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Category: Positive Steps In Pandemics

Some Nice Highlights during the Pandemic and Some Positive Things we can do to be happier. Ways we can Protect our Health and Strengthen our Immunity. And overall Coping Better. Please remember Your Outlook is Important too!

Published on Leave a comment on Outdoor Activities For Kids: Like Some Ideas? Read Some Of These!

By Natalie: A Mum and registered Dietitian with a Passion to help Parents Create a Home Environment where they can Raise Healthy Kids!

Lots Of Ideas For Children's Play Outdoors.
See What You Find!

When the weather is nice, it should be easy to get your kids to go outside to play. Right? But kids can be surprisingly reluctant to skip out the door for playtime. It hasn’t always been like this!

Many kids in the upcoming generation are replacing outdoor play with indoor, sedentary activities like iPad games, texting, or social media. They’re also more involved in knowledge-based downtime like homework and studying than kids from past generations.

How Do Kids Benefit From Outdoor Play?

Studies have shown that kids who spend more time outside might be happier and more relaxed. Time outdoors can even improve short-term memory, concentration and cognitive skills. (It’s almost like nature makes us smarter… amazing!)

It’s Up to Us To Facilitate Outdoor Play

There’s a REAL need for active, outdoor play. Now more than ever. The more outdoor activities you can encourage and facilitate for your kids, the more they’ll reap the physical and emotional benefits of such play.…

Published on Leave a comment on Misleading Sweeteners: Stop Messing With Our Health!

Watch out for Synthetic Sweeteners Masquerading as Natural Sweeteners!

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW

These Manufacturers Have NO Conscience!

ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS – SWEET NOTHINGS FOR YOUR HEALTH?

Artificial sweeteners have been considered a solution to the problems caused by sugar intake. They lack calories and are advertised as a healthy alternative to high fructose corn syrup and sugar. However, studies have shown that consuming artificial sweeteners might make you gain weight faster than if you were consuming regular sugar. Artificial sweeteners slow your metabolism and ultimately trigger you to eat more. The three main ingredients in artificial sweeteners — aspartame, saccharin, and acesulfate potassium — have all been linked to cancer as well as Alzheimer’s disease, autism, chronic fatigue syndrome, lupus, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease.

I used to use them too (not me, the writer) thinking they were better when compared to sugar since it’s what I was taught in school when I was studying to be a dietitian. If dietitians use and recommend them, it is no wonder we believe they’re good for us, right? Well, as research repeatedly shows, there may not be any good reasons to support the notion that artificial sweeteners are beneficial to us.…

Published on Leave a comment on Working Towards A Happy Temperament Is A Better Way To Be Happy More Often

HAPPINESS NEEDS WORKING AT RATHER THAN EXPECTING IT TO JUST COME TO YOU - THAT SELDOM COMES TO MOST, OR WISHING TO BE HAPPY ALL THE TIME, DOES IT? AND THAT'S WHY SO MANY PEOPLE ARE FRUSTRATED WITH IT OR DISDAINED. IF WE CAN REPLACE UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS WITH A DIFFERENT OUTLOOK ON HAPPINESS,
A PRACTICAL ONE, THIS CAN WORK FOR MOST OF US.

Collect Happy Thoughts And Moments Instead Of Disappointments

HAPPINESS IS WITHIN OUR REACH WITH THE RIGHT EXPECTATIONS. TRY NOT TO OVERTHINK THINGS - Including Happiness - AND IT WILL BE YOURS MORE OFTEN. HAPPINESS HAS A WAY OF EVADING US WHEN WE CHASE IT AWAY. RECOGNISE THE LITTLE THINGS THAT CAN MAKE US HAPPY MORE OFTEN. YES INDEED, LETS DO THAT.

We Are Happier If We:

You don’t sweat the small stuff...
Just miss the train? Spill your coffee? It doesn’t matter. If focusing on what’s important and not obsessing over minor annoyances is a priority of yours, it may be a sign that you’re in a good place. Research has shown that those who swap focusing on the small, everyday negatives for emphasis on brief, joyful moments tend to be happier overall.…

Published on Leave a comment on Tips On Balancing Real Life And Technology – We All Need This Aye? Especially Kids!

