Join Me on the Next Step of This Voyage!

Hello Friends,

I hope that you and your loved ones made it through Hurricane Sandy safely and are receiving the support you need.

It has been a few weeks since my last post so I'll catch you up on what's been going on.

At the end of October I took a short break from posting to focus 100% on studying for my Dietitian Registration exam. That break was extended when my husband and I ended up temporarily moving out of our apartment as an indirect result of the hurricane. My test was initially canceled due to the storm but eventually I did take and pass the RD exam. So, now I am officially a Registered Dietitian!

It has been a long road to get to this point.

Hello Friends,

I hope that you and your loved ones made it through Hurricane Sandy safely and are receiving the support you need.

It has been a few weeks since my last post so I'll catch you up on what's been going on.

At the end of October I took a short break from posting to focus 100% on studying for my Dietitian Registration exam. That break was extended when my husband and I ended up temporarily moving out of our apartment as an indirect result of the hurricane. My test was initially canceled due to the storm but eventually I did take and pass the RD exam. So, now I am officially a Registered Dietitian!

It has been a long road to get to this point.

Train for Success...In Your Career & In Life

An excellent article from Harvard Business Review suggests that "endurance, strength, flexibility, self-control, and focus" are just as important as strong cognitive skills in achieving an "ideal performance state" at work. While the article is from 2001, there is nothing outdated about the theory.

Rituals and healthy habits (working out, eating a healthy diet and getting enough sleep) allow us to oscillate between sharp focus and periods of recovery, which is necessary to avoid burnout and to provide room for inspiration and creativity.

Positive thinking, music, meditation, visualization and having a strong spiritual foundation are all part of the strategy. 

An excellent article from Harvard Business Review suggests that "endurance, strength, flexibility, self-control, and focus" are just as important as strong cognitive skills in achieving an "ideal performance state" at work. While the article is from 2001, there is nothing outdated about the theory.

Rituals and healthy habits (working out, eating a healthy diet and getting enough sleep) allow us to oscillate between sharp focus and periods of recovery, which is necessary to avoid burnout and to provide room for inspiration and creativity.

Positive thinking, music, meditation, visualization and having a strong spiritual foundation are all part of the strategy. 

Everyday vacations

I recently read an article about embracing the small vacations life presents us with on otherwise ordinary days. For the life of me I cannot remember what magazine this story was in, but I do remember it started with the author finding out she’d be waiting awhile for her friend to show up to a date they’d planned. Rather than allowing herself to become upset about the tardy friend, the author sat down to a cup of coffee and enjoyed the rare chance for some quiet alone-time in the middle of her busy life.

I’ve written about how exercise, yoga, meditation, sleep and positive thinking can all help relieve stress. Still, many people feel they just don’t have the time to fit in exercise or head to bed earlier. Why not experiment with taking advantage of life’s impromptu coffee breaks? The ones that happen when you've already got something planned and suddenly plans change, providing you the opportunity to choose between getting upset or taking advantage of the extra few minutes you've just been given to enjoy however you wish. Give it a try the next time a friend shows up late or cancels after you’ve already arrived. See what you can come up with the next time you find yourself waiting on a long line…or delayed at the airport…or stuck in the subway on a train that is being held up. Try to make the best of it the next time you are waiting around for the repair or delivery man to show up, or for the IT department to fix your computer at work.

Maybe you take the time to sit down and enjoy some peace and quiet like our inspiring author friend. Maybe you pull out from your purse that book you’ve been meaning to read. Or just take a moment to enjoy the beautiful day outside. Maybe you take in a movie on your own or just go for a walk. See what these moments inspire in you. Just yesterday as I waited for my husband to get out of work and meet me to go home, I came upon a free outdoor jazz performance. For a moment I hesitated and almost walked right by. Instead, I sat down and took a deep breath. As I listened to the music I looked around me and noticed for the first time what a beautiful day it was.

Image: djcodrin / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I recently read an article about embracing the small vacations life presents us with on otherwise ordinary days. For the life of me I cannot remember what magazine this story was in, but I do remember it started with the author finding out she’d be waiting awhile for her friend to show up to a date they’d planned. Rather than allowing herself to become upset about the tardy friend, the author sat down to a cup of coffee and enjoyed the rare chance for some quiet alone-time in the middle of her busy life.

