The world seems all messed up right now, doesn’t it? A dear friend uses the phrase “upside down and backwards” and I think we all can relate. In these troubled times, we can get overwhelmed with all that is going on that is out of our control. But you can control you! After all, nobody does you better than you! So I want to encourage you to be intentional with how you are living your life and actively pursue a healthier and happier you.

I have often read that the best thing you can do to be successful is to make your bed first thing in the morning. We are creatures that are generally spiraling up or spiraling down. By checking off one easy measurable task, you are more inclined to move on to the next one. However, to build better focus and productivity, I would suggest that the first order of business happens before you get out of bed. Each morning, take two minutes and think about what is most important for you to accomplish today and how best to do it, and poof! You have a plan, and you’ve accomplished your first task before your feet even hit the floor! Now all you have to do is follow-through. A mantra that I heard often during my career in sales was “People don’t plan to fail, they fail to plan!”

While following CDC guidelines is very important to stop the spread of the Coronavirus and other illnesses, a lack of physical touch can wreak havoc on your emotional well-being. So embrace those you live with, literally, hug each member of your household at least daily. According to The Happiness Project, a New York Times Bestseller, you need to hold a hug for at least six seconds to get the happy chemicals oxytocin and serotonin flowing; which are the chemicals that boost your mood and promote bonding. It’s good for you and those you love!

Especially during the beginning stages of the pandemic and lockdown, many of us found ourselves home with time to cook and eat, and little else to do. Stress eating is a normal response, so don’t beat yourself up over it. Do take a good look at your new habits and decide what healthy eating looks like for you. There are many free and low-cost apps to help you count calories (such as www.MyFitnessPal.com), track food groups (Deal a Meal), or that use psychology to help you build better habits and help you examine why you eat the way you do and offer helpful suggestions for healthier alternatives (such as www.noom.com). We are blessed to have a variety of fresh food providers in our community! Again, the major point here is not to focus on dieting to reach a goal weight, but to eat healthy to be healthy.

Get moving! Now that many of us are working/attending school from home, and so many festivals and functions have been cancelled, most of us are spending more time sitting still than we did pre-pandemic. So an act as simple as standing instead of sitting can be a benefit. “If you stand for three hours a day for five days that's around 750 calories burnt. Over the course of a year it would add up to about 30,000 extra calories, or around 8lb of fat” (https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-24532996). Of course there are countless options to get more active, and you will be more apt to embrace an active lifestyle if you think in terms of something fun to go and do it. Go for a walk, play with your kids/grandkids, or play ping pong with a friend. If you’re interested in trying something new and love to laugh and have fun, check out Janie Locker Hamilton’s line dance classes! (Tuesday 10 am at Wilson Park, Thursday 6pm at Sharps Chapel Community Center).

Finally, rest easy. Get into a routine of allowing yourself enough time to fall asleep and have a good night’s sleep. I suggest you end your day with a grateful heart reflecting on the gifts of the day such as what you accomplished, what you learned from any mistakes, who you helped, who helped you, and drift off to sleep ruminating on the joys experienced that day.

My hope is that your days grow in meaning and purpose, and that you experience the joy and peace of being your best self.