The beginning of a new year – 2017 –  means different things to different people. It’s an opportunity for growth, a chance to dream, a time to plan, a reason to hope and a time to stiffen your resolve. Make that resolution and stick to it, if it’s practical – if it’s not, dump it and don’t guilt trip yourself about it.

6 STEPS TO NEW BEGINNINGS

Here are a few, simple, effective and beneficial choices you can make for a happier, and healthier, 2017.

If you smoke, quit

This is a step that will change your life, and that’s a guarantee. Your heart, lungs and every single organ and body function will improve.

Eat healthily

Get into the habit of eating local, seasonal fruit and vegetables every day. Look at africanfarming.com for Mike Bosch’s solution to providing healthy food for the family with a chicken and vegetable project. Drink water when you’re thirsty and stay away from fizzy soft drinks.

Exercise

There is no career more active than farming so you’re probably already on the right track. Watch the weight gain and keep farming for great health benefits.

Take it easy

Breathe deeply when you feel your stress levels rising. Stay calm and talk about the problem in a rational manner. Screaming and shouting will only harm you.

Get enough sleep

Adults need at least eight hours of sleep a night to perform to the best of their ability. Make sure you get good quality sleep. Farmers are fortunate to be able to go to sleep in real darkness. City dwellers must deal with the flare of city lights which can affect a sleep hormone called melatonin.

Practice gratitude

A farmer’s life can be tough, but it is also hugely rewarding. Farm with gratitude to God, and farm without excuses.

WATCH OUT FOR THE SUN

Skin cancer is a risk for all of us, not only for people with light or white skins. Farmers spend many hours outside and are exposed to more of the sun’s damaging rays which can put them at risk for skin cancer.

Skin specialists say everyone living in southern Africa should be wary of the sun. The extra melanin in dark skin does protect it to some extent but it’s not enough against the sun’s strong rays.

Save your skin by wearing sunscreen every day. Make sure it has a sun protection factor of at least 20 and protects against UVA and UVB rays – it should tell you on the bottle.

It’s also a good idea to wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, a broad-brimmed hat or at least a peak cap, and UV protective sunglasses when you’re out in the sun.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

“If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for something.” African proverb.

From the Bible

Genesis 28: (15) “I am with you and I will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” (16) When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.”

Prayer

Lord, thank you that you are with me. Open my eyes to become aware of your presence, in the name of Jesus. Amen.