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September is Self-Improvement Month, but let's be honest, every day is an opportunity to better ourselves.
While self-improvement covers a broad range of categories, one of the most important is taking care of our health. Habits focused on our physical and mental wellness can have a significant impact on our well-being, energy levels, and overall quality of life. But where do we start?
Choosing Healthy Habits and Sticking to Them
- Start Small
One of the biggest mistakes people make when trying to adopt healthy habits is trying to do too much too quickly. Overhauling your entire lifestyle overnight is just not realistic.
Pick one or two habits you want to adopt and work on them consistently until you feel comfortable.
- Make a Plan
The best way to make sure you stick to your new healthy habits is to have a plan. Write down what you want to achieve, how you’re going to do it, and when.
This doesn’t have to be complicated - it could be as simple as writing a to-do list or setting reminders on your phone.
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Stick to a Routine
Consistency is key. Healthy habits require your follow-through and sticking to a routine. Try to do your healthy habit at the same time every day, or on the same days of the week.
Try These Healthy Habits
Try some of these ideas if you’re drawing a blank when it comes to what habits to try and create for a healthier, happier you.
- Start Your Day Positively
Start your day on a positive note by setting aside time for yourself in the morning. Kicking off your day by grounding yourself and fostering a positive mindset will help set the tone for the rest of the day.
Instead of checking your phone first thing in the morning, use an analog alarm clock and leave your phone in a drawer until after your new routine is done.
Some ideas for a morning routine include taking a few minutes to meditate, journal, or go for a longer walk with your dog around the neighborhood.
- Make Self-Care a Priority
Self-care is crucial for our mental, emotional, and physical well-being. It's important to take care of ourselves before taking care of others.
A great way to practice self-care is by making time for activities that make us feel good, such as exercising, taking a bubble bath, or watching our favorite movie.
Make it a habit to schedule some self-care time each week so that you don't forget to take care of yourself.
- Take Your Vitamins
Vitamins and minerals are essential for our bodies to function properly. They help to maintain a healthy immune system, support our energy levels, keep our bones and teeth healthy, and promote healthy cell function.
However, it can be difficult to get all the vitamins we need from our diet alone, which is why it's important to take daily vitamin supplements.
The best thing about a supplement regime is it's easy to start, cost-effective, and takes a few seconds to do daily. If you’re looking for a good place to start, try a multivitamin in the morning with breakfast.
- Practice Gratitude
Practicing gratitude has been shown to improve overall happiness and well-being. One way to practice gratitude is by keeping a gratitude journal.
Write down three things that you're grateful for each day, no matter how big or small they may be. This will help you focus on the good things in your life and cultivate a sense of gratitude.
- Get Enough Sleep
Getting enough sleep is essential for our overall well-being. When we don't get enough sleep, we feel tired and irritable, and it can affect our mood, concentration, and productivity.
Aim to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night, and try to establish a bedtime routine to help you wind down and get a good night's sleep.
To support better rest, try a natural option like taking a melatonin supplement 30-40 minutes before bed. This will let your body know that it’s time to sleep which will make it easier to physically and mentally wind down for the night.
Conclusion
September may be self-improvement month, but let's commit to making self-improvement a lifelong habit. By creating healthy habits, we are showing ourselves that we are worthy of care and respect.
Taking care of your health and well-being can help you be present in the moment and remind yourself that in order to take care of others, we first must take care of our own needs. We can fall in love with ourselves and live our happiest, healthiest lives.
