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“Happiness is an attitude. We either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong. The amount of work is the same.”—Francesca Reigler

What makes you happy?

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How to Build a Low Cost Home Gym

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So many of us wish we could get more use out of our gym memberships, but with hectic lives and unpredictable schedules, it's not always so easy. If you find it too hard to get out of your house every day for a workout, why not bring the gym to you? Creating a gym in your home can save time and money -- there's no need to own the same heavy, expensive equipment found at a standard gym. You may be surprised at how easy it is to tailor a home gym to fit you personal needs. All you need are a few tangible pieces and a motivational vibe! Below are five necessities to start building your home gym. Atmosphere: Think about what you like most about the gym and figure out how to bring some of that atmosphere to your own space. If natural light is a must have for you, find a space upstairs with great windows to create the look you want. If you like to watch TV while you sweat, set up your gym in a room that has screen access. Need a little visual motivation? Try something simple like...
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Mountain Days Are Back!

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  Did you know that throughout the year, Blue Cross hosts in-person events around the state?  Mountain Days In-Person Event (Saturday, May 9) Join Blue Cross for a moderate uphill hike to a great vista and an easy riverside walk at  Wantastiquet Monadnock Trail  -  Trailhead, Mountain Rd, Hinsdale, NH 03451  (Off Route 119) from  10 AM - 2 PM .  Participants will receive a Mountain Days t-shirt, healthy snacks, and water. This event is open to all, no RSVP required. Mark your calendar and invite a friend! Spring Virtual Challenge (Saturday, May 9 - Saturday, May 31) Share photos of your outdoor adventures via email ( events@bcbsvt.com ) or tag  Blue Cross VT   on  Facebook  or  Instagram . For every photo seen, Blue Cross will donate $5 to  Vermont Parks Forever Access Fund , which grants free park passes to hundreds of Vermonters every year. A Reminder to Check Trail Conditions Spring is a time of weather transitions...
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Finding Time for Exercise

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Fitness is a way to celebrate and thank your body. It’s good for your physical wellbeing, your mental and emotional wellbeing, improves sleep and more. However, finding time to exercise isn't always easy, especially as seasonal routines change.  If you are struggling to find time to exercise, here are some ways to help make it happen:   Reframe it : instead of a chore, think of exercise as a privilege.  Whatever ways you can/do move, dwell on how great it is that you are capable of action. Think of all the ways it would affect your life if you could not exercise.  Think of exercise as a key part of a healthy lifestyle, not just workouts.  Make exercise a part of your life by noting fun active hobbies and scheduling in plenty of time for them in addition to working out. Think going out for a picnic with friends, gardening, a bird watching hike to the habitat of your favorite warbler, or ice skating.  Make it fun! Get creative and center movement around ...
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Developing a Workout Routine

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Developing a routine when working out is important for achieving fitness goals and protecting your body from injury. Below are some tips and tools on developing the perfect workout routine. Use these tips to customize a workout routine that works for you! Tip 1: Consistency Building a strong fitness routine does not happen overnight. You must develop a process and work at it regularly. Decide how many days you are going to work out each week and commit to fitting it into your schedule. Tip 2: Recover Your muscles need time to recover to completely benefit from your physical efforts. When creating your routine, make sure there are days for rest! You do not have to remain completely inactive on recovery days. Long walks, light yoga and casual swimming are all things that get your body moving while still allowing time for your muscles to recoup. Tip 3: Variety Consistency is important when you are thinking about duration and frequency of exercise. Variety is import...
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Join Us for a Sleep Challenge!

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  This week, we encourage you to support great sleep by removing distracting devices from your bedroom before bed. Join on Personify Health , and participate by stating whether you removed devices from your bedroom or not each night from May 11th through May 17th.  Devices like phones and tablets have lights and alerts potentially disruptive to sleep, but changing habits can be hard. Here are some reasons to try the switch: Leaving your phone in another room leaves obligation out there too Leaving your phone in another room gives your brain the room to do something else. Whether that’s a chat with your  partner or decompressing from the day, the bedroom should be a space where tasks do not follow you.  Blue light  is not helping your sleep If you want to fall restfully asleep, exposing yourself to the blue light of a device is not the way to do it. The blue light from electronic devices messes with your sleep cycle, and can wake your brain up as it should be win...
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Understanding Food Labels

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1. Check the serving size.  This is what the entire label is based on. This tells you how much everything equals. It can range from five pieces or the whole package. A serving size is a measured amount of food. It's what the USDA uses in the Healthy Eating Guidelines and daily recommendations. However, food label serving sizes are determined by the manufacturer so they may not match the USDA guidelines. 2. See the calories.  Now that you know what counts as serving, you can see how many calories a serving equals. Remember to multiple this number by the number of serving you plan to eat! A good rule of thumb is, if the calories are high - for example more than half the amount you estimate for the whole day - then that particular food might not be a good choice on a regular basis. 3. Keep an eye out!   Fat - Some fats, namely saturated fat and trans fat, are worse than others (mono unsaturated fat and polyunsaturated fat). Too much to...
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Simple Strategies For Better Time Management

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  Time management is essential to balance our professional and personal lives effectively. Developing strong time management skills can lead to increased productivity, reduced stress, more time for ourselves, and a better work-life balance. One key strategy is to prioritize tasks. Start by making a to-do list and ranking tasks by importance and deadlines. For example, if you have a project due at the end of the week, focus on completing the most critical parts first. This ensures that high-priority tasks are completed on time. Another effective technique is the Pomodoro Technique. This involves working for 25 minutes, then taking a 5-minute break. After four cycles, take a longer break of 15-30 minutes. This method helps maintain focus and prevents burnout. Using a calendar or planner is also crucial. Scheduling specific times for work tasks, meetings, and personal activities can help you stay organized. For example, block off time for answering emails, attending meetings, an...
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