Tag Archives: mind

Dr. Amy’s Mind-Beauty Tips

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Let It Out: 3 Breathing Exercises

To experiment with these exercises, sit in a chair with your back comfortably upright, feet on the floor, shoulders down, chest open, and hands resting in your lap. Let your abdomen expand with each inhale and contract with every exhalation. You may want to close your eyes and really focus on your breaths.

Exercise #1 — Let it all out.
Take a deep breath through your nose, and let it out easily through your mouth. At the end of the exhalation, silently repeat “la-lala-la-laaah,” which effortlessly extends the exhalation, releasing more air from your lungs. Feel your abdomen inflate with the next inhale. Do 5 times. Continue reading →

Eat Less by Keeping This in Mind

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So you grabbed a bag of chips, and a short while later, you were down to the crumbs. How’d that happen?

While you’re figuring that out, here’s how you can stop it from happening again: Practice mindful eating. There’s a growing army of slim people singing this savor-the-moment practice.

Your Mantra:
Relax, Focus
To teach yourself how to eat mindfully, start with a raisin. Take a deep, relaxing breath as you pick it up. Look at it for a few seconds. Smell it. Place it in your mouth and roll it around on your tongue. Feel the wrinkles. Now bite. Note the chewy, gritty texture — the sweet, fruity, astringent taste. Extract all the flavor before you swallow. That’s kind of the idea with mindful eating — to savor the look, smell, texture, and taste of every bite. And it works! It had a huge impact on curbing chronic binge eating in a recent study. Continue reading →

Time to feel good all over

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THIS YEAR is very significant with regards to wellbeing, for instance the number eight is the power of two and represents strength, new beginnings and regeneration.

With each new year there is talk of new beginnings, but while new resolutions and commitments are made with good intentions, they tend to tail off before spring.

If you’re still feeling the pinch of the Christmas spend two months on, and the bank credit crunch, it’s hard to be optimistic when there seems to be little light at the end of the tunnel.

Wellbeing not only relates to physical health, it is a state of mind. The mind, body and soul need to work in tandem to create a complete sense of self.

So, a total declutter is required, from the removal of negative thoughts, to organising your life to better manage your time between work. The goal is to have more time for friends, family and, most importantly, you.

Most people set out to self-improve and take stock early in the year, but unfortunately, these recycled promises are too often broken, leading to disappointments.

Not following through can have a negative impact on your self-image, your relationship, or your lifestyle.

So, if you are ready to embrace 365 days of excitement and challenges, the following wellbeing guide will be of great use to you.

Most people have the desire to learn new things, maintain a healthy lifestyle, get their finances in check, and become more family-orientated.

Sadly, only a very small group of people will ever attempt to fulfil these desires, and actually make them happen.

Nevertheless, it is never too late to achieve your chosen life improvements. Rededicate yourself daily to the journey towards becoming a more complete and happier person.

Happiness needs to be prepared, cultivated, nurtured, defended and protected, so that it has longevity.

Achieving happiness starts with positive thoughts. Believing that happiness is possible for you will open doors to healthy relationships.

Cultivate your mind to eliminate negative thoughts and make way for positive ones. Happiness is a choice – you choose to be happy or not.

Most of us are waiting for something or someone to make us happy, but before you can expect someone else to appreciate you and what you stand for, you have to value and love yourself.

Working hard and managing your time effectively will ensure you give each task your all, as well as allow you ‘down time’.

Also, family is one of the strongest relationships any of us will have. It is vital that we take time out of our busy schedules to maintain and nurture such bonds.

The Institute of Wellbeing offers five tips to develop a strong family relationship:

Set a good example

Children copy everything, so behave appropriately in front of them.

Allow your children to pick up good qualities and habits.

Build on communication

When your children are ready to talk – look beyond their words and figure out what emotions are involved.

Encourage them to communicate their feelings, expectations, challenges, sorrows and joys.

Use the right discipline

Aim for balanced discipline, where you install firm rules and boundaries, whilst respecting your children’s views.

Avoid negative comments and using threats to gain control.

Pay attention

All children need positive attention, cuddles, and words of love.

Paying more attention when they are bad will encourage them to always seek negative attention.

Praise good behaviour.

Encourage independence

Allow children to experience the natural consequences of their behaviour or mistakes.

Allow children to gain a sense of responsibility and respect.

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE?

Imagine believing you have no reason to get out of your bed every day. Your purpose is like an inner compass that guides you on your journey through life; it gives direction to your thoughts.

Finding your life purpose can help you to move with greater focus, give you clarity and make every day of your life more meaningful.

It is only when you seek, discover, and understand what your life’s purpose is, that you can set and fulfil goals.

Living a life of purpose reflects who you are inside, your beliefs, values and passion.

Ask yourself:

What am I good at?

What do I love doing and feel I should be doing with my life?

What makes my heart sing?

You are never too old or too young to have a dream or vision for yourself. Make it your duty to learn, explore or create new things.

So, if you are unsure of who you are or why you are here, remember that only you can refine and define your life’s journey.

Learn from your choices, the opportunities you have taken, and the possibilities for others that may arise. And finally, take stock of how your contribution to life can positively impact others. It won’t go unnoticed.voice-online