The John Tesh Blog

Cost-cutting ideas for your next family vaca...

Ahh...Summer Vacation.  Time off work; school's out; everyone's happy and excited.  It's what make those family memories we dream of for ourselves, and out kids.  But YIKES- the cost!  Want some tips for cutting down on some of your costs, or is the idea of paying more than you need to that appealing to you?  I thought so- let's go.

When it comes to your next family vacation, are you thinking: Can we really afford to go out of town? Here’s your answer: YES. Lisa Collier Cool, a travel researcher for Woman’s Day magazine, says just because the economy’s down, that doesn’t mean you have to stay home. You just have to travel SMART. Here are some of her cost-cutting tips, hidden bargains and surprising freebies. 

• Consider a farm stay! Also called “haycations,” these trips put you smack dab in the middle of a working farm, complete with animals, fresh-picked food and a rustic-yet-comfy bed and breakfast. They’re easier on your pocketbook than a theme park getaway. Take Mary Ellen Ynes. She and her family spent their vacation at Leaping Lamb Farm in Oregon, and spent about $400 total for the five-day trip. She says her kids loved feeding the sheep, gathering eggs with the farmer’s wife in the morning - and even riding a donkey! You can find out more about “haycations” at AgriSport.com.
• Go on a “one tank” getaway! Choose a place you can get to on just ONE tank of gas. It’s not as hard as it sounds. Just go to TripAdvisor.com/TankofGas. They have a list of destination options, and you can research sights and activities online, as well as the best places to stay. Look for a bed and breakfast that has the “Free Gas” promotion. That means you get a gas card for another tank to get you back home! 
• Make LUNCH your main meal. If you want to try a snazzy restaurant on your trip, go during the afternoon. The prices are lower than in the evening and it’s easier to get a reservation.  Another dining trick is to look for restaurants that offer “kids eat free” nights. Also, if one of your kids has a birthday in the month you’ll be traveling, many chains – like Denny’s and Red Lobster - have clubs that kids can join online to get coupons for free appetizers, desserts or even meals. Just go to FreeBirthdayTreats.com for a list of restaurants.

Now all you need are the best tips for cutting down on everyone's stress level while on "The Family Vacation of Your Dreams"- check out these ideas for avoiding family stress- especially yours!  Happy planning- 

John

Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

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Mid-week blahs got you down? 6 easy ways to feel young today.

Age is a state of mind, so they say.  If that's so, then let's throw a curve ball into our normal routines (the ones that might be making us feel older than we should!) with some ideas to unleash our inner fountains of youth!

1. Try a fresh way to stretch. 

Author Anita Boser recommends gentle exercises called undulations to relieve stiffness brought on by lack of movement. “These exercises create a fluid exchange in the joints so tissues can get the nutrients they need to remain limber as we age,” Boser said. Try the Easy Sway:

• Sitting in a firm chair (not a sofa), lean to the right so that the left side opens in an arc and the right side curves in.
• Then lean to the left so the right side opens up.
• Sway from side to side for a minute and notice what parts of your spine can do this movement easily and what parts of your spine are stiff.
• Stop and then start again, but let one of the stiff places initiate the movement. It will be different; perhaps smaller, uncoordinated or less smooth. That's OK. Just don't do anything that hurts. Let the stiff place lead for a minute.
• Stop and start once again a few times. Just a few minutes of gentle movement will lubricate and nourish the joints in your spine, so they are healthier. 

2. Take a veggie break.

“We’re undergoing a quiet revolution in our understanding of aging,” author Sally Brown said. Aging, once thought to be inevitable, is now considered to be a buildup of faults in the body caused by damage from unstable molecules called free radicals. When the body’s repair systems weaken, free-radical damage accumulates, leading to disease, reduction in skin elasticity, muscle and bone wastage and slower mental reactions. “Slowing aging down, right now, may be as easy as simply eating more vegetables,” said Brown. “They contain antioxidants, which bind with free radicals and make them harmless.” Do something for yourself. Take a veggie break and reap the rewards. Being proactive will help you feel refreshed and younger today. 

