Make the Most of your Day: How to Fit Enjoyment Into Your Busy Life

Do you ever feel as though you are being pulled in about 20 different directions each day? You’re not alone- between work, family, housework, volunteer commitments, and church and school obligations, most of us run on all 8 cylinders every day, with little or no time left over to relax. While it is important to get it all done, it is just as vital to fit in time to enjoy life and appreciate the beauty of everyday living. Here are a few tips for fitting enjoyment and happiness into your life even when you feel like you have no time at all!

Take Five- Got five minutes? It may not feel like you do, but trust us- it’s worth it. A simple five-minute break to sit down with a cup of coffee and chat with a friend, do a crossword puzzle, or read a chapter of your book can greatly improve your mindset, which can propel you forward throughout the rest of your busy day with more motivation and willingness to tackle the less-pleasant tasks on your to-do list.

Listen to Your Body- Have you ever been so busy that you forgot to eat or even go to the bathroom? This can be extremely dangerous and lead to illness, fatigue and burnout. Take cues from your body to find out what it needs to keep going and stay healthy. A quick fruit- and veggie-packed smoothie can work wonders for a busy person on the go, as can a quick piece of fruit or a handful of protein-rich nuts. Treat your body right, and it will return the favor!

Prioritize- Feeling like you just can’t fit it all in? Maybe you can’t, and that’s OK! If you are feeling overwhelmed by the amount of tasks you have on your plate, lighten the load a little bit by prioritizing what needs to get done. Remember- it’s OK to say no to after-work commitments or outings you just don’t have the time or energy to do. Stick with what is most important to you and let the rest go- you’ll be glad you did!

Outsource if Possible- If there is something on your list that never seems to get done, don’t let it stress you out- if you can, delegate tasks to others who are willing to help you out. Maybe your spouse can get your children’s dinner ready while you tackle the bills, or perhaps a trusted friend or family member can help you get your household chores under control over a weekend. When all else fails, look into hiring a cleaning service, yard maintenance crew or laundry service if finances allow- you’ll be amazed how much better you will feel when your most dreaded task is off your list of things to do!

Got any other tips for living a calmer, more relaxed life? Let us know in the comments section.

Fit in Fitness: 4 Exercise Tips for the Busy Mom

Being a mom is a full-time job. You get no pay, no sick days, no vacation time, and have to report to work really early in the morning (not to mention being on-call all night long!) Add your career, housework, other family members and friends to that crazy schedule and there is absolutely no time for anything else, including regular exercise, right? Not necessarily, say some fit moms who manage to make time for fitness. Here are a few tips on how to make exercise a part of your routine even when you feel like you don’t even have time to go to the bathroom by yourself.

Make it the first thing you do- In order to keep your commitment to fitness, you may have to get up even earlier to make it happen. Not only can rising an hour before your children usually wake up give you ample time to complete regular workouts, but you can reward yourself post-sweat with a little bit of that “me time” you may be missing. Nothing quite like a quiet, uninterrupted cup of coffee before the day gets crazy!

Make a standing appointment- Chances are you already have a jam-packed calendar, what with all the doctor and dentist appointments, taekwondo practices, and dance recitals your kids need to attend. Why not make your workout a regularly-scheduled appointment too? The act of physically adding your gym time to a calendar will cement it into your mind as a fixed, non-negotiable appointment, as well as give Dad and the kids a heads-up that they’re on their own come Saturday morning, when Mom’s at her Zumba class!

Forget how you look and focus on how you WILL look- Let’s face it: after having kids, our bodies don’t exactly snap back into their original, pre-pregnancy shapes. The sudden change in our body types can really wreak havoc on our self-confidence, making us less than eager to tug on that Spandex activewear and hit the gym. Relax- here’s a secret: NOBODY looks that great while they’re sweating through a workout, and NOBODY who is exercising is even going to notice. So skip the makeup and the fancy gym clothes and wear whatever you feel most comfortable in. After all, you will love the way you look after making fitness a part of your life!

Walk throughout the day- One of the nicest things about walking is that it is an exercise you can literally do anywhere! Squeeze in short, brisk walks throughout your day, take a long walk on your lunch break, or simply choose to walk instead of drive whenever possible. This will not only get your heart rate going and burn calories, but getting out in the fresh air and enjoying the mindful contemplation that comes with walking can be as good for your soul as it is for your body!

