Tuesday's Tip (The Wednesday Version) - Brain Stretching

So my effort to post on Tuesday was undone by my apparent need for sleep.  This is my way of an apology.  : )  OK, as mentioned in last Tuesday's post.  Today's topic is stretching your brain... figuratively speaking.

How flexible is your thinking?  Do you automatically reject a new idea that is introduced to you?  Are you experiencing the dark side of habits, that is, a predictable, boring and mundane life?  Do you push your limits?  Make an effort to learn or experience something new?

For myself, I've found that there's a great deal to learn in both the online and offline worlds.  Learning new information about various subjects or people keeps your brain flexible and, definitely, adds some spark to life.  From personal experience, I know that it can be painfully easy to get caught up in the day-to-day routine of work, errands, and social obligations.  By learning something new, however, you can break out of the day-to-day routine and add more vibrancy.  In addition to that, you also strengthen your mental "muscles."

Whether you're already a virtual mental yogini or someone who'd like to be less predictable.  Here are some links that can help you to stretch your brain -
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifehack/how-to-break-out-of-your-comfort-zone.html
http://www.braingle.com/index.php
http://trans4mind.com/
http://www.thematrixmind.com/
http://www.merriam-webster.com/
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/

Other ways to challenge your mind are to...
Listen to a different language even if you don't understand a single word...just keep an open ear
Learn a new language
Listen to a different radio station (talk radio/news/music)
Read about a person who interests you
Take a different route home or to work
Observe and write about your natural environment - a good GO GREEN! activity to do
Learn a new word--figure out how it's pronounced and use the word in a conversation
Think of unusual questions to ask someone
Think of a better way to do something
Evaluate your habits and try a new one

Tuesday's Tip

What to do if you want to stay healthy but you're short on time?  Good question.  : )

If you have 10 min you can ...
1.  Warm up and stretch 5 min
2.  Do 20 Shoulder Pendulums http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/workout/lose-weight/total-body/the-weekend-slim-down/?page=3
3. Do 22 Ab crunches...22 works best for me
4. Do 15 or more pushups
5. Cool down stretch

If you only have 5 min, you can...
1. Take 3 deep  breaths
2. Reach your hands above your head and stand on your "tippy toes"
3. Stretch to your left and right sides
4. Decide to eat healthier and drink more water

Hope this works for you all!