3. Play some new music and dance!

When was the last time you kicked up your heels and spun around the room? Try turning on the radio to a random station or pulling something new to your digital music player. Then feel the rhythm and get stepping. Or try a dance video from the library and learn some new steps.

4. Lift some weights.

Don’t wait to join the gym. Grab those weights that are under your bed gathering dust — or soup cans will suffice. Now try a few arm curls, lunges and lifts. Visit www.beautifyyourheart.com for strength-building fitness activities and more fitness ideas. Please check with your doctor before beginning any strenuous physical fitness routine.

5. Get centered.

Slowing down to take stock of your life can help you get focus and feel younger. Choose today to take a break from your responsibilities, maybe just for an hour. Reflect on your personal goals. What are you doing to accomplish them? Do you like your work? Any relationships you’d like to improve? Come up with one action item that you can accomplish today and do it. You’ll feel your youthful vigor revive as you spend time on you.

6. Put it in perspective.

Spend time with someone older, doing errands or simply visiting. Call up a family member or friend and see if today would be a good day to stop in. While there, take a moment to appreciate your mobility and your stage of life. 

John

Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

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Paycheck to paycheck, and you're still in debt...with no extra savings, either. Guess what? This CAN change!

If your budget is like that of so many other households, it may seem like you never have quite enough cash on hand to pay all your bills at the end of every month and still set aside a few extra bucks for a rainy day.  With so many financial and employment experts urging folks to have an emergency fund- up to eight month's worth!. and pay off debt...well, something's got to change.  Wallet Pop and bankrate.com offers 5 ways to beat a cash crunch.  These are techniques financial planners suggest that can help you improve the cash flow you have, and boost what you might need- without tapping into any precious savings or retirement funds first.

Stop Spending

The first line of defense against a personal cash crisis is to slash your budget so you're living within your current means, says financial planner Karen Keatley, owner of Keatley Wealth Management in Charlotte, N.C. Examine your checking account and credit card statements for the past few months and identify any opportunity- no matter how small it seems (like the mocha latte that sounded so good the other morning, and wound up on your credit card statement. Pack a small thermos of good hot coffee tomorrow!) to reduce discretionary purchases or put the kibosh on automatic subscriptions and membership renewals that consume cash.

Pay Off Debt

One of the most rewarding ways to cut your costs is to reduce or eliminate monthly finance charges that you incur on your credit cards, home equity line of credit and other debts. Pay down the balance on your highest interest-rate debt first and pay more than the minimum payment each month, so you can take advantage of what Belluardo describes as a "snowball" effect: "Even if you pay the same amount every month, more and more goes to principal, which means that the debt gets paid off faster," he says.

Get Rate Cuts

Even if you're not able to make a sizable dent in your debt, you can ask your credit card company to lower your interest rate or you can transfer your balance to a different credit card that has a lower rate. Either way, lower finance charges will reduce your monthly costs, improve your cash flow and help you pay off your debt sooner. Be cautious about balance-transfer offers: Some credit cards have high fees that outweigh the benefit of a lower interest rate.

Earn More Interest

Another way to improve your monthly cash position is to transfer extra cash in your checking account into higher yield investments such as short-term CDs or money market funds. Even a savings account could be a smart move if you have any cash that's not earning some sort of return, however small the amount may be.

The downside is that these types of investments are "sort of a losing game" because they rarely earn a high enough return to overcome inflation, Keatley warns. Worse yet, bank fees can wipe out or exceed any interest you earn on a checking or savings account. If you have multiple accounts that are dinged to the tune of $10 or $12 every month, you might want to reduce those costs by consolidating your cash into fewer accounts.

Tap Your Equity

A severe cash shortage that can't be ameliorated by spending cuts or investment reallocations may necessitate some type of short-term debt to resolve. Planners generally suggest a home equity line of credit first, followed by a retirement account loan and then credit card debt only as a last resort. If you have equity in your home and a means to repay the debt, getting a home equity line can be good strategy.

