Routines and Rituals - Simple Pleasures of Life

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Routines and Rituals

Simple Pleasures of Life

JAIMI TAYLOR

Rags to Riches Entertainment Group

An imprint of Aauvi House Publishing Group

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Published by Aauvi House Publishing Group at Smashwords

Copyright 2013 Jaimi Taylor

All rights reserved. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher.

E-ISBN: Smashwords Edition

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Titles by Jaimi Taylor

DERAILED - Memoirs of a Botched Hysterectomy (Endometriosis Awareness)

Routines and Rituals - Simple Pleasures of Life

Romance - Up Close and Personal

That Je Ne Sais Quoi Factor - What It Is and How To Get It

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Contents

Book Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Introduction

1 – Simple Pleasures of Life

2 – Living the Good Life

3 – Morning Routines and Rituals

4 – Informed

5 – Educated

6 – Take Care of You

7 – Splurge on You

8 – Spiritual Space

9 – Nighttime Routines…Rituals

10 – Meditation

Closing Remarks

End of Book

About the Author

About the Publisher

Books by Aauvi House

Excerpts by Aauvi House

Credits

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Introduction

In its brief history, Aauvi House Publishing Group has become the new it marketers of information-based lifestyle solutions in the self-help and how-to markets for all age groups. Reinforcing a belief that living a planned extraordinarily fulfilled lifestyle is of paramount importance to its readers.

The Insiders’ Lifestyle Guides series is a first, of a twenty-one book series, that will be revised and re-launched periodically with all new material. These books feature famous themed cities represented by the book covers and include an introduction comprising a short story about its featured city. Annually, the series guides will be rolled up as chapter inserts into a single book and sold during the holiday season.

Anyone who desires the secrets to A-list living, values their appearance, is concerned about lifestyle or just needs more information can benefit from reading and continually referring back to the Insiders’ Lifestyle Guides series. Each book – practical in its approach – is full of facts that teach you how to make the most of your life, how to achieve peak performance, and how to maintain general health. In short, the Aauvi House Publishing Group, Rags to Riches Entertainment imprint’s ability to offer its readers a more complete and concise migration path to an extraordinary red carpet lifestyle, just got better.

Information Is Timeless

Everyone holds a secret desire to be part of the A-list seeking a confident, fashionable, and extraordinary life. These series guides make transformation routine to which all men and women will relate.

Actionable Strategies

The Insiders’ Lifestyle Guides series contains specific strategies in each book and edition that can transform lives. It details social skills of boosting confidence, replacing bad habits, and re-inventing one’s self. These books will appeal to professionals, parents, and generations of young adults.

About the Authors

The Insiders’ Lifestyle Guides series are written by a team of contributing authors, all of whom have a witty, quirky, slapstick appeal.

About Our Cover Story – London England

Since jet setting is part of such a grand lifestyle, the Insiders’ Lifestyle Guides series theme includes a cultural or travel experience with every book. That is, between promotional junkets, film festivals and red carpet appearances, celebrities can rack up as many frequent-flyer miles as they do trips to rehab. And so can you, once you have an insider bird’s eye view of the possibilities.

Whether traveling by plane or virtually by way of these pages, our cover story, London England features the Palace of Westminster. The Palace of Westminster, also known as the Houses of Parliament or Westminster Palace, in London is where the two Houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom (the House of Lords and the House of Commons) meet to conduct their business.

London is the capital of England and the United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures.

London is also one of the world’s leading tourism destinations, and the city is home to an array of famous tourist attractions. London attracts 30 million international visitors per year, making it the world’s most visited in terms of international visits.

Although London is a beautiful city with many indoor attractions, it is sometimes rainy or cold during the autumn and winter months (October to April). In summer the average high temperatures are around 73 degrees. Winter months are cold with highs around 45 degrees. September and October are especially wet and rainy.

About Routines and Rituals

There is something great about A-list living and Routines and Rituals, the eighth book of a twenty-one book series, is just another step toward living the good life. It is not just in what the things you do for others, but more importantly, it is in the things you have done for yourself. In so doing you are totally changing your relationship with the thoughts that usually drive you crazy.

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Simple Pleasures of Life

Stop and smell the roses, and slow life way down. Whether you’re grabbing a bite to eat at a café or getting a spa service, it’s always kind of a letdown to rush to pay and hurry along the second you’re finished. Instead, spend a few extra minutes enjoying your coffee post-meal and savoring your surroundings, or actually take advantage of the shower at the spa. Giving yourself license to really soak in a calming moment deepens and prolongs your happiness as you transition back into the real world. In fact, lingering intensifies the pleasure of the experience.

