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Articles
RESOLUTIONS GET REAL - BIG CHANGES BEGIN WITH LIFE'S LITTLE PLEASURES
Sacramento Parent Magazine| December 2009 | By: Jean Munoz Keese
If just hearing the phrase “New Year’s resolutions” makes you feel like a failure, then forget everything you know about them. The key to success with any new habit is to start not with a big, grim goal, like quitting smoking or losing twenty pounds, but with the means toward your end, something you can work into your daily or weekly routine—and something fun! As a Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist, I teach my clients that real change happens in small, pain-free steps.
It is so much easier to leave behind old habits when we can adopt new habits to replace them, especially when that new, healthier habit is something we actually want to do. Trying to kick the coffee habit? Start drinking tea. Want to lose weight? Find an activity that makes you smile. The theory goes like this: once a good habit becomes part of your everyday routine, those not-so-good habits fall away on their own. Try any of these simple little changes—starting any time—for big benefits to your health and happiness:
BREATHE AND BE MINDFUL
Take a moment to clear your mind and simply focus on your breath. Research has shown that breathing properly (yes, there is a proper way) reduces stress and anxiety. It improves circulation and digestion, reduces stress hormone levels, and calms the nervous system, relaxing body and mind.
Put it in practice: You can do this at home, at your desk, in line at the grocery store, even while driving. Start by sitting or standing tall; inhale deeply and slowly, controlling the breath as it enters your lungs. Then exhale slowly and fully, emptying your lungs. Repeat for 2-5 minutes, three times daily, for maximum benefits.
LAUGH EVERY DAY
Laughter really is the best medicine! It reduces stress, pain and conflict, and inspires a better outlook on life. Laughter can even help you stay young, according to Mary Thomson, local Clinical Ayurvedic Practitioner and mom. “Laughter reduces levels of stress hormones which age the body,” explains Thomson.
Put it in practice: Make plans (aim for an hour a day) to hang out with your fun girlfriend (the one who leaves you in stitches), play silly games with your kids, or do anything that cracks you up. Ask people to tell you something funny (you’ll be surprised!), and incorporate comedies, humorous books and blogs, or even the funny pages into your routine.
FEAST TOGETHER ONCE A WEEK
With our uber-busy, drive-thru lifestyles, family mealtimes are becoming a lost art, but finding even one day per week to prepare and share a meal at home with the whole family can have tremendous benefits. This simple ritual adds depth to our relationships, health to our lives and enjoyment to the simple act of eating. “The food provides the centerpiece, but the family time together becomes the real value,” says Thomson.
Put it in practice: The entire family, not just mom (or dad), can participate. Pick a night that works for everyone then get out your favorite cookbook or search for recipes online to start planning. You can make a weekly family outing out of going to the local farmers’ market or store to gather ingredients for this yummy slow-food feast.
RIDE, WALK OR RUN FOR A CAUSE
Do good and get fit! “Adding the philanthropy element to your training program can be just the push you need to get you across the finish line,” says Wendy Hoag, Moms in Motion team leader in Elk Grove. Giving and getting in a workout have both been shown to boost endorphins (those feel-good chemicals our bodies produce naturally). In the process you will also likely get leaner and stronger, have fun, and make new friends.
Put it in practice: Training with a team (and that race-day deadline on your calendar) offers structure and motivation. Some local events (like Run Rocklin) also include training and support for registered participants. To find out about upcoming events, check Sacramento Parent’s Calendar pages each month, or visit MomsInMotion.com.
GET FINANCIALLY FIT
In debt? Worried about providing for your family? You are not alone. Financial woes can be overwhelming; they can ruin relationships and add unneeded stress to your life. But even with the worst cases, there is hope.
Put it in practice: Creating a plan is the first step toward relieving your stress and improving both your health and wealth, and free or affordable help is out there. Sarah Litchney, CEO of Litchney Law Firm and CleanStart Law Firm, works with people in debt every day. Her firm, like some others, offers free consultations. Litchney says there are solutions for every situation; the key lies in finding “something manageable” for each person’s needs.
STAY CONNECTED
When life gets busy, we often sacrifice time with those we love. Keep your relationship in shape by scheduling a weekly date with your spouse, or if you’re single, with your significant other or best friend.
Put it in practice: Plan ahead, and make your date a standing, regular appointment. It can be as simple as dinner or elaborate as a weekend away. The trick is to get it on the calendar, then keep that appointment. Need child care? If Grandma isn’t around, talk to friends about taking turns watching the kids. You might also take advantage of hourly childcare centers like KidsPark or Parents’ Survival Nights at spots like The Little Gym.
Jean is a freelance health writer, Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist, Yoga & Pilates instructor, and owner of Sattva Yoga Pilates & Ayurveda in Rocklin. She lives in Foresthill with her husband, James, and their 1-year-old son, Huckleberry.
