Our brains are the command center of our lives and are essential for the quality of our physical, emotional, and mental performance. Chronic stress, poor diet, smoking, and excess alcohol take a severe negative toll on our brain’s functionality. 

These habits also contribute to high blood pressure, cognitive decline, and dementia.

But you can always learn new habits and strategies and change your life. Here are 8 tips to prime your brain for success and unlock your best future.

Mediterranean Diet (MeDi)

High-quality foods are essential to your brain health and physical fitness.

The Mediterranean diet focuses on plant-based foods such as fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans, fish, whole grains, and healthy oils like olive and avocado. 

Based on a study of 502,536 participants, people who followed the principles of the MeDi had a 23% lower chance of developing dementia. Research has also found that the MeDi may improve cognitive capabilities, such as memory.

Tame Stress 

Chronic stress harms brain function. Yale Medicine defines chronic stress as “A consistent sense of feeling pressured and overwhelmed over a long period of time.” 

There are many causes of chronic stress today because life is busier and more complicated than ever. These include life changes, unfulfilling jobs, economic distress, and family dysfunctions. 

When stressed, the brain increases glucocorticoid production, including the stress hormone cortisol. 

The mind goes into overdrive and starts worrying about the future and everything that might go wrong, causing panic and anxiety. 

Reading the Bible and praying have a calming effect on the mind that keeps us anchored in the present. Practicing Mindfulness helps us stay focused on the present rather than dwelling on the past or situations that cause us to worry. Other key concepts include paying attention to our surroundings, accepting ourselves, and focusing on our breathing.

Physical Activity

The Center for Creative Leadership asked over 1,500 executives how exercise impacts their performance. Approximately 90% said that physical activity “clearly impacts” their performance, 12% reported “some impact,” and no one reported zero impact.

They reported regular exercise improved mental clarity, focus, alertness, and problem-solving.

In addition to improving your brain, exercise has physical benefits such as lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, reducing anxiety, improving sleep, decreasing insulin resistance, and strengthening your immune system.

Be Mentally Active

People who don’t “exercise” their brains are at significant risk for early cognitive decline. You can do many activities to give your brain a workout, such as reading, memorizing scripture, learning a new language, playing games, or working on a jigsaw puzzle.

Sleep Well

The importance of sleep and its effect on brain health is huge! When you get good quality, deep sleep, the brain repairs itself and rejuvenates your immune system. In REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, the brain compiles details you learned during the prior day.

Inadequate or insufficient sleep can contribute to feeling exhausted, cause concentration, mood, and memory disorders, and suppress the immune system.

You know the drill: create a bedtime routine by going to bed at the same time nightly and waking up at the same time in the morning. Over time, this will help set your internal clock and become a regular sleep pattern. Also:

• Turn off your electronics at least two hours before bedtime. This includes cell phones, computers, and social media.
• Eliminate caffeine after 12:00 p.m. The most common sources of caffeine are coffee, tea, soda, and chocolate.
• Avoid eating before bedtime to prevent gastrointestinal issues that may keep you awake.

Stop Smoking

Although people feel that cigarettes or cigars help to calm them and are pleasurable, they pose severe risks to brain functionality. 

A study by the American Heart Association (AHA) found that smoking is associated with cognitive decline, leading to worsening performance. You deserve better. So do yourself a huge favor and stop smoking.

Be Socially Active

Social connections can help reduce stress and depression and prevent memory loss. Look for ways to interact with others, especially if you live alone. 

Brain atrophy has been linked to a lack of socialization. 

Interpersonal relationships and being socially active enhance physical well-being and strengthen brain health. 

Find Inspiration

How often do we take the little things in life for granted? We often overlook these special moments of inspiration, which can be so good for brain health. 

For example, Psych Central says watching the sunrise gives you a feeling of awe, bolsters your mood, and helps you have a “big picture” mentality where we view situations broadly rather than focusing on limited details. It opens your mind to evaluating scenarios entirely rather than breaking them into detailed parts. 

