Positive Thinking: Turn Back Time in 2009

By Jackie Silver

Instead of a New Year's resolution, make it a New Year's REVOLUTION and start Aging Backwards! The beginning of a new year gives us the chance to start fresh and make positive changes in our lives. Reflecting on the past year, looking at what worked and what didn't, is a great path to improvement -- but "harping" on the past or living in the past is counterproductive.

I'm a list-maker from way back -- I think I even made lists in kindergarten -- and I believe that writing down my goals, dreams and aspirations helps me bring them to fruition. The end of one year and the beginning of a new year is as good a time as any to refresh last year's list, gratefully cross off those things "accomplished," and revise, add or re-word other line items.

In her book, Write It Down, Make It Happen, author Henriette Anne Klauser says, "Give yourself permission to dream, to be totally unrealistic."¹ That's exactly what I do! Here are some ideas to get you thinking about your list, and start you on your way to Aging Backwards.

Aging Backwards New Year's Revolution

1. Form new habits. Dr. Maxwell Maltz, in his book Psycho-Cybernetics, tells us it takes 21 days to form a habit.² Adding just one or two new behaviors into your day can be the impetus to improving the way you look and feel. If losing weight is on your list, and it's on many people's lists year after year, make 2009 the year you finally cross it off for good! Here's my easiest tip for changing your diet: super-size your veggies and half-size everything else. This one change will start you on your way to shedding pounds, guaranteed.

2. Change your mind. "By meditating, you can become happier, you can concentrate more effectively and you can change your brain in ways that support that," according to Richard Davidson, neuroscience professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison,³ who has been carrying out studies on Buddhist monks for years. In addition, John Sarno, M.D., in his book, The Mindbody Prescription⁴ states that, "The mind has the capacity to combat disease and improve health."

3. Get off the couch. If you make no other change in your life this year, resolve to get more active. Studies too numerous to cite show us that exercise is a key to good health, but that's not all. "Obviously, exercise helps with weight loss, lowering cholesterol and blood pressure and reducing risk for such things as osteoporosis and diabetes," says Fabio Comana, exercise physiologist with the American Council on Exercise. "Those are the mainstream benefits, but there's a lot more people may not be aware of." Among the "more benefits" are better sleep, better memory, better sex and help to quit smoking.⁵

So, when making your new year's list, think big, go big, win big! Ford Motor Company Founder Henry Ford said, "Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right."

Have a happy, healthy New Year.

Jackie

References

1. Henriette Anne Klauser, Write It Down, Make It Happen, Touchstone Books, 2001.
2. Maxwell Maltz, Psycho-Cybernetics, Pocket Books, 1989.
3. http://superlife.ning.com/video/video/show?id=547497:Video:7391.
4. John E. Sarno, M.D., The Mindbody Prescription, Warner Books, 1999.
5. http://www.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/diet.fitness/06/20/hb.exercise.benefits/index.html.

[Ed. note: Jackie Silver is aging backwards. She shares her secrets, tips, and shortcuts on her web site, AgingBackwards.com, in her new book, Aging Backwards: Secrets to Staying Young, on the syndicated TV show, Daytime, on Clear Channel radio's Mix 100.7, and as a sought-after speaker. For more information, click here.]
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This article appears courtesy of Early to Rise’s Total Health Breakthroughs [Issue 01-16-09] which offers alternative solutions for mind, body and soul. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.totalhealthbreakthroughs.com/