As we enter this new year the sun may shine brighter, the moon may be glow stronger, the air may be more crisp. The sky may be more blue than ever before. Have you ever wondered why that could be? It all resides within us.
Why do some people see a beautiful yellow flower of a dandelion plant and harvest it for a delicious salad and some step on it with annoyance? Why is there such a different approach while faced with the same situation?
As humans it is our choice. Will you be the person to acknowledge a cardinal in a holly tree or will you choose to see all the red lights during your morning commute? The choice is yours.
In the first couple of decades of our lives we have our parents or caretakers making many decisions for us. Nonetheless we're start making choices before we turn one years of age.
What decisions will you make this year?
It's almost customary to set some new goals. All the gyms start to fill up with members looking forward to improving their physicality. But how do we succeed and stay motivated?
Always be prepared to stop by at your gym, sports complex or a meet by park. Have the fitness bag in the car which will eliminate excuses.
Pick an activity that brings you joy and makes you feel good. If it's lifting weights or practicing yoga, biking, running, swimming or pilates, make sure you are truly satisfied with your choice . There's nothing better than engaging in something with pure enjoyment. It doesn't feel like work or a struggle at all. Exercise with a smile on your face.
Set healthy limits as many believe it is an imperative to reach your goals. Overtraining may lead to injuries and discouragement. Appropriate rest and recovery with adequate stretching leads to a nicely balanced and long lived fitness routine.
Many of us know someone starting a new diet in combination with setting fitness goals. There's so much information available out there that sometimes it may feel overwhelming to face it all. But a few basic principles never fail and may get you closer to your goals.
Most importantly eliminate toxins from your food, drinks and the environment. Read the nutritional labels and screen products of daily use like soaps, lotions, detergents etc. The skin is our biggest organ ]absorbing everything we put on it, hence we should try to nourish it consciously .
Try to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner. Eliminate snacking in between meals. Give your body a break from food delivery allowing for proper digestion.
We have to mention fruits and vegetables in their unchanged form as they are full of minerals, vitamins and very important enzymes. It is a good choice to incorporate fresh produce with our main daily meals.
Try not to drink too much water before we eat as that will dilute our gastric acid responsible for digestion. We want a fast and efficient digestion to occur.
Self care is and should be a very important part of everyone's life. We have to begin with the self; self motivation, self determination and self love.
Our emotional state is as important as our physical health and the nourishment of the body. As a therapist of over two decades, I encourage everyone to feel joy and gratitude on a daily basis. Take time to relax and that means something different to all of us. Will it be gardening, going for a walk, reading a book or getting a massage? Do what brings you peace. Smell the flowers. Your body is your temple. Take care of it well.
Your body is your temple. Take care of it well.