All posts by R.C. Liley

I'm an ex-mutual fund accountant who left the cubicle world to be a stay-at-home dad to my beautiful little girl, Avery, who entered our life on 11/15/13 and handsome little boy, Wes, who joined our family on 11/19/17. Also happily married to my wife, Kelley, as of 8/17/07. Sorry ladies... :) Fitness and nutrition is of the utmost importance in our family and we strive to reflect this in our daily life. I always prepare our meals at home and only go out if it's a special occasion, and even then I tend to not get much. Food should be fun and a joy to eat, not something quickly consumed from a fast food chain or scarf down before the next meeting. I have come from strictly logging high miles to train for the next marathon to keeping exercise varied and focusing more on strength. I still enjoy going for a run when I can, but nothing crazy, and I prefer hill sprints while pushing my daughter, Avery in the stroller. She loves it and I get a great workout! I want to show the world how to appreciate their body and feed it real, wholesome food while moving more throughout the day. In doing so, everyone would be healthier, happier, and we'd all live in a better place as a result. I blog mainly about my life as a stay-at-home dad and frequently include reviews, participate in campaigns, and share my thoughts on fitness and nutrition. If you ever have any questions or thoughts to share, please reach out as I'm always open to listening or helping others however possible. That is, when I have free time since Avery is and my wife are the number one priorities!
Going Healthy, Health, Life, Tips

Finding Your Zen: Wellness Tips For A Balanced Life After 50

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Crossing the milestone of 50 is not just about celebrating a number; it’s an opportunity to recalibrate life’s priorities, focusing more intently on wellness. Achieving a balanced life enriched with contentment and health becomes an aspiration and an attainable goal. Let’s explore how to weave wellness into every facet of life, ensuring that the years ahead are not just more but better.

Embracing Physical Activity

Movement is life’s essence. At this stage, it’s less about intense workouts and more about consistency and enjoyment. Find activities that you look forward to. This could mean brisk walks in nature, yoga sessions that connect body and mind, swimming for low impact yet effective exercise, or cycling through scenic routes. The key is to integrate movement naturally into your daily routine, making it a source of joy rather than a task.

Nourishing Your Body

As we age, our body’s needs change, and so should our diet. Focus on nourishing and energizing foods—fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. It’s also time to be mindful of hydration and drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Practice mindful eating, savor each bite, and listen to your body’s cues. This approach supports physical health and turns meals into moments of gratitude.

Maintaining Good Oral Hygiene

Oral health is a mirror of your overall health, especially after 50. A rigorous dental care routine—brushing twice daily, flossing daily, and regular dental check-ups—can prevent many health issues. Checking in with a wisdom tooth dentist in Apopka can help if you are experiencing issues with your wisdom tooth. Nutritional choices also play a critical role, foods high in calcium and low in sugar support tooth health. Remember, maintaining good oral hygiene is not just about preserving your smile; it’s about safeguarding your quality of life.

Cultivating Mental Well-Being

Mental wellness is as vital as physical health. Meditation and mindfulness can anchor you in the present, reducing stress and enhancing overall happiness. Hobbies that challenge the mind, whether it’s learning a new language or instrument, keep the brain engaged and lively. Don’t hesitate to reach out for professional support when needed. Mental health is a journey, not a destination.

Fostering Social Connections

Relationships enrich our lives with meaning. After 50, it’s crucial to cultivate and maintain these connections. Engage with your community, reconnect with old friends, and don’t shy away from making new ones. Technology can bridge distances, making it easier to stay in touch. Remember, social wellness contributes significantly to our emotional and mental health.

Prioritizing Rest And Relaxation

Quality rest is non-negotiable. Good sleep hygiene—establishing a calming pre-sleep routine, ensuring your bedroom is a sanctuary, and prioritizing seven to eight hours of sleep—can profoundly affect your well-being. Incorporate relaxation techniques into your day to manage stress effectively. This could be as simple as deep breathing exercises or enjoying a leisurely walk.

Embracing Lifelong Learning

Curiosity doesn’t age. Pursuing new knowledge and skills keeps the mind sharp and infuses life with adventure and growth. Take a class, attend a workshop, or indulge in books on topics that pique your interest. Lifelong learning fuels the spirit, encouraging a life of purpose and passion.

The journey through life after 50 is ripe with opportunities for growth, health, and happiness. The path to wellness is personal and universal, carved by individual choices but walked together with others. Embrace this journey with open arms and an open heart and discover the boundless possibilities that await.

Lifestyle, Parenting, Tips

Why Play Therapy Is an Integral Part of Family Counseling

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Playing isn’t only fun for kids – it’s how they talk and learn! This idea is used in counseling services for children, where play therapy includes games and activities to help kids express themselves. During this time, families get to understand each other better.

