Category: Once Upon a Line

Can Changing Your Diet Really Help With Anxiety?

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Did you know your diet can affect anxiety levels? If you’re tired of only using medications for your anxiety, consider how you can incorporate lifestyle changes such as diet modifications. As with any change you may be considering, talk to your doctor ahead of time about any concerns you may have. 

Try these diet strategies to help lessen anxiety symptoms:

  1. Eliminate alcohol. Although there is a belief alcohol relaxes the body, it can be harmful for those with anxiety. Alcohol makes you more dehydrated. It can also affect hormone levels, and cause changes in your brain, including gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) which helps to regulate anxiety.
  • If you drink too much, you may not be eating enough. Alcohol has a lot of calories and carbohydrates. Not getting the right nutrition can increase anxiety. Experts point out that the toxins in alcohol can increase anxiety attacks. 
  1. Watch out for caffeine. Kicking a caffeine habit is tough. However, eliminating caffeine can help reduce anxiety. 
  • Too much coffee can act like a stimulant for anxiety. Pay attention to other hidden sources. Red Bull might give you a much needed boost, however, the long term effects are detrimental. Caffeine can increase your heartbeat, and make you feel like you are having a panic attack
  1. Beware of refined sugars. Refined sugars can make anxiety worse, they hide in many of the foods you eat. They act like a stimulant.
  • Carefully read labels to ensure that there are no refined sugars. Consider downloading a free food and nutrition app, to help when grocery shopping. Refined sugars can be in many things that you might not even suspect, including bagels, cereals, oatmeal, crackers, and other products. Even canned vegetables may have unnecessary added sugar. 
  1. Get enough B vitamins. Research shows a lack of B vitamins in your body can contribute to anxiety.
  • It’s easy to get a deficiency of these vitamins, so try to eat more legumes, meats, eggs, rice, leafy greens, and other sources of these nutrients. Consider eating more asparagus and avocado. Studies have revealed that these two vegetables can lessen the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Avocado has B vitamins and asparagus have folic acid. 
  1. Look for your own triggers and eliminate them. You may have specific foods that trigger anxiety, so it’s important to determine which foods can negatively affect you. 
  • In some cases, the anxiety-triggering foods or beverages are linked to traumatic events. A difficult memory can rise to the surface after eating or drinking them, causing anxiety. In other cases, food intolerances and allergies may cause anxiety. There are reports that show Many of the common triggers include dairy, gluten, processed foods, soda, and fried foods.
  • Keep a food journal and track how you feel after eating dairy, fried foods, or other things you suspect may be triggers. Make a note about your emotional well-being before and after eating each item. This will help narrow down the list and make it easier to see what food should go. 

The food that enters your body can affect more than just the scale. It can also affect anxiety levels. Pay attention to what you eat each day and keep track of anxiety symptoms that manifest themselves after you eat certain foods. I hope this post helps you examine how diet does affect your mood. Once you have identified that both are linked, consider a Nutritionist consultation. Please feel free to share this article with anyone in your circle!

To Your Success,
Juan

7 Tips To Help Support Your Partner With Anxiety

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If you are married to, or have fallen in love with someone who suffers with anxiety, you may know how difficult life can be for them. Luckily, there are things that you can do to help to support them, making life more joyous for you both. Let’s dive right in.

Consider these ideas:

