Tag Archive for be healthy and happy

For Better Health Spend Time In The Sun

April 12, 2021 John Uncategorized No comments

Fun in the sun is something a lot of us live for. It feels great, helps you look good, and more.

But if you’re not so keen on the sun GenuLines shows you ways you can benefit, too, 

Spend Time In The Sun For Better Health

Being out in the sun does great things to your mind and body. If you live in an area where there is plenty of sun, it shouldn’t be hard to get out into the sunshine.
 
If not, you should be able to find at least a few days where you can some sunshine.
 
(Click on this image to listen to the post)
 
flower in sunshine
 
Here are five health benefits of spending time in the sun:
 
1. Getting your Vitamin D intake
The major source of vitamin D is being out in the sun. The UV rays will help build up vitamin D in your body so you won’t have to take a vitamin D supplement.
 
Research has shown that most people don’t get enough vitamin D. It’s essential for many body functions.
 
And always wear the appropriate rating of sunscreen to protect your skin.
 
2. Spending time in nature
If possible spend time outdoors. It can be a neighborhood park or other wooded area.
 
Communing with nature helps reduce stress. Even a lunch break spent in the sun can improve your productivity and can help you have less stress at work.
 
3. Spending time in the sun reduces stress
You’ll likely find that you’re less stressed and happier when the day is sunny. You can sit on a park bench in the sunshine and meditate a bit or take a walk in a sunny area.
 
Try getting out in the sun every day for at least a half an hour. You’ll cut through the stress while enjoying the activity.
 
4. Sunlight can reduce cancer risk
It’s true that you’re at an increased risk of skin cancer if you burn yourself in the sun. But sunshine can actually help reduce your risk of developing other cancers.
 
This is especially true if you choose to exercise in the sunshine.
 
5. Sunshine can help you sleep better
Relaxing or exercising in the sunshine affects your sleep later in the day. A half hour of sunshine per day has been found to help you get to sleep easier and stay asleep longer.
 
It really doesn’t matter what you do in the sunshine as long as you get out there and get some rays.
 
JohnK 4-12-2021
 
Stick figure hears about the sunOverheard: “The sun, with all those planets revolving around it and dependent on it, can still ripen a bunch of grapes as if it had nothing else in the universe to do”
                                    ~ Galileo Galilei
 
 
 
 
 
 
get sun disclaimer

10 Ways Exercise Boosts Your Self Confidence

April 5, 2021 John Uncategorized No comments

Mentioning exercise can bring groans and frowns from the people around you. Not the kind of talk that will make you the life of the party.

Today GenuLines looks at how the effects of exercise might well make you the “toast of the party!”

10 Ways Exercise Boosts Your Self Confidence

Most anything, which can help boost our self-confidence, is good for us. One of the best ways to boost your self-confidence is through regular exercise.
 
This is not only good for self-assurance but also for better health. So how can exercise boost self-confidence?
 
(Click on the image below to listen to this post)
 
Man doing exercise
 
Here Are 10 Ways That Exercise Boosts Your Confidence:
 

1. Weight Control

Woman doing exerciseExercising along with healthy eating is the best way to control weight or lose weight. This is all about energy intake and energy burning.
 
Of course, if you burn more energy than you take in, then the more you’ll lose weight. Being overweight is a confidence destroyer.
 
So the better shape you’re in, the better you’ll feel.
 

 

 

2. Improves mood

A good workout is great for your mood. Before you think that this requires a trip to the gym, think again.
 
A good workout could be a brisk walk or a jog. In fact, anything that makes your body work harder can be a workout.
 
What this does is stimulate brain chemicals like dopamine and serotonin. These promote a general feeling of well-being.
 
The results are less stress and anxiety.
 

3. It’s good for the heart

Regular exercising lowers the risk of various heart-related conditions. Exercise lowers blood pressure and reduces problems associated with diabetes.
 