People may also find inspiration from art, visiting a park, or watching the sunset.

Conclusion

A healthy brain keeps our sensory, cognitive, behavioral, emotional, and motor functions working smoothly. Good habits such as eating properly, being physically, mentally, and socially active, and getting sufficient sleep are essential to overall well-being and life satisfaction.

The preceding tips can boost brain health, priming your mind for success and well-being so you can unlock your best life!

The post 8 Ways To Prime Your Brain For Success appeared first on Lifestyle.

It has long been proven that the mind-body connection is real, with physical health influencing mental wellness and vice versa. So, besides making healthy lifestyle changes through diet and exercise, you can refer to a previous post about the science of happiness for strategies for boosting your mental health and overall quality of life. These include finding your purpose for a more fulfilling life, nurturing supportive relationships with family and friends, and practicing self-compassion.

However, a lesser-known fact is that focusing on eye health specifically can also influence your mental health. Below, we look at how poor eyesight can contribute to poor mental health and what you can do to invest in eye care for better holistic wellness.

The connection between eyesight and mental health

In this digital age, one of the most straightforward ways your eye health can impact your mental well-being is through the stress-related effects of excessive screen time. Specifically, prolonged exposure to the blue light emitted by electronic devices can increase the risk of digital eye strain. Its symptoms include fatigue, dryness, headaches, and blurred or double vision, which otherwise go beyond physical discomfort to also contribute to or worsen stress levels.

Besides stress-inducing digital eye strain, research shows that vision problems like myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism can also lead to poor mental health. Findings of a systemic review published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine found that the proportion of depression is higher among those with poor or low vision, especially older adults. Since your eyesight is essential to navigating your surroundings and performing basic tasks, getting your vision compromised can worsen your mood and mental health due to increased feelings of loneliness, helplessness, and isolation.

Fortunately, these mental health concerns can be addressed through the eye care tips in the next section.

Eye care tips to boost your mental wellness

Update your eyewear

As previously mentioned, individuals with vision impairment are at higher risk of chronic stress and depression due to the difficulties of daily life. So, it’s best to regularly update the prescription of your eyeglasses for optimal vision correction and comfort. When ordering an updated pair, consider going to Ray-Ban not only for its wide range of frame styles like the bold Wayfarer and timeless Clubmaster to suit your features but also for the high-quality design and material that prevent discomfort while you wear your glasses all day. Besides prescription glasses, the countless frame and lens combinations include protective features, such as blue light filters to reduce glare from digital screens and other artificial sources.

Regulate your screen time

Because digital eye strain can also negatively affect your mental health, remember to regulate your screen time by taking regular breaks to rest your eyes, rehydrate, and even do simple eye exercises like blinking and rotating your eyeballs. Additionally, you can better monitor your screen use by using a mobile app like Digital Wellbeing for Android devices. Much like Apple’s Screen Time feature, the app allows you to set up screen time limits for certain apps, schedule Focus and Bedtime modes to take a break from your phone, and track your overall screen usage to foster a healthier relationship with technology.

Get routine eye exams

Lastly, schedule routine eye exams every one or two years for ongoing monitoring and assessment of your vision and overall eye health. Going to a qualified optometrist can not only detect early signs and symptoms of eye problems but also introduce treatment and prevention approaches to avoid these conditions from affecting your mental well-being.

Overall, eyesight is one of the five basic senses that help you experience life to the fullest, so make eye care a priority in your daily life. For more helpful resources on health and lifestyle, continue exploring the rest of the posts here at Lifestyle.org.

(Article written by Sophia Emma Exclusively For Lifestyle Magazine.)

The post Poor Eyesight Can Lead to Poor Mental Health— Here’s What You Can Do appeared first on Lifestyle.

Walking is amazing. Not only does it relax the nervous system by reducing stress, but it also lowers blood pressure and strengthens the heart.

And It’s Easy!

