Eat, Save, and Be Healthy

The cool mornings and evenings tell me that fall is just around the corner. Many of us will have changes in our daily schedules very soon, whether it’s getting children ready for the school bus or taking them back to college. Our time as a parent is not just the first 18 or 22 years of their lives, it takes many different roles through the years. What is common is the change or transition that we as parents are going through. It can be a turning point or a time which can involve new relationships, places or projects as I have more time to myself. It can offer a new state of mind, a new feeling or freedom or goals that I might like to pursue. As children become more independent and have lives of their own, we as parents can realize that there is a need to choose things for ourselves, letting go of “school routines” and find new ways of thinking, behaving or feeling.
In the curriculum “Winding Up- Not Down- To Mid Life” the authors talk about the opportunities of middle age as not being just the end of raising our children but as opportunities to identify goals and activities for another stage in life. Here are some tips they share to having successful transitions in life.
• Develop and support relationships at work and home. When people value the input of good friends research suggests that stressful experiences are less negative and they remain healthier, are more successful and live longer
• Examine your work environment. Think about what you like about this phase of life. Change what you can, of the things you don’t like about your job and environment, and accept what you cannot change.
• Take care of yourself. Eat a balanced diet, exercise and get plenty of rest. A high rate of change often means extra stress and strain on your body.
• Give each family member (or work family) a sincere compliment every day. Encouraging others to feel good about themselves is a wonderful way to feel good about ourselves.
• Be open and flexible. Know that your present routine is only temporary. A positive attitude helps you feel good about yourself and the life you live.
• Take control of your thoughts and actions and you will be better able to control how you respond to change.
• Use available resources to help you.
Change is more difficult for some than others. We can choose to:
1. Do nothing and continue to hold onto unpleasant or negative feelings.
2. Face the old things and take care of unresolved feelings and needs or,
3. Relate old experiences to similar present experiences.
Change is part of life. The more skills we have the better we will cope with planned or unplanned changes. Self reflection is something that many of us don’t take time to do. My challenge for today is to look at your goals in life and see if you are on target for making your dreams come true. If your dreams are behind the clouds, maybe it’s time to take some time for yourself and recognize ways for positive change.