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Dr. Jill Carnahan, MD
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Dr. Jill Carnahan, MDDr. Jill Carnahan, MD

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Eight Habits That Changed My Life

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Eight Habits that Changed My Life

Have you been feeling the pressure to make New Year’s Resolutions that you know you won’t keep?  It’s the beginning of another year… a blank canvas on which to write out all your dreams and goals.  You may be reminiscing about all the wonderful things last year held for you or perhaps recalling some great loss or regret as well.

This year instead of loading on more pressure and setting yourself up for failure with insurmountable goals that you know you won’t achieve, I’m sharing a simple list of eight habits that form the foundation of success for me.   If you commit to doing them daily for just thirty days, they may become habits for you, too.  Believe it or not, it’s really the small daily habits that have the ability to transform your life into what you’ve always dreamed it could be!

Do not make resolutions, create habits

Eight Habits that Changed My Life

  1. Show Kindness: Be kind to everyone you come in contact with, from your boss to your barista.  Simply appreciate others for who they are, not what you would like them to be or what they can do for you.  Find surprising ways to bless others with a unexpected tip or word of encouragement.  Put aside your personal agenda and look at interruptions in your day as opportunities to serve others.  Bob Goff reminds us how in one of my favorite books, Love Does.
  2. First things First: Do your most important tasks first thing in the morning.  Start with an intention and prayer and then move on to the tasks that matter most.  Don’t get caught in the urgent by default like most people do.  Be deliberate instead of just responding to the crises that come your way.  The classic book by Steven Covey is a great place to start if you want to learn more.
  3. Say No: Stop saying “yes” to every request that comes your way.   Practice saying “let me think about it” before an automatic yes comes from your lips.   I like to process important decisions for at least twenty-four hours and sleep on it before committing.  Agree to only what is in line with your main mission.  What is your mission?  Define what you enjoy the most and do the best and then stick to it.  Need help defining it?  Read Essentialism… it may change your life!
  4. Recharge:  Go to bed every night with enough time to get eight hours of sleep and wake up refreshed, preferably early.  I am usually in bed by 9pm and will even say no to events that require me to be up past my bedtime as I know it will affect my productivity the following day.  It’s a standing joke that I may decline an invitation because “it’s past my bedtime”  but I always wake up refreshed without an alarm at 5am and my most productive, undisturbed hours are before the rest of the world awakes.
  5. Move: Make time for activity every day.   Try something new….free weights in the morning, yoga at lunch or a leisurely stroll in the evening.  Better yet, grab a friend or your spouse and enjoy great company and conversation while you work-out.   I often jog in the mornings before the rest of the world is awake!
  6. Simple Joys:  Find joy in simple things that don’t cost you anything at all… a gorgeous sunrise, the sensation of cool grass on your bare feet, a snowflake on your tongue, playing fetch with your puppy, the gentle touch of a loved one, or the smile of a stranger.  Many of the things that make our life most satisfying are free!
  7. Eliminate! Get rid of what no longer serves you… make a habit of cleaning out closets and other spaces in your home.  Without intervention, junk accumulates and wastes our precious brain power and energy.  Don’t be afraid to give things away, especially things of value.  There is no greater joy than sharing what God has blessed you with.   This practice will ultimately free you from reliance on material things in your life, too.  Need motivation? Check out the Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.
  8. Practice Gratitude: Perhaps the most powerful habit is gratitude… Be grateful every day and make it a habit, like brushing your teeth.  Before you fall asleep, list at least three things you are grateful for every single day.  Did you know that the two qualities most predictive of life-long happiness are gratitude and life-long learning? (If the title of this article was “Nine Habits”, the next one would be commit to life-long learning so you get a freebie 🙂 )

None of these things are difficult but they require a change in mindset.  Philippians 4:8 sums it up nicely, “Finally,  whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things.”  

Wishing you the BEST year ever!

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The product mentioned in this article are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.   The information in this article is not intended to replace any recommendations or relationship with your physician.  Please review references sited at end of article for scientific support of any claims made.

