4 tips for holistic health
We know all the classic buzzwords surrounding holistic health and to be frank we’re all tired of hearing them. They make being healthy in body and mind sound like an absolute drag. So here are some easy to implement tips to help create a healthier lifestyle that doesn't completely shake up your routine!
1. Eat breakfast
One of the best things to do to improve your mental and physical wellbeing is to simply eat breakfast. A lot of you might think this seems basic, but eating a decent breakfast can be the key to fueling our bodies for a productive morning, creating a flow-on effect for the rest of the day. If you’re pressed for time, a smoothie with fruit, a source of protein and some carbs works great in a pinch, and if you’re even more time-poor, grabbing a banana on your way out the door still counts! Try to eat something in the morning every day for one month and track the benefits you see to your mental and physical health.
2. Don't look at your phone until you’ve finished your morning coffee or breakfast
We all know that social media is a great tool for communicating with our friends and family, however, social media can have plenty of negative content that can affect our mood, especially in the morning. If you sometimes struggle with anxiety, give yourself an hour in the morning to get ready, eat something good and enjoy your morning ritual without the influence of social media to help create a positive internal narrative before you leave the house (or log on if you WFH).
3. Exercise once a day
This is the most important factor I find with my personal health, both mentally and physically. There is no shortage of evidence that exercise not only improves your physical health but also your mental state. Exercise doesn't have to mean going for a run or doing a class at the local gym, it can be as simple as going for a walk on your lunch break! Exercise as a word can be off putting to many people due to past trauma, but it is essential to nurturing positive energy and increasing your general wellbeing.
4. 30 minutes of mindfulness
Mindfulness is one of the most underrated and simple habits to implement, mostly because it can be done anywhere, at any time. Mindfulness is about being present in a moment. Thinking about how you feel, why you feel like that and observing your surroundings. I love to link my mindfulness with gratitude, either stating aloud or writing down three things I am grateful for and why, and reflecting on how and why these things make me feel the way I do. I often practice mindfulness and gratitude while I’m exercising (this is called Habit-Stacking, if you want to hear more about this let us know!) or by journaling before I go to bed. Journaling before bed helps you reflect on what has been negative or positive about your day, why these occurrences influenced your mood and helps you come to terms with your state of mind. By adding in gratitude on top of your mindfulness you’re able to finish your day or enjoy exercise even more because you’re reflecting on what you appreciate in your life.
Bonus Tip! Cold showers
If you consider yourself a little bit crazy (I know I am!), you might want to try this. My favourite part of the morning is the last minute of my shower. Why? Because it's cold. I turn off the hot water and take a few deep breaths as I endure a freezing wake up to kick start my day. There are a plethora of health benefits that you can read up to help you make the decision to implement this into your daily routine. The reason I do it though is because it’s hard. To consciously force yourself to stand under cold water for a minute is not enjoyable at all, but it gives you control. You’ve made the decision to do something that’s not easy within an hour of waking up, which makes whatever else going on in the rest of your day seem easier. This one is not for the faint of heart, but if you try it for 30 days I guarantee you’ll see an improvement in at least one aspect of your health!
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