  1. Avoid trying to fix them. Acknowledge that you are their wife, husband, boyfriend, girlfriend, partner, or lover, and not their Therapist. While you can be there to help support them through any tough times, it’s important to avoid pressuring them into behaving how you believe they should behave.
    • When you put such additional pressure on them – even if you think that following your advice would help them – you may cause them to feel as though they have failed you, which will only exacerbate any anxiety they are feeling.
  1. Avoid telling them why they shouldn’t be afraid of something, no matter how tempting. Even if you think your partner fears are irrational, telling them what you think most likely will not help.
    • Instead, you can initiate a discussion around why this particular issue is upsetting. Sometimes talking can help reduce any fear being suffered.
  1. Be honest with your partner. Avoid treating them as a child who cannot cope with any sort of bad news. This can cause a challenging dynamic in your relationship.
    • Instead, be honest. For example, if you are going to be late getting home, let them know so they won’t imagine you dead in a ditch. If you have a large bill to pay, keep them in the loop instead of trying to hide it.
    • Hiding the truth can lead your partner to picturing the worst possible scenario.
  1. Understand that their idea of happiness may be different than you own. Some people may find happiness in partying or dancing, while others enjoy traveling and showing off those Instagram pictures.
    • Someone with anxiety may find happiness in a day passing without suffering from a panic attack. These small victories can mean a lot.
  1. Make them feel safe. This is one of the most important tips. Someone who suffers from anxiety may feel unlovable. Reassure them that you are both on this journey together.
  1. Remember that you are allowed to live your life. Just because your partner has anxiety does not mean that you can’t have a life of your own. You are still allowed out to meet your friends, go to a party, have hobbies, or do something else just for you.
    • When you leave the house without your partner, reassure them you are going to be okay, you will be thinking of them, and you will soon be back home safe and sound.
    • Whether your partner has anxiety or not, practicing self-care is important! Self-care helps to keep you physically and mentally fit and can prevent feelings of resentment against your partner.
    • Remind yourself that you and your partner are more than just anxiety. Anxiety does not define either one of you.
  1. Ask their opinion. Your partner may already know some things that you can do to help them relieve anxious feelings. Listen to them! No one knows them better than they do, and what they have to say is important.

Putting these ideas into practice can help relieve anxious feelings and strengthen your relationship with your partner. A counselor, therapist, or support group can also help immensely with additional strategies and techniques, to alleviate anxiety and strengthen your bond as you go through this journey together.

What do you think of these tips? Which one will you implement?

To Your Success,
Juan

7 Tips to Help Your Child Deal With Anxiety

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If you are the parent of an anxious, shy child, you know the constant worry about how the world is reacting to them. It can be a scary place, and many children have good reason to worry. However, many children worry much more than is reasonable for the situation.

Anxiety isn’t always a bad thing. A person should be worried if they’re in a dangerous situation, for example. Anxiety is protective, but too much or inappropriate anxiety isn’t healthy.

Use these strategies to help your child overcome their anxiety:

  1. Be supportive and patient. It can be frustrating when your child is constantly worried about things that seem meaningless or silly. However, the anxiety they feel is just as real to them, as your anxieties are to you. You don’t get to choose the emotions or fears of other people.
    • Let your child know you’re sensitive to their feelings and are always there to support them.
  2. Avoid giving too much warning about a stressful event. If you know your child stresses out about going to the dentist, it’s best not to announce a dentist appointment three weeks in advance. The morning of the appointment is just fine. For some children, it might be even better to say, “Put on your shoes, we have to go to the dentist.”
    • Too much notice can provide too much time to worry. Figure out how much time your child needs to keep their anxiety at a minimum. Some children appreciate a little time to process what’s going to happen. Every situation and household is different.
  1. Talk it out. Ask your child what they’re worried about and why. Talk about why this fear is or isn’t valid. In other words, look for evidence to prove or disprove the reason for the fear.
    • If the fear is valid, develop a plan together to handle the issue.
    • If the fear isn’t valid, help your child to trust the evidence they found that negates the reason for the anxiety.
  2. Help your child to keep their attention on the present. We can only worry when we project our attention into the future and imagine negative outcomes. This is largely a habit.
    • Teach your child to focus on the present moment and their surroundings. Show your child that it’s more effective to focus on what is, rather than what might be.
  3. Take a look at your home life. Is your home life stressful for your child? Do you and the other parent get along well, or is there a lot of tension and arguing? Are there financial pressures in the household, the child is aware of?
    • Children might give the impression that they’re not listening, but they are surprisingly adept at figuring out what’s going on.
  4. Avoid avoidance. You might think you’re being nice if you help your child to avoid everything that causes them to feel anxious, but you’re actually contributing to the issue.
    • Each time your child is allowed to avoid the situation due to anxiety, there’s a part of her brain that says, “Hmmmm. If I make her feel anxious, we can get out of doing these things.”
    • The brain quickly learns what works. Next time, the anxiety will be even stronger. The brain will continue turning up the volume, until it’s satisfied.
    • Avoiding a stressor brings relief, which is very rewarding. The urge to avoid only becomes stronger as it’s reinforced.
    • Be supportive but avoid letting them off the hook.
  5. Get professional help. It’s very challenging for a parent to effectively help a child with moderate to severe anxiety issues. It’s likely that professional help will be useful. Find a therapist or psychologist that specializes in children of your child’s age.

