Now that we are halfway through the first month of the new year, resolutions and goals for a healthy lifestyle may have started to slip a little. Getting back into a routine after the holidays is hard work unless you start to believe that healthy is more a lifestyle rather than a to do list. If you are finding it difficult to stick to your intentions take a moment to consider these options.
Start with a healthy clear mind every day. Being healthy mentally can help you better manage stress which oftentimes leads to unhealthy habits. A good tool is to begin each day thinking about three things you are grateful for. Instead of hitting snooze or grabbing your smartphone to check for updates, clear your mind and think about the simple things in life that you sometimes take for granted. Most days my list includes the love and good health of my family, a career I thoroughly enjoy and good dessert!
Another key aspect of living a healthy lifestyle is your relationship to food. Life is too short to deny yourself but it’s also too short to obsess over it. Meals in moderation and proportion allows you the indulgences that you crave. If it is carbs, cheese or chocolate then use small servings of those as a treat for keeping the rest of your meals in check. Go ahead and order the dessert but ask for extra forks and share so it is a splurge and not an overindulgence.
Sure, there are days when it is easier to curl up on the couch to spend the day, but just getting moving is the easiest lifestyle change to make. If you have to go to the mall, park on the opposite side and walk the distance to the store you need. While the kids are at soccer practice, walk the paths and trails or even the parking lot. Exercise for me is driven by my two dogs, Asta and Zoe. Walking them on a split lead is 150 pounds combined and I wind up energized and refreshed while they come home ready to relax.
The small ways that you can overhaul your lifestyle can lead to big results. When you feel better about how you live day to day it’s easier to incorporate the larger goals. The habits of living with a grateful heart, a relaxed mind and a bit more energy can lead to your best year ever!