Hello to 2012

2012 is going to be my year of self.  As 2011 was one of the hardest years for me, of all time, I want to use this new year to rejuvenate my spirit, calm my soul, and find my true self.  This will be a two-step process:

Step 1: Smile

I recently read a study in Blink, by Malcolm Gladwell, that science has proven that not only to emotions trigger facial expressions, but that facial expressions can trigger emotions. Apparently, by just forcing yourself to smile, even if you are not in a good mood, the act of smiling will trigger your brain to release hormones that are associated with happiness. This not only makes you feel happier, but it also helps improve health, reduce stress, and provides a whole host of other positive benefits that science is only beginning to study. So my reaction – I am going to smile, smile and smile. Even if I’m sad, stressed, board, frustrated, etc. – I am going to smile.  No matter how forced it feels. 

I started this on 1^st January, and have already seen and felt results. I woke up this morning upbeat and content. More so than I have felt in a long time. When I started to feel sad about a particular matter, I forced a smile and my worries started to seem less overbearing.  So in short, the results are almost instantaneous. I will see if this continues over time, but I have resolved to smile every second I can remember to.

In another study I read it said that your face, as you age, tells the type of life you had. If you were a grumpy person, your wrinkles show that – hence the grumpy old man face. Conversely, if you are always smiling, your wrinkles magnify what a great and happy person you are. I want smiling wrinkles, and not frowning ones. So by taking this approach, I’m hoping to imprint my happiness on my face.

Step 2: Walk

Anyone that knows me knows that I have struggled with my weight since I was a child. I have tried diets, exercising, meditation, etc. – you name it, I have tried it. I recently started jogging 3-4 times a week (for about a month and a half), trying to eat healthier, drink more water, etc. However, with all the work I didn’t see any results. So in this year, instead of trying things that don’t work, giving up after exhaustion and moving on to something new, I have decided that I want to walk more. Walk to work, to the market, to the train, etc. I am thinking by walking every day, I can not only improve my cardiovascular health, but also make exercise a lasting part of my routine.  I plan to start this by walking to and from work every day (it’s about a 50 minute walk each way); unless it is raining hard of course.

I figure walking will provide two benefits: First and foremost, it will give me good cardio exercise; especially in the humid tropical climate with many steep hills. Secondly, it will also give me time to examine my thoughts, calm down before I reach home, and meditate on life.

Let’s see if smiling and walking can improve my life – and make this year the best one yet! I’m hoping for it – but will smile no matter what the outcome is.