Your Health in Action: Small Changes to Make in 2018
The end of the year is quickly approaching. If you’re anything like me, you’re probably hard at work on your list of resolutions for 2018. Many of us are after the same things, but without concrete goals and strategies for achieving those goals, we are likely to abandon our resolutions before we even reach the month of February.
Health-related achievements are one of the most popular types of new year’s resolutions we set for ourselves. Whether we are looking to lose weight, run a marathon, or demonstrate Gaston-level feats of strength, we often aim to improve our overall health and wellness at this time of year.
To accomplish these goals, it is important to make changes we can stick to. While major transitions (like embarking on the Whole30 or adopting an intense fitness regimen) can have a significant impact on our health, let’s not forget about some of the small changes we can implement in our lives as well! Check out a few of my tips for ways to improve our health in 2018.
Drink more water.
Experts say that we should be drinking half our bodyweight in ounces of water each day. Drinking enough water will boost your metabolism, hydrate your skin, and provide a myriad of other health benefits. Invest in a cute water bottle or tumbler that you can refill throughout the day for easy access. Also, consider swapping soft drinks or other beverages for water when dining out.
Meditate and practice gratitude.
Spiritual and mental health are arguably just as important as your physical health, and can ultimately relieve stress and encourage self-awareness. Meditate for just a few minutes a day with some ambient music (consider The Album Leaf or Eluvium). You can also search for “5-minute meditation” options on Spotify for an instant boost. Another option is to keep a gratitude journal to remind you of the things you’re grateful for.
Dedicate time to meal prep.
I’ve written about the merits of #MealPrepSunday before, but they are absolutely worth another mention. Cooking three healthy, Instagram-worthy meals each day is no easy feat when you’re also juggling work, school, a social life, and other obligations. However, it is much easier to eat healthy throughout the week when you’ve chopped/mixed/cooked ahead of time. I love to spend a few hours on Sundays zoning out to reality TV while chopping veggies. It saves me a ton of time later in the week when other responsibilities pop up!
Incorporate essential oils into your life.
Essential oils are derived from plants and yield a variety of health benefits! I diffuse a mixture of lavender and peppermint in my home to help ward off headaches, and use lemongrass to assist with cleaning. As someone who struggles with eczema, I often use tea tree oil to relieve inflammation after a breakout. Do your research to find out which essential oils may benefit you!
Looking for more ideas on how to improve your health in 2018? Elysium Health has compiled a helpful infographic with tips from wellness bloggers, including yours truly! The infographic also includes solutions to your diet, exercise, and sleep problems. For more information from Elysium, check out their research on NAD+ and how it can preserve our health.
What are your wellness tips for 2018? Share with us in the comments section!
