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Natural Awakenings Naples and Fort Myers

Healthy Habits

Jul 31, 2020 07:59AM ● By Sharon Bruckman

Trying to eat well, exercise, meditate and do all the other recommended activities for optimal health while juggling our daily responsibilities can feel overwhelming. Whether we are dealing with a health issue or a pandemic, our commitment to better choices may falter even more. But if we incorporate small changes into our daily routines, the healthier path becomes easier to follow, and in this challenging time, strengthening our immune system to fight off viruses is of particular importance.


When I learned about the power of first thoughts as we greet a new day, I began to replace negative or worried mental chatter with empowering affirmations that supported what I wanted to experience. Before long, I had a new habit that helped start my day off on a positive track. 


Heading off to the kitchen presents another choice point each morning. I’ve created a new habit of drinking celery juice, even though I would much prefer coffee, but on weekends I reward myself with a cup of joe instead. 


My eating habits throughout the day play a big role in the state of my health. The more prepared I am on busy days, the better I do. Sometimes an emotional decision or time crunch leads to a less healthy choice. Eating for optimal nutrition and well-being can take more time and money, but as I’ve often heard myself say to my daughter, “You either pay now or pay later.”


When it comes to exercise, I realized during COVID-19 when my yoga studio and weight-lifting center closed that I needed to develop some new daily routines. My yoga center has reopened, but with only one morning class offered that is difficult for me to attend, I’m grateful that I’m finally on my way to creating a new habit of doing shorter, more frequent sessions at home. Almost daily sunset walks on the beach and swimming also help to keep me moving, but there is room for improvement in my exercise quadrant to offset all the time I sit at my computer. 


I like to believe that by turning the most important areas of my well-being into disciplines or habits, I will be able to stick to them and improve my chances of living my best life well into my later years. Luckily, my role as the publisher of Natural Awakenings requires me to constantly read and learn about the latest studies, resources and tools for supporting us on our journeys. 


Choose your habits wisely and adjust them when necessary; the quality of your life just might depend on it. Enjoy this month’s edition, you’ll find plenty of inspiration to support you!


Stay Well, 

Sharon Bruckman, publisher