EZ Melts Health Blog

Read Time: 6 minutes Are you looking for ways to improve the quality of your life? If so, you're not alone. Many people set huge goals for themselves at the start of a new year, only to get overwhelmed, disappointed, and fall off track by February. The good news is that there are small steps you can take to be healthier and happier. These steps don't have to be hard, expensive, or time-consuming. They can even be fun! Take a Daily Stroll Outdoors Although we live in a world with countless options for entertainment, there's nothing like getting outside and walking around the block. It's one of the easiest ways to get some fresh air and clear your head while also hitting your weekly movement goals (remember, working out to stay healthy doesn't need to be extreme!). Even if you only have time for a quick walk down the street, it can make all the difference in your day. If you're looking for something a little more challenging, consider taking up jogging or another form of exercise—but before doing so, make sure that it's safe and comfortable for you. You'll be amazed at how many benefits come from simply getting up off the couch and using those minutes to take care of yourself! Remember: It doesn't matter how long (or short) your walk is; what matters is that you do it every day to reap the rewards. Mindful Eating at Breakfast Breakfast is an important meal, and it's a great way to practice mindful eating. Mindful eating is a wellness tool that helps you appreciate your meal and recognize body cues telling you you're full. So instead of texting or checking Facebook while eating your toast in a hurry, put your to-do list for the day aside. Then sit down and use your senses to note how your food looks, smells, tastes, and textures it may have as you eat it. You'll feel grounded in the moment, and science shows you'll experience more satisfaction with your meal if you slow down and appreciate the present. Not a bad way to start your day. Treat Yourself Finding a healthy indulgence can be one of the best ways to stay motivated. It's easy to lose sight of your goals when you don't reward yourself for the little wins, or simply treat yourself—you don't always need a reason! Humans need positive reinforcement and stimulation to feel motivated to keep pushing forward. But when you have something that makes you happy and is also good for your body and mind? It's a win-win situation. Here are some examples: A reasonable portion of a favorite food that's high in nutrients (focus on the nourishment and quality of the food, not the calories) A walk through the park with your dog or friend after work. Meditating for 10 minutes every morning on your porch (or wherever else it may be) Treating yourself to a body massage. Stop Scrolling Socials at Night Checking your social media at night can be a distraction from your relaxation, and screen time has been shown in studies to correlate with lower-quality sleep and restlessness. If you’ve been spending time on Instagram or Facebook before bed, try replacing that time with a relaxing activity like journaling or taking a bath while listening to a podcast. If you are looking to support healthy sleep and a restful night, then consider taking a melatonin supplement 30 minutes before bed. Try taking one before enjoying a screen-free activity before going to bed. Practice Self-Love with Sticky Notes You deserve to be happy. This is one of the most important things to remember regarding self-love and mental well-being. You have so much to offer the world! If there's something holding back your happiness, it's likely because of negative thought patterns that have been programmed into your brain since childhood or early adulthood. Try this activity out: write positive affirmations about yourself on colorful sticky notes. Then, put them on your door, your mirror, your desk, on your car visor, and between the pages of a book, you're reading, to name a few spots. Even if this feels awkward to compliment yourself, you're giving yourself the support you need to build a positive outlook and view of yourself. If it's hard to find specifics, try something like "You're amazing", "Keep going", or "I am beautiful" to start. Your attention to this one small step will help you build your self-esteem and improve your overall health by showing yourself that you are worth taking time for. By practicing self-love every day, we can reprogram those thoughts so they're more positive. Practice Meaningful Connection One of the best ways to keep yourself healthy is to make meaningful connections with others. This can be as simple as calling a friend, visiting a parent for a few hours, or even just sending a handwritten card to someone who’s going through something hard. These connections are important because they help us feel less alone in the world. Even if you have a support system of friends and family, you can join a local group or community based on shared interests (such as volunteering at a shelter, attending book club meetings, etc.). Take a Break Every Hour Please take a moment to think about the last time you sat for an extended period. We’re talking hours here, not minutes or seconds. Chances are that your body was probably sore and stiff when you stood up again from not using your body. We know many people work sitting at a desk, and the best way to