We all have good intentions when it comes to taking care of ourselves, but it’s easier said than done. However, the downside is that neglecting our diet and physical activity week after week plays havoc with our health and well-being. Here are five ways to achieve an improved well-being and boost your health easily and efficiently.
Nurture your body
It’s easy to skip a beat when it comes to our health and then be out of tune with our physical health – though our bodies give us clues as to what it’s missing, we often overlook these and miss the signs. Our genetic code has been basically the same for more than 40,000 years though, which means what our bodies crave has remained the same. Experts advise that good health is based on the foundation of great sleep, a nutrient-rich diet and plenty of physical activity, with at least a small amount of time spent outdoors each day. One of the biggest challenges we face today is getting enough rest and sleep. Because of our busy work lives and active social lives, we often find that we don’t get nearly enough sleep. It’s advised that you get at least 15 minutes rest at work, by taking a walk at lunch or simply reading a book on your lunch break, as well as getting at least eight hours sleep each night.
De-stress
Stress is a feature of everyday life that we never used to have to deal with. From headaches and fatigue, to backache and clenched jaws, the symptoms of stress can vary from person to person. Most people are stressed on some level, whether they realise it or not. Breathing techniques are best for combating stress – take a deep breath in, hold for the count of four, then breathe out to the count of seven. Repeat this five times to calm yourself down; yoga can also help.
Acceptance
Because of the preoccupation with image and size in today’s society, many people feel worried about their appearance and find it difficult to accept themselves. For women, this is a big problem. The quickest way to improve your well-being is to accept the way you look and stop beating yourself up for not being able to achieve unattainable goals for size and image. This will help you stave off depression and anxiety about this issue, and help you to lead a healthier and happier life.
Embrace your emotions
Experts agree that one of the most common causes of ill health is the lack of emotional awareness – in other words, not listening to your body, not dealing with your emotions and sedating them with alcohol or cigarettes. If you work with your emotions instead of against them, you will lower the risk of developing conditions such as chronic pain or irritable bowel syndrome, which are emotionally induced. There is no shame in admitting when you’re upset, angry or hurt, but simply ignoring it or writing it off as nothing won’t help your health. Talk to a friend, your partner or a counselor to get on top of what’s troubling you and seek advice from an unbiased source.
Relationships
Lastly, the relationships we have are important for our mental and physical health. Close relationships help us to bond with other people and help enhance our lives – we need them in order to boost our health and to feel settled emotionally. Having people around for support can help to alleviate some of the stress which can lead to mental health problems, such as depression or anxiety.