Year Ending!

Yes.. Yes.. It’s been 3 months since we are in 2016 and we all have already been caught up in the daily rut and monotony of life. All those resolutions have almost faded away. Some new fitness trial classes were joined an discontinued. “I will do one new thing everyday” has become last year’s story.

But hey, there is always the ending of “the financial year”. This is that time of the year when all organisations and employees pledge for the #health #wellness and #goodFitness of their companies and their people. Everyone is talking about revenues, numbers, targets, budgets, increments etc.

Let’s try and do more than this… #Motivate all our people to start living a healthier lifestyle. When people live healthier, they stay happy, when they are happy they work better, if your people work better, the organisation grows faster and looks healthier!

A few things that you can bring in to your organisational life ti improve the wellness quotient of your people:

• Send out motivational emails, quotes, videos to all
• Have a wellness board in your office where people post their activities
• Share your wellness tips / activities with colleagues
• Have a bring a #HealthyMeal to office day
• Break out of your chairs and do a quick 10 minute workout
• Organise Friday sessions: Zumba, Yoga, Spa, Aerobics in office
• Play music in office and much more…

These are just a few things, we can suggest. So, get going and this year end, let’s pledge to live a healthier and happier corporate life! 🙂

#PopUpSpaBySpaExpress #FeelsLikeHeavenOnEarth #HealthyLife

Choosing The Best Spa Services Guide

A few years ago, getting spa treatment was considered something that only rich people did. Today, however, many spa services available are quite affordable. Many spa centers have opened across the country and people are taking advantage of the reasonable prices they charge. The most popular spa treatment is a massage, and this is something that has been around for centuries and has been credited for its health benefits.

Other popular treatments provided in the spa services include facials, foot reflexology, body wraps and hair & nail treatments. Most spas also offer hair styling services, and the level of treatment available will depend on the type of spa. Some specialize in different types of massage such as reflexology, Thai massage, hot stone massage and other treatments. Whatever beauty treatment you need, you can find a spa that provides the service.

People go to the spa to feel pampered and the atmosphere is one that is relaxing. Many of the up-market spas will have best of facilities. The treatment sessions have different durations depending on the service.

Some hotels offer spa services that last for days, for those looking for a weekend of being pampered. Spas are located at various national & international airports for special Jet Lag. Spas are more popular with women than men are, but now-a-days due to high stress levels & deep awareness for health & wellness, more men are also involving themselves in spa luxury treatments

When looking for the ideal spa, one of the factors you should consider is the ambiance. The environment of the spa should put you in a relaxed mood the moment you walk through the doors. There should be no noise or distractions and the air should smell nice and clean. The amenities available are another important consideration. A spa that is well equipped will offer a wider range of services.

Make sure that the facilities are clean and all the linen provided is freshly laundered and folded neatly. These are small signs that show that the business cares about the clients. The services offered should be consistent, with well-trained staff. Being a masseur requires training and a good spa will make sure that they employ well-trained staff who have good customer care qualities. When you go to the spa, you should expect to be treated in a courteous manner at all times.

Most spas require clients to make reservations for the service. This is important because the facilities usually get fully booked especially over the weekend. A good spa will have a good reservation system, which respects all the clients. The spas that get fully booked are those that offer quality services.

Spas have wide ranging services and in many cases, the costs vary widely. Some exclusive resorts will have very expensive services that target specific clientele. Those looking for a full range of personalized services can end up paying thousands of dollars for it. There are, however, affordable services that are of very good quality. If you are simply looking for a good relaxing afternoon at the spa, there are many options to consider and you can find something that suits your budget.

Staying Focused!

A healthy mind and body is the one that not only stays fit but also stays focused! Focus at work, school, household chores… in every walk of life is essential, else you will be working aimlessly. Setting goals for the day, being organised will help you finish a lot more tasks and complete them efficiently. Follow these simple steps and ‘DO MORE’ with yourself and your time:

1. Get Organised: Get rid off all the clutter, clean your desk, you room. This will surely help you think, open your mind and work better.
2. List it out: The oldest trick in the book. Make a to-do-list, a checklist. Nowadays, all smart phones come with apps that help you organise your day better or you can always use the old school pen and paper. Fill in your tasks of the day and stick it on the fridge or your pin-up board and strike off as and when you are done (sometimes the happiness of striking off a task gives more satisfaction than completing the task itself 🙂 ).
3. Manage your time: Once you have listed your tasks of the day, break your day into parts. Giving time deadlines helps complete tasks better, faster and more efficiently (believe it or not, we all work better when we have the clock ticking on us 😉 ).
4. Take breaks: Even if you have a ton of work (or chores) piled us, always take breaks. There is nothing more energising than regular breaks. Step out for coffee. Watch TV. Play a game. Talk to a friend. Take a walk. Get a quick spa therapy (www.hoein.com for Heaven in Office). And get back to your work with double the energy for sure.
5. White Noise: Especially in the work environment, it is important to cut off the background noise and avoid all the distractions that are running in front of you. I find my white noise with music; plug-in my headphones, play some instrumental tracks and focus all energies to the work at hand (like write this blog post 😉 ).

One thing is for sure, focus and attention does not come with force, it has to be voluntary and from within. All these simple things (and many more) in your day will surely help you STAY FOCUSED and ultimately be more efficient, productive therefore balance your work life and live a healthy lifestyle. 😀

Share your personal ways of staying focused, any innovative ideas?

RESoluTions!

Hello 2015! We are almost at nearing end of the first month of 2015 and the actual test results of whether our resolutions will last for the first quarter or not come out within these first 30 days. Well, if you have survived for the first month, there are about 80% chances that you will get through the first quarter as well… 🙂

So what are the most common things that we hear on 31st December of every year? Or even 1st January of every new year?