It can even help in fighting heart disease. This is quite logical.
 
If exercising reduces weight it means that the heart has to work less. The heart is much healthier.
 
There’s also less pressure on joints and other areas of the body.
 

4. Keeps the body in shape

This is a bit different from weight control. Being is shape involves having a well-toned body and better posture. These are aspects connected with self-confidence.
 
When you feel good about yourself, it’s easier to make friends and more connections in life. You feel more confident.
 

5. More energy

If we don’t have the energy to do things, then everything becomes a chore. That can lead to feeling bad about oneself.
 
Regular exercise helps the whole bodywork better. The result is that chores become responsibilities.
 
And the more responsibility we’re coping with, the better we feel.
 

6. Better sleep

Regular exercise promotes good sleep. It’s proven that sleep is necessary for general feelings of well-being.
 
Sleep so affects our looks. Imagine preparing for an important meeting as you look in the mirror.
 
You see dark circles under bloodshot eyes. How confident will you feel?
 
So exercise will improve sleep. One word of warning – don’t exercise too near bedtime.
 

7. Improves productivity

Regular exercise helps clear the mind. Exercise gives you a chance to wipe the slate clean and start fresh.
 
As you push yourself with exercise you can realize new potentials. This in turn boosts self-confidence.
 
Very often, what you thought was a major problem before exercising disappears after.
 

8. Gives you something to look forward to

Once you have a reasonable schedule for exercising, you’ll start to look forward to it. This in itself is a confidence booster.
 
Once you start seeing the benefits of exercising, you’ll have the desire to continue. In the end, you feel better and look better.
 

9. Improves concentration

Exercise helps us to develop the necessary skills to concentrate on the task in hand. We’re better at handling tasks.
 
We start to see more praise and benefits.
 

10. Feelings of control and achievement

Working out takes effort, dedication, commitment, and care for oneself. All this can bring about enormous feelings of confidence.
 
Don’t Wait! Get Started Today!
 
Try incorporating regular exercising into your routine. You’ll experience the many benefits to your self-confidence that regular exercising gives.
 
JohnK 4-5-2021
 
Stick figure hears about exerciseOverheard: “Exercise should be regarded as a tribute in the heart”
                                 ~Gene Tunney
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
exercise disclaimer
 
 
 

How To Get Into The Habit Of Walking More

March 15, 2021 John Uncategorized No comments

Was a walking regimen one of your New Year resolutions? Has that resolution gone down the memory hole? 

Check out these GenuLines suggestions for taking the “steps” to get up and going. 

Listen to this post by clicking the link below:

How To Get Into The Habit Of Walking More

 

How To Get Into The Habit Of Walking More

The human body is capable of miles and miles of walking. Yet, in modern society, we spend most of our time sitting down.

 That’s not good for our bodies. It leads to a range of health issues.
 
A daily walk might head off these problems. Of course, that’s easier said than done.
 
walking path sign
 
 
Give up your seat
Most of us sit for our work. We eat sitting down.
 
And to be honest all we want to do when we come home from work is plop down on the couch for a Netflix marathon until bedtime.
 
This presents a challenge. But a walking habit is a good one.
 
Kind of like the habit of brushing our teeth twice a day or taking out the trash on Tuesdays. Once it’s a well-ingrained habit, it won’t be as much of a challenge to make sure we go for a walk each day.
 
Your path
You can start by finding a walking route you enjoy. Your favorite walk may offer beautiful vistas.
 
But if it’s a 30-minute drive there and back, you’ll be less likely to do it every single day. Instead, save that particular walk for the weekends.
 
Then come up with something convenient and pleasant for your everyday walking routine. If you can, find a route in your own neighborhood so you can leave right from your front door.
 
Taking the same route every day helps form that habit. It’s also encouraging to notice that you can walk the same loop faster or with less effort over time.
 
You’re steadily getting stronger and fitter.
 
