T.J. Samson | Destination Health | December 2017

18T i PS FOR A If ever there were a time for fresh starts, it’s a brand-new year. So why not The tips are for some common healthy changes that many of us struggle to adopt. But since they’re Don’t think forever. When you first try to quit, take it one minute, one hour and one day at a time. That will help you stay positive. And if you’re on the verge of lighting up, hold off for at least 10 minutes. You’ll likely get past the strongest urge to smoke. Chew on this. Munch on smoking substi- tutes such as sunflower seeds or carrot sticks. Some folks even chew straws. Write it out. When something upsetting happens, writing about it may help you organize your thoughts—and make the experi- ence seem more manageable. Reward yourself. Fill a jar daily with the money you would have wasted on tobacco. Then splurge on some- thing special. Practice positive self-talk. Swap a negative thought such as “I hate it when this happens,” with “I can handle this—I’ve done it before.” Enjoy a good belly laugh. Watch a funny movie, read the comics or do something silly. Laughter helps you relax and recharge. To exercise more To stop smoking To stress less Be a do-it-yourselfer. Rather than paying somebody else, do your own housework. Ditto for raking your yard or cutting your grass—as long as you use a push mower. Anything that gets you moving counts as exercise. Rethink your commute. If you drive, could you bike or walk a few times each week? If you take public transportation, why not get off at an earlier stop and hoof it the rest of the way? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Prod yourself. Use your smartphone to send yourself reminders for exercise breaks. Then march in place, do some squats, or take a quick walk around your block or office. Wellness 4 DESTINATION HEALTH