Wellness

Social Media Sunlight - Day 3

Day-3-focus-on-good.jpg

DAY 3 - Social/Emotional

If you haven’t realized that we live in a negative world, then you my friend, are not paying attention. I don’t believe there is a person alive who could say they’ve completely eluded the ever-present rampages of negativity often seen on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Sickness, unpleasant jobs, financial woes, marriage difficulties— you’ve likely absorbed a portion of someone's negativity (and maybe your own) through the social media screen.

Words can be dangerous. In fact, if you were to sit inside an MRI scanner and have the word “NO” flashed in front of your face for less than a second, there would be an an immediate release of stress hormones and neurotransmitters that would light up that screen. These neurological messengers interrupt normal brain function— impairing logic, processing and reason. A depressed person who views a list of negative words for just a few seconds will feel worse. If they continue to ponder on these words, their appetite, sleep and ability to experience satisfaction will all be adversely affected.

What happens if you then vocalize the words you’ve seen? Or react with a frown? Not only will your brain continue to release damaging stress chemicals but this same phenomenon will also occur in any listener’s brain as well. Listeners of negativity experience anxiety and irritability, often causing mistrust and prejudice towards others. This is why you may notice that negative people tend to be with other… well, other negative people. There’s a mutual exchange of natural reactions occurring between the two bodies’ stress systems and it is controlling their ability to be positive.

So how do we stop this car of pessimism from careening out of control? Repetitive and conscious positive affirmations. In plain English: three positive thoughts. This is the minimum required to overcome one negative expression. It doesn’t matter whether these words of positivity are real or rational. So tell yourself you’d be one fantastic unicorn. they still activate the motivational centers of brain that lead to happiness and satisfaction.

The decision is yours- which words will you pick and project? You may choose the message but the resulting bodily reaction is out of your control. So follow the old adage and “choose your words wisely”— they may be the most powerful thing you put out into the world today.

Daily Challenge

As a wise man once told me, “Look for the beautiful and you will find it.” Find something beautiful about your day, job, partner or life and post it on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. (Use the hashtag #loveumentary so we can see it!) Feel good knowing that not only are you increasing your own positivity but someone else’s brain is also instinctively turning towards the warmth that your small ray of social media sunlight put into the world today.

To get these posts by email, subscribe here:

[gravityform id="2" name="Subscribe" title="false" description="false"]

[jbox title="About the Author:" border="5" radius="15"] Megan HeadshotMegan is a Doctor of Audiology, Holistic Nutritionist, wife, yoga-lover and ever-evolving health aspirer. Having transformed her own health, she’s eager to help you transform yours. She believes in power in its purest form: FOOD. Whole foods, to be precise. So pick up a fork and join her in a revolution of habits, health and happiness. A WHOLE new life awaits! Read more about her reformation of health and wellness at My Whole Food Habit.[/jbox]

The Lovers Stroll - Day 2

day-2-couple-walkingfinal.jpg

Day 2 - Physical

If you thought these 30 days were going to be filled with cross-fit challenges or extreme eating recommendations, then you will be surprised (and hopefully pleased) to know that a common theme that will follow us throughout these 4 weeks will be one of a “less is more” attitude.

When talking about fitness, it is easy to be inundated by all the unlimited and often complex ways to move your body. Infomercials fill up television time with the “newest” and “greatest” way to bust belly fat while gyms spend thousands every year purchasing equipment that covers their floors. I’m not pooh-poohing all other aspects of physical fitness: I love myself a good gym session as much the next person. However, I am suggesting we take a step back and look at a simpler approach to fitness.

If you’re part of the vast majority that doesn’t hit the gym daily or even own a pass, don't lose sight of the big picture. Fitness is about moving your body and there is a very simplistic, free and effective way to do this: walking.

Now before you go dismissing this idea, look at the benefits of walking as described by the American Heart Association:

  • Reduce risk of coronary heart disease
  • Improve blood pressure and blood sugar levels
  • Improve blood lipid profile
  • Maintain body weight and lower risk of obesity
  • Enhance mental well being
  • Reduce the risk of osteoporosis
  • Reduced the risk of breast and colon cancer
  • Reduce the risk of non-insulin dependent (type 2) diabetes

If I were to go into any gym, doctor’s office or health food store and ask people if they would be interested in doing something that was 100% cost-free and had all of the above benefits without disclosing the name of the exercise, I’d wager most- if not all- would answer in the affirmative. So let’s drop the prejudice against “just walking” and realize how easy to implement and advantageous this exercise truly is.

Did you know that a study in PsychologyToday, showed that couples who sweat together, stay together? This article describes that during these times of joint physical fitness, couples increased their emotional bond and happiness in their relationship while “making their partner fall more in love with them”. All this in addition to improved efficiency in their workouts and greater success in meeting their health goals.

Daily Challenge

Take your significant other by the hand today, offer them their walking shoes and lead them to the door. It’s time for a little lover’s stroll. This is exclusive time for you two to talk about your day, plan your dreams or even play the “Would You Rather” game (a personal ‘walk and talk’ favorite for my hubby and I). Whatever you discuss, it’s one step towards greater fulfillment in health, happiness and love.

To get these posts by email, subscribe here:

[gravityform id="2" name="Subscribe" title="false" description="false"]

[jbox title="About the Author:" border="5" radius="15"] Megan HeadshotMegan is a Doctor of Audiology, Holistic Nutritionist, wife, yoga-lover and ever-evolving health aspirer. Having transformed her own health, she’s eager to help you transform yours. She believes in power in its purest form: FOOD. Whole foods, to be precise. So pick up a fork and join her in a revolution of habits, health and happiness. A WHOLE new life awaits! Read more about her reformation of health and wellness at My Whole Food Habit.[/jbox]