sleep

SLEEP PATTERNS

Posted on September 25, 2013 by Gigi in My Life, Well-Being Comments Off

pen and pad

I love the quiet of the night, that magical time where all sorts of thoughts and ideas appear, and my pen and I happily transcribe to my trusty legal pad. Yes, I’m old school I love a pen in hand and seeing words on paper, it’s sort of like an electronic reader vs book, I have both but there are times when I want to curl up with a book instead of an electronic device. My husband on the other hand can barely stay up and watch the news, but 4AM he is up and running a 10 miler, or at the gym, or working out with his trainer and I on the other hand am just turning in at 3AM. Considering I don’t have a”place” to be in the morning since I work at home, I catch up sleeping in a bit, but of course the phone starts ringing around 8 and I am the master of answering as though I was wide awake and then quietly falling back into a deep sleep sometimes not remembering who I spoke to.

So the other day i read a piece on the Habits of Supremely Happy People, on the huffington Post and one of the habits was getting plenty of sleep, so I decided I’m going to rewire my brain, and go to bed early and wake up at dawn and start my day, and still have that quiet time that I love. The following are the other items that “contribute” to “supreme” happiness-this list is dead on…

1. Surround themselves with happy people–check. Nothing will take you down quicker than others who are negative, I find that my nature is to “fix” people, but sometimes you have to pull away.

Housewives of ASPEN

2. Smile when they mean it–check. A smile is a cure all.

Gigi

3.Cultivate resilience–check. Keep trying, keep doing, never give up on your dreams.

Quote

4. Try to be happy–check. There are some people you purpose to be mad, I don’t get it.

5. Appreciate simple pleasures–check. Smelling a rose as I leave my house can make my day.

love these roses

6. Devote time to giving–check. Always giving something to someone, trying to make a difference.

7. Lose track of time–check. I’m an expert at this one.

8. Nix the small talk for deeper conversation–check. You have to go there, dig deeper.

9. Spend money on other people–check. Yept.

10. Make a point to listen–check. It is amazing how many people don’t do this one.

11. Look on the bright side–check. Yes, there always is a bright side to everything no matter how bad it seems.

12. Value a good mixtape–check. I LOVE MAKING MIXED CD’S- another part of my sleep problem. Music is so important to me…

13. UNPLUG–Gotta work on this one ie. leave the phone at home sometimes, have rules.

14. Get Spiritual–check

15. Exercise–check. no brainer

Yoga

16. Sleep– Working on this one

17. Laugh–check. I always find the humor in everything…

and lastly

18.Walk the Walk–check. The old “pep in your step” is true…

Walk the Walk

So my friends what are your thoughts? Anything missing? Anything to add? Spread some happiness as you go about your day today.

XOXO,

Gigi

GIGI’S LIST FOR GLIDING THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS

Posted on December 19, 2012 by Gigi in Holiday, Well-Being 2 Comments

The holidays can wreck havoc on your body. With all the parties it is easy to over indulge on treats and to many sweets, and workouts can suffer due to shopping and social engagements. The next thing you know is that January comes around and everything is a little snug and you go in to “New Years” resolution mode, signing up for new gym memberships, another trainer and of course some sort of new diet. Why not follow a few simple steps and glide through the holidays like santa this season?

1. Watch The Sugar

Sorry, eggnog and sugary desserts are not your friend. Maybe limit yourself to Christmas day or Eve and only have something really extraordinary. Skip the Costco stuff…splurge on something homemade if you are going to have something- like grandma’s sweet potato pie.

2. Blame it on the Alcohol

If you partake use moderation and balance with lots of water, between the empty calories and the water retention the next day…you really have to be careful. Sip on one or two drinks the entire evening and have sparkling water and cranberry juice with lime in between or just plain water.

3. Workout through the holidays do NOT forfeit your WORKOUTS

It is so easy to skip workout this time of year, you may have guests staying with you, or shopping that interferes with your gym time. Even if you have to modify your plan do something at least 30 minutes daily. You will feel so much better!

4. Think about what you are plopping in your MOUTH

Make wise choices. You can do a lot of damage standing and indiscriminately plopping things into your mouth. Wear something fitted so you will be reminded and balance your selections with some veggies.

5. Chocolates –you know the kind-the ones in the nice gift boxes

Just regift and give them to your nice post-person or the dry cleaner person–do not open. You don’t want to have a few boxes under your “belt” this season.

6. Eat at HOME

Eat something sensible before you go out, you will be full and less likely to over indulge.

7. Make time to JUICE

Juicing and veggie based smoothies are a perfect way to make sure you are giving your body good nutrition to make it through the season.

8. GET YOUR SLEEP ON!

Get your 8 hours every night! This is really important, there are studies that link lack of sleep to weight gain.

9. “YOU” TIME

Make time for a massage or a moment at the spa, use that gift certificate that you have been saving. This is the perfect time to take a break for you.

10. SMILE and BE HAPPY

Smile and have a good attitude, it’s only a few weeks…

Wishing you a fabulous holiday season!

Xoxo,

Gigi

sleep

SLEEP PATTERNS

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GIGI’S LIST FOR GLIDING THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS

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