Embrace Healthy Living

Looking through the news and information items on my phone, I found this daily routine to improve your well-being and to help keep your mind active and alert. 

Link - People who remain mentally strong in their 80s usually adopt these 7 daily habits, according to psychology

I found it very interesting, so why not give it a go. I’ll make it my New Year's resolution.

It didn’t take much to change my morning routine, as I already do most of what they recommend, but I now include a small exercise routine before breakfast and read a little of my book after breakfast. Then I go outside and do some gardening until morning tea.

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Stress Relief and Relaxation

Here are the benefits of relaxing in a hot bath with Epsom salts:

Stress Relief and Relaxation

• Magnesium Absorption: Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) dissolves in water and can be absorbed through the skin. Magnesium is known to help reduce stress and promote relaxation.

• Muscle Relaxation: The warm water and magnesium work together to soothe tense muscles and relieve aches and pains.

• Improved Sleep: A relaxing Epsom salt bath can help you unwind before bed, leading to better sleep quality.

Pain Relief

• Inflammation Reduction: Magnesium has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce swelling and discomfort associated with conditions like arthritis and muscle soreness.

• Pain Management: Epsom salt baths can provide temporary relief from headaches, backaches, and other types of pain.

Skin Health

• Exfoliation: The salt crystals in Epsom salt can gently exfoliate your skin, removing dead skin cells and leaving your skin feeling soft and smooth.

• Soothes Skin Conditions: Epsom salt baths can help soothe skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

Other Potential Benefits

• Improved Circulation: The warmth of the water can help increase blood flow, which can promote healing and reduce muscle soreness.

• Detoxification: Some people believe that Epsom salt baths can help remove toxins from the body, although more research is needed to confirm this.

How to Take an Epsom Salt Bath

1. Water Temperature: Fill your bathtub with warm water, not hot.

2. Epsom Salt Amount: Add 1-2 cups of Epsom salt to the water.

3. Soak Time: Soak in the bath for 20-30 minutes.

4. Hydration: Drink plenty of water after your bath to stay hydrated.

Important Note: While Epsom salt baths are generally safe, it's important to consult your doctor before using them if you have any underlying health conditions or are pregnant.

Indoor plants are often referred to as "nature's indoor oasis"

 

Indoor plants are often referred to as "nature's indoor oasis" because they bring the calming, refreshing presence of the natural world into our living spaces. Here are a few reasons why indoor plants are so beneficial:

### 1. **Air Purification**

   - Indoor plants like **peace lilies, snake plants,** and **aloe vera** can filter toxins from the air, improving the overall air quality in your home. They absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, creating a healthier environment.

### 2. **Aesthetic Appeal**

   - Plants add a touch of beauty and freshness to any indoor space. Whether it's a hanging fern, a cactus on a windowsill, or a large leafy plant in the corner of a room, they enhance the décor with their natural elegance.

### 3. **Stress Reduction**

   - Studies have shown that being around plants can reduce stress and anxiety levels. The presence of greenery and nature can create a soothing atmosphere, promoting relaxation and mental well-being.

### 4. **Increased Humidity**

   - Plants naturally release moisture into the air through a process called transpiration. This can help to maintain a healthy humidity level in your home, which is particularly beneficial during dry seasons.

### 5. **Improved Focus and Productivity**

   - Having plants in your workspace can boost concentration and productivity. The calming effect of greenery and the fresh air they provide can help to create a more conducive environment for work or study.

### 6. **Connection with Nature**

   - For those living in urban environments, indoor plants offer a direct connection to nature. They bring a piece of the outside world inside, making us feel more grounded and in tune with the natural rhythms of life.

### 7. **Personalization and Creativity**

   - Caring for plants allows for personal expression and creativity. You can choose plants that reflect your personality, style, and preferences. The way you arrange them in your space can make a unique statement about who you are.

