100 Days Left In The Year
Get Mentally Tough and Make Those Resolutions A Reality
By Steve Siebold

Remember those New Year’s resolutions you made on January 1? Today marks 100 days left in the year. If you forgot about your resolutions back in February, you can still finish the year off strong.

Whether it’s losing weight, quitting smoking, getting organized or climbing out of debt, everyone CAN reach their goals. People need to focus on their thoughts, beliefs, philosophies and attitudes – otherwise they are setting themselves up to fail before they even begin.

Here are a few tips for making the most of the last 100 days of 2011 and making good on those New Year’s resolutions:

· Winning isn’t everything, but wanting to win is. Many times the only thing that separates winners from losers is the thought process. Winners have a “whatever it takes” attitude. They’ve made the decision to pay any price and bear any burden in the name of victory.
· Expect to feel pain or suffer. Most people feel the pain or run into an obstacle and seek escape. Have a plan to push forward when this happens. If you’re not ready to suffer during adversity, you’re not going to be successful.
· Developing a world-class self-talk may be the most powerful mental toughness tool.
· Take risks. Don’t always have a “play it safe” or “stay below the radar” mentality. Without risk, there can be no progress.
· Avoid delusion and operate from objective reality.
· Feed your visions and starve your fears.
· Don’t focus on how to do it, but rather, why should I do it? Why do I want this goal to become a reality? The intensity of emotion with which this question is answered will determine whether the dream comes alive or dies.
· Embrace nonlinear thinking. Don’t give into the negative thoughts that the goal is impossible. Ask yourself how can it be done?
· Get really clear about what you want to change. Define what it is and then get totally committed to doing it.
· Compartmentalize your emotions and focus completely on the goal.
· Stop caring about what other people think about your dreams. Psychologists call it “approval addiction”, and once you overcome it to any significant degree, you are free of the psychological chains that bind most people from ever experiencing world-class success.

100 days is plenty of time to accomplish any goal you have. It’s time to get mentally tough and make a plan for long term success. While amateurs often live in the past, champions look toward the future. Focus on the present while creating your ultimate vision for, and landscape of the future. Future orientation allows you to dream of grand visions and unlimited possibilities. It will also keep you motivated and moving forward because it keeps the proverbial carrot out in front. It all begins with taking full responsibility for your life and your future.

Steve Siebold is one of the world’s most noted experts in the field of mental toughness training and is author of the international best-selling book 177 Mental Toughness Secrets of The World Class. His Fortune 500 clients include Johnson & Johnson, GlaxoSmithKline, Procter & Gamble, and Toyota. He began studying mental toughness training as a world-class junior tennis player in the 1970’s. He’s ranked in the top one-percent of income earners in the world in the professional speaking business. Visit http://www.speakerstevesiebold.com

As mothers we lead very busy and stressful lives and through out our day…we often forget to take time out for ourselves. We are always busy making meals, cleaning the home, running household errands, playing “mom” taxi, taking care of the children and then you throw in working in our outside the home and by the end of the day there is no time left for yourself. Does this sound a lot like you? If so, it is time to make a change!

For many years I was one of those “moms” who did everything for my family and I mean everything! By the time bedtime rolled around every night, I would fall into bed from complete physical exhaustion. What I realized towards the end of all of that madness is that I was overly tired, very stressed out and had little patience for the things I normally had a lot of patience for. I knew emotionally I had to make a change.

What I decided to do was to spend 15 minutes on myself each and every day. It didn’t matter if that 15 minutes was bright and early in the morning, in the middle of the afternoon or late in the evening after everyone went to bed., but I was determined to squeeze 15 minutes out of every day just for myself. Once I decided to do this I sat down and made a list of things that I could do for myself in that short period of time. Here are some of the ideas I came up with.

Manicure and Pedicure.
Read A Good Book or The Bible
Take A Hot Bubble Bath
Do A Relaxing Workout (like yoga or pilates)
Take A Swim (if you have a pool)
Craft (crochet, scrapbook, cross stitch, whatever it is you like to do)
Enjoy A Nice Cup of Coffee or Tea
Take A Walk Outdoors
Write A Letter To A Friend (for postal mailing)
Pamper Yourself With A Homemade Facial
Nice Quiet Phone Call To A Friend or Family Member
Massage (yes, you can give yourself a massage)
Meditate (light a candle and spend some time just reflecting)

As you can see, there are many things you can do for just yourself every day in just 15 minutes of time. If you take time out for yourself, you will find that you will be less edgy and be in a better mood and not only that, when you are under too much stress it can cause physical health problems. You do everything for your family and that is great…but you also need to take care of yourself!

This article was written by Shelly Hill, copyright 2011, All Rights Reserved.

