Change is Always Good

As I mentioned earlier, I am looking for ways to positively change my lifestyle. I’m looking for ways to physically be healthier as well as emotionally stronger.

This past week, my father had a massive heart attack. While the heart attack itself was massive, the damage was not. Yes, there is damage to his heart and we are still waiting to see how much actual scarring there will be. Since this occurred, myself and the rest of my family have been rethinking our eating habits as well as needed exercise. In an event like this, it is very easy to want to rethink all eating habits and health. I know I’ve been needing a new outlook on life and what all I am doing to my body.

2009 took a huge toll on my heart, mind and overall health. 2010 needs to the year I make a better lifestyle for myself. I want to be healthy. I want to help my dad get through this. I need to be strong for myself and for him. He has a long, long road ahead of him and I want to change for the better by his side.

I found this article on the Dr. Oz show site. It focuses on some easy changes to allow improved health.

http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/5-tips-healthier-life

Take Your Sunshine Vitamin

Vitamin D increases serotonin, the mood neurotransmitter. It boosts your immunity, promotes healthy neuro-muscular functions and helps protect you from some forms of cancer. The easiest way reap the benefits of this nutrient is to spend 15 minutes in the sun a few times a week. Be mindful that sunscreen will prevent you from getting adequate vitamin D outdoors; try skipping sunscreen for just 15 minutes.

If the weather isn’t cooperating, get your vitamin D from milk, egg yolks or supplements (1000 units per day.)

Learn more about the health benefits of vitamin D.

Cut the Caffeine

Coffee increases anxiety levels, especially if you’re getting more than 300 mgs a day. Increased anxiety means increased irritability. Try substituting your coffee with green tea. It has ¼ the amount of caffeine found in coffee – and it’s a young tea, which means it packs some powerful antioxidants.

You don’t have to cut caffeine completely, but if you’re having more than 300 mgs a day and find yourself fighting headaches and fatigue when you try to cut back, you may be physically dependent. Get help kicking your caffeine habit with Dr. Oz’s Caffeine Detox Challenge.

Express Gratitude

Take the time to truly savor the good things in your life; things others have done for you, things you’ve done for others and all those small acts of kindness that make you smile. A written expression of thanks helps prohibit us from taking things for granted. So sit down with a steaming mug of green tea and express yourself.

Practice Acts of Kindness

It’s the little things.

It’s not what you say, it’s what you do.

These expressions may be clichés, but there is truth in their message. By practicing small acts of kindness, you will perceive yourself and others more positively. You’ll also appreciate your good fortune in comparison.

Pick 1 day a week and carry out 3 small acts of kindness. Research suggests that this provides a longer-lasting boost to the giver than practicing random acts of kindness spread out over the week.

Just Smile

Even when you don’t feel like it, the simple act of smiling makes you feel better. A response called facial feedback indicates that, when you smile, you send a signal to your brain that says, “I am happy.” Additionally, if you’re smiling, you’re likely to seem more approachable and happy to others – and people are more likely to smile back.