Worcester Scouts
Troop & Pack 19
Do A Good Turn Daily
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Set Your intentions for a healthly,Happy New Year
Do your New Year's resolutions have a way of fizzling before February? With a clear intention and some positive thinking, you can make those resolutions stick—once and for all.
Do your homework.
You can put a lot of effort into a resolution, but unless it's something you really desire, it may not take root. Take some time to explore what's behind the resolution. Suppose your goal is to exercise more. Is it to have more energy for your kids or to give your self-esteem a boost? This intention, or purpose, will give your goals some context and help build a foundation for success.
Believe in yourself.
Before you can make a big change, you have to believe that you can. Take a moment to write down all of the negative feelings you have about the resolution—anything that might stand in your way. Now, for each negative thought, come up with a solution or counter-thought (for example, next to "I don't have time to exercise," write down all of the ways you could make time for exercise). Remind yourself that anything is possible. Find other people who've followed through on a similar resolution and talk to them.
Look on the bright side.
If your resolution is to make more money, but you constantly focus on the things you don't have, then you're not likely to make more money. Whatever your resolution, first be grateful for what you have, and then for the progress you do make. Now, focus on the opportunities available to go even further. You'd be surprised at what will present itself when you shift your perspective.
Use your imagination.
Visualizing is an important part of bringing your intentions and goals to life. Close your eyes and imagine that your intention has already happened. How do you feel? If you have a hard time imagining it in your head, do it on paper. Grab some magazines and find images that reflect your resolution and the life you want to live this year (and beyond!). Glue them on a large piece of poster board and hang it in a prominent place. And remember, though the New Year is a great time for reflecting and setting goals, great intentions can (and should) be set all year long! ♥
Health & Fitness Tips
Even if you take precautionary measures this winter, such as getting a flu shot and washing your hands frequently, there is still one more "X" factor to consider: a strong immune system. Your immune system is your body's watchdog, and it's always looking out for you. First, it manufactures antibodies, which identify and fend off invaders. Also, your immune system has a built-in memory: It remembers how it defended your body against those past invaders, and it stands ready to do it again. This is actually how vaccines work.
Here are five ways to give your hardworking immune system a boost during the season of sniffles.
1. Get enough sleep.
Just like the rest of you, your immune system gets weary, and too little sleep compromises its ability to protect you against sickness. Aim to get at least seven to eight hours of sleep a night.
2. De-stress.
Chronic stress causes your body to be in a constant "fight or flight" mode; in fact, stress causes your body to secrete certain substances that weaken your immune system. Taking steps to reduce stress in your life—whether that means taking yoga classes, getting regular massages, or saying "no" more often when you're spread too thin—will help your immune system stay in top shape.
3. Eat right.
There is a definite correlation between overall health and strong immunity, and what you eat plays a big role. Experts recommend loading up on vitamin B6 and B12, and eating a diet low in red meat and high in fruits, vegetables, and fish. There also is evidence that chicken soup can help strengthen your immune system—all the more reason to cook up a fresh batch right now!
4. Exercise more.
When it comes to exercise and immunity, it's important to find the right balance. Exercising too much or exercising when you're already starting to feel sick can actually weaken your system. But moderate exercise such as brisk walking, jogging, or bicycling three to four times a week is a great way to keep your immune system going strong.
5. Enjoy yourself.
Preliminary research suggests that listening to your favorite music is one way to help your body make more IgA, a protein that helps fight infections. And the birds and bees just might have something to say on this matter, too: Being intimate is another way to give your immune system a boost of IgA. Whatever activity you choose, make sure it is both relaxing and enjoyable. In the words of an often quoted pop song: Don't worry; be happy. ♥
Get Active Indoors
Is channel surfing the only activity going on in your house? If so, it's time to put down the remote control and start moving together as a family. Daily activity is important for your family's health and much more. It'll help everyone relieve stress, sleep better, and focus more at school and work.
Don't let cold weather get in the way. Here are some ideas that'll keep your family active all winter long.
Dance, dance, dance.
Turn off the tube and turn on some upbeat music. Get a dance party started right in your family room. Sure, it may seem a little goofy, but it'll give you more laughs than any sitcom on TV.
Play a video game.
