Healthy Tips for Productive Living

Studies have consistently shown a strong connection between healthy living and productivity for students and professionals. Check back for monthly updates on healthy, productive living!

Physical Health

Physical health is crucial for overall well-being. It involves maintaining a healthy body through exercise, proper nutrition, and adequate rest.

Did you know...
Conventional sunscreen ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate can be harmful, causing hormone disruption and allergic reactions in humans and contributing to coral bleaching and aquatic life pollution. These chemicals can also be absorbed through the skin and enter the bloodstream. Opting for mineral-based sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, along with wearing protective clothing, offers a safer alternative for both health and the environment.

Healthy Recipe of the Month

Refreshing Fruit and Mint Salad
Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced.
• 1 cup fresh blueberries.
• 1 cup fresh pineapple, diced.
• 1 cup fresh watermelon.
• 1 cup fresh mango, diced.
• 1 cup fresh kiwi, peeled and sliced.
• 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves, finely chopped.
• 1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup (optional).
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice.

Instructions:

• Prepare the fruit: wash all the fruit thoroughly. Hull and slice the strawberries, dice the pineapple, watermelon, mango, and slice the kiwi.
• Mix the fruit: in a large bowl, combine the strawberries, blueberries, pineapple, watermelon, mango, and kiwi.
• Add mint: sprinkle the finely chopped mint leaves over the fruit.
• Dress the salad: in a small bowl, whisk together the honey (or agave syrup) and lime juice. Drizzle this mixture over the fruit salad.
• Toss and serve: gently toss the salad to ensure all the fruit is coated with the dressing and mint. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours before serving for a colder, more refreshing salad.

Enjoy your delicious and refreshing fruit and mint salad!

Emotional/Mental Health

Emotional and mental health are essential for a balanced life. They involve understanding and managing your emotions, coping with stress, and maintaining positive relationships.

Did you know...
Tapping or Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) combines ancient Chinese acupressure with modern psychology to help release negative, dense emotions. By tapping on specific meridian points on the body while focusing on negative feelings, you can help rewire your brain's response to stress, promoting emotional healing and a sense of calm.

Healthy Activity of the Month:

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) or "Tapping"
Easy-to-Follow EFT instructions. See the reference for more detailed instructions and supporting research.

• Identify the Emotion:
  Think about what's bothering you and rate how intense the emotion feels on a scale from 0 to 10.
• Create a Setup Statement:
  While tapping the side of your hand (karate chop point), say, "Even though I feel (emotion) about (issue), I deeply and completely accept myself." Repeat this three times.
• Tap on the following points:
  Top of the Head: Tap and say (emotion).
  Eyebrow: Tap the inner edge of the eyebrows and say, (emotion).
  Side of the Eye: Tap the bone at the outer corner of the eyes and say, (emotion).
  Under the Eye: Tap the bone directly under the eyes and say, (Emotion).
  Under the Nose: Tap between the nose and the upper lip and say, (emotion).
  Chin: Tap between the lower lip and the chin and say, (emotion).
  Collarbone: Tap the area where the collarbone meets the breastbone and say, (emotion).
  Under the Arm: Tap about four inches below the armpit on the side of the body and say, (emotion).
• Re-evaluate:
  Take a deep breath and rate the intensity of the emotion again. If it's still high, repeat the tapping sequence.

Example:

1. Identify the Emotion:
   "I feel anxious about my presentation" (intensity 8/10).
2. Setup Statement:
   Tap the side of your hand and say, "Even though I feel anxious about my presentation, I deeply and completely accept myself." (repeat three times).
3. Tapping Sequence:
   Top of the Head: "Anxiety."
   Eyebrow: "Anxiety."
   Side of the Eye: "Anxiety."
   Under the Eye: "Anxiety."
   Under the Nose: "Anxiety."
   Chin: "Anxiety."
   Collarbone: "Anxiety."
   Under the Arm: "Anxiety."
4. Re-evaluate:
   Check the intensity of your anxiety again. If it's still high, repeat the sequence.

Spiritual Health

Spiritual health is about finding meaning and purpose in life. It involves connecting with your inner self, values, and beliefs, which can provide a sense of peace and fulfillment.

Did you know...
Forgiveness not only releases negative emotions but also promotes inner peace and harmony. By forgiving others and ourselves, we can experience spiritual growth, cultivate compassion, and strengthen our sense of connection to others and a higher purpose. This process is often seen as transformative and essential for spiritual well-being.

Healthy Contemplation of the Month:

Becoming Aware of Your Emotions:

• Awareness: Notice how your emotions affect your body and thoughts throughout the day.
• Acceptance: Embrace both positive and negative emotions as natural parts of your experience.
• Expression: Find constructive ways to express your emotions, whether through art, writing, or conversation.
• Balance: Strive for emotional balance by nurturing positive emotions and addressing negative ones.
• Reflection: Regularly reflect on how your emotions impact your well-being and relationships.

References

• Health & Productivity
• Tapping
•  Emotions & Spirituality
  
  

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