Tag: Expansion

How to Make Your Heart Beautiful

by Suzanne Horrocks Wellness, posted in Growth & Expansion, healthy habits, Healthy Lifestyle, Longevity & Healthy Aging, Natural Solutions, selfcare, Small Joys, Soft Goals, Stop Drinking Soda, Uncategorized
Todod los dias la gente se arregla el cabello. Por que no el ❤️?

I have a dear sweet friend that has been collecting art for most of her life. She also used to teach Spanish and traveled (and studied) in Mexico. I asked her to translate this piece. Here’s her response,

“Every day people fix/comb/arrange their hair, why not their heart?” I think the artist is saying fix your heart everyday like you do your hair. Make it a habit to make your heart beautiful

We spend so much time caring for our bodies — eating better, moving more, trying to stay healthy — yet the heart, the very center of our being, often gets overlooked. Not just the physical heart, but the spiritual one — the quiet space inside where love, compassion, and peace live.

Working on making your heart beautiful isn’t about being perfect or endlessly positive. It’s about tending your inner garden — pulling a few weeds, watering what’s growing, and letting more light in. Here are a few ways to do that in everyday life.


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🌸 Practice Gentle Awareness

Start by simply noticing how your heart feels throughout the day.
When it feels heavy — pause and breathe.
When it feels open — pause and give thanks.
Awareness alone is healing. It’s like sunlight finding its way through the clouds.


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🌿 Forgive Often (Including Yourself)

Nothing makes the heart more radiant than forgiveness. When we let go of resentment, we free ourselves from carrying the past around.
You can even whisper to yourself:

> “I choose to forgive and free my heart.”
You do this not for others, but for your own peace.




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💛 Practice Loving-Kindness

Each day, send a quiet blessing — to yourself, to someone you love, to someone you struggle with, and to the world.
It can be as simple as:

> “May you be happy. May you be safe. May you live with ease.”
This practice softens the edges and opens the door to compassion.




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🌷 Live from Gratitude

A beautiful heart sees beauty everywhere.
Try keeping a gratitude list — not just for what’s going well, but for what’s teaching you.
Gratitude changes the texture of your heart. It turns pain into wisdom.


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🌻 Protect Your Peace

Being kind doesn’t mean you have to say yes to everything.
A beautiful heart also knows when to step back, rest, and protect its energy. Boundaries are an act of self-love — they keep your light strong and your love authentic.


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🌼 Be of Service

There’s nothing that beautifies the heart quite like helping someone else.
A kind word, a smile, a listening ear — small acts polish the heart until it shines.
Service connects us, reminding us that love is meant to flow through us, not stop with us.


—

🌙 Rest and Receive

Your heart, just like your body, needs rest.
Quiet moments — in nature, in stillness, or in meditation — refill the well within you.
Give yourself permission to slow down, to listen, and to receive the peace that’s always been waiting for you.


—

A beautiful heart isn’t something we earn — it’s something we uncover.
With time, intention, and a little grace, it begins to glow from the inside out — guiding us toward gentler days and deeper love.

Simple Solutions for Maintaining a Healthy Weight: Mindful Eating, Movement, and Mindset

by Suzanne Horrocks Wellness, posted in Drink More Water, healthy habits, Natural Solutions, selfcare, Stop Drinking Soda
A middle-aged woman mindfully eating a healthy, nourishing meal. She is seated at a table, savoring each bite of a colorful plate of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, enjoying the moment with a calm, focused expression.

Struggling with managing your weight can feel overwhelming, especially when life gets busy. But achieving and maintaining a healthy weight doesn’t have to be about strict diets or exhausting workout routines. Instead, small, sustainable changes can make all the difference. Let’s talk about three key strategies: mindful eating, regular movement, and shifting your mindset.

1. Mindful Eating: Slow Down and Tune In

Mindful eating is about paying attention to what you’re eating and how it makes you feel. When we eat on autopilot—whether it’s in front of the TV or while scrolling through our phones—it’s easy to overeat or make unhealthy choices. Mindful eating encourages us to slow down and really enjoy our food, which can naturally lead to better choices and portion control.

How to Eat Mindfully: Start by tuning into your hunger cues. Ask yourself if you’re eating out of true hunger or just because it’s a habit. As you eat, try to chew slowly and savor each bite. Notice the textures, flavors, and how your body feels. This practice not only helps you avoid overeating but also makes eating a more enjoyable experience.

2. Regular Movement: Make it Fun

You don’t have to spend hours at the gym to maintain a healthy weight. What matters most is finding a physical activity that you enjoy and making it a regular part of your routine. Physical activity boosts your metabolism, improves your mood, and helps you feel more energized throughout the day.