I’ve written about how exercise, yoga, meditation, sleep and positive thinking can all help relieve stress. Still, many people feel they just don’t have the time to fit in exercise or head to bed earlier. Why not experiment with taking advantage of life’s impromptu coffee breaks? The ones that happen when you've already got something planned and suddenly plans change, providing you the opportunity to choose between getting upset or taking advantage of the extra few minutes you've just been given to enjoy however you wish. Give it a try the next time a friend shows up late or cancels after you’ve already arrived. See what you can come up with the next time you find yourself waiting on a long line…or delayed at the airport…or stuck in the subway on a train that is being held up. Try to make the best of it the next time you are waiting around for the repair or delivery man to show up, or for the IT department to fix your computer at work.

Maybe you take the time to sit down and enjoy some peace and quiet like our inspiring author friend. Maybe you pull out from your purse that book you’ve been meaning to read. Or just take a moment to enjoy the beautiful day outside. Maybe you take in a movie on your own or just go for a walk. See what these moments inspire in you. Just yesterday as I waited for my husband to get out of work and meet me to go home, I came upon a free outdoor jazz performance. For a moment I hesitated and almost walked right by. Instead, I sat down and took a deep breath. As I listened to the music I looked around me and noticed for the first time what a beautiful day it was.

Image: djcodrin / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Yoga to relieve the stress of business travel

Check out this May 5th New York Times article by John Hanc, Downward-Facing Dog’s Life, about the benefits that yoga can provide for business travelers (and probably for any traveler). Yoga can help business travelers improve their quality of sleep, blow off steam and can "be very beneficial in combating joint stiffness at the hip joint and preventing back problems." One traveler in the story used yoga to deal with "homesickness and melancholy," while another practiced yoga to keep herself "centered." The article includes a description of a suggested sequence of three stretches for business travelers and also mentions that "there is even an app for [yoga on-the-go]: Yoga Journal magazine’s iPractice 2.0, a mobile yoga class for iPhone and iPod Touch."


Image: Ben Garvin for The New York Times

Check out this May 5th New York Times article by John Hanc, Downward-Facing Dog’s Life, about the benefits that yoga can provide for business travelers (and probably for any traveler). Yoga can help business travelers improve their quality of sleep, blow off steam and can "be very beneficial in combating joint stiffness at the hip joint and preventing back problems." One traveler in the story used yoga to deal with "homesickness and melancholy," while another practiced yoga to keep herself "centered." The article includes a description of a suggested sequence of three stretches for business travelers and also mentions that "there is even an app for [yoga on-the-go]: Yoga Journal magazine’s iPractice 2.0, a mobile yoga class for iPhone and iPod Touch."


Image: Ben Garvin for The New York Times

Do One Thing: Start your day with a stretch

According to Dr. Mehmet Oz, one of the "7 Deadly Habits You Need to Break Now" is not stretching in the morning before starting your day. A morning stretch helps to release stress first thing, so you start off your day on the right foot. An easy and invigorating stretch for the whole body is the Sun Salutation, a series of poses often used to warm the body at the start of a yoga session, but that can also be used as a practice in and of itself. It is a way to get the whole body awake and prepared for the day, that almost anyone of any age can do, anywhere and without any equipment. Here, YogaJournal.com provides demonstration videos for three variations on the Sun Salutation, including one for beginners. Select the variation that most appeals to you and tomorrow morning, give it a shot! See how many rounds you can get through on the first day and set yourself a goal to aim for going forward; maybe you'll try to fit in 10 rounds, or 10 minutes worth, each morning.

Alternatives: create your own morning stretch or choose another of Dr. Oz's 7 Deadly Habits to correct in your own daily life as your "Do One Thing."

