Author: Lindsay Hogg

Holy shit. It’s easy to be happy… it just takes a little consistent work

Being happy is all about your perspective. You don’t need to add things to your life (a lover, house, new shirt). Right now, you are perfect the way you are and everything you need, you already have.

Happiness is a practice and with consistency it can become a habit – Me

It’s all about your frame of mind. Enjoy the things you enjoy and start enjoying the ones you don’t.

I have to go to the gym.

This implies you are being forced to go to the gym or that there is a negative energy around the act of working out. Being at the gym makes you feel good. If you left the gym hating it every day, you wouldn’t go, no matter how much you’re trying to get in shape. So, go into it with the same positive mind you leave the gym with. Don’t make going to do something you enjoy such a hardship. It’s so easy to change your frame of mind and wording.

I get to go to the gym today.
I’m excited to work out.
Working out today is going to feel great.

It sounds kinda silly and simple, but it works. I practice changing my perspective on a daily basis, it’s not always easy, but it’s worth it. Enjoy the things you enjoy. You’re the one CHOOSING to make it hard. Instead, choose to be happy and let yourself enjoy life.

I do not fix problems. I fix my thinking. Then problems fix themselves.” – Louise Hay

Being happy is also about taking ownership of your life. We can’t expect outside sources to make us happy or blame others when we aren’t happy. No one is responsible for your happiness. Not your spouse, your children, your job or your friends.

You can’t control or change people and basing your life or happiness on someone else changing their actions or words is a waste of time. When you find yourself pointing your finger at things or people outside you, that means it’s time to turn that finger around and start looking at what you can do to make yourself happy.

Happiness is a path that takes constant effort. Whether you’re changing jobs, trying to lose weight or learning to love yourself, remember it’s a journey, and enjoy it!

Our lives are always in fluctuation and we will have our ups and downs. It’s how we deal with these changes and whether we react to them that matters. Concentrate on the action, rather than the outcome.

When we go through a hard time it’s only natural to be upset. Give yourself time to grieve, but it soon becomes your choice to stay stuck or continue on. Choose to learn from experiences and know it is all just part of the path you are on.

The trick is to enjoy life. Don’t wish away your days waiting for better ones ahead.” -Marjorie Pay Hinckley

Author: Shannon Boyce

You’re falling asleep at your desk and you’ve felt sluggish all day long. The solution? A quick pick me up. An extra large coffee and a couple of donuts will surely give you that burst of energy you need to get through the day! Then later on, you skip your workout because you’re so tired. Sound familiar? This is one unhealthy cycle that it is easy to fall into.

There are always reasons to eat poorly and live a sedentary lifestyle…but when you’re tired you are more likely to do it. Studies have shown that sleep deprivation is a common cause of weight gain and decreased fitness levels. Why does it happen and how can you avoid it? Let’s find out.

How Does Lack of Sleep Compromise Health?

It not too hard to connect the dots between lack of sleep and poor lifestyle choices. Just think of it this way: when you’re tired, you tend to opt for convenience. That means pre-packaged foods, take out menus, and evenings spent in front of the TV. This is a very bag habit to fall into. Even if you have started making positive changes to your diet and fitness routine, being tired can make it harder to stick with those changes. Why does this happen? When your body is tired, your brain goes into autopilot, making you more likely to reach for that bag of potato chips.

Continuing to make these poor choices can lead to weight gain, improper nutrition, low fitness levels, and lower energy levels. In addition, sleep deprivation causes your metabolism to stop functioning properly, further adding to the problem. Unfortunately, with a good chunk of us not getting enough sleep each night (thanks to work, stress, and responsibilities at home) this issue is becoming more and more problematic. So, what can be done about it?

How to Avoid Sleep Deprivation

It sounds easy enough to say: get more sleep. But that isn’t necessarily possible for everyone. You’ve got that long commute to and from work each day, have errands to run, and oh yeah, don’t forget to email that report after you get home! The list goes on and on. Getting more sleep isn’t always realistic, even if it is necessary. What should you do? Focus on the quality of sleep, instead. Getting a few hours of quality sleep can help you feel more rested, boost your metabolism, and make you less likely to indulge in those poor health and fitness choices.

Things that help improve sleep quality include: skipping caffeine in the afternoon and exercising for at least a half hour during the day. Remember, you don’t want to work out right before bed, as it will give you a rush of energy, keeping you up longer.

Sleep deprivation is a serious thing. Not only does it affect your energy levels, but it can also lead to weight gain and poor fitness. Make a change by concentrating on quality if you don’t have time for quantity. You’ll feel the difference when you wake up in the morning.