Tips for Living Your Healthiest, Best Life
by Jennifer McGregor
With all of us constantly busy and on the go, self-care strategies often take a backseat.
Fortunately, with a bit of creativity, you can start working healthier behaviors and
activities into your everyday routine.
Practice Habit Stacking
Habit stacking is an innovative way to introduce new habits that will stick. According to
Develop Good Habits, you essentially stack desired behavior on top of or in-between
other things that you already do on a regular and consistent basis. It then becomes part
of your routine and you’re more likely to stick with it. For example, if your morning
typically involves taking your dog for a walk, having coffee, and then getting in the
shower before work, add a couple of additional laps around the neighborhood right after
you walk your pooch. In this way, you can incorporate some healthy changes into your
existing daily structure.
Sleep Well
According to the Sleep Foundation, few people get the rest their body needs for
restorative sleep and rejuvenation. Start developing better sleep habits by going to bed
and getting up at the same time every day. Keep your bedroom dark, cool, and quiet,
and banish all electronics, particularly in the first hour before bed. Relieve stress by
decluttering your bedroom and adding some indoor plants.
If youโre bothered by ambient sounds, use a white noise machine or a fan, and if light
keeps you awake, use light-blocking curtains or wear a sleep mask. If you sleep with a
partner who snores, encourage them to get checked for sleep apnea. You can also
wear soft earplugs to help you tune out and get some good rest.
Start Saying โNoโ
If you are, by nature, a โyesโ person, learning to say โnoโ can feel uncomfortable until
you’re used to the idea. Don’t think of saying โnoโ as being negative. Also, don’t justify
your reason for declining, or you could find yourself in a back-and-forth debate with the
requester. โNoโ is a complete sentence. Use it to extract yourself from social and work
situations in which you already have enough on your plate. This will free up time for self-
care and make you less resentful of doing things you really don’t have the bandwidth to
take on.
Eat Right
Meal prep can be a real lifesaver when it comes to introducing healthier eating habits.
Shop at farmers’ markets and local nutrition stores on the weekend and meal prep for
the week. This will save money, cut down on the time you normally spend preparing
meals and allow you to eat healthier foods. A diet that’s rich in fiber, whole grains, fresh
fruit, and produce can give you more energy, make you sleep better, and help you
maintain a healthy weight. Also ensure you’re consuming plenty of water and put limits
on the amount of alcohol, caffeine, and high-sugar beverages you consume on a daily
basis.
Set Up a Productive, Relaxing Home Office
If you work from home, you need a space you can call your own. This way, you can
dedicate yourself to your work without distractions. In addition to purchasing all the
equipment you need โ from computers and printers to desks and office chairs โ to
make your space productive, invest in things like plants and flowers to make this space
feel more relaxing. In fact, flowers have been known to produce chemicals in the brain
that can help you feel less stressed โ and more productive as a result.
Take a Natural Approach
There are a lot of homeopathic ways to improve your overall health and wellness. In
addition to exercising on a regular basis, reduce stress through meditation, yoga, and
relaxation breathing techniques. Consider natural supplements, like melatonin for sleep,
or Valerian for anxiety. Maintain regular checkups with your primary care provider to
ensure you’re not overlooking any health issues. If you find youโre stressed by work
thatโs no longer rewarding or challenging, it might be time to go back to school and
make a career change. It’s easy to enroll in an online degree program like criminal
justice, and you can often work from the location of your choosing on your own timeline.
An overall health and wellness regime can feel a bit daunting at first. After all, changing
your diet, setting up a comfortable home office, and learning to say โnoโ doesnโt happen
overnight. However, when you take it in small steps and focus on the big overall picture,
you’re sure to enjoy the journey.
Tranquil Therapy offers a number of different massage treatment options that can help
you relieve pain so you can get back to living your best life. To learn about the services
that we currently provide, schedule an appointment with us today.
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