Image: federico stevanin / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

According to Dr. Mehmet Oz, one of the "7 Deadly Habits You Need to Break Now" is not stretching in the morning before starting your day. A morning stretch helps to release stress first thing, so you start off your day on the right foot. An easy and invigorating stretch for the whole body is the Sun Salutation, a series of poses often used to warm the body at the start of a yoga session, but that can also be used as a practice in and of itself. It is a way to get the whole body awake and prepared for the day, that almost anyone of any age can do, anywhere and without any equipment. Here, YogaJournal.com provides demonstration videos for three variations on the Sun Salutation, including one for beginners. Select the variation that most appeals to you and tomorrow morning, give it a shot! See how many rounds you can get through on the first day and set yourself a goal to aim for going forward; maybe you'll try to fit in 10 rounds, or 10 minutes worth, each morning.

Alternatives: create your own morning stretch or choose another of Dr. Oz's 7 Deadly Habits to correct in your own daily life as your "Do One Thing."

Image: federico stevanin / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Did You Know?: Positive thinking can improve your health

According to the Mayo Clinic, research has found that positive thinking may be associated with positive health benefits such as increased life span, decreased risk for depression, and even increased resistance to the common cold, among others. Click here to learn more about the potential benefits of positive thinking and for tips on how you can start practicing positive thinking today.

Mayo Clinic - Positive thinking: Reduce stress, enjoy life more

According to the Mayo Clinic, research has found that positive thinking may be associated with positive health benefits such as increased life span, decreased risk for depression, and even increased resistance to the common cold, among others. Click here to learn more about the potential benefits of positive thinking and for tips on how you can start practicing positive thinking today.

Mayo Clinic - Positive thinking: Reduce stress, enjoy life more

The less obvious benefits of exercise

Related to yesterday's post, about working out with a partner or "gym buddy," this article from Monday's New York Times, entitled "To Keep Moving, Look Beyond the Physical," discusses the added, and less obvious, benefits of exercise. The article focuses primarily on exercise as an opportunity to build rewarding relationships with new or current friends, but also mentions improved sleep and reduced stress as additional benefits of physical activity. If the health benefits of exercise aren't enough to motivate you to start working out, let yourself be inspired by the chance to have a good time with a friend.

New York Times 03/08/10 "To Keep Moving, Look Beyond the Physical" by Jane E. Brody

Related to yesterday's post, about working out with a partner or "gym buddy," this article from Monday's New York Times, entitled "To Keep Moving, Look Beyond the Physical," discusses the added, and less obvious, benefits of exercise. The article focuses primarily on exercise as an opportunity to build rewarding relationships with new or current friends, but also mentions improved sleep and reduced stress as additional benefits of physical activity. If the health benefits of exercise aren't enough to motivate you to start working out, let yourself be inspired by the chance to have a good time with a friend.

New York Times 03/08/10 "To Keep Moving, Look Beyond the Physical" by Jane E. Brody

Simple meditation for stress relief

Meditation is one of the easiest and most inexpensive means of stress relief and its benefits are felt instantly. If you haven’t tried it before, one of the best ways to enjoy meditation for stress relief is to take a few minutes to wind down before bedtime - - even five or ten minutes is enough to feel a difference. Find a dark, quiet space and sit or lay in a comfortable position (some people like to lay on the floor with their legs raised up against a wall). Close your eyes and focus on your breathing. If your mind wanders, it’s okay, just come back to your breath. Here are a couple great articles from www.yogajournal.com to help you learn about meditation and maybe even get started with your own meditation practice!


Yoga Journal: Simple Meditation

Yoga Journal: Ready to meditate?

Meditation is one of the easiest and most inexpensive means of stress relief and its benefits are felt instantly. If you haven’t tried it before, one of the best ways to enjoy meditation for stress relief is to take a few minutes to wind down before bedtime - - even five or ten minutes is enough to feel a difference. Find a dark, quiet space and sit or lay in a comfortable position (some people like to lay on the floor with their legs raised up against a wall). Close your eyes and focus on your breathing. If your mind wanders, it’s okay, just come back to your breath. Here are a couple great articles from www.yogajournal.com to help you learn about meditation and maybe even get started with your own meditation practice!


Yoga Journal: Simple Meditation

Yoga Journal: Ready to meditate?