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February 19, 2025 By Akanksha Khullar 1 Comment

5 Life Hacks to Stay Motivated

Setting goals is easy but achieving them can be quite difficult. In between working towards your goals or giving up, the thing that keeps you going is motivation! That’s why knowing how to stay motivated is very important! Whether it is your health or career, you must focus on the long term. Here are some tips that will help you stay motivated and achieve your goals!

1. Set SMART Goals

Try and set goals which are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Reasonable, Tangible and Time bound). Be very clear as to what you actually want to achieve in how much time and keep your goal realistic. Try not setting larger goals in an impractical time period to be completed in as it can cause unwanted stress and demotivation. Here are more details on setting SMART Goals.

2. Divide Goals into Smaller Parts

Try and take small steps which will facilitate fulfilling the long term goal set by you. If your smaller goals are achieved, it motivates you to move forward and accomplish the other goals which bring you closer to your main goal!

3. Tap into People with Common Goals and Positive Attitude

When you feel demotivated or have just begun following your long term goal, try looking for people with similar goals as energy is something which is definitely transferred from one person to another. If the other person is performing well and is motivated, it motivates us as well! You can also read articles of people who have set goals and achieved them! It will motivate you.

4. Take Responsibility

Once you have set a goal, talk to yourself every day about achieving it so your path isn’t hindered. It’s a little difficult to restart habits once they are left in between. Always tell yourself that it is a part of your everyday schedule and you can achieve the same. Taking responsibility gives you a sense of ownership over your health and can help you remain motivated.

5. Adopt a Positive Vocabulary

Your body listens to what you think and say. All words carry a certain amount of emotional baggage. So instead of saying or thinking of phrases such as, “I may not be able to do it”, “not sure if I can”, or “I hate and dislike doing this”, try changing your vocabulary to “Yes I can do it”, “I am trying my best” and “I love doing this!” It will help you boost your motivation levels. Keep a positive attitude, use weak words for negative feelings and strong words for positive ones.

If you have lost motivation at some point, try to follow the above points to help you get back into the groove! It’s not about how hard you fall but how fast you stand up. Remember that nothing is impossible!

Still low on motivation? Get the right guidance and motivation directly from a GOQii Coach by subscribing for Personalized Health Coaching here.

#BeTheForce

February 17, 2025 By Sunita Arora 3 Comments

Deep Breathing Techniques to Help You Beat Stress

Picture this: You’re sitting at your desk, tackling mountains of paperwork and crunching numbers on Excel like a keyboard wizard. Just when you thought you had it all under control, bam! You’re summoned to a meeting and bombarded with even more projects. Your desk is now drowning in a sea of paperwork, and you find yourself juggling tasks like a stressed-out circus performer. Deadlines loom ominously, and stress levels skyrocket. It’s like being trapped in a never-ending desk nightmare. Yikes! But fear not, for there is a simple solution to vanquish stress in this chaotic scenario: Deep Breathing!

Deep breathing is the secret weapon you’ve been searching for, and it doesn’t require any fancy equipment or a specific time and place. It’s a stress-busting technique that works wonders! When you take a moment to breathe deeply, your brain sends signals to your body, coaxing it to relax. By incorporating deep breathing into your routine, you can reap all the incredible benefits it has to offer.

What Are These Magical Benefits?

Zen-like Calm: Deep breathing has the power to soothe your mind and nervous system. You can literally feel the stress melt away!
Oxygen Boost: Ah, sweet oxygen! Deep breathing helps you take in more of this life-giving gas, nourishing your body and brain.
Heart Party: Your heart deserves some love, and deep breathing delivers. It lowers your heart rate, respiratory rates, and blood pressure, giving your ticker a much-needed break.
Sleepy Time: Need to catch some Z’s? Deep breathing is your go-to sandman. It helps you drift off to dreamland, soothes your muscles, and even speeds up your meditation mojo.
Stress Ninja: When tension strikes during exams, interviews, or dreaded deadlines, deep breathing comes to the rescue. Consider it your trusty stress-busting sidekick.
Energy Flow: Deep breathing helps clean and rejuvenate your body’s energy channels, like a refreshing spa day for your inner chi. It keeps your heating and cooling cycles in check, so you can stay balanced and invigorated.
Breath of Fresh Air: Say goodbye to shortness of breath! Deep breathing prevents pesky air from getting trapped in your lungs, making you feel refreshed, centered, and ready to take on the world.

