Health Archives - Motivational Speeches and books by Snowden McFall

Could Ecotherapy (Being in Nature) Relieve Your Stress?

Nature: Free and Easy Cure to Anxiety and Depression

Did you know that most Americans suffer from nature deficit disorder? A typical American spends 80-90% of their time indoors- and sadly too much of that time is spent sitting. The more time people spend inside, the more anxious an depressed they get. The solution is simple and free: spend time outside in nature. Doing so can:

• Cut anxiety and depression

• Boost feelings of well-being

• Improve your health and reduce blood pressire

• Increase your social interaction with others

• Improve your breathing and intake of Vitamin D if you spend 20 minutes in the sun

Gardeners have long understood this, as having your hands in soil relieves stress and connects you to the earth. Doing so helps you get out of your head and your worries, and enables you to focus on the present- one of the keys to being happier.

David Strayer, a psychologist at the University of Utah, takes students out in nature to reconnect with their creative problem-solving and mental clarity. With so many distractions and constant technological stimulation, our brains get tired and don’t function as clearly as they should. His backpacking group of Outward Bound participants did 50 percent better on creative problem-solving after only three days in the wilderness.1

So the next time you are feeling down or overwhelmed, get outside in nature. Just 20 minutes can revive your body, mind and spirit.

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http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2017/07/13/ecotherapy.aspx?utm_source=dnl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=art1&utm_campaign=20170713Z1_UCM&et_cid=DM150364&et_rid=2078706039

Protect Your Family’s Health with this Beverage

It’s cold and flu season in the US, and having had pneumonia myself over the past few years, I wanted a powerful immune system builder. After much reading, I’ve come up with a hot drink that I love and that actually boosts my immunity.

Here’s what it takes:
1 full cup pure boiled water
1 teaspoon organic coconut oil
1 capsule turmeric
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon honey
a sprinkle of cayenne pepper
a sprinkle of fresh ground regular pepper
2 droppers full of ginger extract

Let all the ingredients sit in the hot water and stir. You may want to add additional honey or stevia for sweetness. Some people prefer to put this in plain almond milk, too. It works great and here’s why.

Honey is a natural antibacterial agent. I take a spoonful if I ever begin to think I am getting sick. http://www.medicaldaily.com/liquid-gold-7-health-benefits-honey-could-heal-your-whole-body-325932
Lemon in water clears your liver and cuts mucus. It’s rich in Vitamin C. http://www.care2.com/greenliving/13-healing-powers-of-lemons.html
Turmeric has a host of anti-inflammatory qualities and is activated best in hot water with fresh ground pepper. http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-6873/25-Reasons-Why-Turmeric-Can-Heal-You.html
Coconut oil is great for you. I use it as a moisturizer and healing agent. It contains lauric acid, which kills bacteria. http://www.youngandraw.com/42-healing-ways-to-use-coconut-oil

Try this with your family and see what a difference it makes. Always consult your doctor for medical issues.

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De- stress with a Hot/Cold Shower

Hydrotherapy Could Reduce Your Stress

Osteopath Vicky Vlachonis, author The Body Doesn’t Lie, recommends hot/cold rinsing in the shower to reduce stress and revitalize the body.

Vicky says that changing hot water to cold and back again boosts your circulation and causes your blood vessels to expand and contract. It also impacts your lymphatic system.

Regular hot-cold bathing impacts both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system, decreasing stress hormones.

WHAT to DO:

Nearing the end of your shower, make the water super hot- as much as you can tolerate, wetting all of yourself. Then, make the water as cold as you can stand. Instinctively, you will take in a deep breath in reaction to the shock, and expand your oxygen intake. Keep the cold on for 30 seconds and then switch it back to hot. Do 3-5 full cycles and finish with cold.

Just one more way to reduce stress!

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Women are More Stressed Than Men

According to American Psychological Association’s Work and Well-Being Survey,women are more stressed than ever.

• 37% of women feel stressed at work, versus 33% of men.
• Only 48% of women feel work is an equal playing field for both genders, while 54% of men do.
• Only 43% of women feel they are paid enough, compared to 48% of men.
• Only 35% of women feel they have the chance to move up, versus 43% of men.
•To manage their stress, 34% of women say they have enough resources to do so versus 38% of men.
Women are under greater pressure in part because they are responsible for an increased share of their households’ earnings and because they are still trying to juggle more of the home workload.

How to Reduce Your Stress:

• Get at least 7 hours of sleep a night. Any less and the World Health Organization labels it a carcinogen. You carry an extra 20 pounds of weight and are 3 times more likely to catch a cold or flu.

• Drink water- lots of it. 80% of North Americans are dehydrated, and that leads to overeating, high blood pressure, and sleep disturbance.

• Exercise in a fun way, preferably with a buddy- at least 4 times a week. All it takes is 15 minutes. Exercise is good for you on so many levels, especially as a stress reliever.

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Are You Getting Enough Hugs to be Healthy?

You Need More Than You Think!

Me and Cinderella- the woman who gave me my hugs growing up!

According to noted American pyschologist and educator, Virginia Satir, we need 4 hugs a day for survival, 8 hugs a day for maintenance, and 12 hugs a day for growth.

Most people are lucky if they get 1 or 2 hugs a day.

