Health Harmony

7 Morning rituals that will transform your life

2020-01-30T10:29:00.002-08:00

7 Morning rituals that will transform your life

I don’t know about you but I was the kind of person who was ready to sacrifice anything for those extra minutes of trance(or I still am). Morning and I never got along until recently when I realized it was not the morning that I disliked, it was the chaos that was created not because I was doing too much but because I was doing too less of what makes me feel alive, because I was not feeding my soul( you feel me!?) Mornings are a great time to do a ritual is because when you wake up from a deep sleep your brain is transitioning from Theta state to Beta state. Theta brain waves are the brain frequencies of the states just before sleeping and just after waking up. Theta is the door between the conscious and the subconscious worlds where the subconscious is more susceptible to suggestions. Now you'll notice that I am specifically calling it a ritual. The difference between a routine and a ritual is not necessarily the action, but the attitude behind the action. While routine is something that we probably do without conscious thinking and our full focus is on completion of the task. On the other hand, rituals are meaningful processes that we do with our full engagement (that doesn’t necessarily mean more effort) and focus is on process Here is a list of my personal favorite rituals that you can do under 5 mins and there is no limit as to how many you should do, you can do as many as you feel like.

1. Intention Setting

Setting intentions for the day is a way of listing down gentle goals for that day, now why I am saying gentle is because there is no pressure to complete that goal. Setting an intention is like providing a GPS for your day, it gives you guiding principles to help you proceed in your day. Basically are just preparing your mind for what's coming ahead and how to go about it, more or less like a mental to-do list but in a detailed manner.
You can write them down on paper, type them on your computer or just visualize them.

2. Gratitude List

Over the last few years, there has been extensive research done on gratitude and it has been discovered that that gratitude is not merely a positive emotion; it also improves your physical and mental health. It creates a feeling of certainty that life works for you and so it does. I think we humans tend to take so many things for granted, we don't realize that even the most basic thing for you can be a luxury for someone.
This is so simple yet so mighty that doing this every day starts to rewire your brain. You can simply start with 3-5 things every day and try using a different aspect of life around which you list will revolve. For example Health, Career, Money, Relationships, Family, etc

3. Visualizing your dream life

From world-class athletes to CEOs, creative visualization is something that has been used by everyone, you are also probably using without even realizing it. Whenever you focus on something good or bad, you attract it in your life. And if you are already using it might as well use it to attract what you really want. Start your day by visualizing your ideal life; Waking up in a beautiful home, going to office in your matte black cabriolet, going on a vacation to exotic places, whatever is it that you really really want, visualize it and feel it because your emotions are the driving force behind your visualization.

4. Inspirational read/listen

Reading an inspirational book can infuse your morning with positive thoughts and uplifting messages. You get to see the world with someone else's lenses, It is like having a virtual mentor who is guiding you with their life's journey and telling you that you are not alone.
Reading not only improves but also enhances your life. You can start by reading just one paragraph in the morning and notice the difference in your mindset.

5. Guided Meditation

Well if you don’t live under a rock you have already heard countless benefits of meditation and if that is still not enough for you to start your practice then I will not bombard you with more benefits but probably tell you that just like many people you also have a misconception about meditation. Earlier when I heard the word meditation I would picture a monk sitting in a faraway cave and that is not wrong but that is not right for the modern man. So broadly there are two main branches of meditation, one is a derivative of monastic practices meaning practices that are made for and followed by monks and other is made for people that live in a society yet so many people follow the practices that are made for monks and fail terribly and drop the idea of meditation altogether. The trick is to find the practice which is right for you. Explore and try different styles of meditation to decide which is suiting you the best. Remember the trick is not to be better at meditation, it's to be better at life.

6. Journaling

Journaling is fantastic at any time but is a particularly great way to start the day. Journaling is basically pouring your emotions and feelings into a piece of paper. It can be anything, how you are feeling at that very moment, what you dream of, what are you grateful for, a list of things you love, things you find beautiful, random ideas, it can be anything there are really not any rules. Research shows that journaling reduces stress and improves health and wellbeing as we express and observe our emotions rather than ignoring them or running away from them.

And it doesn’t have to be an actual diary you can also maintain a digital journal, now all you have to do is open a new page in your physical journal, or a document in your digital journal, and start writing.

7. Mantra Chanting

Mantras are sound formulas that calm the body and have soothing effects on the nervous system. Particularly popular in the east, Mantras are a kind of healing vibration for our minds. They help us heal through the power of vibration, or vibrational energy.