Many children suffer from worry. They’re under a lot of social scrutiny at school, and kids can be cruel. They have little control over their lives. Most aspects of their lives are controlled by parents or teachers.

If your child is anxious, it can be heartbreaking to see them worry all of the time. It can also be frustrating when their worries seem pointless to you. Be supportive, patient, and get professional help if your efforts prove to be insufficient. 

Got a partner who suffers from anxiety? You’ll want to look out for the next post.

To Your Success,
Juan

I’d Rather Die.

Published on by gamechangerjo2 Comments

…than speak in public. Is this you? Cold sweats, tongue tied, sweaty palms, trembling, hives…Fortunately, I do well enough, but it doesn’t mean that right before I take the podium, butterflies don’t suddenly appear, and leave as quickly as they come. I have spoken in front of thousands, taught classes, and took part in debates. The comfort and ease did not magically appear.

If you find yourself getting anxious at the thought of meeting new people, or speaking in front of a group, you may be suffering from social anxiety. According to the American Depression and Social Anxiety Organization, more than 6% of Americans suffer from SAD (Social Anxiety Disorder). It affects men and women equally, often beginning at age 13. More than a third of those suffering with the condition, wait years before seeking help. Social anxiety causes one to avoid social situations. Many people rely on self-medication, drugs, and alcohol, to get them through life.

Luckily, there are methods you can use to find relief in healthy ways!

Try these effective strategies:

  1. Put yourself out there. It can be a daunting prospect, but try to accept invitations, even if you don’t particularly want to go. With a positive attitude, the more you practice, the easier it becomes.
  1. Get help from a professional. Of course, talking to a close friend about your anxiety may help, but remember they aren’t trained for this. Make an appointment to speak to a professional therapist. They should be able to suggest some customized coping mechanisms that would work for you.
  1. Strengthen your overall health. Poor health can leave you feeling anxious. Eat nutritious foods and exercise regularly. Both uplift your mood and can decrease stress and anxiety. Exercise has been shown to release feel-good hormones.
    • Besides getting some exercise, joining a local fitness class can also allow you to practice meeting new people while those feel-good hormones are in full effect. Plus, who knows – you might just make a new friend.
  1. Write it down. List the times that you have managed to overcome your fears. What did you do in the situation? How did you feel when this happened?
    • Whenever you encounter an event where you are feeling socially anxious, write that down, too. How does it compare with the ones on your list?
    • Regular reflection of the times you were successful combating your fears, can help with current situations.
  1. Congratulate yourself. You may not be confident in public, but you have plenty of other things to be proud of! Recognize and remind yourself of any achievements. This will help boost your confidence.
  1. Practice your social skills. Learn how to make introductions and give compliments. Practice making eye contact and remembering names. Listen to what others have to say and keep the focus on them – not you.
    • These few skills will not only help you through a social situation, but the other person will walk away from the conversation feeling like a million bucks!
    • Remember – others will not always remember what you said, but they will remember how you made them feel!
  1. Join a support group. Talking to others who are undergoing the same challenges can be comforting. Group members can encourage, offer support ,and advice from their own experiences.
  1. Try going to new places. You’ll meet new people. I have taken many solo adventures abroad, and I’m still in touch with some of the best people I know. Using your new skills to interact with them will give you more practice and confidence in dealing with social situations.
  1. Remember that you don’t need to be perfect. Those with social anxiety have a tendency to believe they need to be perfect. This is not attainable for anyone! Instead try and enjoy the moment and have a “that’ll do” attitude.
  1. Read a self-help book. There are many inspiring stories about others with social anxiety who have transformed their lives after overcoming their social fears. These stories can motivate and encourage you to keep trying..

