ashugart's blog

Having recently gone through a breakup and resulting move and a dear friend who suffered a near fatal motorcycle accident, I could not have made it through without the support of my girlfriends.  It's interesting how the crisis of our friend nearly being killed and living in a coma for nearly 40 days could have a positive outcome, but it brought a dear friend back into my life.   We'd lunch before visiting our friend at the hospital and reconnect with each other.  Strange, but we realized there in front of our friend how much we missed each other and what fools we were for losing touch. I know that any of my friends will always be there for me whevever I need them. I really couldn't ask for a better, more supportive group of friends.  Thank goodness for my girls.

I don't know about you, but I have to frequently remind myself to drink more water. I know I drink too much coffee, tea and soda, which contains caffeine and prompts the body to lose water. So, I've almost entirely removed soda from my refreshment list and limited my coffee and tea intake. There are so many benefits to drinking more water and when I do it consistently, the rewards are immediate. I often find that my skin and my brain love me for it. It also is great when you're trying to drop a few pounds as it's a great way to feel fuller before a meal, which may prevent you from overindulging. Don't worry about buying designer water, either. I stick to tap water, which is better for the environment and easier on my wallet.

Is your husband or boyfriend a mind reader? Yes, of course he should be, but chances are he’s not. Indirect communication is one of the key catalysts for an argument. When you look at him and he’s clearly just not getting it, it just fans your frustration more. Instead of waiting for him to mystically “get it”, why not give it to him? Ask yourself, are you explaining your needs or expressing your thoughts as clearly as you think you are? When a disagreement surfaces, ask yourself:

• What exactly am I thinking and feeling right now?
• What do I want my spouse to know right now that he or she may not realize?
• Ask them what they think you mean.
• What am I assuming he knows that he may not have thought of?
• Am I complaining or criticizing instead of clearly stating my concern?
• Is there another way I could say this to make them understand?

An apple a day keeps the doctor away." There's more truth to this saying than we once thought. What you eat and drink and what you don’t eat and drink can definitely make a difference to your health. Eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day and less saturated fat can help improve your health and may reduce the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases. Have a balanced diet, and watch how much you eat.

Some quick math for you: a latte on the way to work is three dollars a day. That’s five times a week, fifty-two weeks a year for a grand total of $780. Small price to pay for a morning jolt, you say? Perhaps, but remember you can always buy espresso and coffee—to make at home. Try a nice cup of press-pot style coffee and some warmed milk. Add a dash of chocolate and you have a mocha. 

If you don’t have sleep, what do you have? If you have trouble sleeping, try these techniques:

Cut coffee late in the day

Eliminate stressful activities like bill paying from the bedroom. A bedroom should be a place where you relax only.

Get regular exercise. Exercise regulates the body's rythems, which in turn tell your body to get tired at the right times.