5 things to start doing today for a better 2012
Happy New Year from the Blundells
The New Year always brings about a sense of renewal, of change, of “this year I’m gonna do better.”
For many, it’s also a time of resolutions that don’t often make it beyond Feb. 1. But in our continuing efforts to simplify — here are five things we can all start today to create a better tomorrow.
- Take a walk. The biggest idea here is — MOVE! Not only does a good walk help improve your physical health, it’s also is great for your emotional and mental health. Get out with your spouse or your kids and enjoy the walk (and the talk). Mary Ann writes that “walk and talks” can do a lot to improve communication in your marriage. In addition, try and find other opportunities to squeeze a walk in. Take the stairs, park further away from the door and get up and walk to co-worker’s desk instead of just making a phone call.
- Learn to say “No.” One of the easiest ways I’ve learned to reduce stress in my life is by learning to say “No.” When I come prepared knowing my priorities, it makes saying no far easier. Sometimes that even means saying goodbye to things you’ve agreed to in the past. Whatever it is, if it’s taking you away from the most important things in your life — learn to remove it from your life.
- Less red. More green. Cut down on your red meat (or cut it our completely) and start adding more green veggies to your diet. Reducing your red meat intake has continually been shown to improve your cardiovascular health as well as reduce your chances of cancer. On the flip side, green vegetables are less expensive than red meats and can improve your health in all sorts of great ways.
- Plan ahead. Perhaps one of the hardest things we’ve found to do is simply planning ahead when looking at the week to come – but when we do — it makes a world of difference. Whether it’s planning our weekly menus, planning our trips to the store or simply planning our social calendar, taking 30-minutes or so to prepare for the week to come makes a huge difference when life hits you on Wednesday afternoon.
- Pray or Meditate. Whatever your faith or affiliation, scientists have discovered some interesting findings when it comes to focusing our thoughts. The simple act of meditating and focusing can help sculpt our brains in ways we may have never dreamed.
From a 2009 report:
Neuroscientist Richard Davidson says you can change your brain with experience and training.
“You can sculpt your brain just as you’d sculpt your muscles if you went to the gym,” he says. “Our brains are continuously being sculpted, whether you like it or not, wittingly or unwittingly.”
It’s called neuroplasticity. For years Davidson, who is at the University of Wisconsin, has scanned the brains of Buddhist monks who have logged years of meditation. When it comes to things like attention and compassion, their brains are as finely tuned as a late-model Porsche.
And from my own personal experiences, anytime I make the effort to pray for those problem issues in my life — something changes. It may be the person or the situation — but most of the time it’s me that changes the most.
What changes can we add to the list?
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