Lifelong Relationships Nourish Your Health

People getting together....to discuss news or just to talk about daily joys and sorrows; the relationships we have play an important role in our health. According to doctor-researchers of Okinawan Project, close friendships and family ties help promote longevity and greater health. One essential to healthy living is found in the bonds of friendship and love or the giving and receiving of love. This vital part of life nurtures our physical, emotional and spiritual well being.
Here are some ways to make more friends and create deeper relationships:
1. Get together with a group of friends for a game of cards or bunko.
2. Find a friend to work out with you and share encouragement to help you both reach your goals.
3. Join or start a book club. Get together with friends and discuss the books.
4. Get a pet. Studies show that giving and receiving affection with pets helps us stay healthy.
5. Join a Bible study group and congregate with people who share your spiritual views.
6. Take a cooking class. It's alot of fun learning how to cook new dishes.
7. Learn new ways to keep in contact with your family and friends such as email, myspace, or text messages.
The friendships that you create and maintain will make your life better. Do ever thing you can to hold important relationships close and create new ones...you'll be happier and healthier because of them.

Don't Worry, Be Happy!

Many people will remember the title of the old song, "Don't Worry, Be Happy" but most probably don't realize the importance of those words. Research continues to show that happier people are healthier people. Those who worry and constantly fill their minds with negative thoughts have a higher risk of developing a variety of physical and emotional problems such as: depression, high blood pressure, irritability, headaches, fatigue, stomach and intestinal problems, skin problems, increased susceptibility to illness and lower life satisfaction.
There are many things in life we can worry about, but if we dwell on them, they will become larger in our minds and consume our days...then our good health.

A few ways we can learn to deal with fear and worry are:
1)Talk over with a friend things that are bothering you. This may not solve the problem but it helps to get it off your chest and help you bring things back into perspective.
2)Remember the power of prayer. We can give our fear and worry to God; He's much better equipped to deal with them then we are. Prayer gives you a feeling of peace that is hard to find anywhere else.
3)Try to focus on the positive aspects of life. One way to do this is to start a gratitude journal; every day, write down one thing you're grateful for.
4)Shift your focus onto others who are in need. Not only will you make a difference in someone else's life but you will lessen your focus on your worries.
4)Put fear and worry in their place. Make the decision today to accept the things you cannot change...but accept that you can change how you deal with them. This will help you put things into perspective so you can start living again!