Journal
BEYOND NUTRITION – CREATING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
Oct
While nutrition is often where many of us start on our health journey and contributes to how we feel on a daily basis and our long-term health, it’s only one piece of a healthy lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle has several elements of wellbeing working together, including your physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental health.
These areas also increase in their impact when they’re all working together. When you exercise, you sleep better, and when you sleep better, you have the mental energy to choose nourishing foods, when you eat nourishing foods you have the energy to take care of yourself and others, and so on!
It’s a cycle of support and these areas can make an impact on your food choices. When you integrate these different elements of health into your life, you can really make major progress towards your goals and your wellness vision!
MOVE YOUR BODY
Exercise is so important to our wellbeing and there’s countless studies that detail out the health benefits of movement, from better moods to increased mental focus and creativity, decreased depression and anxiety, improved self-esteem, enhanced ability to cope with stress both physically and mentally.
There’s two parts of movement:
1. Dedicated Exercise: Simply find an exercise (or a couple) you enjoy — or at least feels better than anything else you’ve tried before and practice that every day, even if it’s just for 20 minutes. This can be going to a class, lifting weights, or taking a walk.
2. Continuous Movement: Moving your body is something you do all day long, not just clock in for a workout class and clock out. Set reminders on your phone to take a 10 minute walking or stretching break (especially if you’re at the computer most of the day), take the stairs if you’re able, or take the long-route to that meeting room you need to walk to.
GET ENOUGH SLEEP
Sleep is so important to a healthy lifestyle, and while it may seem really simple, it’s often overlooked. Our health is so interconnected and to be able to eat well and move often, quality zzz’s are important.
When you sleep well, you’re more likely to make better choices throughout your day, and when you do that, you can be more present, productive, and attentive in everything you need to conquer in your day.
Start by building a habit of going to bed consistently at the same time every night and disconnecting from devices at least 30 minutes before.
BRING MORE JOY INTO YOUR LIFE
Our levels of happiness contribute so much to our health on all levels — physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. Scientific evidence suggests that positive emotions can help make life longer and healthier.
There are countless studies showing how people who reported higher levels of happiness and general positive well being ate more fruits and vegetables, slept deeper, and exercised more often, had strong support systems, along with dozens of other benefits.
Plus, we obviously want to simply feel happy or at ease, peace, and joy, even if that was the only benefit, right?
When thinking about your routines and any of these healthy habits you’re creating, try to set aside time to do one thing that specifically is for the sole purpose of bringing joy into your day. That could be having 20 minutes to read a book in the morning, or having a home cooked meal at the table with your family.
Try to weave more joy into all of the habits you are creating. If cooking feels like a chore for example, what could you do to make it more enjoyable? Maybe you find a recipe you’re excited to try or you invite a friend over to cook and eat dinner together.
DESTRESS AND UNWIND
Having a dedicated practice to slow down, get grounded, and recenter when you notice you’re stressed, overwhelmed, or exceptionally busy can help you not only care for yourself but stay on track with your wellness vision.
More importantly having a practice that’s more preventative.
Try this exercise: grab a paper and pen and ask yourself the following questions:
- What’s your favorite thing to do by yourself?
- If you had a whole day to yourself, what would you do?
- What things calm you when you’re feeling stressed?
- What things ground you when you’re feeling out of control?
- If you’ve had a long day at work, how do you chill?
Try to schedule time to practice this daily or weekly.
DESTRESS AND UNWIND
Your environment influences the way you feel and the choices you make, and can play a role in your ability to take actions that align with your wellness vision. When thinking about how to enhance your environment, consider organization, the quality and impact of your belongings, and creating a vibe!
Organization goes for your entire home! I know for me, just having a really organized pantry, fridge, and cabinets makes cooking so much easier. Everything is accessible, easy to find and clean up, and it removes any little frustration that might have happened which makes the entire experience easier and more enjoyable.
There’s certain things where quality really makes a big difference and impacts its functionality or purpose. Invest in the things that are going to enhance your wellbeing the most.
Lastly, create an atmosphere that gives your home the energy you’d like, whether that’s cozy or airy or relaxing or uplifting!
Start adding this habits into your life and start feeling the difference right away.
In love and light,
Mariana