The physical body and the energy (astral) body are extremely sensitive to sound. Some sounds like ocean surf, a harp, or om chanting are soothing, while other sounds like blaring TV commercials or fire alarms are irritating or frightening, making the body cringe. Sanskrit mantras like om, a mantra for oneness and harmony, are prescribed in lieu of medications to treat anxiety, depression, and insomnia.

Similarly, there are different mantras for different purposes. I particularly find om mani padme hum extremely soothing. Here also I would suggest you to explore and find something that is suited best for you and aligned with your purpose.

To Summarize :

These practices can be an easy way to gear up for the day ahead. And if you find yourself not keeping a regular schedule with these rituals, it's a habit you can resume at any time. Feel free to tweak them into something which suits you more because the idea is to feel good and remember there's no wrong way to do it! Happy practicing everyone :)

Fitness Inspiration Gift Giving Guide

2020-01-27T10:06:00.002-08:00

Fitness Inspiration Gift Ideas

The holiday season is something we all love. One thing that is the most trouble is to decide the gifts. With this gift-giving guide, you’ll be well on your way. We’ve rounded up all the best presents for your fellow runners, gym enthusiasts and health nuts, with options at every price point.

Get ready to conquer the holidays — and maybe grab a little something for yourself, too. Hey, winners deserve a prize.

Fitbit Charge 2 Heart Rate, Special Edition, Lavender Rose Gold

This do-it-all running watch has PurePulse continuous, automatic wrist-based heart rate tracking to better measure calorie burn all day. Pair it with your phone, and you’ll get even more stats on distance, duration and pace. You can also get a better understanding of your fitness level and see how you can improve over time with a personalized Cardio Fitness Score. Use Connected GPS during run mode to see real-time stats like pace and distance on your wrist — well, we could go on and on.

G-RUN Hydration Running Belt with Bottles

We all love a low-profile running belt as much as the next runner, but as any marathoner knows, sometimes you need a heftier version to go the distance. This comfortable belt includes plenty of room to stock chews, bars, water, keys, cash and more.

Adjustable Heavy-Duty Exercise Kettlebell

Avoid the New Year’s gym rush and work out at home with this six-in-one, space-saving adjustable kettlebell. Drop and add weight in mere seconds and let the game begin.

26 Marathons: What I Learned About Faith, Identity, Running, and Life from My Marathon Career (Book)

We can’t get enough of this must-read running book from the icon himself, Meb Keflezighi. The running legend takes readers through each of his career’s 26 marathons and the lessons they offered on life, family, identity and faith. Talk about inspiring.

2020 Runner’s Daily Desk Calendar with Running Quotes and Inspiration

This daily calendar is perfect for runners who believe in making the most out of every single day! Whether you want to start running more as part of a New Year's Resolution or are training for a marathon or triathlon, this awesome calendar will inspire you to wake up every morning and go run. You can even repeat the daily quote in your head as a mantra to help during those tough training days!

Fitness Inspiration Gift Giving Guide

2020-01-24T06:39:00.001-08:00

Fitness Inspiration Gift Ideas

Get ready to conquer the holidays — and maybe grab a little something for yourself, too. Hey, winners deserve a prize.

Fitbit Charge 2 Heart Rate, Special Edition, Lavender Rose Gold

G-RUN Hydration Running Belt with Bottles

Adjustable Heavy-Duty Exercise Kettlebell

Avoid the New Year’s gym rush and work out at home with this six-in-one, space-saving adjustable kettlebell. Drop and add weight in mere seconds and let the game begin.

26 Marathons: What I Learned About Faith, Identity, Running, and Life from My Marathon Career (Book)

2020 Runner’s Daily Desk Calendar with Running Quotes and Inspiration

5 Best Books to Read on Health & Fitness

2020-01-11T10:25:00.000-08:00

5 Best Books to Read on Health & Fitness

We admit that while we love surfing the net and audibly groan whenever the WiFi goes down, our joy in curling up with a great book is unparalleled. And the transformative power of a good read can be a touchstone you turn to again and again.

With that in mind, we’ve rounded up our favorite reads on the subjects of fitness and health. So whether you’re looking for a good book for your next flight or just a couple fun items to add to your Amazon wish list, we have you covered. Below are the titles that we found inspirational, profound, informative, and straight-up fun.

1. Off Course

Electric shock. Ice water plunges. Oil-slicked half pikes. How did these American Ninja-style obstacles become a part of our fitness landscape? In Off Course, Erin Beresini charts the rise of OCR (obstacle course racing) and the adventurous, ragtag bunch of endurance athletes it attracts. But this isn’t an account from a cushy spot on the sidelines. Beresini dives into these courses, relishing every physical shock and hysterically hard booby trap in her path to the finish line. Her story of triumph from running burnout to OCR junkie is the stuff of feel-good sports movies.

