Embarking on a journey toward healthier living doesn’t have to be a daunting one…filled with kale smoothies (although, I honestly LOVE Kale smoothies) and super intense workouts that leave you unable to walk for days. Instead, let’s think of it as an adventure, one in which you make a few small, sustainable changes that lead to significant improvement in your overall health over time.
Let’s explore a few simple yet powerful adjustments you can incorporate into your daily routine that lead to living a healthier, happier life.
- Rise & Shine: One of the absolute best things you can do to start your day off is drink a big glass of water to rehydrate your body and kickstart your metabolism. Another great thing to do to start your day of right is to add in a short mindfulness routine with a 5-minute stretch to help set a positive tone for your day.
- Move More, Sit Less: Get up…get movin’! Our bodies not only crave movement they NEED movement. It’s SO important that you find ways to make sure you get physical activity everyday. Make it part of your routine, even if all you have time for is a short walk on your lunch break or taking the stairs instead of the elevator. These seemingly small movement breaks can accumulate to make a substantial difference in your overall health.
- Practice Mindful Eating: Eating mindfully means slowing down and enjoying your meal. It means paying attention to to your body’s hunger and fullness cues. This simple shift in your approach to HOW you eat can lead to healthier food choices and prevent overeating.
- Hydration, Hydration, Hydration: Most of us don’t drink enough water throughout the day so most of us could benefit from making a concerted effort to add an extra trip to the water cooler. Carry a reusable water bottle with you…add fresh slices of citrus or even a few frozen berries to add a burst of flavor. These are just a couple of ways to make your water more interesting and have a positive affect on your overall well-being.
- Get Some ZZZ’s: This one is HUGE! We’ve all had the “lack of good sleep hangover,” haven’t we? Everything is harder when you don’t get enough good sleep. It’s important to prioritize your sleep by establishing a consistent bedtime routine. Your sleep space should be calm and comfortable…as stress-free as possible. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night and once you’re into your new sleep rhythm, notice how you feel both physically and mentally.
- Snack Smart: Don’t get me wrong! I love a good sweet treat and I absolutely indulge from time to time but in truth we all know that replacing sugary, processed snacks with healthier alternatives keeps the body and mind fueled and functioning much better. You can start small by gradually replacing a few of your
- not-so-healthy-go-to snacks with a healthier option like fruit, nuts, or yogurt.
- Step Away From the Tech: Social media will still be there when you’re done with your break. ? Give yourself the gift of tech-free relaxation for a few minutes each day to reduce eye strain, mental fatigue, and that ache in your neck. You might even use your new found “free time” for a quick stretch or a few minutes of deep breathing.
- Love & Be Loved: Spend time with friends and family that you enjoy…people that you love that love you back…supportive people that cheer you on and celebrate your little victories with you. Creating strong connections with other people not only strengthens your network of support it also promotes emotional
- well-being.
- Mind-Body Balance: Okay, if you hadn’t picked up on it earlier in this blog post…here comes the yoga teacher in me! Mindfulness practices like yoga or meditation are amazing for helping to cultivate a sense of calm and balance in your life. These types of practices can help you manage stress and have an overall positive effect on your mental health and outlook on life. Over the last few years yoga and meditation have become more accessible than ever, so maybe it’s time to give it a try to see for yourself why so many people have fallen in love these beautiful practices.
- Positive Affirmations: Not to sound cliche’ but it feels great to take a few moments before bed to write down a small win or a positive thought. When you end one day on a positive note it’s easier to start the next day on a positive note.
- Celebrate Your Progress: It’s SO important to acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, no matter how big or small they are. Recognizing your efforts and celebrating your progress will reinforce your positive behaviors and motivate you to continue making healthier choices for yourself. And who doesn’t love a good excuse for a celebration?!?!
Conclusion
Creating a healthy lifestyle doesn’t require making drastic changes overnight. By focusing on making small, manageable adjustments you can build sustainable habits that contribute to your overall well-being. Remember, it’s the consistency of these small changes that leads to lasting results.
