Weekly Wellness News

January 07, 2008

Feature: Resolutions...

Happy New Year!

I decided last year that the first issue of the new year would be a 'bandwagon' issue and focus on New Year's Resolutions. However, as you (hopefully) expect, my suggested resolutions are general rather than specific. No one set of goals will be right for everyone; however, a few basic approaches should apply to everyone, regardless of who you are.

Remember last year's resolutions? If you haven't implemented those, then they should come first... think of this list as supplemental to the previous suggestions.

If you can make them all, that's great! If you can only commit to two, make it the first two; if you can only commit to three, make it the first three; you get the idea. Without further ado, here are the changes I suggest you make in your life:

1. Slow down. Take time to smell the proverbial flowers. On vacation, actually leave your work behind. In the evenings, spend time being social, where you aren't trying to solve the problems of the world. Relax more. This will give you more energy and help you focus more intensely when you need to, and bring balance to your life.
2. Spend a few minutes every day meditating. Every day, at least once, take 15 minutes and meditate. If you have time for five-minute meditations through the day, take advantage of them. If you can take a full hour daily (or a few times a week), do so. Meditation is a powerful tool for increasing concentration, creativity, and mental performance in all aspects of your day.
3. Spend some time each week focused on others. Each week, dedicate some time (at least an hour) doing something for someone else. Maybe it's helping the neighbor fix something, perhaps it's playing catch with your son; it might be cooking, singing, or teaching. Find something you enjoy doing (whether or not you do it well), and give others the gifts of your atilities and (more importantly) your energy.
4. Only commit to what you absolutely will do no matter what. So many of us over-commit in every aspect of our lives. We spend our day running from task to task, from plan to plan. We get a lot done, but we don't get anything done well. Instead, only commit to the things you absolutely intend to do: once you commit, your word should be such that it's as good as done. Remember the saying 'my word is my bond'? Make your word to yourself mean everything.
5. Every day, make one change to better the world. It's the little things that add up over time. Make some change in your environment, in yourself, that makes the world a better place for everyone.

Make each day count!

Other news

• Eat all your dinner, there are people starving in Utah: Hungry Mormons offer clues to heart disease [www.msnbc.msn.com]
• Eco-tourism is replaced by Ego-tourism...: Want a bargain nip-tuck? Visit South America [www.msnbc.msn.com]
• ...and Big-O tourism: Older, white women join Kenya's sex tourism [www.msnbc.msn.com]

From the editor

By now, you are probably back at work and starting to get back in the swing of things after the annual mental break we all take over Christmas and New Year's Eve. Some of you might already have gotten used to writing the year properly when you write the date.

For others, this transition seems to take time. It might be two or three weeks before it feels like things are fully underway.

Either way, I am glad to have you back after the break! I look forward to providing many useful issues in the coming months.

Healthy thoughts,
Jeff

Copyright 2008, Jeffrey Eliasen.
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