Guest post by Emma Grace Brown
While just about all of us start off the new year with the best of intentions to commit to new health and wellness routines, it can be hard to maintain a focus throughout the year without a well-planned effort. That’s not to say it can’t be done, though. If you set a goal of living in a holistically healthy way, it can become ingrained in your daily routine – especially if you take advantage of these tips from FashionCorner.net.
Start on the Ground Floor
Before you can organize your psyche and start getting into new habits and routines, you need to clean up your environment – literally. Clean your home from top to bottom, donate or recycle things you no longer need, let in fresh air and sunlight, and eliminate unhealthy foods from your fridge and pantry. Rearrange furniture for a literal fresh perspective. Get rid of junk drawers and dig into yard projects and household repairs. Decluttering your home will help clear your mind, and create a solid foundation to start building healthy new habits. You may be surprised at how much happier and refreshed the whole family feels in a revitalized living space.
Eat With Intention
When you’re a busy person, it’s easy to resort to fast foods and pre-packaged processed goods, none of which are healthy. In fact, they can make you feel bloated, tired, grumpy, and even contribute to serious health conditions over the long term.
Give yourself the gift of meal prepping with healthy whole foods like whole grains, fresh produce, fruit, and plenty of water. Make it a habit by designating a certain time and day each week for shopping and prepping. Involve the family or a friend group and experiment with new recipes – it will feel more like bonding than work. When you eat well, you’ll feel better, sleep better, and have more energy you can devote to establishing other wellbeing behaviors.
Habit Stack Your Exercise
Many of us abandon regular exercise routines not because we don’t enjoy them, but because it feels hard to fit them into already packed schedules. According to Better Humans, you can change this dynamic by scheduling exercise in between or adjacent to something you already do on a consistent basis.
For example, find a gym near work with a lunchtime exercise class. Meet up with a neighbor every morning for coffee and a 15-minute walk. Schedule 30 minutes between meetings on a regular basis and use the time for a 20-minute office meditation or to practice relaxation technique breathing patterns. If you have a favorite TV show, record it, and only watch it when you’re on the treadmill. Find ways to “trick” yourself until new habits start to stick.
Head Back to the Classroom
Believe it or not, going back to school can be a great way to stay on track with your wellness goals. For example, if you’re looking to earn a business degree, there are now many online schools that offer flexible programs that can fit into your busy schedule.
This may be a good option if you’re looking to polish your skills before launching your own business. Additionally, going back to school can help you network with like-minded individuals who are also committed to their wellness goals. And, of course, the knowledge you gain from your courses can help you make better choices when it comes to your health and well-being. If you’re feeling motivated to achieve your goals, consider going back to school to get the education you need to succeed.
Prioritize Mental Health
Mental well-being is just as important – if not more so – than physical health. Humans are bombarded with a constant stream of noise and information, and if you don’t intentionally disconnect, it can become overwhelming. Make a conscious effort to turn off your phone and learn relaxation practices and healthy movement techniques through Yin yoga.
This slow, reflective style of stretching works on deep connective tissues and ligaments, and according to YogiApproved.com, can even help slow the aging process. If you can create a quiet meditation/yoga space in our home, that’s ideal; if not, make an investment in yourself by signing up for a regular class.
Conclusion
Even when you know the basics of how to live a healthy life focused on wellness and self-care, it can be tough to stick to it without scheduling and planning. This is especially true if you decide to head back to school or start learning yoga. Once you start to recognize the benefits, you’ll be much more likely to continue your journey of self-discovery and self-care.