Take Care with PC and IPad Use

Sometimes Tech-Life can impose Artificial Values in Life when it comes to Lifestyle. Don't find yourself missing out on LIFE.....Hey? TV is noted for that. The Net involves your participation, so the addiction can be even more powerful to the point of crippling.

This Link will take you to a Website whose motto is to

"WATCH LESS - LIVE MORE'

The use of IPads can be very addictive....sometimes even more than a Computer or Laptop. Misuse or Overuse of one of the above mentioned can end up stressing you or your family out when you find yourself addicted:

You can't stay away from it - you find yourself unable to moderate the use of it.

They interest you more than other things.

You find yourself restless when they are not in use.

You begin to lose interest in other activities.

Previous interests become boring or you loose motivation.

Your way of thinking starts to change because you are used to Tech-Mode.

You often spend much more time online than intended.

You make yourself promises only to break them.

You find it difficult to engage in other things - but you must.…

Published on Leave a comment on Janets Simple Philosophies – See If Some Of These Are Right For You

By Janet Vargas - Owner Of This Website

Sometimes the inspirations I write are referred to as philosophies by people who appreciate them as a way of life, so this page is named accordingly.

Hope you Enjoy!

## Be kind to the living....now is the time to be giving.

## Try to be kind to people and treat them with respect. It means so much to someone whose thoughts you do not know.

## When you aspire to something, be willing to work at or plan for it. Be patient in the process and kind with yourself. Don't try to skip the process, that usually ends in frustration.

## To accomplish things, take a step at a time. It's better to take sure steps than quantum leaps. This will work better for you.

## Surround yourself with some people who will lift you higher. And aim at lifting others higher - even if it's simply cheering them up.

## Live to add cheer to someone's day and God will take care of you. To live for others, not just ourselves is something we must do.

## Surround yourself with those who inspire or bring out the best in you rather than deplete you or stifle you.…

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Published on 2 Comments on When Family Members And Friends Offend By Imposing Their Problems On You Repeatedly…

By Janet Vargas - Owner Of This Website

Especially the same problem "over and over" some people are heavy weights at that and there seems no way of escaping them. Ever felt weighed down like that "time after time" in addition to whatever your concerns may be?

Hi Friends, I’ve experienced a lot of this kind of thing for some years and may be able to help you.

When they keep making poor decisions and are disgruntled with life, we should not have to bear punishment for that when they don’t like the consequences. We really should not, that’s very unfair. If it is a family member at fault for that kind of behaviour, I believe that’s a form of abuse. If it is a friend at fault, that is a form of abuse also that does not know boundaries and they will have to learn better – if they don’t respect your boundaries.

They are boundary violators and should be dealt with accordingly. If they don’t learn their lesson, opt for better friends because that is no friendship – they violate the very principles Friendship is founded on. Friendship must be built on good principles, there aren’t a lot of them but they must be respected to Enjoy any Friendship.…

Published on Leave a comment on How to Know When And How to Say NO

By Dr. Caroline Leaf And Dr. Henry Cloud
Neuroscientist And Psychologist

It's Alright To Say "NO..."
You Don't Have To Do Everything.

We all know that community is important for mental health, but what happens when people demand too much from us? How do we know when and how to say no before we feel drained and burnout? 

As I discuss in this week’s podcast with Dr. Henry Cloud, acclaimed leadership expert, bestselling author and psychologist, boundaries are as important as community when it comes to our mental health. It is not selfish to say no or give ourselves a break. 

We all need space, or what Dr. Cloud calls “property lines”, in our relationships. These lines set healthy limits in a friendship, and make sure people don’t throw their “trash” into your yard (figuratively speaking) or try control what you do and how you live. These are not walls: they are permeable. Ideally, we open our boundaries to let in good relationships, but we close them to keep out to threats and danger.

