When it comes to happiness, some people might think it's a state of mind while others might suspect it's a byproduct of living a good life and doing good things for yourself and your fellow men and women. Happiness can certainly be elusive to some more than others. In this day and age, many people are finding themselves dug into their respective ruts and are looking to live a more positive and fulfilling life.

Below are a few keys to inner happiness that might serve as a springboard for making healthier decisions that make you happier on a daily basis.

Work Out Hard

When it comes to staying active, you're always going to have an excuse not to. You have to ignore that, take your butt to the scene of the crime, and get yourself in gear. Focus on your workouts and never skip out on them early. Work out to exertion, whether you're running, rowing, lifting weights, kickboxing, or whatever you decide to do. Healthy endorphins get released in the brain and we burn reserves of energy that, if unchecked, can turn into worry and anxiety.

You Are What You Eat/Drink

If a scientist looked at the inner parts of your body, what would they be looking at? Eating junk food changes our internal landscape, not to mention influences our thoughts and behaviors in a negative way. Eating clean, healthy foods will make you feel better and, therefore, happier.

Stay Connected

No, we don't mean to the internet. Actually, we mean quite the opposite. The internet might provide useful information and avenues to connect with those all over the world, but the connection made with our neighbors, our families, and those within our communities is far more important. Sharing our lives with others is what creates rich human experiences.

Take Care of Your Mind, Body, and Spirit

Meditate, do yoga, and find places and things that make you feel more spiritual and put your thoughts on a higher plane. Chiropractic treatment is also a great way to help you strike the mind/body balance. Chiropractic adjustments have also been shown to reduce anxiety, depression, and relieve symptoms of insomnia. Contact Espinosa Family Chiropractic today to schedule your consultation in order to learn more.

For those of our patients raising children, it's important to set them up for success in this ever-changing world. Test scores aren't the end all be all when it comes to your child's progress, but it is a good indication if your child is engaged and on track with their studies.

Below are a few ways to get the best out of your children without seeming like a drill sergeant. 

Get Good Sleep

Make sure your child is getting 8 hours of sleep or more each day. Make sure to moderate caffeine intake and make sure they get the right amount of active time so they are tuckered out at the end of the day.

Eat Well

Feeding your child clean, whole foods will help make sure their body and brain are functioning at optimum capacity. We are what we eat, after all.

Balance Study Time and Play Time

It can't be all work and it can't be all play. Make sure to balance study time with playtime, maybe something like a 2:1 ratio. If you can incorporate games into studying, that's some next-level stuff.

Chiropractic care is also a great way to make sure that your child's body and brain are firing on all cylinders. Chiropractic adjustments have been shown to reduce growing pains, improve sleep, reduce moodiness, and more. Contact Espinosa Family Chiropractic today to schedule you and your child's consultation.

Practicing good posture is one of the keys to keeping your back and spine healthy. Exercise, yoga, chiropractic treatments, a good diet, getting good rest, and staying hydrated are also key factors in keeping your body and your spine healthy, but we'd like to focus on posture for today.

Continue reading for a few places where it is key that you practice keeping good posture.

1.) In the Car

If you live in a big, congested city (like, say, Los Angeles) you might spend anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours each way on your daily commute. That can end up exceeding 10-20 hours a week in extreme cases, which makes it crucial to keep good posture in the car. Make sure to adjust your seat to an upright position where your back and neck feel supported.

2.) At Work

You likely spend anywhere from 4-8 hours at work depending on if you're employed full or part-time, which is why it's important to practice good posture at your place of employment. Invest in an ergonomic chair that has your neck and back in mind. Stretch every hour or so to get your body away from staying in the same position for long periods of time.

3.) At the Gym

Practicing good form goes hand-in-hand with having good posture. More importantly, having bad form and bad posture while lifting can result in injury.

If you have any questions about how to establish and maintain great posture, contact Espinosa Family Chiropractic today.

Living longer is on the minds of many folks in this day and age, not to mention on the minds of many of the greatest scientists and leaders of the medical field. The truth is, it's the stuff we do every day that is either helping us live a longer, healthier life, or driving us closer to illness or at the very least standing in the way of our potential.

Below are a few suggestions for our patients to live longer, healthier lives.

Exercise and Recover

Make sure that you get cardio and strength training without overloading your joints. Recover as intelligently as you work out (do yoga, engage in active recovery, etc.). Make sure you always get at least 7-9 hours of sleep. Anything less is bad for your health in numerous ways.

Work a Little Less

Many of us fall into the trap of defining ourselves by our vocation. It's a very limited way of looking at things. Being overworked is no way to be, no matter which stage of life's game you're currently playing. Take time away to gain new perspective. Learn new skills in case you end up going in a new direction. Take the time to stay connected with your community.

Eat Well

Changing your diet is paramount in helping you live happier, healthier, and longer. Stay away from fast food, processed food, and sugary foods and beverages. Eat lots of veggies and take the supplements that you feel like work for you.

Chiropractic care is another way to maximize your health and has been shown to help with pain relief, injury rehabilitation, and in the treatment of a wide variety of health conditions. Contact Espinosa Family Chiropractic today to schedule your consultation in order to learn more.