Need a Reset?

Cultivate Seven New Habits for Better Mental & Physical Health

Believe it or not, the holidays will soon be upon us again. And so will growing waistlines, foggy brains, and regrets about wasted time.

I’ve decided it’s the perfect time for a reset — and not just for my body, but for my mind. I put my full plan in motion three days ago. No, I didn’t start all seven habits at once — that would have been a jolt to the system. Instead, I’ve been adding them in over the past few weeks, and now, all seven are in play.

And already I can see results: I’m sleeping better, waking up with a clear mind and lifted mood, and I’m proud of myself for resisting momentary temptations and putting better habits into practice.

It’s the perfect time — we’re in that lull between summer and the holidays. But really, anytime you so decide is a great time to start putting better habits into place.

For me, the time is now to make a change. I had a wonderful summer — probably the best I’ve ever had in recent memory. I went on a solo trip to visit my aunt in North Florida. We brewery-hopped and I drifted in the pool. In the evenings, we enjoyed wine and conversation and great cheese. A few weeks later, I went to California with my family and we drove up the coast from Long Beach to San Francisco, stopping every hundred miles or so to stay in a new town, each with its own unique vibe. The food was wonderful, the wine was plentiful, and I gained a few more pounds. And then there was the late summer — more time by the pool, indulgent movies and TV shows, some cocktails with friends, and concerts.

It was a fabulous summer, and my waistline shows I enjoyed myself. Do I regret any of it? No. But I do want to take the early fall as a period of slimming down, refocusing my mind, and re-grounding in my health at-large. As leaves begin to drop from the trees, I’m planning on dropping a few pounds and returning to better habits to be healthier and happier.

Here’s my reset plan, enacted one habit at a time:

1. Walking every day. Even if it’s just for a short while, the act of getting outside, taking a deep breath and noticing the beauty of the season is a gift to myself — every time I take a walk, my mood is instantly lifted, and my thinking is clearer. Plus, when I decide to take one of my doggies along for a stroll, I know I am taking care of my furry friend. It’s a win-win all around.
2. Less TV, more reading. While my husband won’t relent and allow me to move the TV out of our bedroom and down to the basement, he has agreed to reading at night in bed rather than watching ridiculous tv shows. I’m a House Hunters addict — I know it does nothing for me to watch the formulaic show unfold time and again: a couple (or a single person) needs a home. They have a budget of X, and so off they go to tour three homes and then they will inevitably pick one. The show gives real estate a falsely-rosy glow (and anyone who’s ever bought a house knows that there are so many more twists and turns and episodes of heartache than what the show portrays). And I’m not missing its absence. Over the past few weeks, I’ve come to look forward to my new nightly ritual of reading my book. Currently, I’m reading The Personal Librarian (historical nonfiction). When the book is over, I’ve got another one waiting in the wings.
3. Yoga with weights twice a week. There’s nothing like getting in the zone and knowing you are getting stronger, while also getting leaner. Weightlifting is great for the physique, but even better, it’s great for the mind. When I hit that moment of zen and my mind is crystal-clear as I lift and lower, slowly repeating an exercise with a barbell in my hand, I swear it’s one of the most empowering feelings on earth. And the chiseled arms are a nice perk, too.
4. Cutting the alcohol out for a while. I enjoy beer and wine — there’s nothing like a crisp, piney IPA in a pint glass on a summer afternoon. Or a glass of complex wine in the evening. But there’s a foggy spot where a pleasure becomes a hobby becomes a habit. And I was getting a little too far down that road for my comfort. By saying, “I’m not drinking right now,” it doesn’t mean I’ll cut it out forever. It just means that for a while, I’m taking a break. And when I decide to have a drink again in a month or so, I’ll be making a conscious decision and not acting on reflex.
5. Cutting out foods that aren’t serving me, following Whole30-ish. Over the years, I’ve fallen for different fads and diet plans to shed a few pounds. And a handful of them have felt like punishment. Whole30 is the best plan I’ve found for me. I’ve done it twice faithfully — from start to finish, all 30 days. This time, I say -ish because I don’t know if I plan to do all 30 days. I plan on going with it from week-to-week and re-evaluating after each week. I’ll ask myself: Is my mindset around food choices and portions shifting? Am I feeling that tell-tale “tiger blood” coursing through me? And yes, is my waistline slimming down? From there, I’ll choose whether or not to add more time. But again, just like with the alcohol, I want to get to a place where what I eat is a mindful decision — a decision that’s about nourishment and joy, not filling a void.
6. Writing more. How I love my iPad — but it’s also the most useless timesuck ever. Upon pickup, I can spend 10 minutes, 20 minutes, even an hour doing absolutely nothing of value. Facebook these days is mostly ads, it seems, and I find my mood deflating like a leaky tire the longer I surf social media. By placing my laptop of a table beside the couch and banishing the iPad to another room, I’ve found that I’m more likely to write in the mornings, when my mind is fresh. The feeling of accomplishment after writing a piece (like this one!) is radiant, and beats a doomscroll of the news every single time.
7. Tidying up. I’ve found that taking a few minutes each evening to straighten up the house makes for a better morning the next day. Why? Instead of waking up and having the first thing you see be clutter and detritus from yesterday in your face, instead you see order and things in their place, awating your use. Every night after our family has sat together in the living room for a while after dinner, when everyone heads upstairs I take a few minutes to straighten out the pillows, put away dog toys strewn on the floor, and fold throw blankets. The next morning, as I walk downstairs, instead of seeing a mess, I see an inviting spot to linger. I’ve also added back Saturday cleaning sessions. I don’t aim to clean the whole house. And yes, I enlist the family to help. But I take time to dust, vacuum, and straighten — and then I get to enjoy our home throughout the week.

It’s only been a few days since I’ve set all of these habits in motion. And no, I didn’t start all seven at the exact same time. I’ve added them, one by one, until all seven are now orbiting together. Now that they’re all in play, I’m feeling realigned and lighter.

So dear reader, I ask you: what no longer is serving you? What changes might you like to make to improve your mood and your overall health? Where will you start? Tell me about it. I’d love to know what habits you’re seeking to put into place to have a happier, healthier you.