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Yoga Jitters? Glo is Solving it With Yoga at Home

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Yoga has been linked to all sorts of benefits, like a longer life expectancy and being a stress reliever. This is the reason many people are flocking to the practice though some are having trouble. These people can’t get past a few stumbling blocks, but Glo will help solve some of those issues.

Not Much Time

One reason some people have a hard time heading to yoga class is because of their schedule. Perhaps you work strange hours, are on call, or have more than one job.

These are just some of the reasons people cannot find a way to add yoga classes to their regular day to day schedule. It is here where Glo comes in by letting you follow an instructor online without worrying about a scheduled time.

Feelings of Uneasiness with Others

Another problem some people have with this wellness activity deals with the class format altogether. The idea of going to a class and practicing yoga in front of others can make some people feel uneasy.

People feel uneasy for a number of reasons, like the fact that they do not know all the movements while others just feel embarrassed when performing yoga in front of class members who might be more experienced. Glo can solve this problem for you by allowing you to practice yoga at home in a comfortable setting.

The Culture Just Isn’t For You

Some people may want to opt for yoga at home simply to avoid the culture at a yoga studio. The people there seem to have their own language sometimes, and you may simply just not feel too comfortable with it.

Do not fret, Glo thinks this is okay, and you can avoid it by simply doing your yoga at home with their help. This also works if you simply do not like the instructor or the classmates in the class close to you. All that unpleasantness should not be a part of your yoga practice, especially if you are doing it to de-stress.

An Expense no One Really Needs

A yoga studio has to pay for the space, the materials used during class, and the yoga instructors who work at this location along with other expenses. Yoga studio owners rely on you and other members to pay for these expenses.

Sometimes, the charge is quite high, which could discourage you, but Glo feels like no one should be denied this healthy exercise alternative simply because of cost. Yoga at home is affordable, and you will get the benefit of professional instruction, so you really have nothing to lose. Keep in mind that Glo actually has a library of over 3,000 yoga instructional videos from different instructors, so you get to choose a style that works for you.

About Glo

Glo has a lot to offer, and this makes sense as it was designed to be the go-to online yoga location for the busy individual. There are a lot of people out there who can benefit from yoga but are incapable of benefiting from the practice because of the aforementioned reasons. Glo was designed to fit any schedule, be accessed anywhere, and bring peace to those who need it. The site was designed to cater to the customer’s needs, be it more energy, relaxation, or even prenatal care. It is all at Glo and only a few clicks away.

Meditation Online: A New Approach for an Old Art

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Although the practice of meditation goes back to ancient India, it didn’t become a household word in the United States until the Beatles and their yogi, the founder of Transcendental Meditation, introduced it to the country in the 1960s. Then, in 1979, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction introduced Americans with chronic illness to that practice, and meditation’s popularity has continued to grow ever since.

If you want to meditate but have been putting it off until you find the perfect class, method or timing, Glo’s meditation online program has an option to fit your needs.

A New Look at an Old Practice

Glo is a yoga and meditation online program with a world vision. Its goal is to give seekers on all paths the tools they need to create fulfilling, joyful lives. With a variety of classes that cover the gamut of interests and skill levels, Glo puts an authentic, compassionate practice within anyone’s reach. Their experienced teachers offer classes in the following disciplines:

  • Meditation
  • Yoga for beginners
  • Yoga
  • Pilates
  • Yoga conditioning

If you aren’t sure if online classes are right for you, you can try their free 15-day trial with no obligation. Cancel any time you choose. Meanwhile, you have over 2,200 videos led by over 90 of the world’s best instructors at your fingertips. Just download them to any device for unlimited, convenient use at work, home, or travel. Enrollment is $18 per month or $144 annually after your free trial.

Meditation Online for the Modern Yogi

Meditation, one of the eight limbs of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra, is the mental stillness that occurs when your mind becomes quiet. Whether you are a novice or an experienced meditator, a series of audio and video classes will give you step-by-step instructions to narrow your focus, calm your thoughts and deepen your practice. In addition to learning about Yogic philosophy and its Sanskrit roots, you will find techniques for meditating in the style that works best for you.

From mantras and guided meditation to chakra cleansing and breathing techniques, you’ll find meditation online classes from 5 to 90 minutes long in a variety of styles and levels. Choose from topics like these:

  • PMS meditation
  • Meditation for frustrated parents
  • Meditation for transmuting negative emotions
  • Breath-cleansing meditation
  • Meditation to create an inner state of bliss
  • Meditation for being with what is
  • Discovering your motivation

Yogic postures and meditation are closely intertwined. Asanas, or poses, prepare the mind and body for meditation, and traditional yoga classes often end with yoga nidra, a trance-like state that produces deep relaxation. Researchers say three hours of yoga nidra meditation is equal to three hours of deep sleep. Kundalina yoga, on the other hand, uses breathing techniques and chakra meditations while Hatha has a meditative quality of its own. Glo has classes in these styles as well as Ashtanga, Vinyasa flow, Yin and more.

