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As January starts to wind down, most people are to the point of either still “making it” or more likely “breaking it” with their new year’s resolutions. It’s the nature of the beast—change is not likely to happen overnight. Motivation shifts like a pendulum back and forth between both extremes and most people are left heading towards the indulgences of February’s Valentine’s Day with the optimism of a healthy new year quickly
fading into the distance. Have we already accepted defeat and are going to wait around until we have
to get into a swimsuit during the summer months to “restart” our health priorities?
President Obama, yesterday in his State of the Union speech, declared 2014 “a year of action”. White House aides are talking up how the president is “redefining success” based not on what can get through Congress, but on what actions he can take on his own. The Republican response from Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash, said that “We hope the president will join us in a year of real action, by empowering people…” Shouts of “do it” rang out from members of the audience during the speech.
Outside of politics, what does this mean for you and me and our goals of bettering our health, well-being, and success in life? It’s the reminder that motivation, optimism, and the drive to make changes doesn’t have to be limited to the first of the year. Even if our motivation is weak in one moment, all it takes is the next moment for us to start anew. “Do it”. “Redefine what success means to you” in the very next moment. That is how we can make 2014 “a year of action” for ourselves.
Borrowing from the toolbox of strategies we use with our clients in achieving behavior change and as further discussed in our book, “Having Your All”, momentum is something that can be far more important that momentary success. What
good is it to move two steps forward toward your goals only to fall 2-3 steps back when things don’t go according to your intentions. It takes far less time and physical and emotional energy to move forwards with baby steps or with periodic pauses than with big swings forwards and back. It might just be wiser to maintain where you are at for a period of time until life and your motivation cooperates to take you forward again. Redefine success to not be perfection-focused, but rather toward making the best choices possible in every given moment. That is feeling empowered and is the meaningful and doable focus you want to make 2014 your year of action!
Need energy? Need it fast? It’s the afternoon slump and you have a half a day left to get a whole day’s worth of things accomplished. Do you reach for your 4th cup of coffee or head for the vending machine for the quick sugar fix? No, you choose one of the following action steps to give you a much needed boost that will not only have an immediate effect, but will last much longer than that cookie that you just inhaled. Not only are these methods healthier and natural, but they will result in longer-lasting energy to help you power through the rest of your day.
When you’re energized, you’re able to do more, be more, and give more!
- Drink water. Thirsting for energy? Dehydration is the number one factor in fatigue, yet most people don’t realize this. Increase your water consumption by doubling what you do right now until you reach 8-10 eight ounce glasses per day.
- Get moving. While you may not be able to hit the gym the moment fatigue strikes, there’s a good chance you can http://pharmacyonline-cialis.com/generic-cialis-with-dapoxetine-20-mg-dosage/ sneak in a quick walk around the block or go up and down the stairwell. It’s the fastest way to feel energized and will boost your mood and alertness because it releases endorphins, the natural occurring opiates that help you feel happy, less stressed, and more dynamic.
- Eat strategically. Eating the right foods at the right times can be the most powerful choices you make. Focus on timing, balance, how long does viagra last and lean protein in the battle against fatigue. Protein contains tyrosine, an amino acid that elevates the brain chemicals dopamine and over the counter viagra norepinephrine, and it gives you more long-term satiety compared to processed carbs. A handful of raw almonds, a cup of greek yogurt, or even a http://pharmacyonline-viagra.com/ low-sugar protein bar can be a good choice in levitra side effects warnings a pinch.
- Take a breath…or two. When you yawn, it’s a signal that your body is trying to increase its oxygen intake. A lack of oxygen is what contributes to making you feel sleepy and sluggish. Take a few minutes to sit up tall and inhale deeply through your nose, hold it for three seconds before exhaling through your mouth. Then continue the cycle for 3-5 minutes to feel instantly recharged.
- Energize your space. Our work areas and living spaces can have a major impact cialis coupon on our energy levels. Light, color, noise, and smells all have the power to either energize you or exhaust you. Notice what you personally respond to. Does the satsuma-scented hand lotion give you a quick pick-me-up? Can what is viagra putting on some fast-beat music
get your productivity groove going again? generic cialis Pay attention and take advantage!
- Go ahead and take that cat nap. Aside from food, one of your body’s main sources of energy is rest. Yet, most people come into work every day completely sleep deprived and feeling weary, irritable, and unable to concentrate as alcohol and cialis a result. If you don’t have access to a place
to a place to rest, just putting your head down on your desk and closing
your eyes can give you enough of a break to return to your tasks with more pep. Make sure you set an alarm for no more than 20 minutes of a snooze for an optimal rest cycle.
