Health

Every smoker wishes they were an ex-smoker… at least every smoker I've ever met. Sadly for most of them, those wishes will never come true. The reason for that is simple: They don't know how to do it and they probably aren't aware that quitting smoking is a learnable skill.

When you think about it, learning how to do something before you try to do it is how we accomplish just about everything we have ever done in this life. Yet when it comes to the issue of quitting smoking, I have never heard that approach taken by anybody… except me.

Whether you’ve been working out forever or you are first-timer, you need to know the do’s and don’ts for gym etiquette. Here are 11 tips to help you be a pro both inside and outside this year!

1. Do dress Appropriately. Wearing the appropriate workout attire means you feel your best, and therefore are able to get a better workout. If you are wearing too baggy clothing you will be distracted by your clothes catching on a weight, or too revealing is distracting and comes across as a bit desperate for attention. Neither are good starts to a great workout.

When it comes to aging gracefully and with a sense of wellbeing, the "Blue Zones" are writing the script. In these regions of the world it isn’t unusual to celebrate your 100th birthday while living a productive life. Naturally, they have been thoroughly studied so we know what it takes to join the ranks of the "young old." The groundwork includes eating a plant-focused diet, adequate exercise, having a sense of purpose and strong social support. Once these components are in place they work together, helping to manage stress.

Being present and loving during vacations and holidays is not always easy. However, there are steps you can take to find inner peace that can help you survive and even enjoy the hectic season. The practice of visualization and meditation can help you reclaim control of your mind and emotions during this time of year.

These methods will not only help you stay centered during events, they will allow you to achieve your intention to show unconditional love to your family and friends.

"My dear family, after four long years of battling this illness, I just can’t take it any more…" So begins the note I left for my family before attempting suicide on July 24, 2004. In my fight against depression, I had tried 23 different medications, electroconvulsive (shock) therapy on 20 occasions, transcranial magnetic stimulation, cognitive behavioral therapy, and many other conventional programs related to the treatment of clinical depressions. I also had tried alternative treatments, such as acupuncture, kinesiology, and self-improvement courses. But on that day in July 2004, I had completely lost hope that I could recover.

Do you want to be happier? If so, then make it a point to release stress regularly. We often have stress without even realizing it, although your body does. When you feel worried and strained your body is yelling with an "energy megaphone" that you’re off the course of living a joyful life, as you were created to do.

Stress plays havoc on the body in a myriad of ways: ill health, diseases, contention, mental fatigue, adrenal fatigue, weight gain, sleep disorders, confusion, anxiety, fear, and unhappiness are some of the results. Luckily, when you feel stressed, you can release that stress and get back in sync with your happy self.

If you’ve ever had a pet, you’ve experienced the many benefits animals bring to our lives. They are friends and companions, sometimes even a part of who we are—and despite the occasional potty-training accident or destroyed shoe, our pets bring us untold amounts of joy, humor, love, and happiness.

For people who are experiencing depression, however, pets can provide something even more important: a reason to live, and to keep on living.