wellness Archives — Thrifty Mommas Tips

My Oxygen Mask and Life During a Pandemic

Paula — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 14:20:00 +0000

Huddle up real close. I have something to say regarding life this past year. But wait just a moment, my oxygen mask is askew. Put Your Own Oxygen Mask on First You know on airplanes before takeoff when the flight attendants give you that safety demonstration? Oh, I know you are supposed to be listening, but honestly a lot of us have zero interest in the safety demo when we just want to get to where we are going. Right? Lately, I have been reflecting on that simple statement – please put your own oxygen mask on before securing others. Hunting for My Oxygen Mask Ever since the second lockdown I feel like my oxygen mask is slightly askew….or maybe out of reach. No wait, check that, it has gone missing entirely. Like nowhere to be found. That might be okay any other year and any other time. But parenting during the pandemic and living through the pandemic seems a bit like free fall. In January of 2020 we were all sort of inside a plane coasting, and then in March we were trying to stay in the air while it started to plummet. First we were shocked and then we started flapping our arms as if we could keep ourselves afloat. Let’s Face it Times are Turbulent Do not get me wrong. I’d rather be alive and well during a pandemic than sick with Covid-19. But this is also not a thing that I ever thought I would say, or see or live through. Pandemic or no, the commitments and demands in my home are substantial. In fact, they have escalated as they have for many of us. I know pandemic anxiety and mental health have taken a huge hit globally. We also have caregiver burnout here though and it has taken a massive toll this year. Mental Health Triage Parenting teens with mental illness and disability on board is a full time job on top of all the other time commitments we have every day. It is mental health triage at the best of times…..and these are not the best of times. Some days, it feels like there’s a dramatic drop in cabin pressure inside the plane and we are stretching for the nearest oxygen mask. We made it through the first lockdown and while it was brutal, it is done. There were numerous times when I wondered if either or both of the kids were depressed. So, we sought out virtual therapists and I pushed them out the door walking with me, drinking water and eating well. Second Lock Down We made it through to the summer when restrictions loosened up and they went back to their activities with face masks on and small numbers and social distancing and then that second lockdown hit. Wheels Fell off the Cart I feel like it was then that the wheels started to come off of the cart here at home. At least one of the kids here has regressed and grown more obviously anxious than ever before. That anxiety needs to be managed and treated and we are working on that. But, not fast enough. Currently, we are skating as fast as we can and yet, all the bumps and cracks in the ice mean it is anything but smooth. And, there have been other moments where I questioned what the hell is going on and where to find support. Bottom line is that when I can’t motivate myself, or focus or move forward and I am struggling then I can’t help them. If I don’t have my oxygen mask on then I can’t help you or my kids, friends or anyone else for that matter. Caregiver Burnout Meets Pandemic Burnout These days, Covid is taking a toll on all of us. Of course, I am tired, worn out. My husband is worn out and so is my oldest daughter. My youngest teen with FASD is yet again going through something else that’s new and I can’t get my oxygen mask on fast enough to help anyone right now. This past weekend I have been reading about self care a bit again. I’m squeezing that in between URGENT appointments to see a doctor in person so that I can clearly advise them we NEED a referral to someone to follow up both kids. A specialist retired in December and kind of left us high and dry. And a therapist is wrapping up with my youngest just as she is pretty much careening into a full blown mental health crisis again. (Such are the limitations of OHIP and public health care in Ontario.) Here’s What That Looks Like Cut to one teenager screaming on the weekend – “A friend of mine has had a consistent therapist for over two years!! WHY does everyone quit or retire or leave?” Small Signs of Spring on the Horizon Second lockdown is starting to ease up and some small signs of positive outcomes are peeking through. Phase two of the vaccination program in Ontario should start soon and that’s a welcome announcement. However, as health officials continue to state – it is important that we don’t move forward too fast. I’d settle for moving confidently forward even in small steps. Mostly I’d be happy right now if I could get a specialist plugged in for my kids. Self Care A professional I know once called out self care and what that looks like. Kale and tea and walking won’t cure burnout, she said. I liked that so much that I vowed to hand stitch it one a pillow. You know what helps burnout? Support and proper care for mental health and physical health. It’s so much more than kale and tea. No, Self Care is Not Selfish.. but it is first to go. Harvard Health Blog says self compassion is crucial to self care. Other notable parts in the recipe are – movement, good nutrition, breath awareness, mind body practice such as yoga (which I am maintaining) and staying connected. It’s that staying connected part that I need to work on again soon, just as soon as I can find my oxygen mask and get my footing again. In fact, self care is not selfish, but it is not even a thought on the horizon when you are gasping for air. So, how are you doing?

