Whether you are a busy professional who commutes on public transportation to get to your downtown job or you are like me who has to meet with clients in the city, you know how important your feet being comfortable is! This year National Walk to Work Day is April 1, 2016 and I’m partnering with Foot Petals Sock-free Saviors. Here in Florida being able to keep your feet cool while still looking professional and stylish is essential.

I’m Celebrating Walk to Work Day with #PetalYourWay Foot Petals Insoles

All images via: Stagetecture.com

Foot Petals help you reap the benefits of walking:

Did you know that walking every day at least 10,000 steps could keep your heart healthy and keep your body in shape without jarring athletic sports? Everyday I’m trying to think of new ways to add more steps to my day and walking to see my clients and walking instead of driving when possible! I love how the Foot Petals insoles keep your feet cool and comfortable – and here in Florida I need it.

Here are the benefits of adding the Foot Petals into your work shoes:

• Made of materials that have odor fighting and microbial properties
• Ventilated to keep feet cool and dry
• Premium PORON® cushioning absorbs shock for all day comfort
• Perfect for sneakers, flats, boots or any closed-toe shoes
• Perforated
• Trim to fit any shoe size with guide on back of product
• Gentle machine wash cold, no bleach, dry flat

Take a look at the Foot Petals Video:

How will you celebrate National Walk to Work Day?

National Walk to Work Day is celebrated in the U.S. on the first Friday of April. Here’s some hand suggestions from About.com on how you can benefit from the day.

“You are encouraged to walk for all or part of your commute to work. Aim for a minimum 15 minute walk each way. If you take public transportation, try walking to a further stop before boarding, or getting off a stop early and walking the rest of the distance to work. If your commute is too long, make it a Walk to Lunch Day. Invite your co-workers to join with you for Walk to Work Day, or join you in a Walk to Lunch.”… By Wendy Bumgardner – Walking Expert at About.com

Here’s how I fit my Foot Petals to my shoes for walking exercise:

The insoles come in one pair and can be cut to fit your shoes. Take a look at how I measured mine for the perfect fit for my ballerina flats work shoes.

1. Place your foot on the backside of the cushion (black side) to measure your foot.

2. Cut the insoles with sharp scissors on the black side of the insole, following the dotted guidelines.

3. Once your insole is cut place the fabric side up (pink side) and slide into each shoe.

Once you fit them in your shoes… you’re ready for a busy workday!

Make sure and join the conversation with other busy professionals on the Foot Petals Facebook page.

Let me know in the comments below how you will be celebrating National Walk to Work Day…

Water is one of the elements on this planet that is great for the Earth and your body.  Water is a necessity to the human body’s survival.  A person can live a month without food but only about a week without water.  That just goes to show how important water is for everyone.  Plus, just taking in sips of water a day will ensure a healthy body for life, and you can try delicious flavored water recipes here!

Image via: Val Socal

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Your Body will be More Comfortable

Drinking more water will help to keep your body warm in the winter and cool in the summer.Your body’s temperature-regulating system is controlled by the hypothalamus in the brain which constantly collects information that allows it to make adjustments to maintain a fairly steady core temperature. Your internal thermostat works better when you are well hydrated.

Your Skin Will Glow

Water naturally moisturizes skin to ensure proper cellular formation underneath layers of skin to give it a healthy, glowing appearance.

You will Keep Healthier

Hydration keeps your mucus membrane in top working condition—they are known as the gatekeepers to the natural defense system that helps keep out the germs such as the cold and flu virus.  When these tissues dry out, the germs can become more easily to penetrate where the nasal passages and mouth meet.  The severity of an illness you catch can be a lot lower if you drink plenty of water.

Image via: Mighty Nest

Help you to Lose Weight

Water is a filler, so when you drink the minimum amount of water you will feel full and will eat less.  Studies have shown that those who drink water before meals consume an average of 75 fewer calories per meal.  Plus when your body is working closer to maximum efficiency it enhances the digestion, muscle function and exercise.

Helps to De-Stress your Body

Just by sipping water throughout the day you can help to soothe stress-induced symptoms like headaches, tense muscles, fuzzy thinking, a pounding heart and low energy.  That’s because stress pulls all of your basic body systems—and when you’re not hydrated, the effects are intensified.  So keep a battle of water on you to be reminded to drink your water.

For more wellness tips on Stagetecture, click here.