combat the stiffness and pain that comes with extended sedentary hours is to get up, take a break, and move every hour. Even if it’s only for five minutes, you will feel so much better. In fact, studies show that people who take breaks throughout the day are more productive than those who sit all day long. You can also try doing some stretches while walking or taking a few laps around your office space—just keep moving! Daily Vitamin Regimen Taking a daily vitamin supplement is a simple yet effective way to benefit your long-term health goals and your quality of life in the long run. Plus, it takes minimal effort to take a supplement with a daily meal. The right supplement can help bridge the gap in nutrition deficiencies that many people face. Just make sure it is made without harmful additives or ingredients. Our vitamins are non-GMO, vegan, sugar-free, and free from the nine most common allergens. We make it EZ to get the nutrition you need with our fast-melting supplements. And with our subscription service, it’s even easier to take care of yourself. Use code EZ30 at checkout to save 30% off your first subscription. Small Changes Add Up Small changes can add up to big results. Instead of something seeming like one large, looming task, it can seem much more manageable and simpler if you celebrate each day's wins separately.  This New Year, instead of setting an astronomical goal, try instead picking a few small changes that you can actually stick with. We can’t wait to see what you achieve this year!

Read Time: 4 minutes November 1st is World Vegan Day, a day when people celebrate and raise awareness for a vegan lifestyle. This holiday was created in 1994 by Louise Wallis, the President of The Vegan Society, to help promote and educate people about the many benefits of a vegan diet. And it's not just a holiday here —World Vegan Day is celebrated by people all over the world. It's a great opportunity to learn more about what veganism is, its history and benefits, and how you can build a healthy diet. So if you are thinking of trying it out or just want to learn more about it, mark your calendars! While November 1st is World Vegan Day, learning about this lifestyle at this time of year is great because of the food-heavy holidays coming around the corner. What is Veganism? At its core, veganism is all about getting good nutrition and eating healthy foods for our bodies and the planet. It eliminates animal products from your diet, including meat, dairy, eggs, and even things like honey or gelatin.  There are many reasons why people choose to become vegan - some do it for health reasons, while others may be concerned about animal welfare or environmental issues related to factory farming practices. Whatever your reason may be, a vegan diet can provide you with all the nutrients you need to stay healthy and thrive—when you are intentional about the plant-based foods you eat. The Benefits of Veganism  At its core, veganism is a lifestyle that avoids all animal products and by-products. This can include things like meat, dairy, eggs, honey, leather goods, and more. While this diet and lifestyle originated as a type of ethical or moral stance against animal cruelty and exploitation, it has also become popular for health reasons. In fact, there are many health benefits to this diet when it comes to nutrition and overall well-being. For example, vegans tend to have lower rates of heart disease and cancer compared to those who eat animal products. They also tend to be leaner due to the higher intake of plant-based foods like fruits and vegetables. Additionally, following a vegan diet can help reduce your risk of chronic diseases like diabetes or hypertension.  The Challenges of a Vegan Diet However, people who follow this diet often are vitamin deficient. Certain vitamins like B12 and D are only found in animal products, so vegan diets may need to be supplemented with these nutrients. Protein is also something that can be a concern for vegan diets, as many plant-based foods don't contain all of the essential amino acids that our bodies need to function properly. It takes practice and education to find adequate substitutes and foods you enjoy if you're not used to a plant-based diet. Despite these challenges, veganism is still a sustainable way of life and can be incredibly beneficial, but everyone's bodies are different. If you're interested, be sure to do your research and talk to your doctor or dietitian about what kind of diet works best for you. Whatever your diet is, it's important to get good nutrition so that you can live your best life. An EZ Way to Support a Vegan Diet If you find that you'd like to implement some lifestyle changes and a plant-based diet, it's good to know that you aren't alone in being a vegan. Supplements can be an easy, cost-effective way to support diet and lifestyle changes that may create nutrient deficiencies.  However, a lot of supplements aren’t vegan, so finding a quality supplement that fits your diet is essential. Our vitamins are non-GMO, vegan, sugar-free and free from the nine most common allergens. We make it EZ to get the nutrition you need with our fast-melting supplements. With our subscription service, you’ll never have to worry about running out of the supplements you need! Use code EZ30 at checkout to save 30% off your first subscription order.