Stress Headaches – The Causes & Remedies by Darlyn Burkle

Headaches come in a variety of forms, and plague millions of people on a daily basis. Sometimes they can be caused by lack of food, or tiredness, sometimes they are a symptom of a virus or other illness, and sometimes they are caused by stress.

Stress headaches are a very common ailment, and while taking medicines can alleviate the symptoms of a stress, or ‘tension’ headache, the best way to treat them is to treat the causes of them. Almost 80% of adults experience stress headaches occasionally, but some people suffer from them on an almost daily basis.

In Search of Relief

Stress headaches are not believed to be hereditary. They are usually accompanied by tensed muscles in the neck – sometimes the tension in the neck can make the headache worse. Stress headaches are usually tied to something going on around the sufferer – from work or school related stress, to family issues or relationship breakups. When stresses mount up daily, the occasional acute headache can turn into a chronic problem.

Stress headaches can last for anything between half an hour to a full day. The headache usually feels like a constant, painful pressure, unlike migraines which are more likely to be a throbbing feeling, with other symptoms such as nausea and sensitivity to light. Tension headaches are usually not as severe as migraines, but they are still incapacitating in many cases, especially if associated symptoms such as aching muscles, fatigue, insomnia, or dizziness are present too. Usually the onset of a stress headache is experienced during the day, but in some cases, individuals report waking up with one.

Help For Tension Headache Sufferers

If you suffer from regular tension headaches you may find yourself in a situation where the headaches and other symptoms lead to an inability to concentrate, irritability, and more stress. This leads to a cycle of more headaches, and this can be difficult to break out of.

Pain relievers can help with occasional stress headaches, but should not be taken frequently. The best treatment is to prevent the headaches by learning stress management techniques. If a cycle of chronic stress headache is allowed to develop then this can be detrimental to the health of the sufferer. The headache themselves do not cause any damage, but other symptoms, such as insomnia, can lead to tiredness, irritability, and more stress. Breaking the cycle of tension headaches can vastly improve your health and your quality of life.

I Choose Us.com is an exclusive website for women that provides resources on how to achieve lasting stress relief. The six-month membership program helps women identify the physical symptoms of anxiety and stress and manage their stress levels more effectively. Members receive one new lesson every week for six months.

Article Source: WAHM Articles

When you use a heating pad at home for whatever health ailment that you are treating, it is important to remember some safety guidelines so that you or others don’t get hurt.

As someone who suffers from chronic pain and who uses a heating pad at home often, I thought I would share some important safety tips with you today.

1. When you purchase a new heating pad, it is important to read the owner’s manual…not all heating pads are created equal. Some brands are better than others so do your homework before purchasing one & then read the manual before operating it.

2. Personally, I like the heating pads that have a built-in automatic shut-off. Mine turns itself off every 2 hours. I feel this is safer to use than one that doesn’t have an automatic shut-off because if I forget to turn it off, it will turn itself off.

3. Never use a heating pad on small children, the elderly or the very sick without permission of a Physician. Heating pads can make some conditions worse. Case in point – Never use them if you are running a fever because the heating pad will interfere with your temperature breaking.

4. Inspect your heating pad often for defects. Over time your electrical cord can fray, twist up, break off, etc. If in doubt, replace your heating pad…never do self-repairs if it is broken.

5. Keep your heating pad clean and germ-free. Most heating pads come with removable washable covers. Wash your cover often to keep it clean so that germs don’t hide inside it.

6. Never fall asleep with your heating pad on…ever! If you do…you risk the chance of getting burnt or it catching on fire.

7. Don’t use a heating pad near water….including on waterbeds!

If ever in doubt on how to correctly use a heating pad, ask your doctor or home nurse for tips…it is always better to be safe than sorry.

Happy Healing,
Shelly

12 Ideas to Help Relieve Stress by Terri Seymour

Owning your own online home business is wonderful, but if you are like me, there are days when you feel down and stressed. You just can’t seem to get going. Sometimes sitting in your lonely home office, it seems like you are the only person on earth. You feel like you are locked in a cage with no way out! This can also be compounded by a slump in your business sales and/or success!

When you feel like this, it is hard to get any work done and can be very counterproductive for you. You must step back, take a break, clear your head and get rid of some stress!

I have found a few things that can help alleviate these problems and would like to share them with you.

1. Get up and get away from the computer for awhile. Even if it is only for 10 – 15 minutes. Walk around the house, stretch your muscles, do some neck and back stretches. These can do wonders!

2. Take a walk. Get dressed, go outside, breathe in the fresh air and take a 20 – 30 minute walk. This is one of the most invigorating things you can do to clear your head and get the cobwebs out. Walking is the one activity I would recommend the most.

