​Chill
 
It’s hot out there these days.  Take a moment or more to step back and chill.  Temporarily let go of your non-essential to-do’s and or try something new (and cool) by considering any or all of the following:
 

• Drink.  Make ice cubes that are fun to look at and even better to enjoy once they melt in your beverage.

 

• Eat – Enjoy frozen fruit for a sweet treat.  Grapes, berries, and bananas are terrific ways to snack or close out a meal.

 

• Take a time out – Literally chill out and banish the shoulds from your mind for a day or even a week

 

• Recover – Jump in a cold shower or bath after a workout that gets you heated up.  If you have no time or desire to change up your bathing water temperature then just take an ice cube and rub it on the back of your neck and the chill will quickly be upon you 

 

• Sleep –  Cool is the rule to optimize sleep.  Keep your nighttime thermostat in the 60”s, minimize extra blankets and put away any distractions as long before going to bed as you can manage.

 
We all want to be cool in our own ways, it’s truly in your control to be chill.
 
 

​Side-to-side, step aside, side angle, side-lined, side dishes and the list of types of sides could go on.  Let’s face it, we all have a lot of sides that we contend with on a daily basis.   Sometimes we simply need to put something or many things to the side.  Consider letting go of any or all of the following:
 
Ego – Put your ego to the side and allow others to grab/get/glisten in the spotlight, it might just shine a different light on and for you.
 
Perspective – Your approach is important/insightful/intriguing and valid, but try and see a situation from someone else’s perspective.
 
Time – Don’t check the clock/phone/watch and simply try and be in the present moment.
 
Energy – Allow something else to drive the meeting/moment/memory forward.  
 
Project – How important is that task/chore/errand?  Consider not doing it(now) and determine the impact (if any).
 
Stuff – We all have too much of something. Give some of it away and see what (or what doesn’t) happen.
 
 
Often, when we put something to the side, we make room for more and with more we may find our plate is full enough with what is really important.

.We all need a break from time to time, not because we are broken, but to help prevent becoming worn down.  The blog is taking a break this month, but will be back in July..
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​Data
 
We live in a world obsessed with numbers.  Net worth, weight, height, tipping, shoe size, step count, temperatures and the list goes on.  Many perceive numbers as comparisons, but we can use numbers as helpful data.  Consider any or all of the following:
 
Set point- Our weight fluctuates naturally as we age (thank you hormones), but we all have set points.  The weight that our body settles around, give a few lbs either way.  Look at your current weight, (note: not what it was X years ago!) and determine your now set point.
 
Sleep – If you are not careful, you will never achieve what the “experts” say you need to be well-rested.  Consider how you feel after a variety of nights sleep (quantity and quality), review what you might have been doing (or not doing) prior to the evening and identify your sleep number Note: by sleep number, it is not a reference to a certain type of bed, but rather the realistic amount of sleep you and your body needs to thrive throughout the day.  Use that data to start working towards achieving your number.
 
Sitting – Is sitting the new smoking?   If you spend hours at a time in a chair, car, on a couch or propped up in bed without getting up for a moment or two, then yes, consider that a warning from not only the surgeon general, but from your heart, bones and body to get up to simply stand, stretch or stroll around the room more often.
 
Social – How many likes do you have?  Actually, it doesn’t matter – what counts is having a few trusted peeps (friends, family, etc.) that you can count on to listen, love, engage with and simply enjoy interacting with. When it comes to your well-being, it’s quality, not quantity.
 
Healthy data isn’t about math or coming to a correct answer.  It’s figuring out what equations work for you, your body, mind and spirit. 

When most people think of a line, they think of a straight one.  But lines can and often zig and zag and do not follow a direct point to point.  Aligning your time and energy is essential for optimizing your total well-being, but often don’t follow a consistent pattern and may not need to, for us to feel good.  Consider one or any of the following to better align your intentions and your actions:
 
Move- One need not attend a dedicated class or lesson for it to count as “exercise”.  Think about all the natural movement you could get in your day by taking the stairs, walking to do an errand, carrying loads of laundry, doing some yard work or dancing to a great song.
 
Eat-You should eat…paleo, clean, vegan, keto or better yet, you shouldn’t listen to any of it.  Pay attention to your hunger cues, your cravings and how each are satisfied.  It’s your body, trust it and fuel it accordingly.
 
Connections – recent reports have confirmed the obvious, that connecting with others is a key component to our health and longevity.  Connect in a way that suits you, not others.  Go for a hike with a friend, grab a beverage with others, watch a game or movie at home with a fellow fan, prepare a feast with family and be sure to save some time to recharge and connect with yourself.
 
