Top 5 Health Benefits of Maca, the Ancient Incan Superfood

Many people are now incorporating nutrient-dense foods known as “superfoods” into their diets to help boost energy, beauty, and overall health. Among the list of top superfoods is maca, a root grown in the Andes Mountains in Peru. Maca is packed with essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and phytonutrients, making this ancient Incan food a nutritional powerhouse.

Maca has been consumed for thousands of years for its energy-enhancing and mood-stabilizing capabilities. Peruvian maca root is an adaptogen, a substance that increases the body’s resistance to the damaging effects of stress and disease—a main reason why it can help fight symptoms of chronic fatigue and contribute to overall wellbeing. Traditionally, maca has also been used to regulate, support, and balance hormonal systems for both men and women, and much more!

So, how else can this superfood help you achieve ultimate wellness? Here’s a list of the top 5 health benefits of maca: 

1. Energy: Within just a few minutes of consuming maca, people have reported to feel their mood and energy levels lift almost instantly. Try adding a teaspoon of maca to your smoothie to increase energy, stamina, and endurance.
2. Mood balance: Maca may help to alleviate the symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression by balancing hormones with its unique set of nutrients that fuel the endocrine system.
3. Sexual health: Known as a libido booster, maca is widely used to promote sexual function for both men and women as well as improve fertility and stamina.
4. Women’s health: Maca has been used for generations to help relieve menstrual issues such as cramps, hot flashes, and mood swings. If you’re pregnant or nursing, it’s recommended to avoid consuming maca.
5. Healthy skin: Maca root helps to nourish the skin and improve collagen synthesis resulting in firmer, softer, more radiant skin.

Most people consume maca in a powdered form by adding it to smoothies, yogurt, drinks, salads and more. It is said to taste similar to roasted chickory, which can taste a bit like coffee. If this taste is displeasing to you, then you can experience the benefits by taking maca tablets.

Do you consume maca? How does it make you feel?

How To Set Health Goals & Stick To Them

Setting health goals, and more importantly sticking to them, can be hard. Many people set lofty objectives for themselves and run out of steam before they can achieve them. 

There are several elements that go into achieving goals. The kind of goals you set for yourself, the timeline, and the method you use to reach them are really big contributors to your ultimate success.

The same guidelines apply for everything from health and wellness like weight loss to business building goals and a successful family life.  Next time you want to set a health goal that you can actually achieve, follow these simple steps:

1.    Be specific
When you set a health goal, choosing something specific is going to make it much easier for you to reach the end results that you want. Instead of saying, “I want to start running,” say, “I want to train for a 10K.” Defining the goal will give you something much more concrete to work towards. Just think how great you'll feel after you run a 10K race instead of running a few times and then giving up.

2.    Be reasonable
If you want to incorporate your goal into your schedule, choose one that fits seamlessly into your life. For example, if you are a mother of three with a full time job, it might not be a good idea to start training for a marathon if you don't have the hours required for training. Instead, choosing a 5K will get you running and feeling great without the major commitment of time that you don't have.
3.    Set action steps
Goals are much easier to reach when you have small victories along the way. If you are following a training plan, it’s easy to schedule in action steps by adding on mileage or exercises each week. If your goal is to start sleeping better, having action steps like disconnecting from technology an hour before bed or going to bed a few minutes earlier each night could help.
4.    Remember your goal
Set daily reminders for yourself to remember your goal. This will remind you why you are working so hard and encourage you to keep going until the goal is met. You could start each day by saying the goal out loud to yourself in the mirror, or set a daily reminder on your phone. Figure out the best way for you to reflect on your goal and do it daily.
5.    Celebrate!
Once you reach your goal, you should feel very proud! Take the time to acknowledge your hard work and give yourself the appreciation that you deserve. 

Do you have any tips for sticking to a health-related goal?

5 Yoga Poses I Use to Start My Day

I have a long family history of joint disease, arthritis and inflammation. So every morning when I get out of bed I take a minute to stretch my body, get the blood flowing and remind my muscles that I'm in charge!