Glo’s innovative approach has been featured in national magazines like Time and Good. Forbes, likewise, praised its highly rated teachers and called it “must-try-at-home streaming.” This is a new concept that puts meditation classes within everyone’s reach at a price they can afford.

How Fit People Stay Fit

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Getting in great physical form and staying there is one of the biggest health issues facing Americans today. Not only is it difficult to know exactly how to get fit, but studies have shown that the majority of people that lose weight just to end up gaining it back. Obesity is the American health crises that millions of families are affected by every single day, and the problem just keeps growing. However, instead of looking towards individual people, we should be looking towards what societal implications have lead to this increase in obesity and what we can do about it as people, and as we try to reconstruct the way we think about the world and our place in it.

The first thing that we should realize as a nation is the that the problem of obesity is a national one, not an individual one. The way in which America has changed, and the quickness with which it has changed had lead to an overconsumption of more “bad calories” and less physical activity. Paralleling the rise of processed food has been the rise of more technology both in our work and our home lives, which has lead to many people leading much more sedentary lifestyles than they did even ten years ago. This is a problem for many reasons, but with busy sedentary lifestyles, comes worse food choices, and less concentration on physical health. All these things combined means that those in the modern era will suffer more from obesity than others.

Now that we have an idea of why America has an obesity problem, it’s time to look at how to change it. Although we have a mass of information on a daily basis about nutrition and fitness, it goes through deaf ears for many people who struggle getting started, and those that struggle getting to a place that they want to be. If you’re someone who wants to make sure that you get fit and stay there, it’s important to think about the way that you’re living your daily life. It’s important to look at the way fit people live their lives and find out ways that you can make changes in your everyday life, instead of relying on short-term solutions so that you can get the most out of your fitness, and that you stay fit for longer.

When studies have looked at the differences between fit people and unfit people, the main differences is that fit people have different habits and everyday lifestyles. In most cases, people that are fit have lifestyles that concentrate on physical activity, and those with a high level of physical fitness concentrate on having interests that include physical activity, and some even make their jobs and more the kind that gives you physical exercise on a daily basis. Although we can’t all change our careers on a dime, it’s important to make sure that you are involved in some sort of physical activity that you’re passionate about.

This video about Barefoot Waterskiing is a great example of an awesome hobby to have, that will end up extending your life by giving you the physical exercise that you need, as well as the passion to go out and do something that you love. In this video, you can get the tips you need to do the one hand one foot trick, which is a great way to get started with this fantastic sport and get the physical exercise that your body needs. A hobby like this that you regularly do is a great way to keep your body looking great, as well as living a healthy life.

How To Be OK With Your Transition To a Senior Center

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How are you adjusting to life at a senior center? For new residents, the transition can be difficult. Read this guide to help you ease into your transition.

At the moment, there are about 1 million Americans living in some sort of senior center. By 2030, that number is expected to double. People are living longer than ever before, and as a result, the need for senior care is on the rise.

Despite this, there are many seniors who don’t feel comfortable at all when they first move into a senior home. These facilities seem so foreign to them, and some seniors have such a hard time with their new living arrangements that they end up struggling with depression.

The suicide rate among seniors has shot up in recent years, and many experts have blamed it on the mental anguish seniors feel when they’re forced to give up some of their freedom.

Are you in the process of transitioning yourself or a loved one into a senior center?

Here are some tips for doing it successfully.

Tour Different Facilities Before Choosing the Right One

You wouldn’t just browse through a bunch of home listings on the internet, pick one that looks nice, make an offer on it, and then move into it, would you? So you shouldn’t take that approach when you’re trying to decide which senior center would be best for you, either.

Whether you make the decision to move into an assisted living facility or nursing home or your family makes it for you, you should still play an active role in picking out the place where you will live.

You should make an effort to visit different facilities in your area before picking out the one that works best for you.

When touring senior homes like the Seasons Nursing Home, you should speak with the staff members at each one to see how they interact with seniors. You should also check out the living accommodations. You might even want to sit in on the activities offered to residents.

After you have toured several facilities, you shouldn’t have any problem picking out one that you like best. It will give you a say in the matter and help you feel more comfortable with where you end up.

Share Your Thoughts About Moving Into a Senior Center With Family

Prior to moving into a center, you should sit down with some of your family members to talk about how you feel about making the move. It’s a big step in your life, and you shouldn’t be afraid to open up to them about the transition you’re going to be making.

Ask yourself these questions prior to speaking with your family members:

  • Am I ready to make this move?
  • Is there anything I’m worried about?
  • How is this transition going to change my life?
  • Will I receive enough support from my family?

The answers to these questions should help you get started when you sit down with your family.

