Don’t Quit

10 Easy Activities for #healthybodyhappymind

Eighty percent of New Year’s good intentions will be abandoned in one week on a day now known as “Quitter’s Day.” Clearly, it’s tough to create new #healthybodyhappymind habits.

Don’t quit, do this instead!

Pick one of the actions below that piques your interest or go full force and tackle a few each day. They are an ideal way to re-set, re-fresh, and set the stage for renewal for the New Year.

Downsize your dishes. Switching from standard 12” to 9” plate diameter can decrease portion size and calorie intake up to 22%! Your eyes will still see a full plate so you won’t feel slighted. It may sound too good to believe, but investing in new dishware can make a big difference over time.

Move tempting treats. If you can’t see it, you don’t have to decide whether to indulge or pass; it’s another visual trick based in science that decreases decision fatigue which in turn minimizes the need to rely on willpower. When we’re on decision overload, our selections tend to be less healthy, so move fresh fruits and veggies to your visual sightline and move the tempting treats out of sight. This small step helps us opt for healthier choices, plus it is simple and doesn’t cost a dime.

Take inventory of your sleep environment. Did you know that the body responds hormonally to sleep deprivation, often sending signals to eat? Yup, couple that with lack of energy and the fallout of sleep disturbance is monumental. Take ten minutes to take stock of your sleep surroundings and make the changes needed to get the best night’s sleep possible.

Create a place that refuels your spirit. Go beyond a good night’s sleep and create a place your mind can refuel as well. It can be as simple as a comfy chair with a pleasant view or the creation of a home altar. And please, please, keep it free from the reminders of to-dos such as bills piled in a corner, which for most of us would be a stress reminder.

Prime your environment with sights that make you and your heart smile. Look around right now, what do you love? What causes an “ick” feeling? Now’s the time to take action. For example, I love rainbows, so I arrange my books by color. There are so many cool ways to make your environment more joyful and a reflection of your best self. Here’s some help.

Create playlists to match your goals. The sounds of your environment are also primers, creating subtle shifts in mood through our ears. And great news – modern technology has made playlist creation a snap! Spotify creates playlists based on past listens.

Set your bathroom up for an optimal start. Most of us transition into the day with a visit to the loo. A few tweaks to this area can help create a positive tone for the day. Check expiration dates and toss any cosmetics you haven’t used in 6 months. Treat yourself to a few pretty containers for countertop toiletries.

Spruce up your closet. After the visit to the bathroom, most tend to swing by the closet as well. (Although there are occasions I go from mornings PJ’s to a fresh set at the end of the day.) If this seems like an overwhelming task, set the timer for 5 minutes to reorganize, de-clutter, or donate. You’ll be surprised at the difference.

Make the entry into your home a peaceful transition. When you enter your home at the end of the day does it evoke an “Ah, I’m home!” or a “Holy crap, this place is a mess!” At my house, we enter our home through the laundry room. It took finessing to modify the chaos of infinite laundry but we made it happen. A few tweaks here can also do wonders for the bookend of your day.

Reframe mundane chores and tasks as exercise/activity. Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenics (N.E.A.T.) is energy expended which is not associated with exercise or body functions. Reframe the daily chores as an opportunity to increase N.E.A.T. expenditure. You’ll be raising your hand to take out the garbage.

What resonates with you?

Hopefully, at least one or two of the suggestions have you saying, “I can do that!” Now off you go, go get one done right now!

And don’t quit – you’ve got this.