Amy Blankson is the CEO of Fearless Positivity and author of The Future of Happiness. She believes that “no matter where your baseline for happiness is today, you can always increase your overall happiness level.” In this article, Blankson offers some insight into simple ways you can inject positivity into your day.
(BPT) - Work demands paired with family demands make modern life extremely busy. Meetings, deadlines, housework, kids' homework, practice and much more all vie for your time. What's the secret to keeping on top of it all? Research shows the power of positivity can work wonders in managing stress, staying productive and boosting happiness. Four out of five people agree positive thinking can help improve their lives and start the morning off on a positive note, according to a recent survey of American workers to gain insight into the impact of positivity in the workplace conducted by The Original Donut Shop Coffee. The good news is that a resounding 88% of Americans consider themselves positive people, but they think there is room for improvement. In fact, 69% wish they could be even more positive! “Positive individuals are three times more creative, 31% more productive, and 23% less fatigued,” says Amy Blankson, CEO of Fearless Positivity and author of “The Future of Happiness.” “No matter where your baseline for happiness is today, you can always increase your overall happiness level.” Blankson offers some insight into simple ways you can inject positivity into your day: Set intentions early Take a moment to shift your focus in the morning. What do you want to get out of your day? It’s so easy to fall prey to the tyranny of urgency. Hold the emails, texts, calls and messages and spend just 2 minutes grounding yourself in a positive practice like meditating or journaling. You'll set yourself up for greater happiness in the long run. Get creative If you feel like you don't have the time or discipline to keep a gratitude journal, try looking for a "gratitude trigger." For instance, every time you stop at a red light, say one thing you are grateful for. This habit is great to pass time on commutes and is also a good practice to share with your children when they are in the car with you. Think to the future Try saying "future-forward gratitudes" in the morning. These are the things you are excited about for the day ahead, such as a meeting, lunch or special project. This practice helps prime you for positivity during the day and gives you an anchor point for reflection at the end of the day. Connect remotely While more people are working from home, 45% of them consider themselves a positive person versus 75% of people who work in the office, according to the survey. One way to stay connected and spread positivity with coworkers when you’re not in the office is by taking a few minutes each day to text, email or call a coworker to thank them for something they did. Move beyond off days Don't get hung up when you have a negative day. The most important part of creating a new habit is having the courage to restart when you have an off day. Happiness is not a state of mind; it's a mindset that develops over time. The best way to elevate your mindset is by training your brain to look for positive information in the world around you that you might have missed. Pay it forward Individuals who pay it forward through praise and recognition express that they have greater feelings of happiness, satisfaction and relatedness. However, even more importantly, both givers and receivers inspire others to want to give, which creates a powerful network effect. Positivity sweepstakes Nearly seven in 10 people agree they have a co-worker that is very positive and helps them get through the workday, and almost 75% said they often receive appreciation from their coworkers, according to the survey. If you have someone who is always brightening your day, you can show gratitude by nominating them for a chance to win some great prizes. Here's what you need to do: Fans can visit brewpositivity.com between Oct. 28 and Nov. 22 to nominate a colleague for a chance to have their positivity rewarded. Twenty-five individuals will have a chance to win $200 and a one-year supply of The Original Donut Shop Coffee. For the kind nomination, the nominator will also have a chance to receive a one-year supply of The Original Donut Shop Coffee!
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Sitting for a long period of time can lead to some adverse health effects. According to a recent survey commissioned by Preparation H, 63% of Americans admit that staying seated for an extended period has resulted in butt pain or discomfort. The following tips will help you diminish the harmful, but common, side effects of sitting and highlight how to give your backside the break it deserves.