But whatever you do, don’t make such a big move without speaking with someone about it.

The last thing you want to do is keep your feelings buried deep down inside.

Bring Things From Your Old Home to Your New Home

Just because you’re moving into a senior home doesn’t mean you have to give up all of the things that made your current home so special.

While it’d be impossible to move all your stuff from your old home to your new home, you should feel free to bring things that will help make your senior center feel more comfortable.

Here are a few suggestions as far as what you should bring to make your transition easier:

  • The afghan you’ve had sitting on your living room couch for years now
  • The mat you’ve used to welcome people to your home’s front door
  • The pictures you have hanging up in the foyer
  • The nightstand you have sitting next to your bed
  • The recliner you love to fall asleep in every night

While you should check with your specific center to see what you’re allowed to bring, there’s a good chance they won’t have an issue with you bringing items that will make your new home feel a lot like your old one.

Meet With the Staff on Your First Day

The staff at your senior center is going to work hand-in-hand with you on a regular basis to make sure you’re comfortable. Rather than being standoffish towards them, you should make it a point to introduce yourself on your first day.

Doing this will set the right tone for you and the staff members who will be in charge of looking after you. It will also put your family members’ minds at ease as they leave you in the care of those at your new home.

Do Your Best to Learn Your New Schedule

If you’re like most people, you crave a routine. You want to wake up in the morning and know where you need to be, what you need to be doing, and who you need to be doing it with.

Moving into a senior center can really throw off your whole routine and make it difficult for you to transition. To combat this, you should try and learn the schedule at your center.

Find out when you’ll eat throughout the day, what activities will be available each day, and how you’ll be expected to keep yourself occupied.

Doing this will help you find a routine that works for you. It’ll also make your senior home feel a lot more like home when you’re sticking to a schedule every day.

Ask to Speak With a Social Worker About Any Problems

No matter how hard you work at it, your transition into your senior center might not go smoothly. You might feel sad at times. You might even feel downright depressed as you seek to embrace your new life.

Know that you don’t have to go through your transition alone! While some seniors opt to speak with family members about the way they’re feeling, not everyone has someone they can turn to in order to talk.

If you need someone to lend an ear so that you can talk about your mental health or any other issue, don’t be afraid to ask to speak to the social worker at your senior home.

It’s their job to help you deal with any problems you might be facing. Speaking with them will go a long way towards helping you settle in.

Find the Right Senior Center Now

There are many seniors who put off moving into a senior center because they’re afraid of the big changes it will bring. But you should know that you can live comfortably and even extend your life by finding the right center.

Check out our blog for more tips on managing your health and taking better care of yourself.

10 Surprising Benefits of Counseling

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There are many benefits of counseling, and it can do wonders for you or a loved one. See why you should improve your mental health and relationships through it.

Nearly half of 1,000 people polled in a survey claimed that they, or someone in their household, had visited a mental health professional within the year, proving that much progress has been made in the field.

The advantages of talking extend far beyond a single session.

Therapy, supplemented with good exercise, diet, and persistent work, can help turn you into the well-rounded individual you strive to be.

The benefits of counseling can include anything from a clearer, more focused headspace, to better interactions with family, friends, and coworkers. It leaves patients feeling more well-rounded; freer from guilt or the shackles of trauma; and more positive than when they started.

An unbiased, objective peek into your life could be just what you need to get things put in perspective. We’ll lay out the 10 surprising ways counseling can help you or your loved ones heal.

What Are the Benefits of Counseling?

Great question – and we bet you know some of the answers already.

The advantages of having someone help guide you through the ever-changing world of life, work, and love are huge. No longer is therapy seen as something that only the weak do.

Therapy is utilized and embraced by a number of successful people, some of that success actually being attributed to a long history of counseling.

It’s like having an extra helper carry in the groceries with you. You can do it by yourself in two or three trips, but a counselor grabs a couple bags and helps you make it one smooth trip. They’ll probably even help you unload the bags, observing what’s inside.

If you’ve ever considered therapy before, now’s your time to make moves. Options are getting broader with the rise of technology, too. Some companies like Sam Nabil Counseling Services are even offering online therapy so you can avoid traveling as well as the stigma attached with clinical diagnoses (although the stigma is dying).

From relationship challenges (familial or otherwise), to difficult life changes, to everyday anxiety issues, counseling can and will help you.

Here are just ten ways it can aid in improving your overall health.

1. Ability for Self-Reflection

Therapy allows for the opportunity to reflect inwards in humbling ways. Not many people are willing to look inside themselves for mistakes or ways to improve.

The brave souls who have decided to try their hand at therapy are stronger than the average. They are willing to right their wrongs, make amends, and improve their lives and the lives of those around them through modest living.

2. An Alternative to Medication

Therapy can be used as a transition to removing oneself from medication or avoiding it altogether.

