health and happiness

Tag Archive for health and happiness

Identify What Is Causing Your Stress

March 11, 2024 John Uncategorized No comments

Identify What Is Causing Your Stress

All the stress-reduction techniques in the world are of little value if you don’t find the cause of your stress. You could exercise until you pass out.

But if you still can’t make your mortgage payment, the problem still doesn’t go away. When you find the cause, you can take steps to help yourself reduce the stress.

Taking the example of not paying your mortgage, you want to find a quick solution. But, you don’t want to use a shady looking online loan service, for instance.

They charge very high rates with interest calculated on a daily basis.

Taking advantage of one of these services will increase your stress. And you’ll be stuck with a higher payment.

Work Problem?

Your stress may have something to do with a coworker. Let’s say they’re lagging behind in their work, and it’s bringing your whole team down.

One solution is to help the lagging member with his or her work. But, try to show them ways to get work done faster, so it doesn’t happen again in the future.

It could be that your procrastination on something important is a stressor. You need to reverse that right away.

The situation is likely to get worse. For instance, you’re letting a slow leak in your home keep building.

This is going to make it tougher to handle when it becomes a large leak. If you’re not capable of fixing the leak yourself, hire a professional.

In the above cases you would have dealt with the actual cause of the stress points. You could try meditating or getting involved in extreme sports.

Those will help reduce your stress to some degree. But, they wouldn’t do much to remedy the situation.

Dig Deeper

Find what’s causing the stress. Take actions based on that.

Now, stress reduction techniques not related to the cause can still help. They can help you relax, which can get you to think about solutions to the problem.

The techniques can also help to lower your blood pressure and heart rate. When you’re calmer, you’ll find solutions much quicker.

In most cases, you’ll be able to determine what is stressing you out. There are situations where you become anxious, and you are not sure why.

Do what you can to make that a temporary condition. Should it become more long-term, consider getting help before it gets out of control.

JohnK 3-11-2024
chiforyourself.com

Overheard: “Adopting the right attitude can convert a negative stress into a positive one”

– Hans Selye

Stick To Your Fitness Resolution

January 31, 2022 John Uncategorized No comments

So, how ya’ doing with that fitness resolution? If it’s not going well you’re not alone.

Right about now people put fitness plans on the shelf, so GenuLines is here with a little push to get you going!

Stick To Your Fitness Resolution

We’re well into the new year. January gives many of us a sense of renewal.

There’s a common theme here.

Our resolutions involve things we’d like to change or achieve in the new year.

One of the more common resolutions involves fitness.

We want to look better. Or get healthier.

Or we’d like to get a little stronger.

Failure

Unfortunately, the majority of New Year’s resolutions fail. The fiery motivation felt in late December to mid January begins to wane.

By February, we find ourselves at the same place we were the year before.

Fitness goals have a way of going unfulfilled. If you’ve ever spent much time in a gym, you know the routine.

For the entire month of January members line up at every piece of equipment in the building. The place starts to resemble Times Square.

Good deals?

Advertisements flood the media with discount gym membership rates. They tempt you with all sorts of shiny new pieces of equipment.

They promise to transform your body in no time at all.

Today we’re going to break down a few tips to help you hit your fitness goals for the rest of the year.

1. Keep Things Simple

It’s easy to slip into overwhelm when you start a new fitness journey. You have to figure out which workout routine to start.

What foods to eat. What equipment you’ll need and what to wear to the gym.

These can get in the way of your goal.Fitness, as well as life in general, is best kept simple.

The best workout routine is the one you’ll stick to. And your nutrition regimen shouldn’t be rocket science either.

You know what foods are good for you and what is junk. The most important factor in your fitness success is consistency.

2. Set Reasonable Goals

The media can make drastic body transformations seem like an overnight process. Their ads give you hope that you’ll look like the models used to promote these products.

Even more comical are the timeframes in these advertisements. How many times have you heard, “In only 15 minutes per day, 3 times per week, you’ll finally have those six-pack abs?”

This is unrealistic since physical changes to your physique don’t work this way.

Fitness is about the long game. As you begin your journey, know that while you WILL see progress, it doesn’t happen overnight.

