New Year's resolutions can be inspiring & energizing...for at least a few days...until 'real life' sets in once again & we start questioning ourselves about how we can ever keep the goals we set for ourselves on January 1st...to lose weight...exercise 5 days a week...eat 5 servings of veggies a day...OK--I'll stop!
Instead of trying to eat the elephant (or start on a Total Wellness plan), start with 'one bite' (one step) and feel good about accomplishing it. Then move on to the next 'bite' (next step) & master that one.
You can start by make a list of HEALTHY CHOICES that you would like to incorporate into your everyday life---these are 'lifestyle changes'---they work because they are NOT something you plan to do for a limited time for a certain result---they are long-term changes that will continue to benefit you throughout your life.
Once you have your Healthy Choices list, PICK ONE to focus on--just one for now---make some sticky note reminders for the fridge, other handy spots in the kitchen, your bathroom mirror, your desk...
You CAN handle just one of these...of your choosing...and, after several weeks, when it's part of your daily routine to drink 8-10 glasses of water daily or any other option you've chosen, THEN move on to the next one on your list...and just keep moving through your list this way. If you get off track, brush yourself off & get started again.
A list of Healthy Choices may include:
*Drinking at least 8-10 8oz glasses of water daily (filtered, alkaline water if possible--check previous blogs for info on this)
*Taking a good quality (organic/whole food) multivitamin/mineral supplement daily
*Exercising at least 3 times/week for 30 minutes (if you haven't exercised in a while)--with a goal of at least 5 times/week. Make it something you enjoy...walking, working out with a friend, tennis, workout DVD...
*Adding at least 1 more serving of veggies into your day. One of my favorite ways is keeping a small bowl of carrot sticks in the fridge (kept fresh in 'good' water) so every time my family or I open the fridge we can grab a carrot. Celery works well this way, too. I don't use the bags of mini carrots being they have been soaked in a bleach solution, even the organic ones. I buy a bunch of organic carrots, scrub them up quickly & cut them into small carrot sticks to last the week. Try experimenting with squash, green beans, asparagus, spinach---'Google' new recipes for them, like roasted green beans with olive oil & garlic--quick & simple...and so good! Keep a bag of organic salad greens in your fridge at all times to easily add a serving of veggies to a meal with a quick salad.
*Adding a good quality, whole food antioxidant into your daily routine for powerful cancer prevention.
*Prioritizing adequate sleep on a regular schedule to give your immune system a chance to rebuild each night.
*Investing in a good quality air filtration unit for your home (multi-stage filtration with negative ions but NO ozone). The air in our homes is filled with toxins we can't see--toxins that can have negative health effects over time.
*Planning weekly dinner menus so there is less temptation to grab less-than-healthy choices or catch the local drive-in specials.
*Keeping your fridge & cupboards stocked with healthier options for munching...string cheese, yogurt, deli meat, fruit & veggies (cut up for even easier access), baked chips (if chips are a necessity!), organic non-sugared cereals, popcorn (not microwave type!)...
ALWAYS REMEMBER why you're doing this...making healthy choices: for your own health and sense of well-being...AND for those you love...who depend on you...and want you around for the long-term...they are the ones who will keep you moving forward & successfully adding Health Choices to your lifestyle!
I welcome your questions & comments. My past blogs contain info on many of the above topics, including sleep, water, air quality...check them out!
I wish for you a joy-filled and healthy New Year...Wellness Blessings to you!
Sana
Showing posts with label health education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health education. Show all posts
Friday, January 1, 2010
Saturday, October 31, 2009
My 1st Assignment--Why I'm Doing What I'm Doing
I'm quickly figuring out 'how things work' as I jump in with both feet into my coursework toward my Doctor of Education in Holistic Health & Wellness degree---Here is my first 'project' that I submitted this past week that gives an idea for why I'm doing what I'm doing----I know there are many out there who truly are wondering WHY I'm doing what I'm doing!
May you and your families be blessed with great health!