Many people who are at risk for stroke and heart disease are overweight and find it hard to exercise. However, walking is a low-impact exercise that almost anyone can do, and it is a great way to start adding physical activity to your lifestyle.

Walking allows you to start where you are.

It’s easy and doesn’t cost much money to get started. Just put on your walking shoes and get out there!

Start Like This…

Start with five minutes if that’s all you can do or have time for. You could also walk to the mailbox and back three times a day. Start small.

Don’t be surprised if you feel so good and enjoy it so much that you add a few more minutes to your walk after a few days.

Whatever you do, don’t underestimate the power of action by just getting started.

Challenge Yourself

To gain greater health benefits, experiment with how fast you walk by picking up the pace or alternating a faster pace with a slower pace.

After a few days, start picking up the pace and increase your time.

After a couple of weeks, you might find yourself up to 20 or 30 minutes or even 45 minutes and logging thousands of steps.

If you don’t have time for thirty minutes all at once, you can break it up into three 10-minute sessions throughout your day.

Remember to discuss your walking plans with your doctor if you have high blood pressure or are at risk for heart disease so that you can create a safe walking plan that’s appropriate for you.

Enjoy The Benefits

Give yourself the gift of enjoying walking. Walking is relaxing and lowers blood pressure, especially if it’s outside in a pretty park in the fresh air. You will feel better, and your mood will brighten. But the benefits do not stop there.

Regular physical activity strengthens the heart because it’s a muscle. Therefore, a brisk walk works out more than your leg muscles; it conditions your heart, too.

Your heart gets stronger as you continue to condition it through walking, making it easier to pump blood through your body. Your muscles will strengthen, and you will burn body fat, which is good for your blood pressure in the long term.

All it takes is a short, enjoyable walk each day.

As you get stronger, your walks will become longer, and you may even try swimming or riding your bike.

A healthy diet, regular physical activity, and losing weight are among the most effective ways to reduce hypertension.

When you consider that walking can greatly reduce stress, it’s little wonder that walking has such beneficial effects on your health and well-being.

You were designed to move! Are you ready to get started? Then let’s lace up our shoes and go for a walk.!

The post Walking: Lower Your Blood Pressure And Strengthen Your Heart! appeared first on Lifestyle.

The post Why You Should Ditch the S.A.D. Diet appeared first on Lifestyle.

How satisfied are you with your life? Take a few seconds to really think about that question. Have you been dreaming of doing something completely new? Ever feel trapped or stuck in a rut and can’t find your way out?

Forging a new path and taking your life in a new direction sounds exciting, but starting a new chapter can be scary. 

That said, taking charge of your future and upgrading your outlook and expectations can be liberating.

If you’ve been thinking about making significant changes, here are ten ways to reinvent yourself as you navigate the journey ahead and unlock your best life. 

Decide Your Core Values

Understanding your beliefs, standards, and values is the first step in successfully reinventing yourself. Knowing these means you have a clear sense of self-awareness and emotional intelligence.

It also means you know what aspects of your life need to be changed, why, and what these changes look like.

Step Back

It’s hard to make a fresh start when you’re stuck in a never-ending routine. You have to break out of the mind-numbing cycle to gain perspective. One way to do that is to take a step back. 

Take some time to identify what you’d like to eliminate or add. Ask yourself, “What do I want to change in my life?”

Set Achievable Goals

Once you know what you want to change, set goals to achieve these changes.

According to one study, setting realistic milestones on your journey to starting your next chapter is more effective if you plan your goals according to your skills and time frame.

Your confidence builds as you successfully work through each goal, motivating you to move on to the next one, and so on.

Get Creative

Think of ways to use your creativity to express yourself. Maybe you can paint, sing, write, play an instrument, and more!

Expressing yourself through these different creative modalities pushes you outside your comfort zone and unlocks fresh perspectives.  

Being inventive and resourceful helps get you unstuck and reinvent yourself in ways you wouldn’t have thought otherwise.  