That may sound contradictory, but today's video games are becoming more active than ever. From tennis matches to dance-offs, video games can really get your family's heart rates up and get the competition going.
Design a family gym.
You don't need a fancy treadmill or an expensive weight machine to build a gym in your own home. Just designate a corner of your family room as the workout area with a stretching mat, jump rope, and small hand weights.
Pop in a tape.
Try kickboxing or yoga as a family. Bring home a variety of exercise DVDs from the library to see which ones you like. It's a good way of trying it out before spending your money on videos that just collect dust on the shelf.
Get ready to roll.
Need a break from the house? Find the closest skating rink and get ready to have some fun. Roller-skating can provide an aerobic workout that everyone will enjoy.
Climb the walls.
Indoor rock climbing can be an adventure for the whole family. Not only does it give you a full-body workout, but it also helps you develop better balance and coordination. Plus, talk about family trust—somebody will have to spot your climb by manning the rope.
Join the Y.
For indoor activities for the whole family, check out your local YMCA or community center. From indoor swimming pools and Nautilus® rooms to basketball and racquetball courts, there's sure to be something for everyone. ♥
Handle Change at any Age
Whether it's a new position at work or a new teacher at school, change can be scary at any age. And that's OK—a little fear is good. It keeps you on the ball and prepares you to focus on the new situation at hand.
Life isn't predictable, and as the old saying goes, "when life hands you lemons, make lemonade." You just have to make the best of it, no matter what comes your way. To help make good transitions, follow these tips.
Approach change with a positive outlook.
Even if the change is something you're not in agreement with, try to keep a positive attitude. By focusing on the positive aspects, it'll make the transition a lot smoother.
Apply what works in the new situation.
Whether it's a hint of routine or a certain characteristic, take what you value and incorporate those qualities in the new situation. For example, if your secret to being productive in an old position was a midmorning break, apply that same habit at your new job.
Don't overanalyze it.
Don't set the stage for every single pitfall that may occur. If you consume yourself with all of the negative possibilities and scenarios, you'll become even more resistant to change. Instead, just roll with it. Overthinking it can be paralyzing and will just make the situation harder.
Expect some adjustment.
Know that sometimes things don't go according to plan. There are sure to be little bumps in the road and it's better to know they're coming, rather than to expect a perfect transition.
Find support from family and friends.
Going through change on your own can be hard. It's helpful to find support from others who have a positive outlook. Talking with friends and family, and getting their encouragement, will help you adjust to a new situation.
Remember to take good care of yourself.
Don't put your health on the back burner during a time of change. Make sure you're getting a good night's rest and adequate exercise. It will help buffer the stress and give your mind some clarity, no matter how chaotic the change may be. ♥
5 Simple Steps to Stop Procastinating
Are you the type to complete presentations five minutes before they're due? Or maybe the thought of cleaning out a closet makes you run for something else better to do? Sure, everyone procrastinates from time to time, but some tend to procrastinate in almost everything they do. The reasons can vary from fear of failure to fear of success. And although it may seem like the solution is better time management, it's simply not.
However, there are simple ways to help you beat procrastination. So let's stop dillydallying, and let's get to it.
Identify why you procrastinate.
Do you only put off doing things you don't enjoy? Is it the larger to-dos that make you feel overwhelmed? When you start understanding when and how you procrastinate, you'll be better at recognizing it and fixing the problem.
Stop adding new projects to your plate.
If you keep adding new tasks, you'll feel too overwhelmed to start tackling any project. The goal is to complete items you already have started. Once those are complete, you can add new projects to the list.
Prioritize your list.
Each morning, take some quiet time and assign yourself a manageable list. Think about each of the tasks and what's more important to complete first. If it's a big task, break it up into smaller projects over a couple of days.
Set a reward.
Think of a way to reward yourself for completing a project. Maybe a trip to the coffee shop will motivate you to complete a work report. Or a mini-manicure will get you to finally clean out the spare bedroom.
Give it at least 10 minutes.
Maybe the task seems too daunting or you're not 100 percent confident how to get it done, so you put it off. Instead, tell yourself you'll give it 10 minutes before you throw in the towel. You may be surprised that once you get into it, you'll start to feel motivated to continue.
You won't change overnight, but by working at it, you'll procrastinate less and become more proactive each day. ♥
