From the CEO
Daniel Mulloy | CEO and Executive Director, ARTA
change
/CHanj/
verb
1. make or become different
2. take or use another instead of
noun
1. the act or instance of making or becoming different
2. coins as opposed to paper currency
Spring is a perfect time to make some changes for the
better; an opportunity to make or become diff erent.
While change is not always easy, small changes in
our lives can have positive eff ects on our mental and
physical state. Listed below are some small changes
that will pay out great dividends.
Do Some Decluttering
Start the spring by creating a clutter-free zone.
Whether this includes cleaning your favourite room
or even the whole house, having a clean space can
help you stay productive and focus on other tasks
or hobbies. Studies have shown the more organized
someone’s home is, the more optimistic and clear-
minded they’ll feel.
Go for a Walk
A brisk walk burns calories, improves muscle
strength, and works the cardiovascular system.
Studies show that walking for twenty minutes a day
can improve focus, alleviate headaches, fatigue,
and depression, and improve mental health as the
brain releases dopamine. Plus, it gives you a sense
of achievement, improving self-esteem and physical
self-perception.
Read for Thirty Minutes a Day
Many individuals are surprised at the benefi ts of
reading to their mental and emotional well-being.
Regular reading can help slow the progress of
Alzheimer’s disease and dementia by keeping the
brain active. Reading can reduce stress, increase your
knowledge of the world, expand your vocabulary,
improve your memory, strengthen analytical thinking
skills, improve concentration, and bolster writing
skills. By reading for just thirty minutes a day, you will
be able to complete more books within a year. (As if I
had to tell you all the joys and benefi ts of reading!)
Cut Sugar and Salt in Your Diet
Decreasing your salt and sugar intake does not mean
giving up all your favourite foods. Little changes, such
as reducing your intake of sugary drinks, can help you
lose ten to sixteen pounds in a year. Reducing your
salt intake helps to reduce blood pressure and risk
of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and heart attack.
Remember to always read food labels carefully, so
you know the amount of sugar, sodium, fat, fi bre, and
carbohydrates it contains.
Try Something New
Have you been yearning to take a trip to Nepal or
even just try that new restaurant down the street?
Whether it’s something big or small, trying something
new will help you venture outside your comfort zone,
increasing your confi dence and self-esteem while
improving your mental and emotional health.
Get Outside More
Reconnect with nature and your surroundings. Nature
provides an abundance of benefi ts such as relieving
stress, improving short-term memory, restoring
mental energy, enhancing creativity and thinking
capabilities, and developing sharper concentration
and vision. With spring in bloom, there is no better
time than now to get outside and enjoy the blessings
of the season.
My challenge to you is to embrace change; it’s
an exciting opportunity to make yourself diff erent,
perhaps a little better, and that much more vibrant. ●
news&views SPRING 2020 | 7