Therapy in the long-haul is a great way to avoid the pitfalls of depression and anxiety. A clear conversation could have the same calming effects as a pill, but without the complications that can arise from the use of medication.

3. Not Just Mental, but Physical

The benefits of counseling are not just in your head.

Tension-causing headaches, stress-inducing ulcers – and that’s just naming two – are direct results of leaving feelings locked inside until they manifest in other ways. If it’s gotten that far, you’ll see that a few sessions will leave your head clearer, and less ache-y, too.

4. No More Repressing

As discussed, the repression of toxic issues is bad for not just your mental wellbeing, but your physical one, too.

Repressed issues cultivate themselves in ways you may not realize. You may find yourself being angry at the wrong people, having trouble connecting with yourself and/or loved ones, and other isolating feelings.

Getting it all off your chest to a confidential source is just one of the many obvious benefits of counseling.

5. A Friendly Ear

At the very least, the intimate relationship that flourishes between you and your counselor will provide salvation. Sometimes an honest, objective listener is the difference between a bad day and a good one.

6. Improves Relationships

Couples counseling is a wonderful way to get unbiased opinions, and sometimes that’s just what we need to rejuvenate passion.

Signing up for counseling is the hardest part. Once you and your partner are committed to that, the rest is healing and informing. The opportunity to calmly and clearly see both you and your partner’s wishes for your love is a unique one.

Look forward to improved communication and renewed intimacy, at the least.

7. Set Important Goals

Talking out your life goals and wishes to a professional is one solid way to gather ideas and direction from legitimate sources.

Life coaches are like walking, talking mirrors. They know the answer is within you, and they guide you to finding it.

8. Have Some Structure

At the very least, counseling leaves you balanced and with a solid direction in mind. Keeping up with weekly or biweekly appointments, practicing exercises in your off-time, and living a more meditative lifestyle will bring structure to your everyday existence.

9. Make Transitions Smoothly

Although therapy does wonders in the long-haul, temporarily using this method during rough transitions – new job, moving, divorce, separations – is like using crutches for a few weeks after a surgery.

Once you’re able to stand on your own two feet again, you may be done with therapy (for now.) Or you may find that the benefits of counseling have crossed over into your daily life, and you stick with it!

10. Breathe a Little

An hour spent in a quiet, peaceful room, or a half-hour online with a sturdy but warm counselor, is, if anything, a chance to breathe a little. (Or a lot.)

We all get wrapped up in our everyday lives. But think of it like this: you know how when planes drop oxygen masks from the ceiling, the flight attendants tell you to put yours on first, before helping others?

Counseling is like that. Breathe first. Take care of yourself first.

And then tackle the day and kick butt helping others.

Try It Out

Thanks for making it this far. Are you convinced yet?

From a therapist to a couples counselor, to a life coach, counseling includes a number of various methods to suit your lifestyle and your goals. There is no one process when it comes to this style of healing or one type of doctor.

Each person will be different, so you may have to experiment with a few before you find your one – but when you do, the intimate conversation and problem-solving is sure to amaze.

We know the importance of mental and physical well-being, and we’re excited to explore as many options as possible to achieve the optimum healthiness we can. We hope you’ll join us on this journey of self-improvement.

We’re right here if you want to talk to us before you talk to your new therapist!

15 Things to Do After a 30 Day Rehab

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Recovery doesn’t end after your 30 day rehab. It’s only the beginning. Begin your new life with these 15 things after you’re finished with rehab.

Almost 62% of those that attend a rehabilitation program of any kind will face a remission issue.

Within that number 43% reportedly had no post-rehab assistance plan. Those that did have a post plan and failed was only 20%.

Clearly, the sustained recovery route includes a plan to capitalize on the processes and habits started within the short 30-day rehab stay.

To capitalize on the success of others, follow their path and learn the 15 things that make for a successful recovery.

Life After 30-Day Rehab

With recidivism being such a problem with the rehabilitation process, knowing what to do after to strengthen the techniques learned becomes key. The following list offers no-nonsense recommendations from years of successful people who avoided falling back into habits and lived healthier lives.

Theis list has no specific order and following each isn’t as important as following most.

1. Follow a Treatment Plan

The most important step (of which the rest of these elaborate in a layman’s way) to follow after a 30-day rehab stay is the follow-up plan.

Depending on the facility, entire staff will be dedicated just to compiling and issuing a treatment plan. These plans can include contacts from the facility or local support staff. They will often contain names of healthcare professions in the patient’s area, support groups, and emergency services.

Because recidivism is such an issue following a 30-day rehab program, those showing a dedication to follow-up treatments get offered a lot of resources.

Unfortunately, those who seem to be more than keen to get out the door don’t receive as much help. But as has been learned throughout years of offering treatment, those that don’t want help won’t do well having it forced on them.

