Trying to determine what (if anything) will be your New Year’s Resolution is a challenge. There is always a list of things you wish you did more often, or bad habits you need to break. It can quickly become overwhelming, unable to break down all these resolutions into manageable goals. This year, I suggest keeping it simple withe the resolution to exercise more!

Sure, they’re people who love to exercise, whether at home or the gym or a yoga class. They have no problem getting and staying motivated to work out regularly. I am not one of those people. Especially after a hard day of working on my feet, the last thing I want to do is exercise. But that is exactly what I should do, what we all should do! Work, whether labor intensive or not, is not the same as exercise. Exercise should be of a quicker pace, getting the heart rate up and good sweat going. That is when it is most beneficial, your body starts to burn more calories and release endorphins that will push you through the workout and make you feel better all around.

Our bodies deserve the love and attention of a healthy diet and regular exercise. It’s never too late to change your ways of eating and exercise, but the sooner you do it the better off you will be. We take our bodies for granted. Assuming that everything is and will continue to work properly. As we age, it becomes more important to stay active. “If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it!” Staying physically active with exercise and stretches increases your chance of maintaining functionality as you age.

No where is this more important than the brain! Brain health and exercise is key to overall health, mood, and the aging process. We need to exercise our brains just as much as our bodies (maybe even more). Reading, puzzle solving, crafting, video games, board games, etc. There are so many ways in which you can exercise your mind and keep it sharp. It is important to incorporate such an activity or hobby into your everyday life. With technology at our fingertips, it is very easy to become sedentary. Especially if you’r already feeling some aches and pains, or struggling with other health issues. A healthy mental state will only help you to overcome the other obstacles you may be facing with your health.

Make 2016 the Year to Exercise! Both your brains and bodies could use a little extra TLC this year. A healthy state of mind and body will only help in making any other resolutions you have more clear, obtainable, and rewarding.

Written by CB