Are you actively maintaining healthy practices? Maybe that feels like a loaded question, but it is one that we all need to ponder and answer for ourselves.
It’s sometimes easy to feel overwhelmed with daily tasks, work, projects, family time, and all the activities of life. But it is so important to take time for yourself today. It is much easier to proactively care for our bodies than to be forced to stop to repair injuries or recover from illness later.
You’ve likely been told at some point in your life to “take care of yourself now before you get older.” It turns out that this advice is not without merit. Taking the time now to put healthy habits into practice can make all the difference in your world. The earlier we begin to take care of ourselves, the more natural those habits will become. Suddenly the things we once felt were difficult or required reminders and intentionality will become second nature to us.
But the inverse is also true. If we put off healthy habits in the short-term those same practices later feel much more difficult. When we reject healthy practices, we risk entering our golden years with less than desirable (and preventable) risks. Imagine the quality of life you can experience when you help to reduce your risk of heart attack, stroke, cancers, fatigue, injury, and other diseases and illnesses by taking care of your body today!
Healthy habits not only impact our physical body but our emotional and mental health as well. Imagine having more quality time with family, feeling motivated and energetic, and not feeling that mid-afternoon slump around 2pm. Small changes in our habits can create a great impact.
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Here are a few changes you can begin to make today to proactively care for and fuel your body while helping to prevent injury and illness down the road.
Food is Fuel
Is the food that you are eating fueling your body for longevity? Is it providing energy?
What we eat has a great impact on how we feel. When we eat foods that are processed, contain sugars, or are comprised of simple carbohydrates, we are not offering our body the fuel it needs to perform its best. Many of us live busy lives. We work hard, often without ample time for lunch breaks or time to cook a nutritious meal each day. But is this a good reason not to choose our food wisely? Of course not!
Convenience should not trump nutrition if we wish to fuel our bodies effectively. Your health can be a great asset, but it can also be a liability. When we fuel our bodies properly, we can think clearly. We have the energy to make it through the day. We are efficient and effective in our daily tasks. But when we choose options solely out of convenience that offer no nutritional value, we risk brain fog, fatigue, low levels of motivation, irritability, bloating, and discomfort. Don’t sacrifice your motivation, energy, and productivity!
Plan Ahead
Develop a routine that involves meal planning and preparation. Consider your average day when developing your plan. Do you often grab a snack? Replace the 10 o’clock donut for a banana and nut butter toast. Swap out the 2 o’clock candy bar with some added protein like meat and cheese or Greek yogurt. Making these changes might seem small at first, but you will discover that your energy levels will increase. You will feel better, more motivated, and become an even better version of yourself today while helping to prepare your body for even better days tomorrow.
Get Moving
Do you work at a desk or other sedentary job? Studies suggest that 80% of Americans today work in some form of environment that involves minimal physical movement. If this describes your 9-5 experience, then it’s important to make the extra effort to maintain body movement and blood flow throughout the day.
Set an alarm on your phone to stand up and walk around your desk or office area throughout the day. Take walks during lunch or other breaks. Use the stairs when entering or exiting your building. Park on the far side of the parking lot. Practice simple chair exercises. You may even invest in an under-desk elliptical to keep your body moving throughout the workday.
Invest in your Mental Health
Another study suggests that 83% of US workers suffer from work-related stress. Finding healthy ways to relax, unwind, and enjoy each day will go a long way in contributing to your mental health and well-being.
Start a gratitude journal. Take short breaks to breathe and consciously unclench your jaw. Meditate in the mornings, evenings, or both. Practice yoga. All of these are great options for encouraging overall mental wellness and longevity in your body and mind.
Upper Cervical Health Care
Another great way to relieve stress and encourage full-body health is through consistent upper cervical care. Ensure your “head is on straight” as you proactively care for your whole body. Upper cervical care corrects/realigns a neck misalignment in the spine and allows the brain to effectively communicate to all parts of your body.
Proper alignment encourages both physical and mental health, as your body can function as it was intended. Upper cervical care also helps to alleviate symptoms from, and even correct the miscommunications that cause, health issues such as asthma, migraine headaches, back pain, digestive disorders, and fibromyalgia.
There’s No Time Like the Present
There’s no better time than now to start (or continue) investing in your health. By combining healthy practices such as a healthy diet, exercise, mental wellness, and upper cervical care, you give your body the tools and fuel it needs to stay healthy, active, and energetic for years to come.