Training your brain to experience more happy

Happiness is without a doubt a choice. We don’t always get to choose the situations or circumstances we find ourselves in, but we do get to choose how we react.  Sure that choice is more challenging to make than others sometimes, but it’s always possible and it’s always a choice worth making. After all, the quality of our choices determines the quality of our journey.

I just LOVE this quote from Dr Frank Crane. He absolutely nails it for me in saying that ‘People are about as happy as they make up their minds to be!‘ 

Perspective and attitude are powerful, almost like superpowers. They are truly the only things we have total control over in our life. How we perceive the experiences life throws our way ultimately determines how we receive them. Not only that, happiness is like a muscle; it gets stronger the more we use it. So the more we look for the good, the easier it becomes to experience happy and see the good going on around us.

But this isn’t just some fluffy airy-fairy feel good thought, this is actually a scientific process called neuroplasticity. Basically this is the latest cutting edge scientific findings that has proven we can retrain our brain from our instinctive reactions or choices (eg. yell when something upsets us, or eat an entire block of chocolate if it’s there) to more positive choices over time.

We have pathways in our brain and just like roads they get easier to travel the more we use them. Think about it as though your driving a regular route you take between two points for example from home to work. Often times you’re on autopilot. You make that journey without giving it too much thought. It’s instinctive.

But what if you discovered a new, easier, quicker, less congested way to get from point A to point B, you’d probably make an effort to learn the route and start taking that way instead right? Initially it’d take time to navigate and remember where to go, but over time if you continued to take that new route, it would become normal. You’d strengthen your knowledge of driving that path and it’d become so simple.

The same thing happens in our brains as we experience life. And just like you can make a choice to change the route you take from point A to point B, you can also make a choice to change how you respond to situations. The only difference when your brain is concerned is that you won’t get to the same destination. Instead, you get a whole new positive outcome, like more feelings of joy, contentment and peace.

So how do we practically transform our minds and choose happy? Remember it’s a process, not an event. As I shared earlier, happiness is like a muscle that gets stronger with use. The first step is to be aware of the principle of choosing happy, and then all you’ve got to do is work out your happy muscle each day. How? I’m so glad you asked….

1. WAKE UP HAPPY – One of my favourite ways is to decide each and every morning that today is a good day and you’re going to be in a good mood. Seriously, try it for yourself! You can do this practically by setting yourself a reminder on your phone or alarm so it’s the first thing you see in the morning. After a while, it’ll just become second-nature. Your new happy normal.
2. DRESS HAPPY – Life isn’t meant to be a funeral, it’s a celebration!! Party each day by dressing in some happy threads. Think bright. Think bold. Think clothes that make you happy to wear!
3. MOVE HAPPY – Exercise releases endorphins; they’re the happy feel good hormone. Just get your amazing body moving in some way today!

It’s that simple! So what you waiting for? Get out there and get your happy on today!

The post Training your brain to experience more happy appeared first on Raw Energy Cafes.

How to break the quick-fix cycle

You know the quick fix cycle I’m talking about. The cycle of feeling a little blergh about yourself and your health, so you launch into the best, newest, 30-day money back guarantee product/program/method with much gusto, hope and promises to yourself that this time will be different, only to find it all too hard to keep up after just a few weeks, so you throw in the towel which reinforces the feeling that you’re a failure, don’t have enough self-discipline, and why did I even try in the first place, only to recover and try it all again in a few months or so later when you feel a little blergh about yourself and your health so you launch into the best, newest…. Well, you get the idea…

This cycle and the quick fix mindset just breaks my heart. Why? Because I’ve seen people stuck in this cycle and short-change themselves time and time again by pursuing what they think they want NOW, at the cost of what they really want MOST.

So often people chase what they think they want MOST, with a process that can only deliver for the NOW, by engaging in a soul-destroying cycle of calorie counting and flogging the body and feeling guilty for even thinking about chocolate. And I see people engage in that process again and again and again, year after year after year….

But it’s not meant to be like this! There is a way to break that cycle once and for all! It’s simple. If we want to enjoy true and long-lasting transformation for the body, then we first need a transformation for the mind. There’s a saying that goes something like this, ‘where the mind goes, the body follows.’

Making a change for your health is so much more than just needing to exercise more and eat better. If it was that easy we’d all be doing it! No it goes so much deeper than that.

• It relates to WHY we want it and what’s stopping us.
• It requires clearing out all our junky thinking.
• It means repairing the disconnect in our thinking which subconsciously sabotages all our best efforts.

To experience long-lasting change, fitness freedom and an enjoyable journey we need to deal with the negative self-talk, poor self-worth, warped perceptions and unrealistic body images, once and for all. Think about how much rubbish thinking you’ve been exposed to over your lifetime; that’s a lot of junk to shut down and break through! (And sorry quick fix lovers – that’s going to take a little bit of time…)

It’s quite simple really, if we want a healthy body, we need to have a healthy mind. So what if your wellness journey wasn’t just about weight loss for the body, but you lost some of the heaviness in your mind as well? When you’re kicking goals on your Get Healthy Get Happy my question is this, do you want to be healthy, happy, fit and free, OR do you want to lose weight? Because these are two completely different things…

If you’re ready to break the cycle of the quick fix and continue your health journey with consistency long after your Get Healthy Get Happy journey is done, here’s just a few ways to get you started:

1. Get accountable! Share with your friend, spouse, or mentor that you’re committing to a wellness journey and ask them to keep you accountable by checking in from time to time.
2. Expose yourself to health and fitness content with a journey based approach. The team at The Moderation Movement do this so well.
3. Engage with someone like a life coach or wellness coach to help create some new, healthier mindsets when it comes to your health.

The post How to break the quick-fix cycle appeared first on Raw Energy Cafes.

You know what they say, all good things must come to an end.

Today’s Healthy Hack

It’s been said for years that you’re supposed to drink 8 glasses of water per day to keep hydrated. But what they forgot to mention was that food counts too! Roughly 20% of our daily water intake comes from solid foods, especially fruits and vegetables! Add these foods to your diet to help you stay hydrated

• Cucumber
• Strawberries
• Tomato
• Watermelon
• Papaya

Today’s Healthy Bite

A great way to take in all of that extra nutrition is to juice up your greens.

You don’t need fancy ingredients, powders or even a fancy juicer. Just simply blend up a few staples that you already have in the fridge. Here’s a few key ingredients, mix and match & experiment as you go!

Spinach or Kale

Cucumber or Celery

Parsley or Mint

Apple or Pear

Banana or Orange

Today’s 2-minute workout

For a final day challenge, try your push-ups this week with your feet elevated. You’ve got nothing to lose, so give it a try!

Conclusion

Although it’s the last day of Get Healthy, Get Happy we hope that tomorrow is the first day of the new you. A you who loves how they feel and has committed to changing their lifestyle to be healthier and happier for a long time to come.

Look out for our follow up email where we’ll be highlighting some great resources to keep you motivated and inspired moving forward and help you set the next goal-posts for your happier life!

The post Get Healthy Get Happy Day 35 appeared first on Raw Energy Cafes.

1 more day to go! Hustle for that muscle!

Today’s Healthy Hack

Make it fun! Know how you love to move. If it doesn’t appeal to you, you’re not likely to be consistent.

Do you like walking, running, maybe a quick 5-10 minute home workout? Do you want to dance along with a DVD or pull out a mat and hold some yoga?Find what you like, and do that. Include a friend to make it more interesting.

Today’s Healthy Bite

Eat the rainbow!

Red – improves heart & blood health

Orange – prevent inflammation

Yellow – fortifies skin elasticity

Green – detoxifies

White – strengthens immune system

Purple -protects the nervous system

Today’s 2-minute workout

Take a step forward, then drop your rear knee to the floor. Stand back up again, take another step and repeat.

The post Get Healthy Get Happy Day 34 appeared first on Raw Energy Cafes.

Happiness looks good on you, you should wear it more often!

Today’s Healthy Hack

Source from your local farmers market. Notice how rich & vibrant the colours are compared to those on the shelves in your local supermarket. Buying from local farmers usually means the produce was picked that very day & all that extra goodness & nutrition is yours.

Today’s Healthy Bite

When we fuel our brain with foods that boost & balance brain chemistry that’s when we influence our mood. To balance your mental state opt for one (or more) of these foods today.

1. Chia seeds (full of plant based omega 3)
2. Avocados (loaded with vitamin E)
3. Dark chocolate (gives an instant boost in mood)

Today’s 2-minute workout

More of a stretch, but being limber is always good. Balance on one foot while raising the other behind you and stretching it up towards your back. Swap feet and repeat.

The post Get Healthy Get Happy Day 33 appeared first on Raw Energy Cafes.

Remember why you started this.

Today’s Healthy Hack

Set your playlist as long as your work out. No longer will you be focussing on the clock on the treadmill, but you’ll be running to the beat. Stop the workout when the music stops.

Today’s Healthy Bite

Peanut Butter Bliss Balls

• 1 cup dates
• 1 cup natural cashews & almonds
• 1/4 cup shredded coconut.
• 1 tsp vanilla bean essence.
• 2 tbs peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons raw cacao powder.

Finely chop the dates & nuts.

Place the peanut butter, raw cacao, vanilla essence & nuts into the blender and blitz until all of the ingredients are mixed well. Roll into balls in the palm of your hand and then roll into the shredded coconut. Perfect for a mid-morning snack on the go. Enjoy.

Today’s 2-minute workout

Pretty weird name, but it works! Get on hands and knees then alternate between stretching out your hand and foot on opposite sides. Hold in that position for several seconds, then swap.

The post Get Healthy Get Happy Day 32 appeared first on Raw Energy Cafes.

 
Here are the top 11 foods and natural remedies that can help boost healthy hair growth.

1. Get Enough Essential Fatty Acids

Essential fatty acids are specific fats that are critical to the proper function of your body. Your body is not able to produce these fatty acids on its own, so it is necessary that you eat foods containing them.

Essential fatty acids from walnuts, flaxseeds, fish and avocado are great foods to eat for healthy hair.

2. Ramp Up Collagen Production With Vitamin C

Collagen surrounds the hair strands but as we age collagen breaks down, causing hair to be more vulnerable to breaking.  The best way to boost collagen is by getting more vitamin C.

Foods high in vitamin C include citrus fruits, strawberries and red capsicum. 

3. Boost Biotin

Biotin, a water-soluble vitamin of the B complex, encourages hair and scalp health. Dietary sources of biotin include nuts, brown rice and oats. 

4. Eat Iron-Rich Foods 

Iron is also essential for hair growth and can be found in blackstrap molasses, green leafy vegetables, leeks, cashews, dried fruits, figs, and berries. To help your body absorb iron, you’ll need enough vitamin C.

5. Boost Scalp Circulation With Rosemary Essential Oil

Rosemary essential oil has been traditionally used to increase circulation to the scalp.  Add a few drops per dollop of shampoo or, better yet, add a few drops of rosemary or coconut oil and massage your scalp regularly.

The post Foods to eat for luscious hair appeared first on Raw Energy Cafes.

Be stronger than your doubts.

Today’s Healthy Hack

Close the kitchen doors after 7pm. Your body needs to fast and have a break from food. (hence where we get the name breakfast, as our first meal of the day breaks the fast)

If you start to get the late night munchies, opt for brushing your teeth, that’ll take away the desire to munch on something sweet.

Today’s Healthy Bite

5 – Veg Frittata

½  punnet of mushrooms

1 red onion

1 red capsicum

1 zucchini

2 cups of spinach

olive oil

8 eggs

½ cup of milk

½ cup of cheese

1. In a frying pan, heat the oil and add the diced onion and capsicum.
2. After 2 minutes add the zucchini, then the mushrooms.
3. Finally stir through the spinach after 30 seconds turn off the heat.
4. In a mixing bowl add the  eggs, cheese & ½ a cup of milk, whisk together
5. Pour the cooked vege’s into a medium size deep baking dish
6. Pour the egg/milk/cheese mixture over the vegetables
7. Bake for 20-30 mins at 180

Today’s 2-minute workout

Rest your forearms on a couch or bed with your knees on the floor. Push with your arms and legs until your knees are up and your back is straight.

Weekly Article

The post Get Healthy Get Happy Day 31 appeared first on Raw Energy Cafes.

Make happy happen today.

Today’s Healthy Hack

Today make an effort to perform an act of kindness. Offer to help a stranger with their bags, donate loose change to a charity or surprise a friend or colleague by picking them up their favourite takeaway coffee. Studies show that giving back triggers the brain to release happy hormones – psychologists call it the ‘helper’s high’.   

Today’s Healthy Bite

Add a serve of legumes to your lunch, dinner or breakfast to improve your gut health. Legumes help strengthen your intestine cells, improve nutrient absorption, help with weight loss, improve immunity and lead to a happier mood. Today try adding beans to your breakfast or chickpeas to your lunch or lentils to your dinner. Your gut and your mind will thank you for all the fibre, protein, folate and vitamin B those little legumes will provide.

Today’s 2-minute workout

Great for balance. Balance on one foot, bring your other knee up and pull it towards your chest. Hold for a few seconds, then swap and repeat.

The post Get Healthy Get Happy Day 30 appeared first on Raw Energy Cafes.

Last week! It’s the final countdown! (Also a good workout song)

Today’s Healthy Hack

Most overeating occurs around the dinner table when portion sizes are way too big. A great tip for this is to reduce your plate or bowl size. Research shows by doing this you won’t feel deprived, but you will feel full because you’ve eaten from a full (yet smaller) plate.

Today’s Healthy Bite

Bananas are a pretty good way of supplying your body with energy, so when you feel that afternoon slump coming on (we all get it) head to the fruit bowl & not the biscuit tin! The supply & release of vitamins & carbs in a banana help9 your body to feel full & satisfied.

Today’s 2-minute workout

Keeping your arms out to balance yourself, lower the full weight of your body into a sitting position, with your feet apart. Make sure to push your knees out and keep your head up.

The post Get Healthy Get Happy Day 29 appeared first on Raw Energy Cafes.