2. Collect Sober Associates

Sometimes out with the old and in with the new makes the best break with a past life. Changing up and making new sober friends works in this way. Anyone that caused problems or provided more negativity to your life than positivity should be removed.

Likely this removal will be permanent, but we’ll cover when that guideline changes up later.

The idea behind this item is to make a life not burdened by the temptations that former friends, especially users and abusers represent. Staying sober and keeping ahead of the statistics in falling back after a 30-day rehab stay involves a lot of direct and permanent changes.

This one can be easier than most, surprisingly, as meeting new people has bonuses that help keep you going with many other of these list items.

3. Find a Support Group

Much like when you sought to find rehab centers at the outset of your recover, finding support groups takes some initiative and dedication.

Support groups offer an interesting juxtaposition of help. The people involved have suffered and help with the same problems. This gives them as much perspective on what to do as what not to do.

Support groups help you to create a network of workable contacts that help with many of the other list items. Most importantly, support groups are full of people who have been there so they can see the signs of recidivism cropping up.

4. Exercise

Body chemistry alters. This is one of the truisms that creates problems for addicts and also helps change after.

Exercise after a 30-day rehab program can be the hardest activity to maintain but does wonders for resculpting the desires and the brain chemistry.

Exercise also takes time and energy and dedication to engage in. These are all the types of things you need to learn to balance after a rehab program.

A strong body can keep the worse issues of less-than-strong mind from doing the kind of damage they tend to do.

5. Volunteer

Giving back to a community or others helps solidify healing. This process helps because the individual sees their contributions and also gets some reflection on others.

Seeing how others live and how they struggle can provide wonderful perspective on how your own recovery matters in the grand scheme of things.

Reaching outside of yourself and having a personal commitment to help an individual or group also provides accountability.

6. Set a Schedule

Speaking of accountability, setting and keeping a schedule helps you to prioritize and organize. After weeks of pre-scheduled time at a 30-day rehab center, setting a schedule yourself also gives some validating autonomy.

Scheduling activities and mundane maintenance give you something to accomplish. Each task in a day done on purpose, rather than by happenstance, offers validation and confidence. Even if a scheduled item is ‘free time’ knowing that it exists and honoring that commitment to the self can be challenging and rewarding.

7. Watch for Signs of Relapse

Relapsing represents a fail state for recovery. The problem isn’t that failure happens, it is that the gradual breakdown that leads to it undermines everything that you’ve been through. The vicious cycle of abuse and recovery exists because recovery makes failure seem both inevitable and harsh.

Avoiding these feelings is as important as avoiding failure. The best way to prevent the kind of spiral that leads to undoing everything worked for is to be aware of when it seems like things are slipping.

Staying mentally aware of how you are doing, why you feel as you do, and what steps to take to avoid leaning into the problems are what you have been learning all along.

8. Focus on Staying Mental Healthy

To this end, being aware of your mental health and knowing how to build up your mental health becomes an obvious item.

Dealing with depression, disappointments, and desires all fall into the same category here. Each of these led to a behavior or habit that ultimately leads to relapse and pain. Avoiding these issues can be taxing and stressful.

The key, easy to state, but hard to follow, is to learn to cope with the underlying b trigger without resorting to negative consequences.

Items on this list, and especially support groups and support staff exist to help you understand that these are not isolated issues.

9. Re-evaluate the Living Situation

After leaving a 30-day rehab program you might find that you feel different but then the normal patterns of your life put you right back where you were.

Changing your living situation after treatment has a significant impact on letting you think and live your new life and not fall back into previous patterns.

Transitionary living comes highly recommended during this post-rehab period. It gives a patient a cheaper living alternative, provides accountability and also provides nearby support.

This can really help to solidify new habits before ‘going it alone’ with a new residence or living area.

10. Be Wary of Rehab Bonds

Staying in touch with those you met in a 30-day rehab center may seem like a good idea. After all, they are going through a lot of what you are and you have a shared history.

The problem is that the bond that forms among those that go through rehab has been shown to psychologically resemble the bond of those in a foxhole together. They tend to overemphasize protection and insular thinking, which can drag down individual recovery.

Some also feel a need to relapse simply so they can get back to those they feel safe with. These behaviors don’t reflect healthy thinking.

11. Don’t Over Do It

With all of this rigor and everything being new, some patients can spiral simply to not have to feel in control.

Be careful to stay busy but not get so wrapped up in working a program that you stop living your own life, you will grow to resent the program and can become obstinate.

12. Meet Follow-up Obligations

Being accountable to the things you set for yourself and the restrictions placed upon you by others help provide needed structure and a stronger sense of self.

The fastest route to relapse for many is avoiding obligations and hiding from their responsibilities. People feel like they have disappointed others and try to avoid being redressed for actions. Avoid these feelings by staying on top of what you commit to.

The unspoken rule here is to also only create obligations you can keep. As above, don’t stretch yourself so thin that you can’t help to keep on top of it all.

