Kick-start 2008 with these simple energizing tips.

Have you been sticking to the resolutions you made earlier this year? No? Thought so. So why not try out these simple yet useful tips to make 2008 your personal Year of Living Healthily.

A = Attitude

Stop being so bitchy! Adopting a positive attitude not only makes you a much nicer person, it also helps reduce stress. Numerous studies suggest that simply changing the expression on your face can have an effect on your mood—so smile! And check out the Humor Project (www.humorproject.com), an organization that helps people to harness the positive power of humor to live better lives. 

B = Balance

Ask any Taoist: you need to seek balance in everything—including your lifestyle. Always find time to do something to counteract the things that are harmful to your health. Balance your meals, of course, but also your life. If you know work will consume you this week, find time to reward yourself with something relaxing and de-stressing. Try a walk in Suan Lumphini (Rama 4 Rd., MRT Silom) to help restore your body and mind to a neutral state before you take on another day.

C = Cocoa

Cocoa butter contains oleic acid, which can lower your risk of heart attack as well as help prevent cancer. Another benefit of chocolate is its ability to make us happy; it contains phenylethylamine and seratonin, which can help improve your mood. But if you want to enjoy the benefits of chocolate, steer clear of sugar-loaded “milk” and “white” chocolates and opt for the dark and bitter kind. Get your dark doses at Duc de Praslin, G/F Fenix Tower, Sukhumvit Soi 31, 02-258-3200.

D = Detox

Yes: raw, uncooked food, which can be green vegetables, fruits and beans. No: all processed foods, meat and salt. A detox diet can help relieve constipation and stress and give you a feeling of freshness. Another method of toxin-removal is to sweat them out in a sauna or steam room. Or lose them via a different channel: colonics. See Renew Your Body  for a list of venues that offer detox programs.

E = (Saint-) Emilion

OK, it doesn’t have to be a Bordeaux, but a glass of wine is good for your health. Red wine in particular increases the amount of “good” cholesterol, HDL, which helps flush away the bad LDL that is responsible for forming the fatty coating that can be found in the arteries of those about to croak from a heart attack or clots in their brain. Vino also contains antioxidants which help build and repair damaged cells, thanks to a chemical called resveratrol. Just don’t overdo it, or the side-effects of alcohol will outweigh the benefits. Savor some at Wine Connection, The Third Place, Thonglor Soi 10, 02-714-7548.

F = Fruits and Veggies

Craving something sweet? Go for raisins. They’ll give you energy, bone-strengthening Boron and oleanolic acid, which can kill oral bacteria. Skip the chips and try crunchy carrot or cucumber slices, which will fill you up with fiber and antioxidant protection. Or just grab some natural freeze-dried snacks made from vegetables at Duty Brand (National Stadium BTS Station, 02-735-8297. www.dutybrand.net).

G = Garlic

This pungent bulb can help fight off many diseases. According to one study, taking garlic extracts of 5ml a day can help increase your immune system, slow down brain ageing and even decrease your risk of getting cancer. If the smell bothers you (or those around you), try NB SuperGarlic tablets from GNC (Central Foodhall, 7/F CentralWorld Plaza, Ratchadamri Rd., 02-613-1602).

H = Hum

We all know about the benefits of om-ing (meditation), but did  you know that humming is good for your health? It does this by opening up your nostrils, allowing you to breathe better, which helps prevent sinus-related illnesses. Hum when you have a stuffy nose, and levels of the nitric oxide gas your body releases to help kill the bacteria that is the cause of that blockage can increase by as much as 20 percent.

I = Interactive

Games these days are not just for exercising your thumbs anymore. Like the new gaming sensation, Nintendo Wii, gamers actually get to get off their couches and burn some real calories. What’s the fun in playing tennis using your Up, Down, A and B keys? With the Wii, you get to actually swing your racket (or the remote more like it, but still with force), punch your vitual opponent and hit that home run for real. Get one now for B17,000 (Wii Sports included) at Game Freak Shop (3/F, Siam Center, Rama 1 Rd., 02-658-1090).

J = Jojoba Oil

A truly head-to-toe helper, this well-known cosmetic oil is a great cleansing and rejuvenating substance. Unlike other oils in beauty products, jojoba oil is not greasy and is absorbed into the skin very quickly. It increases your skin elasticity and can help prevent wrinkles and other signs of skin ageing. Jojoba can also help clean up dark spots, scars and bruises by decoloring the darkened area, like Kiehl’s Creme de Corps Nurturing Body Washing Cream (B1,000), from Kiehl’s (1/F Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd., 02-610-7680).

K = Kickboxing

Kickboxing, like the one taught at Bangkok Fight Club (235/3-5 Asoke Rd., www.bangkokfightclub.com), is a cardiovascular intensive sport and cardiovascular activity is good for you. A “cardio” workout is when you’re exercising to the point where your body has considerably warmed up, and is sweating, but you are not panting like a race horse about to pop an artery. The trick is to get your heart rate to its “working” point at 70-80% of your maximum heart rate (to calculate, subtract your age from 220), and maintain it for at least 20 minutes. Not only cardio can help you lose weight, it can also strengthen your heart muscle, making you less likely to have heart diseases (and die of a stroke). It also reduces stress and can solve sleeping disorders. If you have a shower at work, trying walking (fast!) or cycling to work and don’t even think of using the elevator. You might not look pretty but it’s good for you.

