"Are you stuck in a rut? Not feeling quite like yourself? Or maybe you feel a general sense of being unwell. When it comes to feeling healthy, we need to consider the physical, mental, and social aspects of our lives. Yes, Iâm talking about looking at the whole picture.
So, where do we start?
Over the years, Iâve learned some super effective hacks that can greatly improve your health and sense of wellbeing. While I can’t take away the ongoing stress of the pandemic, if you are ready for some approachable ways to bust out of that funk and start feeling better, then read on.
1. Drink more water
Being dehydrated can negatively impact everything from your mental focus to energy and metabolism. One trick I use to stay hydrated is to keep a 1-liter water bottle on-the-go and aim to drink at least two per day. Having a 1-liter bottle makes it much easier to track water consumption, compared to having a glass here and there, hoping you are getting enough.
2. Schedule workouts
Working up a good sweat releases endorphins, which can turn even the worst of moods around. But the hard part is getting started! The best way to make sure your workouts actually happen is to schedule them into your calendar. Make a consistent, non-negotiable date with yourself and keep it.
To really get that booty in gear, sign up for longer fitness programs, like an eight-week virtual bootcamp. These run on a schedule, which will allow you to plan ahead and ensure you fit in a workout instead of leaving it up to a time that is convenient (and then making excuses to not follow through).
3. Go to bed earlier
Did you know not getting enough sleep leads to junk food cravings? Donât make things harder on yourself! Instead of staying up late to binge-watch Netflix, develop a bedtime ritual that actually serves you. Try avoiding screens like your phone and the TV at least an hour before bed. Use this time to integrate self-care practices like meditation, journalling, a bath, or a calming skin-care routine. Know how many hours of sleep you need to function at your best.
Source: Social Squares
4. Dry brush your skin
Dry skin brushing is an incredible daily health-boosting practice to work into either your morning or evening routine. Not only does it smooth, exfoliate, and detoxify your skin, but also supports the lymphatic system, increases energy, reduces cellulite, and improves blood flow. All you need is a brush with firm bristles and a handle.
Hereâs how to do it: start at your feet and work upwards. Brush towards your heart with long, smooth strokes. Take your time and invest about five minutes into this practice. Youâll feel like a million bucks when you are finished!
5. Make a meal plan
When you set aside a few minutes at the start of the week to create a healthy meal plan, you set yourself up to feel incredible. If you are new to meal planning, start small. Even if you only prepare one healthy meal and snack at the beginning of the week, it will help save you from unnecessary spending and making poor food choices. Not so savvy in the kitchen? Try a meal delivery service. They do cost significantly more than buying your own groceries but are usually cheaper and healthier than eating out every meal.
6. Eat more greens
One of the best things you can do for your health is to eat more greens! Whether itâs spinach, kale, swiss chard, arugula, broccoli, or bok choyâit is pure life. Your skin will thank you. Your mood will thank you. Your digestion will thank you. Every single thing will thank you when you eat more greens. Opt for a salad instead of fries, or ask for extra vegetables in replace of potatoes. If you are cooking at home, select recipes full of greens that inspire you, and ones that you will actually be excited to eat.
7. Eat more healthy fats
Upping your fat consumption can help fight depression, improve your cognitive function, strengthen your bones and decrease your risk of disease (just to name a few). My favorite healthy fat sources are avocado, eggs, olive oil, coconut oil, fish, and nut butters.
8. Up your fiber intake
How does your house smell when you forget to take the trash out for a few days? This is exactly how your body feels when you, ahem, forget to take your own trash out. Fiber is imperative to keep things moving along our digestive tract and into âelimination station.â Up your fiber intake with things like ground flaxseed, beans, raspberries, almonds, and kale.
9. Drink a smoothie
Smoothies are the best way to quickly get your fill of all the important nutrients like greens, fat, and fiber. Try swapping out one meal or snack per day with a smoothie. Breakfast is a great smoothie meal as it can be made in minutes and can travel on-the-go. You can even make âsmoothie packsâ in advance to save you even more time. Portion out all the ingredients into containers or ziplock bags, dump into the blender, and add liquid when you are ready to enjoy.
