Running a marathon, learning a spiritual practice, improving our emotional lives: We often use the New Year to make new resolutions. But the usual stresses of the New Year, and the pressure of sticking to new goals, can tip us off balance, toppling those new objectives far faster than we can commit to them.
Instead of giving in, recalibrate. Strengthen your commitment to stay aligned with those important goals. Take inspiration from the Huichol Indians' connection between body, mind and Mother Earth -- a deep and abiding sense of balance that keeps us grounded and joyful as we celebrate the health of ourselves, those around us, and the planet we live on.
Here are six ways to stay in balance as we aim for new goals:
Balance personal with community. It's tempting -- especially after the holidays -- to put our noses to the grindstone and ignore the human need for community. But as the Huichol know, community is what holds us up. Instead, seek out the affirming, bolstering love of those around you. We don't have to completely sacrifice our own social lives to hew to new health or fitness commitments, and in fact, it's far more fruitful to share them, finding common ground and new workout partners to share those goals with.
Don't skimp on sleep. Restarting after the New Year can be exhausting -- we're returning to work, school, and the daily grind. But don't forget to schedule time to rest and rejuvenate. Not only do our bodies need to recover, our minds and souls to as well. To the Huichol, who live in sync with Earth's natural cycle of the seasons, winter is a time of rest and regeneration. But lack of sleep can deplete our energy reserves and overtax our adrenal systems, which for some of us will trigger another kind of cycle, and a less healthy one, as we reach for comfort in the form of food, and abandon our new goals.
Eat like an athlete. Highly trained athletes have to keep fitness and health a priority. They're always attuned to what the body needs nutritionally: Food is the body's medicine. Like athletes, the Huichol eat for nourishment: Their simple diet (beans and tortillas) is filled with protein. As you ramp up on fitness, treat your body as an athlete would, and give it the bolstering nutrition it needs. Being mindful of food's true function will help keep our bodies (and our souls) from feeling like we're operating on a deficit, and that will help keep us on a balanced, even keel.
Dial back the caffeine. Tempting as it is to push through exhaustion with an extra jolt of caffeine, it will ultimately slow you down. Up to two cups of coffee per day can stimulate fat burning and sharpen acuity, but more can backfire, causing chemical stress in the body. Caffeine works by stimulating the adrenals, so too much blows our circuits, destabilizes blood sugar levels, disrupts sleep, causes emotional edginess and results in long-term exhaustion. Instead, boost your energy by going outside for a walk in the fresh air.
Connect to Nature.The Huichol live active lives in physical balance. They carry heavy loads of wood and water, walk for hours to and from the cornfields, and dance during sacred ceremonies. Their fitness is a natural result of being connected to their natural surroundings. As part of your commitment to fitness in the New Year, take the time to celebrate the relationship between your own body and Mother Earth. Get outside to celebrate the joy of being in nature, and make being outdoors part of your commitment to being active.
Don't quit. A life of balance includes a consistent commitment to fitness and eating well. Don't be surprised if the early momentum of achieving new goals fades -- but don't be discouraged either. Instead of giving up and throwing in the towel, vow to do whatever you can until you regain your momentum. Moderate intensity and a regular routine will win over high intensity and an all-out, no-breaks schedule. Over 90 percent of those who embark on high-intensity fitness programs are likely to quit after three months.
In the midst of working to achieve your goals, don't forget to laugh, too. It's a traditional (and effective) Huichol stress-defuser, a refreshing break for mind and soul. While commitment takes serious intention, make sure you leave room to enjoy this season and New Year. As the days begin to lengthen again, you'll feel your heart opening as well. Acknowledge your own efforts to walk another year on your lifelong journey of Fit Soul, Fit Body, and keep going. And here's to a great 2016!