Launching 1:1 Virtual Nutrition Support

August 19, 2020August 28, 2020Leave a comment

Over the past six months, I have:

Gained about (I don’t own a scale) ten pounds (from overindulging, lack of movement, and seeking comfort in food during quarantine. I was home, with my family, in the cold, rarely leaving the house, eating out of stress and boredom…and actually perfectly okay with it.)

Lost the ten pounds pretty effortlessly (by figuring out a new routine, reducing stress, and re-focusing on my own self-care.)

Gained muscle, strength, endurance, and new peace of mind from prioritizing 15-30 minute workouts and more meditation/journaling most days of the week (95% of the time from home during my kids’ nap.)

This is the ebb and flow of life. Feeling stressed, getting derailed, overeating, skipping workouts, and not feeling our best during a pandemic is not only acceptable, but totally, normal.

It’s when we feel out of control or down on ourselves that it becomes a problem. If you’re in need of some support with the following:

laying the foundation for positive change
boosting your immune system and keeping your family well
feeling more energized and empowered
learning more about food and nourishment
grasping a sense of balance in this crazy world
enjoying whole foods and more creative cooking

Let’s chat. I’m excited and eager to launch virtual nutrition sessions this fall. With a Masters in Social Work, Certification in Nutrition, and as busy mom of two toddlers, I am confident in the practical tools that we will implement together to make you feel better, more balanced, healthier, and happier.

No two people are the same. Therefore, we’ll explore your personal goals (both food and non-food-related) and generate strategies that fit into your life to maximize your wellness. It is when we are able to tune into our individuality, needs, and patterns (both healthy and not, because we all have both) that we can then begin to grow into who we want to be. This takes time, effort, and support, but it’s well worth it. We’ll learn the science behind fueling your body, set you up for success, and welcome long-term transformation. Life should be wholesome and delicious…

…and you deserve to not just survive, but to thrive. Beginning September 15^th, I will have space for THREE new virtual clients. If you are interested, please email kiley@onehealthyhamptons.com for more information and to set up a consultation. THANKS & BE WELL!

Foods to Calm You Down

November 7, 2017November 6, 2017Leave a comment

With the holidays upon us, who doesn’t need a little calm? Yeah, yeah, we all know that we should be meditating more…and committing less…and sleeping more…and so on. Since those things are easier said than done, lets look at foods that combat cortisol, the hormone that causes stress, anxiety, and sadness. Eat more. Stress less. Now that sounds doable.

Wellness Stock Photo by Sash Photography

Chia seeds
Blueberries
Salmon
Almonds
Grapefruit
Oatmeal
Maca
Avocado
Spinach
Asparagus
Shellfish
Oranges
Dark chocolate
Turkey

One Healthy Breakdown: food is medicine

May’s Tiny Change: Sit Down to Eat

May 11, 2016May 11, 2016Leave a comment

This post is part of Kale & Chocolate’s #12tinychanges challenge. Each month, we’re implementing one super small, super doable change – over a year, it really adds up! You can read about it here and share your progress on Instagram with the hashtag #12tinychanges for a chance to win some cool prizes! This is a nutritionist-approved change for SO many reasons!

If you’ve tried one of the #12tinychanges already, you know that each change is easy and doable. May’s tiny change is as simple as taking a seat! Here’s why…

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We’re simply going to sit down to eat, as often as possible. Why? It’s really, really important!

We’re not aiming for a tablecloth and two different types of forks, no need for the fancy China.
We’re not trying to make every meal a three-course marathon.
We’re not even shooting for a 100% success rate.

We’re just trying to make rushed, mindless eating the exception instead of the rule.

Who among us hasn’t been there – eating over the sink, picking the kids’ leftovers off their plates, standing in front of the fridge while scrolling through Instagram? (hand raised!) It happens…but it’s really not so good for any of us.

If you need more convincing, here are my top reasons why we should all eat sitting down:

Sitting = Knowing

When we eat on the go, we often eat fast, neglect to chew, and don’t even realize what is happening. Oftentimes, when we indulge in mindless snacking and full meals, we eat more than we need to, faster than we should, and don’t really enjoy it.