Here are the 5 Yoga poses that I do every morning to get my body moving! Remember to take full deep breaths, filling your entire diaphragm and abdomen, then slowly push the air out of your lungs, tucking your belly button toward your spine.  Allow your body to stretch and elongate. Remember, stretching should NEVER by painful.  And now the legal suits want me to remind you to "consult a physician or healthcare provider before starting any type of physical activity." :)

1. Standing Back Bend and Side Stretches

2. Forward Fold

3. Tree Pose

4. Cat-Cow

5. Down Dog

How to Let Loose and Be Bad for a Change

Amid all the arrangements, obligations, and pressures for perfection this holiday season, do you ever find yourself fantasizing about a blissful escape from responsibility? Wouldn’t it be nice to skip the shopping and treat yourself to a massage instead? Go ahead, be naughty – we won’t tell!

If you’re someone who’s been good to yourself and others all year, then why not indulge in a little fun before your usual composed self takes over again in the New Year? Primary food doesn’t only include positive relationships, spiritual practice, and a fulfilling career; it also means letting go of the constraints of life and being free to make decisions that enliven your spirit.

Here are a few ways to break your usual hectic holiday rhythms:

Buy yourself a present. Trying to resist the temptation to get a little something for yourself while you’re out and about shopping for loved ones? Don’t! You totally deserve it.

Skip the fitness routine.  Would it mean the end of your beautiful figure to ditch the gym once in a while and pamper yourself with a hot bath and a good book instead? Absolutely not! Relaxation is just as important for your health as fitness, and besides, even small amounts of exercise provide immense health benefits. Just take a walk around the block later and call it a day.

Say no to something. If you’re prone to putting the needs of others ahead of your own, then it might be time to exercise a little self-assertion and just say no to something that you don’t really want to do. No one will judge you; they’ll understand.

Do something unexpected. Honored traditions, family values, and conventional ways of doing things certainly have their place in the world, but why not shake things up a bit? Set up a juice bar for your guests instead of serving alcohol, create a totally different menu than you normally serve, or pull a gentle prank on your family. The possibilities are endless for how you can surprise your loved ones this year.

Get away from it all. If another year of listening to Great Aunt Hilda’s story about the time the airline lost her luggage has you dreading the usual holiday fare, it’s not too late to skip the drama and unwind by taking a trip somewhere exotic. Maybe you’ll have an adventure of your own to share around the holiday meal next year!

How are you going to let loose this holiday season?

5 Simple Ways to Focus on Your Relationships this Holiday Season

Healthy relationships are one of the key primary foods in life. It’s vital to look beyond nourishing our physical body, and focus on that which nourishes our heart and soul. From friendships and marriages to siblings and co-workers, our relationships cultivate a community of companionship and support.

Healthy relationships have the ability to boost longevity, fight depression, and ultimately create an abundant life full of happiness. The health benefits of nourishing relationships are clear: research shows that happily married couples live longer and are less likely to have heart attacks; close friendships are proven to help cancer recovery; people who own pets are less likely to have stress-related diseases. 

As we near the final month of 2012, slow down and make some time to share the joy of the season with your loved ones.

Communicate – Whether in person, through an email, over Skype, or a good old-fashioned phone call, reach out to the people you love, even if it’s just to tell them, “I love you!” A little communication goes a long way in nurturing relationships.

Give a gift – ‘Tis the season for giving, and it’s fun to get personal and creative. Give a family member or friend the night off by offering to babysit her kids, or make a batch of seasonalhealthy treats to share with co-workers.

Dine together – Meet at your favorite local restaurant, or invite friends and family over for a homemade meal. To keep preparations stress-free, suggest a potluck dinner and everyone can contribute a dish.

Plan an activity – Visit a museum, meet for a walk, or decorate for the holidays together. If you’re feeling really festive, plan an ornament exchange or a holiday cookie swap with a group of friends.

Practice self-love –Don’t forget about the most important relationship – the one with yourself! Taking care of your own needs, including a spiritual practice and regular exercise, allows you the freedom to love others to the best of your ability.

What’s your favorite way to focus on the people in your life?

7 Ways to Stay Cheerful During the Winter Months

A couple weeks ago marked the end of the 2012 Daylight Saving season, and many of us set our clocks back one hour. With colder temperatures and fewer hours of sunlight each day, the transition from autumn to winter can weigh us down physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Seasonal Affection Disorder (SAD) is extremely common during the long and dark winter months, leaving many people feeling sluggish, irritable, and blue. However, being prepared for the transition, and focusing on the balance of primary food in our lives, allows us to maintain a positive worldview and fully enjoy the excitement and energy of the holiday season.