Breaking the cycle of social anxiety will take some time and practice, but you can do this! Reward yourself for each small step you make. Focus on the journey ahead, and the steps you can take to bring you success. One of the above suggestions on their own, might not solve your problem. Furthermore, everyone is different, try a combination of things, and keeping a journal of what works, will go a long way.

You might be wondering, how I developed the habit of being able to confidently speak before large crowds without falling apart. Bear in mind, change is generally incremental. I also have an aptitude for it. However, start small, try practicing in front of friends and ask for feedback, get enough rest the night before a big social event, meditation, journaling, and challenging negative self talk, have all contributed to success.

To Your Success,
Juan

Surprising Facts About Anxiety

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Did you know anxiety can affect your attention span? Researchers believe there is a brain connection between the two. Initial studies on teens, show they’re more likely to have both issues together. If you have anxiety or trouble concentrating, consider the following  discoveries:

  1. The link between anxiety and attention. Here is what researchers at the University of Texas discovered:  
  • Teens who have anxiety, are also more likely to perform worse in school, because of attention issues. They also saw a connection between anxiety, and other mental health issues like depression and suicide. 
  • Researchers shared that in some cases anxiety appeared first, while in others,  it was attention span. Recognizing the first issue, can help families deal with the second. 
  • Teens who had problems concentrating, were also more likely to have anxiety. Experts believe there is a deeper reason for this in the brain. 
  1. Unconscious anxiety. Medical experts believe unconscious anxiety, can explain some cases of attention deficit disorders. 
  • Unconscious anxiety occurs, when you don’t recognize you’re actually suffering from worry and concern. You have trouble concentrating, often blame it on your poor attention span. However, in reality, your unconscious anxiety is actually preventing you from being able to focus. The root of this anxiety can be buried among deeper emotional concerns.
  1. Overlapping symptoms. Anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can overlap. Shared symptoms can include having trouble concentrating, focusing on one task, not having control over your impulses, being irritable, feeling scared and afraid to try new things. 
  • It’s not always easy to tell apart anxiety and attention disorders. 
  1. Treatment and help. If you or someone you care about has anxiety and attention issues, seeking help may bring real benefits.  
  • Treatment options can include medication to control anxiety, and help attention spans. Another option is therapy that helps adjust behavior. Meditation and relaxation, are also commonly used to help both disorders. 
  1. The role of learning disabilities. It’s important to avoid overlooking learning disabilities, that can exacerbate anxiety and attention issues.  Researchers have noticed all three issues can occur together.
  • In some cases, learning disabilities are not caught right away as a child starts school. Children are sometimes able to compensate, so the issues go undiagnosed.
  • Anxiety and attention disorders can be worse in children with learning disabilities. By focusing on the learning issues, they  have the chance to succeed in school and reduce their anxiety. A child with a learning disability can feel anxious before every test, and might try to avoid classes. In addition, the same child can be so stressed, they’re unable to concentrate on the simplest tasks. The learning disability makes these issues more difficult to treat. 
  • It’s important to note that kids aren’t the only ones who suffer from all three conditions. Adults can spend years being misdiagnosed, or not getting the proper treatments.  