Incentives
Listening to your favorite music, podcast, or audiobooks is also helpful. It’ll make the time go by faster and give you something else to look forward to.
 
You can even use your favorite media as a way to bribe yourself to go for your daily walk. Let’s say you have a couple of podcasts you enjoy.
 
Save them for your walks and only let yourself listen to them while you’re walking. It’s a great incentive to get out there even on days when you’re not feeling it.
 
Group Walks
Finally, consider walking with other people. Find a walking group in your area, or talk a friend or neighbor into becoming your walking buddy.
 
Not only is it more fun to walk when you have someone to talk to, it also has some built-in accountability. You won’t want to skip a walking workout when you know that other people are waiting for you to join them.
 
Give these tips a try. They’ll help you make your daily walk an integral part of your health, your fitness, and your life.
 
JohnK 3-15-2021
 
stick figure man hears about walkingOverheard: “All truly great thoughts are conceived by walking”
                             ~Friedrich Nietzsche
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
walking disclaimer

Is Staying In Your Comfort Zone Holding You Back?

January 25, 2021 John Uncategorized No comments

Your comfort zone has a way of betraying you. I mean, it’s supposed to be a comfortable place, right?

Let GenuLines show you how it might be working against you. 

(Listen to this article by clicking here)

Is Staying In Your Comfort Zone Holding You Back?

We’ve heard a lot about getting out of our comfort zone. But have you ever thought about why you should?
 
After all, it’s a place where we feel safe and in control. 
 
It’s where we can predict what will happen and how we will feel. There won’t be any surprises that we can’t deal with.
 
So why would you feel compelled or even want to get out of your comfort zone? You need to do it because that would be key to your personal growth and happiness.
 

 

 

 

 

The benefits

Stepping out of that zone helps you build up your self-confidence and the way you view yourself.
 
Is being there holding you back from living a fulfilled life and growing in your career? The answer is yes.
 
It can also keep you from realizing and achieving your desires. You avoid challenges and you don’t have to rise to any new levels.
 
Here are 3 ways this is holding you back.
 

1. It’s keeping you from personal growth

When you’re afraid of something, staying in your comfort zone keeps you from facing that fear.
 
Then you suffer from it forever or until you do face it. You sidestep situations that would force you to face the fear as a way of overcoming it.
 
For example, say you have a fear of public speaking. It could keep you from taking a job that requires you to speak in front of others.
 
You hesitate even though it’s a step up on your career ladder.
 

2. Your happiness suffers

You might be prone to struggle with self-confidence and self-esteem issues. These problems can grow unless you begin to address them.
 
Stepping outside your comfort zone helps you build self-confidence. You see yourself in a better light.
 
When you’re confident and have good self-esteem, you’re happier. For example, if you’re not confident in your abilities, you may fear trying something new.
 
This drags down your confidence. You feel less competent and it’s making you unhappy.
 

3. Your comfort zone can make you feel trapped and unhealthy

Often our comfort zone keeps us doing bad habits out of fear. You might want to be more active, run a marathon, feel fewer aches and pains and go on adventures.
 
But to do any of these things means doing something that is outside your comfort zone.
 
For example, you want to run a short marathon. It’s always been a dream of yours, but you procrastinate and make excuses why you can’t.
 
You’re too out of shape. You don’t have time. You’re too old.
 
But the real reason is that you’re afraid to get out of your comfort zone and begin working with a trainer. As a result, you continue to eat unhealthily and you gain weight.
 
You lose muscle tone and put your dream on the back burner. At some point, your health takes a hit.
 
Staying in your comfort zone holds you back from living a life you love, from being happy, and from growing. You end up letting your fears rule.
 
And that’s a recipe for mediocrity.
 
JohnK 1-25-2021
 
Stick figure hears about comfort zoneOverheard: “Dare to learn, to be different, to set your goals, to move out of your comfort zone, to be persistent.”
                                          ~ Unknown
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for talking about comfort zone
 
 

Clutter Does a Number On Your Mind And Body

December 21, 2020 John Uncategorized No comments

Is clutter just a bothersome part of your life? Something you’ll get to someday?

