Hello Readers!
I know we are all pumped up about the upcoming year and all that will occur so I wanted to throw my 2 cents in on how the make it the best life possible.
I have learned a lot over the past year from letting go of the past to the importance of exercise in my daily life and of course a lot of things in between. I hope this year is amazing for you.
1) Drink more water or "REAL" drinks
I say this to yes drink water but also to decrease the amount of "fake" drinks you take in as well. Just working with kids from the southern region of the country, I was constantly battling with them to drop the sodas, sweet teas and other sugary drinks.Think about what is in your drink, high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners and chemicals that are carcinogens! Yuk. I do know it's hard for some to give it up completely, (i.e. me, I love Diet Coke) so at least if you do drink a soda, make your next drink water and alternate.**And don't forget we get a lot of our liquids from food as well so I'm not recommending you drink 8 oz a day.**
2) Use Coupons
I really want to be a coupon guru like some, but let's face it, I'm not. So I at least clip coupons from the Sunday paper to save a couple bucks, get to know my stores sale days and coupons they have on their website. This helps so much! Also, combining deals like buy 10 for 10 with a coupon...especially when you don't have to buy all 10 to get the deal. I have also learned to buy the generic with some products, that way you can save more than a coupons worth of money.
3) Cook more at home
This can really save you a lot of money not to mention the added health benefits of a good home cooked meal. To push it a little further even...eat little to NO Fast Food. If I, a previous lover of french Frys from a certain major fast food chain, can do it, YOU CAN TOO! Try to limit yourself to once a month or go cold turkey and none a month. I can't even begin to say how it is not good for you. **One quick example: a few years back I was eating that food once a week and I literally would have sharp chest pain afterwards..went to the Doc...nothing was wrong so decided to stop eating that completely and I haven't felt it since.**
4) Play
Yep I mean it! Play more! Chase your spouse, shoot some hoops, play hide and seek with your dog...whatever it fun for you, do it! Think back to when you were a kid...what are some of your favorite memories or activities? Find a way to bring them back!
5) Resolve Conflicts
Whether it's past or present, with a best friend, sibling, parent or spouse...There is nothing more important physically then to have mental peace. Figure out a way to right a wrong or just saying I'm Sorry goes a long way. DO NOT wait any longer. Resolve your conflicts and heal your deep hurt, big or small.
6) Try Meditation
Don't think about this. All this is is you sitting quietly, not thinking. Be in the moment and let go of any conscious thought. Sit relaxed on the floor or in a chair. Close your eyes and relax your mind. Give no effort. Try this for a few minutes to find some peace in this crazy world. Use this Deepak video to help...he's the best in explaining meditation. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PF3ngl7fuY&playnext=1&list=PLLm2Z2IiOyEWd4OymSr17u4I15rY-K_Fe&feature=results_video ** I also consider praying as a form of meditation...it's very relaxing and calming most of the time, which leads me to my next point**
7) Pray
Prayer to me is personal and pleasing to myself and to our God. But I know for some this may be unfamiliar territory. Just know, God is always listening. There is no preset way to pray, just have a conversation with Him. He already knows your heart before you open your mouth or have a thought but this is a requirement by Him. It also helps us and our minds to speak or relay what's on our hearts. I usually feel really good after praying knowing I was able to praise our Creator or come to Him in need. Just something to think about...(this is what I believe, I don't mean to offend anyone).
8) Exercise
You know I had to throw this one in there but for more than just bodily health. I guess there is a theme going in this post, exercise helps you achieve clarity in mind as well as body. There have been countless studies on the favorable effect exercise has on depression and many other mental illnesses. Now that I live up in the NorthWest with sun every couple of days, I'm starting to realize what so many people have before me...it can be a little depressing when it's cold and dark all the time. So to this I say GET MOVING! Go for a walk, do some weightlifting, play a sport, hike a mountain...whatever it takes to help you mentally and physically.
Hope this gives you some inspiration.
Salud.
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