Don’t plan gym visits 7 days a week and eating nothing but rice and chicken from a Tupperware container. Set goals that you can stick to.

Start small. Like holding yourself accountable to 3 workouts per week.

And resist the call of late-night junk food.

3. Develop A Strong “Why”

As we’ve already discussed, fitness is about consistency. The incredible sense of motivation and enthusiasm you feel at the start WILL come and go.

If your only goal to work out is to “look better,” keep one thing in mind. There may be a lot of days when that’s just not enough.

If you’re going to stick to your fitness goals this year, have a reason why. One that’s strong enough to stick to when the motivation cools off.

When the excitement isn’t there and you’d much rather stay in and watch television instead.

Your “why” has to be unique to you. Find whatever that is and use it to push through the hard days!

JohnK 1-31-2022

chiforyourself.com

Overheard: “It is a disgrace to grow old through sheer carelessness before seeing what manner of man you may become by developing your bodily strength and beauty to their highest limit.”

~Socrates

Don’t Let Chronic Stress Be A Killer

July 26, 2021 John Uncategorized No comments

On any given day life is at least somewhat stressful. Let it go on too long and something’s got to give.

Here GenuLines gives you a look at how the situation can turn deadly.

Don’t Let Chronic Stress Be A Killer

Your body is hard-wired to react to stress. This protects you from potential threats.

The predators and aggressors of long ago are long gone. But you still face daily demands that make your body react in much the same way.

What Is It?

Some see stress as feeling overwhelmed, worried, run down, or anxious. It affects most everyone regardless of age, gender, socioeconomic standing, or circumstances.

Some stress is beneficial because it produces a boost of energy allowing us to get things done.

Healthy management skills can help. But this isn’t always the case.

And extreme and chronic pressure can have severe health consequences.

Chronic Defined?

Chronic stress is something that you deal with day after day for long periods of time.

This can be poverty or dysfunctional family dynamics. It could be an unhappy or abusive marriage, or a hated job.

It feels as though you have no way out of a miserable situation and you give up on searching for a solution.

How It Kills

Chronic stress can lead to a multitude of health problems including: addictions.

Concentration

A University of Maryland Medical Center study found that chronic stress affects concentration. It hurts your ability to react to situations.

You may have more accidents and be more forgetful, too.

Digestive Disorders

Digestion is a lower body priority when you respond to stress. Because of this, chronic stress can contribute to many digestive disorders.

Think bloated stomach, cramping, constipation, acid reflux, ulcers, and inflammatory bowel disease.

Increased Risk Of Heart Problems

There’s more from that University of Maryland Medical Center, mentioned earlier. Links to chronic stress included higher heart attack risk, heart disease, and stroke.

Your heart rate increases and this can constrict your arteries. Your blood thickens, which affects heart rhythms.

Lowered Immune System

Stress lowers your body’s ability to fight an infection. When it’s chronic it leaves you more susceptible to infections and severe colds and flu, and it ramps up the tension even more..

Relationships

Chronic stress affects sleep patterns, leaving you feeling irritable, fatigued, and over reactive. Depression is also a common occurrence.

These negative emotions and mental health issues often lead to a lowered quality of life. And they make interacting with others a challenge.

Skin, Hair And Teeth Problems

Coping with chronic stress also leads to hormonal imbalances. It’s linked to eczema, acne, hives, psoriasis, rosacea, hair loss, and gum disease.

Smaller amounts of distress are normal. You’re never going to be free of them..

But this doesn’t mean that you have to live a life feeling bogged down with constant concern. Identify what areas of your life are the culprits.

Then see what changes you can make.

JohnK 7-26-2021

chiforyourself.com home

Overheard: “A crust eaten in peace is better than a banquet partaken in anxiety.”

~Aesop

Stick To Your Fitness Resolution

May 24, 2021 John Uncategorized No comments

Every New Year fitness is high on the list of resolutions. You tell yourself that you’re going to hit the gym with a vengeance.

But by midyear that resolution is a mere memory. If this sounds familiar let this GenuLines reminder get you back on track.

