The days of investing in stocks and bonds are gone. Now, people are investing in themselves! The health and wellness industry is valued at over $4.2 trillion dollars! Between yoga studios and gym memberships to meal plans and holistic healthcare, there are countless ways to adopt a healthier lifestyle. The foundation of this new health and wellness trend is fostering the whole person. That means not only focusing on your physical health but also on your mental, emotional, and spiritual. Think of it as healing yourself from the inside out. Does this sound appealing to you? Continue reading to discover 10 easy ways to invest in yourself and start living your best (healthiest) life.
1. Eat a Colorful, Healthy Diet
The first step in finding the happier, healthier you, is by properly fueling your body. The good news is, most Americans are jumping on the health food bandwagon. While you’ll still find fast food restaurants on every corner and jumbo size popcorn at the movie theaters, more and more health food chains and food options are becoming available. With more people adopting vegan and organic food diets, manufacturers and chain restaurants are recognizing the importance of offering customer-friendly options that cater to every palette. The same goes for the grocery stores, where you’ll find plenty of gluten free and vegan options on the shelf.
Ditch the belief that eating healthy means eating boring. In fact, the opposite is true! Anyone can order up a cheeseburger and fries, but it takes some time, passion, and creativity to craft delicious, healthy, and colorful meals. Plus, it’s fun to visit your local farmer’s market to select fresh, juicy produce. Find some new recipes and experiment in the kitchen. If you don’t have time to cook or prep, there are plenty of meal delivery companies who will gladly deliver everything you need right to your doorstep. If you enjoy cooking, dedicate a day to prepping your meals for the week. Pack them in labeled, to-go containers that are easy to grab. This stops you from grabbing a fast (normally unhealthy) meal on the go. Plus, all those containers stacked neatly in your refrigerator will make you smile!
2. Find Activities You Love
Most people groan and grumble when they hear the word “exercise”. But those are the same people who jump at the chance to go white water rafting, hiking, or paddle boarding. So, why not transform the way you view exercise? Exercise, like eating healthy, doesn’t need to be boring! In fact, when it comes to exercise, you should only do the things you love! If lifting weights isn’t appealing to you, opt for rock climbing instead. Build upper body strength and tone your muscles. Not a fan of sit ups? No problem! Why not go kayaking or paddle boarding with friends? Both of these aquatic activities are great for core strength. One of the best ways to kick the negative stigma surrounding exercise is to think of it more as being physically active instead of a chore.
Another positive mind shift is to stop viewing exercise as a way of punishing your body, but instead a way of loving it! And when you’re eating a healthy diet (like the one mentioned above), you’ll be fueling your strong body with all the things it needs to succeed. And did we mention that being active is awesome for your overall mood? Feeling stressed or anxious? Need an outlet for your emotions? Exercise helps release endorphins, which are “feel good” chemicals that leave you feeling happy and relaxed. No wonder why so many people are dedicated to their workout regime. It’s like free therapy and an instant mood booster!
3. Remove Negativity from Your Life
Nothing brings you down quite like negativity. Some comes from within, while other negativity comes from those around you. Whatever the source, you need to eradicate it from your life. If you’ve already decided to adopt a healthier lifestyle that involves eating right, being active, and being kind to yourself, congratulations! But don’t be surprised if those around you don’t react quite so positively. Often times, people question the things they don’t understand. Are your friends making comments like, “Why are you eating that?” or “What do you mean you have to leave early because you have yoga in the morning?” These are negative opinions that you don’t need clouding your judgment! This doesn’t mean you need to cut every friend out of your life who doesn’t share your passion for health and wellness. But it might mean learning to block out their comments, coming back with your own, or distancing yourself slightly. Chances are, you’ll find new, supportive friends simply by participating in the activities you love.
But, let’s be honest. Not all negativity comes from the outside. Are you internally doubting yourself? Are you guilty of putting yourself down or constantly comparing yourself to others? While this is perfectly normal, it can be detrimental to your success. Positive self-talk and even using positive affirmations is a great way to start building yourself up and putting you on the path to a happier, healthier you.
4. Schedule Regular Check-Ups
Yes, adopting a healthier, happier lifestyle does have a lot to do with the choices you make and your mindset. But it also has to do with your physical health. Regardless of the approach you use, there’s no side-stepping the fact that your health is important. And that means seeing your doctors, dentists, and specialists regularly. Not many people enjoy going to the doctor, but you should enjoy the peace of mind of knowing that you’re in tip-top shape! Regardless of how you’re feeling, be sure to schedule your annual check-ups for both your doctor and dentist. Depending on your current state of health, you may also have a specialist (or a few) that you need to see. It’s also important to get routine checks and diagnostic testing depending on your age.
There are certain procedures that are required at a certain age like mammograms for women and prostate exams for men. Don’t neglect these, regardless of your fear or apprehension. Early detection is key in terms of finding a treatment plan if there is an issue. Don’t neglect your oral health, either! Some people don’t realize the importance of dental hygiene. Your dentist will use dental tools and special cleaners to remove built on tartar that could lead to some serious health complications. So, while brushing and flossing are extremely important (and required), don’t neglect your annual cleanings!
5. Put Yourself First
From a very young age we’re taught not to be selfish. You’re encouraged to share with your friends and perform random acts of kindness. And while all of these things are extremely important, they can quickly become a detriment to our own health and well-being. There’s a fine line between helping and supporting others and putting yourself at risk of burnout. Are you constantly putting yourself last? Do you put the needs and happiness of others before yourself? This is natural for selfless people. This is especially true if you’re a parent — or more specifically, a mother. It’s almost in your DNA to be completely selfless and always put your children first. And while in many cases, this may be true, it’s also important to take care of yourself — both mentally and physically.
This is the same burden felt by self-proclaimed workaholics. Whether it’s the greed of money, allure of a promotion, or simply the inability to say no, certain people can’t help but overwork themselves. Some to the point of illness! No job is worth that. If you’re feeling completely exhausted, worn out, and run down, it’s time to take a break! Whether you choose to take time off and go on vacation or simply cut back on your hours, you need to enter self-preservation mode. Pushing your body past safe, healthy limits will weaken your immune system and leave you susceptible to illness.
For all the selfish people of the world, you probably don’t understand why anyone would put others before them, time and again. The truth is, it gives you a sense of accomplishment and makes you feel good. And of course, there’s the praise that comes along with it. Having people refer to you as a “good person” and tell others how generous and giving you are, simply feels good. But this is a slippery slope into being taken advantage of. Not only that, but the high you get from being admired might cloud your judgment, causing you to forgo food or sleep in hopes of gaining more accolades. This is both foolish and defeating. After all, if you end up burning out, you can no longer help others. And even worse, you might end up compromising your health.
You can be your own worst enemy or your number one advocate. You’re responsible for your happiness and that start with your health. But becoming a happier, healthier version of yourself doesn’t need to be complicated. In fact, by utilizing a few of these easy tips, you can easily take control of your life and put yourself in the right position for positivity and success.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
