5 Ways to be healthier in 2020
A healthy lifestyle is so much more than the time spent in the gym. Our daily habits and routines will affect our health and wellness more than whether or not we get to the gym every day. Here are 5 things that we should work on to help our minds and our bodies function at optimal levels.
1. Lock Down A Sleep Schedule
You may think you’re doing OK on sleep, but take a closer look at your schedule. Are you really getting optimal hours? Are you maintaining relatively the same bedtime every night? It’s not just the 40-hour marathons without sleep which can be detrimental to your psychological health, but simply losing an hour or two on a regular basis can have a significant impact on your mind and well-being. Start with small steps by giving yourself a sensible and realistic bedtime. Try to go to bed half an hour before your usual bedtime and stick to it. Evaluate this new habit every day by having a journal and writing down your progress.
2. Prioritize One Small Self Care Act
The most impactful mental health goal a person can set is the commitment to balance workload and responsibilities alongside activities that bring them a sense of well-being and enjoyment. When there is an imbalance in what we’re giving out to the world, and what we’re taking for ourselves, that’s when our psychological resources get depleted. Try picking a day and time to iron out in your schedule each week to practice this whether it is a workout, meditation, reading, a massage or whatever it is that brings you joy!
3. Practice Mindfulness
Making an effort to be more present “increases the sense of well-being, promotes vitality, heightens our awareness, helps train our attention, improves the quality of our work, and enhances interpersonal relationships. Each day, spend five minutes noticing your surroundings and how you feel. Do this by naming five things you see, four things you can physically feel, three different sounds you hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste. It’s OK if you point out something far away from you. Then take a second to label how you’re feeling in the moment. This is known as a grounding exercise.
4. Cut Back Your Social Media Use
So often we view people’s highlight reels on social media. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy in our own lives, according to experts. And given that research shows spending too much time online is linked to poor mental health, now’s the perfect time to cut back. Build your self-esteem from the competence of something important to you, and by being of service to others.
5. Set Better Boundaries
Did you find yourself feeling chronically overwhelmed and stretched thin in 2019? Time to reel that in and make more space for you by setting boundaries. If you don't want to go DONT go. Ask yourself this, is it something you think you 'Should' do or is it something you 'Want' to do.
And finally remember that you are awesome! And you deserve to live and feel your best!
As always, much love and namaste.
Sabrina
Health and Wellness Coach