The NJ Police Chief Magazine Volume 26, Number 5 | Page 16
The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine | January 2020
Healthy Living Tips from
Make 2020 Your Best Year Ever
As the New Year starts, many of us make all kinds of promises: “Starting today, things are going to be different!”
There was the “old 2019 self” and now the promise of the “new, improved 2020 self.” We tell ourselves that the 2020
self will be different—we’ll stop procrastinating, exercise more and, for sure, we won’t mindlessly eat the unhealthy
stuff.
Unfortunately, come mid-January, the promised “new self” program doesn’t appear to be working, and after a few
more weeks of crashing against reality and old habits, the “new self” ideal becomes a wishful memory. So, how is
2020 going to be a better year? Let’s start with the mindset: You can make some simple changes that are worth in-
corporating into your life for a positive impact on your health, your peace of mind, and your outlook on life!
Try These
Go for a walk every day -- and think about adopting a shelter dog to walk with you!
Before you sit down to eat, try portion control and put those leftovers in the refrigerator, to keep from going for
that second helping.
Especially important: Get on a solid sleep schedule, aiming for eight hours of sleep each night!
Put away your phone or tablet when enjoying meals with family and friends, so you can socially engage and more
mindfully eat.
Give yourself an extra 15 minutes in the morning to prepare and eat a good breakfast, like eggs, oatmeal with
fruit, or a smoothie.
Add more exercise to your day by taking the stairs and walking the longer route, and look for opportunities when
you can swap out the car for your bicycle.
Make healthy exchanges when you can -- try soy or almond milk for dairy, and brush on olive or coconut oil
instead of butter and margarine.
Tackle that bookmarked DIY project which caught your eye.
These little changes can make a BIG difference. Finally, for anything negative you say -- whether about yourself or
another – come back again with two things that are positive: Love yourself and love others, and celebrate life!
For an appointment with a Deborah Heart and Lung Center specialist: 855-646-3484 or request an
appointment online: www.DemandDeborah.org.
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