Stress Less or Be a Hot Mess - Your Choice

It is Stress Awareness Day (in the UK).  In today's hectic world, it's hard to find someone who ISN'T stressed out.   Ever have so much stress it effects your health?  A few years ago I let some mean-girl mom behavior put me in a tizzy and developed stress-induced vertigo.  We had moved from NYC to DC, I'd left my six-figure job, had a newborn and three year old, and didn't have a support system.  I dropped a Target shopping cart down the escalator (not drunk) and knew I needed help.  The only thing the doctors could offer was a voyage to the valley of the dolls. Finally, my 7th doctor figured out that caffeine was triggering inner ear fluid and making me spin out of control. I opted to become friends with decaf and exercise my way to being grounded.   Now armed with positive psychology tools, I have other ways to whoop POW life to stress less so that I'm not a hot mess! 

SECOND-HAND STRESS.  Don't feed off other people's stress. We notice someones breath rates or that they're talking really quickly and we pick that up and mirror that.  Create a mantra when you are around people who are creating crazy.  I use - "This is not my circus and those are not my monkeys."

UNPLUG.  Over-checking social media and emails causes stress.  There will always be more to do.  Social media sites have even been linked to digital distress -- such as inducing feelings of loneliness among users. And staying plugged in to our devices can lead to work burnout and more. If you're looking to ditch the stress, disconnect from your device every once in a while. Take a break and actually talk to a human.

DEAL WITH IT.  Nothing makes those uneasy feelings stick around like avoiding what's worrying you. By not letting yourself react, you could be hurting your physical and mental health.  CONNECT TO YOUR FRIENDS REGULARLY, HIT THE WALL WITH A TOWEL, SEE A THERAPIST, OR A COACH.

GET OFF YOUR BUTT.  Sitting is the new smoking.  Sitting for hours on end is as bad for the heart as smoking, a recent study found.  GET UP EVERY 50 MINUTES AND STRETCH.  USE AN APP WITH AN ALARM FOR 50 MINUTES. Garmin Vivofit is a great fit band.

 

GET MORE SLEEP.  When you're tired, you feel alone. You compare and thing everyone has it better. You despair. You feel helpless. Studies show that people are more paranoid and sad when they don't get a good night's sleep. When you're tired, you're like a crazy person. Negative thoughts take over and life feels overwhelming. GET MORE SLEEP!


LAUGH - If you  can turn a tough time into a good story, you change the narrative in your head from victim to hero.  Now, I use the buggy for a workout, doing bicep curls while I lift the cart against the barriers.  This experience is how I got a personal shopper status at Target; when a security guard greets me, I give him my shopping list.

Whoopierific Ways to Enjoy Halloween in DC and beyond

I'm all about sharing ways to whoop it up and have more joy in life, and with a holiday approaching, there are lots of opportunities!  Create something fun every day to whoop POW life with joy.  Whether you’re celebrating at home, going out on a date, or wanting to enjoy all the Halloween fun DC has to offer, I’ve got ya covered…

* Enjoy the build up to the holiday.  Decorate your home.  Cut out bats with construction paper and tape them to your windows for a spooktacular glow at night when you're lights illuminate the silhouettes. We make mummy sausages and other creepy food to get into the spirit of things.

                                    

  

*Take part in some great family events.  There’s always Boo at the Zoo and wonderful pumpkin patch visits.  Here are a few unique outings for the family.  

Halloween Whodunit at The Kennedy Center.  www.kennedy-center.org  Date: Oct. 26, 2014  The National Symphony Orchestra musicians dress up in costume as they create a Halloween mystery that the audience will help solve. Throughout the concert, you will use the clues to figure out who stole Stephen Dumaine’s tuba. Along with the fantastic musical mystery, kids can trick-or-treat before the show and visit the instrument “petting zoo.” 

Fall Harvest Family Days  Mount Vernon www.mountvernon.org  Date: Oct. 25-26, 2014  Mount Vernon is one of the many tourist attractions in the DC area for a number of reasons, including that it was George Washington’s estate and it has a beautiful landscape and design. The historic estate and gardens is a look back at a simpler time, without the internet and smart phones. With the cost of your admission into the site, you will have a special day of fun. Fall Harvest Family Days includes fun fall things like apple-roasting, a straw bale maze, wagon rides, games, music and more. Spend Halloween with a simple day of family fun.

