“5 habits for improving your holistic health” is a collaborative post.
Most people’s ideas of good health revolve around exercising regularly and eating the right foods. But in recent years, there’s been a greater towards observing one’s holistic health, or a notion of health that involves multiple aspects of personhood—including mental health, social health, and even spiritual health. The goal is to imagine health as something that helps a person achieve balance and harmony in all areas of their life.
How can you take the steps to improve your holistic health if you don’t know exactly where to start? Part of the answer lies in cultivating good habits and making the effort to sustain them. In that vein, here are five examples of habits that will do a lot to boost a holistically healthy lifestyle.
1. Engage in different forms of exercise
Of course, exercise remains one of the best ways to stay fit and healthy—both physically and mentally. But sticking to just one type may get boring after a while and discourage you from pursuing the habit.
One good way to approach this is to do a variety of exercises, and to decide for yourself which types are the most fun and best suited for your lifestyle. If you like working out to music because you find it peaceful and have already tried running, why not try setting a music workout to weights or yoga instead? The variety will help you strengthen your endurance and cardiovascular health as well as motivate you to keep fit. You can also use pure CBD oil canada with your yoga practice to make it more holistic and impactful.
To further improve your workout routine, wear high-quality athletic clothing that’s conducive for the type of exercise you’re doing. Shirts and leggings for women made with moisture-wicking fabric, as well as compression socks, will allow you to move freely and stay cool throughout your routine. When you feel good in what you’re wearing while you exercise, you’ll have a better chance of enjoying yourself while getting those gains in.
2. Start eating healthier meals
Of course, your diet plays a huge role in upholding your overall holistic health. You’ll need to provide your body with essential nutrients that bolster your immune system so that you can achieve greater mental clarity and emotional balance on top of peak physical health.
To make sure that you’re eating enough healthy foods, observe what you eat every week. Make sure that the following feature regularly in your diet:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Lean proteins
- Whole grains
In addition, cut down on processed foods that are high in sugar and unhealthy fats.
3. Get enough sleep each night
They always say that getting enough sleep is easier said than done, especially if you’re tempted to stay up late to scroll through social media or binge-watch your favourite TV series. But take that extra step to prioritise getting quality sleep. The following actions will help you observe a more consistent sleep regimen, which will make a clear difference to your mood and focus among others:
- Try relaxation techniques, such as meditation and deep breathing, to help you unwind.
- Avoid drinking caffeinated beverages and eating high-calorie meals close to your bedtime.
- Minimise screen time before you head to bed.
4. Find ways to manage your stress levels
High stress levels are constantly linked to multiple health conditions, like heart disease and depression. A stressful life may also seem like the norm nowadays. But remember that it doesn’t have to be the case with you.
There’s a lot you can do to control how stressful situations affect you. Be proactive about confronting stress and finding viable ways to manage it, like the following:
- Mindfulness practices—such as journaling, meditation, and taking a pleasant walk outside every day—can teach you to stay present in the moment and foster a sense of calm and resilience in your life.
- Engage in your hobbies when you can so that you have an outlet for creative expression and relaxation.
- Regular self-care routines, like taking a long bath or reading a few chapters of a book before bed, can help you unwind and relax after a stressful day at work.
5. Spend more time offline
A good number of our day-to-day interactions take place online, but you’ll be surprised at how much good a break from your phone or computer screen will do you. Dedicate certain hours each day to be completely offline, and make an effort to be especially present with your loved ones whenever you see them face to face.
Have a movie night every now and then with your friends, or chat on the couch with your kids after a long workday. Even ordinary moments like these can become long-lasting memories that you’ll always able to draw mental and emotional strength from.
At its core, holistic health is about focusing on different aspects of your wellbeing to become healthy, happy, and stable. Kickstart that journey towards taking care of yourself, in multiple ways, by observing these five holistically healthy habits.
