Matters Of The Heart

Greetings Dear Reader! 💗💗💗

Valentine's Day is near
Single or coupled let it be filled with cheer
May your heart be healthy
May it be beat strong and steadily
Again, Valentine's Day is near
Therefore, it's important to read what I've posted here

Okay, I wrote the above short poem to have a little a fun and to wish your heart well.

February is a celebratory month for matters of the heart. A good, healthy romance can definitely have a positive impact on one's heart health. If you feel calm and joyful about the romance you're in, and if you feel relaxed and accepted in the arms of your lover, your heart will be less stressed than that of someone who is dealing with a tumultuous relationship. However, as you read on, you'll see that this post is about more than romance when it comes to matters of your heart.

Aside from a healthy romance, your heart needs aerobic exercise to keep it functioning strongly and at a normal pace. According to the National Institute of Health, the average heart rate for adults is between 60 and 100 beats per minute (and it's between 40 and 60 beats if you are an athlete). For more about heart rates and exercise, visit:  http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/PhysicalActivity/FitnessBasics/Target-Heart-Rates_UCM_434341_Article.jsp#.WJ8Z4dEiztQ

Emotional anguish and stress can wreak such havoc on the heart that one can have a heart attack. Therefore, it is important to find ways to keep calm, worry less, and feel centered. Ways to mitigate stress include:

• Engaging in relaxing activities
• Laughing
• Meditating
• Enjoying the outdoors
• Spending time with people who uplift rather than bring you down
• Abstaining from absorbing shock and awe reports from the news
• Getting adequate rest

Take time to take care for your heart. Single or coupled this Valentine's Day in 2017 --or in any other year-- be mindful of matters of your heart, and take good care of it.

May your heart be healthy,
Kaja Green-Tovar

Exercising Affects More Than Longevity & Clothing Size

Greetings!

I recently heard the opinion that people who exercise are trying to prolong life and fit into a certain clothes size. While exercise may help with both of those things, it affects more than that.

Exercising helps with weight management and that's a good thing because carrying too much weight on your skeletal frame can cause the body preventable aches and pains. Exercising can help shed visceral fat which is great because too much visceral fat can cause illnesses such as diabetes, coronary heart disease, arthritis, stroke, and other preventable illnesses.

When we exercise we are positively affecting our emotional health because endorphins--the feel good hormones--are released during sustained physical activity. Endorphins help improve a person's mental disposition, making them less cranky and less stressed. Ever see anyone really moody or agitated after they've been exercising? No? Neither have I. 

And fortunately, while it is beneficial to be consistent about exercising (and eating well most of the time), you do not have to be frenzied or fanatic in your efforts. Thirty minutes plus for three or more days per week will improve your health.

More than longevity and a clothing size, below are some other ways exercise improve your quality of life now:

1) Physical and Mental Stamina.  Exercise energizes you. Physically, you gain momentum from exercising. Mentally, you are more prepared for dealing with tasks and communicating with others because the endorphins released will help you to have a positive mindset.

2) Muscular Strength. Strength/resistance training will help you to be strong enough to do daily activities such as lifting or carrying groceries, rearranging furniture, or being able to catch your balance if you trip so that you catch yourself before falling.

3) Self-reliance. Exercising helps keep the body in good physical condition, enabling one to be self-reliant with endurance and strength performing tasks such as shoveling snow from your walkway or mowing your own lawn.

4) Self-esteem. Regardless of your age or clothing size, exercising is a confidence booster. When you take time out to exercise you are showing that you are worthy of maintaining your health or improving it. 

5) Social Life. People enjoy being around others who are taking positive action to have good health. And again, exercise can improve how your feel. And people respond to us based on how we behave and the vibes we exude. When you exercise on a routine basis, you are more likely to come across to others as energetic, capable, self-reliant, and confident.

So go ahead, take a walk. Go for a jog. Workout at the gym. Exercise will improve your quality of life.

For more motivation to exercise, visit: https://www.amazon.com/B-C-Book-Health-Fitness-Motivation/dp/1481091409/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1484574080&sr=1-1&keywords=a+b+c+book+of+health+and+fitness+motivation+and+green-tovar

Best wishes for your optimal health and wellness!
Kaja Green-Tovar,
B.S. Health Education and Promotion
NASM Certified Personal Trainer
www.Kajafitness.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kajafitness?lang=en

Mature Singles and Meeting New People

Greetings!

Thanks for stopping by. Really, I thank you because it has been a long while since I last posted here.

Publicizing my intention on Facebook to blog more frequently is the reason I did not put off posting yet again.

This post is about meeting new people when you've been alive for 35 plus years. Many mature singles live in different cities, states, and countries from where they have familial relations due to work and having relocated with a former companion, or for whatever other reason.

Mature singles meet others at work all the time but when most people are married and have plans with their spouse and kids, it's not easy to find people who are available for doing fun things with during your downtime. Luckily, all is not lost because there are many ways to connect with others who share your single status, downtime-free lifestyle.

For finding platonic friendships--and possibly romance, if you're open to it--below are several ways to meet people who might like to join you for playing cards, dining out, going hiking, or whatever it is you're interested in:

1) Volunteer. You can volunteer to man stations for sporting events. Some people volunteer at libraries and museums. Organizations like Habitat for Humanity, Volunteer Match, and many others will be grateful for your time and effort.

2) Join a club. Joining a club that offers something you're interested in is a great way to network and enjoy your downtime. Whether it's a writing club, toastmaster's club, running club, or something else, you'll get to socialize outside of the workplace. And for entrepreneurs (including author-entrepreneurs), participating in a club that interests you will expand the number of people who might want your services/products.