(BPT) - Sitting is nearly impossible to avoid. Whether during your daily commute, working hard at your desk or watching your favorite TV show on the couch, sitting can provide relief and give you the opportunity to relax. However, sitting for a long period of time can lead to some adverse health effects. According to a recent survey commissioned by Preparation H, 63% of Americans admit that staying seated for an extended period has resulted in butt pain or discomfort. While sitting may be one of our favorite positions, the following tips will help you diminish the harmful, but common, side effects of sitting and highlight how to give your backside the break it deserves. 1. Move bad posture out of the way Sitting down at a desk for eight hours at work each day is common for many professions, in addition to sitting during the commute to the office. For many, this is the preferred position, as one in four employed Americans would not show up to work if they could not sit down the entire time. However, sitting can have significant effects on our backs and spines, causing pain and discomfort. To avoid bad posture and a stiff neck or back, take a quick walk around the office, find a longer route to the water cooler or grab a coworker for a few laps around the parking lot during lunch. If your office allows it, opt for a standing desk to get you off your butt and onto your feet. 2. Improve poor circulation Let’s face it — we all want to get home, kick off our shoes and get lost in our couch cushions for the rest of the night. However, sitting for too long causes your blood to remain in your feet and lower legs due to lack of movement, causing your body’s circulation to slow down and resulting in numbness and tingling. To break up your sitting marathon, try to perform a few simple bodyweight exercises during commercial breaks or use the time to get up and tidy your living room space. 3. Leave backside discomfort in the past Everyone uses the bathroom throughout the day, but some may spend a little too much time on the porcelain throne. The time spent sitting, as well as the habits associated with the activity, can ultimately contribute to the causes of hemorrhoid flare-ups, like constipation and straining. When hemorrhoids do strike, Preparation H is the #1 doctor-recommended OTC hemorrhoid brand formulated to soothe, cool, cleanse and care for your backside. To help shorten the time spent on the toilet, avoid digital distractions, like your phone, that can lead to spending extended time sitting in the bathroom. 4. Bring the power back to your brain Your physical health isn’t the only thing suffering from sitting — your mental health is affected as well. Sitting for extended periods can slow down brain function, leading to memory loss and a foggy brain feeling. If you’re feeling distracted or can’t seem to accomplish a task at hand, try getting up and going for a quick walk to help improve concentration and keep blood flowing to your brain so the next big idea is right around the corner. Whether it’s getting in an extra couple of steps or banishing your phone from the bathroom, these small changes can be beneficial in reducing the negative effects of staying seated for too long. Sitting will inevitably be a part of your day, but by implementing these tips, you can give yourself a pat on the back for putting your health first. For more information on hemorrhoid relief, visit preparationh.com.
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When each day feels full to the brim, follow these five easy tips to maximize each hour and make the most of each day, be more productive, accomplish your goals and still have time to spare - and less stress.
(BPT) - When the calendar flips to a new year, many people are inspired to make resolutions, promising productivity, healthy lifestyles, self-care and more. But all New Year’s goals require making time for what you set out to do — and a little planning goes a long way. No matter your resolutions, here are easy tips to make the most of each day, accomplish your goals and still have time to spare: Get ready the night before Make your morning routine easier by getting organized the night before. Prepare your breakfast and coffee. Choose your outfit and set it by your bed. Pack your bag and place it by the door so you’re ready to go. Let your nighttime energy fuel you in the morning. Spend less time on chores Household chores are time consuming and, let’s face it, not many people look forward to cleaning and laundry. Invest in ways to lighten your load, like the LG TurboWash 360, which has features that help you get more chores done in less time. It can tackle family-sized loads in less than 30 minutes without sacrificing performance, so your clothes don’t pile up. Shorter wash times and energy-saving capabilities save you both time and money. Stick to a sleep schedule The first step in reaching your goals is making sure you’re in good health. One of the most important, and difficult, aspects of good health is sleep. You’ll feel more refreshed and ready to take on the day if you establish a solid sleep schedule and stick to it. To set your schedule, pick the time you want to wake up every day and count back seven to eight hours — that’s your new bedtime. Get a good calendar Maximize your time by having a plan for each week. Whether you use a notebook checklist, the calendar on your smartphone or invest in a year-long planner, you’ll always have your plan on-hand and never miss a deadline or to-do list item. Become a meal prepper Set aside time each week to plan your meals and prep them too. Chop fruits and vegetables, pre-cook meats, and cook pasta or rice in advance so you can pull together easy meals in no time. This saves you time and money, and helps you eat healthier when you’re tempted to grab fast food on your busiest days. When each day feels full to the brim, follow these tips to maximize each hour and be more productive in the new year.
