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When we picture a New Year’s exercise kick, most of us have been conditioned to think that ‘go hard or go home’ is the only way. Endless streams of chiselled fitness Insta-models and blogging gurus champion high-intensity interval training and gruelling diet regimes as the only way we can genuinely get fit. But for some of us, that just isn’t an option. For many reasons, some people want to find a way to get fit that is more gentle. We could be looking to ease back into fitness after an operation, having a baby or a period of ill health, we could be looking to exercise alongside an elderly relative, or we could simply find the gym an off-putting place. The good news is, there are plenty of ways to get fit while living life in the slow lane.

Tai Chi

Promoting gentle, fluid movements that calm the mind and slowly strengthen the body, Tai Chi can be intensely beneficial and relaxing to those who practise it regularly. It has great benefits for improving musculoskeletal flexibility as well, and classes are often held outdoors, giving you a mood-boost at the same time. You can get started by joining a class or at home – whatever you prefer!

Walking

The simplest way to start, if you can’t face anything else, up the amount you walk. Walking has a comprehensive set of mental and physical health benefits, from increasing memory capacity and enhancing our cognitive skills to helping us sleep better at night, improving our poster and helping us to develop positive relationships. Best of all, it’s so easy to get started. Just make sure that you have the right walking shoes or consider extra supportive insoles, like those available at biopods.com

TRX

If you fancy building up strength and muscle, but the weights section at the gym has you running scared then consider signing up for a TRX class. Using a complex system of suspension straps, you use your own body weight to strengthen and create resistance, but without so much stress on your joints. So if you have a knee injury or something that normally excludes you from resistance training, it could be the perfect fit.

Step Aerobics

Aerobics might conjure up mental images of fast and furious Lycra clad workouts, but step classes are a modern and less stressful way to get the benefits. Giving a full cardio workout without all the pounding and slamming, these classes use more controlled movements in blocks of repetition to sculpt the body. Research has found that an hour of step aerobics gives the same calorie burn as a mid-distance run.

Pilates

Pilates is one of the best ways to complete a challenging workout that will really strengthen your core without the pace that puts some people off. Accessible anywhere thanks to all the Pilates workouts on YouTube, all you need is a foam mat or a towel and you can practice anyway. So there is a way to get those killer abs and ultimate flexibility without putting too much strain on your joints!

Life is full of important things. It is important to earn a living and provide for either yourself or your family. It is important to pay bills. It is important to chase dreams. It is important to enjoy life. It is important to love. It is important to make memories. It is important to do a hell of a lot of things. But, is there anything more important in our lives than our need to breathe oxygen in? As you know, if somebody was to stop doing that, they’d die, so the answer to that question is obviously no.

And, now that we’ve established the overarching importance of oxygen and breathing it in, it’s important for us to keep it flowing. For advice on what you can do to keep the oxygen flowing to your lungs, make sure to read on.

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Take short, serene walks throughout the day

Even if you spend a lot of your time outside or even outside going on runs, you should still seek to find some time in your day to go on multiple short, serene walks. You should do so because short and serene walks, especially in rural areas, are perfect in regards to the intake of oxygen without wearing the lungs out and subsequently making breathing much harder, as is what happens on a run or a jog. So, try and fit at least two short, serene walks into your daily schedule and see your health, particularly your brain health, improve drastically thanks to the added intake of oxygen.

Breathe through your nose

Whether breathing through your nose regularly comes naturally to you or not, you should seek to do it. You should seek to do it because nasal breathing allows you to breathe at your full capacity, and when you compare this to the fact that breathing through your mouth only facilities you to breathe at 10 to 20 percent of this capacity, you can see why it is so important to do. So, go on, get practicing that all-important nasal breathing!

Avoid bacterial infections

It is recommend to avoid bacterial infections in life whenever and wherever you can anyway, but if you want to be providing your body with all the oxygen it needs, all the time, then making sure you do this is of greater importance. You see, as documented by XpertDox, autoimmune hemolytic anemia is a condition in which an individual’s red blood cell levels decrease to the point where the oxygen supply to their vital organs and tissues is cut drastically. And, this condition and the subsequent lowering of oxygen levels that it causes is brought about, for the most part, by an individual picking up a bacterial infection. So, avoid these infections, avoid AHA, and get your body the oxygen it needs.

A healthy lifestyle in which you are providing your body with all the oxygen it needs should matter to you because it could be the defining factor in you living, and you dying. As harrowing as that is, it is the truth. So, make sure it matters!

