New Year, Same You?
Here it is! The start of 2025!! Before you think about making a big sweeping change, or no change at all, read this!
I know many people, myself included, who go for big sweeping changes at the beginning of the New Year, only to go back to what’s known and habitual. After a few years of this, I realized that making small shifts is much easier to put into habit. First, I started taking the first of every month to incorporate one small habitual health change to focus on for that month. Things like, increasing fiber, working on my posture, getting more steps in, moments of gratitude, breathwork, etc. Some of them I’ve kept in my daily health toolbox. Others, I need to remind myself and work on it again for another month.
There are ways to “piggyback” incorporating more health benefits. For instance, if you like to get in a sauna, instead of listening to a podcast, why not try some mediation? Or if you take a hot bath, think about what you’re grateful for and things you look forward to doing during the week. If you want to increase fiber, how can you add more to your favorite smoothie or salad? If you want to cook more meals at home, maybe invite a friend over rather than going out. To get more steps in, take the stairs at work, park your car further from the building, or walk your dog a bit further than usual. See where I’m going with this? Add a small step to something you’re already doing.
When making changes, it’s important not only to have the “why” behind the change, but more importantly, the “how” detailed out to make a clear path going forward. How will you make it into your routine? How will you navigate the extra time if you’re busy? How will you keep focused on the end goal?
No matter who you are, we can all make small improvements for our health and creating new habits will help our wellness in the long run. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Small steps for the journey ahead.
Health Tip for January
Movement is important. They say being sedentary is the new smoking. What do you need to put in place to incorporate more movement? Join a gym or class? Hire a personal trainer? Set up a space in your home? Put it on your calendar? Skip the elevator? Walking meetings? Accountability partner? Whatever you decide, another thing to think about is what stopped you in the past. Injury? Closed gym? Time? Childbirth? Take this opportunity of the New Year to schedule more movement in your weekly calendar.