13. Be a Mentor

This item helps with both of the previous items. Coming out of a 30-day rehab program can leave you feeling vulnerable and overwhelmed. Taking on a mentee helps to provide you with a valuable volunteer experience.

It also helps you understand how restrictions and responsibilities work. Working with a mentee gives you a chance to see how advice you are receiving can be filtered. Knowing why you would tell someone else a piece of advice helps you to take that same type of advice in stride an.

We are also less likely to force on another something we wouldn’t want to do ourselves, so you can see where your limits should be.

14. Seek Help When Struggling

Don’t be afraid to tell others when you struggle. Seeking help doesn’t have to be a one-time thing. Keep getting help until you can stand on your own.

15. Plan a Sober Life

Finally, feel free to plan your new sober life. Don’t be afraid that it will be rules and struggle forever. Planning a bright and hopeful future gives you something to work towards.

Knowing that your struggles today will mean something tomorrow can mean a world of difference between suffering and enduring. Look forward to your progress and don’t dread your past.

Live Better

Fighting through life doesn’t always have to be an uphill struggle! Capitalize on the groundwork done by many people before you and learn how to live life without limits. Figure out what you need to figure out by checking out our education blog.

If you have the time and means, consider the many benefits of travel to your wellness and future goals.

The Health Benefits of Leading a Vegan Lifestyle

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Going for a vegan diet can be an extremely nutritious decision, as the amount of saturated fat in such a diet is very low and alternatively the amount of rich nutrients is in abundance. All protein content, vitamins, and minerals need to come from vegetarian sources. Hence, the choice of food and preparation are vital. Vegan diets are usually suggested to people wanting to lose weight, but they also deliver a range of extra health benefits. Overall, every practitioner has confirmed that it is a great lifestyle to lead. Here are some of the crucial health benefits of leading a vegan lifestyle.

Protection against certain types of cancers

According to WHO (World Health Organization), over 30% of cancers can be prevented just by controlling certain aspects of the diet. For example, having legumes on a weekly or bi-weekly basis may decrease the danger of colorectal cancer by about over 10%.

Studies also suggest that consumption of at least seven servings of fresh-fruits and veggies on a daily basis may decrease the chances of one getting cancer by 15%.

Vegans usually eat significantly more legumes. Fruits and veggies are a part of their daily diets. Compared to non-vegans, their consumption of such helpful food items is far more. This may clarify why a new assessment of 96 research papers discovered that vegans may enjoy a 15% lesser danger of getting a deadly stage of cancer.

Another food item that works in the favor of vegans is soy. Soy products have proven to be a good cure for breast cancer. The risk of getting prostate, breast, colon and other types of cancers is also less when an individual does not indulge in the consumption of meat.

That might be for the reason that vegan food regimes are bereft of smoked or treated meats and meats prepared at extreme temperatures, which are known to encourage some kinds of cancers. A strictly vegan diet also prohibits the consumption of dairy products, another common food item believed to spur prostate cancer.

Prevention of heart diseases

Having fresh fruits, vegetables, pulses and fiber is related to a lesser risk of heart disease. All of these food items generally are a part of most heart patients’ diets.  Studies that involved studying certain heart patients found out that vegans have a 15% lesser risk of suffering from high blood pressure

Vegans have registered a 42% lower risk in deaths from heart attacks. The most common vegan stereotypes usually dictate that vegan diets are unhealthy as they do not provide the body with sufficient nutrients. However, that is not at all true. While all the nutrients a human body requires can be attained from a carefully planned vegan diet, not consuming meat inadvertently becomes a healthier option due to the reduced risk of heart diseases.

Curing arthritis

Vegan food regimes based on whole foods that are rich in probiotics can expressively reduce the warning signs of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It has been observed that a gluten-free vegan diet is very good for patients suffering from arthritis.

A vegan life is synonymous to a healthy life. So, go the vegan way and give your health a boost!

How to Make More Out of Every Day: A Wellness Guide

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Making the most out of every day takes a lot of energy, but by making mundane activities like getting up in the morning more routine, you can actually save your energy for more fun activities. Wellness is huge right now because it is important, and more people a realizing that to lead a happier life, you need to be both mentally and physically healthy. Our lives have shifted so drastically. Our lifespans are longer than ever and yet our futures are so very uncertain. Youth today have no guarantee that they will ever even be able to retire, which is why focusing on wellness and on enjoying every day is so crucial. We need to increase our quality of life instead of waiting to retire. You need to follow this guide:

Make Routine Tasks Routine

Every day we need to wake up, we should then get cleaned up, make ourselves breakfast, then head out the door for work. At work, we similarly have the same tasks to do again and again. These routine tasks should require very little mental effort, but unless we have a good routine that works with our bodies, it is these same routine tasks that can feel so painful.