Stress isn’t just unpleasant, it can also be very unhealthy. It’s easy to suffer from the symptoms of stress when you work hard all day. Life has its ups and downs, but sometimes the downs can make you feel pretty down too. Escaping from those tough situations is important to give yourself a break.

Your home should be the one place where you can feel safe and secure. It should be your sanctuary away from all the things that bother you and all the stresses your feeling in life. Here are just 10 ways your home can serve you better as the perfect place to relieve your stress:

1. Sauna

Many Finnish homes have a sauna because it can be a very simple and easy way to wind down at the end of the day. The body is relieved of the toxins that build up from stress, diet, and the environment. Finnish people often see the sauna as a social activity, but you might prefer a one-person cabin for this activity.

Relax and detox in your own home sauna. Photo Credit

Saunas can be built into the house if you have appropriate space for it. A cupboard size is really all you need. Alternatively, place one in a private area of your backyard. There are times when a sauna might be harmful to your health, so check with your doctor if you have any medical conditions.

2. Bubbles

Bubbles are cleansing, invigorating, and relaxing all at once. You can add the therapeutic properties of bubbles to your daily life at home. Hot tubs are still a firm favorite for those that love having their muscles massaged and their skin cleansed of all the stresses of the day. Again, this might be a social activity for some, but you can enjoy a hot tub soak in a private corner of your backyard at any time. Even in winter, the warm water is sensuous and enjoyable.

Bubbles are fun as well as good for the skin. Photo Credit

An indoor alternative to a hot tub is a jacuzzi spa bath. These are special bathtubs that include several jets placed to massage your back, legs and feet with bubbles. It’s not advisable to add anything to the water when you use it. The jets can be a bit loud, but you can always play some music over the included Bluetooth speakers. Add some color therapy, and you can drift away into relaxation.

3. Seating

How you sit can make quite a difference to your physical and mental relaxation. Recliners are wonderful if you want to put your feet up at the end of the day. If you want to feel cozy and snuggly, you might prefer a bean bag sofa or chair like the ones at ComfySacks.com. These can feel like they’re embracing you as you sink into them with a good book.

Cuddle couches have made a comeback! If you have someone special waiting for you at home, these oversized sofas with extra squishy cushions can be perfect. You won’t ever want to get up! It’s important to choose seating that supports good posture, rather than a hunched or rounded back. Turn down the lights, and ease the night away.

4. Sleeping

Sleep is one of the best stress relievers there is. The trouble is, when you’re stressed, it’s very difficult to fall asleep! Your bedtime routine plays a huge part in preparing your mind and body for sleep. But your home has a big part to play too. Choose the bedroom with the least amount of noise from the street, the boiler, or any appliances that work through the night. Use blackout curtains, and turn the heat down. Now ease yourself into a high-quality memory foam bed for extra support. And close your eyes.

And sleep. Photo Credit

Ideally, you should be aiming for about seven and a half hours of uninterrupted slumber each night. This means you are going to have to go to bed early enough to fit that in. Once you’re in bed, don’t feel bothered by busy thoughts. Instead, write them down so you can deal with them in the morning. Choose soft pastel colors for your decor design in the bedroom. Ditch the TV and other electronic devices.

5. Flowers

It’s not just the indoors of your home that can help you to unwind. Your backyard or garden are the perfect place to find peace and tranquillity. Aim to plant for color all year round. Even the winter can be full of beautiful colors from flowers. Shrubs and bushes can offer dozens of shades of yellows and greens too. Don’t forget to plant lavender for a relaxing aroma to help you de-stress.

Fill your outdoor spaces with beautiful aromas and colors. Photo Credit

6. Water

The sound of water trickling, flowing, and bubbling, can be very soothing. Watching a cascading fountain can also be quite therapeutic. Indoor wall fountains or quaint garden water features can offer you everything you need to help you feel balanced and quiet again. You might need a qualified electrician to help you install one of these, but they’re sure to be a hit for all the family.

Swimming is one of the best exercises to help tone your body, boost your fitness, and reduce stress. If you have space out the back, why not invest in a pool? You will also need to invest in safety gates and railing if you have pets or children at home with you. Why not aim to make use of your pool every day?

7. Media

Music has been proven to have therapeutic properties. You might listen to music on your headphones, or blast it out through a hi-fi system. Making music can also soothe the soul. Learn to play a musical instrument. It can focus your mind, offer the perfect distraction for stressful thoughts, and even exercise the body.

What song touches you the most? Photo Credit

Making music uses more of your brain at once than any other activity. This is one of the reasons why so many people find it so therapeutic. Make loud, heavy music to express a bad mood. Soften the tone, and pull back the tempo to help you unwind.