2. The 21-Day Yoga Body

Author and yogi Sadie Nardini has sass for days. Or more accurately, sass for 21 days. Just witness the way she describes her practice: “What does it feel like to live in a yoga body? Like a boring ol’ monk who just took a vow of silence and has nothing even resembling fun. Kidding!” And that hand-on-hip attitude is precisely what makes this book such a joy. In it, Nardini outlines 21 days of yoga practice along with various nutritional plans to fuel up your poses. But she also admits to losing her cool in noisy cafes, overdoing it on wine, and Instagraming her steak dinner (#foodporn), and what comes across is her total humanity. Which is important, because if you’re going to launch into a yoga practice, you want someone that’s funny, compassionate, and, above all, human cheering you on.

3. Faster, Higher, Stronger

It seems few people can go too long without checking their fitness tracker to see how many times they woke up in the night and how that affects their workout or how many glasses of water they’ve had so far today. Author Mark McClusky is in this camp too, but he doesn’t just want to mine his own data, he wants to see how it’s done for elite professional athletes. And while talk of ACE sports genes and or LHTH running can get a little dense here, the crossroads of science and sports McClusky documents is compelling and shows a wild range of variables that impact performance. Does beet juice make you run faster? Can napping unlock better jump shots? These are the types of questions pondered by sports science. And the teams of scientists pursuing these answers have now become the entourage for super-athletes. (HBO spinoff?)

4. Body by Simone

Blame Black Swan. It seems like barre classes and dance cardio are here to stay. (Leotards optional.) Simone de la Rue is one of the front-runners in this trend, and her book runs down all the cancan and around-the-world moves. To take the fantasy a step further, fitness levels are divided between corps de ballet (beginner), soloist (mid-level), and principal (advanced). Workouts at every level are split between cardio and strength training, the later using barre-type moves like swan arms. (We told you!) Still, one of the most refreshing things about this book is that despite its advice aiming to tighten, tone, and drop weight, de la Rue is ultimately about loving—and shaking—what you got. To that end, every workout includes “mirror minutes” where you simply look at yourself and recite things you love about yourself and your body. Oddly, “my body’s too bootylicious for you, baby” isn’t on the list of recommended phrases.

5. Make Your Own Rules Diet

What’s a diet book doing among our fitness titles? Well, this books defies categorization: It’s part yoga instructional, part meditation manifesto, part cookbook, part lifestyle workbook—there’s a lot of moving parts. But what’s clear is the attitude and approach all stems from yoga. It’s the calming force of yoga and meditation that lead author Tara Stiles out of a dark moment of sexual assault and disordered eating into a place where she could trust her body again. In terms of fitness, Stiles makes a compelling case against chasing calorie burn using fitness trackers, saying the focus “is sadly missing all the benefits of feeling.” Likewise she advocates for breaking up with your scale and establishing your own dietary rules by tuning into your body. Stiles offers her own rules as an example, but she’s refreshingly flexible when it comes to food with family: “When food is made with love, it has a whole other set of healing properties you just can’t get even in the most perfect organic broccoli stem on the planet.”

Extra Thick Anti-Tear Exercise Yoga Mat with Carrying Strap

2020-01-10T07:31:00.001-08:00

At A Glance :

1/2" extra thick
Non-slip traction
Easy to clean with soap and water
Lightweight and portable
2 years warranty
Dimension : 71'' (l) x 24'' (w)
Both-sided non-slip surfaces.
FreeYoga mat carrying strap

Overview: With double sided non-slip surfaces, BalanceFrom All-Purpose Premium exercise yoga mat comes with an excellent slip resistant advantage to prevent injuries. Exceptional resilience allow you to keep your balance during any exercise style. moisture resistant technology makes the mat to be easily washed with soap and water. Easy strapping and light weight feature are added to this mat for easy transport and storage. BalanceFrom All-Purpose Premium exercise yoga mat is manufactured and sold exclusively by BalanceFrom Amazon store.

Dimensions: 71" long 24" wide ensures comfort for people of all shapes and sizes. With high density foam material, the 1/2'' thick premium mat comfortably cushions spine, hips, knees and elbows on hard floors.

Warranty: All genuine BalanceFrom products come with a 2-year warranty and 100% BalanceFrom Satisfaction Guarantee to make your purchase worry free. Simply contact us or your vendor if you have any questions. Customer satisfaction is our highest priority.
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