Play therapy is integral in counseling, giving families a safe space to talk and build a deeper bond. Families often seek support when dealing with everyday challenges or more complex issues, such as the need for therapeutic placement services to treat teens who require extra help. This creative counseling can create a safe space for families to share their feelings and build a strong foundation.

Do you want your household to enhance communication and relate to each other? Using fun therapy with a qualified counselor can help. Here, we’ll share the reasons why this type of counseling can unlock a world of understanding and build a brighter future for your loved ones.

Strengthening Family Bonds Through Fun

Play is a natural way for children to learn and grow. But sometimes, it’s difficult for adults to reach that level. Parent-child therapy using play can bridge the gap.

Studies show that play therapy helps with many things, from anxiety to depression and social skills. Families can share their needs and deeper understanding by playing together.

Laughter and shared experiences create a positive space. Families can see each other in a fresh way. They can uncover hidden strengths and work as one to find solutions.

Play Therapy Fosters Connection

Play is also a way for kids to talk about their feelings. Too many rules can make it hard for kids to connect with grown-ups and communicate. Play therapy helps everyone find common ground and express their feelings or problems in a fun way.

Many parents struggle with their child’s behavior, but play therapy can help! It allows parents to follow their child’s lead and build trust. Playful interactions create an open environment for families to understand each other without words. It’s a great way to heal! This therapy encourages vulnerability and strengthens the natural bond.

Play Therapy for Grief

Words sometimes fail us, especially when grappling with profound loss. Consider a household who had recently experienced a tragedy or heartbreak. The pain is raw, making open communication difficult. This silence can tear a family apart.

Traditional communication can feel overwhelming. Play therapy provides a comfort zone for expression. Through creative, guided sessions, relatives find a way to express their shared grief.

The toys and stories created serve as a mirror, reflecting their struggles and allowing them to witness each other’s pain. The focus isn’t on finding answers but acknowledging the depth of loss. Through these fun activities, families can find healing and reconnection by expressing emotions as a unit. Though the pain remains, they’re no longer facing it alone.

The Power of Play

Play therapy is a unique approach to family counseling. It’s a technique for families to work through challenges and enhance trust. Using fun and games to heal can help families build stronger bonds, work through problems collectively, and feel closer.

Consider this creative therapy and find a qualified counselor if your loved ones want improved communication and openness.

Health, Lifestyle, Tips

How Addiction-Related Guilt and Shame Affect You as an Individual

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It is often easier to become addicted to a substance like drugs or alcohol than you might think. Different people start using these substances for various reasons, but everyone who does has something in common. It is quite likely that they will begin to feel shame and guilt at some point.

Facilities like the Choice House in Colorado exist to help people who are struggling with alcohol or other substances. Getting to one and seeing what they can do for you becomes crucial if you realize that a substance has taken over your life and is having an adverse effect on you.

You should also be aware of what these addictions can do to you from a psychological standpoint. Let’s talk about that in detail right now.

Guilt

Most people have the capacity to feel guilty if they understand that they are doing something wrong. Those who do not are typically either psychopaths or sociopaths. They are wired differently, but most individuals do not fall into either of those categories.

Assuming you’re someone who has the capacity to feel guilty, that will probably happen at some point during the addiction process. That’s because you could be using the money you spend on drugs or alcohol on more productive things. For instance, if you’re someone who has dependents, like children or other family members who are relying on you, you know that you could be spending the money on food and other necessities rather than on your selfishness.

Shame

Guilt and shame are closely related. If you reach a point where you’re feeling guilty about your behavior, then feeling shame usually follows close behind that.

Shame is something that follows you for as long as you continue the objectionable activity. You can try to hide from it or tamp it down by drinking or using more drugs, but it will always be there at the back of your mind. It can get to the point where it feels like an itch you can’t scratch.

How Can You Rid Yourself of These Feelings?

Most people want to rid themselves of feelings of guilt and shame, but how can they do it? Usually, they must figure out a way to break the cycle of behavior that is causing them to feel these ways.

For someone who’s addicted to alcohol or drugs, that often involves either the person’s family intervening or the individual making a decision on their own that they’re going to make a change. That could involve seeking a treatment program. Such a person might find an inpatient or outpatient facility that works for them. They might join AA if they’re an alcoholic or NA if they’re struggling with drugs.

Some people can get themselves off of drugs or alcohol without formally becoming part of a program, but that’s rare. You must have tremendous determination to do so.

If you feel guilt and shame because of your substance use, though, you must take action sooner or later. Otherwise, these feelings will persist.