De-Clutter, De-Stress

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you’re surrounded by clutter; it’s just one more reminder of what needs to get done. However, taking the time to clear and organize even one space in your life can do wonders for improving your mood and reducing your stress.

Try your hand at a bit of spring cleaning this week. Start small by tidying up one area, such as your desk or dining room table. Gaining control over part of your domain could help you feel accomplished and give you more space to get work done.

Jackie’s tip: According to WebMD.com, 75 to 90 percent of all doctors’ office visits are due to stress-related ailments and complaints. Reducing stress is an Aging Backwards tip!

Here is this week’s healthy tip from The Monday Campaigns:

What’s Your Intensity?

There are varying degrees of exercise intensity.

Light-intensity activities, such as cooking or shopping, don’t require much effort.

Moderate-intensity activities such as a brisk walk or flat bike ride work your heart, lungs and muscles, causing you to sweat.

Vigorous-intensity activities increase your heart rate enough that you are breathing hard and fast.

Jackie’s tip: Exercise is the fountain of youth and that includes your face! Don’t forget facial exercise as part of your workout.

Here is this week’s healthy tip from The Monday Campaigns:

It’s Good to Go Bad

A food’s expiration date is a good indication of how processed it is. If your food takes years to expire, it’s probably full of preservatives and artificial ingredients. Fresh produce, on the other hand, takes just days or weeks to meet its demise.

Pick up good health this week by choosing foods that go bad. Start this Monday by selecting some recipes that include fresh foods. If you have a plan you’ll be able to enjoy your ingredients while they’re fresh!

Jackie’s tip: Locate your neighborhood farmer’s market, buy locally grown organic produce and support your farming neighbors. A win-win for everyone!

This week’s Fashion Flash host is Kari from Fab Over Forty. Check out the diverse topics from our fab bloggers, such as: a fitness and beauty makeover, what to wear to a wedding, plus size fashion and some skincare advice. Let’s not forget about Mother’s Day coming up soon and honoring moms everywhere. Click read more for the whole scoop.

Here is this week’s healthy tip from The Monday Campaigns:

Be Environmentally Conscious

It can be hard to stick to healthy intentions when you’re living in a less-than-healthy environment.
A coworker’s candy dish, leftover snacks in the cupboard at home or an easily accessible takeout menu can all lead to mindless munching.

Prevent diet disaster before it strikes by fool-proofing your environment this week. Get rid of the unhealthy foods in your refrigerator and cabinets and leave nutritious choices where you’re most likely to notice them. Remember that it’s easy to make healthy choices when they’re all around you!

Jackie’s tip: Keep red, orange and green peppers on hand – you’ll be attracted to the bright colors!

Here is this week’s healthy tip from The Monday Campaigns:

Brush Up on Oral Hygiene
Keeping your mouth healthy and clean is an important part of maintaining a clean bill of health.

Taking good care of your teeth and gums is fairly simple: brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss once a day, visit your dentist twice a year and reduce your intake of sugary foods and drinks. To keep your toothbrush clean and working properly, replace it (or power toothbrush head) at least once every three months.

This week, floss your teeth every day if you don’t already do so. Recommit to flossing every Monday and soon it will become second nature!

Jackie’s tip: I am a chronic flosser. If good health isn’t enough incentive to floss, how about this one: fresher breath?

I wrote a whole article about it on the Web site StyleGoesStrong.com, so if you’re curious about the film and about its costume, hairstyle and makeup influences, click HERE to read the entire article.

Here is this week’s healthy tip from The Monday Campaigns:

Sort Out the Small Stuff
Many times stress is the result of little things that were left unresolved, such as work projects, medical visits, paperwork and other household concerns. These tasks can hang over your head week after week, building up stress without you even realizing it.

This week, set out to solve the little problems in your life. Sit down this Monday and write a list of all the small things that have piled up; then come up with a time line to make them disappear. By catching up and completing these goals, you can feel in control again.

Jackie’s tip: Tackle the “worst first” this morning. Get the to-do item that seems monumental to you out of the way early.

There are four main types of physical activity: aerobic, muscle-strengthening, bone strengthening and stretching. Each works to keep your body trim and healthy in different ways. Aerobic benefits your heart and lungs most while stretching targets joints and increases flexibility. Get a well rounded workout this week by incorporating each of these four types of activity. Start by researching some steps online or chat with a fitness expert or doctor.

Jackie’s tip: Exercise is the fountain of youth!

Bite for the Better
Sure, calories are an important part of maintaining or losing weight, but so are nutritious, healthy foods. Eating unprocessed foods like fruit, vegetables, beans and whole grains increases your energy, lowers your risk of health problems, helps you maintain a healthy weight and sets a good example for friends and family.

This week focus on making healthy food swaps at every meal. Replace your lunchtime serving of chips with crunchy carrot sticks, or start your morning with oatmeal and fruit instead of a bagel and cream cheese. You’ll soon discover how delicious nutritious foods can be.