Page 6 - Boca Expsoure - November '20

Page 6, Boca Exposure
Reality Check √ - Healthy Answers On Living

And Loving Life: ‘Time To Make Or Break A Habit?’

By Dale Brown, B.S., and watch TV. Other than that, much of their time is spent the future. There may be several items that come to mind.
M.A., C.E.C. Dale is a at home except to run necessary errands, or make essential Pick one and give some thought as to what it would take to
motivational speaker who doctor visits. Many find it hard to fill idle time. implement the change.
has spent many years as a My friend Lisa is a good example. Her text read, “I’m so What matters to you most?
Certified Life Coach and has bored. I wish I had something to do.” In her case, I suggested This question might be the most difficult because it’s
written numerous articles she consider a 30-day challenge to de-clutter her home and very hard to narrow down to just one thing. It might be your
and e-books relating to self- environment. This might seem a little extreme, but it beats relationships, accomplishments, or healthy living. Find at
improvement and ways to boredom and can be a fun way to get rid of “stuff.” This is least one thing you could do to make a positive change in
build a high-performance how it works: Find a very large bag or box because you’ll your life now. I’ve come up with a few ideas; maybe one
team. Her education and need it. On day 1, toss out one item, day 2 – two items, day will resonate with you.
years of experience in 3 – three items, and so on until you get to day 30. This totals • If you’re stuck in a rut, try making a difference in
physical fitness and training 465 items in all that you no longer want or need. someone’s else life. Examples might be helping fundraise
of elite athletes has enabled her to sharpen her knowledge in Lisa thought she could easily fulfill her “daily dump for a needy family, organizing a food drive in your
many health-related areas. The following is one in a series of quota.” By the end of the month, however, she was community, donating goods or money to a local charity.
columns devoted to many topics that deal with the mind/body frantically searching for something, anything she could Finding ways to give back not only benefits others, it makes
connection and the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. easily shed. In desperation, she turned to her desk drawers, you feel good, too.
Dale, a Bocaire resident, can be reached at dalebrown@ which accounted for enough useless pens, pencils, push • Spread some cheer; think like a kid. Organize a
lovingmondays.com. tacks and paper clips to complete the challenge. Mission virtual birthday party, baby/wedding shower, or happy
It has been nine months since COVID-19 was declared accomplished! hour. Set up parameters by designating a theme. Give an
a pandemic. Living with this ordeal has drastically changed This is one way to use your time wisely and fill the void. assignment ahead of time; come to the party with a joke
the way people live, work and play. It shows the resiliency However, the pandemic has given us time to reflect on other or a funny story to share.
in humans, and the ability to adjust. We have almost become facets of our lives as well. It offers an opportunity to look • Surprise someone you haven’t seen or spoken to in a
accustomed to a new unwanted way of doing things. inward and search for answers that could make a difference while. Go through your contact list and send a text from
How have you been filling your time? in how you live your life now and in the future. you. An example might be, “What are you doing right now?
When I question them, I get similar responses from Are there changes in your life you would like to make? I miss hearing from you.” This could rekindle a relationship
people. They mostly cook, read, paint, walk, Zoom classes, Now is a good time to give thought to how your life looks. or start a new one.
Is there a habit you’d like to break, or a change you’d like • Start an “action board.” Find a poster, bulletin board, or
to make? People are more likely to start and keep a new a surface where you can post notes and pictures. This is fun to
habit, as opposed to breaking an old one. do with children or grandchildren. Think of everything you’d
Which would you rather do? Contemplate your answers like to do when the world opens up. What are you missing?
to the following questions: Cut out pictures of places, people, and things. Use post-it
What in your life would you like to remain the same? notes, old photos, and inspirational quotes. Your action board
It could be anything at all, such as keeping up with should reflect your feelings, hopes, and future dreams.
friends and family, practicing a musical instrument, or • Find a way to escape. This might be a variety of
following an exercise routine. Your answer to this comes things, such as playing games on your iPad or computer,
from what makes you happiest. The best way to approach watching a video, taking a walk, or catching a cat nap.
this subject is to write down things you do each day that Take your mind off the stressors of the moment and do
bring you pleasure. Your response to this comes from your whatever makes you feel good.
heart, one that gives you a chance to reflect on what gives Change doesn’t happen overnight, but new habits can
you purpose. be formed if you put your mind to it. Wouldn’t it be great
If you could change one thing, what would it be? to emerge from this imposed moratorium on life to a new,
Your answer to this might be difficult during this time, improved mode of behavior? Sometimes even the smallest
but think about what you have in your life now that you change can make a big difference in how you feel. It can
can control? It could be a change in your diet, less time lift your spirits and give you a sense of satisfaction. Why
watching news, or spending too much time worrying about not give it a try?

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