Chances are, you know the importance of maintaining a wellness routine. But that doesn’t mean you make it a priority. Whether from lack of time or dollars, there are many reasons why you might put your wellness on the back burner.
Well, contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t have to take a lot of time or money to maintain your mental and physical health. In this article, we highlight six ideas you can easily implement to live a healthy and happy life.
1. Stay Active All Week
Instead of scheduling specific days to exercise, try to be active all week long. Now, this doesn’t necessarily mean you should strength train or run a mile every day. But you should engage in some form of movement.
For example, you could take a 15-minute walk after work or ride an electric bike to happy hour with friends. You could even spend a few minutes in the morning stretching. Your exercises don’t always have to be high intensity or leave you sweating. What’s important is that you’re constantly moving the muscles in your body so you can maintain strength and improve your stability.
2. Start the Morning Off Right
How you start your morning sets the tone for the rest of the day, so why not begin on a high note? Instead of rolling out of bed right before you leave for work, carve out time to relax and get organized. You don’t have to wake at the crack of dawn, but rise early enough to eat a healthy breakfast or have a workout.
Do you function better in a clean environment? Make your bed when you get up and clear off your desk so your home office is ready when you are.
These actions might seem small and insignificant, but your morning habits can make or break your day. In fact, morning habits are directly linked to your overall happiness. If you start your day off with a smile on your face, you’re less likely to end the day grumpy and irritated.
3. Trick Yourself Into Drinking More Water
Drinking water is one of the best things you can do for your health. According to data from the CDC, staying hydrated can prevent mood swings, constipation, overheating, and more. If you’re not drinking ample water throughout the day, you’re doing your body a great disservice. You likely already know that but still find it difficult to consume the recommended amount.
According to The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine men should drink at least 3.7 liters of water every day and women should drink 2.7 liters. Yet drinking that much water can be a challenge for some. Thankfully, there are easy ways to make sure you’re staying hydrated, including:
- Infusing your water with fruit or vegetables to add a bit more flavor
- Carrying a water bottle with you everywhere (seriously, everywhere)
- Setting reminders on your phone throughout the day to make sure you’re drinking enough
- Eating more foods with a high water content (lettuce, watermelon, cantaloupe, etc.)
The bottom line is, water is essential, and it’s important to make sure you’re consuming enough of it to live a healthy life.
4. Find a Workout You Actually Like
The key to sticking with a workout is finding one you enjoy. For example, if you hate running, don’t make interval training your go-to exercise regimen. If you hate water, don’t swim laps in the pool. Find something you enjoy doing so exercise doesn’t feel like a chore.
It’s true, finding the right workout isn’t easy. You may have to experiment with a few different activities to find one that works for you, and that’s OK. What’s nice about exercising is the unlimited options. From going on a 30-minute walk to a group HIIT class, you can choose the kind of intensity you want.
And while some forms of exercise are advertised as better options for losing weight, that’s not the only reason to work out. Exercise can decrease depression, boost energy levels, maintain healthy skin, and so much more. To experience those benefits, though, you need to find the right workout.
5. Get a Good Night’s Rest
Sleep is crucial to staying happy and healthy. Nevertheless, it’s not something many of us get enough of. According to a press release from the CDC, about one in three adults aren’t getting enough sleep. Whether you struggle to wind down at the end of the day or you just can’t seem to stay asleep, it’s time to make some changes.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, healthy adults need between seven to nine hours of sleep a night. Of course, to get that much rest, you have to fall asleep in the first place. If you habitually have trouble nodding off, consider stretching or taking a yoga class before bed. You could also drink chamomile tea or try a hot shower.
A common problem many people have is that they’re glued to their electronics, especially at night. That’s a problem. The blue light from your devices disrupts the production of melatonin in your body, making it difficult to fall asleep. Instead of scrolling through Instagram while you’re lying in bed, leave your electronics in another room. If you still struggle to sleep, consider seeing a doctor who can provide additional insight.
6. Don’t Forget About Self-Care
A good wellness routine doesn’t just focus on the physical, it also focuses on the mental. To be healthy, you need to feel good both inside and out. A good way to do that is by practicing and prioritizing self-care.
With busy work schedules and family obligations, it’s all too easy to put yourself last. However, you can’t effectively take care of other people if you’re not in a healthy frame of mind. So make sure you’re taking time for self-care. For some people, that might mean carving out an hour every week to grab lunch with friends. For others, it might mean talking to a therapist to resolve past traumas.
Self-care is deeply personal, and it’s not something you should feel ashamed of. If you need a few minutes, hours, or days to yourself, go ahead and take them!
You can’t put a price on good physical and mental health, but luckily, attaining it needn’t be pricey. By following the six tips above, you’ll improve your wellness routine and, in turn, your life.