### 8. **Health Benefits**

   - Some indoor plants, like lavender and jasmine, are known for their therapeutic properties. They can promote better sleep, reduce headaches, and even alleviate symptoms of colds and respiratory issues.

Salt Lamps

Salt lamps are decorative lamps made from Himalayan pink salt crystals that are mined in Pakistan. They are typically carved into a variety of shapes, such as spheres, pyramids, and obelisks, and are often used as ambient lighting in homes and offices. Advocates of salt lamps claim that they can provide a number of health benefits, such as improving indoor air quality, reducing allergens and asthma symptoms, and promoting relaxation and better sleep. However, there is little scientific evidence to support these claims. One potential benefit of salt lamps is that they may help to reduce the amount of positive ions in the air, which can contribute to a range of health problems. Negative ions, on the other hand, are believed to have a beneficial effect on mood and well-being, and some studies have suggested that they may help to reduce anxiety and depression.

Exercise to go

 

Exercise to go.

After my Heart Attack in December (2016) I stopped all my home gym work.  I wasn’t doing that much though, just enough to help with my jogging and keep reasonably fit.  But I still found it hard to stop everything. 

Eight months down the track, I felt good enough to start again.  So I started walking 3 times a week for around 40 mins with about 400m slow jog to finish.  “Look out Olympics”. 

The Warehouse had a good sale on exercise bikes, I thought that’ll be an excellent way to get back in doing some gym work.  So I bought one, Not before putting the base feet on back to front (senior moment) and taking them off and starting again.

So then started back with some gym work.  Boy those weights seem to have got heavier in that short time.  I just settle for “5 reps” of my program for now.  Using the exercise bike first to warm up is really good, I started pedalling for 2ks got off the bike and felt like I had no legs, probably had the tension a bit high !!!

The next day I didn’t feel too bad, my muscles weren't that bad, so It’s onward and upwards.  It was a bit hard to get into a routine because of the weather.  But I still feel good about what I’m doing.

So if you're not doing anything, try a little exercise of some sort, and you’ll feel good within yourself.  

Music to go with Meditation

 

Music to go with Meditation. 

Just a little bit on Meditation Music.  I suppose everyone has their preferred music to do their Meditation, which is great. Some don't use any at all, It's an option. 

I've tried both, with and without music.  I prefer doing Meditation with music. 

When I'm doing what I call casual Meditation, which is mainly to relax, I listen to “Native American” music.  Just love those deep drums.  

Then when I want to do a deep Meditation I listen to music by “Medwyn Goodall”, or “Jeffree Clarkson”.  Both have music so peaceful and relaxing, making it easy to get into a deep Meditation.

Youtube has many types of relaxing music.

Meditation - A state that is known as a peaceful state

 

Meditation - When we are able to avoid unnecessary negative thoughts, that state is known as a peaceful state.  (quote) 

Thought I'd just post my thoughts on Meditation.  What I know and how it helped me.

When my first marriage ended after 26 years, I went through a shock period, I didn’t know at the time what to do.  I felt like giving up but that was only short-lived, I pulled myself together and got on with life.  

I’d been doing Yoga for 30+ years mainly for relaxing, not getting into those awkward potions though.  But at that time it wasn’t helping me get on top of my mind, I’d heard about Meditation and how great it was, but I didn’t know a thing about it.  So I got a book out of the library on it, reading through it I was waiting for something big to come out of it.  When I’d finished reading it, there was nothing in it that I didn't already know through Yoga.

After reading another book I realised the difference.  Yoga is mainly for relaxing the mind and body, if you fall off to sleep so much the better.   Whereas Meditation is more of controlling the mind to stay in a fine line between consciousness and sleep while relaxing the whole body from “Top to Toe” or reverse whichever suites, holding yourself in a state of total emptiness.  

How did it help me?  It took me a few weeks to start getting back to my old self using Meditation.  But I soon got myself back on top of the world again.

I still do Meditation today as it is so relaxing.  So if you’ve been thinking about it, give it a go. It’s also good to have a piece of soothing music in the background.