Starting the New Year with the
Basics for Your Journey all Year By Melonie DePalma, Holistic Health Coach
It’s the time of year that everyone jumps on some sort of wagon… Don’t get
me wrong, I love New Years, but I just giggle when listening to people talk about
their resolutions. I mean, resolutions are a good thing, if they’re reasonable.
But, believe me, we’ve all heard the classics: I’m going to start working out, I’m
going to work harder, diet, Dryuary (no alcohol January...I know CRAZY right),
no coffee, join the gym, spend less money…
It is a great month to revisit your routines, exercise, habits (both good
and bad), and make changes where they are needed, reasonable changes,
attainable changes, ones that are something you desire lifelong. When
revisiting, think about what makes you feel good. In our information age, the
“experts” in every corner are telling us what food to eat, what food to avoid,
what miracle drugs can mask your symptoms, and what you and everyone else
should be taking. The most important thing to remember is that you are unique.
Choose this year to go on a fun journey of discovery what will transform your
health for a lifetime.
This year try to incorporate water in different ways. I like to drink herbal tea
throughout the day, aka my Jungle Juice, to ensure I am hydrated. Try coconut
water... or infuse water at room temperature for a couple hours. After that, put it
in the fridge to prevent bacterial growth. Cucumbers, citrus fruits, melons, and
mint flavor water should be consumed almost immediately. Apples, cinnamon,
fresh ginger root, and rosemary need an overnight soak in the fridge.
I don’t know about you, but I know my sleep is key to my energy and mood,
especially in the winter. A cup of evening tea of chamomile, lemon balm,
cardamon, ginger, and turmeric, with honey or a Golden Milk to soothe me into
bedtime is a great way to ensure a good night’s sleep.
Checking in with your body on a daily basis will help guide you toward the
best choices to feel your best. I have a Journal app on my phone that helps me
jot down what I ate and how I felt each day. Whether it’s journaling at the end of
the day in bed or talk-to-text in your journal app, this will help you get to know
what works well for you. Make it a habit so you can see what is working and
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what is not.
What you grab at the grocery store can have a huge impact on overall health.
Making a list before I go shop is key. I try to stay on the perimeter of the
store to stay away from refined grains, sugary drinks and processed foods that
can increase inflammation and tank energy levels. Filling up on healthy foods
can change even your perspective on life. Dedicate two weeks of journaling
everyday about how you feel from reaching for healing foods that keep you
feeling your best and protect against chronic disease. Getting all the nutrients
you need doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, by just being mindful about a
few specific nutrients, eating a healthy diet full of nutrient-dense foods can be
pretty simple.
Get out and move, get fresh air and sunshine every day possible. Make a
plan to just walk to one of the boardwalks every day, so you can get your
vitamin D for the day and some fresh salty air. You will be amazed how much
better you feel. Write it in your journal and look back each time you’re having
the battle in your head about getting out of the house during the chilly season
and you’ll see in your journal how much better you feel.
Journaling practice will help you meet your goals and will improve your
quality of life.
On New Year’s Eve, write down what you want to manifest in 2020. You can
keep it simple or be very detailed in your description. What matters is that your
desire makes you feel good!
Once you finish writing down your desire, fold it up and place it in a safe
place until midnight (this could be your back pocket, dresser drawer or a
decorative box). When the clock strikes twelve (or first thing the next day),
stand over a sink and safely burn the piece of paper with your desire written on
it. Burning the desire shows that you trust it’s being taken care of.
It’s a New Year and it’s the perfect opportunity to choose to be happy, enjoy
healthy foods and people, and believe that your desires are within reach.
Love and Light to you for this Happy New Year and all year through.