Sparking Healthy Habits
Some say you have until the middle of February to maintain your New Year’s resolution. After that, about 80% of people give up or move on.
That means for many of us who try to establish new healthy habits, like a workout routine, for example, if we can stick it out until then, we have a good chance of creating a new practice.
That also means March can either be a month filled with excitement or remorse. I say let’s keep the excitement going, even for those of us starting over.
What if we approached our health and fitness with more in mind? Like how exercise contributes to overall health, how it helps us manage stress, or how it keeps our spirits up.
Though staying healthy is hard work, I've learned when I’m feeling great physically, I'm more courageous mentally. The body fuels the mind.
In his book Spark, John Ratey says, “exercise has a profound impact on cognitive abilities and mental health.”
In March, I’d like to look at this connection between our physical health and how it affects those tasks related to our minds and to our overall health, like our performance at work or the flourishing of our home and personal life.
For example, in the workplace, I believe the courage to take risks and implement innovative ideas that so many of us seek in our jobs, connects to the wellness of our bodies.
For me, the times I feel most courageous, most confident, most alive, are the times I’m sleeping well, eating well, exercising consistently, and keeping a healthy balance with the amount of time spent consuming digital content.
Exercise also affects my stress level at home. I’m more pleasant to be around when I’m exercising and getting the right amount of sleep.
I know sometimes it’s easy to feel pressured into these things. Like you, I don’t like that feeling. But I find when I’m actively pursuing health wholeness, the guilt never rises because I’m doing it due to the joy I receive from it.
Ratey says, “If you can get to the point where you’re consistently saying to yourself exercise is something you want to do, then you’re charting a course to a different future—one that’s less about surviving and more about thriving.”
Will you join me this month as I explore these connections and discuss the benefits of healthy living as it relates to our home life and job performance? I look forward to the conversation.
Director at Beautiful Impressions Ltd
4 年I have liked ur inspirational articles and writings.am blessed
Store Manager at Buddy's Home Furnishings Wilmington
6 年Walking or running are therapeutic for me. A lunch-time walk clears the brain palate. I hear "good habits" and yet people do not make them habits, just random happenings. I stopped overeating and helped others stop smoking by identifying the things we do out of repetitive habit. Having a healthy habit would be a walk every day at the same time, always using stairs over elevators, parking at least halfway across the parking lot (take the first parking place you find - not only do you save gas not circling the lot, and get steps, but someone older or with small kids could use that closer spot more than I).? PS: Would love to see a little less salt in the nuggets
Retired at Self Unemployed
6 年I have come to the point where my morning workout is something I have to, need to, and want to do.? ?Your health should not be and after thought.
Helping to create Healthy Cultures and Emotional Inclusivity in Organisations | Wellbeing|Leadership Coach, Speaker, Consultant | Working with Businesses & 1-1 | HeartMath Coach | Elephants & Riders Practitioner
6 年Hi Dan- really like this but where you say it’s hard to stay healthy I have to disagree. Once it all becomes a habit, your head is engaged with the right mindset and you understand you ‘Why’ then it is hard to be anything else. It’s a process and a powerful one. You start to question what you did before, feel the benefits in every area of your life including relationships and there is no going back! I love reaching this point of no return with my clients.
Dr. Caroline Leaf's book, Switch on Your Brain, talks about the healthy connections with our brains and bodies. Absolutely fascinating book filled with neuroscience research that supports Biblical ideals.