To have noise or not?

It has recently come to my attention that almost every store one shops in these days has music blasting over their stereo system. When did that become acceptable? Recently I visited an art gallery to view the art for what I consider an activity to be calming to the eye and balm to the soul. I felt completely affronted by the music coming from the stereo system, so much so that I had to leave the gallery.  With so many other things competing for our attention do we really want to shop in stores that play their music selections that might not even agree with our taste? I think we as consumers have the right to demand that we be able to shop in peace. Or at least if a store has to have music it should be at a background level and not front and center.

Here is a challenge. When you shop in a store can you turn your cell phone off or leave it in your car? I think your fellow shoppers would appreciate it. There is nothing worse than listening to how someone else's day is going, especially if it isn't particularly pretty. I think "silence" is on it's way to becoming a precious commodity but I will not be quiet again when I find a shop's music to be too distracting.

Got optimism?

Do you know a person who always seems to be happy and has a smile on their face? They may have to work at appearing that way, believe it or not. If you practice smiling, your really will feel happier. Just nodding to someone on the street with a smile on your face can be uplifting. If you think you are having a rough day, they may have just gotten the worse news of their life, and your smile might help them to put things in perspective. Think of a smile as a little gift that you can give to everyone you come into contact with. You might brighten their day and you will certainly lift your own emotions.

When you practice having a positive outlook you will find that things are not looking so bleak. Maybe you lost your job, but putting a positive spin on the situation means it could open up a whole new career path. If you look for the silver lining rather than the "woe is me" attitude, you might just find something positive comes about as a result of change. The people who learn to be resilient in the face of adversity are healthier and could possibly live longer by learning to "go with the flow."Put a smile on your face and see if it doesn't come back to you.

House chores burn calories too!

Do you hate making your bed each day or cleaning out your car? Those activities can burn calories too. If you have a clean house you will feel more organized and you might even find that item that you've been looking for. If you replace television watching or face booking with a creative project you'll help your brain out too. Journaling or scrapbooking are considered creative activities. When your brain is involved in a creative project it tends to block out all those worrying thoughts we have. It helps bring the focus inward, maybe even creating a sense of calm.

 Other things you can do while watching TV include stretching or hula hooping during the commercial breaks or between episodes, if you watch shows online. If you are looking to lose weight, the key is expending more energy than calories consumed. So every little bit helps!

Want to burn more calories? Add these tips to your daily routine.

Think you are too busy to get in a full workout? You can do little things throughout the day that will help give your metabolism a boost. If you work in a cubicle, leave your desk at least once an hour and take a trip to the water cooler. The water will hydrate you and keep your body working at it's best. If you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated. If you are at a mall, skip the escalators and elevators, take the stairs instead. When you go shopping, park in the furthest spot in the lot, unless it is night and doesn't feel safe.

Some activity is always better than nothing! So if you are too busy to head to the gym, taking the dog for a walk or playing with your pooch can help to elevate your heart rate. I'll add a few more for tomorrow's post so be sure to check back.

Have goals? Make sure they are realistic and attainable.

The calendar says it is spring, even if it might not look like it in your area. I've been waking up to trill of birdsongs for a few weeks now. The robins have moved back into the nest above my front stoop, a sure sign that spring is here.

If you feel like you slipped in your fitness routine over the winter, this is a great time to get back on track. With more daylight it is easier to fit in a walk or a run after the evening meal. Maybe you have wanted to try your first 5K? If you set a realistic goal, you will have an easier time attaining it. Don't sign up for the race that is right around the corner. You won't have time to train effectively and will feel stressed. Give yourself about 8 weeks to get ready for the race.

Having specific goals that are measurable can give one a great sense of accomplishment. If the goal is relevant to your life, then it will mean even more. Signing up for a "benefit" race will support a worthy cause and also help you to get in shape. There is a plethora of races out there to choose from and you can even claim the entry fee as a charitable deduction on your taxes. So what are you waiting for? Lace up those running shoes and get out there to enjoy the spring breezes.

What's the deal on free radicals?

You may have heard of free radicals but do you know what causes an excess of them in our bodies? Cigarette smoke and environmental toxins are two of the biggest culprits. Pesticides in our food and too much alcohol can also trigger free radical production. Even too much exercise can increase the production of free radicals. Normal cell function produces a certain amount of free radicals and the body hopefully produces enough natural antioxidants to protect us from the rigors of oxidation. When too many free radicals are around though, they damage the DNA of the cell, which can lead to disease. To augment what the body produces naturally, a diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and beans ensures that you have more protection against cell breakdown.

Even if you are not a vegetarian, it can't hurt to add more fruits and vegetables to your diet. You might even consider going veggie a couple of days a week. There is a reason we hear so much about antioxidants, they are one of the best defenses we have in today's environment.

Got flexibility?

You may wonder why this is important? Ever have trouble getting out of bed in the morning because you tweaked a muscle turning over. Flexibility doesn't just improve posture, it helps in those everyday activities we do like getting things out of a cabinet that is just beyond reach or even going from a sitting to a standing positon. Any good exercise program includes cardio, strength resistance, and flexibility. Leave out any one of these aspects and your body suffers.

Want to be able to get down on the floor and play with your kids or grandkids? Keeping your body flexible by doing yoga, tai chi, or any discipline that keeps your body supple will ensure that you have many years of joyful play with your offspring. In addition, maintaining flexibility will help to keep you injury free as well as make traveling and all the other activities of daily living much easier and more enjoyable because your muscles are happy to move.