Health – Jenna Jamieson, Author

The #1 NYE Resolution!

By Jenna Jamieson | December 31, 2017 | Comments 0 Comment

There are lots of resolutions to be made and goals to be set as we head into another New Years Eve. As you add a new diet to your list, new health and nutrition goals, weight loss, less sugar, and the countless other resolutions, I hope kindness is at the very top for each and every person. It’s what keeps the world going! It will give you more purpose, meaning, and happiness than any other goal on your list. I promise you this, and my book, Giving Back: Lessons from an adopted immigrant on why a happy life is about helping others will affirm why this is true.

As I wrap up 2017, I am thankful for the trip to the nation’s capitol that my husband and I just embarked on. While there, I was reminded once again why I find travel to be so therapeutic. The melting pot of people and cultures was lovely, but more than that, the ability to provide guidance and help to them was at the heart of the trip. My husband and I gave directions to several in DC (while we were ‘tourists’ ourselves it never fails that we get asked how to get somewhere, even when we were in Ireland!). We also helped someone off the ground who fell at one of the monuments. What was even sweeter is when my husband said, “I did the same thing earlier today” to make the young twenty-something feel better.

Lastly, as we traveled home we got behind a very slow person in the security line at the airport. It was a mother with a young child who didn’t put her stuff through the scanner. The security personnel instructed her to do so and we continued on our way. Later, I ended up sitting next to her on the plane. The little girl she had was absolutely a doll. I lipped to her “Hi” and in the most bubbly little voice she said “Hi” back. While the mother was between us, the little girl liked to observe me discreetly. I eventually lended a hand to the mother who was giving the little girl her lunch by throwing her trash away and providing extra napkins for a small spill that occurred. After all, it can be overwhelming and stressful when you are traveling alone with a small child. She said back to me, “Thank you so much.” It wasn’t more than a minute or two later when she looked at me again and said, “That was so kind of you” (after throwing her trash away). These are the resolutions I hope we are all making for 2018 – to be kind to one another, help one another, and give back to those around us. Cheers to much happiness and good health next year and LOTS OF KINDNESS!

While Christmas, New Year’s, and the holidays will soon be over until next year, kindness and giving back throughout the year should be resolutions for all.

~jj

#ProjectKindnessBook

#AlwaysChooseKindness

Find your passions {express yourself & decompress}!

By Jenna Jamieson | July 7, 2016 | Comments 0 Comment

Life can be a mountain. It is much more a mountain than a beach. There are challenges to overcome, hoops to jump through, and hills to climb to meet your goals and achieve your dreams. Passions, hobbies, and ways to fill your time in a meaningful way for yourself and others help combat the challenges and obstacles. You may not even think about the hobbies or things that you do to relieve stress, whether it be spending time with your kids, going on a date with your spouse, exercising, reading, cleaning and organizing your house, or some other hobby that you love. There are hundreds of hobbies you can use to enhance your life and those around you. It will make you stronger, happier, and more relaxed to devote some of your own time to your health. It may just seem like everyday life to most people, but having avenues to decompress are vital. They keep you happy, healthy, thankful, and sane.

Not only are hobbies important to decompress at the end of the day or week, or at the end of a very traumatic or draining month, but they allow you to express yourself in a unique way. I often scrapbook and exercise to destress and reduce any tension that I feel. I love to scrapbook to get my creative juices flowing and to reconnect and visit all the fun adventures that I have been fortunate enough to be able to experience. I have been scrapbooking for 10 years and it is one of the most calming and refreshing hobbies that relieves stress. On the other hand, I love a good workout and sweat session to boost my energy and rejuvenate my body after an exhausting or frustrating day. Both are great hobbies that help my mind and body in different ways. My small hobbies have helped me maintain a balance in my life and a thankful spirit in my heart.

Finding your passions and sticking to them will make you feel more at ease with your life, giving it more depth and meaning. You might also find that channeling your hobbies will give you energy, express your creative side, and remind you to be thankful for all that you have.

~jj

#ProjectKindnessBook

#AlwaysChooseKindness

What is #ProjectKindnessBook?

By Jenna Jamieson | June 16, 2016 | Comments 0 Comment

I have almost completely finished my #ProjectKindnessBook which focuses on the bumps in the road that life presents and how to get through them successfully. In a nutshell, it is a book about the twists and turns of life, learning, and giving back to others.