Read Time: 3 minutes  As we move further into the digital age, it seems like everything is done electronically. We communicate with friends and family through text and social media, get our news from online sources, and even do our work and school assignments digitally. But what about those who prefer pen and paper? Are they at a disadvantage? Research suggests that people who write things down the old-fashioned way are reaping benefits that those of us who rely on electronic communication is missing out on.  In fact, researchers display growing concerns about the way technology is negatively impacting our communication and critical thinking abilities. We're not saying the digital age is terrible (this article is online after all), but it doesn't hurt to go back to the basics sometimes. So, if you're looking for a way to unplug for a bit and boost your well-being, try picking up a notebook today. Here are just a few benefits researchers have noticed. Processing Difficult Feelings Journaling can support a better, more positive mindset, and lessen feelings of despair or upset.  For one, it can help you process difficult emotions and experiences. You can use your journal to vent about the things stressing you out, without worrying about being judged or interrupting someone else's day. This can help you feel better equipped to deal with whatever is going on in your life. Self Esteem Boost Journaling can also help boost your mood and self-esteem by allowing you to track your progress and accomplishments over time. As you flip through previous entries, you'll see just how far you've come, which can help motivate you to keep going even when things are tough. For more about setting goals and keeping them, check out our tips here. Lower Stress Hormones, Better Sleep Physical health benefits have also been linked to journaling. One study found that people who wrote about stressful experiences had lower levels of stress hormones in their bodies afterward. In addition, keeping a routine of journaling can help improve your sleep quality. Lower stress hormone levels can set your mind and body at ease, so you have trouble sleeping, try writing down your thoughts and worries before bed. This will help clear your mind and allow you to relax enough to fall asleep. Supporting Lower Chronic Pain Flare-Ups Chronic pain sufferers have also found journaling to be helpful. In one study, people with chronic pain who wrote about their experiences had less pain and lower levels of disability afterward. This could be because chronic pain flare-ups are often linked to prolonged mental stress. Since keeping a journal can lower your stress hormone levels, you may be less likely to experience a flare-up. Creative Boost Another great benefit of journaling daily is that it can help increase your creativity. If you're feeling stuck in a rut with a work project or a hobby, spending some time writing down your thoughts and ideas can help jumpstart some great ideas. And creative thinking isn't just for artists! Strengthening your creative thinking skills has been linked to improved communication skills in the workplace, and stronger relationships overall. Tips for Designing Your Journal So how do you get started? It's important to find a system that works for you. Some prefer writing by hand in a notebook, and others prefer an open page with no lines, such as a sketchbook. There's no right or wrong way to do it, so experiment until you find a method that suits you best. You might want to incorporate drawings, colors, magazine clippings, images, or even paint! The possibilities to make it unique to you are endless. Also, don't worry about writing perfectly or having deep philosophical insights—the point is simply to get your thoughts down on paper. Journaling isn't about skill or impressing anyone. Put self-doubt aside and let yourself explore. Set aside 10-15 minutes each day (or week) to write and see how it goes! Make a habit of doing it at the same time, whether first thing in the morning or the last thing before bedtime. The EZ Melts DifferenceQuality matters. Make sure you are choosing a brand that cares about what they put into their vitamin supplements as much as you care about what goes into your body. Our vitamins are non-GMO, vegan, sugar-free, and free from the nine most common allergens. We make it EZ to get the nutrition you need with our fast-melting supplements! The best part about choosing EZ Melts®? Our tablets are fast melting, EZ to take, and our flavors are loved by customers.