Do you have any exercise secrets for the mom on the go? Share your fitness tips for busy moms in the comments section.

4 New Year's Resolutions You Can Keep!

2016 is drawing to a close, and it’s time to focus on how to make 2017 your best year ever! Skip the daunting, time-consuming resolutions this year and pick a few you can actually keep. Here are a few ideas for things you can do to enhance your life, increase your productivity, and boost your health, all without having to meet wildly unrealistic expectations.

You Do You- It’s easy to compare yourself to that acquaintance, family member, or friend who seems to have it all together. You know the one- everything seems to come easily to this individual, from the clean house to the well-dressed kids to the perfectly groomed hair and spectacular outfit. Do yourself a favor and make a list of things you like about YOU, not things you wish to change to be more like someone else. After all, who knows? The person you long to be more like may secretly wish he or she had YOUR life instead!

Just Say Yes- Instead of a knee-jerk “no” reaction to an invitation or opportunity you don’t think is for you, try to sprinkle a little “yes”into your life. A live jazz concert on a Wednesday night? A camping trip in a national park? Skydiving? Whatever life throws at you, try to answer with a “yes” more often than you normally would (as long as it’s legal) and you’ll be amazed where your adventure may take you!

Breathe- As anyone balancing work, kids, hobbies and everyday chores can tell you, life can get pretty hectic from time to time. And while it’s all well and good to talk about being mindful and appreciating the little things, you need to practice what you preach in order to reap the benefits of a calm, happy life. Start by just breathing- a few deep breaths in times of stress or anger can help trigger the much-needed, little-used “Pause” button on your life and help you assess what’s really important before you react.

Drink Your Veggies- Do you hate vegetables? It’s OK, lots of people do. Can’t find time to cook healthy, well-balanced meals? That’s still no excuse to eat unhealthy, fattening foods- all you need is some produce and a standard blender to make yourself a healthy, filling fruit and veggie smoothie that you can enjoy on your way to work. Not only can the delicious medley of fruits and vegetables give you a non-caffeinated morning boost of energy, but these low-cal smoothies eat like a meal and are perfect for on the go! You’ll be amazed at how tasty they can be (pro tip: add more bananas to mask that “green” flavor), and your body will love you for it!

What are your resolutions for 2017? Tell us in the Comments section.

3 Benefits of Adjustable Bases

There is one common statement that I hear from my customers who own an adjustable bases; “I Love it.” I have yet to have someone say they don’t.  There are three common reason and benefits to adjustable bases that everyone should consider that we can all share in.

1. Alleviation of pressure on the lower back and other problematic areas.  From my personal experience and my customers this is probably the largest benefit that we talk about.  When you lie on your back without an adjustable you might not notice the pressure and tightness in your lower back, but lift your head and feet slightly with an adjustable base and you can feel that pressure and tightness that you didn’t even know you had just ease away.  From a comfort standpoint this is the largest benefit and one that every loves. 
2. Ease of Reading and Watching TV.  We all have tried to lie in bed and read, holding the book over you head and having it fall in your face, propping our head up with pillows and getting a crick in our neck, or trying to watch TV and not able to get comfortable.  I take it for granted now that I can just lift my head up until I’m at the perfect angle to watch tv, work on my laptop and stay in my Pajamas.
3. Sleep Apnea, heart burn ect.  This is one of those things that depending on you talk to depends on the answer you get.  While it doesn’t fix or cure these issues I can tell you from personal experience that I don’t nearly have the same heart burn or acid reflux I use to.  Now I could probably just skip the evening snack, but it’s my favorite.  There are countless health benefits that have been reported for adjustable bases; from sleep apnea to helping with poor blood circulation.  Even if you don’t have poor circulation we could all benefit from a little help.

An adjustable base isn’t just about comfort in bed, while that is a great reason.  It’s about health, better sleeping, better support, and overall getting the type of sleep you deserve that makes you feel refreshed and ready to go in the morning. I would say it’s not for everyone but as a stomach sleeper my self; switching to an adjustable base and sleeping on my back, I have never felt better!

What problems do you have sleeping? I bet that an adjustable base can help. Give us a call at one of our 16 store locations.