Along the way, I offer bits of advice to “stick in your pocket” to carry with you through life. I don’t have everything figured out and am still eager to learn more from other’s experiences. The one lesson from my pocket that I have come to understand most is that the roadblocks in my life have allowed me to reach inside myself to create a path that has led to where I am today. It has taught me that it is never too late to accomplish my dreams. This book being a paramount example of accomplishing a dream.

It has been the most challenging and time consuming project I have ever taken on yet a very fulfilling thing I could do for myself and others. Stick the stories, quotes, and advice in your pocket and pull them out along the way to use in your own life. By the end of my book I hope you recognize that the little things are precisely just the little things. I didn’t learn this overnight, but rather through my experiences both personally and professionally over time. I wrote this book knowing that I am a “work in progress.” I am not perfect, but the stories you read are about learning and giving. It was a learning curve, taught me more about the world, and expanded my growth as a person. I hope it does the same for you. It is meant to give you new perspective about others and teach you something about yourself. If nothing else I hope it reminds you that kindness and giving will give you purpose–purpose that will change your life.

My “Project Kindness” is meant to encourage others to pledge their age on their birthday as the minimum number of random acts of kindness to achieve in a year just as I have chosen to do with mine. I challenge you to help me make the world a kinder place by pledging your birthday as a way to give back. Learn more by visiting jennarpjamieson.com!

~jj

#ProjectKindnessBook

#AlwaysChooseKindness

Make the days count!

By Jenna Jamieson | May 27, 2016 | Comments 0 Comment

Summer is here and I want to make sure I get lots done rather than lounging too much. I started yesterday by making my “Summer To Do List” to keep myself accountable. I want to be sure I have some volunteering in my schedule as well as get some overdue projects completed!

I also don’t want to let myself sit in front of a screen for an extended period of time without moving, whether it be a tv screen or a computer screen. I have noticed that many parents have made plans to keep their children from having too much screen time this summer. Remember it is equally as important to follow the same rules, don’t just talk the talk, but walk the walk as well. Make sure you get up and move periodically – if you are watching your favorite show, game, or movie get up and move rather than sitting for two or three hours. Your body and brain needs the stimulation and movement. Plus, by making the days count that means you are also adding some fitness into your day! It makes you feel less stressed, less grouchy, and more energetic to get through the day. So keep a list or schedule that utilizes your time wisely so you aren’t spending too much time on social media, sitting around the house, or not getting your goals accomplished. If you aren’t sure what to omit from your schedule consider scanning newsfeeds less than the typical five, ten, fifteen, or more times a day.

Consider getting involved in your community, volunteer at some local events, and show your family the importance of giving back to others. If you love fitness, find a Relay for Life, American Heart Association, or other charity walk or run to participate in. If you love cooking, consider cooking or baking treats for your local police station. There are endless options and your kids can even help or tag along so they see the value in appreciating others.

Whatever you do, make sure you make your summer days count and work for you! If you do, you will feel much better at the end of each day. So, if you are like me, start that “Summer To Do List” so you can make each day count.

~jj

#ProjectKindnessBook

#AlwaysChooseKindness

Quality over quantity…in life and in health!

By Jenna Jamieson | April 27, 2016 | Comments 1 comment

“Quality over quantity” fits my life mission and many of the goals I set for myself. When I workout I like to keep it in the back of my mind. I want quality over quantity. What does that mean to me? It means using the correct form for the exercises I perform and creating a workout that fits my lifestyle and body. It is for my sanity, strength, and a stress reliever at the end of the day. In other words, I would rather do fewer reps and sets during my workout than lots of reps and sets in the incorrect form. That can cause pains, strains, and injuries.

The same can be echoed for the career paths I have gone down. I have come to appreciate (and enjoy) having a job that is far more “quality over quantity”. That may not even make sense, but let me explain. I work in public education and I don’t get paid a lot, but the work I do and the students I touch are the reason I have come to like the work that I am doing (after having changed career paths several times prior). The quality or meaning it brings to my life far outweighs the quantity or money I am making.

