Tips to Ace the New Year Ahead
By Sandy Schroeder
You may be giving a sigh of relief as you bid 2017 goodbye. I know I am, but I am also ready to embrace 2018 with a whole new approach.
If you feel the same way, you may like Dr. Kurt Smith’s take on the issue. Dr. Smith is the clinical director of Guy Stuff Counseling & Coaching in Northern California. He says he loves dogs, sarcasm and everything outdoors. As you might imagine, his advice is right on target.
Get moving and make it fun – How did we get roped into making fitness feel like homework? Feeling like you have to go to the gym or walk around the block can undermine the whole effort. Instead, choose some fitness activities that make you grin, like walking after work with a friend, or exploring a wilderness park on the weekend with your kids. Think about the things you loved to do as a kid, and see if they work now. Biking, running, skiing, or shooting hoops could make fitness fun again.
Trade face time for screen time – Try cutting back on TV, computer, phone and tablet time and increasing time spent with your family and friends. Take an evening class with your kids, volunteer to help at the library or local animal shelter. Make it a point to walk more in your neighborhood or community. One-on-one time with others usually leads to more interactions and more satisfaction.
Try a new hobby, learn a skill, shed some stress – As you put your work and home schedules together, make room for new hobbies or new classes. Small investments in yourself may open the door to all sorts of new ideas, and provide the relief time you need away from regular routines. Is there a cooking or watercolor class out there just waiting for you? This may be the time to find out.
Make room for your family – Spending weekends camping or reserving more time for family dinners could become valued traditions that enrich life. Teaching kids how to cook or bake as they help prepare family dinners could add some new dimensions to evening meals. Finding nearby camping spots that just fit the weekend could help everyone relax. Think about what your family enjoys most and then make it happen.
Count your blessings – The past year may have been too busy, or too challenging, but there may be quite a few blessings to count, too. Having an active family, wonderful pets and a comfortable home may all come to mind. Make a list with your family and see what comes up.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Seal Beach, Calif.
