5 healthy tips wherever you are: Virtual Wellness

Keeping a healthy lifestyle may seem like major changes need to be done, but small consistent and constant actions work efficiently as well. At Velas Resorts we want to share 5 healthy tips easy-to-follow, to continue with your wellness routine, no matter where you are.

1. Two-minute meditation

Meditation is a powerful tool. Even if you don’t have much time to create that space in your day, you can take 2 minutes to achieve a feeling of peace of mind.

• For 90 seconds (with chronometer) connect with that emotion that may be bothering you and feel it deeply, name it, take it to a peak state. Feel safe reviewing this emotion. It’s only for the next 90 seconds.
• Shake your hands, move your head from side to side.
• Think for –at least– 30 seconds about the reasons in your life to feel deep gratefulness. Cherish that sensation and recall it whenever you start feeling a negative emotion.

2. Water: source of life

Water keeps our senses alert, mind ready to react, revitalize your organism, improve visual memory, maintain a calm state and avoid fatigue and drowsiness.

Although the ideal amount of water intake depends mainly on your personal lifestyle and climate conditions, the World Health Organization recommends keeping it to 1.45 fl. oz. per every 2.20 lbs of body weight, this means that a person of 154 lb should drink at least 3 L / 101 fl. oz a day.

Tip: Sometimes we can experience a craving sensation right after eating a meal, but it may be a warning from our body to encourage drinking water to help carry out the digestion process. Drink!

Extra tip: Add a lemon wedge to your tea for a vitamin C boost.

3. Dose of antioxidants

Antioxidants are naturally produced by the body, and help protect it from free radicals, which may cause heart diseases, type 2 diabetes, and cancer.

Add an extra pinch of antioxidants to your day, with this brief list of nutrients you can easily take with you:

• Dark Chocolate – Regulates blood pressure and raises levels of “good” HDL cholesterol, helping to reduce the oxidation of “bad” LDL cholesterol, responsible for the inflammation of blood vessels that lead to heart disease.
• Walnuts – Source of healthy fats, minerals and high content of antioxidants, walnuts promote antioxidant levels in the blood. Walnuts provide a high caloric content, so keep moderate portions.
• Strawberries – Along with raspberries and blackberries, strawberries contain large amounts of vitamin C and antioxidants, as well as anthocyanins that give the characteristic red color. Anthocyanins reduce the risk of diseases by reducing levels of “bad” cholesterol.
  

4. Scents for the soul

The nerves in our nostrils are ultra sensitive. It is said that the sense of smell is the only one capable of transporting us to another moment in our past, recalling it vividly.

Keep the scent of your choice, according to the specific objective. Among many other you can find:

• Lavender – Relaxing effect, eliminates tension and headaches, improves depression and insomnia.
• Jasmine – It is a powerful natural antidepressant.
• Rose – Reduces stress and tension.
• Mint – Relieves mental fatigue, nervous stress and palpitations.
• Rosemary – Useful in treating bronchitis, asthma, and colds, in addition to having analgesic properties.
• Lemon – Revitalizes your energy, and leaves a feeling of freshness and alertness.

5. Three-minute head massage

Scalp, neck and face are irrigated with a large number of nerve endings, making these zones hypersensitive to touch. Massaging these points can help induce a deep relaxation state.

• Rub your hands to generate heat.
• Reach your left shoulder blade with your right hand and press firmly with your fingertips, while slowly rotating your neck in both directions. Repeat 3 times. Change hands.
• Using the index and middle fingers of both hands, press between the eyebrows and bring the fingers up the forehead and down to the temples. Repeat 5 times.
• Cover your eyes with your hands and apply pressure with the 10 fingertips on your forehead. Slide your fingers up and back to reach the nape of your neck. Repeat 3 times.
• Gently massage your ears using your index finger and thumb, from the pinna to the earlobe. Slide your index finger on the back of your ears up and down.