All right. We are now into our third week of the New Year and perhaps your resolutions are beginning to fade.

Part of this blog is all about getting healthy and staying on track! For when we are healthy we can then get the other areas of lives organized.

Action Plan

1. Add movement to your day. I didn’t say exercise since that seems to be a deterrent for most of us! But run up and down the stairs in your house; stand up while on the phone; and walk whenever you can. Walking is the KEY to keeping healthy. And remember to stretch! It is a secret to helping your whole body, even your arteries, more flexible and healthier.

2. Quit smoking. You already know the statistics and I read that 70% of smokers want to stop so this is the year to do it.

3. Breathe deeply. This one item has helped me reduce stress so much. Dr. Oz recommends this also. It’s a small, relaxing act with far-reaching effects: Chronic stress may raise the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, depression and anxiety. I haling deeply from your abdomen instead of taking shallow breaths from your chest gets your body more oxygen and helps you feel less anxious. Breathe for a count of 6, and then slowly release the air for a count of six. This really works!!

4. Be with people. Social connections – friends, family, neighbors or colleagues – can help you live longer and better. Research has shown that people with a consistent, active social life are less likely to experience a decline in the ability to reason and remember. Social ties also have a physical effect. One study said that being with others may play a more important role in determining longevity than even smoking, lack of exercise or obesity.

5. Eat good food. Now with all the processed and fast food in our culture, we really need to make a point of only buying healthy food or ordering food that you know is good for you. Don’t even buy chips, pastries, candy bars, etc. for your home or when you are out. Consume fewer calories, more vegetables and lean meat.

6. Enjoy your meals. We all need to eat slower and savor our food. Many other cultures spend large amounts of time eating and being with their family and friends. Americans seem to want to “eat and run”. Begin with small things like really enjoying your morning coffee. Then use that same attitude at your meals. Eating slowly also helps with digestion.

We will continue these tips next week. Until then, start taking small steps to getting healthy!!!

Manna from Heaven

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” I Corinthians 6:19-20