It’s no surprise that health is trending for the coming year! You might have let your fitness goals fall by the wayside over the summer, but you don’t need to wait until January first hits to take back control of your personal wellness. Follow these easy five steps to taking care of yourself both mentally and physically.
Drink Plenty of Filtered Water
We are water. Because our bodies contain so much water, it’s important to maintain healthy fluid levels for proper muscle, joint, and brain function. Drinking plenty of water also helps you avoid eating extra calories; drinking cold water can burn more brown fat; staying hydrated energizes your muscles and keeps your complexion looking fresh. Being properly hydrated also means your digestive system can work properly to eliminate toxins from your body. Aim for about one ounce per pound of body weight, or at least 1 gallon of filtered water each day.
Eat Your Fruits and Green Veggies
Your grandmother and mother said it and I’m saying it too: eat your fruits and veggies! There are endless combinations of micronutrients available that change from season to season. So there is never a reason to get bored! They add beautiful color and texture to dishes of all kinds, are lower in calories than other macronutrients, and contain vital nutrients we need to thrive! Adding all eight servings of fruits and vegetables to your diet each day helps ensure you’re getting enough dietary fiber to keep your digestion working, plenty of antioxidants to repair and prevent the breakdown of cells, and abundant vitamins and minerals to help your body function at maximum output.
Sweat Frequently
You don’t need a fancy gym to get your sweat on! You can work out in your own home if that’s what gets you going. The idea is to sweat at least three to four days a week. Sweating is a way for your body to cleanse itself of toxins. The other benefits is, in order to get a sweat going, your body must be working hard enough. This ensures your heart and lungs are being strengthened in addition to working out unwanted stress and tension in the body. Be sure when you do sweat that you don’t let it sit and absorb back into your skin. Once you’ve completed your workout, rinse off and change into fresh clothing.
Make Physical Connections and Meditate to Reduce Stress
Believe it or not, touch may have healing properties. It is almost impossible to prove, but that is why many believe that pet owners live longer and are healthier. The simple act of connecting with another person or animal honors our genetic development and reduces stress in the hypothalamic center of our brain. So get out there and hug somebody! Try to make physical connection a daily routine.
Another way to reduce stress is to meditate. With all of the distractions and stresses of daily life, it’s important to turn inward and find yourself at your heart’s center. You don’t have to sit for hours in a dark room with incense burning. Begin with just quieting the mind for 5 minutes a day and work your way up in 5 minute increments to 20 minutes.
Eliminate Toxic Material from Your Life
Toxic material–sounds like some bio-hazard. But that’s really what I’m getting at! Think about how people protect themselves from toxic waste and spillage and take that approach with negativity in your life. It could be a relationship that isn’t adding quality to your life, or an item you know is causing more harm than good. Food and alcohol can even cause a toxic environment in your body. Find one thing that isn’t adding value to your life and eliminate it. You might be surprised at what becomes possible!
