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Holiday blues

Should We Try Beating Holiday Blues and Overeating?

By Lifestyle No Comments

As someone struggling with eating disorder, I can tell you that there are things far worse. Although, being addicted to food is not a walk in the park either. Holiday season is usually critical in this respect. World is full of people struggling on different levels with their own demons. Basically, lacking some love. However, should we try beating holiday blues, loneliness and overeating in the first place? Personally, between loneliness and overeating, I would always choose the latter.

What Comfort Food Can Do

It’s no news that junk food causes myriads of disorders. However, it is also difficult to distinguish what exactly we consider to be junk. Until recently, meat in all of its forms was a good source of protein. Nowadays, nutritionists usually recommend only lean meat, chicken and fish, mixed with fresh vegetables, etc. Often, many people are having difficulties organizing their daily routine to include healthy lunch, for example.

And so, they reach out for a quick fix. That’s what fast food does. It causes a chemical reaction that sends messages to your brain saying your needs have been satisfied. Nevertheless, this is usually not so. Or, more precisely, the fix you get is a short term one. Soon, your organism will dissolve all of the usable ingredients (mostly carbohydrates) and you will feel hunger at its bets.

Eating unhealthy food during longer periods of time causes hypertension, obesity, type 2 diabetes, stroke – just to name a few. This is all true and worrisome. And you maybe be asking yourself whether there is anything worse that stuffing yourself with unhealthy comfort food. Well, there is. So, maybe overeating during the holidays is not the number 1 reason for concern.

Loneliness

Loneliness

What Loneliness Does to You

It may come as a surprise, but roughly half of the US population feels lonely and isolated. Last year, a health insurance company Cigna conducted a research among 20,000 adults. The research showed that 56% of adults were surrounded with people with whom they had no close connections. Almost 40% od people claimed that their relationships weren’t meaningful, and that they felt isolated from others.

Social isolation is closely related to loneliness. We can be lonely for many reasons, but if we are socially excluded, the effects of loneliness become stronger. Why? A human is a social being. It is in our core to live in a group and to form bonds.

Furthermore, loneliness is worse than food addiction because it usually entails another type of unhealthy behavior. When you are feeling lonely, the chances are you would reach for a cigarette, or a drink, or too much work. All this can lead to nicotine addiction, alcoholism, exhaustion and further alienation from the society. If I am to choose between too much food or eating unhealthy on one hand and loneliness with its accompanying effects, I choose food.

What You Can Do to Stay Sane

First of all, we are all loved, and we should all make sure not to forget it. Then, in the spirit of true American altruism, the first thing you can do in order to lift off the weight of loneliness from your shoulders is to be kind to people. In case you are one of those individuals losing yourself in too much work, consider charity work. There is no better therapy.  Benefits are multiple. You will be able to experience self-worth. Additionally, this can bring few important realizations out to the open. Being confronted with people who are less fortunate does that.

Moreover, choose your friends wisely. If you do not feel close to people you are surrounded with, seek others. I know that nowadays it is all about being stronger, healthier, prettier, more popular, wealthier, having more acquaintances. As you already know, there is no substitute for quality. Try finding one person with whom you can have a meaningful conversation. Your life will change for the better.

Lastly (although this may be the most important advice), seek professional help. If you feel all the weight of the world has crumbled down on you, do not be ashamed or hesitate. Ask for help. There are professionals that can help you get control over your life.

How are you coping with loneliness and holiday blues?

    

Feeling well

Are You Feeling Well?

By Lifestyle No Comments

We live in a society that is constantly telling us that well-being is the imperative. Are you feeling well? This is not just a rhetoric question. We should all ask ourselves about the quality of our lives. And I am not talking about the living standards, monthly incomes, accessible health care or anything similar. The thing is that well-being is so much more than being physically healthy.

What Well-Being Is

People usually mistake health with well-being. The thing is that there are many people experiencing well-being while fighting serious diseases, and vice versa. Probably, the closest term to well-being could be “spiritual (or mental) health”. I believe everyone knows at least one person who takes care of the physical health, exercises regularly and so on, but does not feel calm and satisfied. Stress can be a bugger.

On the other hand, individuals facing challenging periods in life sometimes find the inner strength to pull themselves through. Moreover, they find peace and joy not just within themselves, but in small things that surround them. Consequently, their minds can influence their bodies to certain extent. Maybe we should all practice this during holidays. Wellness is all around.

Some of the Ways to Start Achieving Well-Being

In order to start achieving spiritual well-being, and the strength of mind, we should all find purpose. Possibly, there is no better time than Christmas to start practicing gratitude, love and realization that life is about more than just us.

It is one thing to be kind to ourselves and find strength and will power to move forward, but quite another to empower someone else. This is one of the tasks we should accept and perform in order to be able to achieve spiritual wellness.

Achieving physical well-being seems more difficult than it actually is. If we say that striving for the balanced diet and putting your body in motion is a way to go, that would cause hesitation in many people. Most of you would probably think that it is easier said than done.

