Mind & Soul

Your Inner Gremlin: A Lesson in Self Sabotage

March 24, 2015

Author: Amber French

I always hit a point in my health journey where I get really good at setting up road blocks for myself. It is usually right before I get to a goal I have set for myself. The closer I get to my intention the more roadblocks I encounter. It’s like I am sleep-building and in the morning I awake to see all these obstacles in my way. I get super mad at the jerk that is blocking my good intention. News Flash: I am the Jerk…

I have NEVER reached a goal weight or timed run or dress size at the time I set for myself to achieve it. Although I have lost a ton of weight over my life and achieved a lot of great fitness goals, it is never when I planned to do it. I used to believe that was ok and that I need to relax and it wasn’t all about the goal/outcome, it was about the journey. TRUE…BUT…. It was also a damn good excuse for not recognizing that I was sabotaging myself. If I I get to close to a goal, all of a sudden I split into two people. One of which has the full time job of setting obstacles and triggers to throw me off my game.

And let me tell you she is GREAT at her job.

Until I learned to start listening to my inner dialogue (and correcting it) I couldn’t defeat my arch nemesis. Who truly believed I wasn’t worthy/good/loved enough to be that weight/size/fast. Once I realized “the Jerk” was my own insecurities I could finally invite her to tea and discuss those feelings and maybe persuade her to allow me to reach my goal. I did this by contracting each of her negative (untrue) thoughts with one of my own positive (proven) thoughts.

It went a little something like this:
Jerk: You aren’t a fit/skinny person and you never will be…
Me: Well actually I have dropped four dress sizes already and ran my first triathlon
Jerk: Who do you think you are?
Me: I am the person who put in all the time, menu planning and consistently hit the gym throughout my journey.
Jerk: You missed three workouts last week, you don’t deserve to lose any weight this week.
Me: I made it to two workouts last week and I had time to clean out the garage and take the kids tobogganing. That is a fair trade off and a great calorie burn.
Jerk: People are going to think you are selfish for taking all this time to “take care of yourself”
Me: What People?

Finally my inner voice got very tired because of course she didn’t have the stamina (of someone who works out and watches what she eats) to let this battle continue any longer. Would you let your friends speak to you, the way you speak to yourself?

The next day I woke up and my path was clear(er) and I had far fewer roadblocks in way. Now when I see the roadblocks that show up as “no time” “too tired” “kids first” or “one bag won’t hurt you” I turn my kettle on and invite my much kinder inner voice to have a little chat about ways we can help each other and remove some of these roadblocks out of OUR way. After all, if they are roadblocks for me, they are roadblocks for her too.

If you wouldn’t say it to your Grandma or your pooch, don’t say it to yourself! Be kind with your inside voice as well as your outside voice!
Amber

De-Stresstinations

March 14, 2015

Author: Shannon Boyce

Stress is an unfortunate part of our lives. An estimated 77% of men and women experience physical and emotional symptoms related to stress. Where does this stress come from? It can be caused by pressures at work, difficulties at home, from money troubles, personal relationships, or even time limitations. No wonder so many of us dream of getting away from it all…. at least for a week or two! It’s amazing how a good vacation can inspire us, renew our spirit, and put everything into perspective.

That is precisely why de-stresstinations are soaring in popularity. Just picture it: you and a beach chair. A picturesque view of the ocean. Warm sand. Calming sounds of nature. What better way is there to unwind? Are you looking for the perfect spot to let it all go? Here are 4 of the best tropical de-stresstination locations.

Rest and Relaxation in Patagonia, Argentina

Sometimes, you just want to sit back and watch the clouds go by. Do it in Patagonia. It is the best place to escape from the hustle and bustle of every day life. Shared by both Argentina and Chile, this area is quiet and secluded. The number of tourists that frequent Patagonia are limited and it isn’t littered with those massive beach resorts. That makes this the ideal place to snag some much-needed peace and quiet. Take in the beautiful scenery, blue skies, and warm temperatures – and get ready for your troubles to melt away.

Enjoy a Massage on The Beach in Phuket, Thailand

A de-stresstination isn’t just about a gorgeous backdrop. (Though you will certainly find that in Phuket, Thailand. It is made up of mountainous regions, crystal blue water, elaborate temples, and other breathtaking sights and sounds.) It is the little things that really count. Like finding a place to leave those aches and pains in the past. During a trip to Phuket, you can enjoy a luxurious massage on the beach. Head to Patong Beach and have a traditional Thai massage – with the surf as your backdrop!

Talk a Waterfall Walk in Oahu, Hawaii

There is something about a waterfall. Listening to the sound of water crashing against the rocks can feel both exhilarating and relaxing. The best tropical destination to partake in some memorable waterfall moments is Hawaii. Specifically, Oahu, Hawaii. There you can take a hike the trail to Maona Falls. The easy walk will lead you to a 150-foot waterfall. Talk about gorgeous! Want to take a dip? Head to Maui instead. There are waterfall walks complete with areas to swim and sunbathe.

Enjoy The Water in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Still searching for the perfect de-stresstination? Then get out on the open sea! Cabo is known for its stunning water. With heavier waves along the Pacific Coast and calm relaxing blue everywhere else, Cabo San Lucas in Mexico gives you the best of both worlds. That means there are plenty of ways to de-stress. Sit by the beach and enjoy the sunshine or rent a private floating lounge. The latter will let you work on your tan – while helping you steer clear of all the crowds and noise.

