There are so many ways we can express gratitude, whether we realize it or not. Being an attentive listener, holding the door for someone and even helping our friends reach their goals by working out together are all ways we can show people we’re grateful for them. Sometimes though, the most effective way to express our gratitude is to put it into words and send a handwritten note. How to write a thoughtful card We spoke with life coach and author Sarah Stewart to get her input on what we should keep in mind when writing a kind, handwritten note, so even if writing isn’t your thing, you can express your gratitude and send a fun greeting card. There is no right or wrong time You may think sending a thoughtful card to someone is only appropriate to send if you are saying happy birthday, thank you or I’m sorry. But really, greeting cards or “just because” cards can and should welcome any day! “Any time is a good time to send a friend or family member …

Understanding the true meaning of acceptance has a lot to do with your ability to find happiness. Resolutions, intentions and goals can serve as guides to an amazing life. But what happens when we don’t meet and achieve them? Maybe this year wasn’t the year you found love or got the promotion you deserve at work. It’s easy to get down about falling short of our own expectations. In the end, though, it’s less about the idea of blind acceptance, and more about self love, appreciation and the ability to move forward. Nix judgement Try to avoid thinking of situations as good or bad and simply see them for what they are. There are things outside of our control that often create an outcome that directly affects us. If you weren’t able to save enough to take a year-end trip, don’t automatically think it’s because you’re irresponsible or careless. It’s normal to feel completely responsible in these cases and to harshly criticize ourselves for it. But this is rarely the case, and negativity is not the ideal …

Confidence is key — here are a few ways to improve yours in the new year.

Only just a decade ago, key indicators of good health were fairly finite. The primary one, of course, was if you weighed too much (or even just appeared to have too much fat on your body). You’d automatically and unfairly be labeled as unhealthy. But with the help of the body positivity movement and generally improved common sense, prime health is now defined less by numbers and more by what your body is capable of achieving and how you feel. Signs of good health Still, medical professionals haven’t eschewed numbers are indicators of good health entirely. In fact, they use a few as key indicators as to whether or not we are in good health. Here, medical professionals reveal four of the key signs that show our good health, and five you should definitely keep an eye out for if something feels wrong. Maintain optimal blood pressure According to Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD, president of the Orthopaedic and Spine Center, one of the most telling signs of good health is our blood pressure. “Optimal blood pressure …

You gotta take care of yourself. While you already know that working out is essential for your overall health, did you know that it can have an impact on your feminine health, too? And nope, we’re not just talking about ‘down there’: the first thing to know is that exercise isn’t always easy on our lady bits. In fact, women who work out frequently are at a higher risk for vaginal infections and discomfort than those who don’t exercise often. “When working out, the main culprit for causing problems down below is the heat and moisture that’s trapped when we our glands release sweat and our pores expand,” Sherry Ross, MD, an OB/GYN at Providence Saint John’s Health Center says. “Heat and moisture are catalysts for yeast, so if a woman works out and sweats and leaves her workout clothes on for an extended period of time, this can cause yeast to begin to grow.” But the good news is that there are plenty of ways to stay healthy while you get your sweat sesh on. Here’s …