a couple of times per day… and the bigger the laughs, the better the results.
It’s great to be grateful
As we live our busy lives, sometimes it’s hard to remember the little things that we should be grateful for. Take a few minutes at the beginning and/or end of your day to say what you are grateful for. Maybe it’s your spouse or your job, your cat or your swimming pool, but no matter what you are grateful for, make sure you acknowledge it. And if it is a particular person, be sure to let him/her know… you never know how much it can lift their spirits.
Lunch with the girls (or guys)
It’s nice to get out of the house or office during the day, even if it’s only for a little while. Consider taking time to make a lunch date with a couple of friends and escape the daliy doldrums. Enjoying yummy food with like-minded people in a social atmosphere can reduce stress and release “feel good” chemicals. Think of how many times we conclude a visit with friends by saying, “we have to do this again soon… it was so much fun.”
One step at a time
We are fortunate to live in a time when technology can track simple daily tasks for us… like counting our steps. Most phones now auto-calculate steps so it’s an easy way to start or continue a healthy routine. Take a look at your average number of daily steps per day over the last month. Then set a goal for each week such as I want to increas my steps by 300 per day. And don’t forget to give yourself a healthy reward when you meet your weekly goals.
The “eyes” have it
Wearing eye makeup can really bring out your eyes but it after a night of fun can be tedious to get all of it off. Use this do-it-yourself eye makeup remover to gentle remove makeup.
Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons olive oil (You can also use several other oils including jojoba oil, vitamin E oil, or coconut oil)
- 2 teaspoons witch hazel
Process:
Mix ingredients together in a small container.
To use:
Simply apply mixture to a soft cloth or cotton ball and dab eye makeup. Rinse with warm water.
Don’t touch!
As the temperatures get a little cooler, we know that cold and flu season is right around the corner. Be cautious and aware when touching your eyes, nose, and mouth as these pesky viruses and bacteria enter your body through these areas. Also be cognizant of shopping carts and the germs that they can harbor, especially during the holiday season. Sanitizing wipes, when used occasionally, can help combat spreading illnesses so you can spread your cheer.
