Canyon Ranch (Arizona)
They are, of course, no secret. But with New Year's resolutions blooming, it's good to be reminded how simple the principles that underlie a healthy lifestyle really are.

#1 Commitment & discipline
Nothing works in life if you don't have these. Commit yourself to making one doable, positive change in your life each month in 2010, then find the internal discipline to stick with it. Tip: Take a hint from 12-step programs, and tell yourself that you'll take it one day at a time. You don't have to be good forever, just for today.

#2 - Exercise
Physical functionality won't happen without it, so don't stint on activity. Resolve to do something every day - this will help you develop a genuine exercise habit.

#3 - Maintain a healthy weight
Stay within a healthy range. You don't have to be perfect, but obesity is a real threat to health and well-being. Nothing will help you with this more than. . . yes, regular exercise!

#4 - Eat a healthy, balanced diet
This actually isn't hard at all once you gain some nutritional intelligence. First, skip the junk food and the fast food. Then, try picking up a healthy eating magazine, or going on line for nutrition and cooking tips. Great resources are all around.

#5 - Exercise
Studies have shown that exercise is good for mental function, as well. If you'd like to maintain cognitive health throughout life, hit the gym, or the tennis court, or the dance floor regularly.

#6 - Attitude
Try to find joy and give joy each day. You don't have to be happy all the time - no one is - but try to find the silver lining whenever possible. To a large extent and in the long run, happiness is a choice we make.

#7 - Stay connected
Interact with others each day in a productive, satisfying way. In this hyper-busy, electronically saturated world, it's easy to lose sight of the importance of maintaining our sustaining connections with others. Call up a friend, spend time with a family member, grab a cup of coffee with a co-worker. Join a club. Take a class. Volunteer. You have no excuse for feeling isolated.

#8 - Exercise
This bears repeating because so many people tune it out because they just don't want to hear it. You must be physically active to be healthy. You don't need to be out there running marathons, but you do need to move.

#9 - Manage your stress
Uncontrolled stress is a modern epidemic. Fortunately, you can learn dozens of easy, effective techniques to control it. Breathing classes, relaxation and meditation recordings, soothing music, yoga classes - they're all good.

#10 Have good genes This comes at the end because first, it's out of your control, and second, while it does apply to how long you live, it has much less to do with how well you live.

Your quality of life is largely up to you, so take your destiny into your own hands in 2010. Happy New Year!

www.canyonranch.com
(800) 742-9000