Stick To Your Fitness Resolution

The majority of New Year’s resolutions fail. Getting fit is one of those frequent failures.

If you’ve ever spent much time in a gym, you know the routine. For the entire month of January, there’s often a line at every piece of equipment in the building.

The local fitness facility begins to resemble Times Square on New Year’s Eve. Yet the crowds thin out weeks later. .

Today we offer a few tips that can bring you closer to your fitness goals for the New Year.

Keep Things Simple

When you set out on a new fitness journey, it’s easy to become overwhelmed.

What workout routine is best? What foods should you eat?

Fitness, as well as life in general, is best kept simple.

The best workout routine is the one you’ll stick to. And your nutrition shouldn’t be rocket science.

You know what foods are good for you and what’s junk. The biggest factor in your fitness success is consistency.

Set Reasonable Goals

Advertising does a great job of making drastic body transformations seem like a snap. Even more comical are the timeframes reported by these ads.

How many times have you heard, “In just 15 minutes per day, 3 times per week, you’ll finally have those six-pack abs?”

This is all nonsense, as physical changes to your physique don’t work this way.

Fitness is about the long game.

While you WILL see progress, it doesn’t happen overnight.

So instead of going to the gym 7 days a week and eating nothing but celery, set goals that you can stick to. Start small.

Hold yourself accountable to 3 workouts per week. And avoiding your favorite late-night junk food.

Develop A Strong “Why”

As we’ve already discussed, fitness is about consistency. The incredible sense of motivation and enthusiasm you feel at the start WILL come and go.

If your only inspiration to work out is to “look better,” know there will be a lot of days in which that’s just not enough. Make your “why” unique to you.

Find it and use it to push through the hard days!

JohnK 5-24-2021

chiforyourself.com

Overheard: Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity.

~John F. Kennedy

6 Tips For Building Optimism Into Your Life

March 25, 2020 John Uncategorized No comments

Seen much optimism lately? Me too.

But, you can begin to change things and GenuLines wants to put you on the path!

(You can listen to this article by clicking on below, or scroll down to read)

____________________

6 Tips For Building Optimism Into Your Life

Optimism…it’s a four-syllable word for something that can be harder to find than diamonds in South Africa.

But believe it or not, you can tap into the earth of your surroundings and dig up a rich store of feel-good.

Here are a few ways to do that.

#1: Find the laughter

You won’t have to go far to find it. Start with Youtube and social media.

No shortage of funny memes, videos, vines, and more here. You could also rent a funny movie, watch stand up comedy, or hang out with funny people.

Laughter will lead you to smile, and smiling will lead you to feel good. Which brings us to our next point.

#2: Turn the frown upside down

It’s hard to believe that something like smiling can improve your mood. But studies have linked outward acts of happiness to an internal shift.

Practice by looking in the mirror and smiling, even it if feels cheesy, stupid, and inauthentic. Hold your smile for a minute, two minutes, or more…see how long you can go.

Start the day off with a smile, and make a conscious effort to smile more.

#3: Use positive words

Studies have shown and confirmed what spiritual traditions have long held. Words can shape the reality around you.

If you want to build a more positive vibe, try using more positive words. Scrap the negative talk about yourself and others, too.

#4: Find positive people

The impact of those we hang out with is enormous. Avoid negative influences and people who bring you down with complaining and criticism.

Misery loves company, the old adage goes. And these people will send you into a downward spiral.

Be with friends who are upbeat, positive, and happy, and their resilience and optimism will rub off on you.

#5: Stay healthy

If you’re feeling tired and sick, it’s easy to get irritable and negative. By contrast, try maintaining an active lifestyle of healthy choices.

These will maximize your energy levels and build you up. It’s easier to be upbeat and happy when you feel good inside and out.

#6: Spirituality and/or self-actualization

Most spiritual traditions promote a positive outlook on life. Not keen on organized religion?

Find something that can provide a positive outlet. Like exercise, music, art, or reading.

Yes, positive words can turn your perspective around. And filling your heart and mind with good stuff will help optimism come easier.