Nearly everyone, everywhere in the U.S. has been affected by the economic downturn.  Start with yourself first- seems like the best place, doesn't it?  Stop a downward turn of your own economic picture, and begin to turn it UP!

John

Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

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7 Rules to Change Your Diet

North Americans have the worst diet in the world! Michael Pollan, the author of the bestselling book The Omnivore’s Dilemma, says we have a national eating disorder, and that the spiraling rates of obesity, heart disease and diabetes can all be blamed on our diet. So how do we change? Pollan says it all comes down to seven words: Eat food. Not too much.  Mostly plants. His main point is to eat REAL food and avoid processed food - what he calls “edible food-like substances.”
Here are his 7 rules:

• Don’t eat anything your great grandmother wouldn’t recognize as food. That includes yogurt tubes and most packaged snack items.
• Don’t eat anything with more than five ingredients, or ingredients you can’t pronounce.
• Stay away from the middle of the supermarket - just shop along the perimeter. Real foods are usually on the outer edges of the store, where they can easily be replaced when they go bad.
• Don’t eat anything that won’t eventually rot. There are a few exceptions – like honey. Things like processed snack cakes and potato chips and aren’t real food.
• It’s not just what you eat but HOW you eat. Many cultures have rules that you should stop eating before you’re full. Try to leave the table a little bit hungry.
• Enjoy meals with people you love, around a table and not a TV – and at a regular time. It’s a good tradition that’ll help you bond with your loved ones, and will keep you from mindlessly overeating.
• Don’t buy food at the same place you buy your gasoline. In North America, 20 percent of food is eaten in the car, and that’s NOT a good thing. You can’t focus on the road AND your food at the same time. EACH activity needs your attention.

Pollan says it’s important to eat as much real food as possible. Americans would be much healthier if we just stayed away from the fast food and convenience items. Get your week, and your diet this week, quickly on track, and you'll be ready when beach time arrives!

John

Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

Check out the new John Tesh Social Network. You can connect with new friends, post your own blog, visit various forums, upload your favorite John Tesh music and share your photos.  To learn more about how to join, click here.

You're still worried about being laid off. What's next?

You're still worried about being laid off, and we've laid the groundwork for the 5 conversations you should be having, and with whom.  But now's the time for polishing up exactly how you want those conversations to roll- they're your conversations, after all.  Make the most of your determination!  Let's continue with the advice given at Career Builder by Joseph Grenny, co-founder of Vital Smarts, a Utah-based training company, and co-author of the book, "Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High."

Knowing the right conversations is one thing, but actually holding them is another. Here are a few tips on how to hold these conversations effectively:

Motivate yourself to speak up by reversing your thinking
Most of us decide whether to speak up by considering the risks of doing so. Those who are best at crucial conversations don’t think first about the risks of speaking up. They think first about the risks of not speaking up. If you’re worried about your job and stay paralyzed in silence rather than speak up about crucial issues, you surrender your ability to control your own destiny. Motivate yourself to speak up by thinking first about the risks of not holding these crucial conversations rather than the discomfort of holding them.

Change your emotions to elicit greater openness
The primary reason we do poorly in crucial conversations is that we are irritated, angry or disgusted with the other person. When you think your job is in jeopardy you are particularly at risk of coming into a crucial conversation with hostile or defensive emotions. If you approach your boss, HR leaders or others to ask about job security concerns, you need to be sure you don’t come across as accusatory or insulting. Assume they are “reasonable, rational, decent people” who also have concerns and challenges. If you approach them respectfully, they’re much more likely to sympathize with your questions and be more liberal with information you need.

Make others feel safe
The unskilled believe that certain topics are destined to make others defensive. The skilled realize people don’t become defensive until they feel unsafe. Try starting your next high-stakes conversation by assuring the other person of your positive intentions and your respect for him or her. When others feel respected and trust your motives for speaking to them, they let their guard down and share more openly.

Start sensitive conversations by saying something like, “I know no one can predict the future perfectly, and yet, like you, I have to do my best. Could I talk openly with you for a few minutes about some questions that will help me understand what the next year might hold in our company? I don’t want to put you in a position to make inappropriate commitments, but I want to understand as much as I can about what’s likely to occur. Would that be OK?”