Stop Moving, Stop Stress

Shoving food into our mouths isn’t exactly relaxing. Trying to eat while navigating rush hour traffic is not calming (or satisfying!) Eating while we multitask can actually be quite stressful, and stressful situations can lead to the release of cortisol. Excess cortisol can lower metabolism, decrease immunity, and cause gastrointestinal problems. We can avoid all that if we just spend a few extra minutes eating veggie soup at a table instead of drinking it in a mug in the car!

Connecting > Consuming

Dozens of hours go into growing, harvesting, transporting, and preparing the food we eat. Water, sunshine, fossil fuels, and elbow grease make it possible. You put time and effort into preparing each dish, so why rush through the best part: eating it?

may

Something that really helps to slow down and connect: Take five deep breaths before eating. It centers me, clears my mind, and turns my attention to the delicious meal in front of me.

Meals Create Community

Of course, we can’t eat every meal surrounded by friends and family, but sharing food is one of the best ways to connect and bond with others. Eating together is an opportunity to decompress and catch up on our lives. We tell stories, laugh, support each other, and make new memories.

When we cook together or prepare family recipes, we reconnect with our past and our heritage. Mom’s famous TLC Cookies don’t have the same calming, healing properties if we shove them down while standing over the counter as if we share the experience, sitting and tuned in.

So how do we find the time to eat sitting down?

Often, it’s as simple as making the commitment and realizing that, yes, we do have the few extra minutes to sit down if we make it a priority. Think of all the energy that goes into cooking food. We want to appreciate our efforts and not just shove it into our mouths without tasting it!

Let’s be honest about another mealtime distraction: messing around on social media or flipping through TV channels! If we can scroll through Instagram, we can sit down and eat that blueberry bliss smoothie bowl or quinoa & black bean salad.

If you really do need a little extra time in your jam-packed day, what if you set your alarm clock 15 minutes earlier? Or do some meal prep on Sundays? With a little bit of foresight, sitting down to eat is possible and rewarding!

One Healthy Breakdown: Sit. Breathe. Eat. Enjoy. It’s a simple change with big payoff.

December’s Tiny Change: Move Your Body Every Day

December 3, 2015December 2, 2015

OHH Intro: This month’s #12tinychanges is something near and dear to our heart at OHH; movement and we practice what we preach! This is the perfect tiny change to get out the holiday stress. Read on for Kale & Chocolate’s take on daily movement.

I know what you’re thinking: “it’s the holidays. The last thing I have time for is exercise! I am so, so, SO busy. I barely have time to even think about it!” Trust me, I get it. Hear me out…

First off, let’s call it “movement,” not exercise. A lot of us have negative associations with the word “exercise.” We immediately picture getting chosen last in gym class, dancing awkwardly in the back row of a Zumba class, or taking a beating during bootcamp. Let’s reframe, shall we? What if we simply aim to move our bodies every day—and that movement can take whatever form we like?

Your daily movement can be a long walk to the farmer’s market or a hike with the dogs. It can be two hours of raking leaves, an hour of cleaning, or 30 minutes of playing tag with kids. It might even be a one-person dance party in between all the holiday baking. You get the point. Just make it your goal to “move my body every day.”

During the winter—and especially the holiday season—we need to move our bodies more than ever. This is a time when many of us fall out of our routines and make promises to get back on track after the new year. But movement helps us manage the stress of holiday shopping, packed social calendars, and trips to see family. Movement also helps us cope with the inevitable ”seasonal mopes” that accompany lower temperatures and less daylight.

When we move around (in any way), we’re more patient, more focused, and more relaxed—all things that come in handy any time, but especially when you’ve got to wrap 67 presents, attend holiday parties, and travel for hours on crowded roads and packed airports with everyone and their mother!

