5 tips on how to be patient

Photo by Daniel Schwen

Being patient is not a luxury. With how much there is to do every day, it seems like we spend an awful lot of time waiting around for stuff to happen. Think about waiting for the bus, or the mail, or standing in line at the grocery store.

With people too we need to practice patience. If you have children, you'll know what I mean. If you don't have children, think of other peoples' children and you'll know what I mean.

So how do you do it? How do you become a patient person? Below I'll give some tips on how to be patient for those out there who haven't got a clue, or just need a bit of patient advice.

1. Become religious. It's much easier to wait around for stuff to happen if you believe that God/Allah/the Flying Spaghetti Monster has a plan for you that is unfolding as we speak. If you are too old for fairytales, move on to 2.
   
2. Recognize that you have a problem. If you're waiting and hopping, biting your nails, looking left and right, swearing under your breath or, worse, swearing out loud, you may have an issue with patience. Recognize that this is perfectly human and you are now willing to change your misery.
   
3. Take a deep breath and relax. Recognize that the situation you are dealing with is beyond your control (or if it's not, ask yourself why you're letting yourself suffer without changing it, that's just weird!). Try to let go of wanting to control it and just go with the flow. Pay attention to your surroundings and try to observe where you are, who you are with, what it's like to be alive!
   
4. Use your time to let your mind wander. We don't do this nearly enough! Think of something you've been pondering for a while and give it your full attention. I bet you time will be flying by!
   
5. When dealing with difficult people (toddlers for example) try to imagine the other person's state of mind and point of view. Whomever you're dealing with may not be able to think straight (or not have the mental capacity to do so, like the toddler) or feel overwhelmed by emotion. Not a good time to loose your cool. Feel confident that this will change in a couple of hours (if you're lucky) or years (toddler-case).

I've been blessed with quite a bit of patience, but also with a child that's finding new ways every day to test it. Therefore, any extra tips you may have to offer, please shoot them my way!

Picking up where you left off

Right, it's been a while. Now that we've got that covered, let me say I want to pick this thing up a little bit again. I thought I'd just jump right in and give a glimpse of why I need Minutes Worth Hours now more than ever:

• I'm now a full-time stay-at-home mom of a 15-month-old
• My husband works full time
• Two weeks ago I started my own business as a translator/(copy)writer
• I try to keep a vegetable patch with my mother
• We use cloth diapers and practice attachment parenting

And yet, so my dear husband points out, I still want to do more more more. Obviously I find myself without time to do it and too tired to keep up with anything. Yoga? Hasn't happened in months. Ironing? Three loads waiting upstairs. 

But, I am happy. We've got the most important bases covered. We make enough to cover our expenses. Our baby girl can stay at home instead of go to daycare and, most important of all, she's happy!

So what's my advice for today?

While you're running behind on your chores trying to get everything done and realizing you can't possible manage ... take a breath. Reflect and see if you've got the main things covered that you find of importance. 

If there's anything I've learned having a baby it's that the details don't really matter. What you find important in life, that's what should take up your time and effort. 

In the mean time, try not to flinch when your friend glances at the dirty dishes in the sink. 

As a WAHM I've got some new tips and tricks that I accumulated over the months and will be sharing with you guys. One little piece at a time! Feel like sharing? Comment below or share on facebook to get the conversation started!

Improve Your Sleep with 5 Minutes Relaxation

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Sleep is one of those things that pregnant women and young mothers learn to say goodbye too. After a while, a solid night's sleep seems like a faraway memory, although a very fond one indeed.

During the course that my husband and I have been taking, however, the midwife showed us some relaxation techniques and I am always pleasantly surprised at how well I sleep after these exercises. I've learned that letting go of tension you build up during the day is key to falling asleep easily and resting comfortably (at least until the next bathroom break).
Below I'll give you some of the tips that she gave us for relaxing your body in about five minutes. No excuse for lack of time here.