3. Call a friend or family member and just chat for awhile. This can also be a great way to lift your spirits and confirm your suspicions that there are other people on this planet! ;-) Chat for awhile and laugh a little. Laughter is a great medicine!

4. Have a little fun! Put on some of your favorite music and dance around the house. Let loose and have some fun. Act goofy, crazy or waltz yourself to China. This helps get out some of the frustrations and pent up emotions that can cause the blues.

5. Just relax! Turn everything off, (including your computer), make yourself a cup of coffee, cocoa or just plain water. Just sit in complete silence and watch the birds outside or put a cool cloth over your eyes. Let your mind just go blank for awhile. Forget everything and just relax!

6. Exercise your mind! Show your mind that there is more than just the computer. Do a crossword puzzle, play a few games of solitaire, or read a book. These are all great ways of getting your mind off business and clearing out all the old to make way for the new.

7. Do some housework! This might not be the most fun thing to do, but it helps take your mind off business for awhile and believe me, after about an hour of housework, you will be more than ready to get back to business!

8. Take a TV break! Watch a program that allows you to escape to another world. After you are finished you just might be glad to be back in your world.

9. One thing I do when business gets the better of me is to shut the computer down for the day and turn my attention to other things that need to be done. Just taking a small break from business can help, but when things are really stressful we may need a longer break.

10. Get some sun! After being indoors so much, we need to get out and get some sun. The sun is very good for your mind and body. Sunshine is a very good anti-depressant! But do remember to wear protection so you don’t get too much exposure.

11. Enjoy time with your family! Play a game, take a walk, watch a heartwarming family adventure movie, or just sit and talk. No matter how hard we work, we need to make time for family.

12. Eat healthy foods! This we all know, of course, but it is much easier said than done. Start by changing one meal at a time or adding one healthy food a day. The better we feel, the better we can handle everyday stress!

I hope some of these pointers will help you relax and get back to business. I know they have been a great help to me more than once. Sometimes when you are feeling unproductive, stressed our or just plain tired, the idea is not to work harder but to stop working and give your mind and body a well-deserved break!

Terri Seymour has several years online experience and has helped many people start their own business. Visit her site at http://www.seymourproducts.com for help, resources, support and more. Seymour Products also offers resell ebooks for $1 each, free affiliate programs and a free weekly ezine. mailto:subscribe@seymourproducts.com

Article Source: WAHM Articles

Everyone benefits from staying active, but senior citizens need it more to keep their brain stimulated and to reduce the risks of developing dementia. It’s a proven fact, healthy and active seniors live a much more happier and fulfilled life.

They are many benefits to living a healthy lifestyle. It improves your cardiovascular health, lowers cholesterol and high blood pressure, keeps chronic illnesses at bay, prevents diabetes, improve mobility in your joints and much more.

Here are some ideas on activities to help seniors reduce the health risks and live a more balanced lifestyle.

Activities:
Golfing
Bowling – also lawn bowling
Senior Softball
Tai Chi
Swimming
Gardening
Racquet Sports – tennis, table tennis, squash, racquetball, badminton
Dancing
Walking
Biking
Hiking
Fishing

Mental Exercises:
Puzzles and Games
Arts and Crafts
Model Building
Scrapbooking
Photography
Cooking
Yoga
Meditation
Reading
Writing

There are many health benefits of consuming fish on a weekly basis because of their omega-3 fatty acids content.

Fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. They help prevent the formation of clots by making them less sticky. It decreases the risk of embolic and thrombolic strokes. Other benefits of omega-3 fatty acids guards against hypertension, breast cancer, depression and lowers the risk of heart disease and reduce inflammation in arthritis.

Wild salmon, herring, tuna, mackerel, trout, sardines, hoki and halibut contain the most omega-3 fatty acids.

Here’s a simple and healthy salmon dish that is packed with flavour. It’s wonderful on a bed of salad.

Salmon over Greens
Try it with any green leafy vegetable like a spring mix. Add cubed cucumbers to the greens and any regular or flavoured balsamic vinegar dressing. Set aside.

Take a salmon filet (remove skin) and cut into chunks, add a bit of extra virgin olive oil in a non-stick frying pan. Sear the salmon chunks, add salt and pepper and about 1-1 1/2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard. Toss well. If your frying pan is oven proof put it into a 400 degrees F oven, otherwise transfer it into a corning ware and bake for 5-7 minutes or when done depending on your oven. Serve over the salad.

My family also enjoys lingcod with a fruit salsa. Lingcod is not high in essential fatty acids, but it’s high in vitamin B12 and selenium.

Fruit Salsa
1 cup blueberries
1 cup raspberries
1 cup strawberries cut up
1 bunch cilantro chopped
1 red onion diced
Salt & pepper
2 oz lime juice
Touch of honey
1 tsp roasted cumin

Mix all ingredients

It is recommended to eat two servings of fish per week. If you’re not a big fish eater other foods such as walnuts, flaxseed and canola oil all contain omega-3 fatty acids or you can take fish oil supplements.