To start, improve your bedtime and morning routine. A great sleep can make you feel like you are ready to take on the day, and achieving this sleep every single day can help you go far. To do this, you will first need to stop using electronics before bed. An hour will do the trick but if you really want to feel the benefits try to limit your exposure or use night mode on your electronics after sunset.

Go to bed at the same time, wake up at the same time, and do more with your morning routine to help benefit your mental and physical health. Eat a healthy breakfast, make yourself feel good – even read. The more consistent your routine is here, the more refreshed you will feel in the long-run. The same principles apply to work and to your other responsibilities. By finding a routine that allows you to work better and sticking to it, you can minimize the amount of energy you use doing it.

Make Fun Activities More Fun

Once you have your routine activities working for you, it’s time to enjoy more of your off-time. Feeling fulfilled is not a feeling that one should take lightly. By getting out there and seeing more of the city, you live in you can feel more at home, make new friends, and forge new memories. That’s why, instead of opting for another night out drinking with your friends, go out and solve puzzles together at the Syracuse Escape Room. Do something new, see new things, try new things, and you and your friends will make the most out of every excursion out.

Wellness is doing more for your life so that you can enjoy every day. By minimizing the energy that you need to use for everyday tasks through routine, and by doing more exciting activities afterwards, you can achieve this.

Failed Back Surgery Syndrome: How To Recover And Move On To A Healthier You

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Do you suffer from Failed Back Surgery Syndrome? It’s a devastating diagnosis, but it doesn’t have to keep you down. Here’s how to recover and move forward.

Dealing with chronic back pain is one of the most uncomfortable, and outright discouraging things a person can go through. When you have a limited range of motion, or it becomes painful to do regular tasks, you simply stop trying to do many of the things you love.

This is no way to live, which is why many people invest in back surgery to fix their spinal issues.

Unfortunately, this doesn’t always provide the results a person is looking for.

Sometimes, surgeries go wrong, and a patient is left with Failed Back Surgery Syndrome. This can create new problems and pains in the spine or make old matters worse.

But, such a condition can be turned around!

Here’s a closer look at Failed Back Surgery Syndrome and how to treat it.

What Is Failed Back Surgery Syndrome?

In the simplest of terms, Failed Back Surgery Syndrome is a condition when a patient has undergone spinal surgery, but he or she is still in chronic pain.

Chronic pain is a sharp discomfort in the body that has been consistent for six months or more.

While it’s normal for spinal surgery patients to experience a bit of an adjustment period during recovery, ongoing pain is a sign something is wrong.

When that pain becomes chronic, it’s safe to say there is a case of Failed Back Surgery Syndrome. Some symptoms to make note of include:

  • new pain at another part of the spine
  • restricted range of motion and mobility
  • back spasms
  • a numbing sensation in the lower back or legs
  • trouble sleeping due to spinal discomfort

It’s always best to consult a spinal specialist to better understand this condition. Additionally, it’s probably a good idea to get a second opinion from someone other than the doctor who performed the original surgery.

For further insights on how this condition comes about, and who to contact to solve it, click for more. There are also a few options you can look into yourself if you or a loved one are experiencing the symptoms of Failed Back Surgery Syndrome.

How Can You Curb Back Pain and Move on?

A lot of the times, a spinal surgery patient will have to go back into surgery to fix their Failed Back Surgery Syndrome. But, this can take a while to schedule and prepare for.

In the meantime, there are ways to make the pain of this condition more manageable, like the options listed below.

Medication and Frequent Rest

Chiropractors and spinal specialists have a wide range of knowledge regarding different pain medications. Talk to your doctor of choice if you’re in need of something to soothe your pain right away.

They can give you a prescription on the same day you go in for a consultation, which shouldn’t take long to fill. In addition to a medical prescription, though, be prepared to get some sort of directions to rest.

Although painkillers will soothe your back pain, they won’t actually fix the problem. Resting keeps you from making matters worse.

The combination of medicine and mindfulness allows you to do normal tasks like cooking and driving. But, anything that may put some strain on the body should be avoided.

Spinal Cord Stimulation

The thing about painkillers is that they aren’t a good choice for anyone who has a history of addiction or certain mental conditions. Other barriers to this form of treatment for Failed Back Surgery Syndrome could be medications that don’t mix well with pain-management pills.

Not to mention, some people just don’t like the thought of relying on medication.

In such cases, spinal cord stimulation offers a great alternative.

This is a pain management tool that is often used for conditions of the back, neck, arms, and legs. It works by stopping pain impulses before they can communicate with the brain. Think of this like the neurological version of a painkiller.

Spinal cord stimulation treatment doesn’t numb a sharp pain or an entire area of the body like painkillers do. It won’t affect regular cognitive functions, either.

It’s simply an innovative tool to make pain less of a distraction throughout your day.