Anxiety and attention issues can appear together. If you or a loved one suffers from these issues, current research can help you understand, what is happening in the brain and seek treatment. As a Social Work Contractor, I am in a unique position to to help clients with the daily challenges, some of which can be incredibly hard to move past.

Helpful resources:

Download this FREE page of an Anxiety Journal. It will help you to keep track of your moods. Print out as many pages as you need.
American Psychology Association offers help and insights on all things mental health.
Contact the National Alliance on Mental Health :1800 950 NAMI, if you need additional resources and support.

To Your Success,
Juan 

Anxiety and Fear are Cousins

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Welcome Back,

Pleased to have you. Thanks for stopping by!

Do you feel anxious before a medical/dental visit, or starting something new? Full disclosure; I get very anxious years in the Dentist office. I crumble into a million little pieces. I am constantly amazed at how quickly it happens! I start sweating profusely. My bladder starts filling up again, doesn’t matter if I went minutes ago. My body is wound so tightly, I have to force myself to relax. Recently, the Dentist finally suggested I take Valium. My PCP agreed.

Have you gotten the jitters before speaking in front of a large group, or sweaty palms when thinking about the future? These are common reactions, when faced with something that’s scary or unfamiliar, and it doesn’t necessarily mean anything is wrong. However, some people suffer from a more severe form of anxiety, that causes more serious physical symptoms. To better understand if your anxious feelings could be a sign of an anxiety, or panic disorder, let’s do a deep dive:

1. If your heart is racing, and you can’t breathe correctly, this can be a symptom of anxiety that is severe, enough to get professional help.


2. Some people have uncontrollable fears of things like crowded places, driving, or germs that cause complete avoidance of places or situations.


3. The consistent inability to concentrate can be a symptom of anxiety. This must be consistent behavior, not just on those occasions when you lack sleep, brought on by hunger, for instance.


4. Nervous behaviors, such as walking around the same area, over and over again, or twitching your fingers or toes repetitively, can be another indicator.


5. A feeling of doom that something will happen to you, such as an accident, heart attack, or even death, can be symptoms of an anxiety disorder or panic disorder.


6. Numbness in your hands, fingers, toes, and legs or feeling like you can’t stand are  common.


7. If you have trouble swallowing, or unusual dry mouth episodes, these may be indications of anxiety.


8. Fear of people around you, and the desire to be alone, are feelings many anxiety sufferers face.


9. The inability to leave your home, can be a symptom of a severe anxiety or panic disorder.


10. If your normal activities become overwhelming, you could be suffering from anxiety or a panic disorder. More than fifteen years ago, I worked the front desk of an animal clinic. I didn’t know it at the time, but I had a panic attack, later confirmed by EMS personnel. One of the worse experiences of my life. My Doctor surmised, it was related to working and attending school full-time. 

Certain cultures rarely openly acknowledge mental health issues. More than ever, I hope to reach this demographic. Being born and raised in the Caribbean, I can attest to this.  The good news, is that these symptoms and conditions, are no longer considered taboo in mainstream society. The COVID pandemic, has shed a huge light on the burgeoning mental health crisis.

If you suffer from anxiety, please do not do so in silence. Many mental health clinics, and hospitals offer affordable support, if you’re on a lower or fixed income. Your health insurance can help you get treatment, they cannot reveal your diagnosis to your employer. Medications, meditation, and relaxation techniques are also beneficial. Understanding your condition, can help alleviate the stress and fear caused by panic attacks.  Living life in fear of another panic attack will hold you hostage.  Get the treatment that can put you back on the road to peace, health and happiness. You’ll be glad you did!

If you are experiencing a crisis, and need to speak with someone immediately, please contact the National Suicide and Crisis Hotline, at 1800 273 8255.

Here is a FREE Anxiety Self Test worksheet to help you sort things out.

Up next, surprising facts about anxiety.

