Author: conniekayash@yahoo.com

Tools I Use to Organize My Busy Life

Crazy busy describes my life for the last 17 days.  I have been on call for 17 days, covering extra patient office visits, hospital and nursery rounds, learning new teaching software, and trying to do the normal everyday stuff that is involved with owning a boarding kennel and a athletic training facility – this is one tired girl.

But I wanted to take a minute to share with your some of the tools I use to keep myself organized.

Cozi app – the Cozi app allows me to manage a menu, grocery list, and schedules with my family.  I put together a menu on Sunday and a grocery list for the week.

Kennel Booker – this is the most amazing software for managing our boarding facility.  I am able to set up reservations for family pets and the kennel staff then has real time access.

I also use aNote (Awesome Note). This is an app on my iphone that allows me to keep notes, to-do-list, and create check off list.  This is where I keep notes about topics to write about or research,  thoughts about business plans and even list of my hospital rounds.

I go off call officially at 7 AM tomorrow – this is one tired but happy girl, there is light at the end of the tunnel and hopefully sleep.

I would love to hear what tools you use to mange your life.
Have a great week
~ ConnieKayA ~
A Southern Girl sharing her passion for living an abundantly blessed life

 

Hard Work Will Not Kill You or Will It?

It has been said  “that that does not kills us makes us stronger.” So we assume hard work will not kill us, which can be true. If….you take care of yourself.

Karoshi is the Japaneses term for working yourself to death.
High stress levels at work can ruin your health goals. It causes your body to store more fat and makes it difficult to build and retain muscles. Excessive work will cause you to have less energy and a higher risk of mental illness, heart attack, and stroke. As karoshi suggests, you can literally overwork yourself to death, but it doesn’t have to be this way!

This has  been where I have been failing… I work, sleep (4-5 hours) and repeat six to seven days a week.   Recently, I have realized that my bad habit has also impacted my husband’s health.  His cholesterol is elevated, his blood glucose is out of control, and his weight has started to max out our scales..

My educated mind knows that with balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and proper rest and relaxation, can keep me motivated and help me deliver my best performance at work and home.

So, the Ash household is on a new mission.  Starting with new menus, decent bedtimes and exercise (funny I met the Big Man running, how did we ever get so far from where we were???- no time to dwell on the past).

I would love to hear how you have improved your health.
~ ConnieKayA ~
A Southern Girl sharing her passion for living an abundantly blessed life.

 

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Eight tips to achieve your current goals.

As I was reading facebook this morning,  Taylor Bardford of Boss Girl Creative  asked what are we working on this week for our biz.  As I looked at a long list of to-do’s I realized I need to find a way to be more focused and goal oriented.  Below is a list of tips to achieve your current goal.

Eight tips to achieve your current goals or develop new healthy habits.

  • Write down your goals or the habit you want to create.
  • Make a long-term plan for achieving your goal and divide it out into small steps or a flow chart.
  • Have a daily plan. Set reminders in your phone or write appointments on your daily planner. Schedule tasks just like you would any other appointment.
  • Find an accountability partner or group that understands your goals.
  • Post your goal publicly.
  • Remove all distractions. Get rid of all obstructions and distractions that will help prevent you from achieving your goals.
  • Visualize yourself achieving your goal and how you will feel achieving it. Allow yourself thirty seconds each day to breathe and visualize.
  • Educate yourself. Do research on what it will take to reach your goal and use available resources and tools make your journey a little easier.

I would love to hear you about how you achieve your goals.
~ ConnieKayA ~
A Southern Girl sharing her passion for living an abundantly blessed life.

What To Do When You Find Yourself Stressed

Stress is real.  According to some references stress is the basic cause of 60% of all humane illness and disease. Some references believe that up to three out of four doctor’s visits are for stress-related aliments.

Physical symptoms of stress include:

  • Weakness, fatigue
  • Aches, pains, tense muscles, muscle spasms
  • Nausea, heartburn and dizziness
  • Chest pain, palpitations, rapid heartbeat
  • Frequent colds and infections
  • Clenched jaw and teeth grinding

What should you do when you recognize the signs and symptoms of stress?

  • Meditate
  • Breathe Deeply
  • Exercise
  • Laugh
  • Listen to Music
  • Be Grateful
  • Accept You Can’t Control Everything
  • Stay Positive
  • Do Something Fun

Life is short – learn to live stress-free.  I would love to hear how you manage stress.

