Stress-free, affordable travel

Great links and tips for stress-free, affordable travel.

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Get moving...

Sometimes it is the simplest things that we can overlook in life, and yet it is often these very things that are the key to increased health and wellbeing.

One of these simple things is the importance of incorporating lots of movement into your life.

So, how does daily movement help reduce stress and increase happiness??? How does increased energy, boosting of your immune system and the release of neurotransmitters that help prevent depression sound for starters?

So why do we need to consciously move more?

We wake up in the morning and before long we are sitting in our car, are often sitting for most of the day at work, and then when we get home we relax by doing what??? Sitting! Sitting and having dinner, sitting and watching TV, sitting at our computer... are you picking up a theme here?

Kids seem to intrinsically know what we have become dull to - lots of daily movement = less stress + greater happiness.

But you don't see young children scheduling exercise in or working around a gym timetable. Kids make movement a part of their every day life... see some birds - chase them! Time for dinner - race you to the table!
We'd do well to follow suit!

In the words of Matthew McConaughey:

My rule is to break one sweat a day, whether that's going for a run, whether that's dancing, whether that's loving – just break a sweat a day."

Here are some simple ways to incorporate movement into your day without formally 'exercising':

1. Dance around the house when no one is watching (what the heck, dance even when they are!)

2. Get out into the sun in your lunch break and go exploring - what interesting shops, streets, trees & people are around your workplace or home that you've never taken the time to discover?

3. Walk or ride a bike instead of driving at least once this week

4. Take your cue off the feline and incorporate stretching into your daily routine (believe me, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it).
Need some ideas on how to stretch? Check out http://www.howtostretch.com/

Create your own sanctuary

A simple yet strategic way to almost instantly reduce stress and increase happiness is to create a sanctuary that you can spend some time in every day.

Even if it doesn't feel like it, we spend a big chunk of our day at home - think about it... sleeping, eating, getting ready - how many hours do you spend in your home each day?

How wonderful if this was a place of peace, a place to recharge the batteries so we can walk out the door refreshed and ready ... But the reality for many is far from this ideal.

All of us need a place of refuge, somewhere we can go at least once a day and just be. Perhaps you don't have a whole 'home' that is yours. If so, then focus on your bedroom, or even a corner of the house that you can claim as our own.

Here's some keys to making your home a sanctuary:

1. Add 'hotel touches' to your home

Think about all the things you love about a good hotel room. Fresh towels, a chocolate on the pillow, a freshly made bed, perhaps fresh flowers. Now, what is stopping you having these little luxuries at home? Put aside an extra 15 minutes to give your home the 'hotel touch' before you leave for work in the morning. Simple gestures such as making the bed,leaving yourself a little 'surprise' on your pillow, picking some flowers and popping them in a vase will make a world of difference when you walk in the door at the end of the day.

2. Mood lighting
A pack of tea light candles will go a long way. Who said you can only light candles on special occasions? Value yourself and make every day special by using a bit of mood lighting whenever you feel like a bit of a lift.

3. Sensual living
You have 5 amazing senses - why not make use of each of them in your home. It is amazing how much more relaxed we can feel when we are surrounded by things that bring us pleasure. Some essential oils in an oil burner or a few drops on your pillow. A soft blanket or cushion that you just want to touch. A beautiful bowl of different coloured fruit. Ambient tunes softly playing in the background (check out free ambient radio stations online such as www.somafm.com)

Other great articles on making your home a sanctuary:

http://www.stressbusting.co.uk/articles/coping_home.asp

http://www.oprah.com/foodhome/home/housekeeping/home_200501_julie.jhtml

Definitions.....

The World Health Organisation defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity

freedictionary.com defines wellbeing as a contented state of being happy and healthy and prosperous