For instance, most people have been taught enough about nutrition to know that they shouldn't eat fast food every day of the week, and slurp down 4-5 sodas each day, but time demands sometimes do require a fast meal.

Our fast-paced lives often leave us sleep-deprived, always hungry, and sometimes a little irritable about never having enough time to get everything done.

The highest priority lifestyle change to get both mentally and physically healthier is diet.

Returning back to a healthy diet means eating 2-3 servings of fresh fruit, just like your Mom packed in your lunchbox because she knew it would keep you healthy) instead of sugar-laden yogurt.

Pick up a bag of fresh or frozen vegetables and spend 15 minutes searing them in a hot wok with a little soy sauce instead of grabbing yet another burger and fries which will add another pound or two to the mid-section by the end of the month.

Drink at least 3 glasses of water each day BEFORE grabbing a soda. Sure, you need 6-8 glasses of water each day, but if you begin with 3, you're on your way to a healthier lifestyle.

Water flushes out toxins from the body. Toxins can make you feel sluggish, depressed, and have a bad complexion. When too many toxins build up, you feel bad, look bad and sometimes even act bad.

Without enough water, you can become constipated. The longer you are constipated, the longer the toxins in your colon "sit" there. Some of them will be reabsorbed back into the body and the cycle begins once again trying to "get healthier".

Eat less meat and more rice, legumes, beans, and vegetables. Not only will you lose weight, you will begin feeding your body what it needs to heal itself. Your body needs these nutritional building blocks to make new cells.

Once you flush out the old cells and begin feeding your body what it really wants,...nutrients, you will feel better, look better and, amazingly, depression, too, can lessen or go away, completely.

Alternative healers such as naturopathic doctors, acupuncturists, chiropractors and energy medicine practitioners, too, can help to remove pain, but, they can't create the new cells in your body to replace the diseased or worn out ones. You, yourself, are responsible for the creation of each new cell in your body.

Healing begins with making nutritional changes. Once you do, you will be surprised how much better you feel, mentally, emotionally and physically.

Don't wait until disease strikes. Start by making a conscious effort to remove potato chips from the grocery list and replace them with a bag of nuts. Replace the candy bars with some dried apricots, trail mix or energy bars.

Take a deep breath to release pent up anxiety and start on your journey back to health, today.

You'll like the "new" you.