10 IDEAS TO ENHANCE YOUR LIFE

1. Dare to not compare. Comparing is the root cause of suffering. Every time you say “I used to…” as in “I used to be thinner, younger, fitter…” you are comparing. Instead look at the current reality and who you are today and either accept or change the situation. Likewise, don’t waste time comparing your life to others’. There’s nothing to be gained from it.
2. Every choice in life, whether it is about food, lifestyle or our friendships, is either life enhancing or life diminishing. Look at the situation or person and ask: “Is this diminishing or enhancing?” We’ve all got some dead wood to prune.
3. Never deny yourself the pleasure of doing something just because you have no one to do it with. Too often we give up enjoyable activities because we don’t want to be alone. Do it anyway.
4. The biggest mistake people make is letting their age determine their choices instead of looking at what they want to do and doing it regardless of age. Forget: “I’m too old to do that” or “How can I do that at my age?” You can start a new career, learn to play a musical instrument or write a book at any age. The only thing stopping you is you.
5. How often are you disappointed? Are you too attached to life unfolding in a particular way? Try saying this: “I want such and such…or something better.” This way you are manifesting what you do want, letting it go and then being open to a surprise or something different that is even better than your original desire.
6. Plan a “daily uplift.” Do one small thing that inspires you or touches your spirit. For example, a walk in nature, noticing buds on trees, tulip shoots emerging from the ground, the smell of the earth.
7. If you leave a decision for a while—instead of making it under pressure—often the situation sorts itself out without intervention. And how you feel about something on day one can be quite different from how you feel on day 10. Sit back, breathe and observe the situation rather than making a quick judgement based on what might be incorrect information. We often hastily send that e-mail, engage in that conversation or make a phone call without sufficient patience or reflection.
8. When we are tense, we unconsciously breath hold or shallow breathe. This triggers the sympathetic nervous system and cortisol, the “flight or fight hormone.” Slow diaphragmatic breathing activates the healing, restorative parasympathetic nervous system. Moving yourself into a healthy parasympathetic state, and staying there as much of the time as possible, helps heal all health conditions, both physical and emotional ones as well.
9. 70% of how fast we age inside and out is based on our lifestyle choices, 30% is genetic. Rather than focusing on our chronological age, instead look at the small everyday lifestyle choices you can make to improve your health span.  Put emphasis on HEALTH SPAN rather than LIFE SPAN.
10. Try this mini relaxation exercise: breathe in and say “I AM,” breathe out and say “At Peace.”

Aging and Fitness

Question:  Do we become less active as we get older because our bodies start to break down, or do our bodies start to break down because we allow ourselves to become less active?

Answer:  Performance losses in middle age are mainly due to a sedentary life-style rather than biological aging.

Watch Dr. Dembe LIVE

Want to learn the best stress strategies?  Catch Dr. Dembe LIVE Wednesday October 26, 2011 on Rogers cable channel 10 and or 63, on the show ‘Finding Your Bliss’.

Wellness Tips to Enhance Your Life

Ask yourself this question, “What small things bring JOY to my life.” Then make a list of all the significant people, activities that make your heart sing. Select one or two from your list to enhance your day.

Wellness Tip

Do you watch TV?

This is a perfect opportunity for a mini fitness workout.  You can do the front and side plank, push-ups, glute bridge and balance work.

Use your imagination to maximize your time.

Wellness Tip

Clutter Decreases Our Energy Level.

Start with one small chore, like sorting out your shoes and boots.  Next, tackle your junk drawer in the kitchen. (Everybody has one)

Give your unloved stuff to charity.

You will feel good by doing good!

Wellness Tips to Enhance Your Life

Noise is so much a part of the landscape of everyday life that most of us aren’t aware of the physical and emotional erosion it causes. Chronic noise is a health hazard that, over time, increases stress levels. The body and mind crave stillness, quiet, solitude. 

So regularly seek out a place to JUST BE

Wellness Tips to Enhance Your Life

The brain doesn’t know the difference between real or imagined thoughts. Just staring at a photograph depicting a calm, serene setting — i.e. beach, lake, mountains or a forest will trigger the relaxation response, once you imagine yourself being there.

Wellness Tips to Enhance Your Life

Many of us have ‘portion distortion’ when it comes  to our fruit consumption  leading to sugar overload. The internet provides a concise list of serving  sizes for fruit for example… Did you realize that a serving of watermelon is only ¼ cup cubed?

Isn’t that just one mouthful?

Wellness Tips to Enhance your Life

Some people go to the Doctor with the attitude “make me well so I can keep doing the things that make me sick” This is self-defeating behaviour making it difficult for any health sustaining changes. Remember, if you wear out your body, where are you going to live?