Life can be exhausting sometimes. Balancing your work life, personal life, and health can take up mental space and leave your body feeling worn out. It can be difficult to know how to take care of yourself. Where do you start?
Many people offer examples for self-care that include waking up daily at 5 a.m., exercising for hours, reading a book per week, and performing a twelve-step skincare habit. Does it have to be this challenging?
Feeling your best shouldn’t be an overwhelming process. Ivee, an online health platform that helps you navigate the world of wellness through IV therapy discusses five ways you can upgrade your wellness practices this year. You’re free to take things one step at a time as you explore what self-care looks like for you.
1. Get Enough Sleep
Some people might say sleep is for the weak, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Sleep plays a major factor in your physical and mental health, making it something to consider prioritizing. Do you struggle to get seven or eight hours of sleep per night? Here are a couple of tips to help you wind down:
- Try putting your devices away before bed. We know it can be difficult to put phones and television away, but you may feel differently if you try it. Some people experience improved sleep quality by unplugging before bed.
- Slow down on caffeine. Coffee is a habitual drink for so many, helping to keep people motivated and energized for the day. However, when you drink it too late in the day, you may experience restless sleep or have difficulty getting to sleep. Cut back around 2 p.m. to avoid staying up too late.
2. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
Let’s look at another way to contribute to your wellness this year. Drinking water is essential for many areas of your health. For example, did you know drinking water helps your body regulate its temperature? In addition to that, staying hydrated can support your joint health and carry nutrients to your cells.
You may find it difficult to make yourself drink water when tasty options such as coffee and soft drinks are accessible. One way to increase your water intake is to drink a glass of water whenever you drink another beverage to ensure you get the hydration you need.
3. Invest in Your Loved Ones
Another area of your wellness is relational wellness. How often do you make time for people in your life who care about you? How long has it been since you have asked a friend how they are doing or shared something personal with them about your life? Here are three ways you can make an intentional effort with a loved one:
Make a Phone Call
Can you think of anyone who you used to be close to? Maybe you used to talk every day. You still think highly of them, but your life paths have changed how frequently you communicate. One way to upgrade your wellness would be giving an old friend a call to see how they’re doing.
Ask Someone Over for Dinner
Perhaps there’s a person in your life who you think could become a close friend of yours. Rather than playing the waiting game, try asking them if they’d like to have a meal with you. Having people over for dinner is one way to invest in people and share your life with them.
Plan an Outing With a Family Member
If you’ve noticed you have been flying solo too often, getting in touch with a family member can help you keep yourself connected to the outside world. Consider planning an outing together that you’ll both enjoy. Perhaps that entails visiting a park nearby or taking a road trip together. The time you spend can help strengthen your bond and recharge you.
4. Support Mental Health
Your mental health is another aspect you may want to give attention to. When you’re thinking about ways to upgrade your wellness, attending to your mental health can help support you holistically.
Here are a few practices you can implement to enhance your mental health:
- Try journaling. You don’t have to write down every detail of your week. Instead, focus on the people, events, and opportunities you feel grateful for. Doing this can allow you to take notice of the positive areas of your life and keep your perspective optimistic.
- Consider trying meditation. This practice can help ground your body and mind, allowing you to center your thoughts and find self-acceptance.
- Explore your creativity. Do something that enables you to celebrate your creative strengths. Whether you enjoy painting, writing music, or dancing, letting your creativity flow is one way to support your mental health.
5. Consider Wellness Routines
The new year is a time for resolutions and fresh starts. Consider adding wellness routines to your list of goals for the year. There are many options available to fit your needs, from yoga and meditation to clean eating and fitness. Making time for self-care will help you feel better mentally and physically, and can even improve your relationships with others. Choose what works best for you, and make sure to set realistic goals so that you can stick with them long-term.
Starting A New year On The Right food
At the end of the day, you deserve to pursue wellness for yourself and your future. You don’t have to change everything about your life overnight. By taking a few small steps to show up for yourself this week, you can promote mental and physical wellness that lasts.
