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Category: Leisure and Interests

Published on Leave a comment on Managing Stress Proves Helpful for Headaches and Migraines; IBS and Flair-Ups with Anxiety Etc

By Janet Vargas - Independent Natural Health Researcher 30+ Years

‘Whenever I feel down, I activate the power of Choice – then I feel better.’
Allan Lowery

Hi there, I'm going to give you a few Ways you can Manage Stress Better
for the Sake of Your Health. Here are a number of Ways you can do that.
Is that OK with You? Let's go!

RELAXING MUSIC
Quietly Played like Light Instrumental and Light Orchestral with or without Birdsongs or Ocean Waves; Light Classical or Easy-Listening or Folk Music.
Hear Music-1 Music-2 Music-3 if You Like
(They are at the top of Your Screen also)

NEED FOR EXERCISE
Walking is found to be the Best Exercise for Most People - especially in Parks or Nature Settings - you can do Brisk Walking or Strolling or Japanese Walking with Brisk and Slow Walking in 5 or 1o Minute Relays; Hiking or Simple non-demanding Cycling; Visits to the Beach, River or Hills or a Small Country Drive; Swimming, Paddling or Strolling along in the Shoreline or Collecting Pebbles and Shells; Singing along to oneself or in the Shower;  Low Maintenance Gardening with Flowers or Herbs and Veggies in Containers or Raised Garden Beds.…

Published on Leave a comment on Rare Regent Honeyeaters Unexpectedly Spotted on NSW Mid North Coast

By Emma Siossian – ABC Good News

A group of birdwatchers arriving at a nature reserve on the New South Wales Mid North Coast has spotted one of the country's rarest birds before even leaving the car park.

The group had just got to Jolly Nose Mountain Bike Park in the Queens Lake Nature Reserve recently, when an eagle-eyed twitcher spotted a critically endangered regent honeyeater.

According to BirdLife Australia, there have only been five reports of the bird in the Port Macquarie area in the past decade.

Hastings Birdwatchers conservation officer Peter West was one of the few people among the group of about 20 who had seen the species before.

A Conservation-Bred Regent Honeyeater and Chick. 
(Supplied: Lachlan Hall)

"We got out of the car and the first thing someone said was, 'There's a regent honeyeater,'" Mr West said.

"To be honest I didn't believe they were telling me the truth, but it was true.

"The lady who organised the morning had a plan, which went out the window, and I don't think we got very far from the car park at all."

Mr West said they saw two regent honeyeaters in the reserve south of Port Macquarie, feeding with other types of honeyeaters in the trees.…

Published on Leave a comment on Companion Planting Made Easy: Some Perfect Pairings For A Thriving Garden

If you are a little nervous, here a few Pairings to start you off with things. Here you will find some Basic Principles of Companion Planting. Here’s how combining plants can help you harness natural pest control power and create harmony in your
Veggie Patch.

Smart garden planning is not just about what you plant – what you plant next door to it could be just as important. The ideas behind companion planting may seem a little old-fashioned, but this practice is well worth trying if you’re interested in creating a sustainable and budget-friendly edible garden.

What is companion planting?

Companion planting is pairing plants for particular purposes, such as attracting or repelling insects and enriching the soil with nutrients. In your kitchen garden, the goal is to help you produce healthier, more productive plants that are less plagued by pests and weeds, which means more delicious fruit and veggies for your efforts. Seen as a natural way to cut back on garden chemicals, it’s often used in organic and biodynamic vegetable gardens.

Nature’s own buddy system

When you use companion planting, you’re essentially building a little community where each plant has a specific job.…

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Published on 1 Comment on Happiness: Is It Luck or Discipline?

Learn how to cultivate happiness through mindful choices and healthy habits.

Robert Puff Ph.D. - Psychology Today

Have you ever looked at someone who seems to radiate joy and wondered, "Are they just lucky?" It's easy to assume that people who seem to have had easier lives—stable families, good education, successful careers—are simply fortunate when it comes to happiness. Conversely, we might believe those who have faced significant challenges are destined to struggle to find joy.