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Take the 30-Day Mindfulness Challenge Now!

Paula — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 11:26:00 +0000

Time for a mindfulness challenge! No better time than the present. At least, that’s my current philosophy. So, some of you probably know that mindfulness here is an ongoing battle. Or, should I say has been an ongoing issue. Ironically, or curiously, I think that I have actually achieved more mindfulness during the pandemic than ever before. My Previous Experience One year I made mindfulness my word of the year and it was the worst word of the year experience that I had ever had. That’s right. I have successfully chosen a word of the year for many years but could not make that one work. My mind wandered too much to remain mindful. Did it Take a Lockdown? Maybe, it took a lockdown and a pandemic to make mindfulness possible for me. Whatever the cause, I am now better at recognizing the moments and being present here, for the most part. This past 11 months have often been about maintaining good mental health, because we have been assaulted daily with remote learning and the stress of trying to figure out how to pay the bills and maintain a business while also supporting two teens with mental health challenges and anxiety disorder. Mindfulness for me is about self care and maintaining good mental and physical health routines. Because I am loving challenges this year, I am sharing this 30-day mindfulness challenge. Join me this month, Heart Health Awareness Month to take charge of your mental and physical health. This year I promise to take a few moments every day to stop, inhale, pause and change my thinking so that I am mindful. I’ll change my inner dialogue daily. I’ve already started. I stopped and practiced mindfulness. Last year I succeeded in adding gratitude to my daily, well sometimes weekly practice and routine. When I wake up, I set intentions and I strive to show gratitude in some way. Oddly, a trip to The Hive in Durham in February 2020 helped me to solidify that as part of my day. Quite simply, I now tell myself: I am here right now, alive. My family loves and supports me. I have a wonderful husband and I love what I do. And, when it comes to gratitude I wake up and remind myself another day is a gift, and the smallest of things that we take for granted are worth celebrating. Download my Mindfulness Challenge Here – > If you liked this one, then you might consider checking this 30-day health and wellness challenge out too. And finally, the 30-day decluttering challenge!

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30 Day Health and Wellness Challenge and Printable

Paula — Wed, 23 Dec 2020 19:29:40 +0000

Well here we go again! Lockdown threatens to disrupt any progress on my fitness routine. But hopefully not for long. That’s why I am sharing this 30-day health and wellness challenge. Make a Commitment to Health & Wellness I have done my best to maintain a health and wellness schedule for years now. It’s part of my life and I need that as a parent and as someone who has chronic pain and Crohn’s disease. Working out to maintain health and wellness is not an option for me. So, from the start of the pandemic to today, I have been seizing all of the opportunities to get fit. Getting and Staying Fit in a Pandemic We have been walking almost every day in all sorts of weather. The kids, in between lockdowns, have been doing martial arts. I have been going to the YMCA again several times a week because I need that. For me, working out and staying fit is not an option. While I am constantly trying to convey that to my kids and my family, it’s not always easy. For us, mental health is inextricably tied to physical health. But for teens it often takes a whole lot of convincing and cajoling. There’s always room for improvement. Everyone Loves a Challenge This time of year everyone loves a challenge and during the new year so many of us are typically all about getting back to the gym. But, wait, there’s a lockdown, so how on earth can you stay fit even when everything is closed and the gyms are not open? Well, walking isn’t ruled out and neither are the virtual workouts that you did during the first lockdown. The first lockdown. Can you imagine that we even are saying these words? Anyways, this 30 day fitness, health and wellness challenge can work well especially right now because you don’t need a lot of tools or extras. Heck you don’t even need a gym to do this exercise in. This 30-day health and wellness challenge probably works best if you launch it at the start of a month. But, if you aren’t quite as literal as I am at times then start any old time. I am ready to go now and will happily do this with anyone here. What I Love About This Challenge… Anyone anywhere can do this easily outside and at home. You don’t need much space or much time. The workouts revolve around a combination of walks, squats, meditation and even rest days. That’s right, rest days. In fact, I find I often do better at challenges and workouts when there are rest days built in on occasion. How to Get This Printable Health and Wellness Challenge This is a super simple download. Just click on the link below and print it out for future reference. Do you have any fitness plans or have you consistently been working out at home throughout the entire pandemic? Hit or miss? No worries. It’s all good. Just take care of yourself and be kind. These days, it seems increasingly hard for people to give themselves grace. This is the kind of thing that works for me, which is not to say that it will absolutely be the BEE’s Knees for you. I aim to help by occasionally sharing tools like this for you all to use and share with your families. Don’t Miss These Much Love and Stay Well! Do return and leave a comment if you use this!

