As the new year approaches, you’re ready for a lifestyle change. You want to take all of the necessary actions to improve your overall health, but you’re struggling with where to start. You’re not alone if you’re feeling overwhelmed at the beginning of this journey. The important thing is that you’re taking the first step through learning lifestyle changes that will change your life for the better. If you’re ready to commit to a better quality of life, then here are some tips and ideas that will undoubtedly improve your mental and physical health.
Get your mental health in check.
Let’s face it, your mental health affects every aspect of your physical health. Stress manifests differently in everyone. For example, some are struggling with an anxiety disorder and some are wondering how to get through a midlife crisis. No matter the reason, if you’ve been struggling with extra stress lately, reach out for help.
When you’re constantly stressed and anxious, your body sends out extra cortisol. This excess cortisol and stress aren’t good for your body. An over-production of this stress hormone wreaks havoc on more than your mental well being. It actually causes physical symptoms like headaches, high blood pressure, sleep problems, and even a weakened immune system. Since you can’t completely stop stress and anxiety, you need to find ways to manage them. Reach out to a mental health professional to work through these feelings. This way, you’ll discover effective coping strategies so that you’ll handle stress in a healthy way that doesn’t negatively affect your health.
Don’t neglect the doctor.
Another integral part of your health is having frequent checkups with your physician. To stay on top of any potential medical issues or medications you may need for your body’s health, you need to maintain proper visits with healthcare professionals. Due to COVID-19, you might need to consider getting a prescription through telemedicine appointments.
As long as you have a doctor who’s available via telemedicine services with a webcam or screen, you should be able to visit virtually to get the diagnosis and medications you may need. If you’re prioritizing your health, then neglecting appointments isn’t a great idea. Stay on top of your health with the help of your physician’s guidance so that you’re in optimal shape for your new lifestyle.
Focus on your diet.
One of the most important aspects of sustaining a healthy lifestyle is your diet. There’s the saying “you are what you eat.” This saying holds some truth because what you put into your body directly affects your health. For example, consuming a diet of highly processed foods without much nutritional value isn’t very good for your health. Instead, a diet that champions whole foods with lots of antioxidants and nutritional value is better. If you’re trying to incorporate nutrient intake, consider transitioning to veganism.
A common misconception is that a vegan diet is just loads of fruits and vegetables. Though these highly nutritional food groups are a large part of this diet along with nuts, seeds, grains, and legumes, scientific research shows that a plant-based diet is a great tool to lose weight, lessen the risk of heart disease, and even fight off some cancers. With these incredible factors in mind, it’s a great idea to consider committing to this diet change to reap the benefits for years to come.
Maintain an active lifestyle.
If exercise isn’t a part of your current lifestyle, it’s time for that to change. What’s great is that you can choose which type of exercise is best for you. The options are limitless. Choose to go for walks with your dog, commit to yoga classes, or complete strength training exercises from home. If the changing seasons stop you from exercising year-round, consider a move to somewhere warmer where you’re able to exercise outdoors all year long. This lovely weather is just one of the great reasons to move to Florida.
When the weather is nice, you’re able to go outside every day for your exercise intake. Plus, if you live in a coastal part of Florida, you might as well enjoy your walk or jog across the beach for a beautiful motivational scene. This move might just be the biggest lifestyle change that you need to get outside and live an active life. In turn, you’ll improve your physical health in the process.
Prioritize bedtime.
The final lifestyle factor that needs your attention is sleep. Getting high-quality sleep every night is like laying the groundwork for your day. When you get good sleep, your body is prepped to take on whatever you need. On top of prepping you for any physical activity throughout your day, sleep also plays a role in regulating your emotional wellbeing too. For most adults, you need anywhere from seven to nine hours of sleep every night. If you find it challenging to achieve these hours of sleep, try creating a bedtime routine for yourself.
To create a bedtime routine, you must find additions that work for your lifestyle. As an example, try adding reading before bed instead of screen time. Alternatively, you could experiment with showering before bed to invoke a certain coziness and level of relaxation before heading off to sleep. Another idea is to invest in comfy sleepwear. Opt for whichever kind of sleepwear makes you feel the most relaxed and ready for bed. For example, choose a warm fleece set of pajamas, or try out sleep shirt nightgowns for a lighter choice. At the end of the day, focusing on getting the sleep you need is an integral part of living a healthy lifestyle.
It’s important to remember that these lifestyle changes are a big commitment because you’re investing your time and efforts into caring for all aspects of your health. By combining all of these factors like your mental health, medical health, diet, activity, and sleep quality, you’re working towards achieving overall holistic wellness. By doing so, you’re choosing the best quality of life for yourself in the long run.