But is happiness just a matter of luck? After a lifetime of exploring this question, I've come to a different conclusion.

Learning from Life's Challenges

Throughout my life, I've sought out individuals who seem genuinely happy, regardless of their external circumstances. These aren't necessarily the wealthiest, most attractive, or most accomplished individuals. They are simply people who seem to be thriving, despite whatever life throws their way. And when I ask them about the turning point in their lives, the moment that led to their current state of well-being, the answer is always the same: challenges.

These individuals have faced difficulties, just like everyone else. But instead of being defeated by them, they learned and grew from their experiences.…

Published on Leave a comment on How To Learn The Art Of Small Talk and Make it Less Awkward

Learning the Beauty of Small Talk
It can be Beneficial

Whether it's at a party, a friend's wedding, or the workplace, some people just dread small talk. And while these events are great places to meet new people, it can bring more anxiety than excitement for some. They might worry that it will be boring, awkward, or that they'll run out of things to say. Then there are people who believe small talk represents meaningless and trivial conversation. But it doesn't have to be that way! In reality, increased well-being and positivity are some of the benefits of small talk.

Be interested in things

People with hobbies and interests always seem to have a topic or an opinion to share. Get inspired by them, and you'll have a launching point to get someone else involved in conversation.

Get your mind right

If you spend the week before the event anticipating and worrying because you know you'll feel uncomfortable, you're setting yourself up for failure. Try to remember why you're going, whether it's to celebrate a friend or connect with your coworkers.

Reduce anxiety

Some people may approach small talk with anxiety. To curb your anxiety, stay rational and positive.…

Published on Leave a comment on Scientists Show Strolls With Stops Use More Energy Than Continuous Walking

Researchers show more energy needed to get going than later in walks when body is working more efficiently.

Researchers have hit on an unusual tip for walkers who want to burn more calories: rather than plodding along steadily from start to finish, consider taking rest stops.

The advice emerged from a study of volunteers who were put through their paces in the laboratory to measure the oxygen and energy demands of short strolls versus longer walks.

Tests on the participants found that walking or climbing stairs in 10- to 30-second bouts required 20 to 60% more oxygen, a proxy for energy consumption, than covering the same distance in one continuous session, largely because walking is more efficient after several minutes in motion.

“When we walk for shorter bouts, we use more energy and consume more oxygen to cover the same distance,” said Francesco Luciano, a researcher at the University of Milan and first author on the study. “It’s like having a car that consumes more fuel during the first few kilometres than it does afterwards.”

The team launched the study after noticing that many estimates of the energy needed for walking drew on data from people exercising at a metabolic steady state.…

Published on Leave a comment on The Fallacy Of 10,000 Steps and The Proven Benefits Of Less – Let’s Settle This!

Over the last 2 Years, I have been finding Articles on Benefits of 20 Minute Walks, 10 Minute Walks and 15 Minute Walks as well as 30, 45 and 60 Minute Walks. Now I've found a Flexible Article that addresses Benefits for different lengths of time - for 10-15 Minutes, for 30 Minutes, for 45-60 Minutes and Over 60. And here is that Article, to see what may suit you:

Short Walks Or Long Walks? Best Walking Duration For Maximum Benefits

There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to walking. Whether you’re opting for short walks to clear your mind or committing to long walks for weight loss and mental well-being. So, whether you choose to walk for 10 minutes or 90 minutes, the most important thing is that you’re moving. Walking, in any form, can be a valuable part of a healthy lifestyle.

One of the easiest exercises to do is walking. It is also a wonderful way to keep in shape without having to buy pricey gym subscriptions or fancy equipment. However, how long should you walk for the best results? The ideal amount of time to walk depends on your individual goals, whether they are related to weight loss, mental clarity, or general well-being.…

Published on Leave a comment on How To Do Companion Planting With A Handy List For Beginners

by Green Life Soil in WA

Companion planting is the careful placement of plants (especially vegetables and herbs) which have been shown to have beneficial effects on one another. Sometimes, this comes down to simple physical reasons – taller plants provide shelter from sun and wind for plants that need protection. Climbing plants can be trained up over taller plants to maximise production in small spaces. Some plants make good companions because their roots grow to different depths, so simply do not compete with each other for water and nutrients.

