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What Are the Rewards for Healthy Living?

It seems obvious what the main benefit of living a healthy lifestyle is: being healthier. But let’s think a little deeper on that – what are the rewards that living healthy gets you? What’s the point? Why put all this time and effort into living in a healthy way?

There are plenty of great reasons to live healthily. Here are just three of the big ones:

You’ll feel better.

It’s impossible to overstate how much better you’ll feel physically and emotionally when you live a healthy lifestyle. When your body gets the proper nutrition and you exercise regularly to stay in good physical shape, you’ll feel more powerful, more steady, and more centered. You’ll go through life knowing you’re doing what’s best for you. Contrast that with living an unhealthy lifestyle – you’ll probably feel like you’re dragging like you’re depressed, and like there’s no light at the end of the tunnel. Feel better by doing what’s right for your body.

Your mental health will improve.

When you live in an unhealthy manner, your mental health suffers. Eating well and exercising benefit your physical health, yes, but it’s also very important for the health of your mind. While physical health isn’t the only way to feel good about yourself, it certainly helps. And living healthy goes beyond diet and exercise – being healthy on the whole means thinking positively about yourself, being social and having healthy relationships with others, and enjoying what you do day in and day out.

It’s good for your loved ones.

Do you think your loved ones want to see you be unhealthy? Wouldn’t you rather be around for as long as possible to love and support your family members and friends? Being healthy isn’t just about you – it’s about those in your close inner circle who care about you and your health. Even if you don’t live a healthy lifestyle for yourself, live it for those who matter most.

Change Your Life Through Health

Whether it’s eating healthy, exercising regularly, improving your mental well-being, or all of the above, living a healthy lifestyle is about more than, well… health. It’s about feeling your best and bettering the lives of those around you, too.

Monday Motivational Quotes for Work

Let’s be honest: No one likes Mondays. Often, it can be difficult to find the inspiration to get out of bed and get your week started. If you’re looking for a little motivation by the time next week rolls around, you’ve come to the right place. Here are five great motivational quotes to help get your week off to a great start:

“Build your own dreams or someone else will hire you to build theirs.”- Farrah Gray

Remember: You’re an entrepreneur. The goal is not to work for someone else – it’s to lay your own path and work for yourself. Start every week with this in mind, and it will give you the push you need to get started on the important work you’re doing.

“The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.” – Steve Jobs

Apple’s late co-founder was many things, and a hard worker was definitely one of them. And his philosophy on work was simple: love what you do, and great work will follow. Remind yourself at the start of every week why you started your business venture and what it means to you.

“Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out.” – Robert Collier

Sometimes, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of work in front of you. But remember Robert Collier’s quote when you get that feeling. Break it into manageable chunks – it’s the little things you do every day that adds up to the big picture of success.

“Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor.” – Truman Capote

Like it or not, you’re not going to succeed without failing at some point along the way. When setbacks come, embrace them as learning opportunities, as something that will just sweeten the pot when success does come.

“Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” – Maya Angelou

You became an entrepreneur because you like it – it’s as simple as that. You don’t want to sit behind a desk all day or perform monotonous tasks for eight hours a day in pursuit of a paycheck. Doing the work you do is important and fun, and remembering that can make all the difference in the world when you need a little motivation.

Entrepreneurial Success is Within Your Reach

Partnering with Naturals2Go means you get the resources and know-how to be a successful entrepreneur in the healthy vending space. To learn more about us and speak with a member of our team, contact us online.

What Does it Mean to be Proactive About Your Health Risks?

Ask any health professional, and they’ll tell you it’s better to be proactive when it comes to your health rather than reactive. But what does that mean, exactly? How can you be proactive about your health in order to avoid health problems when you don’t even know what they are?

Here are five key ways to be proactive about your health:

Know your genetics.

Many diseases and disorders have a genetic link. That’s why it’s important to discuss your family health history and find out about any issues that run in your family. If you know a close relative had a heart attack at a young age, for example, sharing this information with your doctor can allow you to take steps toward better heart health in the present.

Eat well.

Few things impact your health as directly as your diet. When you eat a healthy, balanced diet full of the right nutrients for good health, you’re setting yourself up for a lifetime of wellness. Try to eat balanced meals of vegetables, lean meats, and minimal sugar and sodium, and skip the sugary snacks and sodas when you can. There’s nothing wrong with indulging sometimes, but make a habit of it and you’re harming your health.

Exercise.

Get moving! Exercise is the absolute best way to keep your body – and mind – in great shape for a lifetime. Whether it’s working out at the gym, taking a job around the neighborhood after work, or practicing yoga in the mornings, getting at least a half-hour or so of vigorous physical activity every day is so important for your good health. It helps to prevent a lot of problems, like obesity and heart disease, too.

Get screened.

Early detection of risk factors through screenings and tests is essential, especially if certain health risks run in your family. Ask your doctor what kind of prevention tests might make sense for you – it’s one of the simplest and most effective ways to be proactive about your health.

See your doctor regularly.

Last but not least, hold regular checkups at your doctor’s office. Being seen by your healthcare professional on a regular basis is the best way to be proactive about your good health and catch any issues early.