Choose Healthy Habits

Deciding to eat better and making healthier choices is a great place to start. Add physical activity by exercising 3–5 times a week. Also, make getting good quality sleep each night a top priority.

You’ll have more energy, lose weight and start getting fit, which boosts overall happiness. 

Deciding to build healthy habits puts you in charge of your life. Feeling in control of life makes starting fresh easier and more manageable.

Take Time For Self-Care

Set aside time in your schedule to take care of yourself. Maybe it’s reading for an hour, praying or meditating for fifteen minutes, or just doing some self-reflection and journaling at a coffee shop or park.

Invest in yourself by taking this time to become more aware of your actions, feelings, and thought processes. You’ll find it easier to make small changes and start on the path of reinventing yourself.

Toss What You Don’t Need

An effective way to start reinventing yourself is to toss anything you no longer want, need or use. 

Clutter is anything that isn’t beneficial to you anymore. Clutter takes up space, wastes time when you need to find something, and adds stress and frustration to your life. 

Donate, recycle, or sell your old stuff. Eliminate the mess and stress to help find the best possible version of yourself.

Fill Your Life With Positive People

Jim Rohn said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”

Consider the people in your social circle. How many are negative? Whether friends or colleagues, how do you feel when you’re around them? Not great, I bet.

Now, think of the people in your social circle with a positive, optimistic approach to life who have made something of themselves. How do you feel after spending time with them?

Add more of those kinds of people to your life. You’ll be more satisfied with life, have a more optimistic mindset, and become more successful. 

Be Grateful

Being thankful daily is closely linked to leading a more fulfilling life. It helps us build strong relationships, improves health, brightens mood, and fosters a positive mindset.

Being grateful and counting your blessings is especially powerful when enduring difficult times. Remember to lean on your habit of gratitude to help deal with hardship and emerge stronger and more resilient. You’ll be a better person for it.

Celebrate Each Milestone

Life is a series of highs and lows, hits and misses. So celebrate and enjoy every milestone, no matter how little or insignificant. Reaching your goals and being proud of your achievements will boost your self-worth and confidence, and sharpen your determination. 

No one is going to hand your “dream” life to you. No one. You get one life, and you decide how you will live it. Following these ten steps will give you the determination to forge ahead so you can unlock your best life and live life on your terms!

The post 10 Ways To Reinvent Yourself When You’re Stuck In Life appeared first on Lifestyle.

To rephrase a popular statement, the habits that got you here won’t get you where you want to go. 

You change your life when you change your habits. 

But it isn’t about “breaking” bad habits; it’s about replacing them with good ones. 

But what if you’re mostly okay with your life? What’s so terrible about having (enjoying) a few bad habits? 

For starters, bad habits keep you from reaching your goals, harm your health, and waste your time and energy. 

Bad habits are dangerous. 

Here are the top 5 you should replace today. 

Insufficient Sleep

Sufficient sleep is a necessity, not a luxury. Sure, you can grind your way through 4-5 hours of sleep a night, but you will pay the price sooner or later and won’t like it very much. 

Sleep plays a vital role in stress management. Insufficient sleep leads to bad decisions, and bad decisions lead to stress and emotional health challenges.

Insufficient sleep also takes years off your life. Want to die before your time? Skimp on sleep. 

Sleep restores and maintains your system. The body and brain make repairs during sleep. 

Adequate rest and sufficient sleep are vital to your health, happiness, and well-being. 

Create bedtime rituals that support healthy sleep habits. Avoid sleep-disrupting chemicals like alcohol, caffeine, and sugary foods a few hours before bedtime. 

And consider shutting off screens and reading a book while taking a relaxing bath instead. 

Gadget Drain

How often have you had your phone, laptop, and tablet all on at the same time, and the television, too?

Has life really come to this, where we must interact with every device simultaneously to entertain ourselves and not be bored? 

First, too much screen time takes a toll on your eyesight. 

