Take Small Steps to Make Big Changes for Your Overall Wellness
What’s the biggest challenge you face when it comes to pursuing a healthier lifestyle? For many in this fast-paced world, it’s a matter of finding time — for exercise, preparing healthy meals, or setting aside time for self-care. That’s why it’s so important to discover wellness rituals that are neither time-consuming nor difficult to implement. It’s also important to keep these rituals as enjoyable as possible so you look forward to them, instead of coming up with excuses to put them off.
Do some stretches to start your day.
Stretching should be a part of any exercise regimen, but even if you can’t fit in a full workout, you should still set aside a little time for stretching and bending. This is a great way to start your day because it will get the blood flowing into your muscles, giving you increased energy and decreased stress. Stretching first thing in the morning can help reduce the chance of injury or strain throughout the day. Over time, repeated stretching will improve your muscle tone, flexibility, and posture. Look for a quick and easy yoga or Pilates routine to get started on stretching, or put together a few beneficial pre-workout stretches.
Hydrate well and regularly.
Unless you are actively exercising and sweating, it can be easy to forget to hydrate. You know when you’re overheated and need water and electrolytes to prevent acute dehydration, but it’s possible to be chronically dehydrated without even knowing it. If you regularly suffer from headaches, muscle aches, and fatigue, you may not be getting enough water on a daily basis. Another common sign of dehydration is feeling hungry, but not being satisfied by food. This is a sign that your body is actually craving fluids. If it’s hard to force yourself to consume enough water, try more interesting hydrating beverages such as lemon water, coconut water, or herbal teas.
Care for your skin.
A good skincare regimen will help you feel better and look more rejuvenated — and a good skincare regimen starts from the inside out. Yes, exfoliating rubs and hydrating creams can look and feel great, but the best benefits for your skin will often be from what you consume. For great-looking, healthy skin, avoid sugars and processed foods and make sure you’re getting plenty of vitamins, minerals, and good proteins. One of the most important proteins for skin health is collagen, which keeps your skin looking full and plump, not saggy or wrinkly. Adding collagen powder to your smoothie or morning coffee can make an enormous difference for the health of your skin, so consider trying some of the collagen crushes from Crushed Tonic.
Prioritize mental wellness.
If you find that it’s difficult to pursue physical health rituals, ask yourself whether you’re holding onto unhelpful habits as a way of dealing with stress or anxiety. See if you can pinpoint what in your life is causing you to feel anxious, dissatisfied, or disengaged. For instance, if your job is weighing you down and offering no fulfillment, is it possible to make a career switch? You might be able to train for a new profession or even pursue an online degree which will enhance your business know-how and enable you to step into a new and more exciting stage of your life. Or, if you are feeling trapped and isolated, consider whether you might want to move to a new area with greater opportunities and better challenges. Of course, if you are feeling really weighed down with anxiety or depression, it’s important to consult a mental health expert.
Once you can make small changes in your day-to-day, you will find you can build on them over time. Increased wellness will enhance your vitality and give you the impetus to incorporate more healthy choices into your lifestyle. Start small and see where your first steps might take you!
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Written by Vanessa Holwell
