The countdown is ON, 2016 is literally days away!  Even though there isn’t much talk of resolutions these days, there is always talk of change and improvement.  In the midst of changing and improving, you will hit road blocks and question your decisions.  You will have highs one day, and lows the next day, but no matter what you must take of your health.  Normally I’d emphasize the importance of mental wellness, however, I wholeheartedly believe that your physical and mental health need to have an equal priority.  Some days it can be difficult to make “me” time so keep in mind a few things that you can do for your mental and physical health if you are short on time.

1. Maintain a healthy diet  What we put into our bodies critical for our physical and mental health.  After watching Netflix documentaries Fed Up, Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead, and Forks Over Knives, I know that decreasing your sugar intake and increasing your vegetable intake improves your health.  Now only will you drops those extra pounds, but people report having better mental clarity and are able to better focus.  
2. Make exercise a daily habit  I once told myself, if I can’t manage to find 30 minutes a day to exercise, I deserve these extra pounds.  I still believe that.  Exercise doesn’t have to be running a mile, walking the parking lot at lunch, or biking 10 blocks.  Exercise can be a circuit of squats, push-ups, and crunches while watching your favorite show.  Turn on YouTube and practice your line dances for 30 minutes, not only will you get a workout but you won’t be the one messing up when it’s time to Wobble or do the Booty Call.  Switch up your daily exercise, and add in a day or two of safe sex but you do ALL of the work!!
3. Journal or Meditate  Even though many people may not think about writing or sitting still are good for your physical health, they are, here is how: They are stress reducers.  Writing about our thoughts or our day is a great way to sort our thoughts, and meditating is a great way to quiet the background noise of our life.  Stress takes a toll on our mind and body-ask any medical professional.  

Remember as you move forward into 2016 and makes those goals into reality, that you have to keep your health a priority.  In 2016, Speak Away the Stigma will focus on Mental Wellness, along with Mental Illness Awareness.  Every month we will focus on a topic related to mental wellness, have challenges, and share stories!  Follow as we focus on mental wellness in 2016–Instagram @speakawaythestigma & @Chrissie_k   and on Twitter @speakawaystigma @ iamChrissie_K. (We follow back!)

Feministas, what are your goals for 2016?

[info_box type=”alert_box”]If you want to practice self-care, you have to care for your finances.  My book, The Happy Finances Challenge, is designed to help you learn to make money decisions that will lead to long-term financial happiness in just 42 days.  [/info_box]