As we rolled into 2018, you may have decided on a few new year resolutions for yourself. Now that we are half way through the year, maybe some of those ambitious ideas of weight loss, exercise, putting a halt to unwanted habits and other hopeful ideas are lacking a bit in stick-to-it-iveness.
It’s understandable and it happens all too often to the best of us. But don’t be discouraged! There’s a great quote that applies well here. “Although no one can go back and make a new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending“.
Here’s an approach you may want to consider. How about a handful of resolutions that will help you accomplish healthier living (and better productivity as a result) in 2018, but yet are quite EASY to do? Ones that just don’t require that much effort and CAN be accomplished.
Achievable resolutions will not only aid you in a better life, but they can help restore faith and determination in accomplishing or sticking to your decisions and goals in general.
Here are some suggestions for easily attainable resolutions for healthier living. Healthier living can also cause positive effects on your productivity, your mood, your longevity and can help those around you.
1) Utilize the research and information provided by the Environmental Working Group at www.EWG.org. On their website they provide information about toxic chemicals in cosmetics, sunscreens, skin and hair care products, cleaning products and in foods and produce. They also have 2 great apps (EWG’s Healthy Living and EWG’s Food Scores), which you can download onto your phone. Then, when you are shopping, you can use their barcode scan system to check for dangerous toxins in products before you buy. They will also suggest healthier versions of these products that you can easily find. Little by little you can be upgrading what you put into your body through your skin or your mouth to healthier versions. Taking in less pesticides and dangerous chemicals into your body can have profound effects over years. By avoiding known carcinogens [meaning things that can cause cancer], maybe you can avoid cancer later in life. By avoiding endocrine disruptors, maybe you won’t have failing hormone functions.
2) Wear a FitBit or Smart Watch with a fitness application. There are plenty available: Google Fit, Apple Watch Activity, Sony Lifelog, Endomondo, Fitstar and MapMyFitness are some of many that are available. Even if you don’t exercise at all, it will encourage you to stand when you have been sitting dormant too long. It will provide some encouragement to be more active, even if minor.
3) Find a form of exercise that you like which is readily available or can be made so. Lack of exercise over time can have many repercussions on your health. If you are too busy, too tired or just lack the ambition or drive to exercise, there are still options. Most important is that you choose something that you like and which is super convenient. Swimming, punching bag, dancing, yoga or anything that gets you more active physically – if you like it and it is easy to do, then that’s it.
At an irreducible minimum you could get one of those body vibration devices that you simply stand on. It tricks the body into thinking you’re falling. This, in turn, activates the reflexes that result in extremely rapid muscle contractions. It works your muscles and has been found to increase muscle tone and circulation, as well as bone density. You can do this while you are watching the news or your favorite TV show and it does not require exerting a lot of energy. It’s not the most ideal exercise, but it IS exercise, and if nothing else it is something almost anyone can do.
4) Replace some or all sodas with sparkling mineral water and add a hint of lemon, orange, grapefruit or lime (by adding a small amount of juice or a few drops of essential oil). Make sure it’s not the sparkling water drinks with added sugar. Sparkling mineral water is better (as opposed to just sparkling water) as you are getting some minerals in addition to the benefit of drinking more water and less soda. And don’t be fooled by fruit juices that are often touted as a healthy option to soda, as they usually have just as much sugar.
5) Cut back on sugar intake by replacing some or all with real stevia. It’s a naturally sweet herb that doesn’t increase blood sugar. The average American consumes nearly 20 teaspoons of sugar per day or 66 pounds of sugar per year, leading to epidemics in obesity, diabetes and other serious physical conditions. I recommend SweetLeaf brand (it comes in packets), which is actual stevia as opposed to many other brands that are mostly sugar alcohol with a little stevia. If you take sugar in your coffee or drink sweet tea, you can use some stevia instead. Opt for cereals, deli meats, dressings, crackers and other foods with lower sugar wherever possible.
These are just some suggestions of healthier habits that are relatively easy to do, but which can improve long term quality of life. A few such resolves can have a big impact.
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