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Alagna Valsesia, Piedmont, Italy
I recently spent a week skiing in Montorosa, a vast ski area consisting of three valleys in the Italian Alps. While we had no new snow for the 5 days of skiing, we were blessed with warm temperatures and bluebird skies. There is nothing like breathing crisp clean alpine air and skiing along side one beautiful vista after another to rejuvenate the soul and invigorate the body!
Me, sipping a lovely glass of white wine for about 3 Euros! Gressoney-la-Trinité, Aosta Valley, Italy
I spent my week taking it all in — skiing till my muscles ached, eating pasta in every shape and form and tasting as many Italian wines as was possible — when my ski day came to an end, of course!
I came home with a healthy looking tan, a resolution to start a diet and some new ideas for t-shirt designs to add to my store, Life is Balance. You can see the new ski designs here.
The moral of mindfulness is to take care. Find joy in the ordinary, foster
relationships, and listen to your gut. This trifecta will open your eyes and
ears, your mind and heart to a deeper meaning of life.
From mundane to mindful
Everyday chores can
feel tedious. And although they’re often low-energy tasks, like washing dishes
and dropping kids off to sports practice, the monotony can take a toll on our
energy and mood.
However, you can
turn these chores into something enjoyable if you start paying more attention
to the task at hand.
It first starts
with slowing down. Rushing through each task will make you all the more
stressed and tired. In fact, chores like making the bed can actually engrain
more discipline into your daily regimine and kick start your day with a boost
of productivity.
Additionally, the
next time you clean the dishes, focus the texture of each dish, the temperature
of the water, and the smell of the dish soap. If an appliance isn’t working
correctly, take the time to address the problem. Completing home projects on your own can plant a seed of
confidence and enhance your sense of pride.
Or tomorrow, when
you’re waiting in line to pick up your children from school, turn up the radio
and roll down your window, even if it’s a bit chilly. Put your car in park and
take a look around. Notice the new recess equipment and say hello to another
parent you don’t usually talk to.
Make connections
In our busy lives,
it can be a challenge to make time for quality time with loved ones. You can practice
mindfulness through active listening. Listening cultivates focus,
intention, and awareness.
Avoid getting
distracted by the future or the past while communicating and simply work on
just “being” with the other person. If you’re enjoying conversation in-person,
put your phone down and turn off the television. Make eye contact, practice
patience by resisting the urge to cut them off mid-sentence, and respond with
thoughtful reactions and questions.
Be alone
And as there’s a time for togetherness,
there’s also time to be alone. Take today to listen to your mind and body. Tune
into how you’re feeling. If you’re body is aching or if you feel fatigue,
indulge in an afternoon nap.
If you’re stressed, make a to-do list and put it aside
for a moment. Leave the stress on the paper while you take a short break to
reset. Physically move to another room than where you left the to-do list and
meditate for a moment or two.
This doesn’t mean you have to sit cross-legged
on a floor pouf and omm your way
through the next hour. Meditation can be whatever you want it to be. That could
be merely closing your eyes for a few minutes and taking a deep breath. Or it
could mean gazing out the window with a cup of tea.
Whatever refreshes you will help you gather
the energy to tackle that to-do list and put your best foot forward today,
tomorrow, and forever more.
Guest Contributer: Paige A. Mitchell. Paige is a freelance writer an d reviewer.
We are all familiar with the proverb, “Home is
where the heart is.” Our home is our escape and our safe space. It is our
shelter and warmth. And while it’s easy to see where we can make our living
spaces more comfortable and beautiful for ourselves – painting the exterior,
redecorating a bathroom, installing new cabinetry – we must remember to
maintain the health of our homes, too.
Our bodies are sustained with healthy food, exercise and self-care.
Our cars are taken in regularly for oil changes and tire rotations. We make
sure our kids take their vitamins and our pets get their teeth cleaned.
However, can you remember the last time you had your home checked for asbestos?
This and other preventive measures are often
overlooked, potentially impacting the health and safety of our families.
Fortunately, it is easy to address indicators of an unhealthy home by taking a
few steps to alleviate possible risks. Here are five potential dangers that may
be present in your home and corresponding ways to fix these issues:
Dirty air ducts
Dirty ducts occur
from a build up of pollen, dust, pet dander, and other allergens. When left
untreated, the accumulated allergens are blown out through the air conditioning
or furnace, often leading to respiratory problems. They can also restrict your
heating and cooling systems, leading to increased energy costs. The National
Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) recommends having
your ductwork inspected and cleaned every three to five years.
Excessive indoor moisture
Uncontrolled humidity
levels can result in significant mold problems. Not only can this negatively
impact your respiratory system in several ways, it can also cause skin irritations. To minimize the
humidity, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) encourages checking your levels
frequently to ensure they do not go above 50%. The CDC provides a comprehensive FAQ section with
additional solutions to reduce mold exposure.
Radon
Professionals suggest
you test your house for radon at least twice a year. Radon is a naturally
occurring radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer. No houses are immune from
the risk of radon. You can easily purchase radon test kits online or in home
improvement stores. Further information can be found on the EPA website.
Plumbing leaks
Over a trillion
gallons of water are wasted annually in the US as a result of household leaks.
Whether or not your water bill has increased, it is recommended you check your
water meter every few months to make sure nothing is out of order. If you do
not know how to do so, there are countless resources online that will walk you
through the procedure. Untreated leaks can lead to mold spores that cause an
array of health problems. Additionally, continue to flush sediment from your
water heater and water softener to keep both in working condition.
Pest infestation
If you see an increase in dead bugs in your
home, or pest droppings, it is best to address the problem immediately. Not
only can pests cause electrical issues, but their presence can also potentially
cause asthma, West Nile, and hantavirus. At the first sign of infestation, go
to your local grocery or hardware store to find pest control products that will
easily solve your problem.
Remember, home maintenance is not just a
one-and-done task. Routine maintenance is key to a healthy home. This can be
burden to some homeowners who are already swamped with other to-do’s. If that’s
the case, consider enrolling in a home protection plan
that will streamline maintenance for you. In the event health hazards do exist
inside the home, these issues can be repaired or replaced by a licensed professional
while you get on with your life.
Keeping your
yourself and your family healthy is important. Precaution is the best way to
avoid costly problems resulting from poor home maintenance. Be alert, be safe,
and be vigilant. You and your home deserve it.
Guest Contributer: Paige A. Mitchell. Paige is a freelance writer and reviewer.
