Pleasure Time for Health and Happiness

As our Canadian summer nears its final few weeks, many people around us are scrambling to put last-minute vacation plans in place... us included.

One of the greatest drains on people is the continual stressful demand that everyday life and work takes on a person's health and energy. Overload ultimately takes a harmful toll on a person's ability to cope.

One remedy?

Mini time-outs! Even little spaces of time away from the same old routine can put a necessary breathing space back into a person's sense of being. These breaks can help re-establish better balance, improved moods and health recovery... and they can be inexpensive, too. Having had such a busy home renovation summer, all we can afford (in time AND expenses) are two miniature getaways to draw back and replenish before the fall truly arrives.

What Richard and I have learned from our prior experiences is that even 3 or 4 days completely away from the usual hustle and bustle of everyday life can totally rejuvenate the body, mind and spirit again!

So I ask... have you had a break in the last eight weeks? It need not be a full-fledged vacation to feel better... even a few days somewhere close to home can recharge your batteries.

This coming weekend, Richard and I are going to load up our new van and, with our cool travelling cat Diva, we're going to meet several of our friends for a camping adventure in Lund, B.C.! We all met in this same way last year, we had the BEST fun and felt nicely rejuvenated afterwards for it, too.

Take a bit of pleasure time for yourself... you deserve it!

Warmly, Carolyn and Richard, camping

P.S. We'll be putting our BEST YOU eBook on sale for a mere $19.97 beginning August 28th... for six days only... tune into http://www.life-balance-success.com for your copy!

Looking After Your Health Through the Holidays

Welcome again!

This is the season for much celebration and sharing with those we enjoy and love. Indulgence seems to be an accompanying ingredient in the holidays with Christmas baking, rich meals, taste treats and the drinking of alcoholic beverages tempting us... and, when kept in moderation, it is wonderful to savour it all.

But when unchecked, indulgences lead to weight gain, compromised health and possibly even impaired driving. Please be smart through the holidays!

"We usually do pay attention to our outer appearance, typically noticing whatever part of our bodies we are unhappy about. It behooves us, however, to get on very good terms with more than just the surface of our bodies as we grow older; for if we don't listen to our bodies and pay attention to our physical needs and pleasures, this vehicle that we need to be running well to take us into a long and comfortable life, will limit what we can do and who we become."

Quote by Jean Shinoda Bolen

A few smart approaches for enjoying all the richness of the holidays include;

• eat something healthy before you go to social functions, so you're not inclined to make a meal eating all the snacks placed out around you
• stay mindful when standing in front of food temptations
• choose "smart foods" first and allow mini-taste treats over that
• eat food at the same time you choose to drink alcohol ... don't drink on an empty stomach
• drink a lot of water through the holidays, especially when drinking alcohol
• a small treat slowly savored can be delicious, too... who needs the whole plate of Nanaimo Bars anyways
• enjoy plenty of turkey and vegetables... and go light on the carbohydrates (potatoes, gravy, stuffing, desserts, whipping cream, bread, etc)
• move your body every day in some way... stay active

Here's to enjoying the bounty of the season while caring for ourselves, too.

Warmly, Carolyn
Inner Fitness(R) Programs
www.innerfitness.ca