Lastly, I love to travel. It is probably one of my favorite things to do and I wish I could do it more often. I love the experiences it gives me, the memories I create, and learning about the world. I like seeing other cultures, gaining new perspective, and more than anything the quality it adds to my life.

The meaning behind this post is to remember that in life it is far better for your health and happiness to appreciate life and people, not things. Take pleasure in the small things…the things that create memories, experiences, and teach you something about yourself and others. Make your life center around quality and experiences. You will be happier if you do! And, more than anything remember to appreciate your health and the aging process. After all, good health and aging is something that some never have the privilege of experiencing. As my grandma once said, “If you have good health you don’t realize how lucky you really are.”

~jj

#ProjectKindnessBook

#AlwaysChooseKindness

Why I cheer myself on every single day!

By Jenna Jamieson | February 15, 2016 | Comments 0 Comment

Life is a mountain, not a beach. I don’t think you could convince me otherwise. Plus, I like the mountains more than the beach and I like challenges more than being bored, but positivity is often what keeps me moving forward. On hard days, long days, rough days, and all the days in between I need to hear the voice in my head cheering me on. I like to cheer myself on when I go through life and when I workout. It keeps me going. See previous blog post from October 2014: Cheer yourself on—be your own cheerleader!

In America, we have become a nation that doesn’t associate fun with working out. I often hear people say they lack time to workout, but in reality it’s not a lack of time, but not having the right attitude. We don’t think of working out as a stress-relieving, fat-burning, energy-creating, life-changing, and fun-loving activity that makes us happy.

Don’t convince your brain that you don’t like working out! Find an exercise or workout routine that you love and then let the cheering begin! An exercise routine or workout that makes you feel at your best…it de-stresses you, relaxes you, and rejuvenates you after or before a long day. If you need a mind-clearing workout consider yoga or some form of meditation, if you need a good cardio sweat consider a run or cross training session. Once you tell yourself you don’t like working out or it’s not fun your brain starts to believe that and you begin to convince yourself of that.

Instead, cheer yourself on! Tell yourself you can get through it and be a better person because of your workout. Let your positive attitude cheer you on through life whether it be your workout, your job, your educational goals, and everything else you set your mind to. Start adding positive thoughts to your daily planner, your workout routine, and all your little activities throughout the day.

I am the door monitor at school as the second and third graders get off the bus or are dropped off by their parent. I love this because I can set a positive attitude for the children as they enter the school building. (I like early mornings so that helps things, too!) I always say “Good Morning, we are having pancakes for breakfast today (whatever is on the menu for that day). Happy Monday! I hope you have a great day!” Most of the students are still tired from getting up early, but I like to put some positive energy into their day. I also say good morning to all the teachers, but I think my bubbliness might get on their nerves on occasion. I go through the day with some of the teachers probably wondering why I am always smiling and talking to the kids. I love it and it makes the day more fun. I hope this gives you a little inspiration to add positive energy to your workout and life!

~jj

#ProjectKindnessBook

#AlwaysChooseKindness

Giving is good for your health!

By Jenna Jamieson | January 20, 2016 | Comments 0 Comment

Emotional and mental health are important. Very important. Sometimes these two components of health take the back burner to social and physical health. We might focus on our social media relationships, comments, and statuses. Stuff that in the scheme of things won’t matter when we look back on life. I am even guilty of this sometimes.

I actually have someone in my family that struggles with finding a balance between her emotional and mental health versus her social and physical health. She struggles with finding happiness, being self-confident on the inside, and feeling a sense of contentment. She chooses to focus on her social and physical health as a way of combating the struggles she faces with her emotional and mental health. She walks daily and puts effort into how she presents herself to others, but in reality it doesn’t fix how she feels about herself. She is missing a sense of self-purpose in life. She struggles with identifying meaning by the roles in which she chooses to play in society.

Giving may not seem like it has to do with emotional or mental health. It may seem like a big stretch, but it actually isn’t a stretch at all. Giving provides purpose to a person’s life. It gives meaning. It is a reminder to be appreciative for what we have. It feels good to give to others. It gives you that warm and happy feeling on the inside knowing you contributed to a good cause, helped someone that is struggling, baked cookies for your local police department, or helped a stranger on your way to work. The feeling you have from doing those things contributes to your emotional and mental health.

