- Mindfulness – I introduced the Wellness Together Canada last year. There are many resources for mental wellness on their site, and you can connect to many different apps on a wide range of subjects. Last week on my family vacation, I would often stop and just take it all in. The sounds of my grandchildren laughing, the ocean waves crashing on the rocks, the sun on my face and the smell of the ocean. It can be so easy to be caught up in doing that we forget to be present in the moment. My week was everything I hoped it would be. I have instilled the love of whales on two more generations, we explored, played, laughed, and connected. Last week I found mindfulness easy, however sometimes I need a little extra help. Through the Wellness Together Canada site you can access an app called TAO which has 27 mindfulness sessions you can use if you need a little help. They vary in length from two minutes to twenty minutes. Next up I am going to explore the Breathing Room App, I will update you next week.
- Isometric – There is new research from the British Journal of Sports Medicine that shows that isometric exercise is better at lowering your blood pressure than cardio. Video The article on MSN also points to walking as the best way to lower your blood pressure. The research that backs that up is here.
What is isometric exercise? This article from Healthline goes into detail about what isometric exercise is and the benefits. It then goes on to give you eight examples and the proper way to execute them. What I like about isometric exercise is that you really don’t need any equipment and it can be done anywhere. Give it a try the next time you can’t get to the gym or if you want to begin adding exercise to your daily routine. Another option is to check out Karen Hagen and Forever Fit Over 40. If you have attended my Women in Leadership retreats, you had an opportunity to participate in one of her fitness classes. During our lockdown, Karen’s on-line program was a life saver for me. Karen uses isometric exercise in her workouts to provide a full range of activities to keep you engaged and motivated. The best part is that you can access her classes when it works for you, making it a fantastic and easy way to fit fitness into your daily routine.
EXCELLING FROM WITHIN