Being an optimist doesn’t come easy for all of us, and often it’s a skill that really needs to be worked at. However, with a little practice and patience you too can start looking at the brighter side of life. Here are a few ideas to help you get started:

#1 – Think “it’s just a mood.” Sometimes you really do have problems that need to be taken care of. But other times when you feel low, you may simply be experience a temporary feeling. It’s a good idea to look at your worries or feelings and think “is this just a mood or do I really have a problem to worry about?”

By learning to separate our moods and feelings from actual problems, we learn to accept that we feel low but that it is just a feeling and it will soon pass.

#2 – Smile more. Sometimes all it takes is a smile to change your mood. Make it a point to smile at least several times a day – at your children, friends or even strangers. A smile will most likely get another smile in return which will help to boost your overall mood and good feelings.

So even if you’re having a bad day or feeling a little down, try smiling for a while. Accept your feelings and take strength in that you still have control over the outcome of your mood. Smiling will help you gain that control.

#3 – Wake up on the right side of the bed. Optimists wake up and think “today is going to be a good day.” While this may seem easier said than done, it is possible with a little practice. Before you go to bed each night, think about how you will feel the next morning. Imagine yourself waking up happy and full of energy, ready to face your day.

If this is the last feeling you experience before you fall asleep, chances are you will be in a good mood when you wake the following morning. Take a few minutes each night to do this simple exercise and notice how you feel the following morning.

#4 – Keep a gratitude journal. Sometimes we have to be visually reminded of all the good things we have in life. By keeping a gratitude journal you acknowledge the things you are grateful for in life, and this in turn leads to an overall positive outlook.

Start by writing down the obvious simple (but significant) things, like your health, your family, your home, etc. Then go on to more specific things as you feel necessary. This is your journal to express yourself however you feel fit.

#5 – Don’t let others guide your mood. If you go into the grocery store and the lady behind the counter is rude to you, don’t let that get you down. Simply think maybe that person is having a bad day or is dealing with some personal issues.

The best way to stay optimistic is to not let negative people or their problems rub off on you. Accept that not everyone will be in a good mood but that this does not have to dictate the state of your mood. By taking control of your moods little and often, you’ll develop a confidence that will lead to overall optimism.

It’s not easy to be optimistic all the time, and we all have challenging times in life. However, by accepting that we cannot change certain things but that we can somewhat control our moods, you’ve made the first step to a more positive, optimistic you.

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How do rituals help you relax? Knowing ahead of time what your evening holds for you can begin the process of de-stressing. You don’t have to worry about what you’re going to do because you do the same thing every day. The evening, or at least a small part of it, is planned ahead of time which can be very freeing.

The following are some ideas you may want to incorporate into your day to reduce stress and bring on relaxation so you can enjoy your time at home.

Beautiful, soothing music – It has been said that music soothes the savage beast. It can also go a long way to helping you de-stress at the end of a long day. Play relaxing music on your commute home, whether you drive or ride public transit. When you get home, some of the stress may already be on its way out.

Playtime with your child or pet – Nothing is better at melting stress away than playtime with your child. You can get silly together and watch the stress disappear. If you don’t have children, playtime with a pet can have the same benefits.

Meditation – Many people believe meditation can do wonders for helping you relax. Set aside ten to fifteen minutes when you get home to sit in a comfortable chair, close your eyes, and breathe deeply. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Feel the stress slip away.

Drawing or painting – Get creative to reduce stress and help you relax. Bring out paper, pens, pencils, or paints and then sit down to simply let creativity flow. It really doesn’t matter if you create a finished work; the point is to use creativity to bring you to a point of peace.

Writing in a journal – Writing is another activity which can allow creativity to have free reign to bring stress under control. Begin writing down all of the good things that happened to you during the day or things you’re thankful for. You can also use the time to pour out pent up stress and frustration. No one else will read your journal, you can say what you feel which can be liberating.

Breathing exercises – Women are often taught to use breathing exercises during childbirth. Similar exercises can also reduce stress no matter which sex you happen to be. Be sure to get enough oxygen in and out of your lungs to reduce the effects of stress.

Drinking herbal tea – You can finish up your day by having a cup of herbal tea. There are many varieties which are said to reduce stress. Find one that you enjoy and make it a ritual to drink a cup when you get home to help you unwind.

Combine more than one of these ideas to create everyday rituals to feel relaxed. Your day will end on a less stressful note. You may also find that the following day begins better because you’re relaxed, refreshed, and ready to start your day.

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A quick tour of your kitchen or local grocers’ can help you find a few key items which can assist in triggering your brain into happiness, without the need for medication. Many of the most common “comfort” foods also contain multiple nutrients known to uplift moods and general state of mind. These are omega-3 fats, folic acid, vitamin B12 as well as selenium.