Plants in the legume family (eg. Peas and beans) promote growth in nearby plants with their nitrogen fixing ability – nodules on the roots enable plants to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form used by plants. Also they tend to be deep rooted, which promotes aeration of the soil, thus benefiting their neighbours.

The shape of some plants and their flowers can visually confuse insect pests. Other plants, especially herbs, contain strong smelling substances released by their leaves. These scents can swamp odours emitted by other plants and confuse insects seeking out a target.

Still other plants emit chemicals from their roots which can act as growth stimulants for other plants, or can act negatively to retard germination of seeds.…

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Published on 2 Comments on The Unexpected Ways Free Outdoor Play Sets Your Child Up for Success

MANY PEOPLE WANT THEIR KIDS TO BE BRAINY OR SUCCESSFUL WHEN THEY GROW UP.
THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE WILL SHOW YOU A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT WAY TO HELP YOUR KIDS THAT HAS BEEN COMPLETELY OVERLOOKED OR EVEN UNDISCOVERED BY MOST PARENTS IN THIS DAY and GENERATION.
I HOPE YOU GIVE IT SOME THOUGHT - IT COULD MAKE A LOT OF DIFFERENCE FOR YOUR CHILDREN. SO MANY PARENTS THESE DAYS, HAVE BEEN BROUGHT UP ON HOURS OF TV ETC AND AN ABSCENCE OF NATURE. IT HAS NOT EVEN BEEN CONSIDERED BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THAT EXPERIENCE. IF WE DON'T HAVE THAT BACKGROUND TO PASS ON, WE NEED TO LEARN FROM THOSE WHO DO and BRING THEIR KIDS UP THAT WAY. SHALL WE GO?

From Rain Or Shine Mamma

When we think of learning, our mind immediately tends to conjure up images of classrooms, desks and text books. After all, school is the epitome of learning and an institution that most of us send our kids to in order to gain essential skills. But historically speaking, schools are a new phenomenon.

For hundreds of thousands of years, in hunter-gatherer societies, children learned the skills they needed to survive and thrive by playing and exploring on their own.…

Published on Leave a comment on 10 Meaningful Habits To Support Your Mental Health – Everyone Needs To Do These

EVERYONE NEEDS TO LOOK AFTER THEIR MENTAL HEALTH IN THIS STRESSFUL AGE. THIS BENEFITS OUR PHYSICAL HEALTH AS WELL. MENTAL HEALTH and PHYSICAL HEALTH ARE MORE CLOSELY RELATED THAN WE REALIZE BECAUSE FOR A VERY LONG TIME EVERYTHING WAS THOUGHT OF (and treated) AS SEPARATE BY THE MEDICAL PROFESSION BUT NOT SO BY NATURAL PRACTITIONERS LIKE NATUROPATHS - THEY SEE THINGS AS INTERRELATED. LETS SEE WHAT THIS WRITER FROM Positive.News HAS TO OFFER US, SHALL WE?

1. Move: it’s a mental health super booster

Your mind as well as your body get a mood-boosting workout from physical activity. It releases feelgood endorphins, reduces stress hormones and aids relaxation. Research shows it can be 1.5 times more effective than counselling and medication at managing depression. Short, high intensity exercise works best, but experts say all forms of physical activity are beneficial – and no one’s suggesting you have to sign up to a marathon unless you want to.

“Create opportunities to move,” suggests psychologist and wellness expert Lee Chambers. “Station things further away, park further away from the entrance and take the stairs. Let the blood flow to your brain.”

2. Sleep: don’t sideline the shut-eye

Just as important as physical activity is getting enough rest.…