We all start the year with the intention of being the happiest and healthiest version of ourselves. But all too often life gets in the way and our resolutions slip and fall by the wayside before January is even over. Today, I am sharing six ideas on how you can improve your health and happiness in 2021 so you can get your goals back on track. Each of the tips might seem surprisingly simple – like keeping a journal or taking your daily vitamins – but they could make a huge difference in how you feel. So read on to find out more about how to better look after your mind, body, and happiness – and get ready to have the best year yet…
TIP ONE: CREATE A BEDTIME ROUTINE (AND STICK TO IT!)
We all know how important it is to get a good night’s sleep, but all too often our busy lives mean we sacrifice our shut-eye.
This can be damaging not only to our physical wellbeing but to our mental wellbeing, too.
That’s why it’s so important to ensure you get the eight hours your body needs to help you keep going and feel your best all day long.
Start by creating a bedtime routine so that your body understands it is time to switch off and go to bed. This doesn’t need to be rigid, just something that signals your day is coming to an end. For example, instead of lying in bed on your phone, try spending a few minutes reading or practicing deep breathing. Both activities will help calm your body before drifting off.
Once you’ve decided on your routine, the real challenge is sticking to it. Be protective of the time before you go to bed: don’t be tempted by ‘just one more episode’ or get lost in your social media feed. On the occasions when you do get to bed a little bit later, see if you can make up the time in the morning by putting your alarm back by a few minutes.
TIP TWO: TAKE A MICROBIOTIC CAPSULE
You might not have given it much thought before but keeping your gut healthy is crucial to your overall wellbeing. To do this there are lifestyle choices we should all make, including getting plenty of exercise, chewing food 20-30 times before swallowing, and eating a balanced diet full of fiber and packed with color. If you really want to look after this valuable biological ecosystem you need to start from the inside.
TIP THREE: EXERCISE (DON’T USE CLOSED GYMS AS AN EXCUSE!)
Exercise is a great way to keep ourselves mentally and physically fit. But you don’t need to be a slave to spin classes or spend hundreds on a gym membership in order to stay active. Now that the gyms are closed, why not aim to incorporate small bursts of exercise into your daily routine instead?
You can start the day with a mini-circuit in the living room, mixing-up a handful of exercises like a plank, squats, or push-ups. Even just 15 minutes will be beneficial over a long period of time. When it comes to running your errands, try walking or cycling.
If you are feeling stuck for inspiration there are a number of free apps, programs, and videos available online to help you come up with ideas on how to work out at home.
TIP FOUR: SPEND MORE TIME OFFLINE
Whether it is a distraction, used for work, or the way you catch up with friends, many of us find ourselves increasingly reliant on our TVs, laptops, and smartphones. But while there are plenty of benefits to using technology, too much screen time can mean we feel a little bit low, or find ourselves missing out on real-life experiences.
Practice spending time away from your screen and build that ‘offline’ time into your daily routine. If you are a frequent user then start by taking 10 minutes away from screens and gradually increase the time until you are at an hour a day.
Use that extra time to go for a stroll, give the house a quick tidy or speak to a friend or loved one (face to face). Not only will you feel the benefit of being present in a given moment but you’ll feel more productive, too.
TIP FIVE: KEEP A GRATITUDE JOURNAL
Nourish your mind like you nourish your body by keeping a ‘gratitude journal’ full of things you are grateful for. Here’s how to do it in four simple steps:
- Find a notebook, a pen, and 5-10 minutes of time (either first thing in the morning or last thing at night are popular times to journal).
- Think of three things you are grateful for. These can range from the small (fresh bedsheets or a night without the children waking up) to the big (a new job, romance, or plans to move house), all that matters is that they make you feel appreciative at that moment.
- Write down each of these things, or gratitudes, in as much or as little detail as you like. You could add a little context by writing a quick line at the top of the page about where you are while writing (in bed on a cold and rainy Monday or sitting in the living room having a glass of red wine) so that it jogs your memory when you look back.
- Date the journal entry and continue writing. The journal not only helps focus the mind on the positive at that moment but serves as a document that you can turn to lift you up if you’re having a down day.
TIP SIX: TIDY LITTLE AND OFTEN
‘Tidy house, tidy mind’ might be a cliche but is undoubtedly true that living in an organized, comfortable environment positively impacts our health and happiness.
If you find it difficult to make time for housework, think about doing it ‘little and often’ – tackling one or two small chores each day, rather than letting the work (and mess) build-up for ‘the big clean’. Many of us can afford to spare 10 minutes to do the dishes and wipe down the kitchen countertops, for example, or vacuum a room or two of the house.
By making the work less intimidating and more manageable, you are more likely to do it. Who knows, you might find yourself enjoying the chores and unleash your inner domestic god!
