Leisure Views

For Those Still Following....

2008-05-08T16:04:00.001-04:00

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Leisure Views 6 Post Stay At Blogger.com Is Over

2008-05-06T18:46:00.002-04:00

Due to some unfortunate occurrences I am going to stop my blog at Blogger.com. It will most likely be on a new domain name and I'll keep you guys updated!

Find Your Zone

2008-05-02T07:08:00.003-04:00

What is a zone? A place where you yourself can go to relax, to have fun, to relieve stress. It can be a place or a time, more times than not it is indeed a place.

Most people have a zone and don't realize it. When you have a zone you put up another factor of your life and reduce stress. A zone is like a best friend. You can just be yourself and have a good time when your at this place and/or that time. It's natural. If your having trouble finding a zone for yourself or you don't know what a zone "looks like", "feels like", "smells like", "tastes like", or "sounds like": read on.

Let me start off by saying I found my zone two weeks ago. Not only have I felt less stressed every second in those two weeks than any other pair of weeks in this year, but also I am rejuvenated to new levels. My zone is in the mornings, when everyone has yet to rise, typing on my laptop. That is my time. It's my zone. My writing capability goes to new heights when I am put in the setting of looking at the birds chirping to their peers.

Things that you love to do provoke relaxation. Hobbies are things you love to do. If your LeBron James, your zone will most likely be the basketball court. If your George W. Bush, your zone will probably be the White House. It is different for different people. If you can't find your zone through your hobbies, maybe the negatives of not finding and having a zone will get to you. (Insider note: Expect a post about "hobbies" in the near future.)

Stress is common way to decide whether or not you have a place to go to. If you are under a lot of heat in life altogether, you probably don't have a zone. That's nothing against people with stress in their lives, it's just not my preference life style. What is my preference life style though is living with as minimal stress as possible. And when you have a zone, a place to go to, a special time for yourself, you put your best foot forward.

A time to think about your zone is in bed at night. Before you go to sleep you usually have not much on your mind, so it seems to be the perfect time. Think about where you like to spend the colossal amount of time. Think about your hobbies, your passions in life. From there you will probably get a zone that you love and enjoy.

(Above is a picture of my personal zone. Hope it looks relaxing for you!)

The Importance of The Deep Breath

2008-05-01T07:14:00.003-04:00

A deep breathe is extremely meaningful in the scheme of life. It can be the difference between somebody breaking out in a hissy fit, and somebody who is mature and well behaved. I try to shoot for the latter whenever I feel irate. Simply put, you have to stay away from the first idea of nonsense, having an outburst, and one of the greatest ways to do that is with a deep breathe.

NBA superstars take a deep breathe on the court before a free throw. Not to look cool, not be stylish, but to be relaxed before they take the shot. Well instead of taking a deep breathe before the shot, take a deep breathe after. Your not in a mood to start trouble before you get insulted or attacked.

In my personal situation, I am pretty bad with the deep breathe. I'm usually red as a tomato when constructive criticism can interfere with my daily routine, but the internet is my biggest helper with this situation. On the 'net, you have extra time to answer a question, criticism or insult. Instead of responding rudely, take a deep breathe, walk around your house if you need. Then respond to the negative comment.

If you can't handle responding, don't. But if by any chance you do respond, make the negative into a positive. Although it's not necessary, I suggest thanking the person for their help. However harsh the comment may be, if a deep breathe is not involved the "task" probably will still be in turmoil.

When someone states deep breathe, what do you think of? It matters. You have to find a place where you are comfortable in. Whether it be laying on the beach or sitting in the park. If a place on the Earth is calm minding to you, use that place when you take your breathe.

Deep breathing is the key to this all. Without inhaling and exhaling you are absolutely no where. It's more than that really though. It's about controlling yourself and making sure you don't get too angry over one comment. (That's where you take the breathe.) You can do it, the world is backing you to control your deep breathe.

4 Acts of Random Kindness That Can Make A Difference

2008-04-30T17:01:00.002-04:00

When someone does something gratifying for you, it can make your day, week or even month. I know personally, I feel like "skipping through the streets" when I receive a complement. A complement is a type of random act of kindness. An act that I not only appreciate in every way, but think about returning.

Complements
As you can see throughout the first three posts, I like to challenge my readers to go out of their way to do something that will help them. In the next twenty-four hours I challenge you to go out of your way to make somebody happy. It can be your mom, dad, aunt, uncle, boyfriend, girlfriend, sister, brother, grandpa, grandma. All I suggest is to look someone in the eye and give them a complement.

Physical Actions
Of course, complements aren't the only way to make a positive impact on another person. Try to import a physical commitment to your schedule. It can be as simple as helping your mom clean her house or as complex as driving a stranger to her broken down car. As the saying goes, "Actions speak louder than words." If you are a firm believer of the statement, this type of "Random Act of Kindness" will probably be for you.

Money Donation
Please don't make this out that I'm trying to scam you of your money because I'm not. Now that that is out of the way, I think I should give a more in depth reason on why money donations make an enormous impact on a person. Do Not: give to the person him or herself. Give to his or her charity. When you give to a friends charity you are not only making your friend feel good, your helping the charity.

Help A Child
The future of society is on seven and eight year olds' back. We know they'll learn and develop (hopefully!) but why not try to speed the process up? Why not go to a local library and volunteer to read a book? Not only do the kids look up to you because you are old, but also because as a member of the world, you are a role model for kids everywhere. Parents: This final "Act of Kindness" is suited for you.

Take the initiative. Realize that someone out there is feeling downtrodden and gloomy and needs to be picked up by a complement. Realize that your roommate might need help with the dishes; help him out. Realize that your brother might be looking for someone to sponsor him in his upcoming race; help him out. Realize that a child in your local area might need a role model. All of these different types of people can be helped with a random act of kindness.

Sleep Is As Easy As 1, 2, 3

2008-04-29T07:19:00.002-04:00

Sleep can change one humans life. Rest is incredibly important to the human body, without it we would all be moaning and moping around the world. I suggest sleep to such a high degree, that at 11:00 PM on this very night I will promise to go to sleep.

I'll be honest, I hate sleep. Sleep seems like nothingness. Nothingness is sleep. The problem here is that I'm viewing sleep in a negative way. If you feel like me and hate sleep, here is a three step process that could turn it all around.

Step 1: Love To Sleep
Zen Habits writer, Leo Babauta, wrote an article to "Love Thy Enemy". In this case we can use some of his examples. When your enemy, in this situation sleep, is viewed poorly, the relationship between you and your opponent is going to get worse. Whereas if you try to make the relationship better it might get better.

Step 2: Accept Sleep
After you learn to love, you must accept that sleep helps you in tremendous ways. When you sleep you 1) feel prodigious 2) it is easier exercise your body 3) have a more relaxed personality. If you accept it, you have sixty-six percent of the battle done with. Don't give up on me yet, you are almost done!

Step 3: Actually Sleep
Put the plan into action. Have some motivation that gets you to sleep. My motivation is being able to wake up in the morning and write. Yours could be that you hope you have a good dream, you exercised during the day, or your bed feels extremely comfortable. Please have a motive because without it, you might forget your goal.

Try not to make your rest short. According to this article, many of us are getting much less than the necessary eight hours of sleep. To quote the article: "There is plenty of evidence that long-term sleep deprivation can be unhealthy. Horne says that it can affect decision-making and cognitive functioning, and contribute to obesity, metabolic syndrome and related problems." Worldwide society could take a hit if we do not get enough sleep.

I suggest taking this three step process to heart and try to use it. The time frame can be anywhere from three weeks to three months, but as long as you end up trying to use this plan you end up a winner. I'll join you in trying the guide out. Farewell!

6 Places To Visit For Relaxation

2008-04-28T07:38:00.001-04:00

When you are a tourist for the first time, you are presented with new experiences, new adventures, and new thoughts.

The place you visit will likely be somewhere extravagant and beautiful, but it certainly does not have to be. Most places will have stunning scenery, but it certainly does not have to. Most places will have a quality tourist attraction, but it certainly does not have to. What's my point? Every place provides a different kind of relaxation.

Maine. Everything in Maine can be described as rustically ravishing. The clear water, the log houses, the old automobiles are all dressed in fine dapper suits, but seem to resemble something you would see in the Midwest. Unlike many places I've been to, Maine's ancientness doesn't take away from the experience, it adds to it.

Miami, Florida. The mass amount of beaches are the tourists attraction. The beaches are here. The beaches are there. This is an ideal place to visit for me. I like to go swimming in the ocean, playing beach volleyball with my family, and overall just having a good time with my family.

New York City. For some shopping is a relaxation. In order to bide by those men and women requests, NYC has to be on the list for places that can be extremely relaxing. By the way, I'm not just talking about clothes. Technology is abundant and if that suits you, more power to ya.

San Francisco, California. San Fran is a cool city to visit. The official Visitors Site for San Francisco says, "Cool fog. Hot restaurants. Neighborhoods to explore." I buy it, plus transportation is awesome. Add that all together and you have a quality tourist city.

Puerto Rico. Tradition, history and relaxation can all be found at Puerto Rico. There are a lot of thing you can do which makes Puerto Rico an excellent place to stay. There are a ton of worthwhile luxurious places to stay that this trip is a can't miss.

Los Angeles, California. LA is a tourist town. If you have never been, you are definitely missing something. Not only do they have beaches, but also "tourist hotspots" like Universal Studios and the Santa Monica Pier. I was there once and felt I didn't get to see enough, a second trip would make me happy.

Some of these places, or all, are not built for the frugal lifestyle. I'm sorry about that, but I tried to pick out some of the most relaxing places to visit.

5 Ways To Relax

2008-04-27T19:19:00.000-04:00

Relaxation is an important part in our every day life. When we relax we feel rejuvenated, delightful and pleasant. This than brings up the spirits of everybody we meet. I've found that relaxing can change the moods that I'm in. Without relaxation I can be very tense and worried. With relaxation, stress is no where to be found. Here are five ways you can relax and live in a stress-less environment:

Wake Up Early. When you wake up early you release the stress of being late. And when your late, your are definitely not relaxed. Getting into a wake up routine is something I am trying to do. I believe waking up early is one of the most effective ways to eliminate stress.

Spend Time With Family. Not only will you make yourself happy, it will make your loved ones happy as well. Something small like watching T.V., can lead to something larger than life, like planning a run for autism.

Exercise. Exercise leads to relaxation? Yes it does. When you play tennis or go for a one mile run, you work your butt off. Once you get home, you take a shower and relax. After working yourself out you feel good about it. Take my word for it.

Read. Reading is an important activity even if it's not from a book. Not only do you relax when you read, but you also gain knowledge. If you are reclining and gaining knowledge all from doing one activity, you are being very productive. Which leads us to...

Be Productive. The more time you spend working at work, the less time you'll have to spend time working at home. Which means more time spent with the family. Being productive makes you feel good about yourself. You feet like you've accomplished something when you've finished one of your most important tasks.

I try to incorporate all of these concepts every day, but sometimes it can not be done. Yesterday, for instance I spent time with my family playing board games, I exercised playing tennis, I read an online article, and did most of my work for the weekend, but because my alarm wasn't working I didn't wake up early. Things come up like meetings, emergencies, and late notifications; working around those things to complete those five items is extremely important. The five items listed above are keys to life because they can single-handily make the difference between a person who is overwhelmingly stressed and a person who is deeply connected to relaxation.