Nine Steps To Keep You Healthy and Happy

1. Breathe

Oxygen is vital to life. Oxygenating the organs and tissue provides life giving energy and nutrients and removes toxins and wastes. Do this at least once per day: Inhale through your nose to the count of two or three; hold for a four or five count; exhale through your mouth at 4 times the count you inhaled. For example: Inhale to a two count (1, 2), hold for a four count (1, 2, 3, 4), exhale for an eight count (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8). You may feel lightheaded at first but your body will adjust.

2. Move Your Body

Motion directs emotion. If you shuffle along, head down, shoulders slumped – you’re giving you mind and the outside world the “I’m depressed” signal. Stand up, head high taking in your surroundings and smiling at passersby - walk with purpose – and give your mind and others the signal that you are present and glad of it.

3. Drink Water

Second only to oxygen in importance to life two-thirds of your body is water. Replenish it by drinking more. Those mornings when you wake up feeling sluggish and flu like but you know you don’t have the flu – are the days you are a bit dehydrated. Low hydration zaps your energy, makes your limbs heavy, and robs motivation.

4. Eat fresh, colorful and often

When you go grocery shopping stay out of the isles! The isles are where all the labeled food is. Yes, you’ve been taught to read labels. Now learn to eat more food that doesn’t even have a label. Eat fresh, colorful and natural foods. Many of these release their energy slowly giving you sustained energy and helping to avoid weight gain. Don’t skip meals!

5. Read and learn daily

Learning is exercise for your brain. Research shows that constant learning may delay or prevent senile dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. So make it a point to exercise your mind. If you work crossword puzzles fine, but every now and then do a different mind exercise. Find another tool occasionally. Turn off the t.v. more often.

6. Laugh out loud at least once every day

Laughter is indeed the best medicine. It triggers the pleasure centers of the brain and creates a sense of well being. Everyone should read “Anatomy of an Illness”, by Norman Cousins. His book chronicles the miracles of laughter and its ability to cure disease. Make it a point this year to read this book!

7. Always do your best

Focus on the task at hand – period. Whatever you are doing right now, do it well. No matter how menial or how big just stay focused and give it all you’ve got. It will decrease the stress in your life, improve your outlook, and you will sleep better knowing you put your soul into your day today.

8. Serve Others

Nothing seems to motivate people to do their best, help them feel more loved and significant than doing something for someone else. If you are procrastinating something, then find a reason it will be good for your children, your spouse, parents or anyone else. It will get you off your butt and into action.

9. Be grateful

Many have said it before but it is true. An attitude of gratitude is the key to happiness and success, plus it is also stress relieving. Start your days with this question: “What am I grateful about in my life today”. If the answer is NOTHING. ASK AGAIN. AND FIND TWO ANSWERS. Be thankful for the quality of your problems and then do your best and have faith.

Copyright, 2000-2003 Allan Boshell