New Years Exercises

[lmemsm]

New Years are usually about resolutions, but the bad thing about resolutions is that many of us make them and don't follow through. Wouldn't it be better if the New Year was about things we could do rather than things we won't do and think we should?

I've seen all kinds of quotes as to how long it takes to make a new habit. They can range from a few weeks to a year. Some quotes say a month, others say 66 days. It would be a lot easier if we were looking forward to something we enjoy rather than trying to add a new chore to our lives. If we have to do chores, it helps to reward oneself afterwards with something enjoyable.

Many people think exercise is one of the things they should do more of in a New Year. Instead of vowing to do more exercise or start an exercise routine at a certain time each day, how about doing something fun? Find activities that you like that are also exercise, such as dancing to your favorite songs or taking a leisurely walk to view nature or working in a vegetable/herb garden. I'm hoping to learn a new Tai Chi routine, the 24 form for the New Year. You can add more exercise in to your day by parking your car further away and taking the stairs instead of the elevator. You can even do stretching exercises in your chair while at work to take a break so you don't get RSI or eye strain. When working, take breaks to get up and walk around or get a drink or look out the window every so often. There are programs to remind you if you forget.

List of ergonomic software for RSI, etc.:
https://lmemsm.dreamwidth.org/13704.html
Workplace exercises that can be done from a chair:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqfGRx8k_zA

Sitting properly while working can make a big difference in how you feel during the day. Arms and legs should be at right angles if you're working on the computer. Feet should be flat on the floor or on a foot rest. Stretching can help a great deal with pain. There are a variety of stretching exercises for different parts of the body. Chi Kung, Tai Chi and Yoga can also help with a variety of stretching moves. Weights are important to help prevent problems like osteoporosis and to help build muscle strength and mass. Aerobic exercises are important too. As mentioned, walking and gardening can be good aerobic exercises. So can swimming and water aerobics and bike riding. If you can't do either of those easily at this time, you could look into stationary bike riding. Exercise can greatly lift mood, help improve sleep and appetite and regulate weight too.

Another interesting thing for the New Year is that January 1st is Public Domain Day. Check out some of the new songs that are now in the public domain (and you can dance or sing to):
https://web.law.duke.edu/cspd/publicdomainday/2021/
There are new books and movies too.
Online libraries and sites that promote the public domain are great places to help celebrate. Check previous entries for lists of public domain books and information on where to find them.

Some useful public domain links:
https://archive.org/
http://www.ibiblio.org/eldritch/
https://www.pdinfo.com/public-domain-music-list.php
https://www.pond5.com/free
http://www.publicdomainproject.org/
http://www.pdcomedy.com/

Here are some public domain books and pictures that look interesting:
https://www.rawpixel.com/board/1308894/vintage-snowflakes-wilson-alwyn-bentley-i-high-quality-cc0-images
https://archive.org/stream/kittenscatsbooko00grov/kittenscatsbooko00grov
https://archive.org/stream/littlefolksanim00freegoog

Here are more public domain books. These are recipe books.
https://archive.org/details/goldmedalflour00washrich
https://archive.org/details/bettycrockerscoo00croc
https://archive.org/details/daintydessertsfo00charrich
https://archive.org/stream/usnavycookbook00instgoog

Want to lend your talents by volunteering? The Public Domain Project is asking for help:
https://en.publicdomainproject.org/index.php/PD:Community_Portal:aide

Instead of making a list of resolutions for the New Year, what if you made a gratitude list? It's a good way to count your blessings and one form of meditation. How about making a list or writing activities you like on slips of paper. Then, when you need something fun to do, you can go through the list or pull one of the slips at random and add something fun to your life. Trying to find activities you enjoy that are healthy or useful can be a lot more fun than trying to go through a todo list of resolutions that seem like chores. So what are some of your favorite fun activities? Feel free to share some of them on our new mailing list that replaces the Yahoo Groups lists that have been phased out: https://groups.io/g/distasis