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Fifty New Things From the Year I Turned Fifty

Paula — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 14:59:22 +0000

Last year was the year I turned fifty. Just saying that is both liberating and a bit scary. I come from a long line of women who didn’t EVER discuss their age. So, neither did I for most of my adult life. There was a time when I was so incredibly ill with Crohn’s Disease, an inflammatory bowel disease that is incurable, that I was very certain I wouldn’t live past 40. And then 40 came and went and 41, 42, 43 and so on and I was still here. Huh. Imagine that. A Bit of History The Internet didn’t exist when I was at my sickest ever with acute flares and constant surgeries and hospitalizations. When I wrote about Crohn’s Disease and my journey it was in a hard copy newsprint feature, unlike today when life is digital first. That personal feature ran in the Kitchener Record and I was nominated for a newspaper award and it helped drive me towards the London Free Press and the city I call home. My Forties My 40s were a decade of personal and professional success, unlike my twenties and part of my 30s when I was extremely unwell and in hospital a lot. In my 30s, we adopted our kids and started to raise a family. I still had chronic pain and some hospitalizations, but not on the same brutal level that overshadowed high school, university and most of my twenties. Truth – most years on my birthday I wake and think wow I am still here. The year I turned 50, I realized it may be time to stop anticipating that the sky might fall. I work extremely hard to be as well as possible living with Crohn’s Disease and chronic pain. And guess what? I am still here. Fifty Things From the Year I Turned Fifty In the spirit of Sandy Allen’s 50 Things Before 50 post, I am tracking 50 at 50 and challenging myself to learn new things, and try new things. Whether that’s new flavours of food, or zip lining, surfing or skydiving, I am embracing 50 New Experiences at 50. I kept this log all year long the year I turned fifty, so that I would remember all the wonderful things! Here’s what I accomplished the year I turned fifty. 50 New Things at Fifty Years Old Visit Philadelphia. This was the first trip I took right after turning 50 and Philly is such a fun filled, exciting, and educational trip to take. I went with my youngest daughter and we visited pretty much everything we could squeeze into four days of sightseeing. Philly made for a great family trip and it was ideal for her as a 14-year-old because she could keep up with all the sightseeing and walking and she truly appreciated the adventure, the history, the company and the food. We also did a Hop on and Hop Off Sightseeing Tour of Philadelphia on the last day there. First Ferris Wheel Up until I was in my mid 40s I was terrified of heights. Then we learned to ski at Mont Tremblant which was amazing and freeing. Now skiing is one of my favourite activities in winter months and the numerous times I have been up and down a chairlift has conditioned me to not be as afraid of heights as I was in my 30s. However, I had not ever been in a ferris wheel as a result of my childhood fear of heights. So, I took the chance and enjoyed my first ever ferris wheel ride at Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia with Ainsley and Mary Suazo when we visited Summerfest. Try Octopus One of my fellow travel writers ordered octopus as an appetizer during a meal in Philadelphia, so I tried it. Tastes a lot like squid to me. See Something New in Bruce County – Bruce Power Plant We just did a visit there to learn about where 30 % of Ontario’s power comes from. I’ve been visiting the Bruce Peninsula every summer for most of my life and yet I’d never ever toured the power plant. Very educational. Take an RV Trip! I have been wanting to do this forever with my family. Here’s how that went this September when we started out on an Ontario Parks travel opportunity and family trip. Our first ever RV trip was such a gift and I hope to be able to do that again. Do a New Fitness Class Tried Group Blast last August 1st. SO MUCH CARDIO and coordination. Actually I took one of the teens with me and here’s how that went. About 10 minutes into it she threw up her hands and quietly advised me she was leaving to go to the library. I stuck it out and enjoyed it and sweated more than ever. So, will I return? Maybe. Now that I know what to expect and I know I can push my body further at 50 than I did at 30. That’s got to be a silver lining. Move More Often Move more often. I made that my mission all year for the year I turned 50. I worked out more often, skied more, walked more and generally just made sure to move more frequently. Sitting is the new smoking and I am all about being well, or the best me that I can be. Axe Throwing Axe throwing – we tried this at Long Point Eco Adventures in Norfolk County in August 2018. It was a great way to cap off the end of the summer and we had a lot of fun aiming at the board. What a kick! Stay in a Safari Tent The girls and I did this at Long Point Eco Adventures. It was peaceful and kind of fun to fall asleep to the sounds of coyotes, and crickets. Plus there’s so much to