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Sheryl Kraft

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May 1, 2016

Five Little Changes, Five-Plus Big Results

Published in: benefits of massage, big health results, change your health routine, do it yourself massage, Handheld massagers, Health, healthy changes, making healthy changes, Massage, Midlife, Staying Healthy, Wahl

Most of the time, we go about our days routinely and with little thought; we wake up, brush our teeth, pour ourselves some coffee or tea, eat breakfast (or not) and head off to work (or play).

Wash, rinse and repeat.

Sure, having a morning routine – or any routine for that matter – is an essential part of living a healthy life. But, did you ever stop to re-examine those everyday habits?

You may ask: Why fix it if it ain’t broke?

Good reason: A few conscious changes to your routine can reap really big health benefits. Here are small tweaks or add-ons to consider the next time you’re looking to kick your health up a notch …and they all require little to no effort, to boot!

  1. Keep you cell phone out of reach for safer driving. Multi-tasking doesn’t work – especially when you’re driving; that can be serious and potentially dangerous. To resist the urge to email, text or make a call, keep your phone in a place where you won’t be tempted to reach for it, like in your glove compartment.

And try to avoid complex or emotional conversations, which can be particularly draining and require a lot of your attention, which you need to navigate the roads. If you must talk on your phone, make sure you’re using a hands-free feature (like Bluetooth or a headset) and you use voice-activated dialing, or better yet, pull into a safe area where you can sit still and talk.

Put down the phone. (Shutterstock.com)
Put down the phone.
(Shutterstock.com)
  1. Try a new pillow to improve your sleep. The right pillow can be just as important as the right mattress – and make you just as comfortable or uncomfortable. And because there are so many different types of pillows out there – down, foam, buckwheat, micro beads and more – it pays to find the best one for you. Tastes are as individual as your fingerprint. The right pillow should provide adequate cushioning for your head and neck, and keep your head aligned with your shoulders and spine (as if you were standing upright with perfect posture). When buying a pillow, you also need to consider what type of sleeper you are – side, stomach or back.
Dreamy with a comfy pillow.
Dreamy with a comfy pillow.
  1. Practice regular self-massage. Massage is undeniable in the benefits it brings to your health and well-being. Consider it a gift whose benefits go way beyond the obvious relief of muscle tension and pain: Studies have also found massage helpful in managing anxiety, headaches, temporomandibular joint pain (TMJ), fibromyalgia, insomnia, and soft tissue strains or injuries. This indulgence doesn’t need to be occasionally relegated to a masseuse at an upscale health club or luxury spa. It’s easy and handy (pun intended) to do it yourself and rub out your pain by using your thumb, palm or fingertips; a tennis ball or a foam roller. Or empower yourself further and try one of the excellent home products from Wahl, like their Hot/Cold Massager, which incorporates heat and cold and seven attachments so you can individualize your treatment to aptly handle every single body part that needs attention. Why two temperatures? Heat increases blood flow and loosens muscles, while cold reduces muscle swelling and inflammation.

 

Because sometimes you have to take pain matters into your own hands.
Because sometimes you have to take pain matters into your own hands.

 

  1. Drink a full glass of water before each meal. Who can’t use an extra glass or two of water? Water is an easy way to stay energized and focused; it helps keep your skin looking good, helps maintain normal bowel function and can reduce your risk for kidney stones, too. Drinking before each meal is an easy way to remember to increase your fluid intake. An extra health perk of that added H20: it makes you feel a little fuller, so you’re not tempted to overeat.
Drink up! (Shutterstock.com)
Drink up!
(Shutterstock.com)
  1. Use your TV time to be active. Just because you binge-watch Orange is the New Black doesn’t mean you have to be chained to your couch. Make that organized time count: stand (or sit) up; grab some light hand weights or a resistance band, or use your own body weight to perform some squats and push ups to get your muscles in on the action.
When multitasking can work for you.
When multitasking can work for you.

What are you doing to improve your health today, and every day?

 

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Comments

  1. Bharat Sharma says

    May 2, 2016 at 7:56 am

    Hi,

    Uninterestingly we all are living like a pendulum and yes we repeat the same things almost every morning ( and sometimes throughout the day). Making healthy changes our daily routine is definitely needed for vast majority of population.

