Dear Fellow Caregiver,  

Greetings from Colorado! Welcome to Sip of Soup, my monthly email of insights and lessons to help you live a more balanced life.

Positively Yours,

LeAnn

 

Positivity Power 

This time of year, those of us in cooler climates are watching for signs of Spring and nature's renewal. (If you live where you're sun bathing on a beach, we don't want to hear about it!  ) This season I hear people talking of their own personal renewal too. Some mention giving something up for Lent and others are recommitting to lagging New Year's resolutions. In all cases, their efforts are toward self improvement of mind, body, and spirit. It takes a lot of will power. But who knew? Will power can be learned.

Lessons from LeAnn

For Lent I gave up eating after supper. (Chocolate is a great way to end the day, right?) I also vowed to walk for 30 minutes, 5 days a week, which by the way was my lagging New Year's resolution...I just hadn't had the will power to keep it.

 

Then I read a study done for the American Psychological Association proving I can learn will power. It is sort if like a muscle; the more you use it, the stronger it becomes. So if you're having a hard time keeping your New Year's resolution too, here are some tips to strengthening your Will Power Muscle:

1. Focus on one thing at a time. Work on ways to resist temptation and to delay instant gratification. Visualize the end goal and how great you will feel when you achieve it.
2. Practice self-control. Research shows that if you exercise self control on a regular basis, it gets stronger. If I resist that Snickers bar on several occasions, it gets easier and easier to do so. Also, practicing self control on anything seems to increase self control on everything. (so that means Butterfingers too!)
3. Find a smart substitute. Instead of a brownie, try a cup of coffee with delicious flavored creamer. If you can't possible work in a 30 minute walk, jog up and down your stairs for five minutes. If you feel somewhat satisfied, you've strengthened your resolve (and muscle) for next time.
4. Get an accountability partner. It is easier to keep your resolutions and goals when you have someone to support you. Make a plan to connect verbally and regularly. Knowing you have to "report" to someone makes the Will Power Muscle perform stronger.

I hope these tips help you prepare for your springtime renewal and your ongoing commitment to improve our mind, body and spirit. May your health and life-balance bloom!

Sip du Jour

A Healthy Quote:

"Let us strive to improve ourselves, for we cannot remain stationary; one either progresses or retrogrades."
Mme. Du Deffand

To learn more of LeAnn's lessons on creating a more balanced, healthy, happy life, get your personalized copy of her book, Balancing Life in Your "War Zones".  Indicate how you would like it personalized under the Comments/Special Delivery Instructions section:

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