How to Stay Active: Whether it’s a brisk walk, dancing, yoga, or even playing with your kids, find activities that bring you joy. Aim for at least 30 minutes of movement most days of the week. The key is to choose something you enjoy, so it doesn’t feel like a chore. Over time, regular movement will become a habit that supports your goals.

3. Mindset Shifts: Focus on Progress, Not Perfection

One of the biggest barriers to maintaining a healthy weight is our mindset. Many people get stuck in an all-or-nothing mentality—feeling like they’ve failed if they don’t follow their plan perfectly. But your new healthy lifestyle is a journey, not a sprint. Shifting your mindset from perfection to progress can help you stay motivated and avoid frustration.

How to Shift Your Mindset: Celebrate small wins along the way, like choosing a healthy snack or getting outside for a walk. If you have a setback, don’t beat yourself up. Instead, focus on how you can get back on track. By focusing on progress and building healthier habits over time, you’ll find that managing your weight becomes more sustainable and less stressful.

Final Thoughts

Managing your weight doesn’t have to be complicated. By practicing mindful eating, incorporating regular movement, and shifting your mindset, you can create a sustainable, healthy lifestyle that supports your goals.

If you’re ready to take the next step and need guidance, I’m here to help! Let’s work together to create a personalized plan that fits your life and helps you feel your best.

Relieve Stress with Simple Mindfulness Practices

by Suzanne Horrocks Wellness, posted in healthy habits, Natural Solutions, selfcare, Uncategorized
A middle-aged woman of color sitting outdoors in a relaxed environment, practicing a breathing exercise to relieve stress and anxiety. She appears calm and focused, with her eyes closed and her hands resting gently on her lap, surrounded by nature.

Stress and anxiety are part of life, but they don’t have to control it. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone. Many of us face daily stress from work, family, or just trying to balance everything. The good news? There are simple techniques you can practice to help reduce stress and bring more calm into your life. Let’s explore two powerful tools: guided meditation, and breathing exercises.

1. Guided Meditation

Guided meditation is a fantastic way to calm your mind and ease anxiety. If you’ve never meditated before, don’t worry, guided meditation makes it easy by providing step-by-step instructions, often with a soothing voice leading you through the process.

During a guided meditation, you might focus on your breath, a peaceful scene, or a specific thought that brings you calm. The aim is to gently pull your mind away from the chaos of daily life and into a state of peace. Studies have shown that regular meditation can lower cortisol levels, the hormone responsible for stress. Just 5-10 minutes a day can make a big difference.

You can try free guided meditation apps. I use an app called Moonly, or there is a wide range of guided meditations on YouTube.

If you’re new to meditation, starting with a guided session is a great way to feel comfortable and get the most out of your practice.

2. Breathing Exercises

Breathing exercises are another simple but effective way to reduce stress. When we’re anxious, our breathing becomes shallow, signaling to our body that we’re in danger. This can trigger the “fight or flight” response, making us feel even more stressed. By practicing deep, controlled breathing, we can reverse this process, telling our body and mind to relax.

A popular breathing technique is the 4-7-8 method:

  • Inhale through your nose for 4 seconds.
  • Hold your breath for 7 seconds.
  • Exhale slowly through your mouth for 8 seconds.

Doing this just a few times can quickly reduce tension and bring a sense of calm. (I use this at night, after I’ve gone to bed. It never fails to help me fall asleep.)

Anytime you feel stress building, take a moment to practice this breathing technique. It’s easy to do anywhere—whether you’re at home, work, or even in the car. With practice, it can become your go-to tool for managing anxiety.

Final Thoughts

Stress and anxiety don’t have to dominate your life. With simple mindfulness practices like guided meditation and breathing exercises, you can take back control and feel more relaxed. If you’re ready to explore these techniques further and find what works best for you, I’m here to help. Contact me today for a personalized session, and let’s work together to bring more calm into your everyday life.

The Doctor Says I Have To Lose 30 Pounds, Part Three

by Suzanne Horrocks Wellness, posted in Drink More Water, healthy habits, Natural Solutions, selfcare, sleep

Introducing a three part series

Welcome to our three-part series, “The Doctor Says I Have To Lose 30 Pounds.” In this series, we’ll explore the emotional and physical challenges of life as a busy woman, give practical tips for making healthier choices, and offer strategies for long-term success. Whether you’re starting your own weight loss journey or thinking about starting one, this series is here to give you hope. Here is PART THREE. Part One is here in case you want to go back. Here is PART TWO.