~ ConnieKayA ~
A Southern Girl sharing her passion for living an abundantly blessed life.

Sunday Creative ~ Brain Yoga

In the hustle of life, it’s easy for our mental and emotional health to take a backseat. Most of us get sidetracked by career obligations, family responsibilities, and the day-to-day responsibilities of life.

Luckily, creative activities are literally therapy for your mind. Whether it’s writing, baking, gardening, sewing, or paper crafts, a creative outlet can really improve your mental clarity and emotional health.

Creativity is like yoga for the brain.  The creative process relieves stress, improves health and minimizes the risk of depression and Alzheimer’s.
According to the American Journal of Public Health, numerous chronic diseases, including heart disease, depression, and Alzheimer’s, are associated with high stress levels. Of course, other factors such as diet and exercise matter, too. But when it comes to caring for your brain, less stress is best.

Creativity also increases and renews brain function. It’s no secret that work and school projects exercise our critical thinking skills. But when it comes to creative endeavors, we nurture different areas of the brain in new ways. CNN reports that engaging in creative tasks protects neuron growth by promoting the production of new neurons, which are crucial for maintaining a healthy central nervous system.

S0, today I worked at being creative. I reorganized my craft studio. I created a space for, scrapbooking, sewing and embroidery work.

I organized my acrylic stamps and paints.

I organized books and added a space for my silhouette and hot press.

I also added added space for scrapbooking.

I have missed scrapbooking.  It is a long story but I have put my creative side on hold for several years.  But, now I am refocused and have scheduled time to be creative, practice brain yoga.

If you are interested in scrapbooking, check out my website Scrapbookwife@Close To My Heart.

I would love to hear what you do to feed your creative soul.
~ Connie Kay A ~

Spiritual Health Is Important.

Lately the Big Man and I have not been attending church.  At first our  my excuse was work, family and just being “too busy” but over time I have found myself questioning organized religion.

My view of church has changed, I once believed that the body of the church would be faithful with work in the community, but over the last couple of years, I see the body of the church as being content to sit in their pew and write a check.

I have watched our church dwindle in numbers, never moving outside of the walls. Yet, thousands of dollars have been poured into maintaining a big old brick structure for a few.  For me that is selfish – I want people to get out, offer a hand (without a check).  There is so much of God’s work to be done in our little community.

So, I haven’t been to Sunday services and I feel bad about not going to church.  I love our pastor, she is one of the most honest, kindest, hard working souls I know.  Her mission in life is to spread the word and focus on God’s work.   But, I have learned in organized religion, you have to follow rules and you should not upset those with the checkbook.

So back to me, what do I do?? How do I give God what he deserves, after all he gave us his son.

God deserves His due place in our lives. Psalm 29:2 calls us to “give unto the Lord the glory due to his name…” He deserves a life of worship, and a small start of that is to spend time in His word, learning more about Him.

So..I have decided that online bible study and quite time with God are how I will give God the time he deserves.

I have started with 30 Days of Gratitude: A Journey Through Exodus

Exodus is not a book I have read. My plan is to read the passage for the day.  I then plan to spend time using the Quieting Your Heart Gratitude Journal 

30-days-of-gratitudegratitude-journal

Will this process work?  I am not sure what I will gain from the process.  I do know that it is right to give God the time he deserves, so for now it will be me and God doing quite time together.

~ ConnieKayA ~
A Southern Girl sharing her passion for living an abundantly blessed life.

How to Have Time for A Workout

Here are 10 Reasons Why You DO Have Time To Workout:

