Exercise

A great hike can happen just about anywhere, at any time. It’s a stretch of time to practice a little self-care, show appreciation for nature, and have fun outdoors.

Who wants to age? While we all know and understand that our time here on Earth is transient, we all fear the ravages of time. For our once-youthful face to show its age and sometimes look prematurely old is a painful pill to swallow.

At 40, many of us have a million things on our plate. Our kids are still young and demanding, our parents are still around and need some help, our jobs still take a big chunk out of us – and there are so many niggling issues our body keeps bringing to the table, including difficulty in losing weight.

The 40 Checklist

Call me crazy, but I actually look forward to hittin’ the gym, and eating a healthy, veggie-packed meal afterward. However, getting to the point of loving the gym and wholesome, nutritious foods doesn’t always happen overnight.

Ultimately, I got a gym membership because I wanted to lose a few pounds. Then, along the way, I’ve discovered so many more added bonuses to working out than just weight loss.

When it comes to being happy, we are perhaps the universe’s biggest procrastinators. So let’s not waste another moment, and be happy now…

We keep telling ourselves that we’ll be happy when we achieve this or that. When we get married or have a career, when we become parents or move into that dream house, or when we get away from a bad relationship, and so on and so forth… Noble dreams, yes, but to be happy, you just have to make yourself happy now.

From letting you stop to smell the roses to being an exercise far gentler on your knees and ankles – more and more experts are now advising regular walks rather than punishing runs!

Many people fear change -- not because of the change itself but because they always assume it will take a lot of time, patience, and sacrifice to make a difference in their lives. However, this is not always the case – there are plenty of small activities you can implement into your daily routine and watch your life get better. What’s even better – none of these takes up more than 5 minutes of your day.

Although mostly unrecognized as a “sport” until recently, snow sports such as snowboarding and skiing provide many benefits—both physical and mental.  For some, snow sports are a great way to spend time with friends and enjoy a day out on the slopes.

Late this past August, I accidentally found out how much I weighed. Ok, so, what’s the big deal? Well, for the past three years, I had never stepped on a scale, without looking away before the number popped up. I didn’t necessarily feel overweight, and I wasn’t. However, considering my tall stature, I was afraid that the amount of pounds I amounted to would depress me.

Selflessness is definitely a valuable trait to possess, but the whole “too much of a good thing” concept applies here. To be the best person that you can possibly be, you absolutely must remember to take the time to take care of yourself, too. Focusing on yourself is not selfish; it’s beneficial to your health. Take it from me, a dedicated people-pleaser who is slowly, but surely, learning to balance helping others and myself. This year, don’t forget to make yourself a priority, in your own life, by trying out these five simple self-care suggestions.