Today GenuLines points out that clutter can be a physical and mental problem, too.

(You can hear this article by clicking here)

Clutter Does a Number On Your Mind And Body

Clutter is a real nuisance for millions of us. What you may not realize is that it can affect your mind and body.
 
How does your living space make you feel when you walk in the door at the end of the day? Do you feel peaceful and glad to be at home because it’s your sanctuary?
 
desk with clutter
 
Or, do you feel dread because there’s a mountain of unfolded laundry on the chair? Or there’s a stack of magazines spread all over the floor and a sink full of this morning’s dishes?
 
 
 
 
 
Mind Control
Research finds that the state of your house reflects the state of your mind. Disorganization tells you that there’s something out of balance.
 
The trick is learning what’s off-kilter and how to set it straight.
 
Living in a cluttered home is stressful – for everyone. Mom’s pulled away from what she needs to do to help someone find their homework.
 
Dad’s late for work because he can’t find his car keys. As the pressure to find those misplaced things mounts, so does the tension.
 
Before long, something or someone snaps.
 
Lost And Found
Think about how you feel when you’ve misplaced something. You may berate yourself for being careless.
 
You may feel frustrated and ready to give up. When your child comes in to ask a question, you may not respond in a loving manner and feelings get hurt.
 
Clutter drains you of energy and makes you feel tired. And that can leave you feeling overwhelmed.
 
You know you need to do something but you don’t have the energy.
 
Take time to clear the mess from one small area. It can help you and your family feel more energetic.
 
And they’ll be more inspired to work on decluttering in other areas.
 
Body Of Clutter
Did you know clutter could be making you physically sick? No one wants to think about it, but clutter can be the breeding ground for germs, dust, mold, and mildew.
 
It could even hide a problem with mice. If you don’t believe clutter can make you sick, think of the stress mentioned above.
 
If you have too much stress, you may develop high blood pressure. Dust and mold can cause allergies or worse.
 
Clutter can also affect your body weight. People with clutter are usually sedentary.
 
In an uncluttered home they’re more active. Part of this may be because the clutter in the home makes it hard for you to move.
 
You may also be using clutter, like being overweight, as a means to protect yourself. Clutter keeps people at bay and so there’s less chance of getting hurt.
 
Get Started
Now you understand some of the ways clutter can affect your mind and body Consider what you’re going to do about it.
 
Will you take a step forward and begin decluttering? Or will you let it continue to ruin the lives of you and your family members?
 
JohnK 12-21-2020
 
stick figure man hears about clutterOverheard: “Good order is the foundation of all things”
                              ~Edmund Burke
 
 
 
Article image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay 
 
 
disclaimer for clutter
 
 
 
 

You Can Cure Your Mental Fog

October 5, 2020 John Uncategorized No comments
Mental fog is not just unsettling, it can hold you back in many ways. There are ways to come out of this fog.
 
GenuLines invites you to read on to find out how. 
 
 

You Can Cure Your Mental Fog 

We’ve all experienced mental fog. Its symptoms include:
 
• Difficulty concentrating
• Diminished memory
• Focusing problems
• A drop in communication skills
• Low motivation
• Easily distracted
 
man with mental fog 

 

Origins

Mental fog is due to any type of imbalance in the control center of the brain. This area is the hypothalamus. The imbalance can be a result of inflammation or free radicals. Or any type of stress brought on by several factors, such as:

 
• Multi-tasking
• Exhaustion
• Anxiety
• PTSD
• Imbalanced hormones
• Infections
• Not getting enough sun exposure
• Substance abuse
 
Mental fog is natural given our busy, nonstop lifestyles. But it can become frequent. If this is the case with you there are some simple changes you can make that will help.
 
