Better Mental and Physical Health for 2012 - It's All About Mixing It Up!

Some routine in life is normal, understandable and at times desirable, but when it comes to physical and mental health, repetition is not your friend. Not only will repeated tasks result in diminishing returns, but they tend to be boring and don't add joy to your life.

If you have a very repetitive workout, it's time to mix things up. Diversifying your workout will likely:

Stimulate different muscles leading to better over-all resultsBreak through a weight loss plateauCompel you to try harder rather than go through the motionsAlleviate boredomReduce the likelihood of giving up and quittingStimulate your brain as you learn new things

Start by incorporating one new cardio and one new strength training activity each week. If you are an avid spin class person, try a yoga class. If you are a jogger, try biking, rowing or even doing sprint intervals. If you usually work out indoors, try something in the fresh air. If you do not currently exercise, add in a new cardio activity and a new strength training activity at least once this week. Remember - don't switch into full speed right away. This is all about moderation. Incorporate small changes and once those become too easy, introduce new small changes. Be sure to consult a doctor before starting new physical activities. It is also important that you are fueling your body properly for exertion. You will need both complex carbohydrates and protein in order to fuel your workout. Consider incorporating a probiotic cleanse and a metabolite extract drink for maximum metabolic efficiency.

Like physical stagnation, you can also experience mental stagnation. Studies have shown that individuals who do not regularly stimulate their minds are more likely to suffer from dementia later on in life. Several studies show that our neurology benefits from regular engagement - particularly from puzzle solving type activities.

Commit to stimulating your mind several days a week and adding in a new activity a few times a month. The good news is, most of these activities are fun.

Some great brain stimulators and brain-training games include:

Crossword puzzlesSudokuChessReading an article or bookListening to a radio program or book on tapeTaking a class or attending a lectureVisiting a museum

Last but not least, in your commitment to a healthier mental and physical state in 2012, it is a good idea to also incorporate a few small life "happiness" enhancements to complement your new lifestyle. Again, do not set too lofty a goal, but rather choose three easy-to-implement changes that will fit into your life and make you happier.

First you must identify which aspects of your life need to be addressed. Are you most concerned with your physical health, or would you like to work on emotional, spiritual or intellectual health aspects of your life? You may want to address all of the above! If so, be sure to set realistic goals.

Possible "health enhancements" include:

Introducing a multi-vitamin into your morning routine, which is a good idea no matter how young or old you are Adding in a calcium supplement (this is especially important for women)Starting a micro nutrient probiotic cleanse with beneficial bacteria if you have ever suffered from immunity or digestive issuesScheduling your annual check-up appointment, especially if you're someone who usually tries to avoid going to the doctorSwitching to a non-toxic, green cleaning agents in the home for those messes that kids and pets cause Adding recycling and composting kitchen bins to your home or starting an organic garden in your backyardVolunteering once a month to stay active in your local community and help you achieve greater connectednessAttending a religious/spiritual gathering or lecture once a monthTake a class that will broaden your mind or advance your careerTake one trip abroad this year

The possibilities are endless!

The trick to being successful in your resolution this year is embracing moderation and committing to change. Instead of focusing your transgressions and labeling yourself a failure, think of your life as a long-term quest for moderation. Take pride in being the sort of person who makes thoughtful choices about their health, but also enjoys indulgences in appropriate portions.

These lifestyle changes are realistic, manageable and - most importantly - they will enhance your quality of life. The result is a happier, healthier you.

Eric Lancaster is the Exectutive Vice President at Teraganix, formerly EM America. Teraganix is the exclusive US distributor for Dr. Higa's original EM?1® microbial inoculants products including Bokashi composting products. EM?1® is a liquid microbial inoculant that promotes a healthy environment for beneficial soil organisms and larger forms of life including humans, pets, livestock, insects and worms.

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5 Things To Avoid To Have Better Concentration and Memory

Have you ever forgotten where you placed your keys? Inevitably, you ended up wasting a lot of time looking for your lost keys later on. It is possible that the reason you were not able to remember where you left your keys in the first place was because you had no presence of mind of what you were doing. That is why you need focus and concentrate to improve memory.

Attention and memory are two mental skills that are related to each other. For you to be able to remember things more effectively, paying close attention is of high importance. But there can be a lot of factors that can contribute to poor concentration and memory loss. They can be physical, environmental, emotional, and mental factors. It is important that you know what they are in order to avoid them.

AVOID DISTRACTIONS. To improve your memory through concentration, you have to remove distractions. You should turn off the ringer of your phone and other device notifications to avoid disruptions from what you are doing. If you want to study, do not watch television or listen to a talk radio. Study in a quiet and peaceful environment. Also, an empty stomach can be a source of distraction. So you have to make sure you do not skip meals.

AVOID STRESS. Stress is the number one enemy of your brain. It can impair your memory, learning, and other cognitive skills. If you are stressed out, you cannot focus or concentrate well. Sometimes stress is inevitable, but you should know how to handle it. You can meditate or do some yoga to combat stress. It can enhance your concentration and can improve your memories capacity. Deep-breathing exercises or body massage can also help.

AVOID SLEEP DEPRIVATION. To have maximum concentration to improve memory, you should get enough sleep, 6 to 8 hours every night. Our brain works non-stop and it also needs time to rest by not thinking too much. A lot of people get to sleep late at night and wake up early in the morning. This improper sleeping pattern can disrupt mental focus in all the activities to be done the following day.

AVOID LAZINESS. You need to exercise your brain and body to have proper concentration to improve memory. Body exercise stimulates blood circulation and gives more oxygen supply and nutrients to all parts of your body, including your brain. Brain exercises such as crossword puzzles, memory and trivia games can stimulate your brain's cognitive function to its optimum level.

AVOID UNHEALTHY FOODS. Just like your body, your brain also needs the right food and nutrients for it to function properly. You should avoid fatty and high-calorie foods as it can lead to disorders that can impair memory. You should eat eggs, nuts, dairy products, lean meat, fish, fruits and vegetables or any other foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals. Foods high with Omega 3 and antioxidants are also considered as "focus enhancing foods".

Improving memory and concentration is always possible but in order to achieve it, you need to discipline yourself and avoid any unhealthy habits so that your brain can function effectively and avoid memory loss.

Original article