Staying fit and healthy is one of the best ways to secure a strong family unit. With rising levels of obesity in children and adults, eating right and doing physical exercise is one your best lines of defense. However, doing exercise and making healthy choices is probably the last thing on the list your children want to do as a family activity. The key is to work as a team so that the whole family can work together to enjoy the benefits. For adults and children, getting at least minimal daily exercise and eating right is the best way to stay healthy and fit. Here are 5 ways to get your family to eat right and exercise.

Image via: She Knows

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Make it a bicycle ride adventure.

The healthy benefits to riding a bicycles are numerous, from fighting obesity to lowering your cholesterol. Riding bicycles is also fun for the whole family. There are also many trails you can find to limit the danger of road traffic. You also want to remember to wear helmets and other protective gear, like kneepads and reflective lighting.

One way to eat right is to make it a family affair.

Look up recipes online or purchase a book to find a healthful meal that the whole family can make together. Sometimes teamwork can get your family to collaborate, make necessary comprises, and work more efficiently together to make more healthy choices.

Make healthy living food choices

Families also might find it helpful to make a ban on food and drinks with too much sugar. Things like soft drinks and breakfast cereals are known to have the highest caloric and sugar levels. There are plenty alternatives to the same name brands that have much lower levels of sugar and higher levels of much needed protein. You can even find candy bars, like chocolite bars, that are great substitutes to the candy your children are used to.

 Image via: Pinterest

Another great way to get your family to eat healthy and exercise is to plan according. Meet with your children weekly to discuss goals. Ask them questions and teach the negative and positive benefits when you make healthy choices and exercise regularly. If worse comes to worse, show them what doctors and scientists say. If they are young children, you can make your own diagrams and simplify things so that they can understand better.

Also, parents must be a role-model for their children. For instance, when you take your children out to eat at a restaurant, keep tabs on how much free bread they put on the table. Make it a point to do some jumping jacks or little exercises around the house. Soon enough, your children will lead by example. Being a role-model also means that you have to make your own healthy choices and limit the unhealthy ones. Shop at healthier markets, buy snacks with lower sugar and caloric levels, promote a certain lifestyle of physical fitness in the home. If you show that you are willing to make the initiative to eat right and exercise, chances are your family will too.

For more healthy living ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Starting your day is very crucial. Your early morning vibes will set the mood of your day, so it should be a healthy start. A bad morning may not last the whole day but it will definitely ruin some of your decisions and opportunities at any point of the day. Of course, these are what you’d like to avoid. The morning is when you recharge to face a new day, and why not start it productively.

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To reach your goals, there’s always a need to have a great start. It is vital in gaining the momentum and advantage over the things that come your way.

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So, boost your morning and make it more productive with these helpful tips:

Flex your muscles

A few minutes of exercise can provide you with excellent body conditioning. It doesn’t have to be rigid. Pushups, hand stretch, triceps dips, crunches, squats and even a simple walk around your home will do. These exercises are needed to energize and revitalize your body. They also get your mind going and ready to start the day.

Have a healthy breakfast

Breakfast is said to be the most important meal of the day. But you have to ensure that it is not only delicious but nutritious as well. It would be better if it is rich in protein and healthy carbohydrates. You can have cereal, milk, sandwich, tuna or bacon. You may also add some walnuts or nuts. A generous amount of polyphenol-rich walnuts can help improve your memory. Carbohydrates provide you with the energy while proteins are needed for body growth and maintenance.

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Take in a cup of coffee/tea

There are quite a number of studies that confirmed the effects of caffeine as brain boosting agent. About 20 to 30 milligrams of coffee are enough to attain the desired enhancement. But be aware that taking more doesn’t mean further brain booster. Dark chocolate is also a good source of caffeine that regulates cholesterol levels and enhances blood flow. If you prefer the no-caffeine method, try herbal teas to get your mind and body ready for the day.

Get the best out of your daily opportunities and challenges by starting with a more productive morning routine.

For more productivity and wellness posts on Stagetecture, click here.

Swimming pools are used for lounging, playing and also exercising. Many people are limited to space in their backyard for a swimming pool.  What about a swimming pool that is small in footprint, and helps you exercise?  Freshome has an article about a swimming pool called, Endless pool.

“Endless pool is a is a counter-current swimming pool and water exercise machine that is small enough to fit inside a home.  The Endless pool features an adjustable current that allows you to swim or exercise in place. The current is broad and deep, and is suitable to every swimming ability and fitness need. You can also set the temperature precisely, based on preferences and needs. The unique, swim current is completely adjustable in speed, from zero to racer’s pace. With this technology you can enjoy a high quality swim that will keep you fit, in a such a small place.”