Categories: Brain Health, SpecialsBy Dr. Jill C. Carnahan, MD, ABIHM, IFMCPJanuary 3, 201622 Comments
Tags: Dr Jill Carnahaneliminategratitudehappy youhealthy habitshealthy lifejoykindnessnew yearrechargerefreshresolutionssimple lifesleep
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Author: Dr. Jill C. Carnahan, MD, ABIHM, IFMCP

https://www.jillcarnahan.com/

Dr. Jill is Your Functional Medicine Expert! She uses functional medicine to help you find answers to the cause of your illness and addresses the biochemical imbalances that may be making you feel ill. She'll help you search for underlying triggers contributing to your illness through cutting edge lab testing and tailor the intervention to your specific needs as an individual. She may use diet, supplements, lifestyle changes or medication to treat your illness but will seek the most gentle way to help your body restore balance along with the least invasive treatment possible. Dr. Jill is a functional medicine expert consultant and treats environmental and mold-related illness as well

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22 Comments

  1. Heather Peterson says:
    January 3, 2016 at 2:30 pm

    Thanks Jill!!!! All of these are so great. 🙂

    Reply
  2. Anne Peterson says:
    January 3, 2016 at 4:22 pm

    Jill,

    Loved this post. It made it easy to see the ones that need attending to. Thanks for the valuable information.

    Reply
  3. Cheri Janssen says:
    January 4, 2016 at 7:55 am

    Jill these are awesome! Thank you so much for taking the time to share!

    Reply
  4. Renee alaniz says:
    January 14, 2016 at 7:23 am

    Love this.

    Reply
    • Jill Carnahan, MD says:
      January 14, 2016 at 1:50 pm

      Thanks, Renee! 😉

      Reply
  5. Amy Thedinga says:
    January 14, 2016 at 7:27 am

    Dr Carnahan, thank you for these reminders! Did you see that Boulder sunrise this morning? Thanking God for his beauty and the work you are doing in the world. 🙂

    Reply
    • Jill Carnahan, MD says:
      January 14, 2016 at 3:11 pm

      Thank you for the kind words, Amy! And I was out running this morning when the sun rose… it was amazing! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Claire says:
    January 14, 2016 at 9:48 am

    All good stuff! And all doable with no resolutions needed!

    Reply
  7. Janet says:
    January 14, 2016 at 6:35 pm

    I am in need of a Functional P-ractitioner. Are you available?

    Reply
    • Jill Carnahan, MD says:
      January 15, 2016 at 5:43 am

      Hi Janet, for more information, call the office or use the “Contact Us” link on my website

      Reply
  8. Brooke says:
    January 14, 2016 at 7:52 pm

    Great post! I am going to save it so I can read it again when I need a reminder. 🙂

    Reply
  9. Miki says:
    January 15, 2016 at 9:57 am

    Thank you for one of the most enlightening words of wisdom!!! Life-long learning is the key to happiness indeed as it keeps your mind open. Thank you also for being a part of my soul cleansing and healing!!

    Reply
  10. carol says:
    January 15, 2016 at 4:48 pm

    Jill . . . your habits are so right-on! Appreciate the reminder. You are your mother’s daughter! Hugs!

    Reply
  11. Kristen says:
    January 16, 2016 at 10:13 pm

    Dr. Jill, do you know of any functional medicine doctors in Minneapolis, Mn? My sister lives right down the road from your office but alas, I don’t live in Colorado. 🙂
    Thanks, Kristen

    Reply
    • Jill Carnahan, MD says:
      January 17, 2016 at 6:50 am

      Hi Kristen,
      Try searching for docs in your area by zip code at http://www.functionalmedicine.org.
      Blessings
      Dr Jill

      Reply
  12. Dawn says:
    January 18, 2016 at 9:09 am

    What a Blessing you are, in words & encouragement, to those who are privledged to read your messages.
    Thank You!

    Reply
  13. Marsha says:
    January 22, 2016 at 8:07 am

    Thank you so much for your words of wisdom and like many have said you are such a blessing.

