Tag: healthy

Staying Connected: Fun Ways to Keep in Touch With Far Away Family and Friends

Blog / Preservation / Sound Mind

Audio for post: Staying Connected: Fun Ways to Keep in Touch With Far Away Family and Friends

In a world that’s becoming increasingly digitized, it’s much easier to stay in touch with people regardless of where they are in the world. However, it can be quite difficult to find creative ways to consistently keep in touch with those loved ones that live far away. There are so many ways to have fun and meaningful interactions with them, all from the comfort of your own home. In this blog, we’ll discuss five unique ideas that will work well for anyone who wants to keep in touch with loved ones that may be miles away.

Virtual Game Nights

One of the easiest and most popular ways to stay connected with friends and family is through game nights. In the age of technology, we have plenty of options for virtual gatherings. For example, you could use a platform like Zoom or Skype to connect with loved ones. Afterwards, make use of websites that feature tons of online board games, like Board Game Arena , Table Top Simulator, or Tabletopia. The possibilities are endless, and it’s a fun way to spend quality time with those you may be missing.

Online Book Club

This is another great way to connect with loved ones who live farther away. You can start up an online book club where all members can read the same book and discuss it together virtually. This is a great way to bond and have conversations with your loved ones over shared interests. Use websites like Goodreads, and Amazon Book Clubs to keep track of your progress and share what you’re reading with friends and family.

Virtual Movie Nights

Movie streaming websites like Netflix, MAX, and Amazon Prime now offer features that allow multiple users to stream the same title simultaneously, so you can easily watch the same movie in real-time with loved ones from afar. You can even use the chat feature on these platforms to communicate throughout the movie. This is a fun way to bond over shared interests and enjoy something together, even if you’re not in the same room.

Recommendations:

Netflix

MAX

Online Classes or Workshops

You could also consider signing up for online classes or workshops together with your loved ones. You could even organize a virtual art class where you all paint the same picture and share with each other later. Websites like Udemy have a vast library of courses available, so there’s something for everyone. You could brush up on a new skill or hobby, and have fun sharing your progress and learning with each other.

Pen Pals

Sometimes, the simple ways of connection are the best. With everything happening online, it’s easy to forget the joy of handwritten communication. Online pen pal programs, like PenPal World or InterPals, provide a great platform to meet new people. With traditional letters or even email correspondence, you could stay connected with loved ones that live far away. And who doesn’t love receiving a handwritten letter, filled with warmth and affection?

Recommendations:

Stationary Sets

Best pens

In conclusion, there’s no excuse to not be able to keep in touch with your loved ones no matter how far away they are. Video calls and texts are great, but sometimes, it’s good to add personal touch and fun to our interactions. Whether it’s enjoying a good book together or trying out a new hobby together, there are plenty of unique and fun ways you could stay engaged and connected with loved ones, wherever they are in the world. With these tips, distance can absolutely remain just a number.

This is just for fun!

Grounding with Mother Earth: 7 Surprising Benefits of Earthing

Blog / Healing / Preservation / Sound Mind / Strong Body

Our ancestors lived in harmony with nature and constantly connected with the earth. However, progress and technological advancements led us far away from our natural environment. Nowadays, we spend most of our time indoors and disconnected from the earth. But now, science proves that re-connecting with the earth holds many health benefits. This is what we call “earthing” or “grounding”. Earthing is a simple and effective way to support a healthy lifestyle, and in this blog, we will look at the top 7 benefits of grounding with Mother Earth.

Reduces Inflammation

Inflammation is the root cause of many chronic diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease. Studies show that grounding can reduce inflammation by neutralizing free radicals and increasing antioxidants in the body. Simply put, earthing is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent.

Improves Sleep Quality

Grounding lowers electrical charges in the body and synchronizes circadian rhythms, or the body’s internal clock. This means getting grounded can help you sleep better at night and wake up feeling rested and refreshed.

Enhances Mental Health

Stress and anxiety are rampant in modern society. Grounding reduces stress in the body by lowering cortisol levels and increasing serotonin, the “feel-good” hormone in the brain. Earthing has also been shown to help with depression and PTSD symptoms.

Boosts Immune System

Grounding can actively boost your immune system by increasing the production of white blood cells, which are responsible for fighting infections and diseases. When you are grounded, your body has more energy available to fight against infections.

Relieves Pain and Inflammation

As we mentioned earlier, grounding has an anti-inflammatory effect on the body. Thus, grounding has been found to be effective in relieving pain and inflammation associated with arthritis, menstrual pain, and other chronic conditions.