• Eat right
It’s amazing how much power our food has over us. Processed foods, foods high in saturated fats, and gluten all have a negative effect on the brain.
 
In fact, research links gluten sensitivity to low concentration and focus abilities. Also, not getting enough water into your system can lead to brain freeze.
 
• Take your vitamins
Your diet is lacking in antioxidants. You want vitamins, such as D and B complex, and minerals, such as calcium, zinc, and magnesium. Supplements could help you here.
 
• Get better sleep
We all sleep, but it’s the quality of our sleep that can either make us or break us. High quality sleep improves brain function as a whole.
 
While it’s ideal to get the full 8 hours each night, some people only need 6 for optimal effectiveness. Find what works best for you.
 
Regulate your sleep using a relaxing bedtime routine and a comfortable sleeping area.
 
• Work out
When you exercise, you send fresh, oxygenated blood to your entire body, mainly your brain. This boosts its cognitive functions and diminishes brain fog.
 
Studies have shown how exercise can improve learning and study skills. It helps with concentration and memory ability, too.
 
• Find a hobby
It may seem like there aren’t enough hours in the day to do to get things done. And it could be tough to squeeze in a hobby.
 
But there are ways to incorporate fun, relaxing activities into your weekly schedule. The first step is to carve out some “me” time and stop thinking it’s selfish, like many of us do.
 
The second step is to find something you enjoy doing. It could be meditating by yourself in a quiet room, or a class or club where you’ll meet new people.
 
The final step is to decompress and enjoy.
 
Conclusion
Brain fog is reversible. You need to do the work and find out what works for you.
 
Each one of us is unique, so it may be a bit challenging at first to find that perfect fit. But you’ll be glad you put in the effort once you regain clarity and you’re able to perform at your best.
 
JohnK 10-5-2020
 
Stick figure hears about mental fogOverheard: “Derive happiness in oneself from a good day’s work, from illuminating the fog that surrounds us”
                                                           ~Henri Matisse
 
 
 
 
 
Article image by Tyler Sturos from Pixabay 
 
disclaimer for working mental fog

Find Your Authenticity by Embracing Your Inner Self

August 3, 2020 John Uncategorized No comments
With all the madness we’re seeing in society it’s easy to lose connection with our authenticity. Who can be blamed for feeling a little like part of the “herd mentality?” 
 
GenuLines understands that feeling and offers this bit of support for staying connected to your “genuine self.”
 

microphone for speaking about authenticity

 

 

 

 

 

 

Find Your Authenticity by Embracing Your Inner Self

Human beings have an inherent tendency to avoid standing out from the crowd. From the very beginning, our survival relied on safety in numbers. 
 
And that habit stays a part of our nature despite any real need for in today’s world. This reality flies in the face of a society that lives on social media.
 
Every day there’s pressure to mask your authentic self. It could be at work, with friends, or on social media.
 
In this article, we look at a few of the many reasons that embracing your inner self benefits you. And how it can benefit most everyone around you.
 
banner to boost authenticity
 
 
One of the best traits of human beings is that each of us is unique. We differ in our individual talents, abilities, perspectives, and so on.
 
But we often mask these differences to avoid standing out. This deprives us and others of the benefits of our self-expression.
 
Think about history’s greatest inventions and discoveries. These came from people willing to be different and to resist the status quo.
 
We do want to accept ourselves. But this can clash with the need to fit in.
 
When you’re able to embrace your inner self and go against the grain, you invite others to do the same.
 
When people around you notice your self-acceptance they’re more likely to follow suit! It’s a ripple effect.
 
The others gain from the fellowship of collective talent and abilities.
 
It’s ironic that you burn more energy blending in than by being your genuine self.
Going with the crowd involves a conscious effort to act and behave a certain way at all times.
 
It wastes mental resources you can use in much better ways. Going your own way can bring impressive results.

