Getting Well: Are you ready for love again?

It is no secret that roughly 50% of all marriages in this country end in divorce. And divorce rates for second marriages are even higher. The latter has, in part, been attributed to rebound dating which has been known to prevent you from healing emotionally.

It is important to take some time to reconnect with yourself, do some self-examination, and discover what you want and need out of life. Doing this work may help you make better choices in your next relationship. Sounds reasonable, right? You are not the same person you were 5, 10, or even 20 years ago. It stands to reason that your potential mate should support who you are today and who you strive to be in the future.

What you may not have considered, however, are the other areas of your life that need some time and attention. Divorce can be ugly and the process can be long and arduous. Consider the tension, fighting, financial stress, custody battles, relocation, and interruption of daily routines. The dissolution of a union that you thought would last well into "happily-ever-after" has some alarming effects on your overall health and wellness.

According to an article that appears in Prevention Magazine, "8 Surprising Ways Divorce Affects Your Health", you might experience some or all of the following:

1) Anxiety
2) Drastic Weight Change
3) Metabolic Syndrome
4) Depression
5) Cardiovascular Disease
6) Substance Abuse
7) Insomnia
8) Chronic Health Problems and Mobility Issues

Let me be frank. Divorce can send you straight up out of your right mind. The goal here is to find some balance. Give yourself permission to mourn the loss. See your doctor and address any health issues you may have. Eat well, hydrate, exercise, and get good sleep. Engage in activities that you enjoy. Be social. Breathe. Meditate. Pray. Atone. Set new goals for yourself.

Whatever you do, take your time and take care of yourself. Your happiness depends on it!

Be good to yourself! More next time...

Like the shirt? Order it here! Men's Women's


Sources: http://www.prevention.com/sex/marriage/divorce-and-health-effects

What's Eating You? Day 8 Weight Management: Putting It All Together

There are many different approaches to managing weight. Some people use exercise, some people diet, and others use some combination of the two. If you simply eat enough food to fuel your level of physical activity, maintaining your weight should be fairly easy, right? Well, your weight is often a direct reflection of your health condition. It is just as important to eat the right types of foods as well as the right amounts of food. You have to eat for your health as opposed to eating for taste or comfort.

The average adult may consume anywhere from 1200-2000 calories per day. The great majority of those calories should come from unprocessed foods like lean protein, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, raw dairy, and healthy fats. Water consumption should be about 12 glasses of water per day.

Physical activity helps to tone the body from the inside out. While muscle size and bone density may increase as a result of exercise, the cardiovascular system is tuned up as well. Vitamins and minerals are more efficiently metabolized and delivered to needed parts of the body because of improved circulation.

In addition to dedicated exercise 3-4 days per week for at least 30 minutes per session, it is important to maintain an active lifestyle. Daily chores, playing with the children, hiking, raking leaves, or washing the car are all great ways to stay active.

In summary, weight management is successfully achieved by eating the right foods, eating the right amounts of them, and staying active.

Be good to yourself! More next time...