Now that you’re armed with this knowledge, let’s dive into two simple yet effective deep breathing exercises.

1. Simple Abdominal Breathing Exercise

Feeling anxious? No problem! Try this relaxation technique that you can perform anywhere, anytime – standing, sitting, or lying down.

To practice this technique, you need to:

Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose. Keep your shoulders relaxed. Your abdomen should expand and your chest should rise slightly.
Exhale slowly through your mouth. As you blow the air out, purse your lips slightly, but keep your jaw relaxed. You may hear a soft “whooshing” sound as you exhale.
Repeat this breathing exercise for several minutes.

Begin with just 5 minutes. If you feel 5 minutes are too long, you can start with just 2 minutes. Increase the time when you begin finding it easier and comfortable. You can practice this multiple times a day.

2. Equal Breathing

Now, let’s take deep breathing to the next level with some equal breathing magic. This technique focuses on inhales and exhales of the same duration, usually between 3 and 5 counts. Once you’ve mastered it, you can do it during yoga, or even while conquering your daily activities.

To practice this technique:

Take a comfortable seated position and breathe in and out through your nose only.
Count during each inhale and exhale to make sure they are even in duration. Alternatively, choose a word or short phrase to repeat during each inhale and exhale.
You can take a slight pause after each inhale and exhale if you feel comfortable (normal breathing involves a natural pause).
Continue practicing this breathing technique for at least 5 minutes and you can increase the duration up to 10-15 minutes.

So there you have it! Deep breathing is your ticket to a calmer, more relaxed you. Remember, stress may try to trap you at your desk, but with these breathing exercises in your arsenal, you’ll be the master of stress, deadlines, and paperwork mayhem. Take a deep breath and let the relaxation flow through your veins like a cool breeze on a sunny day. You’ve got this!

If this article helped you, let us know your thoughts in the comments below. You can find more articles and techniques to beat stress here. You can also reach out to a GOQii Coach for expert guidance by subscribing to Personalised Health Coaching here.

#BeTheForce

February 15, 2025 By Urvi Gohil 1 Comment

Healthy Eating: Spinach Paratha

If you love parathas, roti, or chapati for breakfast, here’s a way to make the first meal of your day a healthy one! This Spinach Paratha recipe is loaded with essential nutrients to fuel your day and improve overall health. Spinach, the star ingredient, is packed with vitamins and minerals that benefit your body in numerous ways. Let’s get started!

What You Will Need

Spinach leaves – 200g
Gram flour (besan) – 2 tbsp
Wheat flour – 1 cup
Ajwain (carom seeds) – 1 tsp
Green chilli – 1-2
Ginger – 1 tsp
Oil – 1 tbsp
Salt to taste

How to Prepare

Step 1: Boil water in a pan and turn off the flame. Add the spinach leaves to the hot water and let them blanch for 1-2 minutes. Remove the leaves and soak them in cold water to retain their vibrant green color.
Step 2: In a mixer or blender, make a puree using the blanched spinach leaves, ginger, and green chillies.
Step 3: In a mixing bowl, combine wheat flour, gram flour, and salt. Mix well, then add the spinach puree, ajwain, and 1 tsp of oil.
Step 4: Knead the dough well and let it rest for 10-15 minutes.
Step 5: Divide the dough into small portions and roll them into medium-thick parathas.
Step 6: Heat a tawa (griddle) and roast the paratha on both sides, applying a little oil for a crispy texture.
Step 7: Serve hot with carrot raita or your favorite chutney.

