With success comes constant movement.  This "go, go, go" mentality because things need to get done.  You have a to-do list on your cell phone, bedside table and calendar.  A continuous list of things that need to get done.  You start multitasking, your days seem longer and well, life just drags. Your quest to success can become full of anxiety.  This can then become frustrating but you know giving up is not an option.  You just need to work around it.  Here are a few suggestions on how to help you get through the day.

• Smile! Add positive vibes to your day with kind gestures and positive thoughts.
• Plan your schedule in advance and add break times to your day.  Sitting in a quiet place for 10 minutes does wonders.
• Set goals and a timeline for completion. 
  
• STOP EATING AT YOUR DESK! Sit somewhere were you can savor your meal.
• Minimize multitasking.  I know its difficult to reprogram yourself to do one thing at a time but your brain will thank you.  
• Daily "Me time"! Yes, you can! This could be going to the gym, meditation, sitting outside, jamming to your favorite song or going for a walk.
• Breathe! Your doing a great job.

Your body needs to recharge and you need to make time for it.  You deserve it, amigo!


-Dai

Wondering what happen to the excitement you felt this summer. You're not alone!  One in five Americans are impacted by seasonal change and winter blues. Symptoms include reduced energy, difficulty rising in the morning, greater need for sleep and a tendency to eat more, especially sweets and starches.

​If you are looking for natural ways to make improvements, try the following remedies:

• Try to get as much natural light as possible. Light changes the amount of melatonin in your nervous system and boosts serotonin in your brain. One theory is that less sunlight during fall and winter leads to the brain making less serotonin, a chemical linked to brain pathways that regulate mood, appetite, sleep, memory and learning.
• Eat a well-balanced diet. This will help you have more energy. Foods like lean proteins, whole grains, fresh fruits, vegetables, and fish, will short-circuit the craving of starchy and sweet foods.
• Integrate massage therapy into your health routine. Massage increases serotonin values leading to better sleep and more energy, improves mood, concentration, decreases anxiety, and resets circadian rhythms, or the body clock.
  
• Exercise for 30 minutes a day. When you exercise, your body releases chemicals called endorphins. Endorphins also trigger a positive feeling in the body, similar to that of morphine. It will help ward off anxiety and feelings of depression, reduce stress and improve sleep.
• Practice meditation. Meditation helps you center yourself into the present moment.  It has been shown to be a powerful treatment for relieving both stress and mild-to-moderate depression. 
  

By applying these few tips you can make a great impact to your mood. If these options do not help, its time to talk to your doctor.

References:
webmd.com and amtamassage.org

Planting a seed for a new beginning doesn't seem to be an easy task. We have sleepless nights creating lists on "how to" when in reality we just need positive thoughts. Positivity empowers you beyond any tool out there. Being a positive person is free and accessible at all times. You just need to know that today is a good day to start.  
To help you embark is this new way of being, I have compiled some of my favorite affirmations. (An affirmation is a positive declaration that something is already so.) I recite one affirmation daily and feel such strength in my words. I am empowered by these words which affect my day tremendously. 
If today is a good day to start, print this screen or connect with Dai and I'll email you the affirmations.  Once you have them, you can read them out loud, write them or use them during mediation.  What ever works for you.  Just give it a try!