Fool no more

This is a month that starts with many pulling pranks on others.  Let’s turn the punch line around and try to stop fooling ourselves.  Consider any or all the following:
 
Sleeping – What’s your number?  No, that’s not a pick-up line, but rather an essential question for your health. It refers to your sleep number, which is the realistic amount of sleep you need to feel rested and ready to tackle the day.  Most of us fall into the 7-8 range, but everyone is different – just don’t fool yourself about the amount of sleep you need and then work towards getting your number.
 
Moving – When we sit all day, we just about erase many of the benefits we get from a dedicated workout.  We can trick ourselves into believing that if we exercise a few times a week, we are all set, but the joke is on you and your body. Stand up regularly throughout the day, go for a stroll, integrate as much natural movement into every day and your body will no longer laugh at you, but thank and reward you….
 
Resting – Is napping the only way you think we can rest? It is a great way, but many of us are not nappers, but rest is essential for our energy, emotions, and engagement.  Discover ways to rest that best serve you, be it soaking up some sunshine in a chair, reading for a few minutes, watching an episode of something or simply being quiet – just give the chaos a rest.
 
Eating – You are what you eat?  Wow, that could be scary for many of us. Get serious about one component of what you consume.  Be mindful to have a vegetable every day or at every meal and snack, drink more water to stay properly hydrated, prioritize protein or enjoy just one dessert a day.  Think of it as a one-liner that you deliver to and for yourself.
 
Fool yourself once too often and it will no longer be funny.  Taking your health seriously is something we all need to stand-up for and do.