susie almaneih: 5 ways to institute healthy habits into the family routine for the new year

5 EASY WAYS TO INSTITUTEHEALTHY HABITS INTO THE FAMILY

ROUTINE FOR THE NEW YEAR

CREATED BY SUSIE ALMANEIH

Practicing healthy habitsdoesn’t have to be a chore.It can be the reward itself.

Overindulgence is thehallmark of the holidays, andthat’s why so many of us feel

that it is important to committo resetting in the New Year.

More than losing that winter coat, however, isthe great feeling of polishing our daily

practices in simple ways to make life easierand more enjoyable.

Here is a short list of minimum-effort tricksthat amount to an overall family boost:

1. The chug-a-pint challenge.

One of the best effortless habits you can form is drinking a full glass ofwater first thing in the morning. You fire up your metabolism, flush

your intestinal tract, and of course, hydrate your body.

Before breakfast or coffee, everyone in the family knocks back a glassof water. It only takes a second and sets you up to drink more water

throughout your day.

2. Meditation

The idea of meditation is so scary to some of us – who has thetime and the concentration to sit and wait for enlightenment?But actually, to make a difference, it only takes three minutesa day of sitting quietly, focusing on an object or body part likethe hands, and just noticing the breath entering and exiting

the body.

Start by setting a timer for one minute andhave everyone do it together in either the

morning, or the evening before dinner or bed.Even if you have little ones, just let them be

present for it and work your way up fromthere. It’s easier to do this with other people,and the more practice you get, the more the

benefits will start to emerge.

3. Eat Slower.

Just focusing on the sensations and flavors of your food naturallymakes you slow down and savor whatever you are eating and this is

better for digestion, metabolism, and maintaining a healthy weight3.When you eat slower, you become full faster and eat smaller portions.

But wait, there’s more: slowing down makes your meal more enjoyable!

4. Emphasize the positive.

The 24 hour news cycle is insidious and chalk-full ofsuffering; consider allowing quality time to be punctuated

with good news, examples of kindness and beauty, orreaffirming the things that make you grateful.

Studies have shown that happiness is contagious,and actually good for us. In the same sense that

emotions like fear and anxiety have healthconsequences, happiness can reduce the risk of

heart disease, strokes, and diabetes.

5. Power down.

Sleep is one of those things kids never think about, but adultsfantasize about it actively, usually because they are not

getting enough. To assist the brain in its nighttime job, turndown the lights in the house and power down the devices an

hour before bedtime. Reducing stimuli indicates to your brainthat sleep time is imminent and this sets you up for deeper,

more restful sleep.

For that last hour or so before bed, consider reading,stretching, taking a bath, or just talking as a way of

settling into bed. Good sleep hygiene will giveeveryone more energy and focus the following day,not to mention, putting everyone in a better mood.

Even if sleep is not a problem for you, this small andeasy step ensures that your whole family continues

to get the rest they need. It also feels really good.

It really is the little things that can add up to bigimprovement, because with a little practice,

these adjustments become automatic. It’s alsogood practice for our children to reframe theirdaily habits, so they understand that refining

our daily routine is part of living.

Setting reasonable, achievable goals for the NewYear is one of the best ways we can reduce

stress, become more productive, and enhanceour own contentment. Even more, doing this

practice as a family is a great way to bond.