Here are seven easy ways you can stay cheerful during the winter months:

Take it outdoors – Make it a priority to bundle up and get outside for a short walk during the daylight hours – even if it’s chilly! The fresh air and dose of Vitamin D from the sunshine will keep you happy and healthy.

Get regular exercise – You might be inclined to hibernate under warm blankets as the temperatures drop, but that won’t do anything for your mood. Working out releases endorphins in your brain that make you feel happy, and a regular exercise routine will do wonders for your energy levels.

Keep it social – Friendships provide the support we need to live fulfilling, balanced lives. Sharing stories and laughing with friends can lift our spirits and give us a fresh perspective. Make plans to meet for a visit, or schedule a phone call to keep in touch.

Journal for gratitude – Take time in the morning or evening to make a list of things you are grateful for. Studies show that cultivating happiness helps combat depression. When you focus on the positive things in your life, there’s no room for the negative!

Wear your chef’s hat – Prepare nourishing meals at home to create a sense of warmth and inner peace. Incorporate a variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables into your meals to boost your mood, and experiment with new recipes or comforting family favorites.

Embrace the season – Rather than spending your time and energy complaining about the weather, or longing for a different time of year, find beauty in the present moment. Boost your health through a spiritual practice, catch up on your reading, or bundle up in your favorite sweater and have a cup of hot cocoa, cider, or tea.

Buy a full spectrum lamp – If you find yourself feeling really blue during the winter months, talk to your doctor about investing in a light box that mimics the spectrum of the sun. Light therapy can be a very effective treatment for SAD!

What are some ways you stay cheerful during the winter months?

Tips to Sleep Better (And Control Your Weight Too!)

It’s no news that sleep is crucial to your physical and mental health. Being well rested not only empowers you to concentrate and boosts your mood; it also strengthens your immune system and fights chronic inflammation.

Another benefit to add to the list? Maintaining a healthy weight. According to new research, being sleep deprived can cause you to eat 300 extra calories a day.

It all has to do with the delicate balance of hormones in the body. Men and women who slept less than four hours a night several nights in a row experienced hormone disruption in ways that dramatically affected their metabolism and appetites. Sleep-deprived men had more ghrelin in their blood, a hormone that stimulates hunger, and tired women had less GLP-1, a hormone that suppresses hunger.

The impacts were significant: the participants ate 300 calories more when sleep deprived than they did after a full night’s rest. It’s unclear exactly how these biological mechanisms work, but it seems that our bodies are designed to crave food differently when we’re exhausted.

So how can you make sure you’re getting the 7-9 recommended hours of sleep every night?

Unplug a few hours before bedtime
The glow from your computer, iPhone, or even TV can stop your body from producing melatonin, the hormone that makes you sleepy. Unplug and unwind with a book or music instead, and make sure your bedroom is totally dark once the lights are off.

Get exercise – but not too late
Staying physically active is not only essential for your health; it also ensures that you’re ready for a good night’s rest at the end of the day. But some people find that exercising too close to bedtime can leave them feeling jazzed up and unable to nod off, so try to exercise earlier in the day if possible.

Create a comfy, peaceful space to sleep
Make your bed a place you can’t wait to crawl into every night. Invest in a high-quality mattress if possible, experiment with pillows, use soft sheets, and make sure you’re not too hot or cold. Be sure to never work, talk on the phone, or watch TV in bed, so your mind associates bed with rest and relaxation.

Ease up on the water
Staying well hydrated is important, but frequent bathroom trips throughout the night can be very disruptive to your sleep. Joshua Rosenthal, IIN Founder and Primary Teacher, recommends drinking lots of water in the morning and early afternoon, and easing up by evening-time so that one can sleep uninterrupted.

Living a Life of Simplicity

As humans, we are naturally complex. Evolution, technology, and communication have all contributed to a way of thinking that is intricate, enthralling, and remarkably complicated.  So is it any wonder that slowing down and keeping things simple can sometimes be a challenge?

"It is always the simple that produces the marvelous." – Amelia Barr

As an idea, simplicity is not as easy as it sounds. We have to work hard at eliminating distractions and whittling down our words to convey true meaning. While having ease is something that we all want to achieve, it can seem an elusive – even archaic – concept to incorporate into the whirlwind of everyday life.

