Life’s too Short to be Depressed!

The way I look at it, life is an opportunity. You can do with it, as you will. There are lessons to be learned but there is also free will. Your life is a weave, unique from any others but somehow the same. Individual lessons will keep presenting themselves until you work them through. The problem is that from time to time you can get trapped in a dark corner and decide to stay for a while. Some stay forever!
Thank goodness for the springtime or what ever you can grab on to, to help pull yourself out. Here are some simple steps that can empower you to shake it off and look at the glass half full: 

1. Stretch your facial muscles while looking in the mirror. Come up with as many funny faces as you can (check out the links). Try not to laugh (Yeah right). Tense facial muscles can make you look older than your years. You will be surprised how much tension is held in the face. This exercise lightens up the day and helps you not take life so seriously.
   
2. Make a mental list of simple things that bring you joy and decide to do at least one of them each day. Like: Taking a walk in the sunshine; Getting some colorful flowers and place them where you can see and smell them throughout the day; Plant some seeds and nurture them as they grow; Surround yourself with pictures that make you smile. (That's a good one!)
   
3. Jump around and spar a little as you think of the things you are going to tackle today. (This one's fun to do with the kids.) You can become lethargic when your down, so intentionally moving around really helps. Take whatever negative feeling you have at the moment and shake it off! Exhale it out of your lungs. In with the good, out with the bad.
   
4. Do some basic body stretching. Don't forget to rotate all your joints. This releases trapped energy and makes it easier to take on what ever the day may bring.
   

Some of this may sound silly and too simple, but that's exactly the point! It doesn't always have to be a complicated undertaking to pull your self out of depression. You can choose to do something right now. Hell, just dancing around to your favorite song and laughing at yourself can do the trick. Don't take yourself so seriously. Look! Your up, you're breathing and your going to get through another day! It's up to you to decide if you want to be in the dumps all day or you want to embrace life and this beautiful world while you're here. What's the worse that can happen? Death? There, I said it. Death, the permanent termination of the biological functions that define a living organism. Well guess what, we are all going to die and you'll probably have to deal with that journey just as you're dealing with today, making choices. So choose how you want spend this day or better yet, how you want to spend your life. Get up and love the earth, love yourself and those around you. Do something fun every day! You don't have to wait for springtime. Life's too short to choose to spend it in that dark corner.
Happy Earth Day!

Multitasking in the New Year

Beginning a New Year can unleash a mixed bag of emotions. On the one hand there is so much to be grateful for, a loving healthy family, a warm safe house and at least one spouse with a full time job. On the other hand the pressure is on to do better and take on more to stay ahead. To top it off there is nothing worse than starting the New Year feeling over weight and unattractive. Can anyone say DEPRESSED? This year, in particular, seems to be weighing heavier on many people. Although I believe that the way you see yourself in the mirror is a reflection of what you are feeling inside. I also believe that doing a few simple, what I call, Multitasking Beauty Lifts can brighten your spirits and kick you into gear. Here is the game plan:

1. Forgive Yourself - OK, so you over ate, you gained 2-5 lbs. and your kitchen is still stocked with those calorie-laden foods. You have two choices. Dump it all now or indulge one more day and then dump it. I find it much easier to trash food on a full stomach.

2. Teat Your Self to an at Home Spa Day - Make the time! Have the hubby take the kids out or let them play the Wii all day. Do what ever you have to do, because these few hours dedicated to yourself will go a long way.  Begin with a Spa Shower:

a.   Remove all nail polish before showering. Set shower water to a fairly hot temperature. This will help open up the pores.

b.   Wash your hair and apply a generous amount of any deep conditioner you have. Comb it through and clip your hair up off the neck.

c.    Starting with your face exfoliate from top to bottom using a circular motion. It's important to use a face scrub that has fine granules. I use a mixture of two products, Exfoliating Enzyme scrub by Avalon Organics and Visibly Even by Neutrogena.

d.   Squirt a generous amount of moisture body soap and your body scrub onto a lofa sponge (again two products). I use Kiss My Face Moisture soap and St. Ives Apricot Scrub. Scrub your entire body down to the fingers of your hands and the toes on feet. Reapply the soap and scrub as needed. Take your time!

e.   Now you are ready to shave. Use your favorite shaving cream, I love Trader Joe's honey mango, and shave your body like you were getting ready for your honeymoon. You know what I mean girls. Brazilian waxing anyone?

f.    Now your ready to rinse your hair. For dry hair, leave in a little conditioner. If your skin is sensitive take care that the conditioner rinses completely off your skin. Wash it off with a little soap if you have to. I've had clients that would break out on their upper arms and down the middle of their back and didn't know why.

g.   Wrap your hair in a towel. As you dry your face, use the towel to gently squeeze the pores that you know to have black heads. This will prepare your face for the masque. When drying hands and feet push back on the cuticles. This will prepare your nails for the polish.

h.   Lather your body up with a generous amount of moisturizer and put on your most comfy robe or jammies.

i.     Finally, apply any face masque you might have. Queen Helene's Mint Julep is a classic, reasonably priced masque that is a must have in every women's beauty artillery. While the masque dries, wipe off any moisturizer from your nails and polish. Rinse face; apply toner & face moisturizer.

j.     Style hair. If you can, arrange for a haircut. When I worked in the salon I had customers come in, between haircuts, just to get their bangs trimmed. A little off will brighten your face instantly. 

Now you're not only ready for a night out but you're ready for anything this New Year has in store for you. So love your family, love your life and most of all love your self!