It’s a new year, and with it comes the resolution of finally quitting bad habits, losing weight and getting healthy. And, whilst many of us have good intentions, few (in fact as little as only 12%) actually make their resolutions a reality.
Catherine Clark Owner and Founder of The Harvest Table says “We live in a world of instant gratification, so when we set our (often over-zealous) New Year resolutions, we expect to achieve them instantly and when it doesn’t happen, we simply give up.” She adds that instead one should rather focus on making small, incremental changes. “Not only are they easier to implement – if you are doing it right – you will barely even realise that you’re doing it!”
Catherine, after being diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma (lymph Cancer), began her own journey of what it meant to be healthy 20 years ago, and today is cancer-free. She says that one of the greatest lessons she learnt during that time was that health and wellness starts as a walk, not a sprint. “When you start walking you are slow, but the fitter you get, the faster you go, until one day you find yourself running a marathon. The same holds true for health and wellness. You start slow, but as you make small changes, the affects result in an all-round healthier, happier you!”
She shares what she believes are ‘fail-safe’ ways to get you started on your journey of health and wellness:
- Start moving: Don’t panic, you don’t have to take out a gym contract just yet! First commit to incorporating small changes into your daily routine like taking the stairs instead of the lift, walking to a nearby meeting instead of driving or parking further away from the entrance of your local shopping mall. Whatever you choose to do, just commit to start moving more tomorrow than you are today.
- Breathe deeply: The more stressed you get, the less you breathe. The worst part? You don’t even notice it! When you take a deep breath, your body will flood with fresh oxygen which will make you feel more energised, fuel your cells and keep your system functioning optimally. Breathing deeply is easy enough, but requires conscious effort to do so. So, set a reminder on your phone to take a deep breath daily!
- Drink more water: This one you sadly can’t escape! The good news is that it is a whole lot easier than changing your entire diet overnight. Of all the changes, this one may require the biggest head shift, but will see you reap massive rewards from clearer skin, healthier gut and you may even lose a kilo or two as well! Hate the taste? Add some freshly squeezed lemon or slices of fruit for flavour. Again, start small – a glass or two a day – challenging yourself to not stop until you are drinking the recommended two litres a day.
- Laugh more: It sounds ridiculous, but laughter truly is the best medicine! Scientists have proven that laughter not only lowers blood pressure, reduces stress hormones and improves cardiac health, it also triggers the release of endorphins which eases chronic pain. And, let’s be honest, no one is going to get to heaven one day and say “ I wish I laughed less!” Consciously choose to spend time with people who make you giggle, laugh out loud or even just make you smile. Watch less news and more comedy’s. Life is too short to live any other way.
- Supplement: Whilst changing your entire eating plan would be first prize, focusing on small, easy changes that are easy to implement are key. One of the ways to do this is through the addition of tasteless Collagen powder/granules (which is easy to add into just about anything) or Bone Broth Powder which is a complete protein (containing all 9 essential amino acids) and is packed full of minerals. In addition to helping your body digest food properly, these supplements have a plethora of health benefits including strengthening hair, nails and teeth, improving the overall appearance and elasticity of skin, reducing both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis joint pain, improving flexibility, and even helps form new bones. The best part? You simply add it to your favourite drink or food and voila! No mess, no fuss.
“For me, 2020 is all about going back to basics. Eat simply, move more, breathe deeply and do this all with friends and family who make you laugh until your belly hurts! Let 2020 be the year, you become the healthier, happier version of you!” Catherine concludes.
