Small Steps that Lead to a Healthier You
It is very important to prioritize your own physical and mental health, especially when you are busy with other commitments such as friends, family, school or work that can easily overshadow your own health. Read today's blog post to learn what small changes you can implement into your everyday life to reenergize your wellbeing.
Establish a Sleeping Pattern
Find the time that works best for your body and schedule to fall asleep at night and wake up in the morning. Once you have identified these times, try your best to stick to your new sleeping schedule. An established sleeping pattern will help you to feel better rested and less stressed throughout the day.
Here are some tips to help you establish a sleep routine if you find yourself having trouble winding down at night:
- Put away all electronics
- Have a light snack or decaffeinated tea
- Take a warm bath
- Listen to soothing music
- Stretch your muscles
- Practice meditation or deep breathing
- Read a book
Eat Mindfully
When eating meals, choose to eat mindfully to avoid over eating or emotional eating. Mindful eating also allows you to be aware and in the moment while eating so that you can savor the taste of your food and observe how your body is feeling. In addition, be mindful of your own thoughts when eating: replace judgmental thoughts with compassion.
To learn more about the practice of mindful eating, click on the button below to read our recent AstroFlav blog post on the topic.
Take the Stairs
If going to the gym three or more times a week is not a reality for you, it is still very possible for you to live an active lifestyle.
Look for small ways to become more active in your day to day life. Instead of taking the elevator in your apartment building, take the stairs. Walk to work or to a friend's house instead of driving. Leave the car at home and take a bike ride to dinner. Play football or soccer outside with the family instead of watching TV.
By adopting an active mindset, you will naturally begin to integrate these types of activities into your day to day routine, allowing you to live a more active lifestyle of your choice.
Prioritize Rest
An incredibly important part of your active lifestyle is to frequently make time for yourself to rest and recharge.
It is easy to become caught up in the day to day routine and forget how vital it is to take time to check in with yourself, recognize your stress level and take a break when needed.
So kick up your heels every once in awhile and clear out time to actively relax away from distractions and responsibilities. If you never seem to have enough time to relax on your own, mark out time every week on your calendar to make sure your mental and physical health is a top priority.