Source: Social Squares
10. Take 5 minutes to de-stress
Yes, just five minutes. It can make a world of difference. Try developing a meditation practiceâall you need is a quiet place and a chair or floor. Minimize distractions, get comfortable, and sit quietly for five minutes. Focus on your breath and breath slowly in and out of your nose. When your mind begins to wander, bring your focus back to your breath.
Not so into meditation? No problem. Try taking a one-minute nap or simply dishing out an act of kindness. Here are some other easy, practical ways you can de-stress in minutes at no cost!
11. Get outside
Guys, âforest bathingâ is actually a thing. Being in nature improves your mental health so instead of sitting at your desk for lunch, reap the benefits of getting outside. Most cities and towns have at least one green space, whether itâs a park or trails. Even getting outside for a quick 15 minute walk around the block to get some fresh air does wonders. And hey, if you really want to maximize your forest bathing experience, safely plan a camping weekend to explore a national park.
12. Practice gratitude
Being grateful forces you to shift your focus from the bad to the good and wonderful. Gratitude has been scientifically-proven to improve relationships, self-esteem, mental health, and even sleep. A gratitude practice can change your life. Get started by committing to a consistent time (like during your bedtime ritual). Cozy up with a pen and paper, or even a gratitude journal. Think, âI am grateful forâŠâ and just start writing. Let it flow. Depending on the day, you may not be able to think of anything right away, so give it time. Keep this going day-after-day and youâll find a lot of negative emotions like fear, anxiety, anger, and depression become harder to feel when you are practicing gratitude.
13. Smile often!
A smile can improve your mood and reduce stress. So, turn the corners of your mouth upward, even if you donât mean it. Only good things can ensue!
14. Sit up straight
When we feel tired and depressed, our shoulders tend to curl inward, our spines round out, and we basically collapse into ourselves. Sitting up straight can instantly improve confidence, open lungs for more energy, and boost your mood. Ready, set, posture check!
15. Detox your home
We are exposed to many toxins on a daily basis and many of them we have no control over. But what we can control are the toxins that come into our own homes. Start small to detoxify your home and work your way up. Some easy first steps are to leave the windows open as much as possible for better ventilation. Replace beauty products with less toxic and chemical-free options. Use glass instead of plastic where possible and filter your water. Another easy and super efficient way to eliminate toxins is to switch from your standard household cleaners to environmentally-friendly versions. Try easily DIY-ing toxic-free cleaners at home.
Source: Social Squares
16. Connect with a friend
Sometimes when the going gets tough, you need a friend. Thereâs truly nothing like a good chat with a friend to reduce stress and increase our feeling of belonging. Make it a priority to connect with at least one friend this week with a phone call, Zoom date, or even just a quick text.
17. Eat without distractions
We are all guilty of sitting in front of the TV or mindlessly tapping on our phone as we eat. But eliminating distractions and instead being mindful when we eat has been shown to reduce overeating, promote weight loss, and reduce anxiety.
18. Volunteer your time (or money)
Ghandi once said, âThe best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.â It’s easy and natural to get caught up in our own problems. The best way to turn this around is to focus on helping others whether that’s safely volunteering in-person (with a mask!) or by making a monetary donation to an important cause.
19. Wash hands and floss teeth
We all know the importance of washing your hands nowadaysâhopefully, you’re doing it often and using hand sanitizer when soap and water aren’t availableâbut how regularly are you flossing your teeth? Keeping your gums clean will not only help you avoid bad breath but also helps you avoid heart disease. The American Dental Association recommends we floss once per day to remove plaque that isnât eliminated by brushing.
20. Read labels
Food manufacturers tend to sneak sugar, chemicals, and fillers into our food, which we definitely donât need. Take control. Less is more when it comes to ingredients so read labels to ensure you are putting premium fuel into your body!
This article was originally published on The Everygirl on July 12, 2017 and first published on The Everymom on March 9, 2019. It has been updated for timeliness.Â
What do you do every day to feel your best? Let us know in the comments below!Â