"It is far more difficult to be simple than to be complicated; far more difficult to sacrifice skill and easy execution in the proper place, than to expand both indiscriminately." – John Ruskin

With increasing reactions to modern living such as lack of fulfillment in our careers, stress-related diseases, anxiety, and divorce, a daily dose of simplicity could go a long way in helping us reconnect with the things that truly matter.

"We need to learn how to walk the middle path, to be sensitive to the natural flow of events while not throwing away our own determined idea of where we want to go." – Joshua Rosenthal

Here are 5 ways to de-complicate your life:

Do what you love.
Let your heart guide your actions and don’t waste your precious time doing things that deplete your happiness. This might require some planning, but once you liberate yourself of the burden of incongruity, life will flow much more smoothly.

Don’t try so hard.
There is a big difference between putting energy into things that are important to you, and creating unnecessary pressure for the mere attainment of the next goal. If you’re working yourself into a tizzy for reasons that don’t boil down to health, happiness, or love then stop, take a deep breath, and reevaluate.

Simplify.
Be mindful of signs that you’re over-complicating something trivial. Whether you’re a busy executive planning your next big promotion in the company or a working parent trying to balance the needs of those around you, remember to check in with yourself and consider whether your efforts could be streamlined.

Detoxify your mind.
Are you stuck in a cycle of negative thoughts? Do you spread yourself too thin in an effort to accomplish several goals simultaneously? Are you fearful of the future because of all the expectations you’ve built up in your mind? Let it go, as much as you can. Instead, focus on taking care of yourself and enjoying the company of your loved ones. Trust that the rest will fall into place.

Play.
Most people take life too seriously and make little time for good ol’ fashioned fun. Don’t live a fun-free life!  Play hookie once in a while, scrap the to-do list, and let loose!

What’s one way you can simplify your life today?

4 Essential Ways to Stop Adrenal Fatigue

You can barely drag yourself out of bed each morning, yet you have trouble going to sleep at night. Maybe you need coffee in the morning and crave sweets around 3pm for a pick me up. And you feel like you are on a treadmill, running from school to work to errands to home, never getting a break.

Sound familiar? You may be burning out your adrenals.

Adrenal fatigue is a collection of symptoms that arise when the adrenals are unable to produce enough of these stress-coping hormones. You might be suffering from adrenal fatigue if you have trouble waking up in the morning, rely on caffeine and sugar to keep you going, and generally feel unwell.

Why are adrenals important?

The adrenals help regulate stress, whether physical, emotional, or psychological. Adrenals release hormones that regulate energy production and storage, immune function and inflammatory response, heart rate, muscle tone, and other processes that enable you to cope with stress.

When your adrenals burn out, you’re more susceptible to headaches, overall weakness, colds, allergies, and respiratory infections, weight gain, lower sex drive, reduced concentration, and difficulties in relationships at work or at home. Adrenal fatigue has also been linked to autoimmune disorders, diabetes, post traumatic stress disorder, alcoholism and drug abuse.

How can you heal your adrenal functioning? Here are 4 essential ways to stop adrenal fatigue:

Loneliness

The greater my troubles, the further away God sometimes seems.  In my darkest hours, I'm afraid that God has left me all alone.  But in times like these, I ask God to teach me not to trust my feelings.  Instead I need to trust His promise that He will never leave me - I need to rely on what His Word tells me is true.

Lord,
You are near, alongside me. After all, one of your names is Immanuel, God with us! Thank you that when I am hurting the most, you understand and will ease my pain. Even in my loneliest moments, I find peace and comfort in your presence. Amen.

"You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I'm far away.  You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head." Psalm 139:2-5

Optimism, Not Shame, Motivates Weight Loss

What kind of motivation spurs someone to lose weight? It’s a $147 billion question – and that’s only taking into account the medical costs in the U.S. alone.

Health authorities have long struggled to find effective ways to curb the obesity epidemic, and strategies run the gamut from regulating soda size to banning chocolate milk in elementary schools.

A new study from Yale University’s Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity sheds fascinating new light on why some of these campaigns work better than others. As it turns out, eliciting positive emotions is key.

Harsh anti-obesity campaigns such as that in Georgia – whose ads, billboards, and commercials have featured the tagline “Stop sugarcoating it, Georgia” and blast messages such as “Warning: It’s hard to be a little girl if you’re not” – have taken a stern stance to underscore the severity of the issue.