do in Norfolk County. I am still hoping to stay in a yurt again and a treehouse. Those are high on my list of fun accommodations to stay in as a travel writer. Start Hiking More Done. On the Ontario Parks trip we took many hikes and I realized I love them and that being out immersed in natural surroundings is healing and energizing. Yesterday I returned from a family trip to Vermont in the summer. We did some enjoyable hikes there too at Smugglers’ Notch. Take the Chee Chee Mon ferry across the Bruce from Manitoulin Island. Also accomplished on our RV trip. Did I mention how much we loved this camping trip? Here’s a bit more about that adventure Five Parks in Five Days. Visit Wyoming Visit Wyoming – I mean why not? I embrace the chance to visit new states always. A highlight was Vee Bar Guest Ranch. Spot Moose in Their Natural Habitat Go on an adventure, or a drive, and spot moose in their natural habitat. I know that sounds like a weird one, but we have been all throughout Northern Canada and Vermont many times over and I have seen the signs that say Moose Crossing. I always think – I want to see that actually from a safe distance. And never have I ever seen them until Wyoming!! We saw a family of moose as we drove through Laramie. Stay Overnight at a Working Ranch We stayed at Vee Bar Guest Ranch and it was so relaxing. I’d return any day. In fact, this is my goal right now. Return and stay at a working ranch. It was so zen there, it’s hard to explain. Kayak with Ainsley We did a great Kayak tour with Big Creek Paddle in Norfolk County. Ainsley has always been a bit nervous about doing this but once she got in the groove I knew she’s be amazing and she was. I took photos while she paddled and so on. It was a great 4-hour morning tandem kayak trip. Hiking in Wyoming on my Longest Adventure Ever 8 K!! Many people turned back, but I kept going, because I knew I could do it. Bring it on. Even at a high altitude I pushed through and made it. I often feel like I need to compensate for my age by working harder, so that’s just what I did and whether that’s your philosophy or not I believe in trying all the things on the itinerary. Visit Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri So many firsts accomplished here!! Highly recommend and we really enjoyed our stay at Old Kinderhook. Return to New York City I did it, for IMMNYC, but that said I also need to go back and do some shopping. Stay in Hôtel de Glace, ice hotel in Quebec City and try to make it through the night. We made it through the night and I was ridiculously proud of my family for accomplishing this. Rent a Car and Just Drive in St. Louis I’m not the world’s most confident driver in new cities and on busy highways, but I can do it. We drove all over central Missouri easily. Go ice fishing Did this with my daughter Ainsley in Georgina and it was a fun change of pace even though we didn’t catch anything. Not even a bite. Get a Massage or Spa Treatment Just for Me We did this at The Briars in Georgina in the winter just before our huge road trip to Okemo, Sugarbush, Sunday River Maine and finally Quebec’s Hotel de Glace. Go Snow Shoeing I love snow shoeing. It’s such a Canadian thing to do in the winter months and it’s fun to try with family too. Try a Fishing Charter with My Daughter This past month, we went fishing in Lake of the Ozarks. Together, we caught five fish! Catch a Fish When I was a kid my Mom took us fishing a few times, but I don’t recall ever catching a fish. My brother did, but I didn’t. In Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri I caught a fish when fishing with Big Ed’s Guide Service. He was fantastic with my daughter and he helped us with casting lessons. And I caught my first fish – a bass. Get Published Somewhere New Done. I’ve started a role as content coordinator at Neighbours of Oakridge and Hunt Club. So, I have a monthly letter to residents and feature published there. This year I have also been in CBC.ca, trivago.ca and Food, Wine and Travel magazine. I am pitching other outlets right now so stay tuned. Diversify Still working hard at that. This year I have worked on my affiliate game, and my ad revenue and am collecting new clips and bylines while also trying new types of writing. I have written all of the content for two full web sites this year. Try Fried Green Tomatoes Tastier than I ever imagined. I had this for lunch in Rocheport, Missouri. So good! Get Back on a Bike Done. The minute we arrived in Missouri, we checked in and went cycling in Rocheport near the Katy Trail. Take a Helicopter Ride! I’d been dreaming about this one for months. It was so smooth and not at all what I expected. Loved every second of it and would hop back into a helicopter in a heartbeat. Together Ainsley and I did this in Lake of the Ozarks. Learn How to Golf DONE! We did our first ever golf lessons with golf pro Shane Blankenship at Old Kinderhook in Lake of the Ozarks. It is harder than it looks and a worthy challenge for me. I think I might give this a try again soon so I don’t forget what he taught us. Drive a Golf Cart I drove a golf cart with my daughter at Old Kinderhook. While I have driven in one before, I have never been the driver. So much fun! Ski Okemo Ski Okemo. I have been