Prime
One of the best ways to help people feel safe disclosing sensitive concerns is by priming the conversation. You do this by saying the tough thing for them and allowing them to confirm, contradict, or modify what you say. For example, if you’re asking your boss for feedback about her real view of your performance and she seems reluctant to open up, you might say, “I know some of my peers have been here a lot longer than I have and have worked for you on a number of teams. If I were you I would probably feel a great sense of loyalty to them. If tough downsizing decisions had to be made, I’d expect you to put some of them higher on the list than some of us newcomers. Is that a reasonable expectation for me to have?” When something might be tough to say, say it for others as a way of demonstrating that it’s safe to acknowledge.

Come ready with questions
These conversations are tough enough to hold even once. Don’t make the mistake of coming unprepared, then walking out and realizing you failed to ask the most important question. There’s nothing wrong with bringing a list of the four or five questions you have and referring to them to ensure you’ve gathered all the information you want. Do not take notes during the conversation, however. If you do, the other person may feel a need to be on his or her guard for a future legal battle, and you will have cut off your source of information. If you want to confirm something in writing, do it later, perhaps by e-mail, and ask the other person to respond with corrections to your understanding. Do this only if the other person agrees to be “on the record” with his or her comments.

Lay the groundwork to have a good conversation by starting with yourself.  Be well rested, and take some minutes beforehand to calm your thinking (and possibly a rapidly beating heart!) with several deep, meditative breaths.  Make sure you're not interrupting, or coming to talk just before your boss or HR manager is about to go to lunch.  Prepare yourself, and be confident in the knowledge that you're not doing anything wrong by working to be prepared for whatever may come.  Remaining calm, rational, and honest about your concerns will set the stage for the best outcome that can be. 

John

Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

Check out the new John Tesh Social Network. You can connect with new friends, post your own blog, visit various forums, upload your favorite John Tesh music and share your photos.  To learn more about how to join, click here.

Worried about a layoff? 5 conversations you should have now.

Forewarned is forearmed.  Well, that sentiment is true much of the time.  There's probably only one thing nearly as bad as having to face a layoff at work, and that's living in daily fear that your job could be the next one to go.  No one wants to think about it, but our current employment climate forces many of us to face some hard possibilities, and do what we can to anticipate.  Careerbuilder talks to Joseph Grenny, co-founder of Vital Smarts, and co-author of "Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High" about some pretty important conversations that you should be having, and with whom.

As the economy continues to take a downturn, more and more American jobs are at risk. In fact, the unemployment rate hit a 14-year high this October with 1.2 million jobs lost in 2008 alone. But with all the cutbacks, what’s the likelihood that you will face a layoff in the coming months? A new study shows that the majority of people fear the worst.

Vital Smarts, a Utah-based corporate training company, conducted an online poll, which showed that three out of four people believe their organization is likely to issue layoffs in the next 12 months. And one in three people believe their job is at risk today.

So with the pending threat, what are you doing to either make sure your job is not the next one down, or reduce the consequences if it is?

As it turns out, people are doing very little to secure their jobs in this weak economy. For example, one of the easiest steps to take is to solicit information from your boss about layoff potential; yet according to the survey, more than one-fourth of respondents fail to take even this simple step.

For those who really want to secure their careers, or at least prepare appropriately for what may come, five simple and straightforward conversations can substantially increase confidence and serenity in these uncertain times.

1. Ask long-timers about past practices — How have layoffs been handled in the past? Is advance notice given? Are cutbacks across the board or targeted? How are the decisions made?

2. Clarify compensation surprises with HR — Will the company be paying normal bonuses or annual raises this year?

3. Assess your general risk levels — How likely is a layoff in your division? Department? Team? Job? If there are open forums with executives or other higher-ups, these are great places to ask these questions.

4. Assess your specific risk level — Find out where you stand with your supervisor. What skills, job changes, projects or other actions would make you less dispensable?

