How to Detox from Your Cell Phone

Well, it is the Thursday before Memorial Day Weekend.  It is when we get the first taste of what the summer will bring as the “shoobies” make their way to the Jersey Shore.  This is always a tough weekend for me…. not it isn’t because of the influx of people; it is the weekend I am reminded of the loss of my aunt, Elsie AKA “my buddy” in 1999.  Yes, I squirreled for a moment, sorry back to today’s blog post…………..

Does the picture look like you 99% of the time?  When your phone isn’t in your hand, scrolling Facebook, reading emails or sending text messages, where is it?  I will admit mine is usually close by at least within arms reach.

How often has your Hubby or family or even you wished you could have “phone-less” time!  I mean a time when the phone was either shut off, put away or on “do not disturb”?  Are you starting to sweat at the thought of missing out on notifications?  Are you already picturing the fight with the kids over not being able to talk to their friends?

Most days, my cell phone is on “do not disturb” so the only people able to reach out to me are family.  Why?  So I can stop being obsessed.  So I can work my “at home business” on my time not when ever any calls or texts.  It wasn’t long ago I realized the ONLY time I have been totally “unplugged” from everything (cell phone, computer, tablet) was when we were on a cruise.  It is an automatic switch when I get on the ship, it goes off and it doesn’t come back on until we reach the car on our drive home.  I know a week worth of emails and messages can make your head spin but the truth is, we all need it once in awhile.

If all of these boxes apply to you, you’re clearly in need of a detox

• When your thumb on your dominant hand is sore from all the scrolling
• You look at your phone first thing when you wake up
• A panic attack is around the corner when your battery is running low
• You get anxious when being separated from your phone
• You lack concentration and check your phone too often (even unconscious)

Did you answer yes all (or most) of these?  Then you are in desperate need of a cell phone detox!

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Start with 8 hours of disconnection – you’ll feel restless at first, but getting used to being phone free takes time.  The easiest way is to turn it off an hour before you go to bed and don’t turn it on until you have had your coffee in the morning.

2. Throw a phone free dinner – see how the conversation changes.  People actually talk and listen to each other.  Oh and no photos of food.  Dinner is a no brainer for me.  I don’t do the phone at dinner, especially on the nights hubby is off.

3. Go out in nature and connect to the real world.  The weather is nicer so this is a whole lot easier to do. No pictures or checking your phone.  Depending on where you go for a walk, you may need to take your phone in case there is an emergency.  I carry mine in my pocket when I go for a walk only because of the MS.

4. Set a phone curfew to turn phones off after 8PM and have a relaxing night.  Okay, so this may be a little bit tougher but I am willing to try it.  The problem is when I switch off the phone, the iPad is close at hand to check emails and Facebook.  How do you totally unplug?

5. Grab a magazine, a coffee and go soak up some sun by yourself!  This sounds great in theory but my books are on my iPad which then keeps me connected to the internet if I am close to the house.  UGH!  Solution – I have been buying some old fashioned books at yard sales so I can start reading “electronic free”.  Then I donate them back to the church rummage sale.  A win for everyone.

So, be honest… how many times a day do YOU check your phone?  I’m getting better but it is still a process.  How about you, are you willing to give it a try this holiday weekend?

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

What is Your Favorite Wellness Tip?

I have spent the last month faithfully going to Weight Watchers, measuring what I eat and sticking to the Candida Diet to detox my body.  I still have a ways to go but I am thrilled with the results. Each day feeling a little bit better.

Recently, I was on an Zoom call with Amber Annette and Desiree where Amber talked to me about how consistency equaled confidence and success.  We talked about the importance of positive mantras every day.   I started spending every morning (about 5 minutes) reading over my mantras and then visualizing my goal. It has set a tone for my day.

While doing all of this, I have found some really good (interesting) wellness tips online.  I hope you enjoy and possibly put to practice some of these life changing wellness tips.  We know the importance of water, sleep and exercise but you may be surprised at some and find a handful of new ideas.

1. Balance. Taking the time to give equal energy to all aspects of your life.

2. Loving yourself, taking care of your body, and appreciating everything around you.

3. Fresh air, sunshine and smiling

4. Use Shea butter on your skin to keep them soft and smooth esp during winter –

5. Love and respect to everyone and around you as well as yourself!

6. Don’t ever deprive your body of anything. If it wants something, give it in moderation. Wellness is about working to be the best version of yourself and embracing yourself wholly for all you are

7. Ground yourself every day (find which method works best for you, whether it’s yoga or meditation or tai chi, etc.)…then imagine white light surrounding you and dissolving the energy cords and negative thoughts and chatter clogging your being so you can glow andSHINE ON!

8. Stress management in your surrounding is so important. Blaming others inwardly or outwardly only de-energizes us. Notice your thought patterns today. Are they of acceptance or judgement? Eliminating all drama can help immensely.

