Why does January have to be the month in which we set resolutions? Sure, it`s the start of a new year, we`re giving ourselves a whole new start, and ready to make changes in the year to come. But for those of us located on this side of the world, it`s also winter. Dark, gray, cold, and limiting, we are not exactly setting ourselves up for success, especially to meet the ever-popular health and fitness goals. What if April was your new benchmark to look ahead and spark your motivation to achieve new and powerful things?
In honor of World Health Day today, April 7th, use this month as your new beginning. Take advantage of the longer days and higher temperatures for working up a sweat outside. Think of setting new goals, or tweaking the old ones, to encompass everything it means to be healthy. Being healthy is not just about being physically healthy, but also mentally, emotionally, and socially healthy. The focus for World Health Day this year is on Depression, and for good reason. The World Health Organization has recognized depression to be the leading cause of ill-health and disability worldwide. When setting health goals for yourself, do you put as much of an importance of your mental health as your physical health? The Canadian Mental Health Association determines mental health as “striking a balance in all aspects of your life; social, physical, spiritual, economic and mental “. Finding this balance is not easy and requires effort. You will not achieve this balance without working on it, which is why mental health goals are important. Here are some examples:
- Practice patience
- Clear your mind/practice meditation
- Set aside time to focus on you
- Look at areas in your life where you can eliminate stress
- Share your feelings
When setting any kind of goals, work towards something challenging yet attainable. While you continue to grow into the healthier person you strive to be, congratulate yourself! Celebrate your successes! And remember to love, have faith in, forgive, and cherish your body and your mind.