- Take a tech time out. Our days are filled with looking at one type of a screen or another, whether a tablet, phone, or computer. Constantly working via technology can make you feel drained and tired. Give yourself a time out! Mix things up by getting up and talking to colleagues, checking in at home, or indulging in a hobby that doesn’t generic cialis involve a screen. Just cialis coupon make sure it doesn’t lead to distraction or procrastination, only rejuvenation.
- Get outside. Hopefully your outdoors includes sunlight. The neurotransmitters in our brain respond well over the counter viagra to sun-bathed light and leave us feeling refreshed and stimulated. Go outside as often as you can during the day and especially right before you need to be extra-focused for the brain-activating short-wavelength light you get from the sun.
It’s the top of the year and natural viagra time to move yourself towards Clean Eating! Let’s clean out the old and move away from all of the heavy, rich over-indulgences of the holidays. When you eat junk or viagra price too much, it shows on your body and our mood. Clean eating is about cialis generic best price enjoying fresh, natural, and unprocessed foods that leave you feeling light and energized. This isn’t about a new year’s detox, this is a wholesome eating philosophy that focuses on eating ‘real’ foods while minimizing processed products. It means removing the chemicals and additives from your diet and your body and enjoying foods that are as close to their natural state as you can get them. It’s choosing fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins instead of pre-packaged, processed, or fast foods. The focus is not on losing weight or counting calories, but rather on trusting in good quality, healthy foods and listening to what your body is telling you.
Eating clean generic levitra can be a major transition for a lot of people due to ingrained habits of consuming sugar, white bread, and fast food. It takes a little focus and discipline in order to make eating clean a habit, but it’s doable cialis 20 mg directions and worth the effort with all the long-term health benefits.
What’s the easiest way to clean up your diet? Here are some tips to get you started…
Happy clean eating!
-N
Ready or not, the New Year is upon us! This time of the year always brings with it a clean slate and a desire to reform our ways…or at least endeavor to try! Every year, most people make resolutions to change and every year those resolutions go mainly unresolved. This isn’t because of people’s lack of
wanting a better life as much as the reality that changes are very difficult to sustain. Our habits are ingrained and automatic at this stage of life and changing them requires constant and sustained
effort.
So, should we ditch the resolutions since they don’t seem to hang around till February anyway? I personally believe that the process of making the resolutions might actually be more valuable than worrying about if you break them or not. Just thinking about what you want out of your 2013, which habits might be harmful to you and are in need of change, or which actions will move you towards being your best person are helpful to everyone. Use that information to set personal goals rather than exact resolutions that are less flexible and represent the all-or-nothing mindset of dieting that most us tend to fail at. After one or two ‘less than perfect’ choices, people tend to feel like failures and drop the whole effort while falling back into their familiar patterns. With goal setting, your aim is to work gradually towards a desired behavior. You’re not aiming for perfection, but rather movement forward towards your desired behavior. It might be a little slow go, but set small attainable goals and add more steps as you accomplish each one. This way, you work your way towards the changes and life you want with a feeling of ‘success’ along the way.
As for the goals that you set, choose wisely or it may be difficult to make them stick. Pick goals that will have a tangible effect on your life so that you can experience some benefits right away. This will help motivate you to keep going well past the start of the year.
Here are 3 of my ‘goals’ for 2013:
- To finally clear off my desk and my inbox! I will stick to one filing system for my papers and e-mails and follow the strategy of looking at them once before choosing an action…bye bye stacks!
- Integrate at least two days of strength training into my fitness routine. I’m starting to feel the softness in my body that tennis, cardio, and one day of yoga per week just can’t seem to change. It’s time to follow my own advice to other women and get those muscles working hard.
- Tweet, tweet, tweet! I’m a little late on the social media bandwagon, but hope to connect with you all more through twitter, facebook, and the blogs here on ewomenwellenss.com
Cheers to a fabulous 2013!
-N
Happiness. It’s the gift that should be on everyone’s holiday list…especially yours! While many think of happiness as random or temporary, research is beginning to teach us that it doesn’t have to be as elusive as its reputation. People often misjudge what will really make them happy and content. The growing field of positive psychology supports using specific techniques to increase the gladness and satisfaction in our lives. Maintaining a healthy and positive emotional state can start with making some small changes to your day.
Incorporate the following practices to enhance your daily sense of pleasure. Science suggests it leads to long life, health, resilience, and good performance, so make it the most important gift you give yourself and those around you this season.
E-WomenWellness Action Steps:
-Nisha
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