Actionable Steps To Better Health: Mind, Body & Soul
As you search for the word “health”, Google or any other search engine spits out a very wide range of diets, exercise routines, detox programs, super foods, weight loss products and everything in-between. Nowadays, there is so much information on this topic that it is easy to get lost even before getting started.
However, health is more than eating healthy and working out. In fact, it is a complex and dynamic concept that, according to World Health Organisation, covers physical, mental and social wellbeing, and not only absence of disease. Health is an ongoing personal exploration filled with captivating and life changing insights, rather than a given destination. It is a vehicle that carries you through bumps and turns of life, and it is important to enjoy the ride.
Small Steps Forward
When embarking on a personal health adventure, many of us have a certain goal in mind: loosing weight, battling a specific condition, getting in shape for the upcoming birthday - you name it. Yet, true health is beyond a deadline - it is a way of living, a process of healing, the choices we make. So instead of implementing radical changes to your nutrition and lifestyle, as well as striving for perfection, as you explore your health journey we encourage you to focus on taking small steps forward. Small steps are attainable and allow you to easily identify the things that are working for you and the things that are not. Over time, they add up and lead to lasting change.
Health Is Multidimensional
While eating nutritiously rich foods, drinking enough water, exercising and nurturing your body from within are important pillars of health, this topic is not limited to only what we find on the plate in front of us. There are many dimensions of our lives that affect our health condition off the plate, just as much as the food we consume. Relationships, mental wellbeing, career, spirituality and social life are essential forms of nourishment that can satisfy our hunger for life.
Change Is Created In The Daily Routines
To kick off your personal journey toward lasting health and happiness, explore the following tips and ritual ideas for your body, mind and soul (that perhaps differ from what you have tried before) below. Discover what works best for you by implementing a few of the suggested habits into your lifestyle and have fun along your unique health journey.
Better Eating Habits
Slow down. Taking your time when consuming a meal supports digestion and mindfulness.
Fill up the veggies. When building your meals, put vegetables on your plate first, and aim to do so for at least two meals a day to increase your vegetable intake.
Invest in a water bottle. If you always carry a water bottle with you, you are more likely to drink more water throughout the day.
Prioritise Relationships
Listen carefully. Give people your full attention and practice listening more than you speak.
Share your experience. At the end of each day, connect to someone close to you and spend a few minutes exchanging stories about your days.
Offer your help. Whether it is volunteering or holding the door for someone, aim to help at least one person each day. Even small acts of help and kindness are significant.
Indulge In Self-Care
Prioritise sleep. Getting enough sleep is essential to our body’s ability to function properly. Make it a goal to get approx. 7 hours of sleep each night and stick to it.
Arrange for me-time. Embrace quiet time alone that is often necessary to relax and recharge. Put on a face mask, make yourself a cup of tea and indulge in the moment.
Take up a hobby. Self-care is not only about nourishing your body, it is also about nourishing your soul by doing something that brings you joy and a sense of fulfilment.
Positive Mindset
Laugh and love. Challenge yourself not to take yourself too seriously, choose humorous activities, and spend more time with people who make you laugh.
Replace “have to” with “get to”. When negative self-talk arises, flip the “have to do something” to “get to do this.” Choose to empower yourself and appreciate the magic of being on the journey of life, rather than put yourself down.
Practice affirmations. Write down an empowering statement and put
it where you’ll see it every day.
Get Your Body Moving
Squeeze it in. Look for small opportunities to fit more movement into your day. Take the stairs rather
than the elevator, get off the bus or subway one stop early, or park farther away from your destination.Go for a daily walk. Aim to walk at least 20 minutes a day. Keep the goal easy in order to achieve it, then increase it when you’re ready.
Try something new. Challenge yourself to try a new class at your fitness studio or perhaps a whole new way of exercising. Or even better - sign up for the new activity with a friend to keep you company and have quality time together.
The Bottom Line
Remember, health is a vehicle and not a destination. It is about progress, rather than perfection. Celebrate your achievements (even the small ones) and always focus on all the things you are doing to create a healthier and happier life for yourself, instead of beting yourself up for everything you think you should be doing or doing wrong. As with everything in life, learn from the journey, experiment and find out which way of eating, exercising works for you, yet most importantly - find out what makes you happy and nourishes your soul off the plate too.