You do not need tons of money to give. Giving can come from the heart. It can be coloring a picture for someone, writing a “Thank You” card, volunteering with a local organization, helping someone into their car, or a multitude of other ways to be kind and give back. I work at an elementary school where I am given pictures and coloring pages almost every single day. While students love to give me pictures and have a huge smile as they hand me their masterpiece I feel equally as blessed. It warms my heart that they want to give me pictures that they work so hard on. It is a reciprocation of mental and emotional health. It makes them feel good and me as well.

In a world full of consumerism and materialism, I challenge you to remember to give (year round)! Just because the holidays have passed and it is a new year doesn’t mean all your time has to focus on New Years weight loss resolutions or bikini bodies for spring break. It is still important to smile at strangers, say hi to people you pass in the hallway, or compliment someone. I challenge you to increase your purpose and role in the world. I challenge you to remember what giving will do for your emotional and mental health.

I hope this blog, as short as it is, captures how much giving can do for you and the world.

~jj

#ProjectKindnessBook

#AlwaysChooseKindness

What will YOU do in 2016?

By Jenna Jamieson | January 7, 2016 | Comments 0 Comment

It is normal to set new goals and milestones at the beginning of the new year. You may want to lose weight, eat more fruits and veggies, go to church, save more money, write more on your blog (ME!) 😉 and so on. It can include anything you want to accomplish and do throughout the year. For me, one of my biggest goals is to publish a book I have been working on for almost two years. When it comes to health and well-being, there are many areas that you can focus on – social, emotional, environmental, spiritual, physical, and mental health.

Will you focus on your social health? This comprises your friends, family, and interactions with others. Will you sign up to be involved in new groups or events such as community development? Will you volunteer with local charity organizations? Will you be planning a wedding or other special event? Will you give selflessly to others through random acts of kindness? All of these things make you active in ensuring you have a happy, healthy, and successful social component within your life.

Will you focus on your emotional health? Do you handle stress and excitement appropriately? Do you balance the spectrum of all emotions in a healthy way? You may choose to work on emotional health by taking deep breaths when stressed, not “closeting” your feelings, listening to your heart and mind, and making decisions for yourself and how you feel rather than to please others.

Will you focus on your environmental health? This means that you foster a positive work and personal environment. Further, this includes preserving the water, air, and the land around you. Will you begin to recycle more this year? That includes less waste such as paper products including paper plates, napkins, and printing unnecessary documents. Will you reuse paper to prevent further waste in landfills? Will you reduce water bottle usage by using reusable plastic bottles to decrease landfill wastes? When you discuss land and air safety, this means you reduce harmful chemicals such as burning toxic wastes and disposing of chemicals in landfills.

Will you focus on your spiritual health? This requires that you “talk the talk and also walk the walk.” In other words, you have morals, values, and ethics that you follow to lead an honest life. Additionally, it means you encourage peace and harmonious relationships between yourself and others. You may mediate, read about your belief system, pray, or attend a religious organization.

Will you focus on your physical health? Will you exercise more this year? Will you join a gym or participate in group exercise classes? Are you training for a 5k, half marathon, or full marathon? This is probably one of my strengths when it comes to the six components of health. I regularly exercise, take walks, and go outside to be active. It helps me lower my stress level and makes me feel great. This is particularly important to reduce health diseases such as heart problems, obesity, diabetes, and other health concerns that can be created from being overweight.

Will you focus on your mental (aka intellectual) health? Will you improve your mood or attitude in 2016? Will you work to cope better with your stress, anxiety, depression, or self-confidence and self-image? Part of mental health is finding solutions to cope with your daily struggles. It may mean reaching out for help, recognizing that those around you care, or changing the demands of your life to reduce the mental stress you are facing.

It is very important to find a balance of the six components of health and well-being. Like me, you may find that you are strong in two to three of the six components. If that is the case, that’s fantastic! It means you can use 2016 as a way to focus on the ones that you are not as strong in. As for my book, it focuses on my mental/intellectual health, social health, and emotional health. Consider finding projects, activities, and events that will allow you to work on several components. For example, participating in group fitness classes will focus on your physical, social, and possibly spiritual and emotional well-being. Spiritual well-being through mediation or yoga, and emotional well-being to reduce stress. You can work to improve components that you struggle with to find a better balance to lead a healthier and happier 2016!