Life Has A Rhythm

When you watch television, films and special events, it’s music that sets the scene. The soundtrack helps create the emotions, pace and rhythm of each moment. It’s what makes you excited during a car chase and uplifted during a romantic moment. Why should your life be any different?

Studies show that music affects behavior. The music you listen to can make you work faster or slower, and feel more or less relaxed. By adding the right music to your daily activities, you can invent the right soundtrack for your life. From cooking and cleaning to eating and exercising, selecting music that complements your experiences creates a better rhythm for your day.

Cleaning Up

Doing chores around the house can be lot more enjoyable and get finished much more quickly when it’s done to the sounds of a favorite high-energy song. Try choosing upbeat melodies as the background for chores. You’ll establish a quicker pace to get work done. If the whole family is doing chores together, time can be divided into thirty minute slots where each person gets a chance to choose the music.

Mind and Body

Working out is not just about the body, but about the brain as well. Playing the right music is important for both. For some aerobic workouts the right music might be fast and exciting, while for a yoga session it may be classical and calming. Choose the right soundtrack for your heart and head.

At the Office

The rhythm of your office life varies throughout the day. Sometimes you need to get things done quickly, and other times you need to slow down and focus. In general, new music keeps your brain active and your energy up. When you need to concentrate, try familiar songs that aren’t too complex and have few or no lyrics.

Dinner and Dancing

Every dinner party has a rhythm and your music should underscore it. Will your music be loud and fast, or soft and mellow? Or will it be both? Perhaps some classical music during dinner, followed by jazz music for dancing. You’re in charge of the sounds that create the mood.

Relax

Music can turn an otherwise hectic moment into something more peaceful. Research shows that when the music in a supermarket slows down, shoppers move through the store more slowly and spend more time looking at the food in each aisle.

Use this knowledge to slow down your own activities and get the most out of them. Try listening to relaxing music as you’re cooking dinner for your family and spending time with your kids. You may be able to set a slower pace – and find a relaxing moment where you didn’t know there was one.

Soundtrack of Your Life

The rhythm of your day is as unique as your DNA. Shouldn’t your music be too? Your life has a soundtrack. Start using it to your advantage – and enjoying it.

Take the Extra Five Minutes

Let your nail polish really dry for once.

Stretch after a run, when you just want to collapse.

Help the elderly woman with the groceries up the stairs.

Confirm that the dog has water, the house is locked and your hair isn’t weird.

Measure your doorway before you buy the sofa.

Make sure you didn’t hit reply all.

Find a condom.

Sneak in a quickie.

Let mom know you’re alive.

Wait until the champagne is icy cold.

It’s the Simple Pleasures of Life

Here are some more reasons to pay attention and enjoy the simple pleasures of life.

Friend Formula

Understanding that those dearest to you show and accept love differently is key. For example, you may not be a big phone person, but if your best friend is, pick up the phone and show your friend you care, by calling occasionally. They might later reveal that you are their best friend.

Workout Plan

Create a fitness club with several friends. Have weekly check-ins and a reward system for getting back into shape and maintenance thereafter. You won’t want to let your friends down, so success will be much more likely.

Happiness Requirements

What are your happiness requirements?

Ordering in and hunkering down with your significant other to watch television?

Hanging and talking about nothing and everything with your best friends and sibling?

Reading a magazine cover to cover.

Make a list and incorporate them in your daily life and you’ll be happier, too.

Style Changers

Wear your clothes! Don’t leave your nice things in the closet because you are afraid to ruin them. It’s important to get dressed!

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Living the Good Life

Biologically, we’re animals; primates, in fact. And we have many primal needs that get ignored and keep us from living the good life. That’s why the prescription for living the good life may be as simple as asking, What would a cavewoman do?

Move Your Body

Think about the cavewoman, being active all day, gathering berries and carrying water. This was considered survival back then, but now we call it cardio. Exercise is the first step to living the good life. Those who integrate cardio into their routines will see the benefits every single day.

Mounting research shows that regular exercise helps to improve brain chemistry to ward off depression. To reap these benefits, you need to schedule at least two exercise sessions during the workweek and one on the weekend. Or break up your workday by going to the gym or at least walking around outside the building during lunchtime.

Get Some Natural Light

Human beings need sunlight. This wasn’t a problem for ladies who lived off the land way back when. Spend your days in a windowless office; however, as many women do, and your mood, energy and well being will almost surely take a nosedive. Insufficient levels of vitamin D, which is manufactured by your body when you’re exposed to sunlight, have been linked to conditions such as depression, chronic pain, autoimmune diseases and PMS.

