Are you feeling depressed?

DEPRESSION TIPS:

Shower. Not a bath, a shower. Use water as hot or cold as you like. You don’t even need to wash. Just get in under the water and let it run over you for a while. Sit on the floor if you need to.

Moisturize everything. Use whatever lotion you like that makes you smell yummy? Use whatever you want, and use it all over your entire dermis.

Put on clean, comfortable clothes. Put on your favorite underwear. Those ridiculous boxers you bought last Christmas with candy cane hearts on the butt? Put them on.

Drink cold water. Use ice. If you want, add some mint or lemon for an extra boost.

Clean something. Doesn’t have to be anything big. Organize one drawer of a desk. Wash five dirty dishes. Do a load of laundry. Scrub the bathroom sink. Pick up 30 things and put them away.

Blast music. Listen to something upbeat. Blast something that’s got lots of energy. Sing to it, dance to it, even if you suck at both but no one is watching so just have fun.

Make food. Don’t just grab a granola bar to munch. Take the time and make food. Even if it’s ramen. Add something special to it, like a soft boiled egg or some veggies. Prepare food, it tastes way better, and you’ll feel like you accomplished something.

Make something. Write a short story or a poem, draw a picture, color a picture, fold origami, crochet or knit, sculpt something out of clay, anything artistic. Even if you don’t think you’re good at it. Create.

Go outside. Take a walk. Sit in the grass. Look at the clouds. Smell flowers. Play in the snow. Put your hands in the dirt and feel the soil against your skin. Make a snow angel or go sledding.Throw snowballs.

Call someone. Call a loved one, a friend, a family member, call a chat service if you have no one else to call.

Talk to a stranger on the street. Have a conversation and listen to someone’s voice. If you can’t bring yourself to call, text or email or whatever, just have some social interaction with another person. Even if you don’t say much, listen to them. It helps.

Cuddle your pets if you have them/can cuddle them. Borrow a doggie to play with. Take pictures of them. Talk to them. Tell them how you feel, about your favorite movie, a new game coming out, anything.

These tips may seem small or silly to some, but this list helps keeps people alive.

Things to consider:

At your absolute best you won’t be good enough for the wrong people. But at your worst, you’ll still be worth it to the right ones. Remember that. Keep holding on.

In case nobody has told you today I love you and you are worth your weight and then some in gold, so be kind to yourself and most of all keep pushing on!

And, finally, find something to be grateful for!

Using a safer budget-friendly sunscreen

Most people seem to think that sun-screen is only for the warmer, summer months. You know at the beach, playing ball and the rest. But the sun still shines in winter and, if you participate in outdoor snowy sports, the glare from the sun is so much greater than one would think. Plus, many people head to warmer climes to escape the snow and they need to take care of skin
protection as well. There’s never a time you shouldn’t be concerned about sun damage.
Painful sunburns can happen anywhere and at anytime.

So for on-the-go UVA/UVB protection, I grab Sun Shades Sport SPF 50 Sunscreen. Sun Shades Sport features dermatologist-recommended avobenzone and an exclusive natural blend of vitamins and antioxidants. This sunscreen helps protect skin against signs of premature aging and environmental damage for 80 water-resistant minutes and sprays on evenly for protection without feeling sticky or tacky on your skin.

Water-resistant, it protects against harmful UVA and UVB sun rays with quick and complete spray-on coverage.

  • SPF 50
  • Sprays onto the skin in a complete, uniform layer 
  • Feels natural and clean on your skin 

Using a safer alternative that is budget-friendly is what matters most to me

When a little means a lot

When it comes to cleaning your laundry, a little does a lot with MelaPower 9x!

In fact, MelaPower is so powerful that all it takes is one pump (10 mL or 2 tiny teaspoons) to clean an entire load! And while you may be tempted to add more, don’t. Using too much detergent can stain your clothes or leave them looking dingy and less vibrant. It can also lead to buildup in your machine that leads to stinky clothes!

If you have a load of heavily soiled clothes, you can add the occasional second pump, but it’s more effective to treat potential stains with PreSpot. PreSpot and MelaPower are designed to work together to keep your laundry clean and looking new longer! Need an added boost of scent? Add MelaBoost!

Using the recommended amount of MelaPower is the best way to keep your laundry clean and fresh and your washer smelling its best!

I have been on a wellness journey

I have been on a wellness journey for more than 20 years. Over 19 years ago, I was introduced to the Wellness Company and it simplified my journey as this company has more than 600 products made with the best of science and nature. The company’s goal is to make the best products they can in the USA while offering families a safer and more natural way to care for the health of their family and their home environment without breaking the family budget.

If you are overwhelmed by all the information out there and are seeking a better health journey, let’s have coffee.

Play Like A Child 

What comes to mind when you think of exercise?