Don’t Be Reactive When It Comes to Health

Be proactive and avoid health troubles before they happen. Remember: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

Challenges Facing Entrepreneurship (and How to Manage Them)

In today’s competitive markets, entrepreneurs face more challenges than ever before. Some of them are external, and some are internal. The question is, how can you go about tackling these challenges to make sure your venture stays on track?

Let’s take a look at just three of the big challenges facing today’s entrepreneurs and what you can do to manage them successfully.

Time Management

As an entrepreneur, you’re wearing many hats, from salesperson and marketing professional to distributor, office manager, and much more. It’s easy to get overwhelmed, and you’re not alone if you think you could accomplish more if only you had more time. Time management is without a doubt one of the biggest challenges facing entrepreneurs.

The solution? You can’t magically create more time, so you need to use the time you do have wisely. If tasks don’t help you reach your goals, eliminate them. If you can’t, delegate them. Always be thinking about what is the best use of your time, and take steps to make the time you do have as valuable as possible.

Preparing for Growth

Another common challenge for entrepreneurs is that they’re often unprepared when things go well, and when their business starts to grow. You might get to a point where you can’t take on any more work in your current situation. What you need to do is prepare ahead of time, even if you’re convinced your business will never grow larger than it is right now. Have the materials and processes in place beforehand so that you can easily transition as your business scales up.

Self-Doubt

Perhaps the greatest internal challenge facing entrepreneurs is self-doubt. It’s only natural to feel discouraged when your business feels like it’s stagnating or when you’re overwhelmed. Self-doubt will surely creep in at some point as you’re getting your venture off the ground. The trick is recognizing it when it happens and having a good support system around you – friends, family, colleagues, mentors – to keep your spirits up. It’s also a good idea to think about why you started your business in the first place, and to look back at lists of goals or accomplishments to remind you how far you’ve come.

Become an Entrepreneur With Us

Launch your entrepreneurial journey with Naturals2Go and find out how much opportunity there is in the healthy vending space. Get in touch with a member of our team today to learn more.

What it Means to be “Zen” and Why You Should Care

Sometimes, we hear the word “Zen,” and it calls to mind images of hippies and peace signs. But the truth is that Zen as a practice is more than an aesthetic – it’s a very real approach that helps millions of people. And even if you aren’t interested in incorporating the concept of Zen into your daily life, there’s something we can all learn from this approach to benefit ourselves and our mental health.

What is “Zen?”

Specifically, Zen describes a type of Buddhism in which meditation is used to stay present, intentional, and non-judgmental. In more general terms, Zen describes a feeling of peace, enlightenment, and oneness. In the context of today’s modern world, being more “Zen” refers to slowing down, calming the chaos of everyday life in order to feel more centered.

How does it support a healthy lifestyle?

The effects of stress on the human body have been well-documented. They include increased headaches, higher blood pressure, an increased risk of anxiety and depression, digestive issues, a higher risk of diabetes and heart conditions… the list goes on. Practicing a more Zen lifestyle is a great way to reduce your overall stress level on a daily basis – and that’s a good thing for your health in every way.

How can you be more Zen?

You don’t have to become a Buddhist monk or a yoga fanatic to be more Zen in your daily life. Here are some quick tips:

- - - Practice mindful breathing. Pull a big inhale through your nose, filling up your lungs, while saying the word “let” to yourself. Then, exhale deeply while telling yourself “go.” Repeat this several times to achieve a sense of balance and calm.
    - Try a mini-meditation session. Set aside five minutes to simply sit in a comfortable position and breathe deeply. Try to observe your thoughts as they pass by – don’t concentrate heavily on them, just imagine them passing as you relax.
    - Be silly. Laughter, as they say, is the best medicine. And being happy is a key part of being Zen. Do something silly to make yourself laugh – skip instead of walking, make a funny face. You’ll be surprised at the way it calms and centers you.

Try Being More Zen

Being present and intentional. Taking a moment to slow down amidst the chaos of everyday life. That’s what Zen is all about. Make a point to try and be more Zen this year, and watch how it improves your mindset as time goes on.

Ways to Protect and Improve Your Mental Health

May is Mental Health Awareness Month – there’s no better time of year to think about ways you can protect your mental health, and even improve upon it. Here are four tips:

Rely on your support system.

What kind of support system do you have in place around you? Family? Friends? Coworkers? These people are absolutely essential to your mental health and well-being. In fact, a lack of social support has even been linked to physical health ailments, like depression, cardiovascular disease, and an increased likelihood of substance abuse. So, whether it’s keeping in touch with a family member or spending quality time with your friends on a regular basis, rely on your support system. Humans are social creatures, and interaction with others is an important ingredient to a healthy lifestyle.

Make it a daily practice.

Improving your mental health isn’t a sprint. It’s a marathon. And the best way to keep your mental health protected – and to make it better – is to make it a daily practice. That can mean different things for different people. Some practice yoga, meditation, or breathwork. Others go on the same walk during their lunch hour. Whatever it is, make time for yourself every single day, and keep this sacred time set aside for you and only you.

