Do you monitor your feelings on a regular basis? If so, when do you feel good and when do you feel not so good? Identifying feel-good and feel-not-so-good moments helps you to choose well in life. I've been thinking a lot about that as we make lifestyle choices lately. There are definitely foods, schedules, events, and places that make me feel very good, and that's where I want to direct my lifestyle in the days ahead.
The difficult part of this momentum is retiring some long-held practices and places that don't contribute to feeling good. It's difficult to let go of long-held practices and places even if those practices and places make you feel uncomfortable, unhealthy or unhappy.
The best way to make better in this regard is to replace old ways with new, better ways. It won't happen right away, but over time, the exchanges will be well ingrained into your new and better lifestyle. One simple example of these exchanges is the way that we've mainly replaced ice cream with yogurt bowls and smoothies--we still get that creamy treat, but with a lot less calories and greater health. I've also replaced a lot of lunch dates with walks and talks instead--after those walks and talks we feel so good and then, at times, enjoy a healthy meal.
It's good to get young people used to thinking about how they feel and what makes them feel good from an early age--this will foster healthy, happy lifestyles. As part of this activity, people have to be aware of the way television and other media ads often promote foods and activities that are unhealthy. For example, lately I've noticed a lot of alcohol ads on television targeting young people--those ads share a message that's untrue and unhealthy.
When we feel good, we are better people. Knowing what makes you feel good and integrating that into your lifestyle truly will better our lives. Onward.