(2/2022) I hope those New Year's Resolutions about eating healthier, exercising more and improving our health are still going strong, but if they're not don't be too hard on yourself just yet. We always have the best intentions when we think about what we want to start and improve for the new year. Sometimes, though, we put too many things on the list. Think of the one, most important thing that you want to accomplish or change and concentrate on that for a few weeks. I've said before that a bad habit is easy to get use to in a few days but a good habit usually takes six weeks or more to incorporate into your routine. That's because the good habits are the ones that improve our health and make use feel better but they are also the ones that are more work and less fun for most people.

Once you have decided the one thing you would like to do for yourself, do some research and see what you can do to get started. Maybe you want to start walking. Not much research needs to be done for that but you could make a schedule of what days you are going to walk. Starting out with just a few times a week is a good way to make that good habit last. Walking with a friend or family members is also a good way to stick to the routine. Most people do better when they have someone to share the experience with and also someone to encourage you on the days you may be less enthusiastic about it. Maybe you are the type of person that would rather walk by yourself and have that time to reflect on the busy day and decompress from it. Either way, find something that will help you stick to your commitment and make it enjoyable for you.

Good habits may take a little longer to stay in your daily duties but they are so satisfying and rewarding. After about a six to eight week period the new activities will just be part of your everyday and you will not think of them as work. Hopefully you will even have come to look forward to them. I know I have said this before but it really is true for many people.

This time of year, when the days seem so long because it gets dark so early makes it harder to keep moving but when you do you will find you have more energy. More energy makes you feel better both physically and mentally. Maybe you could make a list of some things you have been putting off doing and commit to accomplishing one of them a week. I think you will find because you are up and moving around and getting one of the jobs done you will feel better.

We are all getting older, year by year, and that can also slow us down a little. I'm not using age as a reason to do less, I'm just saying even though we don't want to, we eventually seem to slow down some. Keeping busy and finding an exercise or activity that we will keep doing and enjoy just may keep us feeling younger longer. The key to this is to try different activities that you enjoy and see which ones make you feel good and that you can comfortably do without injury or too much discomfort.

I hope this article will give you a few ideas and the motivation to start some kind of exercise or activity to help you improve your energy and health during the coming year. If you already have an exercise routine, keep it up and continue to maintain your good health. I have had a few people tell me this past winter that they are starting to feel their age and feel like they can't do as much as they use to. As I mentioned earlier in this article, it's important to realize changes in yourself and adjust your activity to them but don't stop or slow down too much. Adjust your level of exercise to keep yourself moving without injury. Any movement is good movement and necessary to keep us in the best health we can be. So, as I always say, Keep Moving, you'll be glad you did.