Hello and Happy 2011.

There’s a special energy at the beginning of a new year that makes me feel like want to set the world on fire. I want to start new projects, learn something new, change old habits, be nicer etc etc.

I’ve been thinking about some of the silly resolutions that I have made in the past and how I rarely keep them. I remember once stating that I was going to tone up my bottom via daily exercises (silly because I was in my teens and it was probably perfect then!). One January I pledged to go on a month’s brown rice and vegetable fast. This caused me the most awful detox symptoms including a pusy rash all over my face. Years later when I met my husband-to-be he commented that I frowned alot – obviously it was love at first sight. That year I made a resolution to stop frowning and to smile more. It didn’t last. Mostly because I felt weird and probably looked weird.

Last year I didn’t set any resolutions. My Mother died on Christmas Day from an unexpected and short illness and, obviously, my mindset was not in the usual place. Although I wasn’t of a mind to make resolutions, in a manner of speaking I did, but I saw them more as survival tactics to help me cope. I tried a few things out but the following is a shortlist of things that made the biggest difference to my wellbeing.

If you don’t like resolutions but would like to feel balanced, relaxed and healthy, then try them out. I didn’t do these every day (except the first one) but I did have the intention to do at least two per day.

1) Plate ratios: for 1-2 meals per day ensure that about 50% of food intake is made up of vegetables. Ideally not potatoes! That means that half the plate is full of green, leafy and rooty veg. Why did I do it: it makes me feel more sated, I feel lighter because I am more “regular”, the fibre helps my blood sugar control which helps me to feel more balanced emotionally rather than the rollercoster of sugar swings which can make you feel anxious and jittery.

2) Guided relaxation: lying down and listening to a guided relaxation cd/tape for 15-30 minutes per day. There are many available online and you can download free guides. Why: this one step more than any other made a huge difference to my day. I felt emotionally calmer, able to accept the process I was going through and more balanced at a time when I was overcome with grief.

3) Water: drink between 1-1.5 ltrs of water per day. Why: on the days when I managed to reach the upper limit of the recommendation, I noticed my energy was better and I was clearer headed.

4) Gratitude: on waking think of all the things you are grateful for. Why: it lifted my spirits. The days that I began with gratitude were better than the days I started with a list of things to do or thoughts about my Mum’s passing. I found myself being grateful for many things I had taken for granted e.g. having a roof over my head, the beautiful city I live in, for 50 years having the love of a wonderful Mother, my rewarding job, even my frown – the list is endless!

5) Walking: walking in the open air for at least 30 minutes per day. I don’t always feel like doing this but I never regret it afterwards. Why: It just feels good. It’s invigorating, clears my head, gives me a break from the demands of being at home or work. Helps me to sleep.

6) Get a Wii Dance 2 game. OK, this may sound frivolous but, this year, it’s also made a difference to my wellbeing! We bought it for my children but I can’t walk by without wanting to join in. It’s simply a dance game with great music and choreographed dance sequences that you follow. Salsa, Hip Hop, Jazz, Dancehall, Rave – I can now do it all. I haven’t laughed so much and, at the same time, made other people laugh all year!

I also did other things like spend time with my children, family, friends and get enough sleep which were as beneficial but I didn’t list this above as this should go without saying.

Try out some of the above for yourself and let me know the difference it makes.

With all my heart, I would like to wish you health, contentment and laughter in 2011.

With love

Maria

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