Sana
My Philosophy of Natural Health
Imagine a nation in which being healthy and truly feeling well was the norm…with illness being an uncommon occurrence for which there were simple, safe and effective measures to take. While we’re at it, let’s also imagine a prevailing mindset of personal responsibility for our health. I realize that the general public would be rolling their eyes in unison after reading the above two statements. That’s okay, though. That’s why I’m embarking on this journey of education with a destination of a Doctor of Education in Holistic Health and Wellness degree.
The reason I say it’s ‘okay’ at present for the public to roll their eyes in disbelief at the thought of a healthy nation is because the majority of people aren’t aware of the sound research and information available in the natural health arena that can impact our health in positive ways. The barrage of pharmaceutical-driven health information from multiple media sources that the public is subject to, even if they aren’t looking for information, is a formidable mess of misinformation often designed to intimidate and alarm.
Many of us were raised under a Western medicine influence with a skewed view of health being ‘the absence of disease.’ Little, if any, emphasis was placed on disease prevention. The average health care consumer is growing increasingly frustrated and confused with conflicting reports and myriads of health care choices. This frustration and confusion is creating a wonderful window of opportunity in the natural health field. I believe that sound, pertinent education is the key in changing the face of our nation’s health for the better.
This ‘sound’ education can only happen with knowledgeable natural health consultants and practitioners standing up and speaking out, armed with unbiased, unequivocal research. This is what it will take in a country overridden with a medical (sick care) system driven for the most part by financial greed. I’ve been a part of both sides (Western medicine and natural health) in my 28 year nursing career and I know which side needs to win the battle. A true victory will be a cooperative force of health practitioners and consultants practicing integrative medicine that actually endorses and follows the ‘Do no harm’ credo.
I know that I will benefit personally from the knowledge gained on this journey of natural health education. My goal is to take this invaluable information and utilize effective ways to educate others in ways that make sense to them, empowering them to incorporate healthy behaviors into their lifestyles. I look forward to the journey.
May you and your families be blessed with great health!
Sana
My Philosophy of Natural Health
Imagine a nation in which being healthy and truly feeling well was the norm…with illness being an uncommon occurrence for which there were simple, safe and effective measures to take. While we’re at it, let’s also imagine a prevailing mindset of personal responsibility for our health. I realize that the general public would be rolling their eyes in unison after reading the above two statements. That’s okay, though. That’s why I’m embarking on this journey of education with a destination of a Doctor of Education in Holistic Health and Wellness degree.
The reason I say it’s ‘okay’ at present for the public to roll their eyes in disbelief at the thought of a healthy nation is because the majority of people aren’t aware of the sound research and information available in the natural health arena that can impact our health in positive ways. The barrage of pharmaceutical-driven health information from multiple media sources that the public is subject to, even if they aren’t looking for information, is a formidable mess of misinformation often designed to intimidate and alarm.
Many of us were raised under a Western medicine influence with a skewed view of health being ‘the absence of disease.’ Little, if any, emphasis was placed on disease prevention. The average health care consumer is growing increasingly frustrated and confused with conflicting reports and myriads of health care choices. This frustration and confusion is creating a wonderful window of opportunity in the natural health field. I believe that sound, pertinent education is the key in changing the face of our nation’s health for the better.
This ‘sound’ education can only happen with knowledgeable natural health consultants and practitioners standing up and speaking out, armed with unbiased, unequivocal research. This is what it will take in a country overridden with a medical (sick care) system driven for the most part by financial greed. I’ve been a part of both sides (Western medicine and natural health) in my 28 year nursing career and I know which side needs to win the battle. A true victory will be a cooperative force of health practitioners and consultants practicing integrative medicine that actually endorses and follows the ‘Do no harm’ credo.
I know that I will benefit personally from the knowledge gained on this journey of natural health education. My goal is to take this invaluable information and utilize effective ways to educate others in ways that make sense to them, empowering them to incorporate healthy behaviors into their lifestyles. I look forward to the journey.
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