wanting to get to this family friendly ski resort in Vermont for years and it just worked out this March! Stellar skiing at Okemo. Okemo is a genuinely pretty ski resort area and Ludlow is quaint and cute. But be warned if you go to Okemo, Ludlow is crazy busy many nights of the week. If you want to dine at a restaurant plan ahead and you might even need to order ahead there too. As my daughter would say, 10 out of 10 would do again. Ride the Slide Brook Express Quad over to Mt. Ellen at Sugarbush Slide Brook Express Quad is the longest detachable quad lift in thew world. It took about 15 minutes and seats four relatively comfortably. In -13C weather, it is a REAL commitment, let’s just say. LOL. Ski Mount Ellen While we have skied many places and been to Sugarbush before, we had not made it to Mount Ellen, up until March. We took the Slidebrook Express over to Mt. Ellen and skied some steep and challenging terrain. It was our highest elevation yet. Visit Maine And try the food and the skiing too. We visited Sunday River ski resort in Maine and truly loved the weather, the drive from Vermont and the terrain Such a great option for Canadians. Have a Lobster Roll in Maine at Sunday River. Best lobster I have had ever. Buttery, rich and authentic. Nothing beats this. That is all. Take an Epic Road Trip Together, with my family, we took a 12-day adventure this year starting in March from London then heading to Okemo in Vermont, Sugarbush Resort again and up through New Hampshire then on over to Maine and finally up through Quebec before heading home. My favourite road trip yet and we did it happily with no glitches. Oh, to be sure we have had many great adventures before on the roads but this was our longest travel commitment yet and I hope to do something similar again before the kids leave home. Visit Vermont in the Summer Visit Vermont in the summer. We have been to Vermont many times over and love this state. But we had never made it to Vermont in the summer months. Seeing the green mountains when they are truly green is worth it. Go for a Wike This is a kind of walking educational hike and you can do these at Smugglers’ Notch. Try Mountain Biking I think that my glutes have finally recovered from mountain biking – a week after the fact. Also did this at Smugglers’ Notch last week with Ainsley and Jim. Payton doesn’t enjoy biking or cycling, so she opted out. We had no idea what to expect, but it was a great workout. Swim in a Reservoir at Smugglers’ Notch Did this at Bootlegger’s Basin. Done. Just pure fun sliding down an inflatable slide and landing in the water. Also there’s a trampoline! Ride More Water Slides Actually, I think we found most of them in Vermont and that was my goal. Riding water slides with family is just plain fun and it’s good for your outlook . Play Just take an afternoon and play. There’s something so therapeutic about playing. When you are an adult you rarely have time for that. But it’s important to connect with the child inside too and this will keep you young. Visit Ellicottville We wanted to visit Ellicottville and Holiday Valley, because we had not skied there ever and it’s not that far from home. While it was a rainy kind of winter weekend we skied it anyways and had a blast. Also we did that affordably and got some great exercise in before the snow melted. Stratford See a play in Stratford. I love the theatre and can’t wait to return. For my birthday last year my family bought me tickets to see The Music Man on stage in Stratford. It was extremely entertaining. Go Tubing at Valcartier in Quebec Everest is spectacular. Do it and don’t miss the family rafts too. Have Crêpes in Quebec again You know those scrumptious maple crêpes? If you are not familiar, then get yourself to Quebec stat!! Whale Watching Okay, so technically this one happened just before I turned fifty. Nonetheless, it was a bucket list goal and I achieved it. The trip began at WITS, Women in Travel Summit, and then we added on to that adventure by driving through part of the north coast and Tadoussac and Saguenay. I told my friends I was not leaving until I saw whales and eventually we spied so many belugas that we were able to con tin the trip. LOL. Art, Architecture and Food Tours in Quebec City Have you ever been to Quebec City? It is stunning and feels so very European. It’s rich with culture and genuinely something you should experience. The food tour we did here was fantastic and the art and architecture tour was educational. What’s Left To Do? Life doesn’t stop at FIFTY Years old. In fact, quite the opposite. I have a lot of changes and goals planned for this year and next. And frankly, I plan to keep challenging myself to do all the things I couldn’t do in my 20s. Look out, because I am on a roll. Here’s to another 50 new things at 51, and 52, and so on. These are affiliate links as a service to readers. I make a small commission if you book via qualifying links. How to Do These Specific Tours: Learn more and book the food tour via this link below – > The Quebec City Food Tour was well worth the time. Whale Watching TourPhiladelphia Sightseeing Tours Missouri Cycling Tour Have an idea for a destination I should visit? Leave a comment here or email me at inkscrblr@rogers.com

