A hamper full of pampering!

Festival season is all about parties, guests, dinners, drinks, fun, frolic, drama and loads of celebrations. The silence after the crazy time leaves us with the real pains of life: cleaning, aches, pains, lack of sleep etc. This calls for ‘ME’ time. Time to bounce back. Time to pamper yourself. Time to reward yourself for being a wonderful host; life of the party! 🙂

However in our fast moving urban lifestyle, getting pampered and taking the ‘time out’ still remains a luxury. A spa day with no one but yourself, sounds like a dream. But who says you cannot enjoy this luxury within your home? Pampering yourself at home is easy if you know what to do. Here’s some simple ways that will bring life back into you:

1. Hot water bath: Aqua therapy is truly the easiest, simplest and best way to unwind. Check the temperature of your bath to make sure that it isn’t too hot. Add some rose or lavender oil to the bath to soothe your mind. Some aromatic candles and you are ready to RELAX!
2. Music always has the answers to most troubles of life. Pick a CD of spa music, or you buy some relaxing music off iTunes or simply YouTube it.
3. Pampering home salon:
   • Take a nice aromatic moisturizing lotion (aloe, cocoa butter, lavender, strawberry or any other) to gently massage your legs, arms, feet, elbows and hands making them soft, supple and new
   • Apply a natural face pack (fresh fruit, walnut, fresh cream or yogurt) to refresh your tired face
   • Cool your eyes with cucumber slices
   • Paint (for women) your fingernails and toes. Take the time out to do give yourself with a mani-pedi treat.
4. Comfy dressing: Pick your favourite /comfiest pair of clothing that will leave you comfortable and relaxed.
5. Freshen up: Brush, floss, use mouthwash!
6. Hot Drink: Try some hot chocolate, herbal tea, or even your favourite coffee. Put it in a nice mug and drink it either on the couch or in your bed.
7. Relax: Watch some TV, a film, or listen to some relaxing music in your bed. Or read a book or just sit by your window or balcony and enjoy the fresh air or view while your mind is free from all thoughts.
8. Sleep: Turn off the lights and think of relaxing or calming thoughts until you fall asleep. If it’s not night, take a nap. Even if it’s only a power nap. When you wake up avoid drama and take it easy.

So stop thinking and give yourself a break! Pamper yourself and jump out the party hangover with a newer, fresher and rejuvenated You! 🙂

FestiFIT

Festivals around the world are about meeting people, celebrations, drinks, sweets, food and more food and a lot more food. So, how is one to resist these temptations? How do we stay fit? Concentrate on well-being without binging? 

Well, of course you must enjoy the celebrations of festivals and be a part of all the hoopla including the large spreads of foods, sweets and drinks. These are temptations that tease the mind more than your taste buds. However, we have a few secrets that you can try out without feeling guilty on the festive indulgence and stay festiFIT:

1. Stand: Don’t be lazy, if you are at a party or at a celebration, stand wherever you can, sitting will only reduce your metabolism and increase fat.
2. Walk: Parties are all about mingling, so mingle! So while you keep your hands busy grabbing finger food – walk around, meet people and burn those few calories.
3. Stay Active: Always stay active – standing, walking, talking, dancing et all.

Stay FestFIT and pamper yourself this festival season!

 

 

Yoga: The art of concentration!

Yoga! What is Yoga? Yoga, is a Hindu spiritual and ascetic discipline, a part of which, includes breath control, simple meditation, and the adoption of specific bodily postures, it is to be practiced for health and relaxation.

We all are well aware of the benefits of Yoga. Yoga increases flexibility and reduces stress, but the practice can do more than help you twist your body and find inner peace. These hidden benefits will help you in the kitchen, office and bedroom – here are five reasons you must take up to Yoga, if you still have not:

1. Boosts Immunity: Other than simply increasing overall wellness and health levels a recent study found that yoga practice results in changes in the gene expression that boost immunity at a cellular level.
2. Ease Migraines: The cause of migraine isn’t fully understood, it is a combination of mental stress and physical misalignment that can be a result of hunching over a computer or cell phone with your shoulders up and head forward. A few studies show that migraine sufferers have fewer and less painful migraines after three months of yoga practice.
3. Sleep Better: Researchers from Harvard found that eight weeks of daily yoga significantly improved sleep quality for people with insomnia. Breathing and mental exercises allow the mind to slow down, so when the mind rests, you sleep better.
4. Fights Food Cravings: By causing breath awareness, regular yoga practice strengthens the mind-body connection.  This awareness can help you tune your emotions for certain cravings, and yoga breathing exercises can help you slow down and make better choices when cravings strike.

So either wake up 20 minutes earlier in the morning or spend 20 minutes before you sleep to practice Yoga for a more focused and peaceful day (or sleep) ahead of you…

 

Mind it!

A fit body needs a fit mind! In today’s hectic work, home and play routines it is very easy to lose your mental balance and this can in turn cause various problems like fatigue, stress, aches and pains. To avoid these or rather to keep your mind in a happy state it is important to focus on wellness for the mind.

How do we keep our mind fit? What is mental fatigue? When we are over worked (which most of us are nowadays) the brain sometimes either starts operating like a machine or loses complete focus and wanders around wasting precious time. Here’s how you can keep your mind alive, active and fit:

1. Stay mentally stimulated: Smartphones and internet makes it so easy to pick your favourite game – a sudoku or crossword puzzle or even candy crush, fruit ninja (just to name a few) will help keep your mind active, alive and happy.

2. Social networking. Being social to humans is like breathing. If we don’t get enough, our mental faculties suffer and we start losing our grip on how life should be. So make time for your friends! Call up that family member you haven’t spoken to in forever. When you feel balanced, when you feel like you’re an integral part of a community, everything else falls into place.

3. Sleep Well: A good quality sleep is what most people need to de-stress. Disconnect yourself sooner rather than later, possibly 2 or 3 hours before you go to bed. So get off the computer, stop staring at your cell phone, and hit “off” button on that remote control. Read, take a bath, or just chill with your family or roommates. Live in the moment and get a good night’s sleep.

4. Out of the BOX: To keep your mind kicking, do something you’ve never done before. Go to a city you’ve never been to. Pick up a sport you’ve never played. Get creative if you haven’t seen your artsy side in years. Find a hobby that’s always intrigued you but you’ve never gotten around to and make time for it. You’ll feel productive, you’ll feel like you’ve accomplished something, and, bottom line? You’ll feel good. Just what the doctor ordered. Whether it’s paragliding, taking a cooking class, or stepping into a big city without a map, there will be something you gain from these new experiences. Even if it’s just a crazy story to tell!

5. Where’s your passion? At the end of day, life without passion isn’t a healthy life. Everybody has a dream and even if you can’t make it something you’re able to pursue 24×7, it can be something that has its own little niche in your life. Happiness is an integral part to being happy, and following your passion is a good way to ensure that your happiness is here to stay. If it gives you that warm feeling on the inside, it’s meant to be. Never let your passions fall by the wayside. They’re there to keep your heart and mind happy and healthy.

Keep your Mind fit and HAPPY always! 🙂