To Your Success,
Juan

 

Pandemic Within a Pandemic

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Readers,

February is here already. Yikes! Can we talk about mental health for a bit? Almost two years into the pandemic, we know someone who either contracted the disease, or died from it. Another troubling trend, is the urgent need for mental health support. Millions are now coping with increased anxiety, depression, panic attacks, PTSD, insomnia, stress eating, loneliness, paranoia..etc. I believe we are in the middle of a pandemic within a pandemic. Sadly, some saw no way out, and took their own lives. The past two years have been TOUGH. 

A few days ago here in NYC, media outlets broke news which quickly spread; Miss USA 2019, Chelsie Krist jumped to her death. She made history, part of a trio of black beauty pageant winners, who for the first time, held the titles of Ms USA, Teen USA, and America. Just about every comment echoed the same sentiments “ No one saw this coming. She looked like she had it all. A Lawyer who fought for reform, mental health advocate, and successful television personality, heartbreaking”.

The thing is, we need to stop judging others on appearances. That strong friend who never complains, constantly smiling, appears happy is most likely the one silently asking us to check in on them. My blog’s content calendar was planned before this tragic news broke. You can expect the next few months to be all things mental health. 

Most of my clients are anxious about the future. Best laid plans have been shattered. I have bouts of anxiety too. To help them, I’ve had to quickly shift and pivot. I cannot pour from an empty cup. What issue in your life has been amplified because of COVID? I can only imagine your list has gotten longer. We may not know each other personally, but I understand where we are. Over the next few months, when you visit this page, you can expect to find mental health related posts, hoping to be a source of light as we work our way through uncertainty. 

A bit about my background. I have spent the past 5+ years working with the homeless and formerly homeless, on the grimy streets of NYC. My clients struggle with persistent mental health disorders, some have a history of suicide attempts, drug addictions, in patient psychiatric hospitalizations, etc. The job is not easy. In 2011, I graduated from the University of Essex UK, with an MSc in Psychology. Barry University in Florida, provided the background with a BSc in the same field.

I am also a Reiki Master. I continue to  actively seek out other mental health related certifications. When I lived in Miami, I worked in the medical field for about six years. I won’t always get things right. The upcoming posts  are not meant to treat or diagnose from behind a computer screen, simply to share my knowledge, experience, and guidance.  Always follow the advice of your medical and mental health providers.

We will begin with anxiety. Hope to see you soon.

To Your Success,
Juan

$15,000 Less?!?!

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The stats are staggering: 94% of people surveyed said procrastination affected their happiness. Studies also showed procrastinators earn $15k less than each year..wowsers. At least 20-25% of adults are affected. The full article is posted below. Be warned, get ready to be shaken up. I know I was.

We often struggle to finish projects, even when we have every intention of finishing them. Full disclosure, this was once my biggest flaw. There, I said it. At times, it has gotten so bad, I resorted to scheduling my entire day, hour by hour, to get anything done! Believe it or not, this is a common problem people face. After taking stock of myself, through trial and error, I discovered that luckily, there are ways to improve, which actually work. I have gotten a lot better! Everyone procrastinates sometimes, but if you find that procrastination is a constant problem for you, it’s time to make a few changes in your life. Below are several tactics you can use to help you kick the habit.

Divide Up The Task
Often, when you procrastinate, the task seems insurmountable, one which you don’t believe you will be able to finish. Put a stop to this thinking by breaking up the task into more manageable pieces. For example, if you were supposed to clean the basement, resolve to clean one of the four corners each day, instead of trying to tackle it all at once. This tactic helps to make tasks more manageable, leaving us feel less overwhelmed.

Make A Deadline
Now is not the time to tell yourself you will do something “later.” Instead, set a strict timeline for yourself, with sections of your goal having deadlines. This way, you known when you will be completing something. It may also help to have a small reward for yourself along the way. An example of this would be a student needing to write a four-page paper. And for each page the student completes, they would reward themselves with fifteen minutes of phone time.

