Written by: Natasha James, Project Administrator, Design & Construction, SilverBirch Hotels & Resorts
Happy New Year all! The beginning of a new year is often a time for reflection and new beginnings. Keep reading for tips and tricks on how to be happy and healthy all year round. Cheers!
Continue giving
A wonderful aspect of the holiday season is the desire to give. Continuing to give all year long will make a significant impact – to others in need, as well as bring meaning and fulfillment to your life. What matters to you, and pulls at your heart strings? We at SilverBirch run an annual Friends In Need holiday campaign to support local communities. For every room reservation that was made at any of our participating hotels during the week of December 21 to 27, 2015 a donation of $10 was made to a local charity. For the 2015 Holiday season, our target was to raise over $23,000 through hotel room bookings and local fundraising events hosted by the participating hotels.
Practice gratitude
Make a conscious choice to be grateful – for a person, thing or experience. Gratitude can bring peace and happiness. You may discover a fresh and positive outlook on life, therefore focusing less on negative thoughts or situations out of your control. You may discover more of an appreciation for what you have been choosing to be grateful for. If this is a person, show or verbalize your gratitude.
Be mindful of your energy sources
We have three types of energy – mental, emotional and physical. Energy levels vary from person to person, and one energy source may be dominant. The key to feeling more energized throughout the day is understanding which activities both vitalize and tire you. Switching activities can take the focus off of the “exhausted” feeling many of us deal with living busy, demanding lives.
Feeling mentally tired from a hard day at the office? Tap into your physical energy – go for a walk.
Feeling emotionally drained from conflict or confrontation? Tap into your mental energy – read, write, dive into a hobby. Try to generate positive thoughts. Listening to music you enjoy can improve your mood by releasing dopamine (“feel good” chemicals released by the brain).
Physical energy low? Use your emotional energy by meeting a friend for dinner, or calling a family member.
If more than one energy source is low, refrain from exerting yourself physically and choose a relaxing activity, such as watching your favourite movie.
Finding motivation in order to keep fit
Understanding what motivates you in order to keep fit can be crucial to success. Making the decision to act on a physical activity can often be the hardest step. Make a pact with your partner or friend to go for a run or brisk walk a few times a week – simply encouraging each other may be enough motivation. Need a fun or lively team sport? Try Kickboxing. The motivation? Learning self-defense in an exciting environment – and burning a whopping 800 calories in an hour! The more you choose to be active, the easier it will become!
Eat & sleep well
This is a no-brainer to leading a healthy, happy and productive life. Eat well during the week and enjoy a cheat day on the weekend. If you are having troubles sleeping, try different methods in order to find out what works best for you. Try avoiding sugar, alcohol and caffeine before bed as all trigger the brain to release stimulant chemicals. A lack of nutrients can cause you to wake up during the night and have difficulty falling back to sleep. Eating foods rich in calcium (cheese, spinach), magnesium (almonds, oatmeal) and tryptophan (turkey, walnuts) can aid in sleeplessness. The key may be to calm your mind – try meditating or reading before bed.
Bottom line
Be kind. Be mindful. Take care. Set goals. Have fun. And have a fantastic year ahead!