  1. You May Have to Get Up Early  – Many people tell themselves that they don’t have time in their day, yet they have the same amount of time as everyone else. You may have to use that time differently. It may require you to get up early to fit in your workout.
  2. First Thing in the Morning – The best time to workout is first thing in the morning. It gets your day moving. (Literally!) When you do your most important things first, it empowers you all day long. You will feel great starting your workday knowing that you have already done your workout.
  3. It Doesn’t Have to Be a Long Workout – Some use the excuse that working out takes too long. However, consistency is more important that duration when you are starting out. Short intense workouts are better than long effortless ones.
  4. Have a Workout Partner – Working out with a friend or workout buddy can be a great motivation factor. You are more likely to make it to the gym if you know that someone else is there waiting for you. You won’t just be letting yourself down, but your partner, as well.
  5. Time Shift Your Workout – If you want to save time hitting the gym, then don’t go during peak times. Just like avoiding rush hour, avoid the gym at peak times.
  6. Go the Extreme  – There is not one right time to go to the gym. You may have to go the extreme depending on your schedule or obligations. When I was on shift-work, I used to run at mid-night at a 24-that is where I met my husband, he was a local police officer who thought he needed to keep an eye on me late at night.
  7. Don’t Overdo It – Many people simply try to overdo it with their workouts. Limit your early efforts or your will burn out or injure yourself. Start small and build to greater achievements.
  8. Working Out Increases Your Productivity – Often, I hear the people use the excuse that if they workout, then they will be too tired for their day. Well, you may be hurting for a time, especially if you have not been exercising for a while. However, you will pass the point that your workouts actually energize and improve everything else in your day.
  9. You Don’t Have to Go to the Gym – There is definitely some value, motivation, and benefit to actually going to a gym. However, if your time or resources are limited, why not workout at home? Or simply go outside for a run or walk? Sometimes the simplest answer is best (and quickest.)
  10. Just Do It, Even When You Don’t Want To – The most important way to ensure you have time to workout, is to do it even when you don’t want to. Those are the days that you need to prove your willpower. You are stronger than you think. Push yourself, especially when you don’t feel like it.

Focusing On Consistency

If getting active and staying healthy were easy, everyone would do it…but we don’t. I come home after a long day of moving around the clinic followed by taking care of the kennels, I destress by sitting in chair, unable to summon the energy to take a walk or hit the gym. Sure, everyone says to “make time for what’s important to you,” but oversimplification doesn’t make the struggle easier.

When you lead a busy a life, finding time to stay healthy is running-shoestough. Exercising every day may also seem a bit daunting, but because the time commitment is so small it’ll be a lot easier than you think.  It is true that all we need is 20 minutes of exercise per day to be healthy.  A daily routine also coyoga-23824_960_720mes with the benefit of starting a good habit, and that will make it easier to continue your exercise routine as time goes on.

This is my week for starting over, 20 minutes of walking or yoga every day. How about you, can you find 20 minutes a day to exercise?
~ ConnieKayA ~
A Southern Girl sharing her passion for living an abundantly blessed life,

Comparison Is Not Always Bad

I have over the years fought the urge to compare myself to others. There was a time in my life when I survived on 600 calories a day, because I thought I was fat and unattractive.  During my time in the Army Nurse Reserves I would often compare myself to other nurses during PT and push myself to be better.

Comparing ourselves to others is not always bad, especially when it comes to health. Overtime research has proven that there are certain values, limits, ratios that will keep us healthy.

One action step that can help you recognize what you need to focus on is to: Compare Yourself with Recommended Benchmarks – Compare health status with benchmarks for things like Body Mass Index (BMI), physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption, calories consumed, blood pressure, heart rate, cholesterol values, or hours of rest.

Comparing yourself to standard benchmarks will give you an indication of whether or not your health is where it should be. While a good, balanced diet and exercise certainly helps you stay fit and healthy, so many things are at work in your body simultaneously, it is always a good idea to keep your eye on these important markers that can alert you to some health problems early enough to address them.

When is the last time you did a little comparison?  What is keeping you from making the comparisons?

~ Connie Kay A ~

Recognizing the need to change

During the month of October I will be sharing 31 actions steps to better health. The first action step towards a healthier you, is recognizing the need to change or modify an unhealthy behavior, or add a healthy behavior.  31
Making better choices takes work and an awareness that the every choice has an impact on our health. The vast knowledge we have to prevent cancer, heart disease, and other chronic diseases is staggering and overwhelming.  But, you cannot afford to ignore what is good for you.

What I learned from my research influences my countless daily decisiono-more-excuses-picture-quotens.  Every bite of food either increases or decreases my odds of spending a few more years with my family. Half an hour of exercise in the morning makes for better interactions all day.  A restful night of sleep gives me energy to tackle the next day.  I am more engaged and in-charge of my life when I recognize the choices and actions that lead to a healthier life.

So how about you, do you recognize an opportunity exist for you to have a healthier life?