Wellness is a choice. It’s a decision that you must make, time and time again, even when you don’t feel like it. (Especially when you don’t feel like it!) A healthy body and mind don’t simply happen to most of us. We have to claim it, own it and make it a priority. But as you continue to consistently choose wellness, the process will get easier.
Here are five personal paradigm shifts that will firmly plant you on the path to physical and emotional wellness right away.
Change Your Attitude About Food
Many of us cling to negative thoughts about food without even realizing it. These can be attitudes we were raised with or ideas we’ve developed over time as we witness our bodies and lifestyles change. Remove the rigid belief structure and “all-or-nothing” thinking that comes with constant dieting and food deprivation. Replace thoughts of all the foods you “can’t” eat with a new positive and proactive perspective on food.
- Learn about the foods you eat. Read, conduct online research or watch reputable documentaries to discover how your favorite foods are farmed and raised. As you learn more, you might adopt new choices because you want to, not because you have to.
- Get inspired. Take a cooking class, try a vegan restaurant, or make an effort to incorporate a different healthy food into your meals every week. When eating healthy is fun and exciting, it’s a much easier habit to maintain.
- Understand how your diet impacts your body. A qualified nutritionist or nutrition expert at a weight loss spa can help you understand exactly how the foods you eat are affecting your energy level, weight and overall health. This knowledge can empower you to make new choices as you shop, snack and prepare meals.
Sleep More
Stop sacrificing sleep. Seriously. Go to sleep earlier, take 20-minute afternoon naps whenever possible and allow yourself the luxury of sleeping in on weekends. There is no shame in taking the time you need to feel rested and relaxed. Not only do you deserve the rest, but a well-rested body is the foundation for your overall health. Your body and mind will thank you for it.
Be More Mindful
Slow down. Get into the habit of practicing mindfulness in all you do. “Living mindfully” means that you shut down your anxious thinking, stop rushing from one activity to the next and allow yourself to concentrate on exactly what you’re doing at this very moment (even if it’s something as simple as reading a blog post). Allow yourself to focus only on what’s happening right now; don’t allow your mind to wander toward the future or back to the past. For more information on what it means to be more mindful, check out our tips to use mindfulness to reduce stress.
Book a Wellness Retreat for Yourself
Remove yourself from your daily routine in order to break old habits right away. You’ll learn more about your own mind-body connection and the ways you could be inadvertently sabotaging your own health. Wellness retreat activities are designed to inspire you, challenge you and clear away the mental clutter that keeps you from your own optimal health. In addition to trying new exercises, establishing personal objectives and eating fresh, healthy foods, you will be surrounded by a supportive group of like-minded people who also recognize the value of prioritizing personal wellness.
Embrace Exercise
Let’s face it: exercise is hard. It can also be physically uncomfortable as your body shakes off an old physique and replaces it with a newer, firmer you. Since exercise requires a long-term commitment, it makes sense to stop wasting energy resisting it and instead seek out physical activities you enjoy. Remember, exercise doesn’t have to happen in a gym. It can be outdoors, in a swimming pool, in the serenity of a yoga shala or even on your own bedroom floor. The important thing is that you find an exercise activity that you enjoy. You don’t have to go it alone! Register for a wellness retreat or sign up for a class or Meetup group where you can connect with other people who enjoy staying physically active.
As you begin to make these new lifestyle changes, you might find yourself resisting. This just means you’re onto something big! Use your resistance as a sign to persevere. If you’re not sure how to begin, simply take it easy. Book a massage at a holistic spa and ease yourself into the idea that you have the power to make changes to your lifestyle right away. Then claim the wonderfully healthy and happy life you know you deserve.
