1. Keep your brain sharp. According to the Mayo Clinic,1 “The secret to memory improvement may be something you already know is good for you: exercise.” According to researchers, “Exercise can increase your brainpower, help put off normal aging-related memory loss and, perhaps, even prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.” That’s powerful stuff.

2. Give back for health and longevity. Sir Francis Bacon, philosopher and statesman, said way back in the 1500s, “The best part of beauty is that which no picture can express.” Volunteering makes us feel wonderful on the inside and that inner glow radiates to the outside.

3. Ease into better eating habits. The best way to achieve weight loss and optimal health is with a diet rich in protein and healthy fats and consisting of low glycemic carbohydrates. If your eating habits are way off, here’s a way you can ease into changing your diet for the better - start with portion control. Portions in America are way too large and that has been shown to contribute to the obesity epidemic.

4. Use visualization and keep stress levels low. Can what we think actually affect our bodies? It’s called the “mind/body connection” and according to researchers it can have a real effect on our health.  The American Academy of Family Physicians’4 web site lists a number of ailments that can be attributed directly to stress, including back pain, chest pain, high blood pressure, insomnia, stiff neck, and shortness of breath, to name a few.

5. Trick yourself into exercising. I’m one of the lucky ones - I love to exercise. But even I can fall into the “couch potato rut” every now and then. When that happens, I put on my cutest workout outfit and tell myself I’m just going to play along. I’m not really going to exercise. In fact, I’m just going to the gym to check out the buff guys. I’ll take a class or hop on the elliptical machine with the intention of faking it, but five or ten minutes into the workout I find renewed energy I didn’t even know I had and I’m going full speed ahead. Try it!