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Stay Healthy on a Cruise Ship with These 7 Tips

Paula — Tue, 06 Nov 2018 12:10:26 +0000

How do you stay healthy on a cruise ship? Staying healthy is always important, but it’s even more important while cruising. Even the cleanest cruise ship sees hundreds of thousands of passengers pass through every room on the ship over the course of a year. That’s a lot of opportunity for germs and bacteria to spread. In addition to that, you’ll find new foods, and you’ll be tempted to overextend yourself in other ways in an effort to maximize your fun. While it’s your vacation and a great time to do all the things and try all the foods, you need to remember to temper that with some common sense. Overindulging in anything means you will pay a price later. If staying healthy is important to you every other week of the year then it should also be important when cruising. You won’t have much fun if you’re stuck in your room sick. Here are a few ways we try to embrace being healthy even when cruising. Staying Healthy is Easier Than You Think You don’t have to walk around your cruise ship with a bottle of hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes on hand. In fact, avoiding germs is only part of the equation when it comes to ensuring your good health while cruising, or on any trip, for that matter. If you follow these simple practices, you’ll more than likely have a ton of fun on your cruise and you won’t regret it either. Wash Your Hands This one should be a no-brainer, but it would be a terrible list for staying healthy indeed if I didn’t add it. It is so important to wash your hands. Between excursions; crew members cleaning your room, serving your food, and making your drinks; and hanging enjoying the common areas of the ship, you’re open to all sorts of bacteria. Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently. I love our family cruises because they are affordable and there’s always a lot to do and see, but when loads of people gather in any common area there are bound to be germs. So wash your hands! That’s tip number one in order to stay healthy on a cruise ship. Actually it’s tip number one all year round when we travel anywhere! Hydrate People often forget how important hydration is for good health. The human body is made up of over 70% water. With that much of our bodies being composed of water, it only makes sense that you should hydrate yourself to ensure good health. Dehydration can lead to suppressed immune function, lethargy, crankiness, headaches, and more. Do yourself a favour and pound that water! Selectively Hydrate While we’re talking about drinking water, let’s talk about what kind of water. On the ship, the water should be safe to drink, but when you’re out on excursions, take bottled water. Any tropical climate could have pathogens in the water that your body can’t handle. This especially true if you’re cruising in Mexico or Egypt. Exercise Exercising is one of the best ways to stay healthy on a cruise ship or in general. When you exercise, it releases a cascade of hormones into your body that does everything from improving your mood to repairing your body on a cellular level. If your cruise ship has a fitness center, take advantage of it. If not, a brisk walk around the deck can do wonders, as well. Many of the cruise ships we have been on have amazing fitness centres and massive walking tracks. There’s no end to the potential for physical activity on board. Move often and make the most of it. Even on fun ships like Harmony of the Seas when you travel with a family in tow get them all involved. Racing up and down water slides for hours can be exercise enough to tire everyone out. Which brings me to my next point about sleep. Everyone sleeps better when they’ve had adequate exercise. Get Plenty of Sleep Sleep is the body’s way of repairing itself, so if you want to stay healthy on your cruise, get plenty of sleep. Better sleep matters for so many reasons in daily life and when you travel too. Ensure you get your solid 8 hours whenever possible to keep your body in tip-top shape and ready to fight off any bugs you might come into contact with. Common Sense with Food and Drink I know, I know. You’re on vacation. You’re on a cruise. It’s time to let your hair down! While that is true, be smart about it. Maybe just let your hair down