The big 5 for life in 2017!

It’s a brand new year. Yet again. Year after year. Resolution is a cliched word to use around this time of the year. It’s overly used and abused. So of course, I’ll stay clear. This post is not about my new year resolutions.

With this post, I am trying to bring focus to the big 5 areas we should look at in 2017. I believe that with every passing year, they would become increasingly important. The sooner you pay heed to it, the better it is!

Now, let me unveil the keywords of 2017 –

1. Physical Fitness

Most of us are fashionable today. Thanks to online shopping. But I believe, there is nothing more enticing than a fit body. No fashion accessory can replace that. And it’s high time we realize this. Most of the corporate job profiles today are associated with sedentary lifestyle, extra work hours, caffeine and stress. With this lifestyle, our bodies are going to succumb sooner than expected. So get up from that couch, now! Set aside some time to nourish and train your body.

2. Mental Fitness

What is a healthy mind after all? Google says – “a person’s condition with regard to their psychological and emotional well-being.”

We are all multi-tasking in a day. Writing an email while conversing over lunch. Cooking food while keeping an eye on kid’s excursions and antics. Our mind is always on the go.

I got hold of this brilliant piece that says it all –

“Physical fitness gets plenty of attention, and for good reason. A healthy body can prevent conditions such as heart disease and diabetes, and help you maintain independence as you age. Mental fitness is just as important as physical fitness, and shouldn’t be neglected”.

Spare some time to meditate and cleanse your thought process. Go out for a walk in nature. It has an amazing healing effect on a stressed mind.

3. Gadget time

We’ve all been in this situation where every individual, in the room, is hooked to a gadget. Earlier facebook was a new civilization. Today WhatsApp is ruling the world. Even your vegetable seller takes delivery order on WhatsApp! That’s a boon for sure, for working females. But have you thought about what damage is it doing to us? Eventually, we all are running away from real conversations.

We now prefer to chat our way through differences. We sparingly pick up our phone, dial in and converse. I’ve been away from WhatsApp for around 6 months now and my relationships have improved. I have real connections with few than acquaintance with many.

 

4. Clean Air

2016 threw this fact on our faces. The next morning, after Diwali, left us aghast. It was loud and clear – breathing CLEAN air is a luxury, now. The air quality is hazardous while I am writing this post. Brilliant! I joked that the one thing I am proud of in 2016 is not falling ill amidst dengue, chikungunya and severe air pollution scare. Thanks to air pollution scare, we have now added two new accessories to our lifestyle – air mask and air purifier. New apps to let you know the air quality outside, instantly. To decide whether to shut the windows and stay indoors or dare to step out in bright sunshine!

Do your bit to save nature, right now. Get into action now to save something for the upcoming generations. Cause with Nature, you reap what you sow!

5. Relationships

And everything said above, sums up to this one. .

A 75-year-old study at Harvard revealed that people who are successful and happy in life are the one’s having healthy relationships.

So the cat is out in open. Healthy and happy relationships keep us going. So why not invest more? Our lives are moving at a very fast pace. We are mostly consumed by our aspirations and growth. And in return, we de-prioritize our family and friends. Assuming they’ll be there forever or they will understand. But life is un-predictable, my friend!

Gadgets, stress, busy work life keeps us away from nurturing a healthy relationship. So we resort to quick ways of keeping in touch – Whatsapp groups, facebook posts etc. It’s time to ward off these necessary evils and build connections. Find time to connect. Eventually, the money you’ve earned or the position you’ve reached will loose it’s sheen. And all you would want is your loved ones around you.

Let 2017 be the starting point. Aim towards a healthy mind and soul!

Wish you all a Happy and healthy 2017!