Ask your doctor to check your vitamin D levels; if they are low, she may recommend a supplement of 1,000 IU or more. Or take advantage of the natural benefits of summertime: Even 10 to 15 minutes of sun exposure, without SPF, three times each week is enough to produce what your body needs of vitamin D.

And the benefits of getting outside every day aren’t just about vitamin D: Remember, we’re animals. Human beings thrive in their natural habitat, which happens to be the great outdoors. A study of depressed patients showed that those who went on nature walks had improvement in their mood, tension levels and self-esteem. Also, simply having a leafy plant in your office may help you feel happier and more satisfied, according to another study. Don’t forget – you are a living, breathing creature on a living, breathing planet. Go out and walk amid the rocks and trees and call it therapy.

Eat Real Food

If you were a cavewoman, you would eat foods that grow in the earth, like veggies, nuts and fruits. Nothing refined, synthetic, hydrogenated or, for that matter, even partially hydrongenated. Cavewomen didn’t live on phenylacetaldehyde dimethyl acetal (yes, that’s an actual ingredient), and neither should you.

Your body is an engine. If you don’t give it high-grade fuel, it won’t run at top speed. We were meant to nourish ourselves with nutrient-rich foods. A plant-based diet, plus lean meats and fish, is what will make you feel your best.

And don’t forget hydration. Drink water, and your skin will thank you, as will your kidneys and bladder. Diet soda is not very cave-womanly, nor is any chemical-laden juice.

Women are not meant to be bone thin, as many women strive to be. So don’t kill yourself trying to get there. Plus, guys are drawn to your body at its most natural state. Some brain scans suggest that men go gaga over curves, which, after all, signify fertility.

Beware of Predators

Sex-drive predators, that is. One of the top complaints for women is low sex drive. Many want to want sex, but rarely feel up for it. While stress, anxiety and clinical disorders are all known bedroom buzz kills, there’s something else at work here that our cavewoman ancestors didn’t have to contend with: prescription drugs. Although they can be lifesavers, certain medications can do a number on sex drive, too.

Take the Pill. A new German study found that women on hormonal birth control, including the Pill and ring, had lower levels of sexual desire and arousal than women on non-hormonal methods or none at all. One possible explanation is that the Pill lowers levels of testosterone, which is critical for a robust libido Plus, because the Pill prevents ovulation, it also inhibits the spike in sex drive many women notice mid-cycle.

Another common culprit: anti-depressants. Nearly 90 percent of women taking certain ones experience sexual side effects such as decreased desire and difficulty reaching orgasm. Many other women are on the double whammy of anti-depressants and oral contraceptives. Unfortunately, these women have the odds stacked against their innate desire to get it on.

The more drugs you take, the more you interfere with your body’s natural processes, including libido. Make it a goal to keep prescriptions to a minimum. If you suspect your birth control is hurting your sex drive, consider non-hormonal options.

As for anti-depressants, if you’ve been diagnosed with major depression, or you’re being treated for bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, you need your meds. But many women who are sad or stressed out aren’t necessarily clinically depressed.

Accept Some Natural Moodiness

Do you think cavewomen never had crappy days? They didn’t even have indoor plumbing. It’s completely normal to experience emotional ups and downs. Many times it’s hormonal. Also, we women can be naturally empathic and sensitive – qualities that, evolutionarily speaking, have helped us become good caretakers but can make us feel distressed on behalf of others.

But in our society, there’s such a focus on always being up, productive, happy that we might be removing the truest parts of ourselves in the interest of fitting in and keeping up with our friends, significant others and co-workers. Always remember: If you need anti-depressants take them. And never, ever stop taking them without first talking to your doctor.

But also know that there are effective non-pharmaceutical ways to help regulate your mood. In clinical research, psychotherapy has proven to be as effective as medication for mild to moderate depression. And don’t underestimate the transformative powers of a healthy lifestyle. If you’re eating plants, sleeping well and doing cardio a few days a week, your mood will absolutely improve.

The point, Mother Nature knows best. Follow what comes naturally for you as a human animal and you’ll be calmer, happier, more energized – and most important, you’ll stay off your psychiatrist’s couch.

Connect with Others – In Person

Most primates are inherently social beings; we tend to bond in pairs and troops. This might help explain our striving to constantly keep up with Facebook groups and total strangers on Twitter. Ironically, while Americans are more connected than ever, we’re also increasingly cut off from each other. We feverishly text and e-mail away, but have less and less quality face time with people we really care about. Our virtual reality is devoid of the essential primal elements of bonding, namely touch, eye contact and the processing of pheromones. Early research suggests these chemicals produced by our bodies help us communicate with other humans through scent.

Unsurprisingly, there seems to be a relationship between excessive Internet use and depression according to research. At least a few times a week, do your primate self a