Nevertheless, exercising is a habit, like every other habit. But with special sprinkle on top. It causes a healthy addiction. The more you exercise, the more you would crave for exercising. Isn’t that beautiful? The one thing you have to do is simply – start and keep going.

This holiday season take care of yourselves and your loved ones. And think about the future and how to make it better, healthier and how to positively influence people around you.

Do not forget to let us know how you think wellness can be achieved.

Guilty pleasures

How to Balance Guilty Pleasures During the Holidays

By Lifestyle No Comments

Holidays are all about guilty pleasures. Resisting another slice of pie is science fiction, if you ask me. This is the period of the year when we need some time to relax and enjoy. And it is debatable whether there is greater holiday joy than good food. How to balance guilty pleasures during the holidays is the question.

Think in Advance

Yes, holidays are there to let your hair down and stop thinking too much. However, sometimes, you need to think in advance. Let’s say you have a family dinner scheduled for the day, or a business gathering during lunchtime to celebrate, would you start your day with a heavy breakfast? Yes, if you wish to end up in a hospital.

Thinking in advance is beneficial, although it can be exhausting and boring. On the other hand, the benefits of thinking in advance include more balanced lifestyle. If we are talking about holidays, this small change in your daily routine can boost your energy levels. That was, you would be more willing to participate in conversations or watching movies without falling asleep.

Think in advance and remember that although food can provide quick satisfaction, balancing your meals can provide for so much more. Holidays should be about sharing pleasant moments with your loved ones and enjoying the exchange of ideas and games.

Enjoy the Food with This Little Trick

Nobody expects you to be on a diet when holidays come. Naturally, we all love to eat delicious food during festive periods. If you cannot bring yourself to think in advance and plan your meals, there is a small trick that you can try out. This one should give you a chance to indulge in guilty pleasures without remorse.

Namely, the nutritionists have proved that our brains need about 20 minutes to recognize the fact that we are full. Therefore, once you start thinking that you are on the verge of overindulging, stop and wait for 20 minutes. If after that time, you still feel hungry, go ahead and eat your heart out without any guilt!

Leave the Best for Last

The most delicious treats and guilty pleasures are usually the least healthy ones. Therefore, this advice is closely related to the first one and planning your meals in advance. The advice every nutritionist would share is to eat your healthy meals first and then treat yourself with whatever you want. As long as you have the 20-minutes rule in mind, you will be on the safe side.  Our bodies have amazing self-regulating mechanisms. It is all about learning how to recognize the messages it sends.

Above all, have fun! Furthermore, start exploring new ways to have fun. Food is good, but it is not the only fun that holidays can provide. Who knows? Maybe this holiday season will bring new perspectives, and you will discover new pleasures in life. Whatever you do, stay safe!

Let us know about your favorite guilty pleasures during holidays.

Waiting for Santa Claus

Waiting for Santa Claus in the Arctic

By Lifestyle One Comment

We are warming up for Christmas and exploring the potential destinations to visit. Although winter holidays are all about family, it is nice to step out of the routine every now and then. Waiting for Santa Claus in Scandinavia can be an unforgettable experience. Above all, life in the Arctic is very specific and intriguing.

Lapland, Finland

Positioned in the very Arctic circle, Lapland is the magical place. And a very unique one, being the home of Santa Claus for example. If you ever decide to go on a genuine Christmas adventure, consider visiting the village of Rovaniemi.

Although Rovaniemi seems like a distant place at the end of the world, it is actually quite well connected. In case you are visiting from abroad, the easiest way is to take a plane to Helsinki and then catch a train, another plane or rent-a-car. Finish roads are one of the best in the world, so the ride to the Arctic circle should be joy ride.

Chasing Aurora Borealis

The high season is December to March. Visiting Santa is definitely the most intriguing experience for some. However, if you are more into exploring the nature and like to spend time outdoors, Rovaniemi offers plenty activities to enjoy. Northern Lights tour is by far, the most memorable adventure you can think of.

Rovaniemi is one of the rare places where you can see Aurora Borealis from late August to mid- April. And not just see it, but chase it by car, snowmobile or a reindeer sleigh. If you search the Internet, you will see that there are many tourist agencies organizing this chase. Furthermore, Rovaniemi offers picnics and BBQs on snow, under Northern Lights, a Reindeer safari, private tours, quad bike rides, and even Aurora Arctic ice floating!

Should you decide to visit this place in the Summer, the chances are you would enjoy various activities under the midnight Sun. This phenomenon is visible from June 6th to July 7th  every year. It provides for a whole month of constant daylight. In Lapland, people can enjoy jet skiing, horseback riding, hiking, river cruises, etc.

Aurora Borealis

Aurora Borealis

Reindeer Farms, Santa & Eleanor Roosevelt

Reindeer is everyday thing in Lapland. The farmers are skilled and willing to give any kind of information. They let visitors feed the animals or they organize the sleigh rides.

