What we do in the first few weeks of the year can set the pace for the entire year ahead. Another way to say this would be…. What we choose in the first few weeks of the year can determine the path our year takes. The New Year is a great time to get on track if we’ve fallen off track or to get on track if we were never on track.
Did you know that many sources site that it takes about 21 days to create a new habit. There is some debate on this subject but if whether it takes 21 days or a few days more isn’t really the issue. The real issue is that repeating something for about 21 days changes our brain. This change is wonderful because it makes it easier to continue to do what you are doing than not to do it. If I follow a program of change for 21 days in a row then I have created new synapses in the brain or new connections that form a new pathway. Our brains are continually changing over time. The appropriate term that explains the ability of the brain to change is brain plasticity. If we use a pathway it is strengthened. In brain science the phrase, neurons that fire together wire together, is often used. Activities and thoughts about activities fire certain brain cells or neurons and they talk or communicate to other brain cells via connections called synapses. The more we practice something the more engrained the pathway for that activity is established in our brain.
So it’s the start of the year and probably the best thing we can do is honestly access our lives. How we are doing regarding our health is one category we should consider.
Ask yourself the following questions:
• What is my diet like? It may be wise to write a journal for 7 days and write down everything you eat and drink.
• Am I drinking enough water every day? What is enough? What kind of water is best?
• Am I getting enough fresh air every day?
• Am I getting enough sleep?
• How often do I exercise?
• Has my weight gone up the last few years?
• Do I have the energy I desire?
• Am I able to focus and get my tasks accomplished?
• Do I feel good?
• Can I do the things I enjoy doing without wearing myself and without causing pain?
You might be saying OUCH at this point… this is too painful… I can’t go any further. But I think what Paula White once said is very appropriate here. You can’t conquer what you don’t confront and you can’t confront what you don’t identify. So I think critical thinking is important here and honestly is essential to forward motion.
So my encouragement is: Lets start the year off right together. Lets get on track together. Lets go back to the basics and little by little get ourselves in a place where we are healthier this month than last. Commit to 3 weeks of attention to better health and I promise you will not be disappointed.
It’s the little things that can make a big difference in our lives. I want to help you get started right and I want to give you information that you may know some of but may be missing a small thing here or there that can help you move forward.
I am committed to post information that will support your commitment and help guide you onto a successful path of enhanced wellness. Watch for new posts daily for 21 days beginning Feb 1st and we’ll experience victory together!
By the way…. One of the best nutrients for your brain that helps to maintain its plasticity and therefore its ability to engrain change is Omega 3 Fatty Acids. I find many patients are taking omegas but often not enough. Most people should be taking between 2-3 grams or 2000-3000 mg of omegas daily. The general exception to this rule is an individual on blood thinners should only take 1 gram or 1000 mg a day since omegas are natural blood thinners. Be aware that the outside of the bottle may say 1000 mg capsules but unless you look at the DHA and EPA content you really don’t know the your dosage. The above-recommended dosage should be of DHA and EPA. The DHA stands for decosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentanoic acid. These fatty acids are the most desirable fats for our cell membranes and they are great brain food. As a side note anyone with ADD or ADHD should absolutely be getting enough of these fatty acids daily. In addition to the omega 3’s … our brain needs adequate vitamins B, D, E along with Choline, Calcium, Zinc and Selenium. Finally it’s not just about what we need to add… it’s also important to get all of the Trans Fats Out of Our Diet! We’ll talk more about this very soon.
So Join us… Sign up as a Follower and We Will Walk Into Wellness Together in 2010!
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