    So much of what you said relates to me with IBD/SIBO issues and you truly are amazing. I will

    follow your blog and go to your website. I wish if we all can’t be lucky to be a patient that your

    training of other doctors would become world wide. Thanks again

    Reply
    • Jill Carnahan, MD says:
      January 22, 2016 at 12:39 pm

      Thank you for your kind words, Marsha! We do need more functional medicine trained docs 😉

      Reply
  14. April says:
    February 11, 2016 at 12:37 pm

    Dr. Jill. Your works are impressive! I have Hashimoto’s/Celiac disease and have been to over 12 doctors in the Boston area. Three years after my diagnosis…I continue to suffer. I have medical bills galore..my husband is a cancer survivor and my daughter has a pituatary tumor. I have visited Functional Medicine doctors but I seem to know more than they do and it is like flushing money that I do not have down the toilet! Is there a way to know what the most important tests to find out what is “EATING ME” so I don’t just go completely broke. I am the 9th child of 14 children from a mother who died of breast cancer at age 57. Any advise? Do you do phone consultations? Thank you.

    Reply
    • Jill Carnahan, MD says:
      February 12, 2016 at 9:23 pm

      Hi April,
      I am sorry to hear all that you have been through! I would recommend getting at the least comprehensive serum labs, stool testing, organic acid testing and testing for environmental toxic exposures and mold.
      Warmly
      dr Jill

      Reply
  15. Annette Monge says:
    December 31, 2016 at 10:50 am

    Thanks so much for the great tips Jill!! It’s so important to remember what’s important to keep us focused. Growing up in a small Christian town gives you good roots!! ~Annette Monge

    Reply
  16. Change Your Life says:
    September 25, 2020 at 7:19 am

    It is not my first time to visit this website, i am visiting this web site daily and obtain pleasant information from here everyday.

    Reply

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Dr. Jill
Dr. Jill will help you search for underlying triggers contributing to your illness through cutting edge lab testing and tailor the intervention to your specific needs as an individual.
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Karin
Karin

Good day Jill, you Motivated me very much. In the Last years, I prepared to become a registered German Naturopath (Heilpraktiker). The webinars of Functional Medicine Practitioners I attended as often as I could. Best wishes from Europe.

Norbert
Norbert

In my many years and many experiences with doctors… you guys have them beat, hands down. You guys are great.

Jessica Hull
Jessica Hull

I just wanted to thank Dr. Carnahan and all the staff for a wonderful visit. What a great experience from start to finish. Of course, Dr. Carnahan is the icing on the cake! (Hmmm …need a healthier analogy) Anyway, I’m feeling excited optimistic, and hopeful after all these years of being sick. Again my thanks and blessings to you all. Warmly, Roberta

Roberta
Roberta

I just wanted to send a quick thank you for your time and advice today. I am so appreciative and I feel hopeful that the plan we have can really help me. I’ve been sick for a long time and recently I’ve been rather discouraged with where I’m at with my health. I believe that God has allowed our paths to cross and that He is going to use you help restore my body to health. Thank you for giving me hope. Blessings, Kara

Kara
Kara

I wanted to let you know you did an outstanding job at this past weekend at the IFM {Reversing Cognitive Decline} conference. I appreciate you sharing your personal health journey. You are a true inspiration!

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Dr. Ronald GrisantiBoard Certified Chiropractic Orthopedist
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Functional Medicine Newsletter
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Dr. Jill
Dr. Jill will help you search for underlying triggers contributing to your illness through cutting edge lab testing and tailor the intervention to your specific needs as an individual.
  • Address:
    400 S. McCaslin Blvd, Suite 210, Louisville, Colorado 80027
  • Phone:
    (303) 993-7910
  • Fax:
    (303) 993-4674

Find us on:

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| Dr. Jill works as a functional medicine consultant in conjunction with your current health care team and is not considered a replacement for your primary care physician. She requires all new patients to have a primary care physician to cover emergencies and routine care and screening.

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