It’s time to see the doctor

It’s time for her doctor’s appointment. The same doc that told her to lose thirty pounds. Yeah, that guy.

This appointment will be different though because she is different. She is happier, friendlier, and more relaxed. Her newfound joy is reflected in her eyes.

Small shifts = big changes

She has been drinking more water, sleeping better, and eating more mindfully. She is beginning to believe her daily affirmations could be true.

Her life is getting better. She is getting better.

She has joined an online book club and …drum roll please…and an online exercise group. She’s socializing and enjoying it a lot.

That 30 pounds

The doctor didn’t mention those pesky extra pounds because she feels so much better than she did.

Instead of recommending she lose weight, or take another prescription, the doctor congratulated her on her progress and said to keep it up.

Keep it up

Of course she is going to keep it up. Even when the going gets hard, she knows what a difference her small changes have made.

This is the life she has wanted for a long time.

Kudos to our friend. She is on her way to a healthy, happy life.


The Doctor Says I Have To Lose 30 Pounds, Part Two

by Suzanne Horrocks Wellness, posted in Drink More Water, healthy habits, Natural Solutions, selfcare, sleep

Introducing a three part series

Welcome to our three-part series, “The Doctor Says I Have To Lose 30 Pounds.” In this series, we’ll explore the emotional and physical challenges of life as a busy woman, give practical tips for making healthier choices, and offer strategies for long-term success. Whether you’re starting your own weight loss journey or thinking about starting one, this series is here to give you hope. Here is PART TWO. Part One is here in case you want to go back.

A Simple Morning Habit

She has been looking everywhere on the internet for easy ways to lose 30 pounds.

The first thing she does is to start drinking a glass of water while her coffee brews. She’s normally a perfectionist (which gets in the way of any progress she makes) but taking this one baby step makes her feel better about herself.

This one thing may not help her lose 30 pounds but it makes her feel like she is doing something positive for herself.

Confidence Boosters

She also has a post-it note on her coffee maker that says she is fabulous, one on her closet door that says she is amazing, and one on her alarm clock that says she is wonderful. She doesn’t believe them yet, but she still says them out loud to herself.

Mindful eating

She still eats chocolate mint cookies at night while she’s winding down but now she puts four on a plate instead of eating them out of the bag. This keeps her from mindlessly noshing on the empty calories. She can always go in the kitchen and get four more if she wants.

Better Sleep

Her friends at work have told her about some good books they have read so she has started going to bed a little earlier and is reading.

She’s falling asleep easier and isn’t as tired in the morning so her days start off better.

Her mood is improving everyday, life is getting better.

Best of all, her weight doesn’t matter as much anymore.



The Doctor Says I Have To Lose 30 Pounds

by Suzanne Horrocks Wellness, posted in healthy habits, selfcare, sleep

Introducing a three part series

Welcome to our three-part series, “The Doctor Says I Have To Lose 30 Pounds.” In this series, we’ll explore the emotional and physical challenges of life as a busy woman, provide practical tips for making healthier choices, and offer strategies for long-term success. Whether you’re starting your own weight loss journey or thinking about starting one, this series is here to give you hope. Here is PART ONE. Here is PART TWO and PART THREE.

Emotional eating and unhealthy habits

She’s bored, she’s tired, she’s by herself. She wants to do something for herself that no one will judge her for, or look down at her, or bother her in any way. She wants to sit, have something sweet to eat, and do something mindless like watch TV, play computer games, or scroll TikTok. The trouble is that she hasn’t eaten very well all day—a protein bar for breakfast, a burger and fries with her bestie at lunch, chicken nuggets and mac and cheese out of a box like she used to make her kids for dinner. Now, she’s eating chocolate mint cookies that she keeps hidden in the upper cabinet.

Mindless snacking

That wouldn’t be a huge problem except she’s eating the cookies out of the package. Before she knows it, there are only three cookies left, so she may as well eat those too because leaving three cookies doesn’t make sense.

It’s bedtime

By this time, it’s almost midnight, and her alarm clock goes off at six because she’s a busy working mom. Except, her kids are grown. All she has to do in the morning is get herself ready for work, so what’s the big deal? She can sleep till seven. That’s seven hours of sleep.

She’s not getting enough sleep

She isn’t going to get seven hours of sleep because for one – she can’t fall asleep easily because she’s been looking at a digital screen for a few hours, ok, 3 hours. And two – she has to get up and pee at least once during the night and her hip hurts no matter which side she sleeps on.

So….she starts the next day tired which makes healthy choices that much harder to make.

She’s stuck in a vicious cycle.


