Getting Healthier Has Nothing To Do With Counting Calories (By: Dr Mallory)
When you think of the word “health” we often think of eating vegetables and running long distances but there is so much more to being healthy. We need to consider all aspects of ourselves and think of our health as holistic. In order to be healthy, one must take care of their physical, emotional and mental health. There are so many ways to take care of your health besides the obvious.
The first and most important is prioritizing sleep. Sleep affects all aspects of our health. Getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night is shown to prevent health complications, give you more energy and reduce stress. Some things to avoid before bed if you are trying to get better sleep are electronics, alcohol, or sugar. All these things disrupt our circadian rhythm and cause us to get lower quality sleep. Some things to add into your life for better sleep are drinking uncaffeinated tea at night such as chamomile or hibiscus tea, turning down the temperature in your bedroom, reading or journaling before bed instead of scrolling on your phone, or wearing an eye mask to prevent light from disrupting your sleep. A personal favorite tool I use to get better sleep is the Calm app. This app has a variety of sleep stories, white noise playlists and meditation walk throughs to improve your sleep and decrease stress. It is my go-to when I am having trouble falling asleep or feeling overly stressed.
The next thing on the list is drinking plenty of water and eating food to fuel your body. This is something that can greatly improve your physical health but can also help your emotional and mental health as well. If you are having trouble drinking enough water throughout the day, try challenging your friends or coworkers to a competition to see who can drink the most water throughout the day. You can also try getting a new cool water bottle to carry with you everywhere so you never forget to keep drinking it. When discussing healthy food intake, a lot of people think of dieting. Honestly, I hate diets. They are not realistic long term. If you shift your thinking to see food as fuel for your body, it is easier to see why you want to put unprocessed, natural foods in your body. This also doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy pizza or desserts every once in a while too. Everything is okay in moderation. Eating well can also benefit your mental and emotional health by taking the time to cook a nutritious meal with your family, friends or significant other. Nothing brings me more joy than eating something delicious and sharing that experience with someone I love.
Lastly, find a way to move your body that makes you happy. Exercise should not be something you dread it should be something that you look forward to. Moving your body should feel good and take your mind off the stress of the day. You do not have to enjoy running. There are a million other ways to move your body. If you haven’t found a way to exercise that you enjoy, try something else. This can be going to a spin class, hiking, rock climbing, rowing, dancing, yoga, pilates, kickboxing, you name it. The best way to stay healthy long term is to move your body everyday.
All these things can help you stay healthy long term without being too difficult. Remember to prioritize yourself and your health but do it in a way that brings you joy. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health.