~jj

#ProjectKindnessBook

#AlwaysChooseKindness

Respect, Kindness, & Tolerance…this Christmas season!

By Jenna Jamieson | December 11, 2015 | Comments 0 Comment

I am finishing a book that I can’t wait to share with everyone because it revolves around helping others, kindness, and giving back. This has inspired me to share a post about respect, kindness, and tolerance which I think is especially important and critical to remember during the Christmas season. Christmas while fun is often a time of stress for many. It can be stressful to prepare for all the holiday festivities and parties, expensive to buy presents for everyone on your list, and it can be emotional or sad for those that have loved ones that are no longer here to celebrate with them.

As we move into this season of giving I hope we can also be mindful of those around us. While we may have different views, religious beliefs, and even traditions I hope that each person remembers to be respectful, kind, and tolerant of others. We don’t have to share the same views, go to the same church, or have the same traditions to be diplomatic, respectful, kind, and tolerant. That means we wish each other well and say, “Merry Christmas” to all.

This may seem like a simple post or even a “non health” related post, but in actuality it is a post that focuses on our spiritual, emotional, and social well-being. We accept others for who they are, we reach out to others to say “Merry Christmas” to include all, and we remember that different Christmas celebrations is what makes the world so beautiful.

So I challenge you to embrace each other through respect, kindness, and tolerance this Christmas season! Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night (and year)!

~jj

#ProjectKindnessBook

#AlwaysChooseKindness

Holidays…family, friends, and FOOD!

By Jenna Jamieson | November 19, 2015 | Comments 0 Comment

This is the weight-gaining, cookie-eating, mouth-stuffing time of the year! It’s the time of the year when people eat cookies, cupcakes, chips, dips, and other sugary and salty foods. It’s the time of the year when diets seem to be filled with more junk food than fruits and veggies. It’s the time of the year when there are parties, potlucks, and events. And, it’s the time of the year when health educators and counselors know what to expect come January when New Year’s resolutions come around!

I am getting ready to cook my “gluten free” Thanksgiving this weekend so that I can actually enjoy it! Otherwise the day of Thanksgiving I get stuck with meat and potatoes without all the other lovely sides that fill the Thanksgiving table (but are often filled with gluten)!

As a way to cut back on fat and to reduce the calories in my gluten free dishes I will be making roasted brussels sprouts and corn with a couple of slices of bacon rather than a corn casserole or corn pudding which are filled with heavy cream, cream soups, and other fattening additives. This is a great way to reduce fat and calories while still having great flavor. The bacon will provide flavor along with chili powder, but since the two bacon slices will be divided among 6 people the amount consumed is very little.

My homemade mashed potatoes will feature part cauliflower. That may sound awful to some, but I promise you won’t taste the cauliflower and it will save a ton of calories! I will also use potatoes, but I will combine them with cauliflower to reduce the calories and add some veggies. I will use reduced sodium, reduced fat cream cheese or greek yogurt to add creaminess to the potatoes.

I will not have bread since I will be making cornbread stuffing. I made cornbread with reduced fat milk and will make the stuffing using reduced sodium chicken broth. To save calories, it is great to consider how many “bready” sides or carbohydrate sides you will serve with your Thanksgiving dinner. Consider having stuffing or bread, pie or cake, with more sides filled with veggies or fruits (i.e. brussel sprouts, corn, green beans, cranberries, mixed fruit, sweet potatoes – healthier than regular potatoes).

If your family does a green bean casserole each year consider roasted green beans, grilled green beans (these are delicious!), or pan seared green beans to cut back on the creamy soups, butter, and fried onions that are all high in calories.

Remember to fill your plates with more veggies than “bready” items and when you go back for seconds fill up on the veggie sides rather than more stuffing, bread, pie, and other high calorie dishes. Oh, and take a quick walk before or after dinner so your food doesn’t sit in your stomach all day or all night. You will thank yourself later when your food has a chance to digest rather than sit and make you feel miserable all night! 🙂

Happy eating, enjoy spending time with your friends and family, and have fun making new memories that you will remember forever!

~jj

#ProjectKindnessBook

#AlwaysChooseKindness