- Think positively: Developing positive thinking is the key habit that will help you form other important habits. Positive thinking by itself will neither reduce your weight and give you the figure 8 you've always wanted nor will it heal you of any pre-existing medical condition, but it certainly goes a long way in motivating you to start and follow-through with habits that are of health benefits. Write down a positive thought the night before, and revisit it in the morning. It will start you off on the right foot. Positive actions yield positive results!
- Lose weight: If losing weight and getting in shape is a priority, you need start at it first thing in the morning before the responsibilities and business of the day gets in your way. In addition to exercises, make better food choices and eat regular, healthy meals throughout the day.
- Stay in touch: Do you feel like it has been a long to reconnect with an old friend or family member? Call them NOW. Researches suggest that people with stronger social ties outlive their less social counterparts. In fact, a study suggests that a lack of social bonds can actually damage your health just as much as alcohol abuse, smoking, obesity, and lack of exercise.
- Drink two glasses of water before breakfast: Really, it could be before any meal. Water has other noteworthy benefits, like improving your complexion and possibly speeding up your metabolism, so drink up!
- Reduce your sodium intake: For most people 2,300 milligrams is the recommended daily intake but for those who are over 50, those with high blood pressure, diabetes, or kidney disease, or are African-Americans, sodium intake should be limited to 1,500mg per day. Lower your intake by preparing more food at home and eating processed and frozen foods, canned soups, lunch meat, dressings, sauces, and snacks less often.
- Take time to be grateful: Showing gratitude, whether orally or through written reflection, increases our feelings of connectedness.
- Smile: Smiling can dramatically improve one's mood, improve confidence, and help you make friends and excel in you career.
- Exercise: When you are more fit, you will always keep your heart healthy. Good exercise also promotes improved moods and better stress management. Start by taking walks, dusting off the outdoor play equipment, or riding bikes. Make a list of some fun things you all enjoy and do at least some of them together with your folks. Extracurricular activities like sports or dances also count.
- Be kind: Yes, kindness is a habit. And it can be cultivated. Each time you interact with someone, try to be kind, be friendly, be compassionate and try to go beyond small kindnesses to larger acts of compassion, volunteering, to help those in need and taking the initiative to relieve suffering. Focus on it every day and you will see profound changes in your life. You will feel better about yourself as a person. You will also see people react to you differently and treat you better in the long run.
- Forgive: Forgiveness of others and yourself can be said to be the ultimate mind-body-soul detox. Freeing you from negative and damaging emotions, forgiveness stops the energy drain of resentment and guilt. Forgiveness is a powerful give you can give yourself and others.
Stay active, stay healthy, stay alive.
Enjoy the year.
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