If you’re ready for this month’s tiny change, here are seven easy ways to make movement part of your daily routine:

1. View it as respite
You’re not “going to that cardio class you hate,” instead you’re “taking a hike in the gorgeous, crisp air.” You’re not “attending that dreaded spin class,” instead you’re “clearing your head with a walk around the neighborhood” or “going to that amazing yoga class.” Rather than thinking of movement as mandatory exercise, think of it as time away from all the tasks and to-do lists to clear your head. Movement can be a break and a breather, not an obligation.

2. Give yourself the right fuel
It’s hard to move your body when you haven’t nourished it properly. Make it easier by loading up on proper fuel. I swear by a tasty bowl of oatmeal, berry good bars, pumpkin bread, or even chocolate squares. Stay hydrated and help out those sore muscles with a green smoothie. Or go for the ever popular avocado toast—and add an egg or other nutritional boosts to help refuel and recover.

3. After you’ve moved your body, notice how good you feel
That serene, accomplished feeling you have after you’ve moved your body? Notice it. Do you have more energy? Are your endorphins running? Acknowledge the feeling. Say to yourself “I feel great and that’s because I moved my body.” When you mentally pair a positive emotion with a physical act, you’re more likely to make it a part of your daily life!

4. Rather than meeting for drinks, meet your friends to move
It’s cheaper, it’s healthier, and it’s a great way to bond. Just get outside wherever you are. Walk around town, meet for a run, head to a fun class, or bundle up on a stroll along the beachfront. If it’s really too cold, take it inside and cruise around the mall before it opens (window shopping optional!)

5. Embrace winter and the unique activities that go with it
Instead of hunkering down and hibernating, what if we welcomed the snow and ice with open arms? Colder temperatures bring activities like skiing, snowshoeing, and ice-skating!

6. Do more of your favorite active hobbies
I bet movement is already part of your life—maybe you’re taking fitness classes or playing with your pups. What if you simply did more of what you’re already doing? Add another weekly sculpt workout, get on your mat every afternoon for 10 minutes, or tack-on an extra few miles to your bike ride. If you’ve found something that works for you, do it more!

7. Remember that every step counts + you’ll never regret moving your body
When your calendar is overflowing and you can’t fit in an hour-long workout, it’s easy to throw in the towel and throw yourself on the couch. Try an at-home workout that fits into your schedule. If you don’t have time or you’re not in the mood, just add a tiny bit more movement to your day—take the stairs, park further away, add two more blocks when you walk the dogs. They all add up!

And if you need a movement pep talk? No one ever says, “Ugh, I sure wish I hadn’t hiked to that beautiful overlook” or “starting my day with yoga was such a terrible idea!” Once you get moving, you’ll be glad you did. Doing creates more doing—a little bit of intention and movement affects everything. You’ll feel like a happier & more energetic version of yourself all day long!

Kale & Chocolate will be giving away some great prizes to get your endorphins pumping! To enter, simply share your movement on instagram with the hashtag #12tinychanges and tag (and follow!) @kaleandchocolate and @hamptonskiley.

One Healthy Breakdown: movement is medicine, so get moving!

November’s Tiny Change: Get More Sleep

November 3, 2015January 9, 20161 Comment

OHH Intro: Sleep refuels and rejuvenates us, allowing us to keep on keepin’ on. This is the perfect tiny change with substantial lasting effects on all aspects of our health and happiness. Read on for Kale & Chocolate’s rundown of how to get a better night’s sleep, every night.

If you’re just joining us, this post is part of Kale & Chocolate’s year-long #12tinychanges challenge. Each month we’re implementing one super small, super doable change—it really adds up over the course of a year! You can read about all the changes here and share your progress on Instagram with the hashtag #12tinychanges.

We’ve turned our clocks back and the sun is setting on darkness earlier and earlier as we approach winter. Our internal clocks will be re-setting, gearing up for what feels like hibernation, while our lives remain full of plans, hectic schedules, and the upcoming holidays. So it makes sense that this month’s 12 Tiny Changes Challenge is all about sleep!

By now, you probably know that you should be getting more sleep. In fact, there is evidence that only 40% of Americans are getting the recommended amount of shuteye! We can do better. Our lives and our bodies deserve better.

