Bills, work, kids, social engagements, technology, debt, weight loss, deadlines; with the sheer amount of stress affecting us in modern society, it can be easy to turn to quick fixes rather than implementing long term solutions. How many times have you ordered yet another cup of coffee instead of considering regular exercise, more sleep or a short meditation? Of course, opting for a healthier lifestyle can sometimes seem easier said than done, but once you start to see the positive effects, we guarantee you’ll be hooked.
1. SLEEP
Sleep is the way your body relaxes, rejuvenates and recharges. With our collective addiction to social media (don’t be ashamed, we’re all guilty!), it can be difficult to switch off and shut-eye. Some people need more sleep than others, too. Ensure you’re doing your mind and body justice by scheduling a decent amount of sleep every night. Reserve your bed for sleeping, keep work outside of the bedroom. Once you’re in bed, try to limit your use of screens, as this has a tendency to keep you awake. Try reading, a crossword, use a Meditation app or another brain activity before bed. This will greatly improve your quality of sleep!
2. SUSTENANCE
This might seem like an obvious one, but what we put into our bodies is one of the best ways that we can control how we perform mentally and physically. We know, we also ate one too many doughnuts on the weekend, but we’re talking about moderation here, not dieting. You know the rules, you’ve read them all before; try to include fresh food and vegetables in the majority of your meals, drink plenty of water, and limit the nasties. Foods that have been proven to help with the management of stress include avocado, berries, garlic, nuts, oatmeal, and fish. Try to incorporate these into your everyday meal plan.
3. SWEAT
If you’re going to treat yourself, however, it is absolutely paramount that you employ a regular routine of exercise. Again, we know you’d rather take the elevator, but don’t tell us you don’t feel better after that set of stairs! Keep your exercise balanced and varied, your body will thank you for working different parts of it! Always think about exercise in regards to strength, flexibility, and endurance. If you can try and factor these into your regular exercise, your body will thank you for it.
4. SOOTHE
With all these guidelines to adhere to, looking after yourself can seem like a chore. However, it is important to remember that as much as you need to work that treadmill, you also need to treat yourself. Taking some time out to relax and pamper is essential for keeping stress levels low. A great, affordable way to do this is put aside one hour a week for a relaxing massage in Bentleigh. You deserve it!
5. SUNLIGHT
There is nothing quite like the feeling of fresh air and sunlight on your skin. Humans are greatly affected by sunlight, so it’s important we take the time each week to get a healthy amount of sunlight, protected by sunscreen of course. Take your lunch break outside this week, or perhaps walk to work instead of driving. This outside exposure will do your mind and body wonders.
Don’t let the daily stress of life get you down. Instead of looking for another quick, bandaid fix, think about the plethora of ways that you can make a few minor changes, in order to achieve some major rewards. Remember these five, easy-to-remember rules: SLEEP, SUSTENANCE, SWEAT, SOOTHE and SUNLIGHT. With these, you’ll be on the right track to being the best you that you can be!
**This post has been updated.