1. Let’s get fitter this year
2. Lose some kilos or inches to fit into those wonderful old pair of jeans
3. Do ONE good deed every day (or week or even month)
4. LIVE life to the fullest (stress-freeeee)
5. Spend more quality time with myself, with family and friends
6. Travel MORE

Yes of course the list can go on and on… But for most of us the top 2 stand true every year! Here are a quick few lifestyle choices that can help you get there without the stress of counting calories, changing your social life or dieting.

1. Hot water and lemon: It’s as simple as a cup of warm water and lemon. Begin your day with this warm cup feeling lighter all through the day. This cup of water does nothing but boosts your metabolism for the day.
2. BREATHE: Take about 5 minutes to do some simple breathing exercises (preferably in a natural and open environment or even by your window). Taking deep breathes first thing in the morning not only energises your lungs but also works on your abs.
3. Spot Fitness: Most of us are the lazy types, who do not like to venture out of our homes (for a walk or the gym) early in the morning. Here is the spot fitness regime for these kinds. In this regime what you got to do is simple: Set a timer for 15 minutes > Put on some music > Exercise until your buzzer rings. These exercises could be as simple as spot jogging, stretches, push-ups, lunges etc.
4. Eat Right: Diet is one of the most important parts of being healthy and fit. We all have cravings and weaknesses, well not asking you to give up a lot but follow a few simple rules:
   • Have a good filling breakfast
   • Eat every 2 hours (a small snack like a cookie, some nuts etc.)
   • Eat your meals on time.
   • A complete lunch in adequate quantities
   • Avoid over eating (makes you lazy)
   • Carbs only until 7pm
   • Have a filling high-protein dinner (salads, meat, lentils etc.)
5. Hydrate: Drink a lot of water through your day. Drinking water has a lot of benefits. Keeps your system clean. Reduces hunger pangs. Hydrates and nourishes your skin as well.
6. SPORT: Pick a sport and play atleast three times a week. We all love playing a minimum of one sport or the other, so this year team up with a sport buddy and get on the field / court (skipping, cycling, TT, badminton, basketball, football, cricket etc.)

There are a lot more ways of staying fit and healthy. These are only a few easy recommendations for a positive lifestyle change.

Good luck to all with their resolutions (let’s check on them after the first quarter). Stay fit & healthy always! 🙂

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! 🙂

Right Health?

Health and fitness is habit that we must develop. It is a lifestyle we must adopt as kids and encourage kids to lead a healthier and fitter life.  Are kids of today healthy? Are they eating right? Playing right?

Well, the reality is sad: It isn’t a rare sight now to see kids these day consuming protein powders just to look bigger or leaner. Before kids were lucky to get a new toy on their birthday, or go and play with their friends in the parks. But now their perspective of life has changed, they are aware of the concept of fitness.

Here also we deal with two extremes: one being the lazy obese couch potato and the other a fitness freak with intense gymming and training. Awareness and exposure to various concepts of health and fitness gives kids ideas, choices and opinions that make for themselves.

Certain parents who have grown-up kids try so hard to get themselves into the shape but its so much tougher for them because they’ve passed the age! They would definitely prefer going to the gym rather than running around in the park. It would be more of an importance for them to restrict their diet and avoid certain foods but what’s the point of their kids doing it? Even though they are still growing, they feel the need to become very cautious about their body to an extent where they become malnourished.

It would become very difficult for them in the future, as they would not be supplying themselves with the required nutrition! While some kids enjoy eating their life out, certain kids adopt the complete opposite diet. They feel the need to get ‘ripped’ or ‘shredded’ where their real goal should be becoming fit! There are certain ways other than going to the gym which growing kids can do like:

• Running: A few rounds in the park
• Playing a sport: Any sport in the outdoor or indoor
• Basic exercises: Any simple home exercises
• Yoga: Basic meditation and asanas

These are only few of examples of simple fitness regimes. And all these are not only good for health and fitness but also help:

• Increase stamina
• Release stress
• Clear the mind
• Enhance thinking

Sometimes variables like parents, peers, fashion etc. are the cause for kids to change but ultimately staying healthy should be a part of their lifestyle and not a goal or target to achieve. It is important for the kids to understand the importance of  the right balance between eating right and burning it all, because attaining this balance is the only key to staying healthy and fit!

It may be really tough to balance it for kids, however it isn’t tough to eat your vegetables and go play some football! And this stands true for all – kids and adults! So eat right, play right and stay fit! 🙂

 

Food Frenzy

Food is one the most critical aspect of health, fitness and well-being. It is something that (if not all) most people cannot survive without. However, like we have all kinds of people on this planet, we have all kinds of eating habits. Some can survive on one bar of chocolate or an apple for the entire day and stay full of energy. On the other hand there are people who eat will everything around them.

Quantity and quality are both very important for a good meal but regardless of what you eat or how you eat it, what you do before and after is what you must watch out for.

Having the right eating habits before and after eating are more essential than the ‘while eating habits’. It’s the before and after that actually determines the effect of the food. Most of us aren’t aware of certain basics that we should be adhere to before and after in order to ensure a good system. Basics such as:

• Drinking a glass of water before and after but not during a meal
• Eating everything before 6pm – that’s when digestion kicks in
• Having dinner as early as possible
• Hot & fresh dishes over cold & stale ones
• Breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper! 

Food provides a connection between all parts of the body. The food you eat surely defines the way to think, look and feel. To get the best out of the food you eat, it is important to have a stable amount of all the components that ensure a balanced diet. However that isn’t enough to help you eat well. You may eat all the right things there are to eat but eating them the RIGHT way is the key!

Happy Eating! 🙂