Once you get to know the reindeer, meeting Santa Claus is the next logical step. The Finns believe that Santa’s original home is in Korvatanturi in Finnish Lapland. This place is under the veil of mystery, as only few people know its exact location. Therefore, the village of Rovaniemi has been set up as Santa’s official home back in 1985.

The most famous place in Rovaniemi is Santa’s official post office. It is located some 8 km from the center of Rovaniemi. The reason this post office is so unique is the fact that you can meet elves who work there and are ready to serve you in several languages. Also, the post features many Christmas products all stamped with Santa’s official stamp mark. This is also the place where you can order the letter from a real Santa Claus to be sent before Christmas.

You may be asking what the connection between Eleanor Roosevelt and the Santa Claus Village is. Well, this place was completely ruined after WWII. Eleanor Roosevelt visited Rovaniemi in 1950 in order to see how works on rebuilding the place are going. She also expressed the wish to visit the very Arctic Circle. In honor of her visit, the locals built the shack that still stands right next to the Santa’s post office. This visit from the 1950ies was the beginning of the idea to rebuild Rovaniemi, as a special place where legends become more vital and real than anywhere else.

Santa Clause in Rovaniemi

Santa Clause in Rovaniemi

Holidays in Scandinavia

In Finland, as well as in all other Scandinavian countries, people focus on gathering and good food during holidays. The Finns are a bit different in a way they have special traditions in festive seasons. It may sound strange to foreigners, but they have the habit of visiting cemeteries at Christmas time. The explanation is quite simple – remembering the loved ones and honoring them in times of family gatherings.

The food they serve in winter is usually pork roast, fish, salads. And when you meet the delights of the Finish cuisine, the next stop should be experiencing their saunas. Or, maybe not in that order? Either way, visiting Finland during holidays and waiting for Santa Claus will provide for an unforgettable experience and a unique adventure. Would you like to visit?

Digital times

Staying Sane in Digital Times: A Personal Account

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Instagram has started testing the new version of IG experience, based on hiding likes. Good for them! A wise decision, according to some. Without any intention to go deeper into the matter of whether hiding likes is beneficial I agree with one thing. Social media platforms, have provided the means for making posts with one intention only – to collect likes. And if likes are missing, we are all doomed, aren’t we? Staying sane in digital times is a true art.

The Character of Social Media

“We have the means to garner entire knowledge on any possible topic with just a click away, and we choose to stare at photos of cats for hours.” I cannot remember who said it. However, I remember that when I came across this line, it made me think. Not that I have anything against cats, though.

In our digital times, many social media platforms are visual in their essence. Apart from Twitter, which aims to stir debates, majority of other platforms provide for ultimate visual experience. Seemingly, it has become more important to look good than to sound good or have anything clever to say.

In other words, what those platforms are saying is “Come and join us. We will let you see how other people’s lives look like and let you present yours in the best possible manner.” Everyone likes to make impressions. Hence a galore of fake ones.

What Is Your Purpose of Using Social Media?

Digital times have taken its toll on me. I use several social platforms privately and enjoy them heavily. I guess you could say that I am addicted to some. Many times, I caught myself browsing endlessly without any purpose whatsoever and still finding it hard to break loose. This is probably the point where I should realize that things have gone too far. However, living a disconnected life is not on my agenda.

Therefore, I try to find a proper measure and purpose to my bad habits. Finding a purpose is not so easy as it sounds.

Keeping in touch with people dear to me is definitely my number one purpose of using social media. However, this purpose also entails a certain amount of voyeurism. Although, a healthy amount, I hope. On the other hand, it is debatable whether the material we all disclose online is genuine. Not only that there are myriads of tools enabling users to modify and alter the visual material extensively, but the topics and materials many users choose to post are also tendentious.

The other reason I use social media is to be informed. As we all know, many businesses have turned to social platforms for advertising. I like to stay informed, especially since these channels of communication provide many details which a regular user is not able to come across on other media.

Are There Downsides or Not Really?

Not a true downside but, social media platforms can be time consuming. Why I think this does not necessarily has to be a downside is that it depends on what exactly you are looking at. In case you spend your time on a profile that shares important information, your time is well spent.  As far as I am concerned, the same goes for profiles that provide pure fun, as I believe everyone needs it.

For example, finding a person, or a company that share experience on how they completed a challenging task can bring some value to your life. Alternatively, finding an online place where you can be whatever you wish to be can also be liberating and relaxing.

The true downsides could be some of the following. These platforms can consume too much of your time, driving you away from your family and affecting communication. Exposing you to cyber-bullying in case you do not know how to protect yourself is also one of the possible cons. Lastly, social media can affect your self-esteem in case you have the tendency to compare yourself with others. Nevertheless, all of the cons I stated here are conditional. The bottom line appears to be that social platforms are beneficial when a person using them knows the rules of the game.

Have you ever overused social media platforms?