Four (4) Ways To Spend A Meaningful Christmas This Year

December is one of the busiest months in the Philippines and Christmas is inarguably, the most celebrated event in the country. Throughout this season, the spirit of gift-giving and family bonding is strongest and at its best than anytime during the entire year.

 How To Spend A Meaningful Christmas This Year

With the recent destruction brought about by Typhoon Yolanda, celebrating Christmas has never been more meaningful than ever. The disaster is a painful reminder that it is the perfect season to help one another. The tragedy makes us all aware that we should not take things for granted and instead, we should treasure what we have, no matter how small they are and how insignificant they may seem to be.

With the long break coming in soon, here are some suggestions on how to have a meaningful holiday this 2013.

1.       Join fund-raising events. Attend a benefit concert with your folks. Prioritize eating out in establishments that support #OperationRebuildPH rather than your normal dine-in restaurants. Instead of the usual gifts such as clothes or shoes which you will normally buy at the mall during the holidays, opt for T-shirts for a cause and give them as presents to your nephews and nieces. If your batch is organizing an elementary, high-school or college reunion, take this opportunity to connect with your former classmates and come up with ideas to raise more funds for the victims of the most powerful storm to hit the land.

2.       Lend a hand. Bring a friend and become volunteers in repacking relief goods in your vicinity. Keep in mind that there’s nothing more special than putting yourself out there and being involved first-hand. For instance, if you live in the Diliman area, Project Lightline is looking for individuals who can assist in recycling old chargers into portable ones for people who were affected by the storm and currently suffering from lack of electricity.

3.       Create a home project with your sons and daughters. Clean up and de-clutter. Segregate new and partially used items that can be put up for a garage sale later on – stuff toys for kids, slippers for all ages, blankets and pillow cases. You can donate the proceeds to the typhoon survivors.

4.       Spend valuable time with your family. This one is often overlooked and especially taken for granted. Do remember that time is precious. Learn to appreciate the presence of loved ones and work towards making each moment memorable. Go sightseeing with them. Plan a productive excursion and go to Tagaytay to commune with nature.  Get to Nuvali, have a picnic, go boating or fishing. Instill the value of Mother Nature to your children. By creating awareness to them, you are helping them realize that they can help out in their own little way.

Five (5) Quick Tips On How To Be Fit And Healthy While On The Go

The demands in our daily lives could make us forget about our health. For a career person who’s out to prove his worth, work could dominate 50-70% of his entire focus. For a mother with kids, taking care of her husband and children could take up to 80% or 90% of her time. It is then important to have a regimen to keep yourself fit especially in the midst of all the happenings around you.

If you are one of those people who are always on the go, here is a quick guide on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Learn how you could apply these simple principles towards living a balanced life.

       1.       Water. Water makes up 70-75% of the body weight of an average human being. You can survive for a month with no food but without H2O, you would not last even for three days. Drink a tall glass of water every morning as soon as you wake up. Consume eight (8) glasses or 1.5 liters for the rest of the day. Bring a tumbler wherever you go and remember to always stay hydrated.

      2.       Sleep. The consequence of not getting enough rest could range from drugs, tobacco and alcohol abuse to poor decision making and traffic accidents. Therefore, make sure that you squeeze it in on your 24-hour sched. Close your eyes and take a 10 to 15 minute break from what you’re doing. Take a power nap if you could afford it. Limit your caffeine intake and when you retire for bed during the night, make your room a few degrees cooler and darker so you can sleep better.

3.       Food. Never skip breakfast. Have an apple or banana readily available in case you have a busy schedule ahead. You are what you eat. Proper nutrition could help you prevent sickness so include veggies in your diet. If you have the chance to cook in the kitchen, stick to steamed, grilled, or boiled cooking instead of fried or baked in oil. Put in some packed foods on your desk or in your car – low-fat granola bars or grain crackers, bread and peanut butter or canned fish.

       4.       Exercise. The effect of regular exercise could do wonders to your mood and stamina. It could reduce the risk of several diseases too such as stroke, diabetes and cancer. Create a plan to stimulate all your muscles. For instance, if your office is situated in the PEZA zone, make it a habit to walk the distance along the blocks. If your workstation is on the third floor, climb those stairs instead of opting for the elevator. On weekends, see to it that you participate in the ph outdoor activities held in your locality – a game of basketball with the neighbors, a yoga routine with fellow-moms in the park or a summer marathon for a cause. Be active and stretch those arms and legs.

5.       Attitude. How you deal with stress could have a momentous effect on your total well-being. Hence, develop the power of positive thinking. Do not forget to have fun. Take a moment to laugh, enjoy the sceneries and smile. 

Take a Breather

If you're looking for a different kind of outdoor adventure without busting your budget, why not try camping in the Philippines?

Taking a breather from the busyness of daily life is sure to refresh you and help you gain clarity from the hustle and bustle in the city. Camping in the Philippines is one of the many ways you can enjoy the beauty and natural resources of this 7,101-island archipelago. The Philippines is home not only to beautiful beaches and numerous species of fish and corals, but also with lush forests and various species of plants and animals. More than 13,500 plant species can be found in the Philippines, 3,200 of which are endemic to the country.

Camping in the Philippines is enjoyable for people of all ages. Whether you're a single professional wanting to explore more of the Philippines or a parent with kids, camping is a surely exciting endeavor to pursue. You can practice your photography hobby, gaze at the beauty of nature, and learn how to “rough it”---without running water or electricity!

Aside from camping in the Philippines, sports-fiend nature lovers are also sure to enjoy running in the Philippines. One of the lesser-known types of running is trail running, where marathoners of different sexes and ages run in nature trails across mountains and hills. Trail running enthusiasts not only deal with the usual tiredness and thirst from running long distances---they also are more prone to injury, due to the uneven footing on mountain trails. Another risk for trail runners is falling off deep ravines.

If this kind of sport isn't really your cup of tea, you can always try road running Philippines in different running tracks near your chosen campsite. Enjoy the sights and sounds of nature, but on safer and more familiar ground.

Be closer to nature and take a step back from reality---go camping in the Philippines!