Lack of sleep has a cumulative effect. It reduces our immunity and slows our metabolism. It makes us more prone to stress and raises our cortisol levels. It makes us grumpy, irritable, and more likely to make less-than-great decisions.

Waking up poorly-rested can trigger a domino effect that throws off your whole day. You hit the snooze button (three times), rush through your hair and makeup routine, and gulp down a less-than-healthy breakfast (if anything at all.) You then stumble into work with low blood sugar, a foul mood, and a messy ponytail. Is it a surprise that your meeting goes poorly, your lunch is a whole pizza, and you road rage on the way home? It may seem like a no-brainer, but when we’re well-rested, these things are a lot less likely to happen.

If you know you should be getting more sleep, you probably are familiar with the basics of how to do it. No caffeine after 2 pm. Put down the phone. Shut off the TV. Make sure your room is dark, cool, and relaxing.

Here’s another tool to your ‘more sleep toolbox’. I call it: the nighttime ritual. A nighttime ritual is any set of behaviors or activities that help you wind down and decompress before bed to get you ready for the eight hours of sleep you need. These are things that calm and center you, preparing you for that deep, restorative sleep that will make the next day easier…and more productive!

Here are some of my favorite nighttime rituals.

1. A soothing evening snack or drink.
We are all familiar with the wisdom to “eat like a king for breakfast, a prince for lunch, and a pauper for dinner.” Although we do sleep better on a stomach that isn’t too full, we don’t want to wake up at 3 am starving. I like to keep my dinners light, so if I need a nighttime snack, I’ll munch on a handful of walnuts or cherries, both of which are natural sources of melatonin (a sleep-inducing hormone triggered by darkness).

If you like to wind down with something comforting & cozy, you can’t beat the extra TLC you feel with a healing turmeric latte or a warming cup of herbal tea. An apple with nut butter gives you a generous serving of fiber with a bit of healthy fat and protein, while bananas are filled with magnesium, potassium and tryptophan—minerals that relax your body to help you get a bit more shut eye. (A little nice cream, anyone?)

2. Get tomorrow out of your head and onto paper.
Do you do that thing where you lay in bed, stare at the ceiling, and mentally compile pages of to-do lists? Yeah, me too. Let’s stop. If you take five minutes each night to write down your next-day tasks, you won’t have to lie awake worrying that you forgot something.

For bonus points, write your to-do list on paper (so you won’t get sucked into your computer or phone) and do this somewhere other than your bedroom. Then leave it there – far, far away from your bed. Total game-changer!

3. Prepare for tomorrow so you can truly relax once you’re in bed.
Your future self will thank you for this! Spend 20 minutes laying out your clothes for the next day and making sure you have what you need (and enough time) for breakfast. When you prep ahead, you eliminate any thoughts about stressful mornings that could keep you up at night in addition to maximizing your sleep the following morning!

4. Try a little bit of stretching or gentle movement.
I like to move through a few yoga poses before bed, or even just sit on the floor and stretch. It helps me work out the kinks of the day and signal to my body that we’re slowing down. Even just a few conscious deep breaths may be enough to make that shift.

5. Make your preparations for bed as lovely and luxurious as possible.
I know it’s tempting to quickly wash your face and then pull on some old sweats, but it’s so much nicer to make bedtime into a sweet, relaxing ritual. What if you spent half an hour relaxing in the bathtub? Or found a pair of cozy pajamas you really liked? Or made your moisturizing process into a mini massage? What if you splurged on Egyptian cotton sheets and a few pillows that perfectly meet your fluffiness needs? You’re a lot more likely to get ready for bed in a timely matter if you actually enjoy the process!

6. Practice gratitude.
A gratitude practice can help put things in perspective, especially if you’re feeling a little low. It can be done by writing your thoughts down in a special journal, sharing the highlights of your day with your partner/roommate/pet, or just mentally thanking life for the good things it served up today. If you’re stuck, remember you can be grateful for anything. I’ve even written, “I’m thankful that my dogs are happy and healthy.” This is such a great practice to do, not only around Thanksgiving!

