Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Learn to Find Joy and Have Better Health

Learn to Find Joy and Have Better Health

Finding Joy

Did You Know JOY is Learned??

I did not.
There are 8 things you can do  to learn JOY according to
an article in Health Psychology.
Thing is,
I couldn't find the article online!
BUT
NPR published this:

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/05/05/719780061/from-gloom-to-gratitude-8-skills-to-cultivate-joy?inf_contact_key=72da5ca5df017f1b55696aac5dd5ad93f651f238aa2edbb9c8b7cff03e0b16a0

Here's a quick summary of the eight techniques used in Moskowitz' study:
  1. Take a moment to identify one positive event each day.
  2. Tell someone about the positive event or share it on social media. This can help you savor the moment a little longer.
  3. Start a daily gratitude journal. Aim to find little things you're grateful for, such as a good cup of coffee, a pretty sunrise or nice weather.
  4. Identify a personal strength and reflect on how you've used this strength today or in recent weeks.
  5. Set a daily goal and track your progress. "This is based on research that shows when we feel progress towards a goal, we have more positive emotions," Moskowitz says. The goal should not be too lofty. You want to be able to perceive progress.
  6. Try to practice "positive reappraisal": Identify an event or daily activity that is a hassle. Then, try to reframe the event in a more positive light. Example: If you're stuck in traffic, try to savor the quiet time. If you practice this enough, it can start to become a habit.
  7. Do something nice for someone else each day. These daily acts of kindness can be as simple as giving someone a smile or giving up your seat on a crowded train. Research shows we feel better when we're kind to others.
  8. Practice mindfulness by paying attention to the present moment. You can also try a 10-minute breathing exercise that uses a focus on breathing to help calm the mind.

Want Another Reason to Learn JOY?

It seems Dr. Moskowitz did another study with others
Check this out if you need some heavy reading -
 
Here is what I got from the article:
Distress causes problems and impacts behavior and outcome.
BUT
Optimism, positive affect, self-efficacy, and gratitude,
all considered well-being constructs,
are associated with superior health outcomes
INCLUDING
better glucose control, motivation for self-care, and lower mortality.
PLUS LESS
stress, anxiety and depression.
 
I say WIN WIN!
 
We know diabetes changes our lives.
Diabetes invades our thoughts, constantly.
Diet, exercise, medications, monitoring glucose.
All requiring constant attention.
 
While we have to think about these things
try to think about what is good in your life.
Focus on right now.
Focus on the good.
Try the 8 steps listed about and let me know if see or feel a difference.
 
Today I am grateful for the chance to write this blog.
Today I am grateful for the 10 minutes of lifting weights.
Today I am grateful for the fact my grandson is now (mostly) potty-trained.
And
Right now, I am grateful for yummy avocado toast because I am hungry.
 
Have a great numbers days!
 
Jay
 
 

Tuesday, June 11, 2019

Beware the ALL or NOTHING Attitude

Beware the All Or Nothing Attitude

Watches.

"Watch" Out

Like my little pun?
We all keep track of time, sometimes.
But this isn't about our ability to
lose track of time,
especially when surfing the Internet.
This is about
THINKING
we don't have the time to
Workout
Write
Input food to a program
Meal plan
Or
Whatever
All because we don't have an hour or three.

This is the ALL OR NOTHING TRAP


"I can't work out! I have to change, drive to the gym
AND that's before working out!
After working out, I have to shower, change, drive home....."
Well guess what.
Take a 5 minute walk.
Get outside and sweep the front walk.
Hula Hoop with the kids.
5 minutes is better than ZERO.

"I don't have time to write!  I have to find my notebook.
I don't have fancy stationary to write that letter.
Where is that pen? It's too noisy."
Find that notebook and put it by your bed.
Tonight, write the best thing about the day.
Jot a note to a friend - they won't care you wrote it on notebook paper.
They will be happy to hear from you!
1 minute - 1 card is better than ZERO.

"Logging food takes so much time! And I can't even remember what I ate today"
Use your phone!
Try Chronometer or easy to use program.
Even if you only log on the weekends
Or
When you eat something unusual.
1 meal or 1 day is better than ZERO.

"Meal plan? Are you kidding? I am lucky I eat.
And grocery shopping is a disaster!"
Do you eat the same breakfast like me?
I rotate between 3 different breakfasts
SO
While I eat breakfast, since it is automated,
I think about lunch and dinner.
Planning one or two meals is better than ZERO.

What do you not do because you don't have time to complete what you consider to be the
WHOLE THING?

 

Beware of the ALL or NOTHING

Believe it or not -
SOMETHING is always better than NOTHING
And occasionally that something is better.
I missed my morning work out
so later that evening we went on a walk.
The walk allowed for a talk.
The talk allowed for a serious discussion while enjoying a beautiful view
(which I think actually helped us be creative in finding a solution!)

Don't allow the ALL OR NOTHING attitude

stop you from doing at least a few minutes.

Remind yourself that any number is better than Zero
AND
use whatever makes it easy and convenient

Do you have an All or Nothing attitude that trips you up on occasion?
Let us know!

Have a great numbers day,
Jay