A Healthy and Happy 2010

The new year is a great time to thinking about new goals and future achievements. What goals have you set to help you live a healthy, happy and well 2010?

When setting your goals make sure they are realistic and achievable, but will also stretch you a little. Think of the small and simple steps you can take to become a healthier you.

Although you should choose goals that are personally meaningful, you may find a helpful starting point below:

• When you wash your hands, sing the alphabet song or count to 20 while scrubbing in between your fingers and the back of your hands.
• Read food labels and make a plan to replace half your grains with "whole grains."
• Stretch before you go to bed at night, perhaps while catching up on the news on TV.
• Try a new fruit or vegetable each week, or maybe even just a new preparation/recipe of an old favorite.
• Find some friends who want to be physically active and start a walking group at a time that's good for everyone.
• Carry around a water bottle and try to drink 8 glasses each day (a total of 64 ounces each day).
• Recognize the amount of sleep you need (6-9 hours) to feel alert and well each day and strive to get that amount most nights of the week.
• Pick an activity that helps keep your mind active (i.e. Sudoku, puzzles, a book club, card games, Scrabble, or taking time to read up more frequently on subjects that interest you).
• Focus on how you feel in regards to food and try to recognize internal hunger and fullness cues. Do you eat when you're hungry? Do you stop when you're full?

How about you? What are you doing this year to ensure a happy and healthy 2010? Share it with us in a comment!

P.S.Our new wellness challenge, Healthy Heroes, which starts next Monday, will allow you to choose your own fitness goal, nutrition goal, and weight goal. The online tracking system associated with the challenge will be a great way for you to measure yourself and help you be accountable. BYU Faculty, Staff, Administration and their spouses are encouraged to sign up today!