3) Search Online. In most cities, the website Meetup.com is available for you to find groups that are interested in a wide variety of topics. It was on Meetup.com that I found out where to go for dance lessons in my local area. Speaking of dancing, I need to return to the classes soon. Fortunately, I have been busy following the above advice I'm dishing out so I have to find time for it in my schedule again.

I've named 3 easy ways to expand your social life. I know it's not easy putting yourself in new situations with new people, but if you'll remember that the people you are looking for are looking for you, too, will help you relax.

Take a look at my short YouTube video for inspiration regarding single women and dating: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yRC8_m_EVg

My book, Rhonda's Quest for Romance is available here: https://www.amazon.com/K.G.-T./e/B01B14UT5Y/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1484265215&sr=1-1

Best wishes for each person's optimal health and wellness!
Kaja Green-Tovar

Is Online Dating Safe?

Greetings!

You stopped here because you were wondering if online dating is a safe thing to do. I believe online dating is safe, if you take the following precautions:

1) Do not reveal personal or highly sensitive information about yourself. Basically, do not share your physical address, social security number, bank account information, and that kind of thing.

2) Always, always, always meet the person you've been corresponding with in a public location. Preferably in a neutral location where you are not likely to run into the person again if you don't want to. Meeting at your favorite café may not be such a grand idea if you decide you want to avoid seeing your date again; especially, if he or she still wants to see you!

3) Tell someone - a relative, friend, neighbor, or acquaintance - about your plans to meet with someone you've met online. This way someone somewhere knows where you are going and expects you to return.

By the way, the above precautions applies to anyone of any age and gender!

In my fiction novel, Rhonda's Quest For Romance, you can follow along and laugh (or cringe), depending on what part you're reading, about her dalliances with the different men she meets from an online dating site.

Rhonda is a 30-year-old librarian with two cats and she is determined to find a lifetime partner in 90 days!

Click below for the book:
http://www.amazon.com/Rhondas-Quest-Romance-K-G-T-ebook/dp/B01709WC18/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1449516599&sr=1-1&keywords=rhonda%27s+quest+for+romance)

Whatever you decide to do, be safe and enjoy! :-)

Aging Well Starts Here...

Greetings!

As a healthy living enthusiast and lover of humanity, I want to share with you that aging well starts here:

...in YOUR mind.

That's right! Aging well starts in your mind when YOU decide to be grateful for the number of years you have been fortunate to accumulate in your life's journey.

You see, the alternative to advancing up the chronological ladder of age is to not get older. And we know what it means to cease having birthdays.

Therefore, start the process of aging well by choosing to appreciate being alive. Be grateful for having survived and thrived through different situations over the years.

Aging is a blessing because with each new day, each new moment, you get the chance to grow spiritually.

Whether you're 40, 70, or 90, it's fantastic that you're still here evolving and being afforded more time to spend with people and activities you care about.

Best wishes for our (yours and mine) optimal health and wellness,
Kaja

A Positive Way to Think About Aging

Greetings!

NOTE: When I refer to good mental health, I am speaking of being absent of mental illnesses such as Alzheimer's or diagnosed mentally debilitating illnesses.

If you are an adult with good mental health, you are capable of CHOOSING how well you take care of your mind and body. This is true whether you are eighteen or one-hundred!

We are all aging chronologically; however, growing older is not synonymous with becoming outdated, useless, purposeless, boring or the other negative stereotype associated with advancing in age.

 

I like to think of aging as evolving. 

 

Evolving (a.k.a. aging) means growing, maturing, and progressing! As you long as you are alive, you can choose to evolve by trying new things, and using your maturity to become more efficient at living.

Look around you sometime. You'll notice people who perpetuate the negative stereotypes of aging by refusing to exercise the bodies they're still using to traverse the earth, or you'll hear people referring to themselves as over-the-hill. When you see the negative aspects of aging, it's usually the result of negative thinking & choices!

There are numerous senior-aged adults running marathons, biking, hiking, swimming, bowling, dancing, doing yoga, and many other activities. Of course, it's not just about physical activity; spiritual and intellectual pursuits matter, too. Spend time with good people, volunteer, maybe host a game night for a few acquaintances from time to time thus partaking in living because to evolve positively in life you must participate, not stagnate.

Feel free to share additional insights in the comments section below!

Best wishes for our (yours & mine) optimal health and wellness,
-Kaja 

For Simple Decisions Try This!

Greetings!

Recently I was trying to make a simple, non-life-changing decision while I was at a breakfast-type restaurant. Basically, I was trying to decide between two delicious looking entrées. Both meals were on the healthy side and equally appealing to my appetite, but the longer I mulled over which want I wanted, the harder it felt to make a choice. Luckily, I great idea flashed in my mind!

I acted on that idea and flip a coin! Guess what flipping the coin did? It provided me with instant relief. By flipping the coin over such a simple decision I was done spending time mulling over the two dishes!

Of course, keep your wits and understand that I am not suggesting we flip a coin over life-changing matters such as where to attend university, whether or not to get married, or what size vehicle to buy. Big decision require sincere thought and strategies. In another post, I will address the topic of making big decisions.

Staying in the present, most likely you will agree that for small decisions such as picking out which meal to purchase at a restaurant, which lip gloss or nail polish to wear, or picking out a tie to wear with a dress shirt - we should not expend to much time and energy. Since time and energy affects productivity, it's best to use them wisely.

The next time you find yourself trying to choose what food dish to order or which DVD movie to watch, reserve your time and energy and flip a coin!

I hope this tip helps you deal with making simple decisions. 

I blog about different topics (big and small) that affect our human experiences, so stayed tuned and take care!

Best wishes for our (yours and mine) optimal health and wellness,
Kaja Green-Tovar