5. Have a conversation with yourself — What should you be doing now to prepare yourself to survive a layoff?

They're tough questions- no doubt about it.  But here is your chance to stop- at least a little- from living with the daily anxiety of worrying that someone's decisions are going to create your future.  You can't predict everything, but think about these conversations as a stepping stone to securing your own destiny.

John

Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

Check out the new John Tesh Social Network. You can connect with new friends, post your own blog, visit various forums, upload your favorite John Tesh music and share your photos.  To learn more about how to join, click here.

Save money and our one and only Earth. Happy Earth Day.

Happy Earth Day!  And you know, this is so much more than any gimmick, or commercial play to get you to spend more money to 'go green.'  In fact, how about spending less? 

This is it- OUR EARTH.  How have we been taking care of things lately?  And by lately, I mean in the last century alone!  Studies from scientists, and more studies from more scientists show...well, we could use a little belt tightening.  So from DivineCaroline.com and The Weather Channel, here are some ways we can celebrate our planet's greatness each and every day...and  that neat little idea of saving a little green stuff $$$, too? 

We are creatures of habit, and nowhere is this more true than in our homes. You might be following in mom's footsteps, emulating the way your college roommate handled domestic chores, or listening to the advice of one too many TV advertisements, but it's possible that some of your cooking, cleaning, and shopping practices could be dumping money and toxic chemicals down the drain. With a few simple changes, you can save a few bucks and be a little bit kinder to the planet.

Ditch the cleansers that come with bleach.

Many types of bathroom and kitchen cleaning fluids and powders include bleach. Even though bleach costs next to nothing, when mixed with cleansers, it seems to double their price. Using cleansers sans bleach is usually just as effective, not to mention easier. You don't have to worry about damaging your skin or clothes or be concerned about fumes. That said, there are times when no amount of scrubbing will remove the smudges on the bottom of the bathtub. In that case, keep a bottle of bleach handy. Spraying or pouring bleach--brand name or generic--on the stains will be far more effective than a diluted cleanser. Plus, a large bottle will last for months, if not longer, and cost $1 to $2. (Don't forget to wear gloves and clothes that would embarrass you if you donned them in public. And make sure to ventilate the room.)

Make peace with the bacteria in your household.

Just remember, in your body, bacterial cells outnumber your own cells, so you have no choice but to coexist with them. Antibacterial soaps may be de rigueur, but they don't work. They cost more, are no more effective at killing the most harmful strains of bacteria, and studies suggest that they may be harmful to the environment. In addition, scientists warn that antibacterial soaps may lead to a rise in antibiotic-resistant super germs. Save the money and buy regular bar soap instead.

Ease up on the dryer.

While every woman knows better than to put her prettiest panties and bras in the dryer, don't forget about the not-so-nice stuff that you can't imagine living without. The t-shirt from your favorite concert will last (almost) forever if you hang it to dry every time. Second hand garb, apparel from cheap chain stores, the top you still have from high school--let them dry as nature intended. Air-drying will even help retain the downy softness of a new hooded sweatshirt. By using the dryer less, you'll cut back on your energy bill, reduce your carbon footprint, and extend the lifetime of your clothes.

Embrace the cold.

Just like the dryer, the washer can wreak havoc on clothes. Hot water is particularly rough on clothes, weakening the fabric and fading the color. We justify using hot water to get tough stains out of our clothes. But unless you're an auto mechanic, a really messy eater, or someone who plays in the dirt often, your clothes will come out just as clean washed in cold water. With oil stains, the clothes washing experts do recommend warm water, but I have found that if I apply stain remover and let it work its magic, the grease vanishes regardless of the water temperature. And just like with air-drying clothes, cold water washes will save money on your energy bill and reduce your carbon footprint.

More water. Less soap.

If soap is good, then more must be better, right? Wrong. Soap works by attracting dirt. But if you use too much, it becomes difficult to wipe away the residue. So the remaining soap sitting on your glistening counter tops and floors is actually going to make them dirtier quicker. The worst time to use too much soap is exactly when most people tend to go overboard--when there's an accident on the rug or a stain the couch, we douse it in stain remover. The problem is that the residue clings to the material and collects dirt, making the fabric or carpet look dingy. By using soap and cleansers sparingly, you'll save resources and money.

