2016 – A Healthy Kick-off to the New Year
The New Year has arrived. Whether or not you feel like you were able to achieve the goals you set for yourself in 2015, it’s time to start thinking about what you want to accomplish in 2016. At this time every year, people are setting goals for themselves. Some may want to lose a few extra pounds, eat more nutritious food, or try to live a healthier life. Many of these people will begin regular eating and fitness routines, but these routines don’t always survive past January. Why? Well, the main reason New Year’s resolutions expire after a few weeks has to do with the individual's approach to goal setting. Just stating that you intend to make a positive change is not enough to actually compel you to change. One secret is actually writing your goals down so you can visualize them. Going through a more intense goal setting process will improve your goals in a few ways. First, your goals will seem more achievable. Second, you will have more motivation and a better plan on how to achieve those goals.
One of the best resources on goal setting is Brian Tracy. He has built a company that specializes in training and developing people and organizations. His background includes economics, history, business, and psychology. Tracy is the author of several best-selling books and is known for his 12-step guide to setting goals. This guide can be downloaded for free (after signing up for his newsletter) on his website: http://www.briantracy.com/. Some of his advice includes writing down your goals in detailed description because “only 3% of adults have written goals, and everyone else works for them” (Tracy). He also cites the Theory of Constraints – that there is one limiting factor keeping you from reaching your goal. This has to do with identifying obstacles that you will have to overcome to reach your goal.
A good device to help you with setting your goals is the acronym SMART. SMART stands for Specific, Measureable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This is a checklist to make sure your goal is useful to you. If your goal is too broad, not measurable, too challenging, not rewarding, or has no deadline, it is likely not a strong goal. You can also make your goals more manageable by dividing them into increments. Furthermore, make sure your goals are performance-based and not outcome-based. For more goal setting advice, check out this link.
According to the Journal of Clinical Psychology at the University of Scranton, staying fit and healthy is the fifth most popular New Year’s resolution (Statistic Brain). One of the easiest and most effective ways to achieve this goal is staying properly hydrated. Many people believe that hydration is only important during rigorous exercise, but it is always important. The human body is roughly 60-70% water, and you lose water from activities as simple as breathing. The health of your stomach, skin, and kidneys also depend on the presence of water in the body. Various studies also have connected proper hydration to reduced joint pain, headache prevention, weight loss, and even a decrease in the risk of certain cancers.
Generally staying hydrated is important, but hydration during exercise and travel is essential. Most people know that drinking fluids during exercise is necessary. The importance of hydration during travel is less well known, though. Water becomes especially important if you spend significant time on a plane. (Check out this article by a commercial pilot about plane travel) The pressurized cabins in planes have lower than normal levels of humidity. Less humidity means that your mucous membranes dry out more easily. This means they cannot prevent harmful viruses and bacteria from entering your body. This is why many people report sickness shortly after traveling. So, whatever goals you may have set for yourself for 2016, staying hydrated should also be on your list.
An easy way to stay hydrated is by using ORAL I.V. With its proprietary mixture of trace minerals, this hydration aid activates the body’s ability to process and effectively use water. It is not intended to replace volume of water lost by the body. However, it does allow the body to be more efficient in its use of water and electrolytes. With ORAL I.V., you can maintain healthy hydration without drinking massive volumes of water. This is ideal for situations in which water is not always readily available, like during travel. Remember, ORAL I.V. is not a substitute for drinking water. It is a supplement to your normal consumption of water that will improve your body’s hydration status.