Happier and Healthier in 2014

Last year at this time I wrote a blog post that highlighted some simple things that each and every one of us could do to be healthier and happier in 2013.  It wasn’t necessarily a list of “resolutions”, per se, but rather a list of ideas to incorporate into every day life.  I thought it was a pretty good list, but when I was thinking of ideas on what to write for my first blog post of this year, I decided that I should look back on the past year in my life and see what I did to make my days just a little bit easier. I found that most, if not all of them, had little or nothing to do with exercise!  Shocking, I know, but while obviously, I hope that many of you are thinking about making the gym a part of your resolution to be happier and healthier in 2014, here are a few things I did this past year and some ideas to make the most of 2014, even without picking up one dumbbell:

• Once you wade through the craziness, Twitter is pretty amazing.  I joined Twitter a few years ago and am sort of obsessed with it for various reasons, but I really didn’t figure out how to make it useful and worth my while until a few months ago.  The key is to get through the garble and find and follow the people that make you read and think.  So a few months ago I cleaned out my Twitter account, checked the accounts of those who I followed regularly, saw who they followed and started following them as well.  As an exercise nerd, I found dozens of brilliant people and companies posting thought-provoking and insightful ideas and articles. They make Twitter worthwhile, especially when I am in-between clients or killing time at the gym.  So clean out your Twitter account, start over, even, and let your mind wander.
• Always have a book in your bag.  I don’t get to read often, but I always have a book at the ready. Even if I only have a few minutes to read a few pages a day, it’s one of the best stress relievers I know.  Whether you are reading for fun, for business, or for learning, a book should always be handy.  This was the best one I read last year.
• Can’t remember someone’s name?  Write it down.  I am absolutely, positively horrible at remembering people’s names. At the gym, everyone knows mine because I wear a name tag and my picture and bio are on the wall.  I discovered last year that when I need to remember someone’s name, all I need to do is write it down.  Somewhere.  Anywhere.  Preferably somewhere where I’ll see it often, like my black appointment book.  Remembering names is very meaningful for people in business, especially in a field like mine.
• Carry a snack.  I hear this all the time from clients:  ”Sometimes I just forget to eat” or “I’m on the road and in a hurry so I stop at the nearest place and grab whatever I can.  Usually something bad.”  My solution is simple.  Take a container from your kitchen and fill it with Cashews, Almonds, Pistachio’s, dried fruit, whatever.  Something that quick, easy, portable, and filling.  Most trainers I know carry around some sort of small cooler with them during the day, but if you plan ahead you won’t go hungry and won’t be tempted by the fast food joint on the corner.  You’ll also save money and time, which is a good thing.
• Do something or be a part of something that occupies your time outside of work. I’m a member of a business networking group that meets once a week and it’s invaluable for me both personally and professionally.  Just being able to get out of the gym and socialize and network with people that I wouldn’t normally meet is the perfect outlet when I leave the gym.  It doesn’t matter if you are a doctor, lawyer, or a stay-at-home-Mom, have something outside of your everyday life that you are a part of and make it your own.
• Good deeds really are good.  Something as simple as giving an unused gift card to a stranger, helping someone with their grocery bags, or going out of your way to give a lost person directions can be a very powerful, pay-it-forward type action that also feels extremely good.  When something like this does occur the jolt of adrenaline that I feel can more than make up for a cancelled training session or the 3 inches of snow we are supposed to get later this week.
• E-Mail yourself!  I do this almost every day.  I e-mail myself tasks, ideas, errands, random thoughts and reminders, sometimes up to 5 or 10 times per day and always in ALL CAPS.  And if that errand or task or thought is in my inbox, I see it over and over again so I never forget to take care of it.
• Drink more Cocoa.  Not only does Cocoa taste good and warm you up on a winter day, but studies have shown that raw, organic Cocoa powder can take away some of those cravings for something not nearly as healthy.
• One phone call a month.  This was one of my more modest goals from last year, but when it’s so easy to just text, e-mail or drop a quick Facebook message to someone and “think” you are staying in touch, I wanted to make sure I actually talked to one of my friends, once a month, on the phone.  E-mail and texting may be convenient and quick, sure, but when I really want to know what’s going on in someone’s life, I schedule a phone date or better yet, a FaceTime chat.
• Take a day off.  Easier said then done, sure, but I’ve had 2 full days off over these last few weeks, two days where I didn’t put on any workout clothes and didn’t step one foot in a gym.  And it felt great, even though I know those days are few and far between.  I don’t have a normal, salaried job so when I’m not working I’m not getting paid, but those real days off totallyrecharged my batteries and cleared my head to prepare for the long and hopefully eventful year ahead.

Hopefully by the end of this year I’ll have a whole new set of ideas to add to the above, but I’m always searching for better ways to grow and learn, and that’s a pretty good way to start the new year.