10 Ideas for Holiday Health And Happiness

As we begin the holiday season, it can be a challenge during all of the shopping, cooking, and family interactions, to find the time for personal reflection. Without too much thought, most of us can find something to be thankful for as we sit down to a holiday feast with our families and friends. However, this Thanksgiving, in an effort to reduce stress and emerge from the holidays with renewed optimism, consider making time to take a short walk, or sit alone with a cup of hot tea, and think about the many ways we can improve our lives just by striving to renew our perspectives on health and happiness. With this in mind, here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Work hard, be nice, and play hard too. I have found that if I don’t make time to play, I have a more difficult time working hard and being nice on a consistent day-to-day basis.

2. Have a short memory for unpleasant times and past grudges. Take what life throws at you and do your best – it’s really all you can do.

3. Everyone has issues. Figure out what your problem areas are and address them. It’s never too late to make a change for the better. Turn your weaknesses into strengths by focusing on improving them.

4. There are no short cuts in life. Health, happiness and success do not happen by accident. The harder you work, the luckier you will be.

5. Be grateful for all the wonderful aspects of your life; try not to dwell on what you don’t have. Never feel sorry for yourself; it’s a waste of time and energy. Self-pity will take you nowhere but down. It is up to you to create your own happiness.

6. Knowledge is power, especially with respect to your health and well-being. Be vigilant about your health issues.

7. We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing. Nothing rejuvenates your mind and body like exuberant play.  Make it a priority to do something physical that feels like fun every day.

8. Never consider yourself too old to do things you enjoyed in your younger years. When you resign yourself to this defeatist attitude, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. You are only as old as you think you are. Think younger and you will look, feel and act younger.

9. Try to spend more time with the people who make you happy and make you laugh, and those who are curious, open-minded and adventurous. Avoid hanging around depressed, rude, pessimistic and mean-spirited people. Attitudes and behaviors are contagious – get exposed to upbeat individuals so you can catch their enthusiasm, and try to avoid being over-exposed to people with toxic outlooks on life.

10. Have compassion for the less fortunate in the world. This will remind you that everyone has his or her own problems and struggles and can inspire you to overcome the hurdles in your own life.

Reflection can feel like a luxury in this day and age, but taking just a few minutes out of our busy schedules can leave us refreshed, recharged and ready to take on the world. Please accept the wishes from all of us here at CardioTabs, for a very happy and healthy holiday season!