Cold and flu season is among us. What can we do to prevent the spreading of viruses like the H1N1 swine flu?

First of all, H1N1 swine flu is no deadlier than seasonal flu.

What are the symptoms of H1N1 flu?
They are somewhat similar to symptoms of the seasonal flu. You can expect:

*Fever
*Cough
*Body Aches
*Sore Throat
*Headaches
*Chills and fatigue
*Eye pain
*Occasionally runny nose, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting
*Lack of appetite
*Shortness of breath

What preventative measures can you take to avoid the H1N1 flu virus?

*Frequent hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
*Avoid touching the face especially the mouth, nose and eyes
*Boost your immune system by eating a balanced diet. More fresh fruits and vegetables, drink plenty of water, eat foods that contain vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc and omega 3 oils
*Exercise
*Avoid unnecessary stress
*Get plenty of sleep
*Drink lots of water
*Cough or sneeze into your elbow or kleenex and dispose of the kleenex immediately. Then wash your hands
*Avoid crowds or crowded places

It’s not necessary to get the H1N1 flu vaccination if you’re healthy and you have a healthy immune system.

Keep in mind the H1N1 vaccine was produced very quickly and it hasn’t been tested on humans.

Here are some interesting articles.

Swine Flu and Homeopathy
Seasonal Flu Vaccine Increases Risk of H1N1 Swine Flu

As busy mothers, we often spend all of our time taking care of the children, doing household chores and running the family errands. When was the last time that you scheduled in some personal ‘me’ time? If you had to stop and think about your answer, it has been too long.

Here is a fact that you should know. If you take 30 minutes of ‘me’ time every day for yourself, you can eliminate symptoms of depression and increase your ability to have fun. Scientific studies show that if you allow some time for yourself every day, you will lead a healthier and happier life.

When it comes to spending some ‘me’ time, here are a few ideas of things you can do.

1. Sit down and read a good book.
2. Take a hot shower.
3. Take a nice bubble bath.
4. Give yourself a manicure or pedicure.
5. Soak your feet and then follow up with a foot massage.
6. Give yourself a homemade facial.
7. Enjoy a cup of coffee or hot tea in a quiet area of your home.
8. Spend a few minutes writing in your journal
9. Do some deep breathing exercises and meditate.
10. Do Pilate’s or Yoga
11. Sit down and write a letter to a friend or family member.
12. Spend some time working on a craft project.
13. Take a 30 minute walk outdoors.
14. Take a small power nap.
15. Spend a few minutes reading your bible or saying a prayer.

The most important thing that you can do for yourself and your family is to take a few minutes every day and spend that time on yourself. You will find that you will get more things accomplished and you will be physically and mentally healthier.

This article is copyright 2009 by Shelly Hill, All Rights Reserved.

Finding a good primary care physician is the most important step in being proactive in your own healthcare.

These days I see way too many people just opening up their local phone books and selecting a physician by viewing an advertisement in the yellow pages or by seeing an advertisement on television. In my opinion, this is the wrong way to be selecting your own personal physician.

Here are the steps you should be taking:

1. Ask your family and friends who they are seeing for their primary healthcare. Ask them for referrences.

2. Call your local hospital or the hospital you prefer going to and asking them for a referral. These days, a lot of hospitals have Physician Referral Hotlines.

3. Call your local state medical board. Ask them to refer a few physicians to you and let them know upfront that you do not want any referrals to problematic physicians who have complaints against them. In addition, any physician that you are considering you should be checking out their credentials with your state medical board.

4. Ask some local nurses. If you don’t know any nurses personally, ask your friends and family if they do. I often find that the best referrals come from nurses who often know who is the best in the area in a specific medical speciality.

5. Call your insurance company. These days a lot of insurance companies will help you find the perfect physician and often times they are also aware of any physician who has complaints filed against he or she, information that you might not otherwise know about.

Sit down and right down the names of the physicians that have been referred to you and go over your list. If you are comfortable with a certain sex (male or female) eliminate the others.

You can call up the state medical board and check out their credentials. You can also get online and go to the American Medical Associations website and find out information there.

I also recommend that you do a web search for the physician you are considering by going to a major search engine online and typing in the physicians name. Usually, a lot of online information will pop up that you can continue your investigation.

You should always do your research before selecting a physician. One of the most important members of your healthcare team begins with the Primary Care Physician so make sure you have one that you fully trust and who is qualified to take care of you and your family.

Shelly Hill has been in the healthcare industry since 1988 both as a healthcare worker and as a patient. This article is copyright 2009 by Shelly Hill, All Rights Reserved.