By Juliet Kaska
Feeling sluggish? Day’s full of a whole lot of “meh”? You are not alone. While autumn brings beautiful leaves and crisp evenings, it also brings shorter days, which can make even the most energetic people reach for the snooze button. No one’s saying to forgo your favorite sweater and cozy slippers, but when you grab them, grab a journal as well. And pour yourself some tea. This month, we’re going to get ahead of the “blahs” by refreshing and reframing our mindsets for better health.
Acknowledgment is empowering
Take a moment and think about what is working and what is not working. Often, this can break apart the clouds of general malaise and put into perspective what changes need to be made. It’s easy to point out what isn’t working, but by taking this time, we may see that more is working than we realized. And those things that aren’t? Well, now we know what they are and can start planning some changes, just in time for a change in season.
Cinnamon
It’s a delicious fall spice that’s easy to find, but aside from all the yum, cinnamon packs some powerful health benefits. It’s a natural anti-viral/fungal/bacterial, so an excellent choice for your immune system- knock out that common cold to put a damper on the day. Plus, it’s been shown to reduce inflammation and blood pressure, which can have the effect of added energy. Go ahead and splash some on your toast or in your coffee, and “Mmmmm,” your way to a better day.
Gratitude for the little things
Sure, gratitude is an oldie, but also a goodie. When we’re grateful for the everyday and mundane, it brightens our entire outlook. Own your washer and dryer? Sweet. You get to do laundry whenever you like! Do you have a roof over your head? Isn’t that great? Take a moment today to be thankful for it. I don’t need to tell you about all the studies showing the direct correlation between gratitude, positivity, and feelings of well-being. Simply put, being grateful stops the negativity train in its tracks, giving you the option of diverting it for more pleasant scenery. When we feel more positive emotions, we can relish good experiences rather than take them for granted, improve our distress tolerance exponentially, improve our health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.
Be honest with yourself
Look back to your list of what’s not working. Are there any obligations, time-sucks, or relationships you can let go of? Is there something you’ve been doing forever that you’re just not that into anymore? It’s okay for interest to change. We’re dynamic, vibrant human beings; it’s only natural. Maybe it’s time to give Tuesday Tennis a break and swap it out with Tuesday Tango instead. Who knows how that new fancy footwork might end up back on the courts? By having the willingness to break our routine, we open ourselves up to new experiences and, you guessed it, new inspiration. When we’re learning something new, our brains are more engaged, and we’re more present. All of which is a great way to banish the blahs.
Take time for silence
The sounds of our lives and the sounds in our minds are exhausting to our central nervous system. One of the quickest ways to rejuvenate ourselves and put that pep back in our step is to take time every day for pure quiet. You could do this through meditation, breathing exercises, stream-of-consciousness writing, or prayer. What it is not is watching TV, playing video games, listening to music, or sleeping. To maximize the benefits of your daily quiet time, turn it all off and be in your silence. We want to eliminate the external stimulant and then silence the internal noise of our endless running thoughts.
Make a Choice
Often, we feel sluggish or in a rut when we feel stuck- in a job, a routine, or a relationship. But we’re never truly stuck. The only thing that might be is our mindset. Feeling sluggish or stuck might be the indication that change is necessary. And remember: the consequences of change always live bigger in our imagination than in reality. Maybe your tennis partner has been looking for a break but has been too afraid to tell you. Or maybe it’s time to start planning that spontaneous getaway. Remember, life is what we make it, and when we do, when we embrace the adventure, that’s also when we feel the most alive. Skydiving isn’t the only way to get a thrill. Choosing to do almost anything differently will light that spark of newness. Don’t know what’s going to happen? Fantastic. I can’t wait to find out, either.
By taking the time to accept and listen to the dullness rather than succumb to it, you’re already well on your way to finding your sparkly groove again.
Next, slip in some of or all of these tips and watch as you transition your daily health routine into something fresh and positive for yourself.
Enjoy!
About the Author:
Juliet Kaska is one of the country’s leading celebrity trainers and health + wellness experts. In 2005, she opened Emerson Hall Fitness (EHF) in West Hollywood, CA, which quickly became the most sought-after boutique gym in the Los Angeles area. She then launched her brand JK Zen Fitness, with partnership locations throughout LA, and in 2010 opened the JK Fitness Pilates Studio. Juliet recently partnered with Vionic to create the Move for You program, a three-part series of 7 minute videos that get you moving with power and comfort. In addition to her celebrity clientele, Juliet is known for creating Hollywood’s favorite workout programs: The Bombshell Bride, Picture Perfect, The Red Carpet Workout, The Executive’s Workout and her most popular, Pilates Burn, a high-intensity workout combining Pilates reformer equipment, traditional strength training techniques and the flow of yoga. Juliet has consulted for and appeared on numerous programs such as Good Morning America, Dr. Phil and Entertainment Tonight. Numerous publications including Vogue, Shape, Los Angeles Magazine, People, Oxygen, Fitness Magazine, Glamour and Health Magazine have also featured her as a fitness expert. Juliet is trained and certified in multiple disciplines, making her workout programs both diverse and innovative. She is certified as a Second Generation Master Pilates Teacher and has received dual certification as a personal trainer from the American Council on Exercise and the National Academy of Sports Medicine. In addition, yoga guru Dharma Mittra trained her as a yoga teacher. Juliet brings a vibrant voice and unique perspective to the Vionic Innovation Lab.
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