* Get wicked in Washington

Nightmare on M Street  October 25, 2014, 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets sold in advance (sometimes sell out). Costume bar crawl to 30 of Washington, DC's hottest bars in Dupont Circle to Gallery Place.  Use the coupon code "whoopie" for a special discount. 

DC Drag Queen Race  October 28, 2014. A crowd gathers in Dupont Circle for an informal street parade and race of costumed drag queens. This is one of the most popular DC Halloween events. 

Here's to makin' whoopie and a happy Halloween all month long!

These boots were made for walking on Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

I'm all about sharing ways to whoop it up so that people can have more joy in life.  With a holiday, there are lots of opportunities. Here is what I've cooked up so far -- Pumpkin Spice Whoopie Pies with Cream Cheese Fluff.  If you want the recipe, leave a note in the comments section.

The witch boots are from this template. 
http://amusestudio.typepad.com/files/witchboottemplate.pdf

Thank you a•muse studio!  Print on black paper and cut them out.  Cut two slits in straws and insert your boots through the slits.  I cut my boot heels a bit wider than the template so they would stay in the straw slits a bit better.

Enjoy, every day!
Mwah!

WANDER FULL - Why travel makes us happy

Shouldn't I be annoying happy if travel brings joy?  Just this year, I've been to Greece, New Orleans, the Hamptons, New York City, Disney, Idaho and have plans for an upcoming journey to off the grid in West Virginia.  The hotel rooms do not have televisions.  (We are taking the kids so wish us luck on that adventure.)  However, lately The Whoopie Queen has had to practice her own advice to up the happy factor in her life. It probably sounds silly that I'm feeling blue because my son is now a middle schooler and is throwing teenage shade my way.  Being a good parent is the hardest job I've every had!  I'm also embarrassed that I find building a company a lot tougher than I thought it would be.  I long for city life even though I'm in the burbs.  I desire more girlfriend time.  Several of my work programs haven't taken off like I thought they would.  I feel out of control. In the past, when this feeling occurred, I would either rearrange the furniture, clean the house, or chop off my hair.  I have lots of tools now but I'm pulling a crazy one out of the hat.

This time, I choose to plan a trip and there is scientific research to back up the truth that it will put a swing in my step.  A study published in the journal of Applied Research in Quality of Life showed that a vacation affects happiness.  The largest boost comes from the simple act of planning a vacation.  The happy factor lasts for approximately 8 weeks.  Plan a trip and reap the benefits.  The New York Times article is on the link at the bottom of this post. 

The volcano in Santorini is still smokin'!

My love for travel attracted a friend named Megan King who is an adventure queen, using travel as a metaphor to create a great journey in life. She interviewed me on her radio show this morning and it occurred to me that my take on travel is like my take on life - if you are in the moment, you will discover something special.  We talked about some unexpected findings on my trips:  I thought I was eating tofu in Morocco, the volcano in Santorini had steam billowing out of the holes, The Footpath of the Gods in Positano, and what I saw when I broke my legs on a mountain in Vancouver.  All were revelations that ended up being out of the ordinary: sheep brains, sulfur, 1000 steps, and a man not wearing underwear.  More on the interview... http://www.blogtalkradio.com/findyouradventure/2014/10/01/whats-your-adventure-tales-from-the-road

Money spent on experience has been shown to induce happiness more than material goods.  It is about making memories, learning something new, and having surprises in life.  That's what I call makin' whoopie!

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/18/how-vacations-affect-your-happiness/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=1

DANCE WITH ENDORPHINS - What exercise does for the brain

Why DANCE WITH ENDORPHINS?  Because exercise has a profound effect on our happiness.  It helps ease anxiety and depression, improves sleep, boost energy, increases creativity, sharpens the memory, reduces cognitive decline and more. 

I know this for certain -I ALWAYS FEEL BETTER AFTER I EXERCISE.  The other day I was feeling blue, dealing with the loneliness of working from home.  I need to be around people and yet I work alone. It's easy to spiral downward.   I had a meeting with myself and decided to do the very last thing I wanted to do -  shake, shake it off.  A class of body pump pushes the nasty out of my head, although I need to find a hot tub because my massive muscles get sore!

