New Year Health and resolutions
On New Year’s Day, Michael Mosley aired a Happiness Special in the UK, based on the ‘Happy Mind, Happy Life’ book by Dr Rangan Chatterjee. His five tips for a happy life are
- Writing a ‘deathbed’ diary, imaging yourself reviewing your life. He suggest defining three principles that resonate and work towards living your life to reflect those beliefs.
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- Talking to people you don’t know, perhaps standing in a line. Chatterjee believes even short interactions with others will boost your mood.
- Reduce your relationship with your phone. Apparently constant checking, answering calls and following social media can make you anxious and disrupt sleep.
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- Simplify your life so you make less decisions, such as reducing your wardrobe so you have less choice, eat simply so there’s less stuff around you and ignoring social media as much as possible.
- The final suggestion is to use setbacks and social challenges as immediate and cheap therapy! So if someone is rude to you, stop and decide why they might have said that to you. It’s probably something going on in their life and has nothing to do with you. Your happiness, according to Chitterjee, is the result of your own thoughts and beliefs. Be happy, be at peace!
Reading the weekend paper I found advice on choosing a word for the year, a word to guide your plans and measure your progress. I tried that last year but my goal didn’t take into account the increasing attention required for my 92 year old Mother to live independently in her own home. Her requirements can be urgent, demanding and unpredictable. So, no word for me but I know it works for some people. Search online for more information if it appeals to you.
There’s other advice about all the new trends for self care, including these from the UK Country Living site. Their list suggests these activities will feature in the pursuit of happiness and well being.
1. Supporting your natural energy with rituals and ingredients to balance your well being, such as good sleep hygiene, consistent blood sugar levels and a range of supplements.
2. Taking a regular digital detox and disconnecting from constant connectivity. This is linked with spending more time in nature, focusing on what is around you and ignoring digital contact.
3. Stay well hydrated, apparently a problem for 90% of people who responded to a survey in the UK. The suggestion is that water will have electrolytes added for post exercise recovery and collagen additives for improved skin elasticity.
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4. Consumers will expect to be better informed about sustainability, not just regarding packaging but also the products they buy.
5. Poor sleep quality is ringing alarm bells and apart from the common recommendations, travellers are seeking quiet and peaceful destinations to promote better sleep. Sleep tourism is becoming a thing in the UK.
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6. Soothing sound baths which involve getting comfortable and letting the sounds wash over you, resulting in inner peace and harmony. I find the sounds of the singing bowls at the beginning and end of yoga sessions very easy to tune into and drift.
7. Sauna rituals are becoming very popular. A sauna can result in relaxed muscles, improved blood flow and can promote cardio-respiratory fitness.
I hope you find ways to relax and feel at peace in 2024. If you feel like increasing your physical activity, one suggestion is you try to remember what you enjoyed doing as child. Since my playground favourites were skipping, hula hoop ( I still have my cane hula hoop in the attic) and juggling I’m still thinking about this hint!
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Still pondering things to make 2024 your best year ever? Although this list from the womanandhome site has lots of suggestions already listed above, a few ideas resonated with me. In reality, I’m not big on New Year resolutions but I am curious about well being and actively seek information on being healthy and active.
So, best wishes for a Happy and Healthy 2024!
A blog like yours should be earning much money from adsense..-.,?
Happy New Year!
I have never investigated adsense, but might. Thankyou!
Deborah