5 Tips For A Healthier, Happier You
The new year is quickly approaching and everyone is starting to think of their new year resolutions. Unlike past years, this experience with COVID has put things in perspective for me and has inspired me to live a more elevated life. Prior to COVID, many of my new year resolutions were a bit shallow. I wanted to lose weight, dress better, go out more. While those are all good, valid goals, I have new goals that I would like to make a priority. No matter what your new year resolution is, it is safe to say it revolves around improvement. We all have pure intentions and we set these goals in hopes that these improvements will lead to a healthier, happier life. While 2020 ends and a new year approaches, consider these daily habits for more elevated living:
Connect
Everything means nothing if we have no one to share it with. These days, people have connection at the touch of their fingertips yet they are lonelier than ever. Mental health is a necessary component is being overall healthy. Having close knit connections and feeling like you have a community will change your entire life and greatly impact your mental health. If there are loved ones in your life that you have not spent time with lately, make it a priority to carve out some time to connect. Allow yourself to open up and also practice being a good listener when it’s their turn to open up with you. Although most of us are extremely busy these days, it is still important to take the time to meet with loved ones. This could be going out for dinner, a 10 minute phone call or simply, spending a text letting them know that you are thinking of them.
Spend time outdoors
Nature is very grounding and reminds us of the abundance that is available in the world. Spending time outdoors is very healthy and healing, therefore making it part of your daily routine will keep you feeling more happy and rational. It doesn’t mean you have to lay outdoors for 3 hours a day, even a quick 20–30 minute walk will give your body some life. A morning walk is a great way to start to day because it will set your day in a more healthy direction. Another great option is to drink your morning coffee outdoors. During the summer I started drinking coffee on my front porch and I found it to be very peaceful. It was so nice to get sun on my skin and fresh air in my lungs first thing in the morning.
Let the sunlight in
If you live in a cold climate that makes it difficult to spend even 20 minutes outdoors, open up your windows and bring the outdoors in. Sunlight reduces stress, maintains strong bones, fights depression, improves sleep, and can help you keep weight off. Pull up a chair and plant yourself in front of a window and allow yourself the reap the benefits of the sun. I love having house plants because they are another great way to bring the outdoors inside. Sitting in front of a window with your plants is very relaxing and can be a great bonding experience (yes I bond with my plants, yes I know I’m a crazy plant lady).
Exercise
Exercising is an essential part of health. It doesn’t have to be a 2 hour long, strenuous workout, but moving your body a little throughout the day will improve your mental and physical health. Exercise wards of many diseases while improving mental health and reducing stress. If you’re new to exercise you can start adding it to your routine by taking a 10 minute walk or spending time stretching when you wake up in the morning. A quick 5 minute blood flow is always better than nothing!
Eat well
Eating well doesn’t just mean eating healthy food, it also means eating what you enjoy. So much of life is routine and boring, not necessarily enjoyable but also not really bad either. Add some intentionally and joy to your life by eating food that you truly enjoy. This could be mean meal prepping for the week or simply spending an extra 10 minutes in the morning on making breakfast instead of pouring cereal into a bowl. You will be surprised to see how something as simple as eating well will improve your happiness in life and outlook.
In life, there are always opportunities to be happier and more at peace. Small, consistent changes will make a major difference in your overall wellbeing. Give yourself the chance to have a happy and healthy life by implementing these changes.
Let’s grow together.
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