The path to vibrant health may look different for each of us, yet certain principles are universal. We all need the basics like hydration, nourishment, rest, and human interaction to survive. But who wants to merely survive?
I want to thrive! Don’t you?
And not just physically. Emotionally and spiritually as well. Here are my favourite ways to make it happen.
Sleep
Burning the candle at both ends is often at the root of chronic illness, yet getting enough restful sleep often takes a backseat in our busy lives. Your body renews itself while you sleep. Cells reproduce and healing takes place. When you short-change your sleep, you take away your body’s power to operate at it’s best. Aim to clock 8 hours of pillow-time most days and you’ll find you’re more productive and able to greet each day with more energy. If this is way more sleep than you’re used to, try going to bed earlier each night in 15-minute increments.
Prioritize
Overloaded schedules eat into that much-needed sleep we were just talking about. When you take the time to get clear on your priorities, you make space for what matters most to you. Maybe it means delegating household duties among family members to free up the weekend, watching less tv to fit in a walk in the evening, or leaving work on time to get to that yoga class. The practice of prioritizing allows you to be more centered and present in your daily life.
Hydrate
Since we are made up of, on average, 60% water, it makes sense that we should drink enough. RIght? For several years, I’ve begun my day by drinking 1 litre of water. It wakes me up and gets me ready for my morning workout. Try drinking a mug of warm lemon water before breakfast. It sets up your digestive system for the day and is really soothing. The amount of water you should have each day equals about half your body weight in ounces. So a 140 pound person would ideally have 70 ounces a day, which is just over 8 cups. If you’re not used to drinking a lot of water now, ease into it by adding a glass of water every other day. You’ll find your digestion improve, your energy increase, and your skin glow.
Eat Well AND Supplement
These two are not mutually exclusive if you’re looking to achieve optimal health and the prevention of chronic disease. Just as you can’t expect to be healthy by eating junk food all day and popping vitamins, you can’t fully protect your body from the high levels of oxidative stress we face today with healthy food alone. It would simply take too high a quantity of food to achieve ideal results. I recommend eating local, non-processed foods (and lots of greens) as much as possible and supplementing with a high-quality vitamin, mineral and antioxidant supplement. Contact me for the supplements I recommend.
Make Room For FUN
You were designed as a multi-faceted being with unique gifts and abilities. As you take care of your many responsibilities, it can be easy to push these parts of yourself to the sidelines. When you tap into your creative, fun-side, you recharge. Enjoying time with friends and pursuing hobbies brings a feeling of wholeness and satisfaction that fuels your overall health.
Break A Sweat AND Walk
There’s so much research coming out that talks about the importance of physical activity. I’ve read that sitting at a desk all day is the equivalent of smoking a pack of cigarettes a day! Whether that’s true or not, exercise is of great importance for good health. Breaking a sweat for 20-30 minutes, 3-4 times each week is a good start. Mixing cardio and weight-bearing activity is good for your heart and for developing lean muscle mass. If you’re pressed for time, squeezing in a 20-minute high-intensity interval training (HIIT) session is a great way to break a serious sweat. Don’t stop there. Walk around and stand as much as you can during the day and you’ll find great overall results in your fitness and energy levels.
Be Still
I love to end my day in quiet reflection. It allows me to gain closure and perspective on the things that didn’t go so well and to re-live the great moments. I like to pray and think of the things in my life that I’m grateful for and end the day on a peaceful note. I sleep so much better when I do this and it only takes a few minutes. Find what time of day is best for you to check in with yourself. It could be first thing in the morning, on the drive into work, or on a break. This simple practice is a great stress-reliever.
Invest In Your Passion
It may be in the time you take to be still each day, that you reconnect with what your passion is. Is there an activity that you used to get so much joy from that you don’t have time for anymore? Is there a group or organization you’ve been wanting to join, but it keeps getting pushed down your to-do list? Re-connecting with your passion fuels all areas of your life. Only doing what “has to” be done each week can lead to boredom and fatigue, while chasing your passion fires feel-good endorphins that boost your immune system. And, it’s just plain fun!
Be Compassionate
This list has been all about YOU. When you live your life at your best, you have so much more to give to the world around you. What hits your heart and makes you want to make a difference in someone else’s life? Look around your neighborhood and community to see what ways you can be of service to those around you. It can start with something as simple as smiling as you interact with those around you. Or truly listening to someone as they share about their day. If we pay attention, it’s easy to find ways to be compassionate to those around us. Connecting with others in this way is foundational to having a full life.
Be Consistent
A list is just a list unless it’s followed. Only then can it turn into a life-changing experience!
It can seem like a supreme challenge to add new habits to an already full life. As you’re consistent in making positive new changes to your life, you’ll find it’s worth it. A new habit is formed in about 1 month. If you implement one of these ideas each month, you can have a whole new lifestyle waiting for you in less than a year. And the benefits will be felt incrementally, over time. It will be worth it!
Tell Me:
There are so many healthy things you can do to boost your personal wellness. These are at the top of my list. How about you? Which of these habits do you practice on a regular basis? And what are some rituals you follow that I didn’t mention?
As always, I’d love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below!
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Blessings,
Sheila