Re-use it and then use it again.

The kitchen is a place for creativity--with not only food preparation, but also food storage. If you are constantly buying food containers and wondering why you can never find the tops, start reusing the "free" plastic containers that come with your food. Whether it was filled with sour cream, pasta sauce, or hummus, it doesn't matter once it's washed. Save the plastic bags that you put your produce in at the grocery store to wrap up cheese, sliced vegetables and fruit, or anything that needs a quick wrap. Wash and re-use resealable plastic bags. It's hard to recall how we preserved food without Ziploc bags and the like, and I would never suggest going without. But since they are made with thick plastic, they have several lives. Just handwash the bag, turn it inside out, and let it dry. If you become more resourceful, you will notice that you buy far fewer bags, plastic wrap, and food storage containers, which is good for the planet and your pocketbook.

Greens for less.

The temptation to buy pre-washed greens is hard to resist. But if you are looking to stay healthy while trimming your grocery budget, it's time to go analog. If you don't have a salad spinner, invest. They are inexpensive and will ultimately save you money. Take a head of lettuce, tear off the leaves, put them in the spinner, fill it with water, drain, and then start spinning. Drain again and spin some more. The drier the lettuce, the longer it will last. Then put it in a sealable plastic bag or a container. If you really want to get ahead of the curve, make enough salad for two days and leave the dressing on the side. Loose-leaf greens use less packaging than the bagged type and are a much more cost effective way to get your veggies.

Sometimes, it's the little things that we've been doing for years that are the hardest to change. Paying attention to where we can cut costs and streamline our cleaning and cooking will save us time.  And the planet?  On behalf of Mother Nature, thank you.

John

Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

Check out the new John Tesh Social Network. You can connect with new friends, post your own blog, visit various forums, upload your favorite John Tesh music and share your photos.  To learn more about how to join, click here.

7 ways to power your walks

Ahh...Spring is in BLOOM!  Isn't it amazing how a long, cold Winter bursting into Spring can motivate you to get outdoors and get walking?  Well, how about adding a little more "uummph" to your stroll outside to really ramp up some Springtime fitness! 

Improving your heart health can be as easy as taking a simple step—literally. In fact, walking is one of the best ways to lose weight, boost your circulation and burn calories. According to the American Heart Association, moderate-to-brisk walking can lower high blood pressure, reduce the risk of developing diabetes, and lower cholesterol levels. Of course, that's not all. The more you walk and the harder you push yourself, the more benefits you'll reap. Walking specialist and ExerciseTV personality Leslie Sansone shares seven ways to power up your walks, so you can energize your whole body and get your health on the right track, from MSN Health & Fitness:

1. Speed up. Start by building up to a brisk pace. According to Sansone, that means a 15-minute mile, or a pace of about 3.5 miles an hour. "The average healthy person can walk a 20-minute mile," Sansone says. "But to reap increased fitness benefits, you'll want to speed that up."

Start by shaving a minute off your pace every two weeks, and don't be afraid to push yourself- gently if need be- only you know your body best.  But Sansone maintains, "Our bodies are made for power.  We pamper them too much. We need to take the fear away and recognize our strength. And when you walk faster, you increase your calorie burn. It's one of the healthiest things you can do, whether you need to lose weight or not."

2. Head uphill. "Climbing works the back, thigh and gluteal muscles much more than trekking on the flats," Sansone says. "Walking around your neighborhood is more challenging than a track because your body has to adapt to the terrain."

Sansone suggests wearing a watch to pace yourself. "If you take off out your door for 15 minutes and come back for 15 minutes, most likely you've done a two-mile walk," she says.

3. Wear good shoes. "A lot of people wear comfort shoes to walk, but you'll need either a walking shoe or cross trainer for support and cushioning. It allows you to walk stronger," says Sansone.

