Every New Year I look forward to re-think my priorities in life and take a day of soul searching, what I want to achieve this new year and what lessons of the past year I can carry forward. I try not to look at last year's list and let my goals be fresh and reflect my past experiences yet be with a new outlook. And I also want to ask myself what I want to be different.

So here are my top 10 health and wellness goals: 
          

1.Think positive thoughts
about myself and others; think positively about my goals. Smile to my body, to my friends, family, to the whole universe.

2.Get enough sleep,
so that I can re-charge my internal ‘batteries'.
Getting enough sleep can have a dramatic impact on a healthy well functioning body and brain. Also know that in deep sleep the brain can release growth hormones.

3.Move and exercise my body
Of course, exercise, running, biking, hiking, swimming, gym work out, weights, dancing and walking are to be on my list. And: don't forget to stretch!!!!   

4.Eat fresh organic vegetables and fruits,
about 3-5 servings per day, so that the body gets the nutrients it needs and so that the intestines get the fiber necessary to have a healthy digestion.

5.Take vitamins and minerals,
take a class on nutrition, read a book, use common sense.

6.Take care of my body,
take a Spa Day, get a massage and/or chiropractic care once a month, acupuncture as needed. Get into a routine that fits my body, schedule and wallet.
Remember that my body is the most precious asset I have.

7.Meditate every morning before the day starts and sweeps me away. This is not supposed to be an arduous task but rather refreshing for the mind and soul. My advice is to take 10 - 20 minutes at the start of the day, before you do anything else! Even a 10 minutes meditation is a great start and makes a difference for me to have a grounded calming day, during which I seem to be much more in control as without a meditation routine.

8.Nurture my social relations!
To be able to communicate with friends, family and co-workers is very important to me. I also know that by nurturing those relationships I grow as a person. Our social interactions also affect our brain health!

9.Detoxify  the body regularly
with Hydrotherapy at a spa with Sauna or Steam Room, by taking hot baths at home or by internal detoxification with fresh fruit juice fasts or other programs. Toxins have a negative impact on our health and brain. It is possible to reduce toxins by filtering our drinking water, by drinking enough water every day and by simply eating fresh organic fruits and vegetables. Think ‘ABC' as in apple-beets-carrots for a delicious detoxifying fresh juice drink.

10.Clean up my eating habits! Enough said. I am sure that we all know what those undesirable eating habits are. For me it is increasing a balance of protein, carbohydrates and fats so that my body gets all the ‘fuel' it needs. It means for me that I plan ahead for the week on Sundays; prepare a couple of healthy meals that can be frozen and ready when needed. I also prepare healthy snacks before I go to work every morning. It keeps me from snacking on chips and cookies when hungry. My healthy snacks often consist of an apple and a protein bar. It's that simple!

Off to a new start into a productive, healthy and inspiring New Year!