You may have already thought about your resolutions for 2015. This year, instead of a New Year’s resolution that may disappear before the end of the month, consider making a single lifestyle change to recalibrate your health.
We have four suggestions to get you started.
1. Promote brain health
According to Dr. David Perlmutter, Neurologist and author of Grain Brain, we can make four lifestyle changes that will decrease the probability of Alzheimer’s and other neurological problems while improving our overall health status.
- Adhere to a gluten-free diet
- Decrease carbohydrate intake and select low glycemic foods
- Increase good fat intake, like nuts, seeds, omega 3s, olive oil, avocado and coconut oil
- Exercise 20 minutes per day
2. Prevent illness
Be informed and proactive ““ it is easier and less expensive to prevent illness than it is to treat it. Talk to your healthcare provider about the lifestyle changes you can make or options for addressing the clinical concern beyond taking a prescription. A few changes could reduce the number of prescriptions you take.
3. Find your personal path
Spend time exploring what gives your life meaning and purpose ““ then be true to yourself. Live your values and act on what matters to you ““ it will become your compass in life, and an attitude of gratitude will be a natural outcome.
Integrate experiences that bolster your spiritual being. Those may be spending more time with nature, attending a place of worship, meditating or practicing yoga. Whatever that experience is ““ find it and replenish with it often.
4. Stay meaningfully connected
Humans are social beings. Instead of simply spending time around others, practice being fully present in the moment. The quality of the interaction and encounter is more important than your role in the interaction.
Think about the people in your life and focus on relationships that stimulate and nourish your sense of well-being. So many times, we stay connected to draining or negative people without being aware that it is our choice to do so or the effect it is having on us.
Take charge of navigating your path toward the destination you choose for yourself. Select your “team” of life sharers and supporters, and recognize that now is better than later.