Highlights of the Spinach Paratha

Nutrient-Dense: Spinach is one of the most nutrient-dense leafy green vegetables, rich in Vitamin K, which supports bone health and blood clotting.
Eye Health: Spinach contains lutein and zeaxanthin, antioxidants that promote eye health and reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration.
Reduces Oxidative Stress: The antioxidants in spinach help combat oxidative stress, reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
Manages Blood Pressure: Spinach is high in potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure levels.
Weight Loss-Friendly: Low in calories and high in fiber, spinach parathas are a great addition to a weight-loss diet.

This Spinach Paratha is not only delicious but also packed with nutrients to kickstart your day on a healthy note. It’s easy to prepare, versatile, and perfect for anyone looking to add more greens to their diet. Give this recipe a try and let us know how you liked it in the comments below!

Do you have any other healthy breakfast recipes you love? Share them with us in the comments below! For more healthy recipes, check out Healthy Reads or get in touch with your GOQii Coach by subscribing for Personalized Health Coaching here.

Eat Healthy and #BeTheForce

February 11, 2025 By Navnee Garg Leave a Comment

Load Up On Carrots During Winter! Here’s Why!

We’ve often advised people to eat seasonal fruits and for good reason! Seasonal veggies are a good source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants which are required by the body during winter. There are many vegetables but one of them, which is a must-have during these chilly days is the carrot! Carrots are one of the most loved vegetables not only in India but all over the world. The reason is very evident, it not only serves as a salad but a lot more than that. This orange-coloured root is an ultimate health food with many health benefits. Let’s explore the health benefits of carrots during winter!

Why You Should Eat Carrots During Winter

Carrots help you get beautiful skin and can help in protecting you from cancer, especially lung cancer. As the temperature drops, this crunchy & colourful vegetable gives you a boost of antioxidants too.
As a rich source of Vitamin A, it helps treat vision loss. So during winter, you can definitely ditch your Vitamin A pills.
The Vitamin A in carrots also help the liver secrete bile and flush out toxins in the body, acting as a Natural Detox.
Carrots contain high amounts of soluble fibers, which indirectly helps in managing cholesterol levels. No more guilt! You can easily binge on your favorite carrot cake during winter.
Carrots are infused with natural pesticides, Falcarcinol, which is anti-fungal in nature. It protects you from any kind of fungal diseases. If your kids eat carrots, you don’t need to worry about them catching any kind of fungal infection.
Carrots aren’t boring! There are many variations you can try with this root – be it dips, juices or soups – carrots are definitely a hit with your taste buds!
Carrot tops are enriched in nutrients such as potassium, phytonutrients and they also contain around 6 times more Vitamin C than what the root does.
Carrots have reserved their place in the list of the World’s Healthiest Foods. Undoubtedly, this crunchy root deserves it too.

Tips to Add Carrots To Your Diet

Soup It: Add grated carrots to your soups and clear broths to add roughage in diet
Crunch It: Raw carrots are enjoyed the best while soaking under the Sun during winters. Great way to boost up the vitamin quotient.
Lick It Up: Our very own Gajar ka Achar or Gajar ka Paani is every grandmother’s special recipe.
Bake It: The versatility of carrots gets it added even in bakery products. Add shredded carrot while baking muffins, cakes or breads to make a delightful dessert.

DO NOT throw away the carrot tops. Surprisingly, these carrot tops can be replaced with all the herbs in all kinds of dishes adding taste and Nutrition adequately.

We hope you’re all set to enjoy the crunch this season. Any more queries in mind? Please feel free to type them down in the comments section below, because, We Carrot about You!

For more topics on the health benefits of foods, check out Healthy Reads or ask a GOQii Coach by subscribing for Personalised Health Coaching here.

Eat Health and #BeTheForce