The same goes for indoor video workouts, too. Sansone says that if your shoe is moving around, the impact gets thrown back into your joints and you'll fatigue a lot faster.

4. Carry some weight. Small hand weights- no more than three pounds per hand will help you tune your upper-body muscles even more.  Controlling them, as opposed to swinging the weights helps tone your core muscles as they work to stabilize your body. Sansone suggests starting out with two-pound hand weights until your body becomes accustomed to the extra swing.

5. Lengthen your stride. "You don't necessarily want to race walk, but lengthening your stride and focusing on your hamstrings and glutes while you walk really powers up your workout," Sansone says. "Your walk will be so brisk, it will almost feel like a jog, but you'll actually burn more calories if you stick to the walk."  And this isn't the time to worry about overdoing it, or looking silly.  Listen to your body.  If it doesn't feel right, it's not.  Find the stride that does feel right for you.

6.Vary your pace. That means incorporate some running in your walking routine. "When your body accelerates, it has to do so much to get everything going, and your heart and lungs use a ton of calories. Every time you push into acceleration, you increase your calorie burn," says Sansone.

Another benefit? You'll beat boredom by turning your neighborhood into a circuit training gym. (Think of running to your neighbor's mailbox, or walking to the next telephone pole.) 

7. Walk at home. That's right! Use a pedometer and walk in place.  This becomes useful if April showers turn your walk back inside- pace from one end of the house to another, up and down the steps, and circle the house- inside or out- again, still utilizing the power moves you've work on. 

Sansone suggests mixing things up with exercise bands and calisthenics. Before you know it, you will have "circled the neighborhood" and worked all of the muscles in your body without even leaving the house.  Until the April showers end, and then you can get back outside to enjoy the May flowers!

John

Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

Check out the new John Tesh Social Network. You can connect with new friends, post your own blog, visit various forums, upload your favorite John Tesh music and share your photos.  To learn more about how to join, click here.

9 things you can do to be happier in the next 30 minutes.

Heeeerrreee's Monday!  So, how are you feeling today?  A little blue after a great weekend, and not it's back to the work grind?  Set your sights on small steps, and you could be feeling much more lively and positive in minutes.

MSN Lifestyle and Real Simple offer a snapshot view of what it takes- pretty easy steps, my friend.  If you don't have the 30 minutes to devote starting this minute- give yourself an extra half hour when you get home from work, or commit to rising just 30 minutes earlier tomorrow.  Got the time now- excellent!  So ready?  GO!

Being happier doesn’t have to be a long-term ambition. You can start right now. In the next 30 minutes, tackle as many of the following suggestions as possible. Not only will these tasks themselves increase your happiness, but the mere fact that you’ve achieved some concrete goals will boost your mood. 

1. Raise your activity level to pump up your energy. If you’re on the phone, stand up and pace. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Put more energy into your voice. Take a brisk 10-minute walk. Even better…

2. Take a walk outside. Research suggests that light stimulates brain chemicals that improve mood. For an extra boost, get your sunlight first thing in the morning.

3. Reach out. Send an e-mail to a friend you haven’t seen in a while, or reach out to someone new. Having close bonds with other people is one of the most important keys to happiness. When you act in a friendly way, not only will others feel more friendly toward you, but you’ll also strengthen your feelings of friendliness for other people.

4. Rid yourself of a nagging task. Deal with that insurance problem, purchase something you need, or make that long-postponed appointment with the dentist. Crossing an irksome chore off your to-do list will give you a big rush of elation.

5. Create a more serene environment. Outer order contributes to inner peace, so spend some time cleaning off your desk and tackling the piles in the kitchen. A large stack of little tasks can feel overwhelming, but often just a few minutes of work can make a sizable dent. Set the timer for 10 minutes and see what you can do.

6. Do a good deed. Introduce two people by e-mail, take a minute to pass along useful information, or deliver some gratifying praise. In fact, you can also…

7. Save someone’s life. Don't be intimidated by this- I don't mean today!  Sign up to be an organ donor, and remember to tell your family about your decision. “Do good, feel good” — it really works!