 

What triggers happiness in our brain when we exercise?

There's a connection to our brain with our mood, and exercising stimulates feeling better. Bufferapp says when you start exercising, your brain recognizes this as a moment of stress. So as your heart pressure increases, the brain thinks you are either fighting the enemy or fleeing from it. To protect you, your brain releases a protein called BDNF  (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor). This boosts your memory neurons and acts as a reset switch. 

That's why we often feel so at ease and things seem more clear after exercising.  At the same time, endorphins are released, which block the feeling and pain in exchange for euphoria -- making you feel happy! 

So there you have it.  Get your happy on by shaking your groove thing!

Cyndy, The Whoopie Queen  

Hugs,

Cyndy, The Whoopie Queen 

Take the Daily Grind from Blah to Brilliant!

"Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall," Fitzgerald wrote in The Great Gatsby.    

It's the beginning of a new school year and the perfect time to start fresh.  This time of year begs for creation.  The sky is Michelangelo-blue and we witness nature's art direction as leaves transform into vibrant colors.  The September Equinox is actually a holiday in the whoopiesphere - September 22 is the Autumnal New Year.  However, getting the kids back to school, driving carpools, and weekends with a plethora of obligatory activities can create the blahs.  We are busy with obligations!  Here are some ways to make the daily grind go from blah to brilliant.   

1.  Make time for yourself.  Self care is health care.  Schedule at least one activity a week to pamper yourself.  A recent study found that 87% women would rather have a massage than sex.  Ok, well go out there and get your freaking massage!  

2.  Chores.  Make a list of household jobs and have a family meeting to decide who will take on which jobs.  Who knows, you may just get rid of having to clean the toilets.  

3.  Whoopify the carpool.  Add a locker disco ball to your dashboard with a rockin' play list.  Or, listen to a book on tape.   Provide crazy hats for riders.  Wear your tiara, real or  metaphoric, to be the queen of your life and make whoopie in the world.

The point is that there are always things in life to improve and to transform.  Do you have something you want to change or create? Maybe you'd like to...

* Make a transition in your career 

* Improve your love life 

* Free yourself from self doubt

* Cultivate ways to enjoy a tough situation 

* Get your child(ren) to behave differently

* Or feel more positive about something 

If you want to speed up your success rate, then I'd like to help you do it with a special one-on-one personal "Creating Your Life" coaching session where we'll work together to...create a vision for ultimate success so you know exactly what you want, where you're headed, and what you need to do to make it happen. Uncover hidden challenges that may be sabotaging your ability to make changes that last or that are slowing down your progress.  Leave this session renewed, re-energized, and inspired to finally achieve the change you seek- once and for all.

 ****  "Creating Your Life" Coaching Session   ****

If you'd like to take advantage of this very special, very limited, and totally FREE 30 minute "Creating Your Life" coaching session, email me @cyndy@whoopiequeen.com.  This offer is good through the Autumnal Equinox on September 22, 2014.  Whoop POW! 

Hugs,

Cyndy, The Whoopie Queen 

FLASHDANCE: TAKE YOUR PASSION AND MAKE IT HAPPEN

The best ALS ice bucket video I've seen is by Brad Letson,

What a feeling

Being's believing

I can have it all

Now I'm dancing for my life

Take your passion

And make it happen

Pictures come alive

You can dance right through your life

Why was the movie Flashdance a hit?  The main character, Alex, went from rags to riches-in-rags (her cutoff sweatshirt).  She transformed from a factory-worker-welder into a superstar-breakdancing-ballet dancer.  She was a woman who reached her dreams.  

      

Ok, Flashdancers, try these steps to take your passion and make it happen:      

1.  Write your dreams down in a life list.  Pretend you are a superhero who could choose to do anything and be successful. Pretend there are no other players in the game-nobody to judge or to tell you you're wrong.

  

2. Plan it. Take out a piece of paper. Make two columns. In the left column, write down your dreams. In the right column, next to each dream, write down the one single thing you can do today to achieve that dream.   Then add what else you could do. 

3. Take action.  Do one thing a day that gets you on your path.  Imagine what will happen in 7 years if you accomplished one task every day toward fulfilling your dreams!

WHAT A FEELING!

Hugs,
Cyndy