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5 Reasons Why A Gratitude Journal Will Change Your Life

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It’s simple. Grab a journal, or even a loose-leaf piece of paper, and date the page. Entitle it ‘I am grateful for…’ and begin listing off whatever your heart is telling you. The best part is, this is your list. You can bullet off the smallest of wins or the big hurdles you have conquered. You can write one word or paragraphs. It is all up to you! Whatever variation, the benefits are the same and tremendously advantageous.

Gratitude allows us to celebrate the good of the present.

When we are focusing on the present day, we reframe our mindset and we live where our feet are. This helps us to celebrate present and fully enjoy and seize the moment.

Gratitude works as a defense against toxic thoughts and behaviors.

We can combat our toxic thoughts and behaviors with gratitude. When you have a grateful mindset, it is very hard for negativity to overwhelm your state. You are able to figuratively block toxicity from your being if you really focus on what you are grateful for. 

Gratitude increases a sense of coherence.

A sense of coherence is how confident a person feels about potential life outcomes. It is the degree to which a person feels optimistic and in control of future events (Lambert, Graham, Fincham, & Stillman, 2009).

  • Gratitude enhances peace of mind.
    • Your blessings can bring you peace of mind when you are aware of them. Expressing gratitude helps you to be aware of all of the good in your life. In turn, you will find that you feel an overwhelming sense of comfort when living in this state. 
  • Gratitude opens the door for more good to come into your life. 
    • When you are in a state of gratefulness and goodness, you attract the same! This is something I learned many moons ago, and ever since my entire life changed. 

Try it this week. Set a timeline for yourself and dedicate to expressing your gratitude daily. Then sit back and get ready for your life to change in all of the best ways! 

XOXO, 

Gina 

Grounding and Why You Should Be Doing It

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Our daily routines are filled with tasks, responsibilities, and more! Most of us rarely make time for ourselves. If you are going to add one thing to your self-care routine, this should be it.

It’s called ‘grounding’ or ‘earthing.’ If you haven’t heard of it, after this, you are going to be doing whatever you can to do it!

Grounding: “Earthing (or grounding) refers to the discovery of benefits—including better sleep and reduced pain—from walking barefoot outside or sitting, working, or sleeping indoors connected to conductive systems that transfer the Earth’s electrons from the ground into the body.” (Earthing: Health Implications of Reconnecting the Human Body to the Earth’s Surface Electrons from the US National Library of Medicine)

Simply put, you can enact grounding when you simply take off your shoes and sync your feet into sand, grass, or dirt. If you live in colder climates, grounding mats are actually a thing! There’s also shoes, sheets, and other grounding materials that do the job.

Okay, okay… So what are the benefits?

Improves Stress

Grounding normalizes cortisol. Cortisol is a stress hormone in the body. Stress reduction is imperative to managing your health in all areas. Earthing is an inexpensive way to do so and it really works!

Neutralizes Free Radicals

An abundance of free radicals in our system can cause tremendous damage to our health. Grounding helps fight against these forces in our system.

Supports the Immune System

While the earth does the work for your body to rid it of positively charged free radicals, it allows your immune system to relax.

Decreases Inflammation

When the free electrons are neutralized by the earth, it decreases inflammation in the body.

There are many more benefits to reconnect with the earth and ground yourself. Not only does it immediately benefit your mood, but you can also help your body heal and rid it of toxins.

XOXO,

Gina

Wellness Wednesday: 4 Superfoods to Positively Affect Your Health

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Hey guys, Gina here. I don’t know about you, but I love knowing that my diet consists of foods that can positively affect my health. I like to think about food as medicine. Here are 4 superfoods that I implement in my diet and all of their amazing benefits!

1. EXTRA VIRGIN

OLIVE OIL

According to the US FDA, consuming olive oil can help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

Olive Oil has anti-inflammatory benefits.

It helps stabilize blood sugar, supports bone health, and contains antioxidants to protect your body.

Keep olive oil on your table, and drizzle it over your salad, vegetables, breads, and more! I love to use it as a base for cooking instead of butter. Try it 🙂

2. BERRIES

Nature’s candy works wonders in giving the body the vitamins it needs to thrive.

Berries are full of antioxidants and vitamins.

They can help improve digestion.

Keeping berries in your fridge at all times ensures that you always have a healthy snack on hand. If you are feeling insatiable, grab a handful of berries to do the trick.

3. AVOCADOS

Avocados are high in monounsaturated fats, vitamins, and minerals. Some of the vitamins include: potassium, folate, magnesium, and numerous B vitamins.

According to the American Heart Association, “Monounsaturated fats can help reduce bad cholesterol levels in your blood which can lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. They also provide nutrients to help develop and maintain your body’s cells. Oils rich in monounsaturated fats also contribute vitamin E to the diet, an antioxidant vitamin most Americans need more of.”

Avocado toast is one of my favorite go-to’s for an easy and quick breakfast or lunch. Drizzle on some olive oil and sprinkle some chili powder to do it my way!

4. SALMON

This fish reigns as one of the ultimate sources of omega-3 fatty acids. These help to lower blood pressure and reduce triglycerides.

Salmon can help prevent certain diseases.

It can also help improve memory.

Grilling up some salmon with a teriyaki glaze and a side of vegetables is one of my favorite meals!

