Another new year is right around a corner. Thinking about new year’s resolutions? Have you ever been frustrated by the end of January when things don’t go the way you planned? What if it’s not your fault?

Improving your health can be overwhelming, especially when it seems everywhere you turn you face toxins that can cause weight gain, hormone disruption, interfere with your thinking, fatigue, joint pain, irritable bowels, cancer risk and more. Where to begin? Diet? Exercise? Environment? It’s enough to make you throw your hands in the air and give up. But what if small steps in the right direction could lessen the risk of chronic and “lifestyle” diseases? 

Food & Diet

Starting a diet at the beginning of the new year is nothing new. Of course a better diet will support better health. I’m suggesting improving the quality of your food over counting calories. This includes replacing unhealthy cooking oils and fats like canola, soybean and margarine with healthier options like avocado, olive, coconut oil, and butter. 

Replace or reduce your intake of artificially sweetened soft drinks with filtered water. Aspartame is linked to all kinds of health issues. Add a slice of lemon or other fruit for flavor. Avoid beverages bottled in plastic, and make sure your water bottle is toxin free, like glass or steel. Stay hydrated.

What you cook and store your food in is just as important as your choice of food. Use iron, steel or glass pans to cook and bake in. Avoid non-stick and aluminum cookware. Store food and leftovers in glass and avoid plastic altogether. Replace black plastic cooking utensils with wood or steel. Plastic can contain brominated flame retardants, chlorine, PVC, cadmium, chromium, mercury, lead, and other toxins that can leach into your food. 

Eat more fruits and veggies and reduce the carbs and sugar. Go organic where you can. Wash them thoroughly either way. 

Physical and Mental Improvements 

Try for 20-30 minutes of excercise most days, preferably outside. Get 7-8 hours of sleep a night. Turn off the devices an hour before bed. Calm the mind by meditating, praying or rhythmic breathing. Choose personal care products without toxic ingredients. 

Clean your Environment

Keep your cell phone away from your body. Don’t put it under the pillow or on a nightstand when you’re sleeping. Turn off the wifi and bluetooth when you don’t need it, and switch to airplane mode. Turn your modem off at night or use a timer. Research is showing exposure to radiation from Wi-Fi and cellular phones can disrupt normal cellular development, interfere with sleep and more. Declutter. Make sure your home is free of mold. 

Each step we can take reduces the collective stressors that increase the chance of disease. Maybe those extra pounds you’re carrying aren’t just the result of a weak will. Maybe the fatigue you’re experiencing is coming from toxic exposure. Maybe that digestive issue is caused by something in your diet. Perhaps by choosing one area to work on improving each month, you can end the year healthier than you started it. 

My heartfelt wish for you is all the best of everything, especially your health and happiness in the new year!

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