It amazes me how much is possible when we take our own health into our own hands – so much can happen! It could happen that we might very well risk feeling better, energized, loose weight, lower our cholesterol, boost our immune system – and all naturally!
A little actually goes a long way – and can make a huge difference.
Health is everything – without it we have nothing.
13 steps to a healthier ’13
- Drink green juice/green smoothies – every day. It is not a coincidence that I put green smoothies and green juice on top of the list. Drinking them every day, will energize you and naturally make you feel like eating more healthy foods, moving and grooving. You will feel great. If you are not already a green smoothie drinker check this >>>out.
- Try to exchange some of your meals with plant-based meals. But keep to: whatever feels right – exchange, bacon and eggs with a delicious raw food oatmeal and a great smoothie. Or exchange the sandwich with a delightful salad lunch. One meal at a time will make a difference!
- Exercise – there is no way around it, exercise is a must. We know the mind will try to convince us, that today is not a good day, tomorrow is better or even next month is much, much better. But don’t listen – just DO IT, get out there – I promise you one thing, you will not regret it.
What ever it is – make it fun, make it enjoyable, make it a joy that you cannot live without. Check this>> out!
- Drink water – Exchange some of your drinks with cool clear water. Water rejuvenates you and keeps you alive. This is what The Mayo Clinic>> recommends
- Meditate – research shows again and again the multiple advantages of meditation. If you already meditate, you know what I am talking about. Meditation is so powerful and so good for our health, both emotionally and physically. Mindfulness meditation boost our health and overall well-being – it reduces stress and anxiety. It gives us a pause, a well needed break in a hectic world.
- Journal – journaling is a fantastic way to release emotions, reflecting about life and understanding ourselves better. It is like writing yourself home. The journal can be trusted with anything, no one will ever need to see it, it is yours. Express yourself on the pages, no censoring.
- Fresh air – spend time in nature. Japanese researchers have found what they call “Forest Therapy” – spending time in nature, to lower blood pressure and heart rate and it increases the amount of natural killer cells that helps us ward of infections and fight cancer. Read the article>> here
- Play – did you know that play is an actual need? Play is crucial for our health and well-being. Dr Stuart Brown has proven how play shapes the brain, opens the imagination and invigorates the soul. Check this>> out.
- Express yourself – Expressing ourselves, speaking our truth and taking ourselves seriously, is important for not just our emotional health but our overall health. If we don’t there is a part of us that gets stuck – and stops the flow.
- Follow a dream – Life is short and if there is one thing that can really bring joy and add to our well-being, it is going after our dreams. Making them happen. Taking steps towards reaching a goal, a dream.
- Get a massage – A massage is soothing, comforting and wonderful. It also has tremendous health benefits, such as stress relief, pain relief, helps with depression and anxiety, blood pressure control and it even boosts our immune system.
Read more>> here.
- Self-compassion – Before helping others put on your own oxygen mask! The more gentle, compassionate and loving we can be with ourselves the more compassionate we are to our children, our spouse, our friends and the world. Studies says self- compassion boosts not only our self-esteem but also our health. Prof. Kirsten Neff has researched the power of self-compassion for years, listen to an interview with
her>> here
- Friends and family – spend time with friends of both sexes. Nothing so rejuvenating as a night out with the girls or a guys night. A night with good friends around the dinner table is wonderful. Make time for friends and family. Often when you ask people what is most important to them, they say family and friends, but work and duties get first priority. Read more here in this>> Huffington Post article.
I think this is such an excellent list, Anne. I am going to print it off and pin it up on my board. Thank you!
Thank you Lise-Lotte – I hope it will inspire you 🙂
I’m going to print this out too – need all the motivation for a gorgeous formal dress 😉
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Thank you Uru! You will look amazing, I see it for me 🙂
Looking forward to 2013 – it’s kind of a new start for me – and there is much on your list that I plan on implementing (and in fact have started implementing). Thank you, Anne!
You are such a great inspiration Annie and I feel so lucky to have “met” you 🙂
A new start, a chapter – I hope it will be a wonderful one!
XXX
Thank you, so much positive information to absorb. I am so grateful I found your site!
You are welcome Lysette! I am happy you are here, welcome 🙂
What a perfect list. Its so great to read these and remind myself of whats important. Often I will remember to eat better and exercise more, but its also important to remember to treat yourself to massages and quality time with friends… makes common sense but yet easy to forget to do!
So true, I think that part is just as important. Thanks for visiting 🙂
Love that you included, “follow a dream”, Anne. So so important and so undervalued!
This is a beautiful list, no wonder you are one of my favorite blog(ger)s! Follow you dream, express yourself….the best advice one can give. Happy new year from “Dudette” from my new blog.
Huurrrayy! Dudette, where have you been??? I missed you and I am SO happy you are back – and wow, with a new blog 🙂 I am excited will come visit you and find out what you have been up to 🙂
XXXX
I love this post! And for years now I have believed that we should all be getting a massage at least once a month. It is a shame that so many people consider it a luxury, no wonder people get so grumpy! 🙂 Everything else on your list I agree with too, especially meditation. Thank you for sharing!
I think you are right – too little massage leads to grumpiness 🙂
Thanks for visiting!