We all know the importance of drinking enough water and getting enough sleep. However, with work and a fast-paced lifestyle, do we really apply these healthy habits to our everyday lives? Most likely not.
From diet changes to unique ways to spend some “me” time, here are some ways to maintain a healthy mind. Keeping healthy on the inside quickly reflects on the outside as well, so you might just get some glowing skin and an energy boost as a bonus!
Cut out the bad foods
Do your body some good and remove sugars, processed foods, fried food, alcohol, and salt.
By eliminating sugars, caffeine, processed foods, and alcohol from your diet, you can stabilize your mood and start feeling better from the inside out.
While cutting out these foods is a difficult task, even lowering your intake can significantly reduce anxiety and result in noticeable changes in your body and overall mood.
Sleep
8 hours of sleep seems to be a standard. However, each person’s needs are unique to themselves. While some people may feel exhausted even after 12 hours of sleep, some only require 5 hours to take on the day.
If you struggle with falling asleep early, try going to bed 10 minutes earlier each day until you reach your desired bedtime. The earlier you turn those electronics off and shut your eyes, the more hours of precious sleep you can sneak in.
Wake up to something you love
Let’s admit it; no one adores getting out of bed in the morning. It’s warm, it’s cozy, and it’s your favorite place to be… but if you do your favorite thing first thing in the morning, you’ll actually want to get out of bed.
Scrolling through Instagram, listening to music, dancing, taking a hot shower, going for a run with your dog, journaling, or making breakfast recipe you discovered on Pinterest are exciting things that will make you want to get out bed!
Exercise
Our schedules get hectic, but it’s super important to get our bodies moving. Choosing the stairs over the elevator will not only get you to your destination faster, but also reduce your stress levels, increase oxygen to the brain, and get more blood flowing to the heart.
Whether you prefer a gentle yoga session, a walk in the park, or a boot camp group class, everything counts. Healthy body = healthy mind. As for the “which exercises can I do in bed?” crowd, even some light stretching can be beneficial in the long-run. Stretching is extremely important for muscles as it keeps them strong and healthy.
Self-care
We see it all on Snapchat stories and Instagram posts: Charcoal face masks, fizzy bubble bars, avocado hair masks, and exfoliating body brushes are all things we either secretly wanted to try or already have enjoyed.
Dedicating a little bit of time each day to ourselves is essential for self-respect, stress reduction, and happiness. So go splurge on that bath bomb and get in the bathtub–you deserve it!
Pick up a new hobby
Starting meditating, volunteering, a new sport, cooking, crafting, adult coloring books, karaoke nights, visiting museums, and creating DIY projects are only 10 of the thousands of things you can begin today! In a large city like New York, the possibilities are endless. Whatever it is that grabs your attention is worth a shot.
Tidy up
Don’t blame the schedule for a messy room. By spending just 15 minutes every night to tackle a different area, you won’t need to take an entire Sunday to get on top again. Whether it’s organizing your desk, changing bed sheets, cleaning out drawers, folding laundry, wiping down all surfaces, vacuuming, mopping, taking out the trash, or re-arranging under your kitchen sink, a task a day will make you feel in control and accomplished.
[Feature Image Courtesy Via Chris Goldberg]