    As far as my life is concerned, I am not addicted to my smartphone. In fact, I hate it and the only reason I use it is because of the internet. I keep my phone silent at the time of travel and bother about it only when I needed it. Pillows and mattress are okay and I think this is the reason I enjoy a sound sleep even in this hot summer. I think my regular bath at the time of sleep also contribute to this. There is no massaging in my routine but bathing is also a kind of massage as it make us feel refreshed and energetic again ( and provides relief from hotness too).

    Now, talking about the tv. I watch it rarely as I only watch one or two shows and they are available on internet.

  2. Lisa Froman says

    May 2, 2016 at 11:39 am

    Great tips, my friend. Especially the massage. I have a gift card that has just been sitting in my wallet. Time to use it.

    • Sheryl says

      May 4, 2016 at 6:29 pm

      Sitting in your wallet? Really?? It’s time to put it to good use!!

  3. Irene S. Levine says

    May 2, 2016 at 1:21 pm

    Great reminders!

  4. Lou says

    May 2, 2016 at 3:57 pm

    Love the idea of using weights during binge watching House of Cards…Great idea. No more couch potatoes!! xoxo

    • Sheryl says

      May 4, 2016 at 6:29 pm

      Okay, Lou, I’m holding you to that, and will be asking for evidence the next time I see you!!

  5. Carolann says

    May 4, 2016 at 12:34 pm

    I love these tips! I have to remember to drink a glass of water before each meal. What a great idea. Also the massage thing…sounds perfect for a self treat!

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What’s this so-called midlife, anyway?

It’s a time of tremendous change, growth and opportunity. A time to re-evaluate our choices, our experiences and ourselves. A time to take what we’ve accumulated up until now and put it to work.

When I turned 50, many things changed... read more about me.

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I think your website is GREAT!  It's hard to find an online space that speaks realistically about what happens when we approach our 50's and beyond.  Keep writing, and thanks for your support."
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A High School Student and Aspiring Writer from Australia Reaches Out…

I would love to hear a few things on the prospect from a first hand-perspective, and would be thrilled to learn more about it from you. Your advice is well valued and I’m very grateful to have such wise words from someone with such first hand experience.

I will be looking forward to reading more of your wonderful articles in the future!

Best wishes,

Mikayla

 
Sheryl Kraft
2017-01-17T13:37:55+00:00
I would love to hear a few things on the prospect from a first hand-perspective, and would be thrilled to learn more about it from you. Your advice is well valued and I’m very grateful to have such wise words from someone with such first hand experience. I will be looking forward to reading more of your wonderful articles in the future! Best wishes, Mikayla  
https://sherylkraft.com/testimonials/high-school-student-aspiring-writer-australia-reaches/

Due to your article, traffic and sales have been great this past week!

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Sheryl Kraft
2018-12-07T02:46:56+00:00
On behalf of our entire organization, we'd like to thank you so much for featuring our product in last week’s Parade Magazine. Due to your article, traffic and sales have been great this past week.! We are a small business that prides ourselves on excellent product quality and customer service. We work hard to make quality products and market them effectively but then sometimes you get a gift like your article which really takes us to the next level. We will be eternally grateful to you for choosing us as one of your eye product recommendations.  
https://sherylkraft.com/testimonials/due-to-your-article-traffic-and-sales-have-been-great-this-past-week/

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I'm a young medical writer trying to get a foothold in the industry, so the portfolio you have on your website showcasing your accomplishments is something that I'm aiming to achieve.

I don't want to take up too much of your time, but I am hoping you can share some advice, tips, or guidance as I work on this, my lateral career change!

Thanks for taking the time to read this - I know you probably have much more exciting things to be doing, but just know that your work is inspiring me to continue down this writing path.

 
Sheryl Kraft
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I'm a young medical writer trying to get a foothold in the industry, so the portfolio you have on your website showcasing your accomplishments is something that I'm aiming to achieve. I don't want to take up too much of your time, but I am hoping you can share some advice, tips, or guidance as I work on this, my lateral career change! Thanks for taking the time to read this - I know you probably have much more exciting things to be doing, but just know that your work is inspiring me to continue down this writing path.  
https://sherylkraft.com/testimonials/im-writing-to-express-my-admiration-for-the-work-you-are-doing/
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