a little. If you have any GI issues, stay away from what aggravates them, no matter how tasty it may look. If you drink, don’t drink to excess. It may seem like fun in the moment, but the exhaustion, dehydration, and subsequent hangover will have you wishing you’d stopped at that second mimosa. Be Honest About Symptoms This last tip concerns both you and your fellow cruisers. When you arrive for your cruise, you’ll be asked to fill out forms. One of those forms will ask you about certain symptoms you may have been experiencing the week or two prior. Be honest. You won’t necessarily get kicked off the cruise, and you’ll also ensure that you won’t get others sick. Along those same lines, if you start feeling poorly while on your cruise, report it immediately so that you can receive medical attention and the crew can handle whatever is happening. Staying Healthy Matters Even When You Travel There’s nothing worse than being on a cruise and coming down with some sort of sickness. Or even getting sick on any trip. On one of our cruises I had extremely bad eye inflammation that did not want to go away. It started as soon as we got on board and finally after two days of a really sore eye I went down to the medical centre and got treatment for it. I like to remember that one as my pink eye cruise. To make matters worse, if you get sick on vacation your family will also worry about you rather than enjoy their trip. That’s why staying healthy is so important. It makes your time on board so much richer and more memorable. So follow these tips and ensure good health on all your cruises.

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Towards Better Health 2016

Paula — Wed, 03 Feb 2016 06:42:38 +0000

Better health 2016? Is that one of your goals for this year? Better health 2016 seems to be a common goal for many people and that’s not a bad thing. In fact, I think it’s a constant and admirable thing to maintain every month and every year. Around here I am always working hard to try new activities and sports that challenge me. I think that’s a good lesson to my kids too. If MOM can learn to ski, or try ZUMBA, or cycling, or whatever new sport, then so can they. Five Ways to Help Build Better Health Just a few small things can help make a big impact over the course of a year. And the good news is that if you do these things often enough they will become regular behaviour. Repetition helps change behaviour, so stick to it! Take the Stairs instead of the elevator. This is such a simple way to build more steps into your day. My kids know this one by now – I rarely take elevators. They groan every time we reach an elevator because I walk past and they follow most of the time. Unless you have good reason to need to use the elevator, then you should be taking the stairs. Okay maybe not realistic if you work on the 38th floor of your building but where possible in smaller buildings, take the stairs. Don’t drive if you can walk. It’s better for the environment and for your health. No excuses here. Walking is better for your body. Use a pedometer, Fitbit, or smartphone fitness app that counts your steps and calories burned so you can measure your results. Take your vitamins: Taking your daily vitamins helps ensure you get the nutrients you need to maintain a healthy active lifestyle. However, men and women have varying nutritional needs so multivitamins such asVitafusion™ Men’s & Women’s Complete Multivitamins offer a personalized option to help you feel great and support optimal health. Remember to have fun and laugh: Laughter really is the best medicine. Research shows that humour and laughter strengthens your immune system, boosts your energy, diminishes pain and protects you from the damaging effects of stress. This is also a reminder to myself not to take things so seriously. Take Care of the Skin You’re In: Use sunscreen regularly throughout the year. I reach for moisturizers often because I have dry skin. BUT I always look for ones with built in SPF for protection every day against the sun’s harmful rays (UVA & UVB). And yes, even wear it on days when it’s overcast. If you liked this post you might also enjoy: Small Sacrifices can make a Big Impact. I am a Church and Dwight ambassador and as such I receive compensation and other perks. My opinion is all my own. What do you plan to do to maintain good health this year?

