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A special thank you to Sheila Olson of FitSheila.com for sharing this article!
Are You Ready for a Healthier You?
Many people are overwhelmed by the idea of making healthier lifestyle changes. This is completely understandable. Getting up off the couch for a workout can take all of your willpower! The good news is that you don’t have to overhaul your lifestyle to live healthier. Taking small, approachable steps towards wellness can have a big impact on your overall welling.
Over time, these small actions will develop into automatic habits, and you’ll notice a significant improvement in your wellbeing. In this article, we’ll explore a few simple actions you can take to become a healthier version of yourself!
Be Proactive About Your Health
The traditional medical system is designed around addressing and treating illness rather than prevention. This reactive approach to health doesn’t stop people from getting sick. Focusing your personal health efforts on proactive care can help you avoid chronic illnesses and reduce your reliance on the medical system. This is one reason to reevaluate your lifestyle habits. Visiting a naturopath is another great way to be proactive about your health. Rather than strictly treating the symptoms of disease, holistic naturopathic doctors aim to keep their patients healthy by treating the mind, body, and spirit as a whole.
Make Time for Skin Care
Real Simple points out that your skin changes as you get older, and so should your skincare routine. The products that worked when you were in your 20s might not cut it anymore. Adjusting your skincare routine through the years will help you reduce the effects of aging and avoid sun damage, so you can avoid problems with fine lines, firmness, dullness, and pigmentation as much as possible.
If you suffer from psoriasis, try different ways to treat your symptoms until you find what works for you. Topical medications, UV light therapy, and oral medication may be helpful. Of course, a healthy lifestyle will also go a long way towards managing skin conditions and maintaining skin health!
Walk More Often
Spending too much time sitting is one of the most overlooked health hazards in our society. Our bodies were not designed to remain sedentary for most of the day. According to The One Brief, people who sit for more than 6 hours a day are more likely to die prematurely than people who are active. Sitting for too long has been linked to obesity, diabetes, chronic pain, muscle degeneration, and cardiovascular disease. Fortunately, the solution is simple—walk around more often!
Related: Health Benefits of Hiking & Walking
Stretch Your Body and Reduce Stress
We can all stand to do a little more stretching. Stretching will keep your muscles strong, flexible, and healthy as you age. Regular stretching will also improve your range of motion, increase blood flow throughout your body, improve your posture, alleviate back pain, and reduce stress! Stretching is perhaps one of the easiest forms of exercise to commit to. Aim to spend 5 to 10 minutes stretching every day, focusing on areas of your body involved in mobility. On days that you exercise, warm up with at least 5 minutes of dynamic stretching and cool down with at least 5 minutes of static stretching.
Related: Benefits & Types of Yoga
Another way to reduce stress is to replace negative energy with positive in your home. You may not even be aware that certain things like clutter and disorganization play a big role in the stress felt during your hours spent at home, a place that should be welcoming and relaxing. So be intentional about decluttering, and let as much natural light in as possible. You can also incorporate some Mother Nature in the form of houseplants, which are effective in purifying the air. And if you’re experiencing a lot of stress at the workplace, get strategic on how to reduce it. Simple steps like embracing repetitive, mundane tasks go a long way toward making the workday pass more smoothly.
Combat Eye Strain
Eye strain is a common problem among people who work at the computer for a living. In fact, anyone spending more than 2 hours focusing on computers or other digital devices can face problems with tired, dry eyes. Take steps to ease eye strain and protect your vision. For example, try following the 20-20-20 rule when working at your computer. Every 20 minutes, look away from the screen for at least 20 seconds and focus on something that is at least 20 feet away. Also, try to be mindful about blinking regularly to keep your eyes moisturized.
Conclusion
Improving your health doesn’t have to involve some big commitment or lofty goal. The key to developing habits that stick is to approach them slowly. Start by making small tweaks to your daily routine, integrating simple habits that align with your health goals, until you feel ready to take the next step.
Related: Common Fitness Ruts and How to Break Them
Are you looking for holistic health advice? Wild Wife Wellness offers nutrition and dietary support, and information on herbal remedies, stress management, and more! Reach out to Carla today!