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If you start each day motivated but find your energy tends to fade throughout the day, a few simple and easy-to-implement changes to your routine could make all the difference. Minor adjustments to your eating habits, exercise routine and mental attitude can help boost energy levels so you can power through the day feeling fully charged.5 Ways to Avoid an Energy Crash![]() (Family Features) If you start each day motivated but find your energy tends to fade throughout the day, a few simple and easy-to-implement changes to your routine could make all the difference. Minor adjustments to your eating habits, exercise routine and mental attitude can help boost energy levels so you can power through the day feeling fully charged. ![]() Tune in. Take the silence out of a dull morning with some of your favorite music to help ensure you’re starting the day on a positive note. Turn on the radio while you’re showering, plug in headphones while preparing breakfast or set a “wake up and get ready” playlist on shuffle during your commute. Start with breakfast. It’s fairly common to skip breakfast if you’re in a rush to get out the door, but those few minutes you save in the morning can end up costing you as the day wears on. That’s because breakfast quite literally breaks your overnight fast and sends signals to your body that it’s time to kick back into gear for the day. With a convenient option like the Nescafé Coffee Protein Smoothie, you can hack your morning routine so that you can get more out of your day. Made with real 100 percent Colombian Arabica coffee, oats and almond butter, this ready-to-drink smoothie contains 15 grams of plant-based protein and as much caffeine as one cup of coffee to help you prepare for the day ahead. Get creative. If you typically spend your mornings focused on routine tasks, give your brain some creative freedom. Carving out time during the day for an activity you enjoy, such as sketching or coloring, watching inspirational videos, meditating or even brainstorming outside-the-box ideas for a fictional client, can help increase productivity when you turn your focus back to the task at hand. Shake up your afternoon pick-me-up. Mornings can go by in the blink of an eye, but afternoons sometimes seem to drag. A little boost may be all you need to keep going. Reward your hard work with an option like a Nescafé Cold Whipped Latte and enjoy a perfectly indulgent afternoon treat. Give it a quick shake and the chilled blend of coffee, creamy milk and coffee or French vanilla flavors create layers of barista-inspired froth and foam to deliver a coffee-shop experience right at your desk. Prep for the next day. If you’re apt to take your work home with you, consider jotting down any end-of-day work thoughts and tasks for the following day before you leave for the night. Keeping a physical to-do list or journal can provide a starting point for the next morning. This can help prevent forgetfulness, reduce stress and potentially aid in getting a better night’s sleep because your brain isn’t buzzing from trying to keep a mental checklist. Find more inspiration to energize your morning and shake up the afternoon at Nescafe.com/us. Photo courtesy of Getty Images (employees in meeting) SOURCE:Nescafé
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Whether you’re a fitness junkie, busy parent, sleep-deprived student or diehard sweet tooth, peanut butter is an ingredient that sticks for all of life’s moments. With a healthy boost of protein and energy, peanut butter is perfect as an on-the-go snack, fuel for a workout, a reliable family meal or a decadent dessert, and makes a great ingredient in recipes such as Veggie Sammies with Peanut Butter Satay Sauce, Graceland Mini Cupcakes and Peanut Apple Chicken Curry.Fuel the DayBoost every moment with versatile peanut butter(Family Features) Whether you’re a fitness junkie, busy parent, sleep-deprived student or diehard sweet tooth, peanut butter is an ingredient that sticks for all of life’s moments. With a healthy boost of protein and energy, peanut butter is perfect as an on-the-go snack, fuel for a workout, a reliable family meal or a decadent dessert. There’s no shortage of delicious ways to pack peanut butter into diverse dishes throughout the day:
Find more creative ways to enjoy peanut butter with these winning recipes from Southern Peanut Growers’ annual PB My Way recipe contest, and explore additional dishes that celebrate this versatile ingredient at peanutbutterlovers.com. ![]() Veggie Sammies with Peanut Butter Satay Sauce
![]() Graceland Mini Cupcakes Cupcakes:
Bacon Topping:
Frosting:
![]() Peanut Apple Chicken Curry Sauce:
Chicken:
Southern Peanut Growers
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