8. Home Gym

Exercising, especially vigorous exercise, can reduce stress enormously. It can also help reverse the health damage that stress can cause. When we’re stressed, we tend to have a build up of adrenaline. This is really difficult to shake off and can stop you feeling comfortable enough for sleep. A good run or even a weight training session can drain that adrenaline away. Best of all, exercising releases ‘happy’ hormones. After about ten to twelve minutes of continuous exercise, you’ll be feeling much better.

A home gym doesn’t need to include much equipment at all. You might just have a workout mat, a few square meters of space, and a kettlebell. YouTube is one of the best places to find thousands of workout and exercise ideas. Using the internet often gives you access to images or video demonstrations to help you get the moves right safely. You might install Bluetooth speakers, a smart internet-connected TV, and an exercise bike. Use your garage or the spare bedroom to create the space you need to enjoy exercising at home.

9. Entertaining

Socializing is one of the best stress-busters there is. Humans need to be around other humans. While we might all enjoy a little alone time, it is better for our mental and emotional well-being to be in good company. Your home can help a lot here. Your dining room, patio area, and living room are all great spaces for entertaining. Why not aim to invite friends over a couple of times every week?

Invite friends for good food, good wine, and good conversation. Photo Credit

Dinner parties are great ways to bring several people into your home at once. This can create lots of variety in conversation and the group dynamic. This can all be very good for the brain! It can challenge you, and it can help you feel more supported by your network of friends. Talk, laugh, and even gossip a little – it’s all good for you. And if it’s done in the privacy of your home, there’s no harm in a little candidness and openness.

10. Share It

Whatever size your home might be, sharing it can be the perfect way to keep stress at bay. You might have a furry friend live with you. Do they have a room of their own for sleeping, or are you happy for them to bunk in with you? Petting our four-legged companions is very good for relieving stress. It lowers the heart rate, and can even release those ‘happy’ hormones that make us feel so good.

Purring cats are also thought to offer therapeutic services. It has been found that the purr might even help aid healing. Of course, a good cuddle with a partner or spouse can be just as beneficial. Sharing your home helps you to feel supported and cared for. And you’ll always have good company.

Our homes serve us in many ways. With a few tweaks and modifications, you might find it can serve as a great stress reliever too. What helps you to unwind at home?

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If you’ve never been the athletic type then you might wonder why a healthy lifestyle should even matter to you. You might not be planning on running marathons, and you might not care about being muscular. Of course, you don’t have to be an athlete or hit the gym every day. We all have different interests in life and that’s a great thing. You only have so much time available during the day, so you should focus your attention on one thing.

However, there’s a difference between dedicating your time to the pursuit of non-athletic goals and simply failing to safeguard your health at all. If you’re eating poorly, living a sedentary lifestyle, and neglecting other aspects of your health (such as your mind) then you’re neglecting your body in the most basic sense. If you’re wondering why a healthy lifestyle should matter to you then here’s a look at just a few of the key things you need to give more attention.

You need your senses.
Let’s start off with an aspect of health that people often give very little consideration: the senses. However, your ability to see or hear should be a priority. Even if you’re young and you don’t think your senses are failing you, that doesn’t mean you should neglect the importance of getting checked out by a specialist on a regular basis. You should see an optician every 2 years, ideally. You might be straining your eyes without realizing it. Fatigue can sometimes be an indicator of this. If you want to avoid eye damage then you need to address this sort of thing before it becomes an issue. And the same goes for hearing issues. If you think your hearing might not be as good as it used to be then you might want to find an audiologist to assess your situation. Maintaining your senses is the best way to stop them deteriorating further as you get older.

You need sleep.
If you really want to be healthier then you need to get more sleep. That’s a simple fact but you probably already know how important sleep is. Every time you don’t get enough rest, you feel it the next day. But tiredness and a lack of energy are only two consequences of sleep deprivation. When you deny your body the rest it needs, you deny yourself the recovery you need. You’ll leave your body and mind weaker, essentially. Sleep deprivation will make it harder to concentrate but it’ll also make you more susceptible to illnesses (both mental and physical). That’s why a healthy bedtime routine should be a core component of your lifestyle.

You need exercise.
Get outside once a day and go for a brisk walk. It doesn’t have to be a long walk. You could stroll around your local park for 20 minutes or so. The point is that you should keep your body active. Maybe this is something that has never mattered to you but it should. It’s not just about losing weight and “looking good”. Keeping your body physically active keeps your heart healthy and reduces the risk of disease in the future. Additionally, exercise keeps the mind healthy; it can reduce stress, depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.