Alex Shalman.comPractical Personal Development

Article written by Alex Blackwell. Connect with Alex on Facebook.

Just as setting small and attainable goals are the building blocks for achieving success; living a lifestyle of making good health choices leads to greater and more sustainable happiness.

The cliché “You are what you eat” does resonate with pieces of truth and common sense. There have been several health and fitness studies over the years that suggest people who are overweight, smoke and drink excessively have a predisposition to experience more bouts of depression than people who live a more moderate lifestyle in these areas.

So, you have heard all of this before, right? The last thing you need right now is someone else lecturing you about what you are doing wrong and calling attention to the fact you may need to lose a few pounds.

Here’s the thing though, beginning right now, today, you can ignore the lectures and the comments you hear others mutter and whisper. Because today you are in control of your health, and your happiness, by empowering yourself with knowing, and believing, in the following statement: Achieving better health is a choice. Choose wisely.

Here’s a roadmap to help you make better choices:

• Relax.
  Stress and anxiety can cause havoc on your metabolism and mental health. Stress impedes your ability to think clearly. Learn to take a step back from stressful situations before they can damage your relationships, your happiness and your health.
• Think of the word “diet” as a noun, not a verb.
  Too often when people fail to sticking with a diet, it is because there are depriving themselves of some of the foods they enjoy most. Deprivation is a negative word – a word that doesn’t foster happiness. Instead of watching or counting calories, pay attention to the diet of foods you are eating. Make good choices as rule, but allow yourself to indulge from time to time.
• Walk more.
  Take the time to walk after dinner. Also, when you are out running errands, park as far away from the front of the store as possible. These extra steps really add up and you will see results immediately.
• Get regularly check-ups.
  Most illnesses or diseases can be avoided if caught in time. Yes, we are all busy. Yes, it’s a pain to see the doctor when you feeling good and really don’t see the point to do so. But prevention is the best prescription for a serious, or life threatening illness.
• Smile and act happy.
  Even when you don’t feel like smiling or feel particularly happy, sometimes you just have to fake it until you make it. You will be surprised how the smiles and happiness you receive back when actually improve your mood and happiness.

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