Candles by Shana

Often it seems that no matter how hard we try our emotions get the best of us. There are medical reasons for depression that should be addressed by a professional.  However, for most of us there is something that we can do.

Don’t just accept the way you are feeling. Be proactive!

Tips For Bad Day Blues:

-Take a guilt-free warm bubble bath for at least 20 minutes. Light a candle and/or add lavender to your bath water for extra relaxation.

-Drink a nice cup of hot tea.

-Get a massage from a professional masseuse or your partner.

-Get out of the house!  Just sitting in the house can cause and prolong depression. So get up, get out, and get moving!

-Workout for at least 30 minutes.  Exercise releases endorphins which have a positive impact on your mental state. If you are not into going to the gym, walking is a great low impact easy to do exercise. (Please always consult with your physician before starting any exercises).

-Practice Yoga or Pilates

-Meet a friend for lunch. Good company is always good for the soul.

-Think of something or someone that makes you happy.

-Do something that makes you happy, read a book, paint, or arrange flowers.

-Drink plenty of water. Dehydration can sap us of energy and cause the blues.

-Think positive. Always surround yourself with positive people. A positive mind will create positive things.

-Meditate. Be thankful. Do not dwell on how bad the situation is.

-Girls Nite Out!!! Sometimes it’s just nice to hang out with your girlfriends; they will lift you up when you are down.

Love yourself ! And know that love is a gift.

It’s no secret that many more are turning to organic living in this tight-fisted economy.  But even before the recession was confirmed many had been testing this alternative lifestyle for various reasons. In my opinion, organic living can improve life in four major aspects: physically, mentally, spiritually, and globally.

Physically: We all need energy to get us through our day. However, when we’re in a rush we don’t always choose the best foods to fuel our bodies. One can curb this hazard by not only packing foods from home while on the go, but packing “organic” foods.  These nutritious choices are chemical, herbicide and pesticide free, can be found at most grocers and are more nutritious than foods that are not organic. The USDA regulates all organic foods. They must pass rigorous testing before they are legally allowed to be labeled as organic.  Everything from milk, cheese, fruits, vegetables, and yes…even organic meat can improve the look, feel and overall health of your body.

Mentally: When you look good, you feel good. Not only will consuming organic foods cause you to improve your body, it will indirectly improve your state of mind. When you are consuming healthy products, your body begins to repair itself against damages done to free radicals that have been attached to foods you may have been eating for years. The slow improvement of your body’s overall state will begin to cause a shift in the mind. You will begin to smile more, laugh more, and stress less because you will begin to notice the improvements and like the way you look. Even if you are pleased with your body now, think of how more active your mind may become due to the reduction of free radicals!

Spiritually: It’s like a chain reaction. When your body feels good, your mind feels good. When your mind is at ease, your spirit is at ease. You will be less edgy, stressed, cranky, and negative overall. It’s amazing how one’s entire life can change over one’s choice to go from ordinary foods to organic. And this isn’t just with foods. Many of today’s items such as clothing, household products and even beauty products are all becoming organic. This is due to the immense amount of studies that are starting to expose what the chemicals we are so “used to” are truly doing to our bodies inside and out. What these studies don’t show, yet it’s still evident, is that they also affect our spirit. What we do in the conscious realm ultimately affects our subconscious, which will inevitably follow through to our spirit. The more you free yourself from free radicals and chemicals, the more you free your spirit.

Globally: Not only is living healthy and organic good for your body, it is also good for the Earth. The reduced use of pesticides, herbicides and chemicals is not only good for the food but good for the soil. The Earth grows these products naturally and when these chemicals come into play they also linger in the soil, altering the process and even eliminating it in some instances. Fresh soil makes for fresh produce. We can even take organic global living as far as recycling, reducing emissions into the atmosphere, saving water and electricity and replanting trees. While it may not seem like it helps you physically on the outside, just think of how good you’ll feel on the inside…and how much the Earth would appreciate you for a cleaner atmosphere.

There are so many benefits to healthy organic living that I can’t begin to name them all. The best way to find out these benefits is to try it out for yourself, but as always when you change your health routine in any manner you should seek the council of your physician. Even if you just take one step towards organic healthy living, it’s a step towards a healthier lifestyle. Who can argue with that?!

Be happy! Be healthy!