Each new year, sparks thoughts of raising the bar for ourselves and our lives. With millions of Americans—women and men—making resolutions to achieve personal or professional goals. For many, that means focusing on improving health and wellness. You tell yourself this is going to be the year you take better care of yourself, join a gym, go on that diet, take time to pamper yourself, eat better or drink less booze—and more water. Yet those goals and the commitments required to reach them often fall short, as a recent survey suggests less than 10 percent of Americans achieve their resolutions.

There are many reasons people fall short of their goals, including setting the bar too high or being overly restrictive, which can lead to small failures and setbacks. However, there are easy ways to stay—or get back—on track.

At first glance it may seem impossible, but nothing changes unless you take control. Maybe 2017 is the year you start living life more on your own terms. You can start today by employing these tips:

Live a life that is true to you. Wrestle with this one. Is it work? Then make passion for that work front and center. Is it skill building? Then tackle an online class in a skill you need, or just want to explore. Is it where you live, or who you are sharing life with or want to share it with? Stare it down and chart one bold step toward change. The biggest regret at the end of life’s journey is abandoning your dreams. And for most people it’s just pure fear that they weren’t good enough, so they “turtle shell” up. But, there are no retakes. One mantra: Live Life Now. Repeat: This is Your Life. Find what is true to you and take one tangible step.

Measure your time and where it is spent. Time is like the sand in the hourglass of life. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. Manage it like money. Every person walking this planet has the same exact number of hours in a day. Think of it as currency. How are you spending it? Seriously, take out the pen, paper and write down for one week how that most precious commodity was spent. Then change the allocation and budget time toward accomplishing that change you want, and maybe even desperately need. Own your hour glass of life and take control.

Focus on your people. Ask yourself a tough question: who are the people you care about most? Who do you impact, and who impacts you? These are the people who matter most in your life. Don’t be afraid to shift the balance of your time in their favor. You’ll be a better friend, and you’ll inherently feel stronger and more impactful. Your support network grows stronger, as do you.

Feel good in what you wear. This may seem contrite, but what you toss on that skin of yours speaks volumes about you, and puts you into a certain mindset. If clothes make the person, what do yours say about you? Change some items in your wardrobe and feel good about what you wear.

Find your inspiration point. What place inspires you? Where is that one spot in the world that motivates you above all others? When you are there, in the sun, in that gorgeous slice of the world, you change perspectives . . . maybe see a bigger world. You owe it to yourself to do something meaningful with your life, to make a difference. Find your place. You’ll find it is just what you need to recharge your batteries, revive your spirit and strengthen you.

But, none of this is possible without the foundation of health and wellness. When it comes to your health, one of the easiest self-care actions is simply staying hydrated by drinking more water. With so much focus on food, beverage choices are often overlooked. When you consider you may be neglecting the simplest of self-care methods such as drinking enough water, it doesn’t come as a surprise that we neglect ourselves in other areas, such as rest, rejuvenation and relaxation. When do you decide to make yourself a priority? Sure, there are plenty of aspects of our lives that force themselves into taking precedence, but if you’ve ever been on the brink of a melt-down or have found yourself wandering Target looking for upper lip hair removal options and not feeling so inclined to rush home, it’s time to get really serious about creating a self-care plan that keeps you operating at top level.

Good habits shouldn’t feel bad. Overly restrictive commitments can set you up for failure. Instead, adopt small and manageable changes to your daily routine and they can add up to big changes over time. Women are susceptible for confusing selfishness with making their health—mental, emotional, physical—take equal precedence to everything and everyone else in their lives. Making yourself—and care in wellness, and rejuvenation—a priority ensures you can best handle anything and everything that comes your way, while carrying the weight of the world on your strong, rested shoulders.

---

Wellness, Weight Loss & Relaxation DIRECTORY

We love our clients who offer women a reprieve from their busy lives. Here are a few of our favorites who offer services to help women feel—and be—their best.

Loving the Skin—

and Body—You’re In 

Dermatology Specialists of Spokane
Dermatology Specialists of Spokane is committed to serve you by providing excellent, comprehensive, compassionate, and timely care, providing comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of all dermatological problems for all ages. Their premier physician-directed laser and cosmetic center offers services to meet your aesthetic needs. dermsos.com

Love Your Skin

Heather Watson treats clients with tender and compassionate care in her intament spa. She helps women be there best, most beautiful self with ultrasonic rejuvenation, microdermabrasion, anti-aging facials, cellulite and circumference reduction, waxing, lash and brow tint, VelaShape cellulite reduction, PCA chemical peels, and age rejuvination. loveyourskinrenewit.com

Sarah Hamilton FACE

Sarah and her team enjoy helping their patient’s external appearance match their internal youthfulness. Their practice is dedicated to giving patients relaxed, natural-looking results, without looking over-done or artificial. sarahhamiltonface.com

Venia

Venia’s vein services, aesthetic services, and age management medicine programs place your body and mind in a stronger state. Their team listens intently and advises comprehensively, so you’re always informed. leaving no question unanswered. veniamd.com

Rare Ayre

Michelle Anderson combined her first love—her passion for the northwest where she lives—with the evocative art and science of perfumery. Gathering together artists, chemists and engineers to create a tribute to the natural beauty of the land where she grew up, her fragrance profile is about the magnificent and rare northwest. Like scent, the landscape is evocative, full of wonder, and possibility. rareayre.com

Body Detox & Weight Loss 

The team at Body Detox and Weight Loss is dedicated to full body wellness using only the best all-natural techniques and the latest technology. Each program is tailored to help your body reach it’s max potential in full-body wellness and weight loss. With a multitude of whole body wellness services and more than 40 years of combined holistic detox and weight loss experience. cleanandwell.com

Rest & Relaxation

Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort 

Spa Ssakwa´q´n provides a unique and relaxing spa experience, with a variety of massages, body treatments, facials, manicures and pedicures to choose from. Each therapy is designed to rejuvenate the spirit, extinguish stress and calm the mind. And, with their monthly spa specials, you can even go easy on your pocketbook. www.cdacasino.com

Spa Paradiso

Spa Paradiso offers therapeutic massage and body treatments, complete spa and clinical skin care, eyelash extensions, Botox, Dysport and fillers, eyebrow microblading, hand and foot care, waxing, and  hair care. They are passionate about extending superior service to guests in an oasis of relaxation that exceeds expectations, stimulates creativity, and provides unbelievable moments in time. veniamd.com