Secondly, we all know by now how the blue light emitted by electronic screens affects the body’s melatonin levels, disrupting sleep.  

Start replacing this bad habit by at least reducing your gadgets’ brightness and holding them about a foot away from your eyes while browsing. This should help with your melatonin levels. And remember to take frequent breaks from your screens, too.

Sitting Too Much

People who spend most of their time sitting down risk their health severely. If this sounds like you, you need to make some changes. 

Excessive sitting has been associated with obesity, muscle wastage, cancer, and decreased bone density.

Your body was designed to move. To be active. To live! So get up and move around!

The answer isn’t quitting your sedentary job and finding a one that forces you to be active. 

But you can set the alarm to remind yourself to get up every hour and get a glass of water, use the restroom, or brew some coffee for the office. 

Sitting and not moving slows your metabolism and makes you injury prone. 

If you work from home, take occasional breaks and do a few jumping jacks, or run/walk in place during commercials while watching television. 

Be creative. Find an activity you enjoy and then do it to raise your heart rate and get some exercise to reverse the damage of sedentary living.  

Too Much Fast Food

Granted, this is a hard habit to replace for many people because this food is fast, easy, cheap, and so tempting when racing home from work, feeling tired and depleted, and all you want to do is rest.

(And even the non-fast food options aren’t exactly healthy either because of all the salt, fat, and sugar.)

Fast food is loaded with trans fats, which cause weight issues, diabetes risk, high cholesterol, heart disease, and inflammation.

And even though the food tastes great, you don’t feel so great soon after eating it. 

Save fast food for the occasional (rare) treat and prepare healthy meals at home instead. 

Make meal preparation easier by following a menu and prepping ahead of time, using a slow cooker, and taking turns cooking, if possible. You can even make healthier versions of some of your fast food treats at home.

Alcohol

Alcohol is a touchy subject. But the truth is, it’s best left alone, especially considering how many people have a family history of alcoholism. Wine is also unnecessary for heart health because you can get the same benefit from drinking a few ounces of unfermented, pure grape juice (unless you have diabetes, in which case you should avoid fruit juice altogether because it’s loaded with sugar). 

Alcohol affects your liver and mental health and weakens your reasoning and decision-making abilities. It can even negatively affect your bones, fat loss efforts, memory, and blood pressure. 

Bad habits can shorten your life, damage relationships, pack on the pounds, cause exhaustion, disrupt sleep, and throw your system into metabolic disarray, to name a few. 

Why not begin unlocking your best life today by replacing your bad habits, especially any of these five, with life-enhancing, energy-producing, relationship-building habits that fill your life with a lot more joy, peace, and satisfaction?

Photo by Manan Chhabra on Unsplash

The post The Top Five Bad Habits You Need To Replace appeared first on Lifestyle.

Although exercise is proven to change our body, mind, attitude, and mood, how many people get physical activity regularly? 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 46.9 percent of adults aged 18 years and over meet the guidelines for aerobic physical activity, and 24.2% meet the guidelines for aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity. 

If you love working out and going to the gym, keep going. But if you’re someone who doesn’t fancy adhering to an exercise program, here are six enjoyable hobbies that will add more physical activity to your life. 

Cycling 

Cycling is relaxing and fun!

You don’t have to ride a hundred miles in a pack of sweaty people wearing flimsy spandex or train like you’re competing for the next Tour De France.

You can take a nice ride along the beach on a cruiser, invest in a Peloton to enjoy group classes with people from around the world, enjoy the thrill of a downhill race on a mountain bike, or take a bike cross country; it doesn’t really matter. There are so many ways to enjoy cycling, and each offers health benefits, social interaction in a community of like-minded enthusiasts, and a fun way to exercise your body.

Dance 

Dancing is fun and can burn over 300 calories an hour. You can take a class, attend an event like salsa night, or go to a concert and enjoy yourself. You can even find dance-themed workouts online. And if you’re a little shy, play some music and dance in the privacy of your own home!