My Journey as a Wellness Guide: Nurturing Mind, Body, and Soul

by Suzanne Horrocks Wellness, posted in Growth & Expansion, Natural Solutions, selfcare, Stop Drinking Soda, Uncategorized

As a wellness guide, I am here to help you nurture not just your body but also your mind and soul. My passion for holistic well-being stems from my own transformative experience.

Several years ago, I was in the midst of grieving the sudden death of my spouse, followed shortly by the death of my father from cancer. I was overwhelmed by grief, uncontrollable anger, struggling with poor health habits (including smoking and an addiction to drinking soda), and feeling disconnected from my inner self. It was a wake-up call that propelled me onto a path of self-discovery and healing.

Through diligent research, introspection, and a willingness to learn, I experimented with various wellness practices, from mindful meditation to nourishing nutrition. Each step brought me closer to a profound understanding of the interconnectedness of mind, body, and soul.

As I implemented these practices into my daily life, I experienced a remarkable transformation. I found inner peace, vitality, and a renewed sense of purpose. Thankfully I have stopped smoking and I have stopped drinking soda too. Inspired by my own journey, I have committed to sharing these invaluable insights with others.

I am a graduate of the Institute of Integrative Nutrition as a health coach. However, it’s not just the formal training that qualifies me as a wellness guide—it’s the authenticity of my journey and my willingness to share my insights and experiences.

Through this blog, Facebook, and emails (sign up here), I encourage women nearing retirement and empty nesters to begin on their own wellness journey. I believe that true well-being is not a destination but a lifelong pursuit, and I am honored to support others in their quest for health, happiness, and fulfillment.

Let’s go on this transformative journey together, nurturing mind, body, and soul every step of the way.

Use this breathing practice to help you fall asleep and anytime you need to calm your nerves.

Honestly, I don’t remember

by Suzanne Horrocks Wellness, posted in Growth & Expansion, Uncategorized, Writing

What was the best compliment you’ve received?

I titled this, honestly, I don’t remember, because honestly, I don’t remember.

Compliments are not something that I hang my hat on. Mostly because I have a feeling that they are insincere.

The feeling is changing though.

As I partake more and more of the “cooperation before competition” mindset, we (by we, I mean the selfhelp mindset shift collective) are giving more compliments sincerely, as opposed to a conversation starter that they used to feel like.

It’s nice. It feels better. Maybe that’s because I feel better. I feel better moving farther away from competition and towards cooperation.

What are your thoughts about cooperation before competition?

Switch your bad habits for good ones

by Suzanne Horrocks Wellness, posted in Growth & Expansion, Natural Solutions, selfcare, Uncategorized

The Power of Small Steps with Big Results

Are you ready to unlock the potential for positive change in your life? It’s time to embark on a journey of transformation by mastering your habits, one small step at a time.

You see, habits are like the building blocks of our lives. They shape our daily routines, influence our behaviors, and ultimately determine our outcomes. But breaking free from bad habits and embracing good ones can feel like an overwhelming task, right?

Well, I’m here to tell you that change doesn’t have to be daunting. In fact, it’s often the small, consistent actions that lead to the most significant results. That’s why I’m excited to share with you some simple yet powerful strategies for transforming your habits and reclaiming control over your life.

The #1 thing to do to break a bad habit is to admit that you have it. I recommend starting there. Start changing one habit. And start small. Baby steps will get you where you are going.

Now that you know which bad habit you are going to start with, decide which good habit that you want to replace it with. You need to fill that void.

Simple Yet Powerful Strategies

Write down the new habit that you want to adopt.
Tell your accountability partner about it.
Make it easy.
Use reminders.
Stack your new habit with another habit you already have, commonly referred to as habit stacking. i.e. brushing your teeth, brewing coffee in the am, walking the dog, etc.

Here’s a helpful acronym:
T.A.G. – Tiny. Achievable. Goal

Often, we get derailed from our good intentions because we get overwhelmed. Breaking a new habit down into bite sized pieces makes it much easier to adopt and internalize thereby making it a habit.

See what I did there? T.A.G.

Small Steps With Big Results

So, are you ready to take the first step towards a healthier, happier you?

Here’s to small steps and big results!

Remember, every small action you take towards breaking bad habits and forming good ones brings you one step closer to the life you’ve always dreamed of. You can make it happen. I believe in you.

Sound bath with stretching

by Suzanne Horrocks Wellness, posted in Growth & Expansion, Natural Solutions, selfcare

My Sunday morning selfcare was playing a flute sound bath while stretching.

What are you doing for selfcare today?