JohnK 3-25-2020

chiforyourself.com home

Overheard: “Keep looking up…. That’s the secret of life”

~Snoopy

Article photo by Joseph Greve on Unsplash

Happiness Doesn’t Run On Success

December 27, 2019 John Uncategorized No comments

Happiness runs on a diet of success. That seems to make sense.

But GenuLines asks you to consider a different path to happiness.

Happiness Doesn’t Run On Success

It’s easy to simplify happiness and say that it’s obvious that successful people are happy. But if you interviewed 100 successful people you might find otherwise.

You can have wealth, great spouse and kids, and yet not be happy.

Turn the equation around and you find that happiness fuels success.

The Effect on Productivity

When people are happy with their work, they approach it more with a more cheerful attitude (some say they’d do it for nothing) When you have good health, food, and shelter you can find joy doing the most mundane things.

You focus on outcomes instead of effort.

The Bottom Line

Certain companies offer living wages, benefits, and flexible schedules. This can result in higher profits for the employer.

When people feel respected they’re likely happier about work, even when it’s hard.

Stability

When people are happy, they tend to be a lot more stable. They stick to tasks longer, and are more likely to complete an assignment.

They tend to job hop a lot less, too. This is one reason smart employers know that by making work a happy place they can reduce turnover.

A Better Work Ethic

People often think of work ethic as something that grows out of adversity. Happy people tend to stick to their jobs longer and work even harder.

They put their positive energy into envisioning the outcomes.

Don’t Bet on Wealth

An unhappy wealthy person may even be hateful. They seem to have everything but happiness.

Bank balances look good but don’t always make you feel good.

A New Attitude

It may surprise you but happiness can color your view of the world. You’ll see brighter outcomes regardless of your situation.

Staying In The Now

If you’re happy today you’re more likely to eat right, move more, get your work done, and do everything well. Of course, that can affect the future too.

Mindset

Still, doubt that happiness comes from your mindset? With some effort, you can train yourself to have a happier and more positive mindset.

This can work during tough times, too.

You can realize happiness now regardless of your life situation.

Accept that possibility while at the same time planning to make changes.

JohnK 12-27-2019

chiforyourself.com home

Overheard: “People don’t notice whether it’s winter or summer when they’re

happy”

~Anton Chekhov

A Dad’s Challenging Journey to “cross the veil”: Next CHI FOR YOURSELF

May 23, 2016 John Uncategorized No comments

When Matthew McKay’s son Jordan was murdered, he set out on a quest to discover the truth about why we are here and what happens when we die. He became determined to listen and look for his dead son in any way he could.

In his book Seeking Jordan: How I Learned the Truth about Death and the Invisible Universe, McKay shares what he learned along the way. Matthew McKay will be our CHI FOR YOURSELF guest this Thursday May 26th at 4pm Eastern, 1pm Pacific time at chiforyourself.com

Matthew McKay, PhD

Plan to be with us!

JohnK 5-23-2016

chiforyourself.com home

Overheard:

“No farewell words were spoken, no time to say goodbye. You were gone before we knew it, and only God knows why.”

~ Author Unknown

Inner Guidance From Your IGS: Amaze-ZEN!

May 16, 2016 John Uncategorized No comments

It’s no secret that around here it’s all about the inner guidance. Our CHI FOR YOURSELF guest this week is going to tell us about a system that wants you to be happy, successful, and stress-free- and you need only to go inside to find it!

Zen DeBrucke is an internationally renowned teacher, speaker, and coach whose programs have helped people all over the world transform their personal and business lives for the better. She’s the author of YOUR INNER GPS: Follow Your Internal Guidance to Optimal Health, Happiness, and Satisfaction. The book is designed to teach you to tune into this guidance to learn the best course of action in every situation.

Zen DeBrucke

That’s Zen DeBrucke on CHI FOR YOURSELF. This Thursday May 19th at 4pm Eastern, 1pm Pacific at chiforyourself.com

Empowerment was the order of the day when we welcomed Cara Bradley to CHI FOR YOURSELF. Cara’s the author of ON THE VERGE and she brought us plenty of encouragement to not be spectators of life but to instead cultivate ways to live beyond our busy minds and be present in each moment.

Here are some of the talking points from the show: