In A Transition? Staying Calm Amidst The Chaos!

Following is a list of daily (if you can!) practices that I recommend to my clients and students who are in the midst of major life transitions.  They come in handy for any of us - even if we're not in the middle of major change - as an act of daily self-care.   If you can't manage to fit them all into a daily routine, pick one that's "non-negotiable" and add that to your current schedule.


1. Eat healthy food. This means eating organic food when possible, lots of fruits and vegetables, and a pharmaceutical grade multi-vitamin. Organic food is widely available from health food stores as well as membership community farms.

2. Drink lots of water. Especially during times of concentration, it’s important to drink plenty of water. The harder our brains work, the more quickly we become de-hydrated. Drinking water all day long will help you to think more clearly and feel more energetic.

3. Get enough sleep. In my workshops, when I ask how many attendees are getting enough sleep on a regular basis, only a few hands go up. Sleep is a high priority for maintaining health and emotional well-being. You simply can’t function at your best without enough sleep. In addition, lack of sleep leads to higher levels of stress as your mind and body strive to compensate.

4. Get exercise. This could be walking, going to the gym, doing yoga, or anything that increases your energy and gets your heart-rate up. Exercise is a great way to feel good, maintain a healthy body weight, and reduce stress.

5. Engage in a spiritual practice. This could be meditation, being in nature, or anything that’s meaningful to you. Once in the morning and once in the evening “book-ends” your day in a center, grounded manner.

6. Get outside daily. Spending time outside in nature and getting fresh air is so important to mental health and a positive outlook. Notice how much better you feel after spending time outdoors.

7. Write in a journal. It’s a good idea to get your thoughts down on paper at the end or beginning of the day. In the beginning of the day, journaling can be used as a way to set intentions for the day ahead. In the evening, it can be used as a way to give thanks for all the good things that happened that day.

8. Get and give hugs. Connect physically to loved ones and friends. This act alone can provide instant feelings of love and affection, both important for mental and physical health and well-being.

9. Share a meal with family or friends. This is a great way to connect with others during the day, a great ritual whose benefits are numerous.

10. Use essential oils. Pure essential oils can be used daily to rejuvenate, calm, and provide emotional and physical support in a number of ways.


For resources for multi-vitamins and essential oils, please contact me for details.







Copyright 2013                         Connie Livingston                     All rights reserved 

What About Life Purpose?

 

People who know what their life purpose is and take action to implement it in their lives are the happiest and most fulfilled, from my experience working with individuals in career transitions

I am in the process of writing an e-book about Life Purpose.  We each need to identify and take steps, however small, on our life purpose now. Each of us has amazing skills and talents which can be channeled to support others and be of service in the world.

 

 

Take Action:

 

Have you taken action on nailing down your skills and talents and how you can help the world be a better place?  Please share your ideas here.

Feel free to email me at clivings@sover.net to request a simple Life Purpose exercise that my clients have found especially helpful.







Copyright 2012                         Connie Livingston                          All rights reserved 

Self-Care For Women

An event and some tips for women - or the woman in your life!


Self-care Tips From John Gray:

• Women need to feel the effects of Oxytocin to feel good
• How to do this:
• Make a  list of things to do for yourself and do one each day
• Get a massage
• Have your hair done
• Share your concerns and disappointments with a friend daily or every couple of days

Women and Wealth Presentation:  Women Business Owner Network

• Tuesday, November 20, 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. in Stowe, Vermont
• Content:  http://connielivingston.blogspot.com/p/events.html
• To register:  www.wbon.org

Copyright 2012                          Connie Livingston                                All rights reserved 

Kids and Money!

When my kids, Nick and Sarah, were entering middle school, I conducted an experiment with money!  I was a single parent earning less than $40,000 in my public sector job.  There was only a bit of money available each month for discretionary items.  When kids get to be in their tweens and teens, they start asking for more expensive items from their parents.  I wanted Nick and Sarah to feel that they could buy what they wanted, within reason, and feel that there's was enough money in the household to support their desires.

I had $300 available each month for discretionary items.  I decided to divide this number by three and give each of us $100 each month.  I felt good that they could buy what they wanted with those funds and that I wouldn't feel the strain of having to repeatedly make decisions about what they could or could not have.  I delegated this decision-making to them by giving them each a chunk of money to manage on their own.

The experiment worked really well!  Nick was a saver and had enough money in his account at age 17 to buy an expensive road bike.  Sarah, on the other hand, was a spender!  But she never spent more than what she had from month to month and made great decisions about what to buy for herself.

Now in their 20's, they are in great shape financially.  It's my belief that this experiment served them well and that they took great skills into adulthood.   And I feel good as a parent that they have skills which they were unlikely to get in middle or high school.



Take action:

• If you have children, consider conducting a similar experiment to help your kids learn how to handle money in a safe, home environment.
• If you don't have children, consider forwarding this post to someone who does.  Our households, neighborhoods, and communities will greatly benefit:  People who manage their money well contribute to the vitality and stability of their communities.

Copyright 2012                            Connie Livingston                  All rights reserved 

You know those kind of "blah" days when you get up in the morning, and you just don't know how you're going to get through the day?  Well, I had one of those kinds of days myself this morning.

The day got started when my two dogs greeted me happily and I discovered that they'd forgotten that they were housebroken, meaning that I had some cleaning up to do before we even went outside.  Not that they needed to go out anymore!

So I was just a little cranky!

Have you ever listened to Hay House Radio?  If not, go check them out at www.hayhouseradio.com  The Body By Jake guy, Jake Steinfeld, has a show at Hay House Radio and I tuned in this morning to find his show broadcasting over the internet.  What a positive guy!  He cheered me up in no time, mostly by acknowledging how we all face daily challenges.  I felt like he'd been looking over my shoulder this morning as I ushered my dogs outside.  I immediately felt better.



Take Action:

What do you do to take back control of your day when things get off to a bad start?  Please share them here!





Copyright 2012    Connie Livingston                  All rights reserved 

Courageous Dogs and Amazing Summer Food!

Three fun things for summer!


   1. I have not yet read this book, but it looks hilarious!   Link:    http://amzn.to/LHwqFH     Local book 
       stores and libraries are great   resources - I know Burlington's Fletcher Free Library has it and I'm sure
       it's also available at Burlington's new downtown, locally-owned book store,   Phoenix Books.  Would
       love to hear what you think of it!

   2. It's not too late to sign up for Friday's Mirabelle's lunch at Office Squared in downtown Burlington:
       http://connielivingston.blogspot.com/p/lovely-lunch-time-summer-workshops.html     Would love to 
       have you join me - I've received great feedback about this workshop!

   3.  Try out this affirmation from Cheryl Richardson, Life Coach:  "Every time I go to the beach I get a new
        client!"  Try it for a week and see what happens in your business and work life!



I hope you're having an amazing summer - for those of us lucky enough to live in Vermont, it has definitely been beautiful!


Take Action!
Head to the beach and say Richardson's affirmation repeatedly for a week and share your results here!






Copyright 2012    Connie Livingston                  All rights reserved  

Book Lover? Seven Book Reviews Posted Here!

Are you a book lover?

I've just reviewed several non-fiction books at this link as well as made recommendations for some great books on money through Amazon.  Here's the link:  http://connielivingston.blogspot.com/p/recommended-books.html


Take Action:

• What book has been gathering dust on your bedside table that you've been yearning to get to?
• Read a couple of pages tonight!

What books do you love that you could recommend?  Please post ideas here!