Regulates Blood Sugar Levels

Earthing balances the nervous system and helps to regulate the blood sugar levels. It also provides a calming effect on the body, which lowers the stress hormones that can contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes.

Balances Hormones and Improves Fertility

Grounding has been known to balance hormones and improve fertility in women. The stress-reducing effect of grounding can help regulate menstrual cycles and improve reproductive function.

In conclusion, earthing or grounding is a simple and effective way to enhance your overall health and wellbeing. From reducing inflammation to improving sleep quality, grounding with Mother Earth can help you feel better both physically and mentally. So, take some time to step outside and connect with the earth today. Your body will thank you for it!

Here is a great way to ground with Mother Earth and meditate, Meditation for beginners.

Check out our Twitter page

The Power of Music on Mood and Health

Healing / Sound Mind / Strong Body / Therapeutic

Have you ever had a bad day where all you wanted to do was retreat into your room and blast your favorite tunes? Or maybe you’ve struggled with anxiety and found peace in listening to soft melodies. Music has a way of tapping into our emotions and influencing our mood. But did you know that it can also have a significant impact on our health? Today, we’re exploring the power of music on mood and health.

Music on Mood

Firstly, let’s talk about the impact of music on our mood. It’s no secret that music can instantly change how we feel – whether it’s pumping us up for a workout or soothing us to sleep. As we listen to music, our brains release chemicals such as dopamine and oxytocin which elevate our mood and reduce stress. A study from McGill University found that listening to upbeat music can even help to decrease pain levels. So, next time you’re feeling down, try turning on some joyful tunes to boost your mood.

Music on Health

Secondly, music can have an impact on our physical health. Research has shown that music can help to lower blood pressure and heart rate, reduce anxiety, and stress, and improve sleep quality. In fact, a study in the Journal of Advanced Nursing showed that listening to calming music can reduce the need for pain medication after surgery. It’s amazing to think that something as simple as listening to music can have such a profound impact on our physical well-being.

Music on Mental Health

Thirdly, music therapy is a powerful tool that can be used to improve mental health. This type of therapy involves using music to promote emotional health, cognitive functioning, and social skills. It’s been shown to be effective in treating conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Music therapy can be tailored to an individual’s specific needs, and can include listening to music, creating music, or working with a trained music therapist. It’s an effective and non-invasive way to support mental health and well-being.

Music on Community

Fourthly, music can bring people together and build a sense of community. Whether it’s through attending concerts or singing in a choir, music has a way of connecting us to one another. It can uplift our spirits and bring a sense of joy and belonging. In fact, a study from the University of Oxford found that engaging in group singing boosted participants’ mental health and feelings of social support compared to those who didn’t.

Music on Creativity

Lastly, music can inspire creativity and boost productivity. Have you ever noticed how listening to music while working can help you to focus and increase your productivity? This is because music activates different areas of the brain, including the prefrontal cortex which is responsible for decision making and goal setting. It can also help to block out distracting noises and improve our mood, which in turn helps us to get more done.

Conclusion

Music has the power to move us emotionally, physically, and mentally. Whether it’s lifting our mood or reducing stress, music can have a positive impact on our health and well-being. So next time you’re feeling down or struggling to concentrate, try turning on some tunes and let the music work its magic. You might be surprised at how much it can help!

Walk Yourself Into Shape

Healing / Maintenance / Strong Body

How much walking does it take to see health benefits? Studies suggest 150 minute per week to drop your chances of death and heart disease by 20%.

Working out regularly can extend your life, ward off heart disease and various cancers, rebuild the muscle and bone strength lost with age, and reduce levels of anxiety and depression.

Perhaps best of all, you can start to get all those benefits just by deciding to regularly go for a walk.

 

Read all about it here.

Gut Health for Under $20? Sign Me Up!

Healing / Maintenance / Strong Body

Ran across this little gem in my RSS feed this morning. Here is the skinny.

  1. Green leafy veggies (kale, spinach, etc.) for a prebiotic boost.
  2. Cruciferous veggies (broccoli, cabbage and whatnot) feed the good bacteria in your gut.
  3.  Sweet potatoes, more prebiotics.
  4. Coconut milk, increases intestinal permeability.
  5. Berries, improves gut microbiome and adds fiber.
  6. Flax seeds for fiber, Omega-3, and it aids digestion. Chia is a good substitute.
  7. Walnuts, fiber packed they actual alter gut microbial community. In a good way.

Read all about it here.

Back to Top