Introduction
From all the neo-contemporary treatments to multivitamins throughout the days, humans are doing everything to keep a healthy body. Whether it is the post-pandemic panic that hit almost the entire world or the healthy trend, everyone is jumping the healthy train now.
However, the truth is one doesn’t need to spend thousands to keep a healthy body. This is the era of less being more unless we are talking about hydration and rest. Fewer products and minimalism are the new “it” terms.
The same goes for your healthcare expedition. It doesn’t really take much to ensure a healthy mind. You have to prioritize your health over others at times, maintain a routine, and learn to say ‘no.’
In this excerpt below, we will be elaborating on these more.
Improving Your Health
Before you start improving your health, first acknowledge that your health requires improvement. Here are some of the tell-tale signs that you have been keeping your health in the backseat for quite some time.
- Inability to fall asleep at night.
- Sudden cramping or pain in the body.
- Falling sick more often.
- Loss of appetite.
- Short, breathless after a short walk.
If you are dealing with any of these symptoms, it might be time to take a step back and improve your health in the following ways.
1. Hydration Is a Must
If plain boring water is why you forget to drink (unless absolutely thirsty), start with refreshments like cucumber water, fruit juices, or even electrolyte water (post-workout or low blood pressure). However, keep hydration as a must in your health improvement list.
Especially if you deal with headaches in the morning or fatigue during work, these are subtle signs of dehydration.
2. Start Enjoying A Good Walk
Start getting attuned to nature, and go for long walks, either at the break of dawn or thirty minutes after your dinner. This will help you enjoy some peace and quiet while you are on your walk.
This has two major benefits:
Enjoying quiet nature helps calm one’s mind. It is a great exercise if you are an overthinker.
It will be a good full-body workout if you do not have time to indulge in any other physical activity, especially if you manage to walk for an hour and complete a daily goal of 10000 steps.
So, rather than binging Netflix until you can’t keep your eyes open, why not go for a walk post walk? The shower post-walk also helps with good sleep.
3. Mental Health Is Also Health
Health doesn’t only mean your physical health. Your mental health is also a part of your health improvement journey. In fact, your deteriorating physical health could be an indicator of poor mental well-being.
Start with sharing your mental health concerns with someone close. Getting a second-person perspective can help you realize the problem (the one you have been ignoring for quite some time).
The next step would be looking through counselor profiles and booking a session today. Yes, you can take care of your mental health on your own, but for a novice, professional advice will be more helpful than buying a journal. Afterall, all mental health exercises aren’t fit for every individual.
4. Healthy Is Tasty Too
Stop munching on unfulfilling food items. No matter how good you mentally feel after having a bowl of salads with just greens, the eventual hanger will put a damper on your mood. Also, frequent hunger is a sure sign that your nutrients are incomplete.
Start looking through a more fulfilling menu. Have a fuller breakfast since you are likely to burn it more throughout the day. Fulfill your carb cravings in the morning, and at night have more protein and fibrous food. This will help you feel energized in the morning and clear you from any indigestion.
5. Start Enjoying Hobbies
Your life cannot be work home and repeat. Hobbies are seasoning that you add into your life, and you have to start enjoying your hobbies. Doing something you love rather than something you are obligated to help takes away the pressure of winning. Being an overachiever, we make everything a competition. While it is good professionally, there should be activities which give you solace from the competition.
6. Have Time For “Me Time”
If you do not have time, do take out time. This is different from the time you give to your hobbies. At this hour of the day, you do absolutely nothing. You give your mind rest and help it detangle from all the stressful thoughts throughout the day. For example, taking a warm bath while reading a book or watching a movie, having a glass of wine, and sitting in silence, journaling. These are excellent for keeping your mental health in check. Especially if you have found yourself lashing out, try this ‘me time’ formula for a month.
7. Prioritize Sleep
Do not compromise on sleep to get more work done. You cannot provide quality work without energy and proper sleep. There is indeed a difference between keeping busy and being productive. Try to have at least 6-7 hours of sleep every day. More on the weekends.
8. Start Going For Regular Checkups
Regular doctor, dentist, therapists and gynecologist checkups are a must. Not only for your health and well-being but also to ensure you aren’t ignoring a serious condition. You can read more to find a regular healthcare provider who can help you during emergencies. After the pandemic having a family doctor on the speed dial is a must.
Start Enjoying Life!
It is never too late to start enjoying life like there is no tomorrow; here is what you should do!
Embrace Challenges: See setbacks as opportunities for growth.
Live with Purpose: Set goals and work towards achieving them.
Unplug: Limit screen time and engage in the real world.
Laugh and Have Fun: Embrace humor and find reasons to laugh daily. Remember, enjoying life is a journey; be patient with yourself and make room for self-compassion along the way.