7. Feel good with soothing essential oils.
Essential oils are one of my favorite pantry staples, but I use them for more than salad dressing! Rose and lavender oils relieve stress and bergamot is said to alleviate mild anxiety. Of course, you can simply breathe in your essential oil of choice, but you can also add a few drops to a bath or to the floor of your shower. I love these recipes for calming essential oil face mists.

8. Cuddle someone who loves you.
Your cuddle buddy can be your kids, your partner, or your pet! Whomever you cuddle, the benefits are the same; cuddling has been shown to boost immunity, lower blood pressure, and reduce cortisol levels. Plus, it’s a fun and calming and the perfect way to end your day.

This month, I’m doing the challenge right alongside you. Getting enough sleep is something that I really struggle with. So, I’m ready for more + better sleep!

To help get you excited for this month’s challenge, Kale & Chocolate will be giving away some awesome sleep-inducing prizes, including bath powders, essential oils, eye-masks, and more. To enter, simply share your nighttime rituals on instagram with the hashtag #12tinychanges and tag (and follow!) @kaleandchocolate and @hamptonskiley. Show us your cup of tea, your meditation space, your fur babies, your nighttime snack…anything that helps you feel calm and centered before dosing off to sleep. So, tuck yourself in and sleep tight!

One Healthy Breakdown: in order to live life to the fullest, we must sleep in between!

Ya Snooze, Ya Lose

February 18, 2015February 18, 20152 Comments

You’ve heard it a hundred times: 8 hours of sleep a night! Let’s face it – for most of us, that’s almost ~~impossible~~ really, really, really hard….

…but now that these adorable puppies got your attention, let’s talk about why sleep is SO important! It’s not just about feeling rested (although isn’t that such a great feeling?!) Sleep, along with hydration and nutrition, make our bodies efficient, from the inside out to our very top layer of skin cells. Lets uncover all of the benefits of sleep, including, yes, you guessed it: weight loss. MP900385227

Sleep literally creates energy, so we function efficiently in all walks of life, at all stages of life, from the classroom to the gym, at the office, with our families, and beyond. Healthy sleep aids brain functioning, memory, creativity, and focus to ensure we’re on our A game. With a big exam or job interview approaching, the smart thing is to spend those wee hours sleeping instead of cramming.

The immune system is most efficient at prevent illness and disease with ample sleep. Sleep also controls inflammation and balances hormones linked to mood, stress, weight, and appetite. The likelihood of losing weight and keeping it off long-term is far increased by good quality sleep.

With ample sleep, we’re able to efficiently metabolize food, absorb nutrients, cleanse toxins, rebuild muscles, strengthen bones, and control our appetite. That’s right, the difference between a poor night’s sleep and a good night’s sleep can be the difference between choosing healthy foods and…not. Hormones that cue hunger and fullness are thrown off by lack of sleep, as are cortisol levels, causing unnecessary stress, which also adds to weight gain, and the vicious cycle repeats.

Along with healthy eating, regular exercise, and emotional balance, we can become better versions of ourselves with the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep a night. Like recharging a battery or filling up a car with gas, sleep is the ammunition that fuels our bodies, a huge factor in mental, physical, and emotional health. If we ALL got enough sleep, imagine the possibilities…!

One Healthy Breakdown: Do your body right – get your eight hours tonight!

Food Guilt Be Gone!

October 13, 2014October 13, 20143 Comments

Kiley’s Intro: Eating my way through Italy has me thinking a lot about food guilt and lack thereof. Everything tastes better here (of course it does, it’s all fresher than fresh, drizzled with olive oil, accompanied by wine, and followed by gelato!) Italy is pretty much foodie heaven and the focus seems to be on taste, pleasure, and indulgence instead of calories, weight-loss, and diet. What a refreshing change of pace.

As a culture, we tend to infuse shame into indulging in culinary delicacies. We’re taught that sweets, carbs, and alcohol are “bad.” Therefore, instead of feeling happy after a pleasurable meal, we resort to guilt. Shame on us!