Stop Your Common Distractions
Usually, when someone procrastinates, it’s for the same reasons each time. You planned to clean the kitchen, but got sidetracked with a trending TV show instead. Put a stop to this by eliminating common distractions. If the TV is a distraction for you, maybe it’s time to work in another room.

Make Small Goals and Reward Yourself
As you plan how you will conquer your task or project, break your goal into smaller mini-goals. Then, cross them off and reward yourself as you complete them. It will help keep you on task, and you’ll be able to feel as if you are making progress, even if it’s small.  This progress will do wonders to keep your spirits high. The little rewards you are giving yourself will do wonders.

Spend Time With Motivated People
There is nothing quite like hanging out with someone motivated to boost your motivation. Find a friend or colleague whose motivation you admire, and resolve to spend more time with them. Or get a buddy in on your plans, keep each other motivated regularly. Either way, it’s much easier to stop procrastinating, when you’ve got others around you accomplishing remarkable things!

Overall, discontinuing your procrastination habit can be extremely difficult, but it can be done just by changing some minor things in your life. Start by dividing up the task, making deadlines, and getting rid of your most common distractions. Then surround yourself with other positive people, and you will soon find yourself accomplishing more than ever before!

Procrastination Statistics: Interesting and Useful Statistics about Procrastination

To Your Success,
Juan

 

Mind & Body

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Did you make a resolution to improve your health, and you are  unsure which of your priorities is most important in the New Year? Do you have plenty of dreams for the future, but not many concrete plans? 

I have curated a list of 15 resolutions you can make right now, to improve your physical and mental well being during the next 12 months and beyond. Comment below if you found them helpful.

Simple Resolutions to Improve Your Physical Health

  1. Eat right. Focus on adopting healthy eating habits rather than resorting to crash diets. Learn to eat more slowly and reduce your portion sizes.  Eat a variety of foods with plenty of complex carbohydrates, fresh vegetables and fruits. Add in some lean proteins and healthy fats to complete your meals.
  2. Exercise daily or as your schedule permits. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise every day. Round that out with training for strength and flexibility. Find a variety of activities that you enjoy, like brisk walks and biking. Get an exercise ball or treadmill that you can use at home on busy days or when the weather outside is unpleasant.
  3. Get adequate rest and sleep. Insufficient sleep can make you more vulnerable to weight gain and many illnesses. Different individuals need different amounts of sleep, but the conventional eight hours is a good rule for most people. If you constantly feel drowsy, try going to bed earlier.
  4. Take care of your bones. Almost half of all women over 50 will suffer an osteoporosis-related fracture. Men can be at risk too. Eat plenty of foods rich in calcium and vitamin D. Get some sunshine and lift weights or do other resistance training.
  5. Practice good posture. Strong abdominal muscles will protect your back from injury and help you look younger. Get used to pressing your navel towards your lower back and keeping your shoulders relaxed. Breathe from your abdomen rather than your chest.
  6. Quit smoking. You probably already know all the dangers of smoking, including lung cancer and premature aging. Many people make several attempts before quitting for good so be open to various cessation methods. Your doctor may be able to help you find the right plan for you.
  7. Drink alcohol in moderation. Some people may need to avoid alcohol all together. Others can stay safe within the general limits of one drink a day for women and two for men. Avoid alcohol before bed so you get good quality sleep.
  8.  See your doctor. Regular checkups enable early treatment to keep small health issues from growing worse. If you can’t afford health insurance, you may be able to get some free or inexpensive screenings at local pharmacies and health fairs.

Resolutions to Improve Your Mental Health

  1. Manage stress. Keeping stress under control lets you enjoy life more. Set aside time each day for meditation or listening to soothing music.
  2. Build healthy relationships. Develop a strong network of support. Communicate openly and with respect.
  3. Monitor your thoughts. Think positive. Divert your attention away from nonproductive worrying by brainstorming creative solutions to challenging situations.
  4. Practice positive self talk. Be a good friend to yourself. Remind yourself of your strengths and accomplishments.
  5. Be compassionate. Show compassion to yourself and others. Be aware of the suffering in the world and look for ways to alleviate it.
  6. Engage in lifelong learning. Keep your mind sharp by giving it constant challenges. Take adult education classes or listen to foreign language tapes.
  7. Consider counseling. It’s wise and courageous to ask for help when you need it. Professional counseling or spiritual practices may help you bounce back from unfortunate events like divorce or unemployment. They can be useful for smaller things, too, like if you’ve just had a rough week.

While many New Year’s resolutions get discarded faster than the dried out Christmas tree, there are ways to make them stick. Set specific goals that are meaningful and attainable for you. Improving your physical and mental health is a great gift for yourself and your whole family.

To Your Success,

Juan

Insanity.

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…is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results” Tony Robbins. So it’s a new year, you want to change old habits and develop good ones. It’s important you understand why change is not easy. Old and bad habits are comfortable, safe, and does not require too much effort. However, if you are hoping for some insight into how to form new habits, the next few minutes is guaranteed to prepare you for change.  Think you can form a new habit in a few weeks? I used to think so too. Wrong. If you’ve been doing the same thing for decades, the truth is a bit more complicated.

The myth about behavior becoming automatic in 21 days, started when journalists misinterpreted a popular self-help book on Psycho Cybernetics back in the 1960’s. After all, you can probably eat more vegetables starting today, but complex tasks like playing the violin will take more time to stick. On the other hand, the New Year is an ideal time to begin forming constructive habits, geared towards enhancing your overall happiness and wellbeing for the rest of the year

Here are some basic strategies for habit formation. Set yourself up right now. Remember, it is okay to ease you into your new routines: 

Plan ahead. Eliminate excuses by plotting out your course in advance. If you want to wake up earlier, go to bed on time.

Be consistent. Regularity reinforces itself. Soon, it will be easier hit the gym after work, even if it’s raining, or colleagues are heading out for beer and pizza.

Spot triggers. Kicking a habit requires you to notice what happens right before you bite your nails or buy another pair of shoes. Are you bored at work or arguing with your spouse?
Develop substitutions. Once you know your cues, you can choose a different response. Take a walk or invite a friend out for coffee.

Review your reasons. Go over the reasons why you want to adopt your new behavior. For instance, remind yourself about the benefits of drinking water instead of soda.

Personalize your goals. While contemplating your why’s, visualize your future self. Focus on what you have to gain instead of just pleasing others.

What if you’re tackling something as ambitious as managing diabetes or transforming your dead-end dating history? Here are a few advanced strategies to get things going: 

Practice compassion. You’re bound to slip up occasionally. Forgive yourself, and move forward.

Team up. Enlist a friend, exchange support and encouragement. Eat lunch with a colleague who is trying to lose weight too.

Write it down. Raise your awareness by keeping a journal about your campaign to stop swearing or start flossing. Note what happens on the days you stick to your program,compared to the days when you drift back into old patterns.

Remove temptations. Eliminate the triggers that distract you from your objectives. Clear the junk food out of your kitchen, or the cigarettes out of your car.

Design obstacles. Make it difficult to give in to your old tendencies. Leave your credit cards at home to prevent impulsive shopping sprees.

Go on vacation. Leave home for a while. If you can afford one, vacations are an ideal time to forge new habits,  you can make a fresh start in different surroundings. 

Make time to sit down to meditate each morning. instead of becoming caught up in searching for lost socks or checking your email.

Make daily exercise (and parallel parking:) so easy you won’t even have to think about them. Positive habits make advantageous choices automatic so you’ll stick with them. You’ll also have more energy to devote to other challenges.

I hope you found these suggestions helpful. Feel free to share this post with your network.

You Your Success,

Juan