Read Time: 6 minutes  Self-improvement goals can be daunting. This kind of inner work requires you to be honest about what you'd like to improve and then make consistent lifestyle changes to achieve it—and we humans aren’t often great with consistency. There’s a reason for that! People give up on lasting self-improvement goals when they’re unsure about how to get from Point A to Point B. You need to know exactly how you’re getting there and how to do it, with plenty of positive reinforcement on the way. This month is National Self-Improvement Month, so we created this simple but powerful roadmap to follow so you can finally make those desired changes in your life. Write It All Down The reason why the act of writing is so significant is that you are intentionally providing a clear picture of what you want to achieve. Your brain will recognize this as meaningful, and you'll have a physical reminder to look back at. Let yourself free-write for 15 minutes about what self-improvement changes you find inspiring, challenging, and important. Why do you feel that way? What about your overall quality of life will improve when you reach this self-improvement goal? Let it flow, then get ready to build your plan. Make a Detailed Plan Set the overall self-improvement goal, then break it down into goal markers and action items. It’s easier than you think! You need to define what you want to achieve, how long it will take, and the resources you need for this process. The more detailed your plan, the better your chance of reaching it. Setting realistic, small, and measurable self-improvement goals is one of the most important steps in changing your lifestyle. For example, it's not enough to have a single, vague goal like “quit smoking”. You have to break that goal down into smaller, measurable tasks, or goal markers, so you know when you’ve achieved them. This helps you stay on track and motivated to reach the next marker. Once you've broken down what needs to be done monthly, weekly, or daily, create an action item list for each day with small tasks that will help bring about the completion of the larger goal over time. For example, write down: Goal Marker 1: In the next 14 days, I will cut out one cigarette each day, so that I am smoking 5 instead of 6 per day. Action Items for Today: Take a walk today instead of smoking my afternoon cigarette Buy hard candy to distract myself with this month Call my friend to tell them I cut back starting today and how I’m feeling about it Pick an Accountability Partner This is a great way to create an environment of accountability and responsibility. You are more likely to follow through with your goals when you know that someone else is expecting those results from you. Make sure it’s someone trustworthy who wants to see you succeed while offering positive feedback and support. Pair Your Goal with Another Action This is a great way to start and follow through with new habits. Add an action to an existing routine that will help you reach your self-improvement goal. For example, if you want to start drinking water throughout the day, then drinking water should become your first activity in the morning when you brush your teeth or stretch. It will be easier to remember and do because you are pairing it with an action you already do daily. Write Down Your Progress Take three minutes a day, whip out a notebook or your phone, and write down what you did today to reach your self-improvement goals, what changes you are grateful for, or how you’re feeling about the process. And you don’t need to be an amazing writer; that’s not the point. You are simply logging your progress so that you stay motivated to continue with your self-improvement journey when you look back. Set Up a Reward System This one is the best step: pick something you really want to do or buy, then, when you hit your final goal marker, go out and get it! Is it going to Greece for a week? A spa day with a loved one? Trying a new restaurant that’s opening up? Getting a new phone? Or having a fun evening out to celebrate your wins? Whatever it is, use that as a motivation boost, then celebrate! You can even set up mini rewards along the way for every goal marker you hit if you want extra inspiration. Be Gentle with Yourself That adage about just getting back on the horse? It’s true—and everyone can get back up after a setback. If your progress is slower than you hoped, or you get frustrated or even take a step backward, it’s okay. It’s normal. It’s completely okay to make a choice that ends up not going the way you’d hoped. Once you choose to ignore perfectionist tendencies and instead focus that energy on doing the best you can at the moment, you’ll achieve progress in the long run. That’s what really matters. The EZ Melts Difference Taking a daily vitamin supplement is a simple yet effective way to benefit your long-term goals and your quality of life in the long run. Our vitamins are non-GMO, vegan, sugar-free and free from the nine most common allergens. We make it EZ to get the nutrition you need with our fast-melting supplements.