Yet researchers have found that these messages only elicit shame, an unhelpful emotion that does little to motivate positive behavior change. In fact, stigmatization only reinforces the problem: emotions such as shame, humiliation, and stress often fuel overeating.

Public campaigns can only be successful if they “fit with our sense of ourselves,” says UCLA psychologist Matthew D. Lieberman, who studies the neuroscience of persuasion.  Negative thoughts won’t recruit the neural systems that convert a message into action.

So what kinds of messages are the most effective? Those that emphasize personal empowerment and don’t mention obesity at all. 85% of the participants in the study said they were motivated to make changes by the slogan, “Eat well. Move more. Live longer.”  People also responded well to messages that suggested specific healthy living tips such as, “Eat a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables every day.”

Perhaps this isn’t surprising news. Researchers have found that people who commit to a regular exercise routine don’t do it to lose weight, avoid heart disease, or prevent osteoporosis – they do it simply because they enjoy it.

In short: negativity is defeating, optimism is empowering … and the latter is key to making healthy lifestyle changes in the long run.

5 Fall Cleanse Foods

As summer transitions into fall, the farmers markets reveal the bounty of the autumn harvest. This segue into colder months is a great opportunity to shift the way you eat. Turning your focus to cleansing seasonal foods can increase your energy, improve your digestion, and prepare your body for winter’s approach.

A cleanse can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, and it doesn’t require any fasting. You can just simplify your plate by incorporating more seasonal produce – like these 5 fall staples:

Apples: This antioxidant-rich fruit helps reduce inflammation and is linked to heart and lung health. Pick up some crisp green apples for a healthy on-the-go snack, or chop up and simmer with cinnamon for a healthy treat.

Brussels sprouts: High in fiber and vitamin C, this cruciferous vegetable can help lower cholesterol levels, and contain phytonutrients associated with cancer prevention. You can roast or sauté sprouts for a delicious side dish. Try this recipe for Sauteed Brussel Sprouts with Bacon & Onion.

Onions: This round vegetable provides anti-inflammatory benefits and protects cells from oxidative stress. It can help lower the risk of colorectal, laryngeal, and ovarian cancers. Add raw onion to salads or cook chopped onion in soups, stews, and stir fried dishes.

Sweet potatoes: Despite their sweet flavor, these tubers help balance blood sugar. They are also a good source of beta-carotene and vitamins B6, C, and D. Try them baked or in soups and stews.

Winter Squash: These gourds are rich with fiber, which is good for digestion and heart health. They also contain cell-protective antioxidants, including beta-carotene and vitamin C. Bake or steam squash and season with digestive spices for a healthy main or side dish.

What fall produce are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comments.

The Secret to Exercising Regularly - Enjoy It!

Do you hit the gym each morning to keep osteoporosis at bay? Do you hop on your bike instead of getting into your car to go to work, hoping you’ll avoid heart disease somewhere down the line?

In a recent article in the New York Times, researchers suggest that people will not commit to exercise if its benefits are distant or theoretical. “Feeling happy and less stressed is more motivating than not getting heart disease or cancer, maybe, someday in the future,” said research investigator Michelle L. Segar.

While many people choose to exercise for weight loss, studies have proven that without major changes in eating habits, an increase in physical activity is only somewhat effective. It’s also not very sustainable; people begin to abandon exercise when they don’t see immediate results. Plus, who wants to go to the gym when it feels like a form of punishment for not reaching your goals? The negativity is defeating.

So if weight loss and other health benefits are less effective in motivating people to exercise, what will get them moving? Well-being and happiness, experts suggest. “People who say they exercise for its benefits to quality of life exercise more over the course of a year than those who say they value exercise for its health benefits,” said Dr. Segar.

Making physical activity something you enjoy as a natural part of daily life, rather than something to squeeze in, is also important. This could be as simple as taking a family walk with your spouse or kids after dinner, or taking a fun hip-hop or salsa dance class with a friend. Even small amounts of exercise can enhance your well-being. Here's some suggestions:

• Listen to music while you work out that pumps you up and inspires you
• Get outside and take in the physical beauty of your surroundings
• Participate in team sports – it’s social and your team is counting on you!
• Sign up for a race – it gives you a goal to work towards and the sense of accomplishment when you achieve it is tremendous!