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When we align with what we want, need, crave, and deserve we can follow our heart and a path that will absolutely turn and twist, but will lead us to lining up our hopes, happiness and health.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

​Most of us are not magicians, yet we all have a lot of healthy tricks up our sleeves.  When it comes to our well-being, we don’t need an audience or a stage to practice a little everyday magic.  Consider one or all of the following:
 
-Flap your arms like a dove, hop like a rabbit or just go for a walk. Move in any way that keeps you entertained.
 
-Wear colors and clothing that makes you feel good, cape and or top hat are optional
 
-Drink water from a festive cup or bottle and make it disappear, refill and repeat
 
-Reveal your gratitude for those that support you
 
-Give yourself a daily round of applause for one good thing that you have done
 
No tricks needed to live a healthier life day by day.  Bring some feel good magic into your daily routine and the awe and amazement may soon follow.

It’s often in February, that we find ourselves wanting or needing a do over.  Maybe it’s Groundhog Day that helps spur that on, along with the hope that Spring will come that much sooner or it’s just the seasons impact on us, our routines and or reality settling in.  Consider any or all of the following:
 

• Moving – stop forcing yourself or trying to convince yourself that you must______ (fill in the blank) for exercise.  Do what feels good for you and try to do it at least 3 times a week.

 

• Eating – eat more color, plants and less stuff from a box, while continuing to enjoy the cuisines and protein that satisfy you.

 

• Sleeping – set a realistic bedtime (that’s  it, that’s the do over)

 

• Resting – take a look at your calendar (work and personal) and block some time (even 300 seconds can make a difference)for rest, re-setting and or relaxing. 

 

• Drinking – drink a few more sips of water everyday, or brew some green tea, stash it in your fridge and take a shot or two of it every time you open the fridge.

 

• Laughing – stop taking everything so seriously and instead, stop and see the humor in a situation.

 
Give yourself the opportunity to not overdo it and do the things you want, need and deserve, you may be  overdue for a do over.

A new year is born, and we all may have such hope for the days, weeks, and months ahead.  The optimism of a fresh start is contagious.  You can create opportunities this year to have more meaningful, impactful moments and outcomes.  Consider tapping into your unique strengths and skills by leaning into any or all of the following:

-Gut – Listen to, pause and consider what your gut is telling you and then follow it.
-Gratitude – No formal process needed to up your appreciation. Acknowledge the positives and more than likely, more good stuff may come your way.
-Grit – Stick with something, but only something that is positive for you and your life.
-Giggle – We all need to laugh more – at ourselves, with others and in the moment.
-Grow – Stretch outside of your comfort zone and learn and or try something new.
-Gift – Be generous with yourself.  Protect and plan for me time on a very regular basis.
 
You don’t need a test to tell you what is most important to and for you.  You don’t need to test yourself either, simply be you and 2023 can be a great year by and for you.

During this month we might want or need to determine how to close out the year in a healthy way.  No doubt it can be a challenge, but it can be in your control.  Consider any or all of the following to determine what is best for you and your well-being now and throughout the holiday season:
 
DElight – Take time to truly enjoy the activities and traditions that make you feel some of that holiday magic.
 
DEcide – Take control of your time and energy and decide what is best for you
 
DElegate – Take some of the stress out of this time of year and delegate to others to help lighten your load
 
DEvour – Take a bite or two or three of the foods that are unique to this season.
 
DEactivate – Take a few minutes to unsubscribe from email offers that no longer serve you and give yourself a  gift and break  away from social media for a day or so
 
DEcline – Take yourself into consideration and decline any invitations or requests for your money, time, energy or presence that you know you really are not interested in.
 
It’s DEcember and it’s no time like the present to DEtermine what you want, need and DEserve.
 

 
Let’s make it official and make this month the month that we say NO to those things that truly don’t serve us.  Consider saying NO to any or all of the following:
 
Food – if it really doesn’t interest you or your hunger, say NO
Beverage – sipping socially and had enough, when asked if you want another, say NO
Social  - when your calendar is full, and another invite comes your way,, R.S.V.P, NO
Time – take control of your time by getting more comfortable saying  NO
Energy – the next time an energy vampire preys on you, say NO
Technology – turn it off, when the social media rabbit hole sucks you in, say NO
Work – don’t quiet quit, learn to say NO
 
There is NO doubt, that this NOvember it’s time to say NO, so you can say yes more often to those things you want, need, crave and deserve.