It’s that time of year when we’re focused on our goals. For many of us, the goals are about health and wealth. We’ll leave the wealth goals to the money experts and focus on health.

What does “being healthy” mean?
Being healthy means being aware of ourselves and acting in positive ways that feed our mind, body, and spirit. Think of being healthy in terms of being an athlete. They can’t be at the top of their sport without the support of a coach, training, proper nutrition, and the mindset of a winner. The same is true for us, too.

6 Simple Ways to Be Healthy

  1. You are what you eat. Give your body proper nutrition by eating three meals a day and two snacks. Each meal or snack should include protein, a building block of cells. Healthy sources of protein include almonds, protein shakes, yogurt, eggs, meat, and beans.
  2. Breakfast. Never skip it. When you skip breakfast, your body goes into starvation mode, holding on to anything you eat for the rest of the day. Eating breakfast lets your body know it is okay to burn calories and it will continue to burn them throughout the day.
  3. Smoothie time. If you’re not a fan of the essential fruits and vegetables, try having them in a smoothie once a day. Combine protein powder, almond milk, blueberries (good for the heart), a banana (source of potassium), a healthy fat like coconut oil or avocado, and spinach, for a heart healthy snack.
  4. Get moving. Find activities that get you off the couch and moving. Not only is exercise good for your body, it’s good for your mind. When you exercise, endorphins, the happy hormones, are released. Just 30 minutes of walking on most days of the week will help you stay in shape and combat symptoms of anxiety and depression.
  5. Me time. In a busy world of work, family, and cell phones, it’s hard to just be. Spend five minutes each day in uninterrupted quiet. It will help you reset your mind and focus on the happy in your life.
  6. Sleep schedule. Most of us don’t get the recommended 6-8 hours of sleep per night and it’s killing us. Literally. Sleep gives our body, cells, and hormones time to reset from the stress of our waking hours. When we don’t get enough sleep, we’re more susceptible to illness, stress, anxiety, and a host of other conditions. Get your ZZZZs on a regular schedule, even on the weekends. You’ll feel more clearheaded and focused.

Here’s to being healthy in mind, body, and spirit!