Problem: Article: Sometimes it takes a while for your brain to sink into what it’s doing and get into a groove. Because of that, a nice, long walk and can be exponentially more rewarding. Good places include a large park, a new part of town, a shopping district (for people watching), or another neighborhood. Should you ever get too tired, winded, or lightheaded, immediately sit down. Rest, take a drink and wait until you've fully recuperated before attempting to carry on. One of the best ways to keep up your motivation when it comes to exercising is to know exactly how you’re doing. A pedometer (and yes, there is an app for that if you want to use your phone) keeps track of how many steps you took and some can also record the time. How many steps have you taken today? Can you beat yesterday’s number? With a pedometer, you can set goals. Do you want to take 2,000 steps? 5,000? 10,000? For the record, there’s about 2,000 steps per mile. The current recommendation for heart health and maintaining a healthy weight is about 10,000 steps a day, or 5 miles. You don’t always have to be walking during your walks. Find a nice bench, sit down, and take it all in. What kind of birds are those chirping in the distance? And those trees, what are they? During your break, use all your senses. Find a smell you didn’t notice before. Look for new angles to photograph. Touch those flowers you always just walk by. This can be even more destressing than the walk itself. Walking alone can be a great pleasure, offering the opportunity for meditation, quiet thought, or even just deep breathing. These do not incur any expense and can add a significant emotional/spiritual dimension to your exercise. Here are a couple of ideas:  Do active, deep abdominal breathing, perhaps synchronizing it with your steps. You’ll be listening to your body instead of listening to the thoughts running wild through your mind, which can offer a sense of mental calm. Repeat a meditative phrase, positive affirmations, or prayer in your mind synchronous with your breathing or your steps. You’ll come back from your walk feeling positive, confident, and motivated to take your next walk soon. Make sure that walking becomes a daily routine, but doesn’t become boring. Find two or three places you enjoy walking, and rotate them in your schedule. Walk at different times of day, different lengths, and with different music or with different people. By now, you should be enjoying your trip. Have fun strolling!
Summary: After you've become accustomed to shorter walks, try going for a longer walk. Wear a pedometer. Take a break to soak in your surroundings and concentrate on your senses. Make your walking more meditative. Switch it up.

Problem: Article: It helps to diminish stress by releasing positive chemicals into your brain, which can help to cope with the many adaptations and changes of first having a baby.  Breastfeeding also diminishes post-pregnancy bleeding. This is because it stimulates the release of a particular hormone, called oxytocin, which helps the uterus to contract more quickly and lessens bleeding after the birth.  Oxytocin (known as the "love hormone") also promotes bonding with your baby, and helps to strengthen the relationship you share. Breastfeeding, if done continually, can sometimes serve as contraception (birth control) for up to six months. This is because the hormone balance created in your body while breastfeeding is not conducive to becoming pregnant with another child. This is not, however, the case for all women — some women will get pregnant while nursing, so don't consider it a fool-proof method of birth control.  If you don't want to get pregnant again while nursing, then you need to utilize another form of birth control. Breastfeeding will also postpone the return of your period. Moms that breastfeed and eat a well-balanced diet as they try to lose weight find it easier to shed pounds than mothers who bottle feed. Breastfeeding automatically burns calories every time you produce new milk, which equates to approximately 500 calories per day for the average nursing mother. You will not have to purchase bottles, refill bags, replacement nipples, bottle cleaners or the many cases of formula it will take to feed your baby if you are not breastfeeding.  Infant feeding costs are estimated to cost around $1,000 USD for the first year. Also, due to the increased immune system function of a baby who is breastfed, you will save yourself money from visits to the paediatrician for potential illnesses. It is always available without waiting for preparation. There is no need to get up to prepare a bottle or heat the formula before offering it to your baby. Also, consider your breastfeeding as an environmentally friendly gesture. Think of all the trash you will not be contributing as waste. It has been proven medically that women who breastfeed have a lower risk of developing breast cancer, ovarian cancer, postpartum depression, and type 2 diabetes.
Summary:
Be aware of the hormonal benefits that breastfeeding offers your body. Know the possible contraceptive effects of breastfeeding. Help yourself to lose weight post-pregnancy via breastfeeding. Save money by breastfeeding. Welcome the ease of feeding your baby from the breast. Know that research shows overall health benefits for the mother, too.