9. Start your morning off with 2 TBSP of coconut vinegar, a bit of coconut nectar, and 4-8oz of warm filtered water to help your stomach acidity. Then take a probiotic because it is best absorbed after vinegar. Anyone ever try this or have a similar morning drink?

10.  Morning lemon juice with water water or apple cider vinegar on a empty stomach + at least 5 mins of morning grateful-positive affirmations help me inject purpose every day, no matter how hard it might be or how many challenges I have in my life, being grateful even for the little things always helps me push through!  Another alternative is fresh carrot juice.

11. Skin oiling before a shower keeps you grounded and vitalized.

12. Eating fruit on an empty stomach, chaga tea anytime, & dry skin brushing for a healthy lymphatic system.

13. Listen to your body and live a life of balance (in spiritual, emotional, and physical aspects). And never underestimate the therapeutic power of giving to others in selfless love and being grateful for what you have

14. 11 minutes of conscious breathing a day. ” if you do not breathe consciously for 11 minutes a day, you lose 40% of the vitality of life… But if you do breathe consciously for 11 minutes a day, you can do exactly what no miracle can do, because our life depends on the breathe of life.” – yogi bhajan

15. Break a sweat at least once a day- good for the body and the mind

16. Surround yourself with those you can laugh with openly. – you know those deep belly laughs.

17. Develop a daily a morning routine consisting of nourishing your mind, body, and spirit and stick to it!

18. Self love is the greatest medicine. when we truly, deeply love ourselves, we will naturally understand how to care for ourselves, mentally, physically and emotionally. Listen to your body & your gut brain!

19. Dandelion root! Best for acne, and great hangover prevention tool.

20. Make sure to do at least one good thing for yourself everyday. It can be as small as drinking enough water, a workout, going to bed early, and eating well.

21. Epsom salt + baking soda in a hot bath with your favorite essential oils

22. See light in every situation and not allowing negativity in

23. Eat an avocado a day

24. Keep a positive outlook in life regardless of your circumstances. Healthy food is essential, but few things can compensate for a negative attitude. Gratitude works wonders

25. Strive for 90% good, 10% naughty. And laugh a lot.

What is your BEST wellness tip?

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

 

Kicking Sugar to the Curb

Hello, Monday morning.  You have just had your coffee.  Maybe you had a little bit of coffee with that cream and sugar.  Maybe you had some Frosted Flakes (used to be my favorite breakfast cereal because I could eat it dry!).    Chances are you had SUGAR in whatever you had for breakfast and before long that sugar crash will happen, right?

I have been struggling with health issues and after kicking dairy, I moved on to being gluten free.  A little bit harder and I’m still not 100%.  Now it is time to move to

I never thought of myself as a “sweet eater”.  More of a stress eater or even a “secret eater”.  This weekend, I really had to evaluate where I was in “Giving sugar the boot!”

Hubby is trying to kick refined sugar so I figure if the sweet eater himself can do it, so can I.  Refined sugar is one of many factors in a yucky, unhealthy lifestyle. So I’m going to try it!

I kicked cigarettes “cold turkey” so I am thinking that is the way to go.  I am going with the “one day at a time” theme which at any given moment can be “one minute at a time”.

Sugar pros: YUM.
Sugar cons: Goodbye nutrients, minerals, vitamins. Hello high blood sugar, energy crashes, high cholesterol, diabetes and weight gain.. to name a few.

Sugar is hiding EVERYWHERE — from your morning oatmeal, to the sauce on your pasta and packed into my favorite drink – WINE!  Let’s be honest, are we going to give up the occasional glass of wine (or your favorite drink)?  Probably not  but I’m going to do my best to limit it the best I can.  The keys is reading labels, so be prepared for your next trip to the grocery store to take awhile.

Did you know that 4 grams of sugar = 1 teaspoon?  YIKES! No, ladies, should try sticking to six teaspoons daily, tops. Men can have nine.  It figures!

First stop is to clean out your pantry! Now, I know this is tough with kids but move it out of your sight.  If you are like me, if it’s nearby, I’m going to be tempted!

FP Madisyn has some tips for us:

• Try cutting sugar out your own way, on your terms. If you want to ease into it, nothing is wrong with that!
• If you need something sweet, nibble on some dark dark chocolate.  This is bitter to me so I don’t want to eat much.
• Replace processed sugars with natural sweeteners. Find one that works for you.
• Drink tea! Rumor has it that drinking something warm, like pomegranate green tea, helps mellow out your sweet tooth and calms cravings.

Don’t beat yourself up. Your friend’s birthday? Eat cake! Need a treat? Treat yourself!  Just don’t let it lead to a downward spiral to eating more sugar.

The best advice is to be aware and do the best you can. Whatever steps you take to kiss sugar goodbye are positive ones.

Not sure how this will go but I am hoping that it will help with my weight loss AND help with the MS symptoms.

So, how do you kick sugar’s butt? Let me know your secret!

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!