By choosing a form of exercise that you enjoy, you’re more likely to maintain a regular routine. Which type of workout makes you feel energized, less stressed, and downright happy? Some people prefer the treadmill while others swear by their yoga mat. You’ll never knowwhich exercise is best for you until you try it, so mix it up once in awhile. September is National Yoga Month – all the more reason to give it a shot!

UPCOMING CLASS - JULY 28th @ 10AM

Healthy Children, Healthy Appetite: Online Class
Feeding our children healthy, nutritious and tasty foods can be a juggling act. Whether it's the taste, the smell or even the color, kids are pushing away from the table and opting for full-time snacking. In this class we'll be going over proper nutrition for children, how to sneak in those veggies and get your kids interacting in the kitchen. Knowing what your children should eat is only have the battle - let's teach them how to live a life of great health!

This is an LIVE online class through LearnItLive.com.  Join us on Saturday, July 28th @ 10am from the comfort of your own home. Saturday morning pajamas are acceptable! :)  

Click HERE to get signed up!

Mike's 80 Pound Weight Loss!

    by guest writer: Michael Grajeda

All my life I have been large. They would call it large, heavy, husky and any one of a number of other names. The fact was that I was fat. My parents were raised in a generation that called for a meat and a starch and plenty of it. I was never denied anything I wanted to eat and as much as I wanted to eat it. It was not their fault they simply did not know better.

Over the years I got bigger and bigger until one day in 2011 I weighed myself and I tipped the scales at 422 pounds! How did I let it get this bad? I had always been semi active. I enjoyed sports and played football in high school and liked to work out. But my diet was horrible. I was eating out of convenience and drive-thru's were my quick fix when I was hungry. I made a decision that day to do something that would change my life.

I am no expert on weight loss, I have good days and I have not so good days. I do not let a number define me - I let my lifestyle define me. I am not bound by a ridgid diet plan but a plan that has helped me change my eating habits and encourage more excersise. To date with the help of my wife, Jessica, teaching me how to eat healthier and encouraging me to never give up I have lost 80 pounds! Slow and steady is the focus, tweaking small things in my life and seeing the rewards long term. 

Through my lifestyle changes I am not only continually improving my health, but the lives of my wife and daughter. My daughter will never be made fun of for being overweight, she will be healthy inside and out. She will escape the risk factors and destruction that obesity brings. And my time as her father will not be cut short by my weight or the diseases it would have brought. My weight no longer defines me, who I am as a person and the choices I make define me now.

How Much Vitamin D Do I Need and When?

Here is a great infographic about Vitamin D, it's uses and 

dosage recommendations by NaturalNews.com

For the larger version, click here!

How much Vitamin D do you take?

Live in Such A Way....

27 Ways to Lift Your Mood in Minutes

What makes you feel amazing? What can snap you out of a bad mood in seconds?

One of the key things we learn at Integrative Nutrition is how to fill our whole selves with what we call “Primary Food” – the relationships, activities, work, exercise, and spiritual practices that fulfill our lives and fill us up in ways that food cannot.

I am continually encouraging my clients to nourish themselves with healthy doses of Vitamin L (love) and primary food. Here's some ideas that make me feel my best:
Working it out
Physical movement is high on the list. Many of us like to hit the gym, do some kickboxing, crank up the tunes and dance in our living room (my favorite), shake it up in a high-energy Zumba class, or Zen out with yoga.

Taking it outside
Connecting with nature, working in the garden, taking a long walk in the neighborhood or on the beach, or taking the dog for a walk are some favorites.

Having more fun
Fun and laughter are good medicine for down moods. Laughing with a friend, watching a funny movie or show, flying a kite, and singing are ways I cheer myself up.

Connecting spiritually
Praying, meditating, journaling it out, writing a gratitude list, deep breathing, and reminding ourselves that this, too, shall pass, are all ways you go inside ourselves to reconnect and recharge. 

Connecting with loved ones

Surrounding ourselves with our children, family, talking with a good friend, getting hugs, and even connecting with like-minded people on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media outlets make us all feel more connected and less alone.

Nourishing with energizing food
A warm cup of tea, cooking a healthy meal, an energizing juice, or a taste of dark chocolate can lift our moods.

How do you cheer yourself up? Leave us a comment below or continue the conversation on Facebook.