I have been a health conscious person my entire life. I wouldn’t say it was all a “healthy” journey. However, I’ve been body conscious as long as I can remember, mainly because I’m a highly intuitive and observant person. My mother has always been a healthy person >> exercising and watching what she ate. I was never in a situation where comments were made about my weight >> in fact, I would say my mother did an excellent job at building my siblings and I up, and supporting us in the best moments and those awkward pre-pubescent times (YIKES!). I learned through her example, that it took work and discipline to feel good physically. Sometimes, I would take that to an extreme with over exercising or saying no to food because of the time even if I were hungry > insert, unhealthy part here<. I’ve learned over the years what has truly helped me maintain a pretty healthy body (not perfect), and what tips have become a lifestyle for achieving physical wellness.
Physical wellness has been a catalyst for my mental health, which is why it has been a priority in my day to day life. I’ve dealt with OCD, anxiety, and depression, which I’m very open about because it helps to connect with others dealing with similar struggles. I learned quickly, that I could mitigate many of my feelings, hormones, and attitude with what I ate and exercise.
Here are my top tips for physical wellness:
1 – EATING >> Eating is the BIGGEST thing that effects your physical well-being >>> SHOCKER! The greatest tip I’ve used for eating the right foods is one simple mantra :: DID GOD MAKE THIS? By and large, I eat items that are not processed, which is a HUGE factor in our body response to what we eat. Using this tip truly eliminates many not so good food groups, and if God created it, my body can use it. I still give in to sweets, but I limit the amount. I try to stick to a 90/10 rule, and I only focus on things one day at a time. I don’t try to restrict myself, which really helps me from just throwing in the towel and giving in to all the bad stuff. Water is key as well, many times we are thirsty, not hungry.
2 – MEAL PREPPING >> Keep it simple! I am not going to teach you how to meal plan because I am not a meal planner > EEEK! However, there are GREAT resources for that sort of thing, like https://deliciouslyorganic.net. One thing I want to mention about meal prepping or deciding what to eat is, CHOICES! When going grocery shopping, don’t buy the bad things. Stay on the outside perimeter, and buy “live” food. Eliminating the option for unhealthy food (processed junk) in the house, really helps take away temptations. Use these 5 simple tips for maintaining healthy habits.
Also, buy ORGANIC! Get rid of all the chemical, pesticides, and additives in food that can gunk up our body and make it more difficult to process the food.
3 – PHYSICAL ACTIVITY >> This has to become a lifestyle. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the options, the time commitment, and the shear physical stress it takes to exercise. But, I’m here to set that mindset FREE! Physical activity can encompass a thousand options. Not all of us are going to train for 2 hours per day, join Crossfit competitions, or run the Boston Marathon. And here is the beauty >>> you don’t have to do that to be physically fit. You can absolutely have a strong, fit body by doing simple workouts in your bedroom, going on walks, and using simple weights. In addition, there are countless apps, books, youtube videos, and programs that offer easy to follow routines. Make it a habit for 30 minutes a day!
4 – REST >> God created a day of rest for a reason. Our bodies require re-charging everyday, SLEEP! So, we have to be aware of our limitations, and give our bodies and minds a time to rest and be still. This allows our body to repair, and fight any adverse situation. At some point, your body will completely give out if not taken care of. Picture the marathon runners whose legs buckle and they can’t move simply from pure exhaustion. This also means saying “no” to obligations. Saying no is a powerful tool in keeping balance, and creating an environment for your life that isn’t overly taxing. There are always going to be ups and downs, so we have to recognize when we need to put ourselves as priority to be the best we can be.
5 – Balance >> The ties in a little bit to what I mentioned above. Work-life balance I don’t think really can be achieved, but it should be pursued. If you don’t “work” in the traditional sense, this still applies to you because it encompasses balancing all parts of life >>> mental, spiritual, physical, family, friends, passions, etc.
Our mental health absolutely changes our physical health. The power of our mind is alarmingly strong in how we live. We shouldn’t be too focused on one area of our lives. We are multi-faceted, and that means we have to be growing and giving attention to all areas to really be enjoying ourselves.
If one area is more difficult to handle, and its the main focus of your life, the adverse stress is going to pose a much larger issue.
BONUS TIP >> Chemical free living!!!!!!!!!! If I could use a bazillion exclamation points, I would right here. Our environment is DIRECTLY tied to our health. This includes products we use on/in our bodies too. We have to be diligent to learn what we are using in our homes and on our bodies. Chemicals are in EVERYTHING we use, unless you have been diligent to live organically. People have DRASTICALLY shifted their health by getting rid of all the toxins that they eat, wear, and use. There are synthetic ingredients that have been marked as CANCER causing, along with neurological conditions, immunity issues, and even infertility. You can read more here about how we have addressed this area of our lives. I will do a post on this specifically soon!
These tips will help you live a more joyful life because when you physically feel well, you mentally feel good too. Mental and physical wellness are key ingredients to having a fulfilling life.
What are your best life hacks? SHARE THEM IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!
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