Wednesday 16 November 2011

Totally not Real-Estate related!

Tired of the gloomy days already? Here are some tips to stay happy, healthy and positive!
Positive

Sometimes it’s quite noticeable how people react to the weather change. Gloomy, dark, short rainy days can have quite an effect on your overall mood (and even performance!) – so for most of us, it’s not always easy to remain a “glass-half-full” kind of person! But we don’t have to become victims of the “winter blues”. In fact, we should look at this time of year as an opportunity – to view the different areas of our life, and contemplate how we can enrich them so that we stay happy and healthy. Here are some suggestions:
Understand that things WON'T always go as planned. If we live expecting things always will go by plan - we will become very quickly disappointed. It took Thomas Edison over 1000 tries to invent the light bulb. "How did it feel to fail 1000 times?" he was asked. "I didn't fail a 1000 times. I found 1000 ways it didn't work." So what if sometimes things don't work out? Failure is not falling down. It is remaining where you have fallen. Remember - life is our greatest teacher, and we should regard things that dont go by plan as opportunities
Surround yourself with POSITIVE PEOPLE. The impact of the people around you is HUGE. Negative people will attract negativity to your life. Positive people will attract positivity to your life - which one are you going to choose?!
Be THANKFUL. Think about who you are, what you have, and what you do. Look for and focus on things that you can be thankful for. Even if there are some tough times in your life, there are always things to be thankful for - pausing and acknowledging them is a huge positivity boost in your life. 
Stay active SOCIALLY. Although it’s not always as easy during the winter as it is during the long sunny days of summer, it’s important that we remain active socially and keep ourselves in the company of family and friends. We are all swamped with work most of the time, but it’s so important to remember to balance!
  • Plan an after-work dinner with your colleagues – it doesn’t have to be anything special, just a place and time to relax and stay social!
  • Meet a friend for lunch when possible – consistency of being in company of someone you know can help you stay energized and connected.
  • No matter how much work you have, you can always make an hour for your family and kids – when you come home straight from work, FORGET about work for a little while. Just sit back, relax, and spend some quality time with your family.
Stay active PHYSICALLY. Exercise or outdoor walks may not be as pleasant as during the warmer months, but there are plenty of other ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle even during the winter months.
  • Join a gym. It’s a great way to stay in shape when it’s cold outside – there you can try different types of exercise and find the ones you enjoy most (or hate the least).
  • Work out at home. Check out some TV programs that lead you through yoga or aerobics – it can be a great way to distract yourself from every day worries and stay in shape.
  • Take quick walks when possible – don’t forget to breathe in the fresh air and get as much sunlight as you can get! Open your blinds and try not to stay in enclosed or dark spaces for too long.
Stay active MENTALLY. Keep your mind engaged and active to avoid winter-blues/boredom!
  • Read books – not only will you engage your mind in a book of your choice – there will always, always be lessons and new things learned that you can use towards improving your life/career.
  • Put some thoughts into your career – are things going by plan? Can you learn a new skill that would benefit your career?
  • Take up a hobby that will challenge your mind – maybe cook dinner, try origami, or simply watch movies or play board games with your family. When was the last time you tried something new and out of your usual routine?
Stay active SPIRITUALLY. The days may get shorter and darker – but you can keep the light burning within. Take advantage of these moments when you are forced to slow down and spend more time indoors – and spend some time contemplating and concentrating onpersonal growth. You should pursue what feels right for you, but here are some suggestions:
  • Spend a few minutes each morning in silence to prepare and“charge” for the day. Think only good thoughts to set the direction of your day – simply sit still, focus on your breathing, and imagine what an ideal day would look like for you. Simply a few minutes daily will be a good start.
  • Re-read a book that has been meaningful to you in the past – recall all the passages that inspired you. Re-inspire yourself.
  • Spend time with like-minded people. It’s a great way to keep yourself “alive” inside – to discuss your similar interests and passions with those who share them with you.
  • Do something for someone else – giving and helping others can be a rewarding feeling in itself.
There are so many things that you can do to stay positive, happy and inspired – just simply find the time to do what you love doing, re-inspire and re-ignite your life. How do you stay positive during the gloomy days? Please share with us, we would love to hear your suggestions! 
Tips and ideas from advice.eharmony.com and liliya k