11 Ways to Make Your Life Infinitely Better in 2017

“Despise no new accident in your body, but ask opinion of it…. There is a wisdom in this beyond the rules of physic. A man’s observation, what he finds good and of what he finds hurt of, is the best physic to preserve health.” – Francis Bacon

The following article is written by guest author Evelyn Kail. Much thanks to her for taking the time to write this article on starting 2017 with healthy habits and a mindful attitude!

We are in the first few months of the year 2017. This is the ideal time to prepare to get the best out of the year that is just unfolding. What better way to make your life better in 2017 than to improve your health and wellbeing? Here are some hands on tips to enable you do exactly that.

Physical Health

One cannot overemphasize the importance of taking care of one’s own physical and emotional health as a way to ensure a healthy mind in a healthy body. The state of both your body and mind determines your performance in all areas of life.

(1) Balanced Diet

Whether your routine is 3 full meals a day or 5-6 small meals spread out throughout the day, watch what you put on your plate. High calorie, nutrient empty foods deprive your brain cells of essential nutrients and rob you of optimal mental performance.

Eat wholesome foods; whole grains and nuts, fresh fruits and vegetables. Include as much variety in a meal as you possibly can. Eat your vegetables raw in fresh salads or minimally cooked. You lose nutrients by overcooking or reheating them.

If you can get vegetables organically grown and fresh, that is so much better. Breakfast if your most important meal of the day so never skip it. Give your body the right nutrients to carry you through the day by taking a balanced meal in the morning accompanied by a good, wholesome dietary supplement.

(2) Supplement Your Diet

In many cases you might have no idea how the foodstuffs you buy were actually grown and whether they contain the nutrients they should.  Fruits and vegetables can look healthy yet they were grown in depleted soils and using harmful farming methods.

Sometimes they have lost nutrients because of being stored for long since they were harvested. Incorporate a good, wholesome and natural (not synthetic) dietary supplement to fill the gaps in your diet and also cover you when your busy lifestyle causes you to miss some meals or to eat at irregular times.

(3) Drink Water

Keep your body hydrated. Choose healthy drinks over caffeine loaded unwholesome drinks. Clean water, fresh fruit and vegetable juices and herbal teas are king when it comes to keeping your body hydrated. Keep your consumption of caffeinated and carbonated drinks as well as alcohol down.

(4) Reduce Alcohol Intake

Drinking alcohol heavily over a long period of time can has long-term effects on memory and eventually damages brain cells. This is because alcohol affects the brain chemistry and processes. Drink your water at room temperature.  Avoid taking refrigerated water. Taking refrigerated water can result in water loss because the body has to use energy to heat cold water to body temperature.

(5) Detoxify

Toxins enter your body mainly through inhaling contaminated air. Carbon waste from vehicle exhaust pipes, cigarette smoke and toxic chemicals found in indoors such as in furniture, cleaning substances and paints; all contribute to contaminating the air we breathe.

We also consume toxins daily through produce that has been grown using pesticides as well as preservatives and chemical additives in processed foods and drinks. Our drinking water is not entirely free of toxins either as it contains contaminants such as chlorine. Detoxify your body regularly by taking adequate water, fresh fruit and vegetable juices as well as a good, wholesome dietary supplement coupled with a healthy lifestyle.  

Physical exercise helps with detoxification because our bodies expel toxins with sweat.

(6) Adequate Sleep & Rest

Getting adequate sleep every day ensures that your body is able to repairs itself. Ensure to get adequate sleep and if your schedules make it difficult to get 7 – 9 hours every night, plan to take short naps.

Your immune system repairs itself, your brains rest and grows, and you store energy for the next day while you are sleeping. Most people are constantly overworking themselves and by doing that, they put themselves at risk of getting stressed and reducing their productivity. Adequate rest and sleep is very important if you are to remain emotionally and mentally healthy.

(7) Flood Your Cells with Oxygen

Awaken your body every morning by saturating your cells with oxygen. Take the first 5 minutes to do deep breathing exercises preferably with the windows open or outdoors. Engage in some vigorous physical exercises even if it means jogging on the spot or up and down the stairs a number of times.

You can begin with 5 minutes and gradually increase as your body gets fitter till you can manage 30-45 minutes at a time. If you have an existing medical condition, speak to your doctor before you begin an exercise regime. You may need to adjust your waking up time to cater for your changed routine.

The best part with exercise is that fact that if you are willing to put in a bit of research, it doesn’t even have to be expensive. A garage gym is a great idea for home fitness. If you are looking for the best home gym ideas, then you only need to visit authority websites like garage gym planner.

Emotional Health

(8) Healing for Damaged Emotions

Chances are that you did not have a perfect childhood. Maybe your parents implanted negative messages in you from the time you were little, killing your belief in yourself. You might have been bullied by your elder siblings or by other children in school or in the neighborhood. Maybe your early childhood teachers belittled you or compared you unfairly with other children they considered to be better. All those negative early childhood experiences impact your adult life negatively.

Do not give excuses for those who harmed your early development. Children need love and care; there is no excuse for denying them that. Acknowledge that what happened was not right and that it affected you negatively. You cannot right a wrong if you do not even acknowledge that it was wrong in the first place.

Give yourself permission to feel the pain of whatever negative experiences you went through, and to learn to forgive those who caused it.

(9) Nurture Your Brain

The atmosphere around you is critical for your mental wellbeing. Choose carefully the people you surround yourself with. Surround yourself with people who inspire, motivate and encourage you; people who believe in you and your worth. Cut out toxic people from around you.  

Make a conscious effort to nurture your brain every day. Choose carefully what you read/watch/listen to. Listen to audiobooks as you sit in the car in traffic or as you do your chores. You will be amazed how choosing what you allow into your mind has the power to transform your external environment.

Read something motivational on your phone or tablet as you wait in queues at the bank, supermarket or doctor’s surgery. Being stuck in traffic or on queues might not get on your nerves if you are busy listening to something uplifting.

(10) Master Your Thoughts

Choose what conversations to get involved in, even on social media. Practice meditation during your quiet time. Take charge of your thoughts. Train your mind to adopt thought patterns that work for, not against, you. Say no to negative, depressing thoughts and replace them with positive thoughts, thoughts of consciously counting your blessings no matter how tough the times are. An attitude of gratitude attracts more blessings.

(11) Live a Balanced Life

Your brain is like a garden. If you don’t plant crops, weeds will spring up and fill the entire place. Feed your passion. What makes your face light up? What makes you want to jump out of bed in the morning? Devote time to doing what you love, even if it means volunteering. Live a balanced life. Balance between work, recreation and family. Work hard, play hard and enjoy quality time with family and loved ones. Life is not a rehearsal. You only live once so you might as well make it worthwhile.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

This article is for information purposes only and is not intended for self-diagnosis or as a substitute for consultation. If you have questions about your physical or mental health, consult with a medical or mental health professional.

Featured image: Health & Fitness by Liam Matthews / CC BY 2.0

About Laura K. Schenck, Ph.D., LPC

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Northern Colorado. Some of my academic interests include: Dialectical Behavior Therapy, mindfulness, stress reduction, work/life balance, mood disorders, identity development, supervision & training, and self-care.

1 Comment

  1. Kara Mathys @Wellnessgrit on January 28, 2019 at 5:56 am

    Thanks a lot for your tips. I follow one of useful rules: Combining the right diet and workout will always help you feel good!

What's On Your Mind?