* Milk (skim milk is preferable) – There’s an amino acid found in milk products called tryptophan which our brain uses to make serotonin; the natural chemical our bodies create to make us happy. Milk is also rich in antioxidants, vitamin D and vitamin B12. These help fight stress as well as aging. Besides, the calcium is good for you and vital for building strong bones and teeth.

* Pasta, rice and bread – These comfort foods are actually just a few in the large number found under one title – carbohydrates. Consuming carbs can increase the levels of serotonin in your system, which provides a calming effect. It’s better to stick to the healthier carbs, however, such as brown rice, multigrain breads and vegetables. They are digested more slowly and are less likely to have an adverse effect on your blood glucose levels.

* Oily fish – The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish such as salmon, sardines and mackerel are also very helpful for lifting your mood. Most fish also contain loads of vitamin B6 and B12, which are involved in producing serotonin. Whether you get your omega-3s from food or supplements, you’re not only working toward a better mood, but you’re caring for your heart and brain as well.

* Bananas – The protein tryptophan which the body converts into serotonin is also found in bananas. In addition, bananas contain carbohydrates which boost our energy. As an added health bonus, the potassium content in bananas is great for people who exercise a lot, and they can even help prevent cramps.

* Chocolate – Containing anadamine, chocolate is definitely an easy to handle remedy for improving your mood. Some believe that other chemicals in chocolate may even cause the anadamine to remain in the brain longer, enhancing the positive effects. The sugar also boosts the level of endorphins in your system, adding to the feeling of happiness. Experts recommend eating a small amount of dark chocolate to achieve these effects.

Maybe you didn’t realize you could change your mood by consuming these and other ‘happy foods’. In many cases, choosing these foods could mean the difference between having a brief episode of unhappiness, or more serious blues and taking medication for an extended period of time. Certainly these dietary choices are the easier and perhaps the better choice.

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Joy Bauer’s Food Cures is a book on how to eat to fight off certain conditions. Joy Bauer is a well-known nutrition consultant who has been working with gold-medal winning athletes, celebrities and actors. In her book she teaches the reader how the food that we eat affects our health. The right foods can be used to lower cholesterol, enhance your memory, get better skin, treat arthritis, manage diabetes, lose weight and treat other health conditions.

The individual chapters in her book provide the reader with information on one health condition, such as PMS, migraines, cholesterol etc. The author then recommends certain foods to eat and which to avoid. All information given is scientifically researched. Each chapter also includes grocery lists, meal plans, recipes and supplement recommendations.

Experience the power of food and fight off certain conditions and sometimes even reverse symptoms. Joy Bauer’s Food Cures is a book that you will find to be a great reference for health and nutritional food choices.

For more information on this fantastic must-have book, go to www.amazon.com.

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I came across Hillbilly Housewife’s Ode To Oatmeal ebook about oatmeal and how to use it and incorporate it in the meals more.  There are some super yummy recipes in this book. I was given permission to share this wonderful ebook with you for FREE.   I hope you enjoy this as much as I do.  Let me know what you think.

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For those who want to improve overall fitness but feel that there aren’t enough hours in the day, circuit training may be the answer. As the name suggests, circuit training involves doing a series of exercises in rapid succession. Over a period of 30 minutes to an hour, one can use circuit training to work all of the major muscle groups and get a good aerobic workout.

A typical circuit training session consists of alternating toning and cardio exercises. Each weight exercise targets a different muscle group. Individual exercises usually last between 30 seconds and 2 minutes. These factors keep the exerciser from tiring out too quickly, making it possible to exercise continuously.

Circuit training is highly structured, yet it can take on a number of forms. Some gyms, such as Curves for Women, offer a circuit training program in which members use one machine for a specified amount of time, then switch to another machine. There are also personal training programs that take a circuit training approach, coaching clients through a rapid series of exercises. Some people also create their own circuit training routines.

Circuit training is most often intended to promote weight loss and build lean muscle tone and endurance. But it can be adapted for use in muscle building. This can be accomplished by using various types of weights and increasing the length of time at each station. Circuit training may also be used in training for just about any sport by incorporating the right exercises.

Creating a Circuit Training Workout

You don’t need an expert to create a circuit training routine for you. It’s not terribly difficult to create one yourself. Here are some guidelines:

* Determine what your goals are. If you’re interested in overall fitness, you’ll need to choose exercises that work each muscle group. If you want to work on specific areas, you can incorporate exercises that benefit those areas.

* Alternate types of exercises. Do an aerobic exercise, then a toning exercise, then another aerobic exercise, and so on. If you’re only targeting a couple of different muscle groups, alternate between them to prevent fatigue.

* Try to create some variety. Do some exercises that do not require equipment, and some that do if possible. This will keep things interesting.

* Don’t forget the warm-up and cool-down. These are important because they help prevent injury and assist your body in adjusting from normal activity to working out and back again.

Circuit training is a great way to get a solid workout in a short amount of time without overexerting yourself. Whether participate in a gym, with a trainer or on your own, you can produce results quickly.

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