A study for Complementary Therapies In Medicine found that exercise is as good as drug interventions for reducing the risk of overall mortality. In addition, they found that dance was a more enjoyable, easier-to-maintain, form of exercise that helps people to lose weight, improve flexibility, gain muscle tone, improve cardiovascular health, and convey social/emotional benefits.

Running

Okay, I know, running sounds an awful lot like exercise, but the great news is that you can run just about anywhere. All you need is a pair of good running shoes and the will to take a run! Easy! And running is a great way to explore new places. Running has meditative aspects to it, too, because of breath awareness, gait, and fresh air that soothes your nervous system, all of which, when combined, ground you in the present, enriching the moment and your life as a whole. 

Couples Yoga 

Full-body stretching is good for you, and it’s relaxing. There are even postures you can try with a partner that would be impossible alone. Not to mention the social aspect that enhances relationships, which is another essential pillar of good health.

Birding

Immersing yourself in nature relaxes the mind, body, and soul. And birding is a great way to do just that. Plus, the benefits multiply when you add to that immersive experience the mindful awareness of another species. According to some estimates, there are about forty-five million bird watchers in the United States. One of the reasons people enjoy bird watching is because it feels like a kind of treasure hunt, and who doesn’t love treasure hunts?

Swimming

Swimming covers all the bases: it’s challenging and intense, has many variations, is low impact, and immerses you in one of nature’s most fundamental elements. Besides, something is soothing about being in the water. 

The Takeaway

When they were kids, most people didn’t exercise; they played. So, making play out of physical activity makes it more enjoyable and less likely that they will quit. 

It doesn’t matter what you choose to do; what’s important is that you keep moving. So, consider using these six hobbies for physical health as a springboard to explore your own ideas. 

Let your life be an incredible adventure, and may you make it a fun and exciting one. 

The post 6 Hobbies That Boost Your Physical Health appeared first on Lifestyle.

Let’s resolve to be wiser in 2023 by letting go of everything we can that doesn’t add meaning to our lives. 

Let our motto be, simplify, simplify, simplify! Trying to keep up with everything is exhausting and wastes time.

Everyone complains about not having enough time these days. For some, that’s true as they juggle two or more jobs while trying to manage their household. 

But, many of us waste time on needless errands, eating out, watching TV mindlessly night after night, and on social media.

We have more time than we realize; simplifying our lives is a great way to take charge of our lives and start living lives that matter.

Here’s a short list of simple tips to begin making the most of 2023.

1. Decide on Simple Monthly Goals

If you’re a person who thrives on making and keeping New Year’s resolutions, that’s great; keep making them. But most people give up on their resolutions before January is over. 

Instead, decide on 1-3 meaningful monthly goals to which you’ll commit. Stack the odds in your favor by organizing your life into smaller, more manageable chunks. You’ll gain momentum and finally start making progress. 

2. Apply the 50/30/20 Budget Rule

Managing your finances can get complicated and overwhelming really fast, which could be why many people avoid the issue for as long as possible.

It’s easy to feel stressed and overwhelmed when we don’t know what to do or where to start, especially if no one taught us how to manage money or create wealth. 

There’s something called the 50/30/20 rule that might help. People who’ve never been good at managing or saving money sing its praises.

Here’s how it works: Spend 50% of your monthly income on living expenses (your needs), 30% on lifestyle expenses (your wants), and 20% on savings and debt. 

One thing that keeps so many people from starting and following a budget is that it can be so complicated! 

So, why not consider giving the 50-30-20 approach a try?

Even if you can’t follow the 50-30-20 percentages initially because you have to increase or decrease the three categories to fit your situation, you’ll feel empowered and in control of your money. But, so what? At least you’re taking control of your finances and getting started!

3. Organize Your Closet

Declutter for a simpler, happier life, starting with your closet. Life is simpler, easier, and feels happier when you clear your living space of things you no longer use or need. 

