So long 2013. As I look back to the last 12 months, I have a lot to be thankful for. Now I look forward to seeing what 2014 has to offer. Each New Year is a birth of possibilities. We get a fresh, untarnished year as a blank slate on which to create. Most people make New Year’s resolutions. This year my resolution for the New Year is simple. I want to stress less and be good to myself more.
We wear stress like a badge of honor. We believe we aren’t really working if we aren’t overwhelmed. Life can come at us from every direction. There is the family, the kids, the messy house, the demanding boss, the horrible bumper to bumper L.A. traffic and a million deadlines. On top of that, there is the voice in our heads telling us that we aren’t doing enough, we aren’t trying hard enough and that if we only could work a little bit more we wouldn’t be letting everybody else down.
All this stress is downright unhealthy. As a food and weight loss coach, my job is to help people live a healthier lifestyle. Yet I struggle with one of the unhealthiest habits. Stress is bad for the entire body. It causes inflammation and puts us into fight-or-flight. The whole body from our immune system to our digestive system to our metabolism shuts down creating a disastrous situation.
I want to be good myself and forgive myself for not having everything under control at all times. I want to appreciate taking time for myself to just enjoy moments. I want to stop during the day and just feel myself breath. Conscious breathing is good for our health and reminds us that we are so fortunate to be alive at this very moment. Because no matter how many stressful things are happening in the moment, we only get one life.
I urge everyone to make improved health one of their New Years goals. This can mean handling an illness, eating better, exercising more or being supportive of yourself emotionally. Making yourself a priority declares to the universe that you matter. It is finding the greatness that already exists within.
Now that seems like a great way to fly into the New Year, don’t you think?
