Happy New
Year, everyone!
As we wind down the year 2022 and bring in the New Year of 2023, many people seem to affiliate this time with making changes in their lives. Resolutions began with many historical religious origins observing the beginning of the year with varied obligations such as strengthening their relationships to God, to others and themselves.
Some have made a point to pray more often, to return borrowed objects and to pay debts, while others sought and offered forgiveness. New Year’s resolutions had become more popular during the Great Depression. It seems that during harder economical times many people intended to improve themselves to create a better quality of life.
It is important to observe and give yourself credit for how far you have come with any strides you have taken or made thus far.
If you didn’t conquer some of your year’s resolutions, you may need to revamp the way you have been trying to accomplish those goals. You may want to find out the reason and come to terms with what is holding you back. Start off with just one little change that is feasible and is a reasonable goal.
Personally speaking, I find it trying to stay calm and collected when I react to certain things. There are not-so-positive things being thrown out continually. There are certain situations that can make me feel sad or mad. It is important to recognize those feelings and most crucial on how to react on those feelings that can affect one’s health and well-being. Patience is a blessed gift.
Letting go and moving forward to find solutions to make the change is key to progress. Being mindful and aware of what may be affecting your health to make the changes is the first step. Seek professional assistance if need be.
Life isn’t always meant to be easy and it is through the difficult times that we become our stronger spirited selves to serve our gifted life with gratitude. May everyone find a path to quiet beauty and peace with the light of love to guide the way.
Movements to help your balance
These types of exercises will help improve your balance. You can do these movements almost anytime, anywhere, and as often as you like.
• Walk heel-to-toe. Position
your heel just in front of the
toes of the opposite foot
each time you take a step.
Your heel and toes should
touch or almost touch. For
more of a challenge, try to
balance a book on your
head at the same time.
• Stand on one foot. Count
to at least 10, then alternate foot. Try it while you
are waiting in a line at the
grocery store or post office,
for example.
• Stand up and sit down
without using your hands.
Keep hands on your waist
or by your sides.
The sniffing breath exercise
This breathing experience may help release and relax any tightness in the chest to enhance deep breathing. It is an excellent exercise to perform anytime you may feel stressed out and need help controlling overwhelming emotions.
What to do:
• Sit upright with posture
intact (ears over shoulders,
shoulders over hips, stomach in and back straight).
May be performed lying
down or standing as well.
• Relax your jaw.
• With mouth closed, take
two to four quick inward
sniffs as if breaking up
breathing in small parts.
• Exhale very slow and
steady through your nose
or relaxed lips.
• Repeat the exercise several times until you feel your
chest and body relaxing.
• Inhale a relaxed deep
breath without any tension.
• Continue breathing regularly.
Julie is a Healthy for Life advocate. If you have any questions or would like to share your inspirations or information, contact her at [email protected] or write to her at Hometown Focus, 401 6th Ave. N. Virginia, MN 55792.