Lose weight? Exercise more? Eat healthier? Are any of these your aspirations for 2023? According to the Statista Global Consumer Study, these were the top 3 New Year’s resolutions in the U.S. last year. But only 8% of people saw them to completion.
If you’ve had challenges accomplishing your resolutions in the past, don’t despair. Spice up your resolve with a pawsitive twist, one that includes a one-of-a-kind health and wellness hero—your dog.
Five Pawsitive Secrets to Keeping Your New Year’s Resolutions
1. Embrace Your Buddy—Did you know that people with dogs are more likely to stick to their daily walks than those without? More than half of dog guardians meet their physical activity requirements. Walking with your canine friend in nature is a powerful mood booster. It’s also great for your heart health and helps keep those extra pounds from creeping on. Mindful walking with your canine friend also builds a stronger connection between the both of you and offers a great introduction to new friends who you might meet along the way.
2. An Apple a Day—New evidence suggests plant-based foods are a key to longevity and that most of us aren’t getting enough. Eating healthier and plant based isn’t only limited to humans. Dogs can thrive on a vegan diet. This happened to my dog Dakota, who was diagnosed with cancer and kidney disease. Seven months on a plant-based diet led to the end of her cancer and when I inquired about her kidney disease, the vet responded, “What kidney disease?” Sweet potatoes, leafy greens, beans, and whole grains put an end to that scare. Food that is healthy for you often benefits your buddy too.
3. Old Dogs, New Tricks—Another popular resolution is learning a new skill. Our dogs are smarter than we give them credit for and stimulating their minds benefits their cognition… and ours. Why not include a fresh experience you can both benefit from? Get your dog a puzzle toy while you tackle a human puzzle at the same time. How about a nose work game that stimulates your dog’s brain and is fun for you too? I’ve taken up French and am reinforcing it in my mind by teaching Grace unfamiliar words like – s’asseoir, rester and viens instead of the usual sit, stay and come. Paris may be in our future.
4. Be a Dog with a Bone—Who teaches us stick-to-it-ness better than our dogs? When dogs see some thing they want, they go for it with fixed determination. Perhaps we can borrow a morsel of their focus when aiming to lose those last 10 pounds this year. And if we fall off the wagon, it’s ok, don’t beat yourself up. No one is perfect. Shake yourself off and try again—another canine secret to success.
5. Living Life to its Fullest—Ain’t dogs one of the best things in the Universe? One of my readers emailed me with that comment yesterday and, of course, as the author of Dog as My Doctor, Cat as My Nurse, I couldn’t agree more. I can’t imagine a world without sloppy dog kisses, soulful eyes, and unconditional love. So, this year, as I consider with other New Year re-solutionists, how to live my life to the fullest, I’ll be adding the words, with my dog, at the end of that sentence.
Dogs Take Care of Us, Will We Take Care of Them?
I’m not immune to taking things for granted. Sometimes I do that with my animal friends by forgetting the powerful ways that they benefit my health, wellbeing, and empower my life. When I adopted Grace three years ago, I didn’t realize the positive impact she’d have on my emotional wellbeing as I went through one of the toughest periods in my life, discovering I was adopted at age 57. During that traumatic time, as Grace healed from her own traumatic past, she reminded me that change takes place one step at a time, and to be patient, forgiving, and grateful.
Right now, our nation’s animal shelters are at capacity. Perfectly adoptable and loving dogs, cats and other animals are in desperate need of forever homes. Please consider visiting your local shelter where you can volunteer, foster, or adopt. Why not make helping an animal in need one of your top resolutions for 2023? Like my Grace, their companionship just may be the secret to helping you live a healthier, happier and more enriching life.
Stay healthy and stay pawsitive,
Carlyn MDO 💜
PS: Do you have a New Year’s Resolution? If so, we’d love to hear about it. Please leave your comment in the reply box below.
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