Friday, January 26, 2018

Five Steps to a Successful Meditation

The basic tenets of meditation — relaxation and breathing — can be difficult to master in our hectic lives, but if you're able to find just a few minutes a day, that's all you need to get started. The benefits of meditation include stress reduction, sharpened concentration, and improved circulation to start. Once you begin to practice, you'll soon experience a quieter mind, a more open heart, and a sense of inner freedom.

Be comfortable in a quiet place. Find a quiet place where you won't be disturbed. To get started, it doesn't matter whether you sit or lay down as long as you are comfortable. You can sit cross-legged, on the floor, or on a chair. If you can sit erect, then great. If not, it's just important to have your body in a somewhat stable position. Then have the palms of your hands face the sky.

Source: UNSPLASH
Become "present." Become totally aware of your current surroundings. What do you hear? How does it feel to sit? Do you feel tension? Where are your thoughts?

Focus on your breath. As you take long and deep breaths, feel your breath move from your lungs and out through your nostrils or your throat. (Breathing through your nostrils is better though either will work). Your mind will wonder (which is okay), just try your best to be as focused as possible.

Feel your body. Once you're focused, take notice of your body and how each body part feels. Start with the toes and work your way up to your head. If your mind continues to wonder then bring your thoughts back to your breath. Breath 5 to 10 times with full concentration on each breath. Take it a step further and hum "Om" as you breathe out.

Practice! Like anything, practice makes perfect. Make sure to carve out a time each and every day to practice. You'll hopefully find all your practice totally worth it as meditation can be life-changing!

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Four Best Practices for a Happier Life This 2018

Are you looking forward to having a happier home this 2018? Well, this is not impossible to achieve. You just need to make some mini moves - not resolutions - that will make your life easier this year. Read up!

Take Control of Your Tech - From constantly checking email to the endless buzz of a new Facebook notification, our tech devices can easily control our lives. Instead, make 2018 the year where you take control of your tech. For an easy way to start, resolve to stop using your phone as your alarm clock. Studies have found that the blue light emitted from electronics can have a negative effect on sleep, and that keeping your phone next to your bed makes you more likely to check your phone within just five minutes of waking up. Rather than encourage your family’s tech dependence, try setting up a charging station in the living room or kitchen. This attractive bamboo charging dock will keep phones and tablets out of the bedrooms, and in a spot where you can easily find them.

Carve Out a Space for Yourself - If it’s nearly impossible to find a space that’s just for you inside your own home, make this the year you claim a spot. Find an area to devote to your favorite hobby, and you’ll be more inclined to spend time doing what you love. Even if you can’t dedicate an entire room to your yoga practice, claim one corner of your family room for your mat, blocks, and soothing music. If the mat’s hiding in the closet, you’ll forget to take it out, but when it’s there waiting for you when you get home from work, you may just find 15 minutes for yourself. If you want to read more, create your own reading nook out of your most comfortable armchair and a small side table. Want to play guitar more often? Get a wall hook to hang the instrument where you’ll see it every day. You’re more likely to pick it up, even if it’s just for five minutes, when it’s stored out in the open.

Source: UNSPLASH
Cut Down on Chemicals - If you’re still using cleaning sprays that are loaded with chemicals, try replacing some of the store-bought sprays with homemade solutions. We’ve developed and tested 10 all-natural recipes that can be used to scrub every single inch of your home—and the ingredients are likely already in your kitchen. For a versatile disinfecting spray that can be used on most surfaces, combine equal parts white vinegar and vodka, add lavender and lemon essential oils, then dilute with water, says Becky Rapinchuk of Clean Mama. Each of these recipes takes less than a minute to mix up, and you’ll never have to worry about breathing in harmful fumes or wiping your countertop with chemicals.

Sync Up Your Family’s Schedules - Between piano practice, after-school clubs, and business dinners, coordinating everyone’s schedules can feel like a full-time job. Instead of doing it all yourself, let your family sync their own schedules—both in real life and virtually. In the entryway or kitchen, set up a shared calendar where each family member can add their own events. On the way out the door, it’s easy to spot what time basketball practice is that afternoon. And when your day gets busy and you can’t recall the start time, that’s where Cozi comes in. This free family organizer app lets multiple family members share one master calendar. You can set up reminders, appointments, family dinners, and even shared shopping lists, helping your family stay in sync even on busy days.