Sort through your closet to find clothes you no longer wear or items that still have tags on them that you’ve forgotten about or are not interested in. 

Many people have found Marie Kondo‘s suggestions about decluttering to be extremely helpful.

Free up space in your closet for new clothes; enjoy a well-organized, clutter-free closet.

4. Make Your Lunch The Night Before

While there isn’t anything exciting about making your lunch the night before you go to work or school, it’s a great way to simplify your life. 

It’s a money-saver, too, because you won’t be going out to eat as much or ordering takeout. Plus, it’s better for your health because you’ll make better, healthier choices. 

You’ll feel better, be less stressed, and save money. 

5. Use The Cloud

Why waste time sorting through digital files on your computer or smart device when you can simply save them to the Cloud?

Searching for documents and files can be frustrating and such a time-waster.

Saving files to the cloud is easy and convenient and frees up tons of space on your devices. There’s no shortage of file-saving Cloud options; you can upload and save just about any type of file. Plus, you can access your files from anywhere the instant you need them. Talk about simplifying your life! 

Unlock your best life in 2023 by simplifying your life to enjoy more of what life has to offer instead of wasting your energy and money on things that don’t matter or add meaning to your life.

The post 5 Ways to Simplify Your Life In 2023 appeared first on Lifestyle.

But growing old isn’t the problem for most people; it’s feeling old. 

Old age can usher in a new era of aches, loss of independence, loneliness, and cognitive decline. 

Although we can’t keep from growing old chronologically, we can slow the sands of time biologically, at least to some extent, by practicing certain habits that keep us looking and feeling young, strong, and vibrant! Here’s how.

1. Meditate Daily

Stress wreaks havoc on the body. Hormones like cortisol and adrenaline severely impact your mental, emotional, and physical health. And they’ve been linked with chronic diseases, like depression, high blood pressure, heart diseases, and dementia.

Meditating slows the effects of stress. Start with five or ten minutes to feel an immediate difference; you’ll be hooked.

One of the most important aspects of meditating is breathing deeply to soothe hour nervous system. Don’t worry about clearing your mind; accept whatever thoughts pop into your head. 

Although there’s a lot of talk about meditation, not much is said about the Bible and meditation. But, many Believers like to meditate on a favorite promise while practicing their deep breathing. 

Others will repeat a certain word or phrase to focus their mind or pray.

2. Volunteer

Helping others is a great way to stay young at heart because it feels good, and you’re making a real difference!

Research shows that your brain releases oxytocin whether you help your best friend or a stranger. Oxytocin is a ‘feel-good’ hormone that brightens your mood and reduces the effects of cortisol.

But another great thing about volunteering is that it boosts feelings of self-worth and confidence because it gives you a sense of purpose, which makes you feel good about yourself and your life. 

Lastly, volunteering is a great way to expand your social circle and stay connected to people with similar interests, strengthening your ties to the community.

3. Be Physically Active

Okay, you knew this one was coming. Exercise is a great way to slow the sands of time and maintain functional independence.

You don’t have to spend hours at the gym or on a bike. It can be something like walking, yoga, or tai-chi – activities that reduce stress while strengthening your body.

Some studies indicate that yoga and tai-chi may rejuvenate the immune and digestive systems.

Another great thing about physical exercise is that it protects cognitive functioning by increasing blood flow to the brain and flooding it with oxygen. 

 Other forms of anti-aging workouts include:

• Swimming
• Arm and leg crosses
• Walking
• Low-impact cardio routines
• Standing calf raises

4. Eat Better

Eating the right food most of the time is one of the best ways to look and feel young. 

Getting the necessary vitamins and minerals lowers the risk of chronic diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s.

Pomegranates, berries, leafy veggies, cruciferous vegetables, and nuts are great examples of ‘superfoods.’ 

Superfoods contain high levels of antioxidants, amino acids, and loads of vitamins and minerals.

Eating the right amounts will help you sleep better, strengthen your immune system, and boost memory!

