It was an ordinary day. Reading about five habits that can go a long way toward helping you live longer, stronger and happier.... Thought you might enjoy living a bit longer so here is a bit more help to get you there...
#1 - Volunteer once a month! Soup kitchens and other community organizations need your help beyond the holidays, so make a goal of volunteering regularly thoughtout the year. "The time between October and December is what is called the Super Bowl of volunteerism, but people are hungry all year long," says Rosie Drumgoole, CEO of Chicago Cares, an organization that helps people find service opportunities. The positive gains of volunteering flow in both directions. "The most powerful benefits come from the connections you make. You get to have conversations with lots of different people, see things from someone else's perspective, and develop a true sense of empathy." Research also shows that volunteering regularly is linked to improved self-esteem fewer depression symptoms, and better physical health. Choose an organization that matches something you're passionate about. That's what will keep you motivated and volunteering month after month. Try the POINT app. which can inspire you by giving you a list of organizations to chose from and showing nearby events. Also check out "volunteer match.com" for opportunities.
#2 - Schedule a weekly check-in with friends! Seeing your friends can feel like a luxury- something to do if you have free time.....but, it should be more of a priority, both for the richness of your life and your health. Having strong friendships is linked to a reduced risk for many chronic diseases, less anxiety and depression, and even a lower risk of dying prematurely. It's no wonder the U.S. Surgeon General recently issued an advisory saying that social connection is essential to good health. Janice McCabe, PhD, associate professor of sociology at Dartmouth College, says, "Being in connection with people has a real, positive impact on our mental and physical health, helping to release feel-good hormones that increase a sense of well-being." So this year, purposefully set a goal for your friendships: Add connecting one-on-one with a friend at least once a week. "I write it in my planner," McCabe says. "Sometimes it's a conversation; sometimes it's a walk, or coffee, or something more involved. It's a way for me to give friendships a little more intention.
#3 - Limit social media to 30 minutes a day! Nonstop scrolling can actually harm your well-being. Research shows that spending too much time on social media platforms can lead to symptoms of depression and anxiety. "Social media often presents an idealized version of someone's life, and when we start to compare ourselves, that's when our self-esteem can take a hit," says Ella Faulhaber, PhD, a researcher with Iowa State University focusing on social media and health. Although this might tempt you to delete the apps from your phone, you don't need to have an either-or approach. Try limiting your time on social media to around half an hour a day; that's just enough to see what pics your college roommate posted or to check out the family and neighborhood goings-on. For a nudge in cutting back on checking, turn off notifications and raise your awareness of how much time you're on social media (most phones have built-in trackers). "I recommend what I call mindful scrolling," Faulhaber says. "Before you open the app, pause for a second and ask why you're doing it. Is it for connection? Entertainment? Information? To not be bored? Answer this first so you can choose to use social media purposefully in a positive way or break your habits and engage in another activity."
#4 - Meditate before bed, even for just a few minutes! Sleep is so crucial to your health. Getting enough (seven to nine hours a night) reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, improves immune function, and helps with cognitive decline, among many other benefits. "Sleep has an intimate connection to virtually every aspect of our waking success," says Rebecca Robbins, PhD, associate scientist at the Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders at Brigham and Women's Hospital and an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. The holy grail for good sleep is quieting our mind. That's why doing a short meditation can be so powerful. Research backs this up, with mindful meditation being linked to improved sleep quality. If you thing you're not the meditating type, rest assured there is no right way to do it. A go-to method: Sit down, close your eyes, and focus on your breath going in and out. When your mind wanders, gently return to your breathing. That's it. Try it for a few minutes between brushing your teeth and turning the light out. If you prefer to go the guided route, try an app like Headspace or Calm; both have sessions specifically made for bedtime.
#5 - Track your spending! Feeling stressed about your finances may not seem directly linked to your health, but research shows money worries can raise your risk of mental health issues like depression. It also can feel like there's no way to stop the stress- especiaslly with all the worry about inflation this year. "If you want to feel more in control of your finances, start with pinpointing how you're using your money." says Sarah Asebedo, PhD, associate professor and school director in the School of Financial Planning at Texas Tech University. This can give you some reassurance, and you can make informed decisions on where you might be able to cut back. And the act of tracking your purchases can help you pause in the monent to consider whether you really want to spend the money or not. You can track spending in many ways. The key is to find a method that works for you, whether it's a notebook, a spreadsheet, or an app like Quicken Simplifi. You can link your bank accounts and credit cards, and the app automatically syncs to show all your expenses and what category they fall into. Once you have a clearer picture of your spending, you can decide if your habits match your priorities and make changes if the answer is no. "Often, saving money can feel like you're depriving yourself, but it's actually that you're reallocating money to what's most necessary and meaningful to you."
The previous information was from an article by Alice Oglethorpe titled "thrive," feel good, look good, live well. It can be found in the Better Homes and Garden Magazine. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.
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