November 14th is ‘Loosen Up, Lighten Up Day’, and people around the world will mark the occasion by taking the time to relax and take things easy.
Modern life puts a huge strain on us, as the needs of family and work life stretch us to breaking point. Stress, anxiety and a lack of time to spend on ourselves is bad for our overall well-being. This is why ‘Loosen Up, Lighten Up Day’ was created.
Life shouldn’t be all about work, deadlines and the rat race; it should also be about looking after our health, happiness and contentment. So, this ‘Loosen Up, Lighten Up’ day, why not make a commitment to change your life for the better, by taking the time to focus on your own personal wellbeing.
Take time to cook
In the developed world, too many people rely on pre-packaged, convenience food for their meals, which are often laden with salt, sugar, fat and preservatives. Not only is cooking a wholesome, nutritious meal better for your health, the process involved is good for your self-esteem – namely, the sense of achievement that comes with successfully preparing a meal. Moreover, cooking a meal to share with those closest to you can be very good for your overall wellbeing – there are few activities more rewarding than preparing a tasty and nutritious meal for friends and/or family.
Make time for exercise
If you have ever said ‘I just don’t have the time to exercise’, you should use ‘Loosen Up, Lighten Up’ day to change your way of thinking. Exercising doesn’t have to mean spending hours at a time in the gym; it can be something as simple as going for a brisk walk in the country or by the sea.
Exercise can also be done in the home, and integrated into your daily life. A regime of regular exercise – along with a healthy diet – will help you to regulate your weight and keep yourself happy and full of energy. A Kiqplan weight loss app, for instance, delivers workout videos directly to the user’s mobile phone. Kiqplan’s personalized, 12-week plan will allow you to exercise at times and places that fit in with your life, making it easier than ever to get the exercise that your body needs.
4 Healthy Habits to Help You Get Off to a Good Start Every Day
Take time to relax
The only way to truly relax is to set aside time during which you won’t be disturbed. Relaxation is a very personal goal, so you need to discover what truly relaxes you. You might find that a massage or spa treatment soothes your senses; some people, on the other hand, find that deep breathing exercises and meditation work. Indeed, something as simple as listening to classical or slow-paced music has been shown to lower blood pressure, anxiety and heart rate.
What you do to relax is not really important – as long as your activities are having the desired effect. Whether you like to watch your favourite TV show, go to yoga classes or simply sit down with a good book, set aside at least an hour a day to do the things that truly relax you.
Seek new experiences
As the old adage goes: ‘A change is as good as a rest’. Experiencing new things can reinvigorate you, and change the way you approach your entire way of life. Is there something you have always wanted to try, but have never had the time or motivation required to see through? Perhaps you’ve always wanted to paint, or to try your hand at skydiving. Use ‘Loosen Up, Lighten Up Day’ to take the initial steps towards fulfilling your wildest dreams.
Life is there to be lived, and it is too short to be allowed to slip by. New experiences open your mind to a world of possibilities, helping you achieve the ultimate human goal – happiness.
Find some balance in your life
What is the point of working yourself into the ground if you’re not going to take the time to enjoy the fruits of your labour? In all our lives, there needs to be a balance between work and play; between relaxation and endeavour. Use ‘Loosen Up, Lighten Up’ Day on November 14th to strike a new balance between getting on with things, and relaxing. Stress, angst and worry are bad for your health – so don’t let them take over your life.
5 Healthy Herbs And Spices To Include In Your Diet
Originally posted on November 11, 2015 @ 2:03 am