L = Life Coach

“If you are looking for success in some aspect of your life, we can help facilitate that success or help find the clarity required to succeed,” explains Bangkok-based life coach Daniel Remon. Life coaches aren’t only there to help you achieve money and success, they can also be your guidance in solving personal problems. If you need one, there are a number of services around that can help you, or try Daniel’s at www.fitcorpasia.com. But keep in mind that life coaches are for healthy people. If you think you’re suffering from depression, get yourself a good psychiatrist.

M = Morning Meal

We all know it’s ”the most important meal of the day,” blah blah blah. But it’s not just because it gives you fuel. Eating regularly raises your metabolism, which means that your body is burning more calories—so five small meals a day is better than two large meals. As for breakfast, don’t go for glazed donuts or sugary cereals that will peak shortly after being absorbed and leave you feeling tired and hungry a couple hours later. Muesli and fruits should carry you through your busy day.

N = Nuts

Nuts can stop you from going nuts thanks to the Omega-3 found in some of them. But they’re also a great source of protein and good beneficial fats like monounsaturated fats. Nuts also contain protein, so you can cut down on bad-fat meats and still have bulging biceps. Plus, they’re a great source of vitamins and minerals for those of us who hate vegetables.

O = Olive Oil

Aside from its antioxidant and cholesterol-flushing effects, consuming olive oil can help with gastric problem like ulcers. Olive oils stimulates the release of bile, preventing the forming of liver gallstones and making your digestion better. But the best benefit are the polyphenol antioxidants that maintain your blood vessels’ elasticity, making you less likely to suffer a stroke. You can include olive oil in your daily diet as salad dressing, in pasta or on your pizza. Its flavor enhancing properties can also help you use less salt.

P = Puzzle

Mind-tickling puzzles and games (playing sudoku, cards or chess) may delay the onset of dementia and, before that, could make you up to 20% smarter according to one study. Just like muscles, your brain cells like to be taken out for a spin. In another study, elderly men and women, engaging in intense mental activity (reading, doing puzzles, playing an instrument) four times a week as opposed to once were 47% less likely to suffer from dementia than others who use their heads only once a week. The bad news: If you’re set to lose your marbles at 60, sudoku will only delay—not cure—the inevitable.

Q = Q10

CoEnzyme Q10 is a substance found naturally in human cells. Your stock of Q10 decreases as you age, so there are now supplements available to compensate its depletion. Q10’s super-antioxidant effect helps slow down ageing and stimulates your metabolism (making you burn calories faster). Q10 can be found in liver but if that’s not your thing, try capsules or tablets.

R = Reduce

When it comes to eating, less is often more. Even if olive oil, raisins and whole wheat are good for you, one sad truth remains: You need to eat cut down on fat and sugar. The easiest way to do it without starving yourself? Avoid processed foods. Eat real meals, but do try to keep those snack-cravings in check when you’re back at the office—or replace cookies and chips with fruits or low-fat yogurt.

S = Socialize

We’re social animals. So what if you’re single and live alone in an apartment? A tiny socializing session can go a long way in making you feel healthier in mind and body. Pick a sport that combines social and physical benefits. Talk to strangers (socializing with new people has proven benefits to your intellect). Or just dive into a crowd to get your immunity system exposed to zillions of germs and bacteria.

T = Tea

Tea has many benefits. The polyphenols it contains can aid in things as simple as bad breath to conditions as life threatening as inflammatory bowel disease. Studies have also found that green tea can prevent cancer. Research by Kyushu University in Japan found that the antioxidants in green tea help slow down the formation of lung cancer cells. For weight watchers, tea also gives a boost to your metabolism.

U = Unbleached

Anything too white—rice, bread, sugar—is not particularly healthy. To get this way they undergo chemical bleaching processes and are stripped of nutrients. Always go for brown, unbleached and unprocessed carbs. By eating whole grains, you’re getting fiber (necessary for good digestion) and antioxidant agents that restore useful tissue cells and reduce your risk for cancer and other diseases.

V = Volunteering

Volunteering can combine many health benefits you ran into in this A-Z: getting out of town, meeting new people, taking your mind off work. By making you feel better inside, charity work will make you feel more energized and focused. Act now and you will definitely get something in return. Help others now with these volunteering programs.

W = Water

Water can flush out toxins, improve bowel movements and more generally keep your cells happy. When you’re dehydrated, your cells are shrunk, which is the cause of wrinkles, muscle cramps and headaches. To see if you’re drinking enough water, check your urine color. If it’s dark with a strong smell, just cut down on other drinks like soda and coffee and replace them with water. Having a bottle nearby is also helpful, just take a sip every once in a while.

X = X-Rated

We mean X-rated exercise, not watching VCDs. Sex has pleasant mood-enhancing side effects you don’t need us to describe but researchers in Pennsylvania found out that those who have sex two to four times a week also have stronger immune systems. Some claim the after-effects of an orgasm have anti-depressant properties.

Y = Yoga

Yoga and other breathing-focused exercises can help you relax both your mind and body. The exercises in yoga helps you breathe better and feed your cells with more oxygen. Furthermore, yoga increases your flexibility, something very useful if you work out a lot or are getting older, and helps calm your mind. But don’t go thinking yoga is a workout. Yoga is not cardio and doctors recommend you keep some kind of cardio exercise in your weekly routine to complement it. Try out these yoga classes.

Z = Zzzz

If you’re starting to nod off after reading all these tips, we won’t stop you. Lack of sleep can result in poor concentration, bad mood attitude, loss of appetite, a weakened immune system and just cancel the benefits of all our previous tips. Also, since tissue cells are rebuilt while you sleep, it really is your beauty sleep. Sweet dreams!