Settle yourself down on the bed in a position that is comfortable. Most people will lay down on their back or their side. Breath slowly letting each exhalation go completely before breathing in again.Let your mind wander over the different parts of your body and first tense the muscles, to then release them. Start with your face and make a big frown, tensing all your facial muscles. Then slowly let your face relax completely, paying attention to every single area. In the same way go down your jaw, neck, shoulders, arms, stomach, and so on, until you reach your toes. Feel the tension drain from every part of your body with each breath out. 

Even if you don't use this to fall asleep, it can feel great when you find you have a nagging pain somewhere. Often this is the result of muscles that are too tense because of sitting in the same position or making the same motion each time.

Let me know if it worked for you!

To Cocoon or Not to Cocoon

Photo by Andrew Spenceley

It's raining. It's gray. It's dark and gloomy. There's no good reason at all to go outside. Actually, there doesn't seem to be much reason to leave the bed. At all. Ever again!
I'm sure I'm not the first and only person who has this kind of response to the typical fall weather. It's so common in Belgium I'm sure we have chronic sufferers. Here in Yantai, it's sunny nearly all the time, however, so it takes some getting used to again.

There are different ways of responding to this kind of weather, and I want to cover my favorite and my friend's favorite. I love to cocoon, she prefers to get out and find some fun.

What is 'cocooning' in my understanding? Staying inside, with a hot drink, and something you enjoy doing. Ideally you go under covers right after dinner with a cup of tea and a nice book. You use various techniques for staying warm to counter the cold and dreary outside atmosphere. You create a kind of opposite environment inside. Great tools for this are color (pillows, blankets, curtains), candles, cheerful music, sweet food. 
A few of these touches might make a big difference in your day.


But that's not what you do if you're Lisa (my friend). She refuses to let the weather dictate her moves and instead seeks out fun and interesting activities out of the house. She'll meet with others, have Christmas caroling practice or go shopping. Anything not to feel cooped up in the house for too long. 


I'm sure that what kind of house your cooped up in (and which co-habitants are there with you) would have a big impact on which of these directions you would take. But our nature (introvert or extrovert) might have something to do with it too. 

Remember that either of these ways to deal with dreary weather should help you boost up your morale. Everyone is different, so respect those who prefer to stay in/go out if you don't.


What do you do on a day like this? Are you affected by the weather or does it barely make a difference apart from the occasional beach party? I'd love to hear I'm not the only one who needs the extra boost!

Ps. Did you notice how I only used one vowel in the title?

5-Minute Foot Bath

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Winter is one of the times we really enjoy taking a foot bath because our feet tend to get so cold. Being a writer and computer geek, we spend a lot of time sitting behind our screens and both hands and feet get cold quickly. Foot baths help heat up our feet and are relaxing at the same time. They're also a great way to pay more attention to our feet in a time when we are usually wearing socks and shoes, so don't notice them nearly as much as in Summer.
Here's how to draw yourself a quick foot bath without it being a hassle.

You start by collecting what you need: a basin/tub that's big enough for your feet (but not too big). Also get a towel ready, a pumice stone, soap, bath salts, toenail clipper and whatever you want to use on your feet. A good moisturizer is great, and have some thin socks you can put over so you don't have to step on the floor with your feet covered in lotion.


Fill up the tub with water that's a little hotter than comfortable. You can always let it cool off and you will get used to the temperature. Dissolve your bath salts in the water and add anything else you may want to (my hubby adds Epsom salts and apple vinegar to help prevent athlete's foot). Then put your tub in a convenient location and get something ready for the mean time. It can be a video, a knitting project, a nice book, an old CD. Make sure you have all your necessities nearby (towel!) and ... dip in.

Foot baths are wonderfully relaxing. And they don't have to cost tons. You can have them in the comfort of your own home and it only takes a couple of minutes to get ready.
Enjoy!

Busy Days Require Treats

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How do you keep from getting totally stressed out on your busiest days? If you're not in a 9-5 job (or even if you are) some days are bound to be busier than others. For me, as a private tutor, Friday and Saturday are my busy days, and I need something to treat myself during those days. So I've made it a habit to treat myself after my last class on Saturday, to make sure I make it through those rough days.

During our busy days, it's a great motivator and comforter to be able to look forward to a treat. It can be anything you enjoy: a nice hot bath, a pizza, a movie night with a friend, a nice glass of port. Important is that, just as much as those busy days, it becomes a regular part of your week. 

My treat? On my way back from the school I stop by the bakery to pick up a chocolate muffin. We don't really have cookies in the house, so something sweet really is a treat (unless I bake it myself). Knowing that after my class on Saturday I get those 5 minutes of pure chocolate-y happiness actually has me enjoy the busy hours. 

Rewards don't only work for children or pets, and they don't have to be given by others either. Treating yourself is the only way to make sure that the effort is worth the treat at the end. You're the best judge of your own effort and the reward that fits best.

Do you give yourself a weekly/daily treat? What effect does it have on you?

I love to read comments below! It really helps me get an idea of the post you readers enjoy. For those of you who would like to receive updates of these episodes, you can sign up for the RSS or e-mail feed at the top right of this website!

Radio: The Forgotten Companion

Picture by Rafael Kage

How long has it been since you've turned on the radio when you were at home? Just to listen to it while you're doing something else, like household chores? It undoubtedly depends on your age, but I would venture a guess that it's been a while. The exception may be your daily commute, or your morning alarm.
What a shame. Radio is one of the things I miss most from home. The national channels have some great shows on in Belgium, and I loved listening to the British BBC channels as well. Thankfully, on many websites you can now listen to some of your old favorites, or listen to shows you may have missed because of your busy schedule.

Why would you listen to radio instead of keeping the TV on? For one, most radios are much more portable, but more importantly, you can listen while you're doing pretty much anything that doesn't require you to talk or write. 
What's more relaxing than peeling potatoes while listening to the radio, singing along or getting informed and entertained at the same time? Time to dust off that old piece that's been sitting in your closet for years! 
If you don't have a radio, you could use your computer or buy a small one. They're dirt cheap now! A better way may be to ask around if anyone you know (who doesn't read this blog) has a radio they're not currently using. Old radios work just as well as new ones.

You can find radio programming on the station's website. You'll probably figure out which shows you like quickly, and they may even become a part of your daily routine.

Let me know if you find any great shows that I might be able to listen to here in China! I'd love to get to know new stuff.

Tip for the Flemish readers: on the Radio 1 Webplayer you can listen to old episodes of, among others, 'Bromberen', which is such a favorite of mine I've listened to many of the episodes multiple times!

5 Adventures to be Had in Your State

Note: This is a guest post by Kara Taylor. She is a freelance writer who loves to clear her head with adventurous outdoor activities.
For more information on being a guest author, or having me write a guest post for your blog, click here.

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Finding the time and money to take a family vacation or have a bit of an adventure seems more and more of a challenge in today’s difficult economic times. However, having a bit of fun outdoors doesn’t have to be impossible. In fact, there are many outdoor adventures and activities to be had without even leaving the state or country. 

Regardless of your budget, you are bound to find inexpensive options that the whole family will enjoy. 

A brief, outdoor getaway is simple, affordable and can be the perfect way for you and your loved ones to relax without breaking the bank.

Here is a list of our favorite five outdoor activities you can do without leaving your state:

1. Hiking

Hiking is a great way to spend some time outdoors. Most states have designated hiking trails for individuals and can be found easily through your search engine. You may also want to consider your state’s tourism guide. The equipment required for your hike will depend on how long your hike will be as well as the climate and surroundings. As a rule of thumb, you will want to carry plenty of water, a map and food. Boots or extremely durable, comfortable shoes are also recommended. Other items that you may require include a flashlight, additional clothes, sunscreen and a first aid kit. A GPS navigation device is also a good idea if you are planning on hiking off-trail. 

2. Camping

If you’re really adventurous, you may want to consider camping as part of your hike. You may also consider car camping—which is done by camping near your car so that more supplies may be stored. Again, you can find camping websites for each state. Supplies can be found at your local hardware store or specialty outdoors and sports stores. You may also find bargains at local thrift shops. It’s important to take along a tent for shelter, first aid materials, sleeping bags, food and water. You may also want to consider items to make a camp fire (if this is legal in your state). A change of clothes, personal care items, trash bags and utensils are also important. Many state parks offer free or low-cost camp ground accommodations. 

3. Fishing

Fishing is great for people of all ages. It is a great way to relax and enjoy the outdoors. Fishing equipment can be purchased at general retailers such as Wal-Mart or Target. You could also visit specialty stores. You will need fishing poles, bait and other accessories which can be purchased relatively cheaply. Make certain to check your local gaming and fishing laws to ensure that you do not need a license in order to fish. Young children should always be supervised when fishing!

4. ATVs

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are also known as three or four wheelers, or quads. These vehicles are designed for off-road fun. An ATV is similar to a motorcycle but gives more stability to the driver. ATV sale and rental for your family can be a great way to race and spend time outdoors. ATVs can be bought in all sizes. Remember that young children should be supervised and always wear protective gear. For an experienced, mature rider, ATV racing is an extremely fun and exciting way to relax with friends. For more information on buying your own all-terrain vehicle, check out ATV sale

5. Water sports

How about jet skiing, boating, tubing and surfing? Water sports are a fantastic way to relax and spend some time and fun in the sun. Often, you can rent or buy the equipment for such water activities at an inexpensive rate. Many local renters will offer hourly rates and daily rates on boats and jet skis. Only experienced drivers should handle this equipment. Make sure that proper safety precautions are taken, including but not limited to life jackets. Check your state’s tourism site for water recreation areas near you.

Remember, relaxation doesn’t have to cost a ton of money. These are just five ideas for taking an inexpensive adventure within your state. Are you looking for an adventure?

Worth Every Minute!

I love TED. I know I mentioned it before (see this post), but I go back to it so often that it has become a trusted and loyal friend, and I'm hoping it can be the same for you.

Today I want to share a TED video that I watched the other day and found very informative.

It's a talk by Philip Zimbardo about how boys are developing in our culture. As most of the teachers among you probably know, boys now consistently perform worse than girls on a whole range of tasks. But Zimbardo shows that this isn't only an academic but also a social issue.

Enjoy these 5 minutes of interesting and entertaining information!

TED Video The Demise of Guys by Philip Zimbardo

Plan a Cat-Nap

Picture by Michael Himbeault

Naps are not just a luxury. For many of us, they could make the difference between an afternoon of sluggish dragging your feet or an afternoon full of energy and productivity.
Many cultures incorporate naps as a regular part of the day. In China, also, many people use the 2 hour lunch break for the reason it was intended: to rest for a while after a busy morning.

If you don't plan to take a nap, it's one of those things that gets put off to make room for endless Internet surfing or catalog browsing. Somehow the prospect of going to bed or lying down on the couch is not the most exciting. 

So instead, plan your cat-nap as vigorously and faithfully as your first priority tasks. When you do lay down and get some rest, allow yourself a feeling of accomplishment. Sleeping enough is just as important as eating healthy, so if you can feel good about eating a salad instead of eating a burger, you can feel good about getting some rest instead of shopping on eBay. 

Cat-naps don't have to be long (of course) and often as little as 15 minutes can already make a big difference!

Of course, for pregnant ladies like me naps are not so much optional as do-it-now-or-you'll-never-make-it-to-the-end-of-the-day. But I made napping a habit even before getting pregnant, and can fully attest to the benefits.

Give it a try and see what the effect is. Maybe it's not for you, or maybe you'll find your productivity, satisfaction, happiness and energy shooting up.

Any nappers already present on the readers' list? Now's the time to show your true colors and convince others! 

Taking Time Off When You're Sick

Picture by Courtney Carmody

Dear readers, my apologies for the missed posts yesterday and the day before. As you can see, scrolling down, I have made them up. They are now posted. I haven't been feeling my best lately, and may continue to feel crappy for a little while. Nothing serious, so says the doc, but it does mean I have a difficult time getting everything done each day.  Some days are better than others.

As I mentioned before in my post on cutting yourself some slack, I don't really believe in forcing yourself if you don't feel 100%. You're better off getting back to your usual self as quickly as possible, and the best way to do that is by taking care of yourself. If you drag out sickness even longer, it'll only cost you more in the long run.

So my advice for today is to take some time off and to do that in the right way, so it really makes a difference.

First of all, try to clear your schedule as much as possible. If you're feeling under the weather or overly stressed, you won't be performing at your best anyways. The people who work with you will surely understand that a healthy employee/colleague is much more valuable than a sick one. 

Secondly, there are a couple of quick things you can do to help yourself get the rest you need. If you feel sick and find it hard to eat, try eating small, bland snacks: toast, raw fruits and vegetables, crackers, etc. Drink little sips of water throughout the day (not so much that your stomach feels full, otherwise you'll end up feeling sicker than before.)
Have a cup of herbal tea or green tea if you like, but stay away from things like coffee and black tea. The acidic nature of those can upset your stomach, and they won't make you feel sleepy either.
Preparing these snacks and drinks is a matter of minutes but will make your time off feel like what it's supposed to be: A moment to recharge your batteries and get all the rest you possibly can.

Last advice: Put some music or an audio book on your mp3 player before you go to bed. Close your eyes while you listen. The sound will distract you from how bad you're feeling, and you'll drift off to sleep before you know it!

I hate feeling sick, so throughout the years I've tried to come up with the best way to get over it as quickly as possible. Invariably that has been to try and sleep my way through it, occasionally waking up for drinks and small snacks. Luckily I don't get ill very often, but when I do, it usually takes me about two days at most to start feeling better.


What do you do when you're feeling ill? Do you try to push yourself and work as long as possible? Do you hold to the 'mind over matter' idea and try to push through the physical discomfort (like my hubby)?
Let me know!

Learn to Say 'No!'

Photo by Horia Varlan

Our time is not our own. No matter how much we may think we are in control of our own lives, we rely too much on others and let them rely on us to fully be our own boss. Think of the things you do for your boss, your partner, your children, your friends. You may spend hours a week, or per day, taking care of others' needs instead of your own. There's nothing wrong with that, of course. You get the same in return from those around you, it's a give and take system. And your time is a gift to those you love.

But sometimes the people around us require too much. More than we can give. They may ask you for a favor you don't want to perform, or for time you simply don't have. In those cases, it's best to just come out with a plain old 'No.'

Saying 'no' is not easy. We are confronted with a lot of feelings, such as guilt or shame, that we would prefer to avoid if possible. So, instead of saying 'no', we opt for 'yes' despite the fact that we may not really have the time or the ability to give in to the request. 

But even if you have spared yourself from the awkwardness of the situation, and of those undesirable feelings, you are now stuck with a promise you made that you may have to break. As I wrote before, breaking a promise is much more damaging to a relationship than turning down a request right away. Once you have committed to something, you should try your very best to follow up on that commitment.

So how do you say 'no' without all these negative feelings? How do you just deny your loved one what they ask for without it eating up you inside? Try to keep the following questions in mind when you're deciding on what to say:

1. Is it of vital importance to this person that I agree?
2. Is there anyone else who could take my place?
3. How much will my refusal or denial hurt the relationship?
4. Am I breaking a previous commitment by either saying 'yes' or 'no'? (to this person or to someone else.)

 If you need more time, you can always say you need to check your schedule. But I do recommend giving an answer as quickly as possible. It's no use fretting over what you're going to say for days, and feeling miserable the whole time. Just get it over with.

How do you feel about saying 'no' when someone asks you for help, or when you are invited to a party? Do you ever want to refuse but end up going anyways? 

Leave a Little Early

Running late

No one likes the stress of rushing to work. I hate it when I arrive late, or when I have no more than a couple of minutes to spare before I need to start teaching. Ideally, I arrive about 5 - 10 minutes early so I can fill in my papers and take a look at my lesson plans.
Not everyone has the same discipline though, and we don't have it all of the time. It helps however if you make leaving early part of your habit. And there is no better time to start than in the beginning of the new school year (or after any long holiday).

First of all, decide how long it takes you to travel to work. What's the longest time you have ever taken to get there? How long does it usually take?
Secondly, figure out what your 'leaving time' actually means. If you say you will leave at 7:30, does this mean that's the time you're out the door, or the time you start packing your things together? Those or not quite the same, it's about a 5 minute difference.
Add your preparation time and your traveling time. Then add however much extra time you would like to have to sip a cup of coffee or catch up with colleagues before you start your work day.
You then have the exact time you should start getting ready, and the time you need to be out of the house.

Having an extra couple of minutes means that there's a bit of flexibility. If you forget your phone and need to run back, it's not a big problem.

Do you usually like to arrive early, or are you someone who often runs late? What do you prefer?

Practice Patience

Picture by Gemma Bardsley

Patience is a virtue. I don't know how many times my elementary school teacher repeated that to us little kids. Patience wasn't very high on our list of priorities at the time, and for many of us, it's still something to work on. We find it harder and harder to wait in line, listen without interrupting and get put on hold. We can't imagine our valuable time slipping away and not being completely distraught over it.

But you know what? Patience is still a virtue, and it's still worth practicing.

There are countless situations in life that benefit from a patient attitude. Think of how much more comfortable it feels to stand in line patiently, for example, rather than feeling your heart race faster and faster because of how anxious you are. 
Patience will always benefit you because it's one of the best ways to prevent and reduce stress. It's an attitude shift toward acceptance.

But patience also benefits those around you. Having someone deal with you in a patient manner, listening patiently, waiting for you patiently, explaining something patiently, can make all the difference in the world. It's comforting, relaxing, and it does wonders for your relationships.

So next time 5 minutes seem to be slipping by and you're getting wound up over it thinking about how much better that time could be spent checking email, take a step back and try to become patient. Just wait for a moment. Just. Be.

Learn a Card Trick

Picture by Robert Couse-Baker

Remember when you were a kid and magic still had the power to amaze you? Actually, for me that feeling never quite left. I can still be amazed at very simple tricks. Any riddle to which I don't see the answer has the power to captivate me and makes me want to find out the truth behind the trick.

But I also love being the person to put others to the test and see if they can figure out the mystery behind a trick. Asking someone whether or not they want to see a card trick, I have never yet had a negative response. Of course, maybe my friends and family are only trying to be polite, but once they see the trick, they have a hard time letting go of it. It's a good time to start bargaining about who's going to do the dishes!

Learning a card trick or two is very simple. Many card tricks come with simple explanations, and you may have to practice them once or twice, but that's it. It's only knowing the secret behind it that gives you all the power, and that takes as much time as it takes you to read the explanation.
I've used card tricks with family, friends and to motivate whole groups of students. They always work.

The website I use to get them is this one: www.cardtricksite.com. Here you can find a list of their easy tricks.

If you've tried this on others, let me know how they respond. Share it too if you have found one trick to be particularly fun!

I realize I am giving away some of my most valuable secrets, revealing this site, but I trust that none of you will take advantage of this and reveal me when the opportunity arises. Thank you.

Cut Yourself Some Slack

Photo by Jan Willem Stad

Some days are just not quite 'it'. And sure, we can beat ourselves up about it, and feel miserable about all the lost productivity and the total waste of time, but that never seems to help either. Yesterday was one of those days for me. I pretty much felt tired from morning to evening, even though I did take two naps in between. Half-way through the day, I decided to just give in to the feeling and let myself have an off day.

If you feel low on energy, or slightly depressed (can be weather-related as it often is in my case) how about just allowing yourself to take it easy for a while. Take a couple of minutes to clear as much from your schedule as possible, so that you can focus on relaxing, sleeping and resting for a couple of hours. 
Perhaps, these little 'downward curves' are just a way for our body to tell us it's time to take a break and recharge the batteries. 
Don't beat yourself up if you need some time to just do nothing. There's no point in doing anything but using this time to just veg out on the couch.

If you can't clear your schedule, just go through the motions. Chances are, you already know how to do your job pretty well, and there's no need to always perform at 110%. Allow your skills to carry you through the day, until you're back in bed and looking forward to a new day which can only be better. 

There is a strong stress on performance these days, for everyone. My students feel it, my fellow teachers feel it,  my family and friends feel it. The people around us and the systems in which we work come with high demands. It's not unusual that at times we need to be able to just go through a day without giving in to all these expectations and demands.

Do you ever have days like this? Where it seems like you have no desire to do anything but sleep? How do you handle it? Do you try to motivate or energize yourself, or do you just go with the flow?
I bet people handle this kind of thing very differently depending on who they are.

Two-in-One: Combine Experiences

You know how much fun it is to do something you truly enjoy? Now how about doing two things you really enjoy at the same time? Double the fun, right?

There are lots of different treats that lend themselves to possible combinations. I got the idea for doing this while I was eating a piece of chocolate cake and thoroughly enjoying it. And then, all of a sudden, I got a whiff of coffee. The smell of the coffee together with the taste of the chocolate was just divine. I didn't have to drink a sip, and then eat a bite, I could enjoy both at the same time and make it a multi-sensuous experience.

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Of course, it makes sense that you would choose experiences that enhance each other rather than cancel each other out. No point in trying to listen to two songs at the same time, or talk to a friend while on the phone. That's not really what I had in mind.

So what kind of experiences really complement each other? Senses that often go together are smell and taste, and sight and sound. But there are many more possible combinations.
Have a go at the following few to see which ones suit you best:

1. Taste & touch: Imagine receiving a relaxing foot rub while indulging in a cup of your favorite flavored tea. Let the warmth of the tea and the warmth of your feet become one. Absolute bliss.

2. Smell & sight: I'm a sucker for smells. It can be a strength ("Is that Chanel you're wearing?") and a weakness ("Please consider deodorant before getting on a crammed bus.") But my favorite time to focus on smell is when I'm enjoying a great view out in the mountains or something. Watching that splendor and breathing in the earthy smell at the same time, makes me feel like I'm in the Garden of Eden.

3. Touch & Sound: My mind is often wandering aimlessly. Even when I'm trying to physcially relax, it can get in the way and make me drift off. But if I give both my mind and my body something enjoyable to focus on, all the pieces fall into place. Try combining the experiences explained in the posts corpse pose and musical minutes.

Of course you can make any combination of senses, and even add more to the experience. Many of our day-to-day experiences already combine several senses. Think of eating popcorn (taste & smell) at the movies (sound & sight). But there are some we don't often put together. So get creative and think about what you love and how to enhance the experience.
Have fun with it!

Feel free to share your ideas with the other readers here too. I'm sure they (you) would welcome them.

5-Minute Sunbath

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Confession nr. gazillion-and-forty-six: I hate sunbathing. It gets all sweaty and sticky. You get way too hot and your eyes start to burn. It helps that every doctor says it's harmful for your health to go sunbathing for extended periods of time, but I'm afraid there are benefits to sun exposure that sound appealing too.

You need sunlight for the production of vitamin D. Every single cell in your body needs vitamin D to work properly, and I've heard that the current sunlight-phobia has caused whole countries to be vitamin-D deficient. Our Couch Surfers from Denmark told us that in their country, the government now has to warn people not to use too much sunblock. Imagine that.

But vitamin D is not the only reason to enjoy a bit of sunlight, it's also very uplifting. Sunlight affects my mood more than anything else. It's one of the things that I love about living in Yantai: So much more sunshine than gray and gloomy Belgium.

So I want to suggest to you that you expose yourself to the sun. But for a limited time only!
Take 5 minutes on any given, sunny day. 
Wear only as many clothes as you need to stay warm. If you don't need anything, then that works fine (check to make sure fences are peeping-Tom-proof!), but you can sunbathe in winter too. Try to leave as much of your skin bare as possible (also when just going outside). Get in a comfortable position, letting yourself be covered by the rays of the sun. 
Protect your eyes (maybe even your whole head) from the sun by wearing a hat or sunglasses. 

And ... enjoy! 
Especially in spring time it can be great to feel the rays of the sun sinking into your skin all the way to the bones. I need that feeling to get rid of the chill that has settled there in winter.


Caution: the best times for sunbathing are when the sun is not too strong. So early in the morning or in a setting sun is better than at noon.
Make sure you NEVER BURN! There's a reason it hurts. You can get perfectly tan without ever burning, if that's what you're after. And I can tell you from decades of experience, that burning will more often than not lead to peeling. Bye bye tan.

You can read more about the benefits of sunbathing here and here (the last article also discusses the dangers of sunblock. Which are pretty much the same as the dangers of any cream you put on your skin: If you wouldn't eat it, why put it on your skin?)

Are you a sun-worshipper? Do you love tanning? What do you do to get your fix in winter?

Worth Every Minute

Wednesday is the time for me to share some of the great stuff out there on the web. You can find the whole series of Worth Every Minute here.

It's summer time, and for many of us (including me) that means the reading rate goes up. I have a lot of family and friends whose idea of a relaxing time is reading a book in a park somewhere. It's how my sister and I spent half our time in Beijing last week.

I love reading, and I always want to read more. That is, I want to have already read more. There are so many books I want to experience, and so little time I have to read them. Summers are great for reading, but also for drinking cocktails, playing frisbee and having BBQ's. I can increase the time spent on reading, but I'd like to do the other stuff too. Are you the same?

One of the things that can help, is trying to increase your reading speed. Don't worry, you don't have to race through your books like a maniac, but a few little tricks can set you on the way to reading faster and reading more.

You can get some great tips in the following article from Lifehack.org:

7 Speed Reading Tricks by a Former Book-Hater by Karol Krol

Have fun reading!
Let me know what books you guys are into, I'd love to exchange ideas.

I recently finished The Templar Legacy by Steve Berry and thought it was pretty great. Difficult to put down.
Also read Elizabeth Gilbert's Commited and learned a lot about marriage. Very insightful!
Both books make excellent holiday reading!

PS. Today is my hubby's 25th Birthday ... so Happy Birthday honey!

Take a Mental Holiday to Stimulate Creativity

(source)

I recently had the luxury of spending 5 hours on a bus going through the Chinese countryside, i.e. being thrown from side to side and shaken up and down more times than when I was 5 and sitting on the back of my mother's bicycle as she conquered the Bruges' cobble stones.
As it was too bumpy to read (my eyes kept jumping around the pages) and I didn't dare get out my electronics since everything kept being lurched out of my hands, there was absolutely nothing to do but sit and wait for it to end.
...

And wait some more.
....

And then some.
...

And ... Wait! All of a sudden, I caught myself thinking of something. A glimpse of an original thought. An idea.

Your in-between and waiting time is not wasted time. It's time that has been given to you to let your mind do its own thing. You are in control of your mind, mostly. You guide its thoughts and you choose the input minute to minute. Your mind thus walks predictable paths every day, and after a while, this mental routine becomes your reality. It's who you are.
But hold on now, one sec. Do you really think it's possible to know all that's going on in your mind? Are you even aware of all your thoughts? How about all your memories? Can you honestly remember and think every thought in your brain? 
And isn't it possible there are thoughts in there that you didn't put there, but that arose out of that mix of neurons and axons without your knowledge?

Leave you brain alone for some time and follow your thoughts to where they lead you. Get lost in thought, but make sure to keep pen and paper ready, because you may just find your best idea yet.

On that bus, bouncing incessantly, I came up with a new plot for a novel and a couple of short story ideas. I found myself getting inspired and itchy about writing again. New ideas appeared vividly and effortlessly, or so it seemed.

Let me know what crazy/inspiring/weird/fun/beautiful thoughts pop up in your mind if you just let it wonder for a bit.