DISCLAIMER: None of the information given on this article is to be considered as medical advice. Please discuss with your doctor before changing your diet. This article is for general informational purposes only.

Wellness Wednesday: 4 Tips to a More Positive Life

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Today’s Wellness Wednesday is all about positivity! Are you someone that is always seeing the glass half empty rather than half full? During challenging times, it is so tough to change our outlook. If we can master ways to see that glass half full, then we are well on our way to living a better and more positive life. Whether you are looking for ways to change your outlook or just simply keep yourself on a positive mindset track, our 4 tips and resources will help you get where you want to go. 

#1 It’s all about outlook.

The way that we look at the world is a direct result of how we feel. If we are constantly feeling down and negative, we will attract the same into our lives. Challenge yourself to break down those barriers of negativity and start to look at things differently. Use the glass half empty or half full example and apply that to your everyday life! 

#2 Stay grateful and humble.

When we move from a state of gratefulness, it is scientifically proven that we are happier. If you don’t want to believe us, believe Harvard Medical School. 

In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.

Harvard Health Publishing

#3 Be kind to your progress.

Comparison is the thief of joy.

Theodore Roosevelt 

We constantly are comparing ourselves to others. “Keeping up with the Joneses” is more real than ever in the age of social media. If we consistently are basing our happiness on where we fall in comparison to others, we will never feel truly whole and happy. Choose kindness today. 

#4 Alter that 9%

You have 75,000 THOUGHTS every day and 91% are EXACTLY the SAME as the DAY BEFORE! People wonder why their life doesn’t change???”

Ed Mylett

We have the power to alter the other 9% of thoughts in our days to truly change our lives. Watch this 12 minute video and prepare for your mind to be open to so many possibilities! 

3 Tips to Optimizing Your Morning Routine for Success

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It’s another glorious morning. What do you do? If you immediately roll over to your bedside table, grab your phone, and deep dive into emails or Instagram- then you are apart of the 80% of smartphone users who do the same thing, according to a study from IDC Research. This is a problem. We are starting our days filled with the stress and anxiety of bombarding stimuli, tasks, and information.

If you want to recreate your mornings to optimize success and happiness, then you came to the right place. 

#1 Tack on New Habits to Old

It has been said that the easiest and most effective way to create new habits is by piggybacking them onto old ones. If rolling over and grabbing your phone every morning is your old habit, simply replace the item that is sitting on your bedside table. This means plugging your phone in a place that is out of reach. Make it so you have to physically get out of bed to be able to retrieve your phone. 

So, what should I replace my phone with? 

-Journal and a Pen 

-Alarm Clock 

-Book 

-Water 

#2 Decide on Your Personalized New Routine 

Everyone is different. What “Sally” does and what works for her may be very different from what will work for you. Decide on what would optimally make your morning better. Some ideas: 

-Meditating/ Prayer 

-Gratitude Journal 

-Self Empowering Book 

-Hydration and Light 

#3 Make Your Bed

If you don’t want to listen to us, listen to this Navy Seal Admiral. 

Morning routines should be sacred. Start by recreating yours to optimize your life. Treat your morning with respect and allow a sense of peace and joy to flow into your life. It’s really that simple! 

Keys to Managing Stress & Anxiety During Quarantine

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COVID-19 has taken over our lives and in return it has given us a new reality. In this new reality, we are learning about ourselves and those around us. We are learning how to operate our existence from our jobs to our free time. We are learning how to cope in any way we can during a crisis emotionally and financially. Every day, our reality changes and shifts.

We know that the stress and anxiety this induces is overwhelming. While everything is changing around us, we should find the time to connect with our inner selves to help bring relief. Here are a few key ways to manage stress and anxiety.

Our Keys to Finding Peace in a Crisis

Let us help you. Follow these anchors.

JOURNAL

write it down

Take the time to write down what you are feeling and how you are conducting your days. When the rain has stopped and the sunshine returns (metaphorically speaking) you will be able to look back on these days and see how you OVERCAME your obstacles. 

    SHOWCASE

    share your skills

    Go out of your comfort zone. If you are a skin care expert, film videos on how others can take care of their skin. If you are a hairstylist, teach virtual classes on the basics- how to do a blow dry on yourself or French braids. You get the picture.

      CREATE

      use your hands

      Spend time creating with your hands. This is a great way to use a different part of your brain and relax. Painting, coloring, sewing, knitting, gardening, tie dying, refurbishing- the list goes on! 

        ORGANIZE

        dial in your space

        It is the best time to de-clutter your life and the spaces you occupy. That means going into that forbidden junk drawer or miscellaneous hall closet and getting to work. Clean out your closet, clean out your drawers, clean out your bathroom! You will feel more dialed in than ever before and a sense of calm will wave over you. 

          SWEAT

          stay active

          Keep your body moving. Exercise releases endorphins- the feel good, natural energy that is priceless! It helps keep your stress levels down and will help you blow off that extra steam you may be carrying. 

            HOBBY

            try something new

            Whether it be simply fitting in time to read that book you have put off or learn how to play that dusty guitar in the garage! Use this time to your advantage to learn something you haven’t had time for in the past. Immersing yourself into learning is an essential way to offset stress and anxiety. 

              How are you managing your stress and anxiety? We want to know! Please tell us on our Instagram @ginasplatform.