Alternative Medical Options

Sometimes, patients who have undergone a faulty spinal surgery want to contact medical specialists with focuses other than spinal treatment. They may look into fields like acupuncture, massage therapy, and even hydrotherapy to make post-surgery pains more tolerable.

Such alternative medicines can’t target the spine and completely fix the issue at hand. But, with regular visits, these options can curb a significant amount of pain and make daily life more enjoyable.

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese form of healing, now practiced worldwide. It’s a form of balancing all the energy in the body by targeting specific areas of pressure. This practice is typically done with needles.

Massage therapy is another form of soothing certain pressure points.

But, many people enjoy that there are no needles involved. Instead, a massage therapist will use their hands to work muscles that are strained and tense. They may use things like hot stones or warm towels, essential oils, and even bamboo sticks to further enhance the treatment.

Hydrotherapy has nothing to do with applying pressure, but rather relieving some of the weight that is already on the body. It’s the practice of using gentle movements in water to strengthen certain parts of the body – like the spine.

Each form of alternative medicine is entirely unique. Patients should always be sure to communicate the severity of their Failed Back Surgery Syndrome before beginning any of these treatments.

Gentle Back Strengthening Movements

The more manageable post-surgery chronic pain becomes, the more a patient is able to use their body. Some will take up old hobbies that were limited by their back pain, such as gardening.

Others will look into activities that support and strengthen the back to use in conjunction with their treatment. Yoga and pilates are two popular exercises that accomplish this.

These are a series of low-impact, gentle movements which can be modified to fit specific needs. Over time, the results of such motions create significant spinal improvements in an all-natural manner.

The Joys of Living without Mobility Restrictions

Being diagnosed with Failed Back Surgery Syndrome is pretty heartbreaking. It can set back a person’s daily routine and long-term goals very much, as this is something that requires much attention.

Still, there is hope for better days. With all the treatments available, there is bound to be a solution for the chronic pain you or someone you care about is going through. Although such efforts may take more time and effort than originally planned for, they give you more reason to celebrate once the spine feels strong and stable again.

This is a joy like no other!

It can often remind people of the simple things that get taken for granted, and to just be happy. For more ways to build happiness during your spinal treatments and beyond, click here.

Creating The Ultimate Soulful And Mindful Office Space

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It’s easy to get wrapped up in the workday and lose sight of continuing to work on yourself while you’re stuck behind a desk, but does it really have to be that way? With so many options these days for decorating our own space at work along with ways we can continue to focus on ourselves even while doing our day jobs, it’s never been easier to make our entire lives a beautiful display and collection of great opportunities for personal growth and awareness. But how can we really connect with our mind body and soul in the workplace? Here are some great ways we can create the best lives possible. Here are a couple of ideas on how you can create a better working environment and do an #OfficeMOT on your workspace.

Mind

Staying positive at work can be difficult – with so many demands on our time, energy, attention and more it can seem like a never ending whirlwind of “do this, do that” and more. By taking some time out from our keyboards and screens and doing breathing techniques or even some light yoga at our desk or in our cubicle we can help to realign and recentre ourselves and provide us a much needed boost to power through the rest of the day. Breathing deeply and holding the breath can be hugely beneficial to clearing the mind and helping to recenter yourself when you feel out of balance, pulled in all directions and depleted of mental energy. Yoga in the office can easily be helped with furniture such as desks and chairs like those from Furniture At Work, and you can even use the cubicle wall to help you keep your balance.

Body

The body itself can be a great tool and also a hindrance to our own spiritual progression. Blockages and problems with our bodies can arise from not sitting correctly, being hunched over, or by eating the wrong types of foods. While the clean eating trend is here for the moment, it’s important to find your own beneficial “type” of eating. Fruits, vegetables and grains are a great source of essential vitamins and nutrients to help keep us powered through the day and more mentally prepared for the challenges that face us in an office environment. The physical challenges that we can experience include improper ergonomics in the workplace including wrist rests, ergonomically designed mice for computers and chairs with proper back support. If your organisation doesn’t already have an ergonomics check in place, consider spearheading the project and encourage your company to invest in proper supports for the physical body. They may be surprised to learn how it translates into effective and measurable productivity.

Soul

Our souls are some of the most important aspects of being healthy and productive – not just in the office but in general. If we aren’t happy and content in our souls how can we effectively work in the modern world? By turning our cubicles at work into personalised spaces with our favourite things, inspirational quotes and more we can then effectively create a soulful and mindful work environment where we’re continually reminded of how much worth we have as human beings – both inside and outside the organisation. This also ties into our mind and mental wellbeing and through yoga and breathing techniques we can help create a space where we are continually emitting positive energy for the 8 hours plus that we’re in the office.

So if you’ve been looking for a way to truly get in touch with yourself and create the perfect working environment that continues to generate health and wellness in our whole beings – body, mind and soul.