Day 9,10,11 and 12 - A Memory

Ooops. I wish I could say that I had some wild and crazy vacation where I was unplugged from everything technological, but alas, I just forgot my password and then couldn't remember which email was linked to this account so I found myself trying all sorts of crazy combos. Obviously I finally figured it out!! So this brings me to an interesting topic - memory. When you are stressed your memory takes a hit - actually your ability to acquire anything new really takes a hit. That is one of the reasons it is so important to destress if you are in school, learning a new skill, or need to think fast. When you are stressed your brain really does get all fuzzy. If you find that you are stressed out, write things down so you don't forget them! (Like passwords....)

Until tomorrow, practice some destressing techniques.

Day 8 - Be Happy

Goofy -yes. But, if you can find something that consistently makes you smile every day - do it! Maybe it is a picture, maybe going for a run, maybe a certain song. Whatever it is, bring it with you, have it readily available, and give yourself a good dose of it whenever you start to feel stressed. Don't have something? Well, then you need to find something. Do you have a favorite picture? Put it in your daily planner. Do you have a favorite vacation spot? Find a postcard and put it in your office. How about a favorite smell or food? Find a candle that smells like it and keep it close by (you don't have to light it, just sniff it!!). So today's challenge is to find that thing that makes you happy and do it!

Day 7 - Check in!

Well today is an easy day - and the next three Wednesdays will be as well. Wednesday is mid week, so today is the day you check in with yourself. Go ahead and ask yourself how you are doing? Are you eating a fruit or veggie every day? Moving every day? Is anything making you feel a little better? Is there one part of the challenge you find better than others? Sit with yourself for a few minutes - all by yourself - (escape to the bathroom or hide in a closet if you have to) take your emotional temperature. Stressed? Happy? Sad? Mad? Give yourself a few minutes of you time to see how you are. Now, do 15 pushups (the real ones) have a fruity snack(not skittles), drink lots of water, check caller ID and don't answer when you don't want to, prioritize your to do list, and get to bed!

Day 6- Stay Hydrated

I was going to talk about something totally different today but it was so gross and sticky and icky out, I thought I would remind you to stay hydrated on days like today! Sounds silly, but getting dehydrated can make you cranky, tired, hungry, irritable, short-tempered, headachey, and more. So get a nice big water bottle and keep hydrated all day long! A note about pets- make sure you keep fresh water available for them too!!! Hot days like today can really wear them out!

Day 5-Surround Yourself with Positive Peeps

Friends, Family, one person, five people -- whoever makes you smile, fills you with positive energy, or inspires you -- hang out with them!! At least once a week (if not more) hang out with some positive folks. If you can, avoid the negative people who suck the energy out of you. You will be amazed at how much better you feel when you surround yourself with people who compliment you instead of people who detract from you. It can be hard to avoid all the negative people, so focus instead on finding positive peeps to hang with every week! You don't need to be around them for an entire day, but take a quick walk with someone you love (that is a 2 for 1!), have a few positive peeps over for a healthy meal (another 2 for 1!). Make it fun and easy!

Day 4- Move Your Body!

Exercise is one of the best things for us, yet often the first thing to go. I know I haven't officially exercised or worked out for the last 10 months (probably longer but you get the picture!). I decided if I could look at facebook every day I could exercise every day. Run a marathon? Not any time soon. Exercise for 15 minutes most days? YES.

And so can you.

I just took my dogs for a jog since one of them has gotten "extra fluffy" in his older age....We jogged for 15 minutes. That is what we had time for and now everyone feels better. How else can you fit exercise in? do sit ups and push ups while you watch television. Do squats while you are on the phone. Take a brisk walk to break up your work day. 15 minutes. That is it. And you can do it in three 5 minute chunks if you cannot find a solid 15 minutes. Stretch for 5 when you wake up. Walk up and down the stairs at work for 5 minutes after lunch. Hula Hoop with your child or on your own for five minutes after work. Easy Peasy.

Give it a try!

Day 3 - Eat Healthier

Do you need to change your whole lifestyle? No! Just eat one more healthier option each day. Add one piece of fruit or a veggie to your diet. Sprinkle blueberries on your oatmeal. Blend your coffee with ice and a banana on a hot day. Chop up an apple and eat that instead of your evening crackers. Not a big huge change, just add a healthy treat into your day. It can replace something or be a new treat on its own. How is eating a piece of fruit or munching on a parsnip going to help you stress less? Well, eating healthier is just plain good for you, and if you can do a few things each day that are good for you, you are going to feel better which in turn makes for less stress!!

Now, fruit juice, lettuce on your sub roll, and ketchup (sorry President Reagan) on your burger don't count! and sweet potato chips don't count. Go for a nice fresh piece of fruit or a nice fresh veggie. If you are going to parties this long weekend and are not sure if there will be anything but hot dogs, hamburgers, and pasta salad, bring along a fruit salad or a veggie platter.

Eat up!

And just so you know, I am prioritizing by not baking cookies, hanging with the little man, and alternating my son's goldfish crackers with apple slices....And yes, I eat my son's snacks all the time - I am kind of obsessed with those Lil' crunchies...