  • Working out with weights?
  • Getting on the treadmill machine?
  • Riding that new Peloton you got for Christmas

Studies show that when we step beyond the indoor workouts and step outside into nature’s playground, our serotonin levels rise! So as you plan your exercise schedule, be sure you work in activities that take you outside:

  • Hiking 
  • Walking
  • Running 

When we breathe in that air, when we let the sun shine on our faces, we are waking up our senses. Something truly amazing happens when we allow ourselves to play:

More of our bodies wake up! 

Be sure you get out and walk today!

Weight Gain and Cancer 

As i enter the Reintroduce phase of R3, I’ve been thinking about how diet impacts how efficiently we can manage our weight, but it is also directly linked to cancer prevention. Research shows that the higher the body mass index, the higher the risk of getting cancer.

In one of the largest studies ever done, analyzing over five million people, scientists concluded that gaining as little as 34 pounds can increase the risk of getting kidney, liver, or gallbladder cancer by 10%. The simple reason is that body fat is linked to creating hormones that increase inflammation in the body, and ultimately tumor cell growth. 

So as we are still following our 2024 goals, I decided to follow these recommendations:

  • I’m giving some thought NOW as to what PHYSICAL goals I am like to setting for 2024
  • I’m going to keep those goals in mind to help motivate me through the upcoming months

I truly believe R3 is great lifestyle plan to help lose weight and keep it off for a lifetime!

Five Low Sugar Snack Foods for To Help You Sleep Better 

  • CHERRIES —They are a natural source of melatonin, the sleep hormone that helps regulate your sleeping cycles. 
  • ALMONDS — Packed with magnesium, almonds help relax muscles an promote a sense of calm.
  • GREEK YOGURT — Full of protein an low in carbs, greek yogurt can give you a satisfying feeling without spiking your blood sugar. It contains tryptophan, an amino acid that promotes sleep.
  • KIWI — Kiwis are packed with fiber and antioxidants, plus serotonin! This little gem is a natural mood regulator that helps calm the min and regulates sleep patterns.
  • PUMPKIN SEEDS — Loaded with zinc, they help to produce melatonin.

Happiness is a habit

How To Start Your Day With Success!

Many Life Coaches teach various techniques on starting your day off with the proper mindset. Here’s an easy concept that’s easy to remember, using the acronym BE GREAT.

B – Breathe  
Take a few deep breaths to get your blood circulating)

– Energy  
Get moving early in the day. Morning stretches, a walk or workout first thing make for a great day!

G – Gratitude  
Reflection on our blessings can change how you view things

– Read  
A great suggestion: “The Success Principles” by Jack Canfield

E – Educate  
Resources like this page or my YouTube channel serve as easy and ways to grow and stretch our minds for greater benefit

A – Affirmations  
Saying positive statements daily, in the mirror, can build your self esteem

T – To Do  
Take action that will lead towards your goals. What are the biggest actions to help you reach those goals?

Just one more way to prime you for setting those 2024 goals! More to come!

Five Benefits of Green Tea 

Green Tea has always been an iconic health drink and for good reason. Check this out:

1. It can provide calm, sustained energy

Green Tea has both caffeine and L-theanine, an amino acid. When caffeine and L-theanine combine, they have a synergistic effect that is powerful for brain function.

2. It Protects You from Cognitive Decline 

Research shows how drinking green tea daily lowers the risk for cognitive impairment, while green tea extract enhances working memory.

3. Green Tea Is Good for Your Skin 

The polyphenolds in green tea helps to eliminate free radicals caused by pollution and UV radiation. It can also help with DNA repair and even help prevent skin cancer.

4. It Can Help with Weight Loss 

One study found that both the catechins and caffeine in green tea help support energy metabolism, which can lead to weight loss. Another found that the synergistic effect of catechins and caffeine is what drives weight loss for tea drinks.

5. Green Tea Can Protect You From Type 2 Diabetes 

It may increase insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar levels. Plus, evidence shows that it lowers the risk for diabetes by 18%.

This year, try rotating green tea in your morning routine!

WINTER WELLNESS SHOTS 

For those of you who juice, I got this recipe from NAMA, the company I bought my juicer from. A “Wellness Shot” is a condensed version of a cold pressed juice. This particular recipe has both ginger and turmeric which have natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties while lemon provides vitamin C. The black pepper is added to help your body optimally absorb the turmeric.

INGREDIENTS 
  • 1 lemon
  • 6 large carrots
  • 1-inch piece fresh turmeric
  • 2-inch piece fresh ginger
  • Dash of black pepper
DIRECTIONS
  1. Wash all produce well.
  2. Peel the lemon.
  3. Add lemon, carrots, turmeric, and ginger to the juicer, then pour juice into shot glasses or small glassware and sprinkle black pepper on top of your shot. Enjoy!