Passion, Peace and Productivity, 10 celebrated Tweak Tips!

There are moments in life we all ask ourselves, “If I only had more energy, I could …?” Well, there are tiny tweaks to your daily habits can make all the change in the world, for you to fulfill your day with calm energetic flow. If you are willing to ‘change’ a degree or two your regular habits, and try something new – you just may be amazed at the results.

The following 10 Tweak Tips may just be the answer to your repeated longing for more energy, less anxiety and a newfound sense of peace throughout your day:

1. BREATHE: Yes, simple breathing, will clear toxins from your body that slow you down. Take 10 minutes upon waking, after lunch and before you sleep and deeply and very slowly breathe, simply breathe those 10 minutes, 3 times a day. It is simple without any complicated instruction – enjoy!

2. SHOWER: At the last 2 minutes of your daily shower, reduce the water temperature to 68 degrees (cool) and embrace the awakening, letting the water flow on top of your head flowing downwards across your body – enjoy the awakening!

3. PRE-SUNRISE: It has been agreed among some of the greatest minds that those of us who take a walk in the pre-sunrise hour walk through a serene and still-sleeping neighborhood can be a wonderful path to more meditative state of mind. The mild morning hours, before the mental clutter and conflicts of a busy work day intrude, can enhance your mood far more than trying to fight the late afternoon and evening crowds. So start early and empty your mind for the boost to your brain and body, and ‘breathing’ in the dew on the grass is also an added bonus 😉

4. SUNGLASSES: Speaking of the blessings that sunshine offers, there is one caution to stay aware of – eye sensitivity. It has been agreed among many experts that those who wear ‘sunglasses‘ enjoy the reduction of migraine head aches and less eye impairment and/or vision loss from the UV rays and glare that the sun can create.

5. SALUTATIONS: It has been agreed by many experts that by simply Taking Action and saying “Hello” to those you pass by in the day will bring you an inner joy and all round pleasant feelings that enlighten your mood. Take a Chance, reach out to your fellow human beings!

6. NUTS & SEEDS: A study found that post-grad students whose diets regularly met or exceeded their RDA (recommended dietary allowance) for magnesium (320 milligrams for woman, or roughly half a cup of pumpkin seeds) were less likely to be depressed than students whose diets contained the least amount of magnesium. Plus, the nuts and /orseeds pack in tryptophan, an amino acid that aids the production of serotonin, a mood-regulating neurotransmitter. So pack up a little bag of Mother Earth’s treasures and snack away!

7. PEPPERMINT: According to the study, drivers demonstrated decreased levels of anxiety, fatigue and frustration when exposed to peppermint and/or cinnamon scents. The study also revealed that drivers were more alert. Stash a bag of fresh peppermint leaves or cinnamon sticks in your car, with a handful of peppermint candies and you are set for a ride home sans the ‘road rage’, allowing yourself to arrive alive, with a smile on your face.

8. BE PRESENT: “A wandering mind is an unhappy mind,” wrote Harvard University psychologists Matthew Killingsworth and Daniel Gilbert in their study on mental presence. They found that people are happiest when their minds are in the present moment (yet another reason to meditate)—but that our minds are only in that state about half of each day. The three times we’re most likely to be “here” and happy: when exercising, in conversation and (especially) when having sex.

9. SPEAKING OF SEX: For all married couples or those with partners, remember that “Early morning sex kickstarts your day off with you both on the same page. Often, one spouse wakes up on the wrong side of the bed and is grumpy while the other is cheerful. This makes it challenging to emotionally connect. Physically (sexually) connecting puts you immediately into an emotional connection,” said Dr. Fran Walfish, child and family psychotherapist and author in Beverly Hills, Calif., to Medical Daily. For couples that have kids, Dr. Walfish suggests the morning to be the perfect time for no interruptions.

“Children are in their deepest phase of sleep in the early morning hours and will not accidentally pop in,” she said. 😉

10. LAST, BUT NOT LEAST – ALTRUISM: Yes, ‘paying it forward‘, offering a helping hand always gives the giver more than the receiver. (… as long as you do not cross your own boundaries). If a co-worker asks for help, say “Of course, I am honored you would ask me!”, as long as the assistance does not take away from you getting your own work done on time or if a senior is struggling in the street, walk over and fearlessly offer a helping hand, as long as your hands are not full of grocery bags.

Positive thinking helps with stress management and can even improve your health. Practice overcoming negative self-talk with examples provided above.

Is your glass half-empty or half-full? How you answer this age-old question about positive thinking may reflect your outlook on life, your attitude toward yourself, and whether you’re optimistic or pessimistic — and it may even affect your health.

The choice is yours!