Dealing with Challenges Takes Practice and Yoga May Help

My yoga teacher says that the things in life that happen to us count less than the way we react to them. Yoga teaches us to find a calm place where we can breathe, and to practice breathing calmly when we are being challenged. Then, when we face a difficult situation in life, we have a coping mechanism in place to help us deal with it.

In yoga, we are taught that it is okay to push ourselves to failure in order to find out what we can achieve. At the same time, we don’t want to injure ourselves. So, there is always a tugging and pulling in opposite directions – or stretching oneself.

I think some people may have a twisted view (no pun intended) of what yoga is – especially if they have not practiced it. There are different types of yoga, of course, and I am only familiar with one or two of them. I know that when I practice it I can breathe better, and I feel better. I told the  yoga teacher that sinus doctors should recommend yoga to their patients, and she replied that all doctors should recommend it to their patients.

I do tend to get sore muscles after yoga, but that is natural. A Maine Warmers’ microwave heating pad relaxes them. Frozen it relieves sinus headaches.

Black Sheep microwave heating pad

7 Ways to stay warm in winter without boosting the thermostat

Once you get chilled it can be hard to warm up again. We are still in the early stages of winter, and chances are we’ll be looking for ways to stay warm while keeping the thermostat down as energy costs remain high. Be prepared for another cold snap when it arrives.

Neck Warmer under a coat

1. Stay warm outside, then when you come inside you will warm up faster. Wear warm clothing even if you are just going from the car into the grocery store. Keep moving and stay active during the winter. Exercise helps circulation and to keep you warm.

2. Wear a Maine Warmers microwave Neck Warmer under your coat to help prevent that blast of

chill when you first step outside or slide into a cold car.

3. Dress in layers and make one layer a vest to help keep your core warm.

4. Wear a hat, inside or outside, to help keep the heat in.

5. Keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

6. If you know an elderly person whose hands are cold while watching TV or reading, give him or her some reusable, microwave Hand Warmers or a Cozy Sheep. They can be micro-waved for pennies and provide comfort for an hour or more. Or use a Back Warmer, which is more versatile, and wrap it around the hands or lay it on top of cold feet.

Cozy microwave sheep keeps hands and body warm

7. Use a heating pad in your bed. Cold sheets will keep you awake until they warm up. Enjoy winter with a little help from Maine Warmers.