But, you may ask, what can you do when you feel obligated to say “yes” all the time and let people in all the time?…

Published on Leave a comment on The Value And Advantages In Having A Hobby/Hobbies

IT'S NICE TO HAVE A HOBBY: SOMETHING YOU'RE INTERESTED IN, SOMETHING LIGHT-HEARTED. EVERYONE "BUSY BUSY" SEEMS TO BE THE WAY OF MODERN CIVILISATION SINCE THE TURN OF THIS CENTUARY, HEY? BUT IS THAT HEALTHY FOR US OR OUR KIDS? NOT REALLY. NO. SOMEONE SAID TO ME A FEW YEARS AGO "SOME PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY LOVE, TO DO IT?" IT'S SO TRUE THAT SOME DON'T KNOW THEIR PASSION, TO PURSUE IT. THERE ARE BENEFITS WHEN YOU DISCOVER WHAT IT IS, LIKE MANY HAVE EXPERIENCED FOR MONTHS OR YEARS. WE HAVE A FRIEND WHO HAS JUST DISCOVERED HIS AND IT'S REALLY GREAT TO SEE. LIFE SHOULD NOT ALL BE WORK, CHORES AND TV OR SOCIAL MEDIA. TRY AND THINK YOUR WAY AROUND THAT. FEEL FREE TO LOOK FOR IDEAS AND EXPLORE. BE KIND TO YOURSELF, HEY?

6 Reasons To Get A Hobby

By Jaime Kurtz, Ph.D., PsychologyToday.Com

You're Really Not Too Busy.

Over a couple of generations, we have somehow misplaced their free time.

Various things contribute to this, but for many of us, being legitimately busy simply isn't one of them. Instead, we habitually waste time, creating the illusion of busyness.…

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Published on 2 Comments on Children Learn From Growing Things – Let Them Explore, Hey? It’s Good For Them.

I FOUND SOME GOOD FAMILY RELATED MATERIAL ON THE VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT WEBSITE THAT'S REALLY GREAT. I'VE BEEN RESEARCHING NATURE A LOT - OUR NEED FOR REGULAR EXPOSURE TO IT SOME WAY/WAYS THROUGH THE WEEK.

Children Love To Learn How To Grow Plants - Why Not Let Them Try? You May Be Surprised!

IN MY PRETEENS, I WAS FASCINATED BY PEAS AND BEANS EMMERGING THROUGH THE SOIL, WHEN MY MUM WAS TENDING HER VEGGIE GARDEN AND WOULD HAVE LOVED TO HAVE A FEW PLANTS OF MY OWN TO GROW. MY FEELINGS ABOUT THIS WERE NOT VOICED UNTIL I MENTIONED IT TO HER LATER IN LIFE (MY 40'S OR 50'S).

IN RESPONSE, SHE SAID "Oh Janet, you never said anything about it. I would have been happy to share some with you - I didn't think you were interested." I WAS ACTUALLY INTRIGUED. IT'S A GREAT INTEREST FOR KIDS OF DIFFERENT AGES, FROM LITTLE TO TEENS and A GOOD CONTRAST TO THEIR TECH INTERESTS - HELPING TO PROVIDE A BALANCE FOR THEM, HEY? AND HEALTH BENEFITS TO BE GAINED TOO, A WIN WIN!

The Government Says:

People of all ages can enjoy gardening, but children in particular will have lots of fun and gain special benefits. …

Published on Leave a comment on Are Dirt And Germs As Bad As We Think? Learn About GOOD Germs – Say NO To Ignorance!

By Uzma Muneer, D.O.

I WAS BROUGHT UP IN A COUNTRY TOWNSHIP NOT FAR FROM THE BEACH AND PLAYED OUTSIDE A LOT. MANY KIDS ARE BROUGHT UP HAVING CLOSE CONTACT WITH THE SOIL BECAUSE THEIR FAMILY HAS A VEGGIE GARDEN OR THEY LIVE ON A FARM. HEALTH SCIENTISTS ARE SAYING THIS GIVES CHILDREN A GOOD HEALTHY START IN LIFE AND BENEFITS THEIR IMMUNE SYSTEM. THEY’RE ALSO SAYING THAT KEEPING YOUR CHILDREN AND HOUSE SO CLEAN AND OVERUSE OF DISINFECTANTS IS NOT GOOD FOR THEIR HEALTH.

Are You Overly Careful How Your Kids Play?

Some Thoughtful Considerations.

Dr. Muneer specializes in Pediatrics, lets see what she has to say.

Picture this: A baby’s pacifier falls to the ground. A first-time mom sterilizes it thoroughly before giving it back. With her second baby, she quickly runs it under some water first. By her third child, the mom brushes it off and pops it right back into her baby’s mouth. Was her third child any worse for the wear?

We spend a lot of time and energy protecting our babies and kids from germs. But some germs could actually help protect them.

Our health is influenced by all the microorganisms inside our bodies and the surrounding environment.…