You don't have to look far to find diet plans, pills and supplements which promise to make your body better than ever! And, every January you will find gyms and health clubs filled to capacity with determined overweight and out-of-shape new members! Unfortunately, however, by May or June the crowds diminish and those New Year's Resolutions to have thinner, stronger, more flexible bodies are displaced by the busyness of every-day life.
Consistency Is The Key To Change
I have found the real key to making lasting change, whether that's taking care of your body, your mind, your finances, your career, or your relationships, is consistency. And if you're going to be consistent, you need motivation but you also need to be realistic! Just ask those January goal-setting, purpose-driven men and women who don't make it to December!
Two Minutes A Day
Here's an example of something you can do for your body that requires only two minutes but reaps much more in benefits: Deep Breathing.
Take two minutes every morning to breathe deeply, all the way down to your abdomen. Fill your lungs with clean air, hold it, then exhale out completely. Repeat. After just a couple of minutes, you will feel a difference. In addition, medical research has shown some proven benefits of regular deep breathing:
- Releases toxins in your body
- Releases tension
- Relaxes mind/body and brings clarity
- Oxygenation of the brain reduces excessive anxiety
- Relieves pain
- Strengthens immune system
- Improves posture
- Strengthens the lungs and makes the heart stronger
- Helps with weight control
Wow! Do you see how a two-minute investment such as deep breathing pays huge returns? Instead of sleeping late, rushing to get ready and and then rushing off to work, try something new to take care of you. Tell yourself, "This will only take two minutes. I can spare two minutes!" Then take some deep breaths and think about all the benefits you are giving your body.
After you've consistently practiced deep breathing for a few weeks, you will start to feel and see the difference. Not only will your body thank you; your self-confidence will grow. When you've exercised such self-discipline, pat yourself on the back (literally and/or figuratively) and feel proud of yourself!
As you do, you'll activate some new brain-wave patterns. Because when you link an event (breathing deeply) with a strong emotion (feeling proud of yourself and dancing around the room in joy) those two get linked in your brain. The positive association creates a desire to repeat that good experience. (Think Pavlov's dogs!) Fairly quickly, what you had to force yourself to accomplish through discipline will become almost automatic.
Try Something New To Take Care of You -- it's just two minutes! And with those two minutes, you've started --- a pathway to success!