Six New Year's Resolutions for a Healthier 2012 and Beyond

by Tony Isaacs

It's that time of year again when many of us resolve to make improvements in our lives and habits for the coming year. Often, such resolutions have to do with improving our health, such as losing excess weight or quitting smoking. Besides such obvious areas as weight loss and putting down cigarettes, there are a number of other resolutions many of us could make to improve our health. Here are six resolutions which are almost certain to lead to a healthier 2012 and beyond:

1. Resolve to eat a healthier.

Good health begins with good nutrition and nutrition comes primarily from what we eat. Food items on our grocer's shelves have often had most of the natural nutrition processed out and harmful additives such as MSG processed in. It is almost impossible to avoid GMO items, including soy, canola and corn. Processed and non-organic meat products are particularly harmful and so are unhealthy fats. Produce is often contaminated by pesticides. Insure better health by avoiding harmful items and replacing them with nutrient dense whole food items – and make sure to use 100% certified organic food items as much as possible

2. Resolve to be more physically active.

Regular exercise (or physical activity) has a world of health benefits, including making our bones, muscles and entire bodies stronger. Physical activity is essential for a strong natural immune system. Thanks to the beneficial hormones and pheromones produced when we exercise, it also makes us feel calmer and happier and is a wonderful way to relieve stress and tension.

3. Resolve to eliminate toxins from home and body.

Thanks to man’s unnatural chemicals and pollution, toxins are everywhere, including our food, air, water and soils. Though cannot avoid toxins entirely, we can eliminate many of them by getting rid of toxic household items such as cleansers, pesticides, herbicides, and cosmetics and replacing those items with natural ones. Most of the toxins we haven’t avoided can be safely and effectively eliminated by natural foods, herbs and other means. For example, see:

“Avoiding Toxins and Removing Them from Your Body”
http://www.tbyil.com/Toxins.htm

"Making your Home Safe in the 21st Century"
http://www.tbyil.com/Safe_Home.htm

4. Resolve to build a strong natural immune system

The immune system is our natural first line of defense against disease and illness. In addition to diet and exercise, make sure that you get optimum daily amounts of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Since today’s food products and mineral-depleted soils make it is next to impossible to get all the nutrients you need from diet alone, consider a good whole foods derived multi-vitamin product as well as a good “superfoods” powder.

5. Resolve to avoid, minimize and eliminate stress

You have surely heard the term "stress, the silent killer". It's true! Stress causes illness and prevents healing. Endeavor to do whatever it takes to remove stress from your life and make your mental attitude your ally. Meditate, exercise, take yoga, change jobs, find a pleasant hobby – do whatever you must to remove stress and have a positive mental outlook.

6. Resolve to look first to nature for healing and health issues.

As “The Father of Medicine”, Hippocrates said, “Nature is the physician of man”. Unnatural mainstream medicines often merely mask symptoms by forcing the body to function unnaturally and most have side effects which can lead to further other unhealthy conditions. Avoid getting trapped into managed-for-profits illness and ever increasing medications by looking first to natural healing, as mankind has done for millennia.

Other suggested reading:

Building a Foundation for Better Health and Longevity

Clean Your Air and Brighten Your Day with Houseplants

“How to Make Your Home a Haven”