No Regrets

One of the most painful feelings we can experience is that of regret. You don’t need a reminder to know that life is short.
 
If you squander your gifts the sad day will eventually come when you’re aware of what you did.
 
Often the most monumental chances in life come and go in the blink of an eye. And when those chances are gone they’re gone.
 
By embracing your inner self, you can mitigate so much regret down the road.
 
Standing out from the crowd will feel odd at first.
But, you’ll find that the benefits to you and those around you are more than worth it!
 
JohnK 8-3-2020
 
Stick figure hears about authenticityOverheard: “To find yourself, think for yourself”
                                 ~Seneca
 
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for authenticity

5 Great Reasons To Cut The Sugar From Your Diet

June 3, 2020 John Uncategorized No comments

Sugar is sweet. We know that.

But GenuLines reminds you that cutting back on sugar can sweeten your overall health. microphone for reasons to cut sugar

 

 

 

 

reasons to cut sugar

 

5 Great Reasons To Cut The Sugar From Your Diet                                        

reasons to cut sugarThere’s been a lot of talk in the media about the evils of sugar consumption. Sugar is hiding in all sorts of foods including bread and salad dressing.

 
 
 
 
Add to that our love for things like cookies and ice cream and it’s no wonder our sugar intake is skyrocketing. Unfortunately, all this added sugar is doing a lot of damage to our health.
 
And it’s causing weight gain like never before.
 
banner to counter sugar
 
It’s time to cut added sugar from our diets. Here are five reasons why you should do a sugar detox and do as much as possible to avoid sugar consumption.

Consuming Sugar Spikes Your Insulin

As soon as your body starts to digest sugar, your insulin spikes up. Insulin is the hormone that’s in charge of keeping blood sugar levels from rising too high.
 
It converts extra sugar into fat for storage. This is a delicate process. Consuming sugar in large quantities will cause your insulin to spike.
 
The insulin then faces more than it can handle. Over time it becomes less and less effective.
 
This is when you get a negative effect on your health.

Consuming Sugar Makes You Gain Weight

Because of the insulin and because sugar adds a lot of calories to food. It can make you gain weight and you don’t have to be eating a lot of candy and cakes for that to happen.
 
Health authorities tell you to watch and lower your fat intake. The food industry gives us all sorts of low fat and fat-free food options.
 
But, to make these low-fat foods taste o.k, they added a lot of sugar. Take a look at regular and low fat or fat-free salad dressing.
 
The lower fat options have a lot more carbs and in particular, sugar.
 
You may not taste it, but it’s there. Sugar gets digested a lot faster than fat.
 
You’re hungry sooner after consuming a low-fat meal, so you eat again. The end result is weight gain.

Consuming Sugar Increases Your Risk For Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome

With all that increased sugar and weight gain comes a higher risk for diabetes. And a condition called metabolic syndrome.
 
This is a group of symptoms and behaviors that put you at a much higher risk for heart disease and Type II diabetes. The good news is that both conditions are reversible.
 
The first step is to cut out the sugar.
 
Sugar Doesn’t Have A Lot of Nutritional Value And It Makes You Hungrier
Remember that aside from a little boost of energy, sugar doesn’t provide a lot of nutritional value. If you want something sweet, you’re much better off grabbing a piece of fruit than a cookie.
 
At least with a piece of fruit, you’re getting some vitamins and fiber with your sugar fix. If you want or need to lose weight, begin by cutting out sugar.
 
It causes spikes in your blood sugar.
 
These make your body produce a large amount of insulin to pull the sugar out of your system (and convert it to body fat). The sad little side effect of that process is that your blood sugar goes on a roller coaster ride.
 
This nowhere ride will leave you hungry and craving more sugary treats. 
 
JohnK 6-3-2020
 
 
Stick figure hears about sugarOverheard: “I seek constantly to improve my manners and graces, for they are the sugar to which all are attracted.”
                                          ~Og Mandino
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for sugar use
 
 
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