5. Drink More Water!

Drinking water and staying hydrated keeps your cells supple and healthy. Did you know that people who drink large amounts of water tend to have fewer wrinkles and soft lines than people who don’t drink enough water? 

Some drinks, such as green tea, can lower the risk of certain types of cancer. Several studies indicate that drinking at least one cup a day boosts concentration and memory and keeps your brain sharp.

You Can’t Stop Time, But You Can Slow Its Effects…

Everyone grows old; some age faster, some slower. But by practicing these easy habits, you can enjoy a youthful spirit, a positive outlook, a stronger mind, and a much younger body that allows you to live your best life well into the golden years. 

Photo by Mauro-Fabio Cilurzo on Unsplash

The post How To Look Younger & Age Slower appeared first on Lifestyle.

Some people are self-conscious and feel uncomfortable working out in front of people.

For others, logistical issues such as transportation or travel time make the gym a no-go. 

While still others just don’t like training inside because they’re the outdoors type who likes fresh air and wind on their face. 

The gym isn’t for everyone. Fortunately, there are many ways you can stay in shape without ever having to step foot in the iron jungle. Here are five great gym alternatives. 

Walking and Hiking

Walking is going through a kind of rebirth in the fitness world. It’s easy on the joints, reduces stress hormones, and enhances metabolic processes. We were made to move, and walking was intended to be the main mode of transportation.

Whether it’s a twenty-minute walk around your neighbor or your favorite places in nature, like the beach or a park, or a day hiking your favorite trails, walking and hiking are great for your mental, emotional and physical health, especially if you invite a friend along. 

Don’t underestimate the wellness and mood-boosting benefits of short walks (20 minutes or less), vigorous hikes, and even adding a few minutes of power walking to your walk. Anything from a brief stroll to an energetic hike will most certainly be worth the time and the effort.

Donate Your Labor

Don’t overlook the wellness benefits of volunteering your “labor” to a charitable organization in your area that would involve a healthy dose of physical activity. Whereas some people might enjoy recreational sports on the weekend, others might enjoy supporting a worthy cause like a community garden or Habitat for Humanity; you get the idea.

Those activities impart the “helper’s high” many volunteers report experiencing. It makes you feel good knowing you’re making a difference. Plus, you’re personally benefitting from the physical activity. You will feel good on the inside and outside!

Go online and search for volunteering activities in your local area, or check with the Chamber of Commerce or a faith community. 

Household Cleaning Counts

There isn’t anything easy about washing the car, sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, and other household chores! If you don’t believe me, use your fitness tracker to check your heart rate and count calories next time you clean the floor. 

Why not don your workout clothes and shoes, put on your favorite music, and move with purpose as you speed through your chores!

Join a Team

Almost every sizable town has sports leagues for adults, from hockey and basketball to softball and even cycling groups. And don’t worry – even if you’re the kid who wasn’t exactly picked first, you’ll be able to find something that matches your skill level and athletic ability. 

You’ll find yourself looking forward to the games and spending time with your teammates. Not only will you improve your physical health, but social interaction will also boost your emotional and mental health. 

If you try a sport and don’t like it, try something else. Keep exploring until you find a sport and a team that clicks. 

The Obstacle Course

Have you noticed how popular outdoor obstacle courses are becoming? They even have contests. Options are available for all fitness levels, too. 

Many are themed; perhaps you’ve heard of some of them, like Tough Mudder, Zombie Mud Run, Spartan Race, etc. Training for them will give you a great workout, not to mention how fun it is to compete in the races; it’s just you against the obstacle course and a few hundred other people having fun in the mud! Search online for options in your local area; just be sure to enter the name of your town for options conveniently located near you.

It’s okay if the gym isn’t your thing. There are plenty of other ways to get in shape and stay fit that suit your temperament and lifestyle. So have fun and start exploring as you continue to unlock your best life! 

The post 5 Gym-free Ways To Stay In Shape! appeared first on Lifestyle.