8. Act happy. Fake it 'til you feel it. That's a favorite with folks I know.  Research shows that even an artificially induced smile boosts your mood. And if you’re smiling, other people will perceive you as being friendlier and more approachable.

9. Learn something new. Think of a subject that you wish you knew more about and spend 15 minutes on the Internet reading about it, or go to a bookstore and buy a book about it. But be honest! Pick a topic that really interests you, not something you think you "should" or "need" to learn about.. 

Some people worry that wanting to be happier is a selfish goal, but in fact, research shows that happier people are more sociable, likable, healthy, and productive — and they’re more inclined to help other people. By working to boost your own happiness, you’re making other people happier, too.  That can't be wrong, and could set the rest of Monday off in a whole new light!

John

Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

Check out the new John Tesh Social Network. You can connect with new friends, post your own blog, visit various forums, upload your favorite John Tesh music and share your photos.  To learn more about how to join, click here.

Eco-friendly AND $$$ saving tips to celebrate Earth Day

How about this for an idea?  Celebrate Earth Day this weekend (actual date is next week, Wed, April 22nd) and save yourself money at the same time!  Got your attention?  Good- let's find out how, with these money saving, home eco-friendly tips from Martha Stewart:

Cut back on pollution and save as much as $1,400 on annual energy bills with these easy household tips.

Go Low-Flow

To reduce hot-water consumption (and energy needs), federal legislation mandated improved showerhead efficiency for models made after 1994. Replace older models with ones that spray no more than 2.5 gallons per minute.

Potential annual savings: $145, plus 370 pounds of emissions

Lose the Old Fridge

Refrigerators use more electricity than any other appliance. Older ones are worse, so give top priority to replacing a pre-1993 fridge.

Potential annual savings: $70, plus 1,720 pounds of emissions

Upgrade Windows

Single- and even some double-pane clear-glass windows can force heating and cooling systems to work overtime. Energy Star-qualified windows with insulating glazes, gas fills, and better framing materials deliver the best results.

Potential annual savings: $95 and 2,200 pounds of emissions

Fill the Dishwasher

Energy Star dishwashers can be more efficient than hand washing. Run full loads, air dry, and skip the pre-rinsing (most newer models don't need it).

Potential annual savings: $25 and 110 pounds of emissions

Adjust Your Water Heater

Lower your water heater's thermostat to 120 degrees to restrict heat loss. The exception: dishwashers. Check if yours has a "booster heater" for sanitizing 140-degree rinsing.

Potential annual savings: $450 and 215 pounds of emissions

Moderate the Thermostat

Lower the thermostat by just two degrees this winter to conserve energy without sacrificing comfort. Turn it down 10 degrees at night and when you're not home -- or install a programmable thermostat for automatic adjustments.

Potential annual savings: $100 and 500 pounds of emissions

Wash in Cold Water

About 90 percent of the energy used for a load of laundry goes to heating the water. Some stains demand hot water, as do bed linens (to kill dust mites). Wash all other loads in cold.

Potential annual savings: $300 and 330 pounds of emissions

Change Lightbulbs

Compact fluorescent lightbulbs consume a quarter of the electricity required by comparable incandescent bulbs and last up to 12 times longer. Maximize savings by changing at least five frequently used bulbs.

Potential annual savings: $60 and 770 pounds of emissions

Unplug Electronics

Many household appliances continue to suck electricity even when switched off; nationally, this creates the annual emissions equivalent of 17 power plants. Minimize leaks by unplugging idle electronics.

Potential annual savings: $200 and 480 pounds of emissions

Can you imagine if you and I, and maybe possibly 3 friends each could get one or two of these ideas in motion?  That's a lot of emissions not put into our atmosphere, and some cashola kept in our pockets, and both great reasons to celebrate Earth Day!  Enjoy your weekend-

John

Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

Check out the new John Tesh Social Network. You can connect with new friends, post your own blog, visit various forums, upload your favorite John Tesh music and share your photos.  To learn more about how to join, click here.