Fueling our bodies with nutrients is essential, but eating mindfully and satisfying cravings are also crucial for overall good health. So, how do we make this transformation and rid the guilt? Elise Museles’ (of Kale & Chocolate) provides us with some insightful tips on slowing down, eating mindfully, and replacing food shame with enjoyment…a concept the Italians have down pat!

Does this sound familiar…

I feel GUILTY when:

Indulging in unhealthy foods
Eating when I’m not really hungry
Making poor food choices
Indulging in comfort foods
Munching on sweets
Looking in the mirror

And that guilt you feel? It puts your entire life on hold. Not to mention that it serves no useful or forward moving purpose.

Guilt zaps every ounce of energy you have. It drops you into an endless array of stress and pressure. It forces you into a constant battle between your body and your mind.

The minute you introduce guilt into your world, your inner critic becomes the loudest voice in the room. Suddenly, your mind turns into an evil villain – spouting harsh judgments that you instantly start to believe.

Here’s what I know:

Paying attention to your inner critic won’t help you lose weight.
Hating your body isn’t going to get you any closer to looking like a million bucks.
Always thinking “I should” do something will lead to nothing but stress and disappointment.

Are you ready to take the power away from the voices in your head and put it back in your body? Here’s how: you need to show your body some respect by learning to listen to it. Your body is smart. It has a lot to tell you … if you really tune in.

Going through life at warp speed and focusing on your never-ending to-do list, pushing and pushing to get everything done…will never rid you of guilt. Why? Because you’re too busy being a human doing rather than a human being, which prevents you from tuning in…and keeps you from making choices that are in alignment with what your body really needs.

Think about it. If you’re in go-go-go mode:

How can you really know if you’re hungry?
How do you notice the signals that you’re full or satiated?
How do you understand what your cravings really mean?
How do you experience a pleasurable meal and savor all the goodness?
How do you take in all the sensations when you barely have time to chew?

What’s the result of not listening to your body? Oftentimes, a big old serving of guilt.

Your ultimate goal is to find ways to slow down so that you can be more intentional and mindful to create the space to listen to your body. Instead of eating your meal mindlessly while standing up, try sitting down and noticing the smells, the flavors, the tastes and textures. Instead of beating yourself up for wanting the chocolate chip cookie, try paying attention to why you might be having cravings.
Instead of assuming that you need to finish your plate and then feeling uncomfortably full, try putting down your fork and checking in with yourself mid-meal.

One Healthy Breakdown: When you tune into the wisdom of your body and allow your actions to follow suit, you’re much more likely to make guilt-free choices with food… and beyond.

*Elise Museles is an attorney turned Certified Eating Psychology & Nutrition Expert. She helps women stuck in a motivation-to-frustration cycle adopt a more joyful & positive approach to nourishment that starts with the food on the plate, but ultimately extends to all areas of life. Enter a delicious world full of freedom, ease, and fun at Kale & Chocolate. For daily inspiration, join Elise on Facebook and follow her on Twitter and Instagram @kaleandchocolate.

Mindfulness During the Holidays

December 11, 2013December 11, 20131 Comment

How often have you begun the holiday season with the most exalted expectations, only to stumble into the new year burned-out and disappointed? The secret to making your holidays as enjoyable and stress-free as possible is to take the mindfulness you practice on your yoga mat or meditation cushion and actually apply it in your life from moment to moment. And what better time than those frenzied, emotional weeks at the end of the year? Here are some suggestions:

Live in the moment.

As I’m sure you’ve noticed, most of your stress occurs when you’re worrying about the future or obsessing about the past. Live in the present; your mind naturally settles down and your anxiety dissipates. Easier said than done, of course, especially around the holidays, when your head is filled with back-to-back commitments and an endless list of things to do and buy. You can make a commitment to yourself to stop from time to time, shift your attention from your thinking, and pay mindful attention to your experience right now—the weight of your feet against the floor, your back against the chair, the coming and going of your breath.

Let go of expectations.