De-stresstinations aren’t just fun and relaxing. They are also good for your health. Taking time to nurture your mental and physical well being is the best possible way to reduce your stress levels. So, the next time you feel ready to crack under the pressure…. take a deep breath. A relaxing getaway is the perfect solution.

Avoid all stress while traveling by booking your stay in advance. Make sure, you choose wisely and compare your options. Find convenient hotel rooms, Airbnb, or vacation rentals with cozycozy.

Looks Aren’t Everything: Believe Me, I’m a Model

March 12, 2015

Posted by: Lindsay Hogg

Just watch this all the way through. We are all human and all have feelings about ourselves and our bodies. Let’s all feel more comfortable acknowledging the power of image. We all judge and feel judged, this is definitely an interesting topic.

The Person You Really Need to Marry

March 11, 2015

Posted By: Lindsay Hogg

This is really great. Love yourself exactly where you are – for better or for worse. We are so caught up in loving ourselves only for ‘the better’ part. Failure, disappointment, body issues, whatever it is, it doesn’t matter when you marry yourself.

Demystifying Detoxing – Your Body and Life

March 9, 2015

Author: Ann O’Brien

How to empower yourself and nourish your body, mind and soul!

Something I’ve noticed as a huge trend is detoxing. Everyone I know is either on a cleanse, about to do a cleanse or just finishing one. Whether it’s fruit cleanse, juicing, the master cleanse, (which I swear is a masochists idea of seeing how high our mental pain threshold is.) Everyone seems to be on a detox. And I get it, spring is in the air, which means bathing suit season is not too far behind and as we start to clean our houses, we think hey! Time to clear the old body out too!

woman with lotus flower, bright ornate pattern vector

I myself have actually done detoxes. I can say from my experience that afterwards I’ve felt more clear mentally, physically lighter, less pain in my body and have probably lost a pound or two. During the detox, I’ve felt like I’ve wanted to hit someone for a plate of nachos. Have they worked? Yeah absolutely. I started thinking though, why can’t we detox without it being so shocking and hard on our body and minds? Can detoxing be a way to nourish your body and your soul? How can we shift our vision about detoxing and make it more related to clearing out things that we no longer need?

The purpose of a detox is detoxification is about resting, cleaning and nourishing the body from the inside out. By removing and eliminating toxins, then feeding your body with healthy nutrients, detoxifying can help protect you from disease and renew your ability to maintain optimum health. How interesting, then, no where in that sentence does it say suffering, starving or hurting yourself. Key words. Nourish! Healthy nutrients! Maintain optimum health! REST! All good things.

I can say that I’ve felt my best when I’ve eaten in support of my health, practiced yoga or got my sweat on, got lots of rest, meditated (yes you need to!) and surrounded myself with positivity and love. So here are some tips that you can use to start detoxing and nourishing yourself as a whole person in a healthy and balanced way.

Eat well. Seems simple right? Not so much! With convenience foods and take out it’s so much easier to just grab and go. Our nutrition is on the back burner. If you want to support your body with nutrients, start incorporating the following: Fresh vegetables including lots of leafy greens, whole grains including quinoa, millet, even whole grain bread! Whole fruits, avocados, lean meats, fish, herbal teas as well as green tea are all great things to put in your body!

Drink more water. Room temperature. Sip it through the day.

Start going to bed an hour earlier. More sleep equals more energy!

Watch less TV. Less TV is less temptation, no food ads to entice you to eat poorly. TV also stimulates your brain, which can make it harder for you to sleep.

Let go of social media. We get bombarded with messages on a regular basis and spend ages mindlessly scrolling through status updates. Limit your time on social media, you can even give yourself a schedule, one hour when you get home from work, then done. Put the phone down. Seriously.

Declutter! IF you have a lot of stuff laying around, ask yourself what you can let go of. I’ve heard the saying a clean room means a clean mind and it’s true. When you have less stuff out your mind can settle and positive energy starts to flow.

Meditate. Best way to connect to yourself, feel your body, calm your mind is to stop, close your eyes and be still. You only have to do 5 minutes to notice it’s affects.

I will say, always check with your doctor if you have questions or are taking any medication before trying anything on they can guide you in the right direction to support your individual health. Once you’ve got the green light, try some of these tips on and see what happens. Detoxing doesn’t have to be drinking green juices or living off clear soups for a week, it can be simply making choices that better support your health. Your body needs loving nourishment not to be punished or starved. And incorporating little changes ultimately leads to big change. When you say yes to supporting your health, good things happen. Like living longer. And feeling really great. So if we shift from thinking a detox needs to be this crazy plan to beat ourselves up and into a way to empower our health and start to feel better, we begin a shift of creating loving support for our personal health. That a detox can be a way of clearing all the negative stuff that no longer serves us. That sounds a lot better to me!

Ann O’Brien is a certified Power Vinyasa Yoga Teacher and works with Power Yoga Canada Oshawa, a certified Reiki Master and the CEO of Divine Amore Reiki and Readings, connect with her on instagram @divineamorereiki, like her on Facebook at Divine Amore Reiki and Readings or check her out at www.divineamore.com.