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My Fitness and Wellness Journey Update

Paula — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 01:10:00 +0000

My Fitness and Wellness Journey Update is as much a progress check for me as it is for my readers too. So stick with me and I promise we can do this together. Okay? Here we are three weeks into my newly revamped fitness routine for 2014 and I thought it was time for an update. A progress check. My Fitness and Wellness Journey After 35!! First a bit of background. I have been working hard on getting fit since Ainsley was very small. I have always been sports averse. As in, I was the kid in grade school who hated gym. It brought down my average in high school and since I was a keener I petitioned someone to allow me to drop it from my courses. I was never naturally gifted at athletic things and to be very honest I did not care. (I was always good at petitioning people. LOL.) As a kid I knocked the wind out of myself doing backwards somersaults a couple of times. As a youth I nearly drowned at a wave pool. See what I mean? Not good at sports. Parenting in my mid 30s Then I grew up and become a parent. Nothing changed my mind faster about getting fit. Although even that realization that I needed to be fit for my kids wasn’t instant. My first baby girl was easy going and a total joy. The adoption experience was magnificent and really a positive for us. How could we not want to repeat that experience? Then Ainsley came. Also a wonderful experience, but something was different? Ainsley herself was the polar opposite of the easygoing first baby we adopted. She was the most active baby rolling fast and clear across the room to get her sister’s toys. She was intense, energetic and exhausting and she slept poorly from 18 months on and was just very challenging. Yoga So I took up yoga to help get fit and to bring a sense of calm to my life. It also helped that I got 1-2 hours a week as a break from my kids. The kids grew and they became more active – not less. So I started to increase my commitment to fitness and I went to the YMCA while they did their swimming lessons and I hopped on a treadmill, or tried to use some of the easier machines. I did my own cardio and I stuck with yoga, added pilates and whatever other classes I felt like trying. I grew stronger and a bit better able to manage stress when it came my way. First Ever Appointment with a Fitness Coach But this year I decided I wanted more. I have been doing classes for a long time, but I never actually took time to learn how to do machines properly. Well, guess what? I set up an appointment with a wellness coach and I learned. We developed a new fitness routine involving weights the first week of January. In fact I am well over 40 now and more committed to fitness than ever so it was time to level up. Shoulders Now here I am three weeks later. The routine is going well. That first day when my coach pushed me to do 3 reps of 12 on the arm curl and the shoulder press I thought my chest might explode. These are areas I have targeted that I want to build this year. I need to sculpt my arms and strengthen core. My shoulders are problematic because I work at a computer and they get stiff. Shoulders UGH – I know my shoulder rotation needs work and will never be as good as some people’s shoulder strength or rotation. Metabolism I have a goal of staying on top of my metabolism this year also. It’s true that metabolism changes when you hit forty. Last week I went back and did a check up with my wellness coach and he told me this: “You are here consistently and that’s already better than 75 % of the population.” WOW! I squeeze in an hour on machines as often as I am able. During my workouts, I am motivated and present and I feel better about my fitness and wellness journey ever single time I get to the gym and then when I am done as well. In fact, I was warned though to take a day off in between to let your muscles recover and I am doing that most weeks. My arms feel better already. The machines don’t seem as hard as they did that first day. I look forward to heading upstairs to do my weight machines and have a bit of quiet workout time. It’s completely different than the group classes. Hate the inverted ab machine, even still, but I can feel results and that’s the thing that helps keep me going. Next up – nutrition. Tomorrow I am hopping onto a webinar from Vega (I am one of their bloggers this year again.) It sounds strange but I feel more upper body strength already. Also I feel tighter. For the time being I will assume that’s because I am working hard and my muscles are getting a bit more defined every day. I am hoping this motivation continues and results follow by the summer if not sooner. What keeps you motivated to get fit?

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