With so many of us battling obesity, it’s important to try and find the best ways to live a healthy life. Many of us get busy throughout the week with work and family obligations, or we’re stressed over daily responsibilities, and it can be difficult to find the time and motivation to focus on our health. Making an effort to live a wellness-based life, however, can help alleviate stress and anxiety while keeping us physically fit.
This means different things to different people. For some, it’s about finding the time to workout everyday. For others, it’s more about finding a healthy diet that is sustainable for the entire family. Others need to focus more on getting enough sleep and taking care of their mental health. There are many different ways to practice wellness, but it’s important to strike a good balance between the mental, physical, and emotional.
Here are a few tips on how to do just that.
Create a home gym
Creating a home gym may sound like an expensive, difficult job, but with the right tools, you can make a space in your house where you feel comfortable working out and can enjoy yourself without breaking the bank. Exercise should be done everyday and shouldn’t be about pushing yourself because of a number on the scale, rather it should be something that makes you feel good. Whether that’s achieved through yoga or lifting free weights is up to you. Start with the right equipment for your needs and create a space where you have plenty of room to move around, such as the basement or garage. Click here for some great tips on how to get started.
Create a sleep routine
Your sleep routine can play a huge role in the rest of your day. Not getting adequate rest can leave you feeling sluggish, irritable and unable to perform well at work or school. There’s no way you can be your best self when you’re exhausted all the time, so create a sleep routine that will help you get enough rest every night. Set a bedtime and stick to it. Make the last hour before bed a time to relax; try soothing music or a white noise machine if you have trouble falling asleep.
Boost your self-esteem
Most of us could use a self-esteem boost from time to time. Finding ways to make yourself happy and get to a place of self-acceptance will help you feel more confident, which can have numerous positive results in your life. Replace your wardrobe; get a haircut you’ve always wanted to try, and ask out that person you have a crush on. Taking charge and making some changes can help you feel more in control and will motivate you to reach your goals.
Help out
Helping others is a great way to feel good about yourself and will contribute to your self-worth. Whether you want to volunteer your time or services to a shelter or after-school program, donate old clothing to the less fortunate, or work with a charity to help victims of domestic abuse get back on their feet, finding ways to put others first will give your mental health and well-being a big boost.
Fighting obesity starts with a healthy mental state and outlook, so it’s incredibly important to make sure you’re in a good place where that is concerned before starting any new routines or regimens. Talk to your doctor if you’re unsure of how to get started and remember to take things slow. The goal is to get healthy, not to get to a certain number on the scale.
By: Sheila Olson
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Sheila Olson has been a personal trainer for five years. She believes the best way to achieve physical fitness and good health is to set and tackle small goals. She encourages her clients to stay positive and incorporates mindfulness and practices for reducing negative talk into her sessions. She created FitSheila.com to spread the word about her fitness philosophy.