The holidays are fraught with promises that life and other people can’t possibly fulfill. Maybe you desperately want to take your family on vacation but discover you can’t afford it. Or you’re looking forward to a big family gathering but your folks get sick and have to cancel at the last-minute. Instead of attaching to the way you think things should be (and causing yourself unnecessary stress), you can choose to stay present and grounded, roll with the changes –and heed the other tips in this list.

Tread softly with the relatives.

Love ‘em or hate ‘em (or a little of both), family can be a major challenge to your peace of mind, especially when everyone’s stressed. Breathe deeply, and resist the temptation to rehash old hurts or expect more love and approval than they can muster (see above). Relish the tender moments, generosity, and togetherness that the holidays tend to evoke.

Be especially kind and gentle with yourself.

If you’re pushing yourself too hard, you need to be the one to notice, back off, and give yourself a little loving. Take a hot bath, do some yoga, get a massage, spend quiet time in nature, meditate, call a close friend. Do what nurtures you, then return to the fray refreshed, reinvigorated, and rebalanced.

Count your blessings.

Researchers agree that the key to a happy life is to appreciate what you have. Dwell on the positive and your mood quickly lifts. Spend five minutes each night, especially during the holiday season, reflecting on the good things that happened to you that day, even if they seem inconsequential. The sky at sunset, the loving look in a baby’s eyes, a gift from a friend, a tasty meal, a funny incident at work. Human minds tend to skew toward the negative to alert us to predators and other threats, so you need to make a special effort to correct the bias.

One Healthy Breakdown: Remember to be mindful, no matter how busy you get. In the end, you’re responsible for your own happiness and peace of mind. No one else can provide it for you, even at the holidays!

*Stephan Bodian is a world-renowned meditation teacher, psychotherapist, and consultant specializing in stress management and positive psychology. He is the author of the Mental Workout programs, Mindfulness Meditation and Freedom from Stress, available inside the Mental Workout app and on www.mentalworkout.com. He has also authored several books, including Meditation For Dummies and Wake Up Now: A Guide to the Journey of Spiritual Awakening, in addition to being the former editor-in-chief of Yoga Journal.

The Art of Managing Stress

October 21, 2013October 21, 2013Leave a comment

If you’re totally relaxed and at peace every second of every day, ignore this post. If you ever feel stressed and overwhelmed, keep reading. The Wellness Institute at the Southampton Hospital offers a weekly stress management class to discuss and aid the art of relaxation. While stress is a natural reaction, part of our humanity, it can have a negative effect on us both physically and emotionally. Our sense of reasoning is not clear when we’re stressed, we’re not able to put things in perspective, and we often feel physically drained or even experience stress-induced illness. Nowadays, we rarely take the time to rest and rejuvenate. There’s always something to do, 24/7. Some of their suggested relaxation strategies include:

Remember that it is not the goal to rid your life of stress, its learning how to manage stress that is important.
The more positive your outlook, the better you will manage stress. Learn to re-frame your stress by thinking about the big picture and prioritizing.
Living in the present moment is half the battle. If you’re living in the here and now, you can’t stress out about something next week.
Although we no longer celebrate a universal day of rest every Sunday, pick a time and make up for it. Since the world never stops, the hustle and bustle never shuts down, and time does not stand still, we have to create and prioritize the time to rejuvenate. Choose a time each week that is family time or alone time. Put aside all of the latest technology and chill.
Learn how to say NO sometimes! It will help you to avoid lots of unnecessary stress.
Utilize all five senses (visualization, scents like candles or oils, touch like massage, taste your favorite foods, listen to calming sounds, music, or silence.)
LAUGHTER is the best stress buster. Laugh, a lot.
Relaxation techniques should be practiced daily in order to master the strategies for when they’re most needed. Just like a muscle, our stress-management skills need to be worked to stay in shape.

One Healthy Breakdown: Destress and decompress for your wellness!

Stress Fighting Foods

July 25, 2013Leave a comment

Stress can get the best of us sometimes. Luckily, there are lots of helpful strategies in coping with stress, like deep breathing and eating healthy. The following foods contain stress-fighting nutrients to help treat or prevent or lesson stress in the body: