5 Great Ways to Prepare for Baby

5 Great Ways to Prepare for Baby

You've just found out you're going to be a parent!  Congratulations! This is can be one of the most exciting times of your life. Immerse yourself in the experience by getting prepared.

1. Get Registered.  Babies are expensive!  The tradition of a baby shower is a time-tested way family and friends show not only social, but financial support by providing some of the essential items you'll need your baby's first few years.  Make it easy on your guests by using a website everyone's familiar with like Amazon to create your registry. Shop Amazon - Create an Amazon Baby Registry  

2. Go Mental. Get mentally prepared by reading books and articles to educate yourself about how to have a healthy and happy pregnancy.  Some books make no qualms about giving orders to new mothers like a drill sergeant. Find resources that fit your personality and support your new-parent goals.

3. Keep Moving. Exercise during pregnancy increases circulation, making for a healthier mother and baby. In most cases mothers can continue their same activity level during pregnancy that they enjoyed previously. If you've never been active before now is a great time to start with gentle exercises like swimming, walking or prenatal yoga.

4. Play the Name Game. Have fun browsing the thousands of baby names you can find online and in baby name books. You may find a larger selection of names online, but a book will be handy for highlighting favorites and dog-earing pages to mark the best names and refer to them later. 

5. Take Time to Dream.  Becoming a new parent can be scary! Take time out to day dream about our little him or her to get excited about the new family member you'll be meeting soon. Cultivating a bond with your little one can begin long before delivery day by talking to and even just thinking about what your little one will be like.


What do you think? What are your favorite ways to prepare for a new baby? Leave a comment to share your ideas!

5 Great Ways to Improve Your Health

5 Great Ways to Improve Your Health

1. Sleep Right.  Getting the right amount, and the right quality, of sleep is paramount to your body functioning at its best. All the way from higher executive functions of the brains (like organization and planning), all the way down to how your cells function to ward off disease is affected by your sleeping habits.

2. Cut Back.  In the Western world it is often too much of a good thing that does us in.  It's long been known that cutting back on fat, carbs, and calories can lead to weight loss, but did you also know that cutting back on stimulants like caffeine and nicotine can reduce stress and anxiety?

3. Chill Out.  Excessive worry and chronic stress are often precursors to disease, not mention anxiety is a very uncomfortable emotion to live with on a regular basis!  You need not visit an expensive spa or masseuse to find relaxation. Some of the best ways to relax are free (such as spending time in nature, waking up early to do yoga, or spending some time in quiet meditation).  Find a healthy way to relax to improve your overall health.

4. Get Moving.  Exercise is essential to keeping your brain and every last cell in your body well oxygenated and well cared-for. Although vigorous exercise can have fantastic benefits, you don't need to push yourself to the max to reap the benefits. Walking just 20 minutes a day, 5 days a week can lead to weight loss, combat depression and anxiety and improve bodily functions.

5. Eat Your Fruits and Veggies. Although developed nations consume more calories per capita on a yearly basis than any people in human history many of us get those calories from fried foods and carbs which provide little to no nutritional value. Opt for nutrient dense foods like dark colored veggies and fleshy fruits.

What are your favorite ways to get and stay healthy?  Leave your thoughts in the comments below!

5 Great Ways to Get Started

In honor of our first publications, today's 5 Great Ways is 5 Great Ways to Get Started

1. Write it down. Putting your vision down on a paper is an easy, fast way to take inventory of where you are and what you take action on first.

2. Bounce around. Bouncing ideas off a friend or family member can help you get a different perspective by seeing things through their eyes. If you find yourself stuck or in and endless cycle of procrastination, explaining your ideas and situation out loud could be just the ticket to flip the switch to allow you to get moving.

3. Break out of your rut. If you find yourself unable to get started day after day it may be time for a break from everyday life. Do something spontaneous and new to give your brain the shake-up it needs to get in gear and be ready for action.


4. Make a list.  Outline the exact steps you need to take to make your vision a reality. For extra motivation  allow yourself to do the easiest tasks first. This will give you a sense of confidence to carry you through the tougher tasks yet to come.


5. Just do it! You're never going to have the perfect plan or have every last detail accounted for and in place. At some point you have to stop preparing and take the plunge!  Once you take a few small steps of action you might its much easier than you had imagined, making the rest of your journey smooth sailing.

How do you avoid procrastination and make it happen?  Leave a comment with your ideas!