Taking care of your body involves a combination of physical activity, social engagement, and mental well-being. Here are five ways to nurture your body in a holistic way and feel your best. These are my favorite ways to feel good and stay healthy. I hope you enjoy the read and feel inspired for your own lifestyle journey.
Regular Walking:
Daily Routine: Incorporate daily walks into your routine. Aim for at least 30 minutes of brisk walking each day, which can help improve cardiovascular health, maintain a healthy weight, and what I feel the most - boost mood.
Nature Walks: Whenever possible, I will choose scenic routes or nature trails for walks. Nature provides a calming and rejuvenating experience, reducing stress and promoting mental well-being. Here's a blog that we wrote about improving your daily walk >>.
Walking Groups: Join a walking group or create a habit with a friend or family member to walk regularly. Schedule it and keep each other accountable. A local walking group will help you meet your community and you may even find like-minded individuals to become friends with. Walking with others can make it more enjoyable and provide social interaction. I love scheduling walking dates with my friends, it’s a great way to catch up and feel connected.
Cultivating Friendships:
Stay Connected: Make an effort to stay in touch with friends regularly. All relationships require effort and work, strong social connections are essential for emotional well-being and can provide a strong support system.
Quality Time: Spend quality time with your friends, whether it's through phone calls, video chats, or in-person fun times. Engaging in social situations can boost your mood and reduce feelings of loneliness. I love going to concerts with my friends, walking together (you know that already), making meals together and of course meeting up for happy hour occasionally.
Plan Activities: Organize outings or activities with your friends, like picnics, hikes, concerts, or group workouts. These shared experiences can strengthen your friendships while promoting physical health.
Reading for Mental Stimulation:
Regular Reading: Dedicate time each day for reading. Whether it's fiction, non-fiction, or magazines, reading engages your mind and promotes mental agility. When I read before bedtime I sleep better, period.
Variety of Topics: Explore a variety of subjects and genres. Reading diverse material can broaden your knowledge, stimulate creativity, and enhance critical thinking. I find myself oscillating between educational materials on yoga, cooking, marketing or essential oils and healthy living, to fictional stories or novels. I often get so lost in a novel that I will finish a good book in a few days.
Book Clubs: Consider joining a book club to combine your love of reading with social interaction. Discussing books with others can lead to engaging conversations and new perspectives. I started enjoying audio books during the lock-down portions of the Covid-19 pandemic. Audio books are too easy and there’s a lot of times when I’m busy tasking and can allow my mind to get lost in the story. We’ll call this a ‘Covid win’. There’s a Book of the Month club that I joined over a year ago and while I have a few books to read to catch up on the monthly arrivals, I love it! Always something available and new to me, I really love reading.
Meditation for Mental Health: Sit with your thoughts each day. The amount of time that you meditate is not crucial to your success. As little as 10 minutes a day is beneficial, >>here's some more details if you're ready try meditation.
Balanced Nutrition:
Mindful Eating: Pay attention to your diet by consuming and determining the balance of foods you need to feel your best. We all know that the human body performs its best when fed a balanced and nutritious mix of foods that are plant-based and whole. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean-green proteins, and healthy fats supports your overall health and well-being. Giving up meat was the best decision that my 15 year old self made. Cooking vegan has been a wonderful journey and allowed me to explore food combinations from so many different cultures. If you’re bored eating vegan, you need to watch more vegetarian cooking shows - get inspired to experiment in your kitchen! I love learning from a good cooking show, my favorite vegan YouTube chef lately is Yeung Man, check out his website https://yeungmancooking.com/
Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay properly hydrated. Hydration is essential for most of our bodily functions and can boost your energy levels and help you feel your best. Some people might say that I drink a ridiculous amount of water in a day, around 120 oz. of pure water and then all of the other delicious beverages too. Love my coffee, herbal teas and beer and wine too!
Prioritize Sleep:
Quality Sleep: Ensure you get enough quality sleep each night. Most of us will feel good after 6-9 hours of uninterrupted rest. Sleep helps support physical and mental recovery, so do what you can to make this a priority for yourself and your family. My sleep needs continue to change over the course of my life. In my 30s, I needed 5-7 hours of sleep per night; 40s, varied from 7 hours to 11 hours per night. Now, I feel like I could sleep for 11 hours per night, but who has the time for that?!? Figure out what sleep schedule works best for you and sweet dreams.
Sleep Hygiene: Establish a calming bedtime routine, create a comfortable sleep environment, and limit screen time before bed to improve your sleep quality. Here’s some more ways to get the best night's sleep possible. Change your pillowcases often to prevent acne breakouts, especially if your fur family gets into bed with you.
Remember that taking care of your body involves a holistic approach that considers physical, social, and mental well-being. By incorporating regular physical activity, nurturing friendships, and engaging in educational and cerebral activities like reading and meditation, you can promote a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle.
Please share in the comments your top 5 ways to take care of your body. We learn and grow together. xo, Christine
Comments