Outsource things that tax your mental health.

Think about the things that really drain you and put a strain on your mental health. Can you “outsource” them to someone else, or get rid of them entirely? Hiring an accountant to do your taxes; relying on a delivery service for dinner one night rather than cooking; bringing on a babysitter to take care of the kids one night a week. Whatever it is, getting some kind of outside help to give yourself a break can really make a huge difference.

Ask for help.

If you find yourself struggling with your mental health, talk to someone. That doesn’t mean you have to set up an appointment to see a psychologist. You can use a mental health app to talk to a professional confidentially or set up a telehealth visit with your doctor. Professional help is available to you if you need it – don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Improve Your Mental Health This Year

This spring and beyond, focus on improving and protecting your mental health. It’s important in so many ways!

Women in Franchising – Top Franchises and Business Opportunities for Women

Naturals2Go is extremely proud to provide amazing business opportunities to women across North America! In the latest issue of Franchise Consultant Magazine (May, 2022), Naturals2Go Owner-Operators Lyndsey Wolfsmith and Dyanne Savage were highlighted.

You can see the full article below or visit Franchise Consultant Magazine to read.

And, if you’re looking to start and grow your own successful business, we would love to support you. One of our highly experienced business consultants can work with you to determine the right options, plans and support to fit your needs. Contact us today!

How the Pandemic Reprioritized Mental Health in the Workplace

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a lot of long-lasting effects on our lives and society at large, including in the workplace. And strange as it may sound, not all of them were bad. One silver lining of the pandemic is that it cast a new light on the importance of mental health in the workplace. Today, companies who are acknowledging the importance of mental health to employees are succeeding – and those that aren’t are falling behind.

Why the renewed focus on mental health?

When the pandemic hit, it cast a shadow of uncertainty over the world. At the same time, many employees who used to work on-site suddenly started working from home for the foreseeable future, many of whom are still doing so. And all of that uncertainty and isolation made for a poor mental health environment – many workers were more stressed, burnt-out, and mentally unhealthy than ever before.

How have employers responded?

Companies and employers who take their employees’ mental health seriously have responded in a variety of ways as the pandemic shifted a new focus onto this area of our lives. Some companies gave employees extra mental health “recharge” days, started encouraging regular breaks throughout the day, or even provided financial stipends to help families cope during difficult times. Other companies provided training to management so that leaders could help their team members cope, or started hosting virtual meditation sessions or happy hours to help employees feel connected and supported.

How can becoming an entrepreneur help?

The pandemic also demonstrated for many people how important and rewarding it can be to take charge of your career by being your own boss. Becoming an entrepreneur is one of the best ways to do that. It means you can make your own hours, working when it’s best for you – that means better work/life balance and an even higher level of job satisfaction.

Take Charge of Your Career – And Your Mental Health

Looking for a great way to become an entrepreneur with the support of a successful company at your back? Enter the healthy vending space with Naturals2Go. It’s a great time to capitalize on the shift toward wellness and healthy eating, and it’s the perfect way to benefit your own mental health, too. Contact a member of our team to learn more.

Recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month! We think spring is the perfect time of year to focus on this extremely important topic. Mental health can often go overlooked, especially when compared to our also-important physical health. But the truth is that your mental health is equally important to your overall well-being.

What does “mental health” mean, exactly?

Mental health encompasses our emotional, psychological, and social well-being, and affects how we think, feel, and act, according to mentalhealth.gov. When a person has poor mental health, it can affect them negatively, leading to physical health symptoms as well as strained relationships, mood swings, the inability or struggle to perform daily tasks, and much more.

When a person has positive mental health, on the other hand, they’re able to enjoy positive relationships with others, cope with life’s daily stresses, and make meaningful contributions to their families, work, and society at large.

What does Mental Health Awareness Month involve?

During May, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) joins the national movement to raise awareness about this part of health. Every year, the organization fights the stigma against mental health and provides support, educates the public, and advocates for policies that support people suffering from mental illnesses and their families.

For 2022’s Mental Health Awareness Month, NAMI’s goal is to amplify the message of “Together for mental health.” The organization aims to advocate for mental health and increase access to care through NAMI’s blog, personal stories, videos, digital toolkits, social media engagements, and national events.

How can you improve your mental health?

Looking for quick ways to boost or maintain your mental health? Here are some ideas:

- - - Practice gratitude. Be thankful for the good things in your life, and remind yourself of them daily.
    - Take care of yourself physically. Physical health has an important and inextricable connection with your mental health. Exercise regularly, eat well and get enough sleep every night.
    - Connect with others. Humans are social creatures. Having a good support system around you, such as family and friends is extremely important.
    - See a professional. If you’re struggling with your mental health, see a professional. Talking to a therapist is extremely beneficial for many people, including those without any kind of diagnosed mental illness.

It’s Time to Better Your Mental Health

This month, take steps to better your own mental health and advocate for others as well. Download NAMI’s 2022 Awareness Event Guide, take action when opportunities arise in your community and consider sharing your own mental health story to encourage others to prioritize their mental health.