So up your intake and give hugs freely. Recently, I was visiting one of the non-profits I volunteer for and talking to a little boy, stroking his back. He just leaned in for a hug, which I was more than happy to give. We all need touch, and in this day and age, hugging can heal so much. Take the time to give full-on, heart-felt hugs to others as a way of sharing. The rewards for everyone are so worth it.

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Are You Stuck in a Rut instead of Fired Up?

Humans Need NEW to Keep Growing

In his book The Charge, Brendon Bouchard has some great suggestions about staying Fired Up! The brain is hardwired for novelty and challenge and needs to be engaged to keep thriving. Here are a few ways to incorporate new into your life and have a Fired Up! life, filled with motivation and fun:

• 90 day getaway – every 90 days go away and explore someplace you have not been, doing new activities. It does not have to be expensive- it just needs to be different.

• Restaurant tour; explore dining establishments you’ve never visited, try different kinds of food. Exploring new places will keep you motivated

• Spend time with new people – go to different networking or social events and broaden your circle.

• Develop new skills – At home, my husband and I just installed a new glass tile backsplash in our kitchen. It was challenging but fun, and we love the results.

To feel more Fired Up! about life, to keep growing and keep motivated, try doing new things.

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The Surprising Source of Most Pain

Lack of Sleep Causes Many Serious Issues

sleepless

New research out of England shows that lack of sleep is the strongest predictor of pain for those over 50. Pain obviously causes more stress and makes you sleep poorly. It’s a vicious cycle. Restless or insufficient sleep has so many negative consequences and severely impacts wellness:

• the World Health Organization has considered labeling less than 7 hours a night of sleep as a carcinogen- cancer-causing agent
• increased risk of heart disease
• fewer new brain cells created
• premature aging
• excess weight- 20 pounds usually
• 3x more susceptible to colds and flu
• greater stress and less ability to respond well to problems

Three factors influence your ability to get a good night’s sleep:
• timing- try to go to bed at the same time every night
• duration- you need at least 7 hours of sleep
• intensity- which is impacted by whether you got 30 minutes of sunshine during the day and whether your room is nice and dark at night

Be careful not to look at your ipad®, phone screen or computer before bed- leave at last an hour before bed when you shut down exposure to visual stimulants from computer screens. Your overall health and wellness depends so much on good rest. Getting a good night’s sleep every night has a huge impact on your health, your stress levels, your body’s pain and more. Make it priority. Your body will thank you.

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Don’t Worry, Be Happy

Tune into the Vibration of Happiness to Boost Yours

For the past few weeks, I have been listening to the song from Despicable Me 2 called Happy by Pharrell Williams. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6Sxv-sUYtM It is almost impossible for me to listen to this song without dancing to it. It brings up my mood and brings my focus right back to the present. And according to the Journal of Positive Psychology, it works for others, too.

What works for you? In this article are a wide variety of researched-backed tips to help you be happy. My favorites are go on vacation, play with pets, and volunteer. Check out the full article below.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/07/boost-happiness_n_4532848.html?utm_hp_ref=healthy-living

For a free report on how to get and stay Fired Up!, go here https://firedupnow.com/top20tips/

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Water is Critical to Your Health & Productivity

Are you massively dehydrated?

In many parts of the world, water is a rare and precious commodity. 780 Million people lack access to clean water. And yet in the Western world, we take it for granted, waste it on our lawns and forget to hydrate ourselves.

Every cell in our body depends on water to function properly. Every day, we lose about 8 cups of water, which must be replenished.

A 2% drop in body water can trigger lack of concentration, short-term memory problems and trouble focusing. A 5% drop in body fluids will cause a 25-30% loss in energy; a 15% drop causes death.

80% of North Americans are suffering from dehydration, which causes:

• energy loss
• mental and physical exhaustion
• headaches and stiff joints
• anxiety and stress
• kidney stones
• cancer and diabetes

Even mild dehydration will slow down your metabolism by 3%!

A recent report says drinking 5 glasses of water daily cuts the risk of colon cancer by 45%, and the risk of breast cancer by 79% . Imagine what would happen if you drank 8 glasses of water a day!

Caffeine dehydrates you as a diuretic, so for every cup of coffee or tea you drink, have two glasses of water. Avoid drinking soda. The active ingredient is phosphoric acid, which leaches calcium from your bones, causing osteoporosis.

Carry around a glass water bottle, fill it regularly from the purified fountain at work, and drink it every hour. You’ll be amazed by how much more energy you have and how much better you feel.

To sign up for Snowden’s ezine newsletter on stress, happiness, marketing and motivation, please go to: https://firedupnow.com/firedupemailregister.html

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Is Your Job Worth Your Life?

Is the Stress of Your Job Killing You?

80% of Americans are burnt-out and stress costs business $300 billion a year in missed work, low productivity and illness. For you, the key question is, “Is your job killing you?” If you are seriously considering the answer to that question, here’s what you can do.

• Take time off immediately. Go away, even if it means staying with a friend. Use the week or so to reflect on your life and heal yourself. You need downtime, badly, before you get sick.

• Get real about what you need in a job. Be flexible. What are your top 3 requirements? That extra $15K a year may not be worth the extra 20 hours you have to work. Choose quality of life over money.

• Network like crazy. Today’s jobs are found through personal

relationships. Get out there, clean up your resume with your strengths and successes clearly listed. DO NOT complain about your current job. Just say you’re ready for the next oppportunity.

To sign up for Snowden’s ezine newsletter on stress, happiness, marketing and motivation, go to: https://firedupnow.com/firedupemailregister.html