New Year – New You

The new year greets us once again and we imagine a clean slate – a chance to begin anew.  This year instead of all those unrealistic resolutions that get discarded like junk mail, create a plan for a healthier you. Mark your calendar and be intentional.  Each month think of something to change in your life style and make it cumulative. Adopt these brain healthy habits into your life one month at a time, and by the end of this year, you can/will be healthier in mind, body and spirit. I am providing suggestions, but there is no fast rule for this plan.  By focusing on one new endeavor each month it becomes doable.

January  - Stay warm and toasty and exercise your brain by doing any type of puzzles.

February – This is heart month – add healthy fats like Omega threes in olive oil, nuts and salmon. ELIMINATE trans fats from your diet. Trans fats appear in most packaged goods to prolong shelf life.  READ LABELS – your government has made it mandatory for these heart and brain harmful fats to be listed in the ingredients.

March – Often a dreary month.  "Enough winter already!" mentality sets in.  Remind yourself to think positive thoughts and picture what is happening underneath that snow – bulbs are doing their thing and some are even brave enough to break through the snow and light up your life.  Search for them.

April – Spring is in the air.  The earth is being reborn.  Get outside and move.  Take a brisk walk each day.  Work up to at least 30 minutes each day.  You can do 10 minute chunks if that works for you.

May – The outdoors continues calling us.  As you walk, find new things to look at and people to meet.  The more acquaintances you have, the healthier and less depressed you will feel.

June – Grab a book and read something interesting and mind stretching.  Do it in a hammock or on your deck or porch swing.

July – Find a pool and swim.  It is good exercise, it is cooling and it’s just plain fun!

August – Eat primarily from your garden or a local farmer’s market.  Enjoy nature’s bounty as close to the food source as you can get.

September – Take advantage of wonderful produce.  Eat fruits and vegetables of different and darker colors.

October – Watch some comedies on your DVD or tape player.  Laughter lights your heart and is good for your brain.

November – Get a flu shot.  It is important to build up your body’s defenses. 

December – Get into the holiday spirit with an open, and giving heart.  It is more important to give than to receive.  It does your heart and your brain good as you flood your body with feel good endorphins.

If you create a plan and stick to it, you can change your life and your health.  Be good to yourself in this new year and you may find you will have many more and productive years ahead of you.